Unselfish Service

Letter #48 02/24/14

Well, I'll start off with the fact that I got transferred out of Star. It's been bittersweet as I have LOVED serving in Star for the last 6 months and have grown really close with the people here as well as my companion. I feel so blessed to have served with Sister Maness (needless to say it's been a pretty emotional weekend). I am now serving in Meridian Central which is just right next door to Meridian North (where I served before Star)! So it's awesome to be in a familiar area and so close to another wonderful area. It's going to be weird not seeing donkeys, cows, and peacocks though. Haha. I am now serving in a threesome with Sister Emmett and Sister Roberson. They are super sweet and I think we're going to have a great transfer together. They are both under 6 months out, but luckily done with their trainings so for the first time since I've been out, I won't have to do any extra training with them. Although, I guess as a senior companion, there's always some form of training ;) Sister Emmett is from Missouri and Sister Roberson is from Texas. A little variety this time, woohoo!

Switching guards back to this past week in Star, Sister Maness and I continued to work with our investigators. I was on exchanges a couple of times with some sisters in Paramount, but it was definitely good prep for Sister Maness to lead out the area. We were able to continue with teaching Hudson and Brenda. Hudson is still enjoying the lessons and it's been great that his family sits in on them too so they can be supportive. We challenged them to come to church (which they have not the last few times we've invited) and Dad, Hudson and Zane (little bro) did! It was so great to see them finally come and enjoy the spirit of church. Sounds like they will continue to make this a regular thing. We met with Brenda and are helping her to progress towards baptism, hopefully in a couple weeks. And another amazing thing is that we have started to teach her older daughter, Kendra (14)! Her understanding is definitely not on Brenda's level as she has not had as much exposure to religion in her life, but she is enjoying it and has great support from her family. I think this will help Brenda as well to be reminded of the things she has been taught.

Wednesday, our district was able to go to the temple. What a wonderful experience that was. I love going to the temple and feeling the spirit and understanding more fully our Heavenly Father's love for us. Afterwards we got to have dinner at a family's house who the wife and daughter are members, but the husband is not. He is a kind man, but doesn't like people just dropping in, so this was the only way for us to get to visit with the family. It was great though. We weren't sure how he'd respond, but it was great. We ended up talking for almost 3 hours and just really enjoyed the company. Sister Maness and I got to sing a hymn at the end and he really enjoyed that as it was a familiar hymn to him. I am so grateful that Sister Maness and I were able to use our talents together. Singing our spiritual messages was truly a blessing as it brought in such a special spirit. She may be the only companion I'll have been able to do that with, but it truly made the transfer and that companionship that much more special :)

The weekend was kind of shot with transfer call, packing and saying goodbyes, but it was still a great weekend. I am so happy with all that is happening in Star and I am grateful that Sister Maness can continue the work with her new companion (she is training a new sister!). That new sister better realize how great she's got it out there ;)

Lately, I have been reflecting on our talents and gifts in the sense of using it for good. Some of our talents are apparent and others we have to work for or have told to us, but it is amazing to see them develop. My biggest hope is that I can be making a difference in others lives, and although I don't want any major recognition for the things I do, it still feels good to know that you are appreciated. I have had individuals share with me the difference I have made with them that I really wasn't sure if I had. But what joy it brought to me to know that they are better or see things better because of help I was able to contribute. I know that it is important that we use and share the talents we have with others because even if we don't feel it is anything special, we never know the impact in can have on those around us! So reflect on your talents and gifts this week and then look and see if you're using them. If so, great, keep it up. If not, well there's always room for improvement :) You'll be surprised the difference it can make for you and those around you!

I love you all and look forward to another wonderful week :)

Love,

Sister Wightman

Moments That Matter Most (+playlist)

Letter #47 02/18/14

Miracles! It is amazing to see how many miracles are happening after I've been in this area for so long. When I first got to Star, the Star 2nd ward was the one with all the teaching opportunities, but now that we are just focused on Beacon Light, it is just booming with blessings! We have 4 solid investigators right now and having teaching opportunities almost every day, whereas before it was lucky if we had 2 lessons a week. 

Tuesday, we had Zone Conference and I was asked to speak with two other Zone Leaders on Unity. This was my second time giving a talk on Unity, so maybe Heavenly Father's trying to tell me something? Haha. No, I feel I'm pretty good on unity, but it was still great to talk about. We had our stake president come and speak about how we can work better with the members. I swear he's going to be a General Authority one day ;) It was a great Zone Conference and really just reinforced what we had been trained on last week in Zone Meeting on planning more effectively which leads to teaching more effectively. After, we went on exchanges as there are some sisters I have stewardship over that are kind of struggling in their companionship. I admit I am not the best at advising people, but I'm grateful for this opportunity to learn and to rely on the spirit to help me know what to say. 

Wednesday, we participated in the Stake Humanitarian Service day at the stake center. This happens once a month and is truly a great opportunity to serve within the community and throughout the world as we tie quilts, write service letters, make activity pillows, and sew dresses for Ghana and Haiti. It's great just to meet with sisters in the community as well and have a chance to socialize and bond. One of our miracles began this day as well. One of the members that we've been working with, Alec, has been involving his younger step-brother in church more and he came to church for the first time last Sunday. He asked him about taking the missionary discussions and we told Devon to just think about it and get back to us. Well, Tuesday while on exchanges, Sister Maness followed up and he said he was interested. So we got to teach him the first lesson about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Devon doesn't really have much of a religious background or understanding, but his desire and attention was incredible. As we talked to him about Joseph Smith, we asked him, being just a year older than Joseph Smith at the time, how he would feel if he saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. His response was incredible. He told us that at first he'd be a little scared, but then he would do whatever They asked of him since it was God and Jesus Christ. Seriously?? It's amazing to see how Heavenly Father is preparing His children. He enjoyed the lesson and the Spirit was definitely teaching him too. 

Friday, of course, was Valentine's day. Sister Maness and I decided that we would make the day fun by making hearts with messages on them and then heart attacking different families that we've interacted with. Some were members of the church, others not, but we wanted them to know that someone loved them. The day was pouring rain, so that made it a little interesting, but we would put tape on the back of the hearts and then run quickly (quietly) to the door, put the hearts on and run back to the car while trying not to get everything too wet. It was so much fun and felt so good to do that quiet act. We got a couple texts later that night with people asking if it was us and thanking us. I didn't want the recognition, but I'm grateful it was successful in helping people feel loved. That evening, we were pampered by a family in the ward as they took us out to a nice dinner in Eagle (I had yummy Mahi Mahi - thought of you Teresa) with dessert...yes, Sister Maness and I are back on eating desserts, although we're more sparing about it. When we got back, they had a little gift bag for each of us with chocolates, lotion and a gift card to Charming Charlies. And when we got home, Brother Rowe (who we live with) handed each of us 3 pink roses. So we got chocolates, dinner AND roses! Probably the most special V-day I've ever had :)

This past weekend was our Stake Conference, where all the members in Star gather to hear from our stake leaders and other members of the church. Saturday night was all about missionary work and our mission president and his wife came and spoke. It was so wonderful to have them there and be a part of it :) There were some converts to the church that shared their stories and testimonies and they did a video on all the youth that were serving missions from the Star stake. Miary was supposed to bear her testimony, and in English, but she got confused on the time and so she was able to do it Sunday morning. What a wonderful experience that was. It was so good to see her again and to hear her wonderful testimony. It touched a lot of people. She began and finished in English and the rest was in Malagasy, which her son-in-law translated. I'm so proud of her and how she continues to grow in the gospel. Also, Sunday morning, the Primary children sand their medley of "Army of Helaman/Called to Serve". Let's just say, not a dry eye in the congregation - including mine. These children are so powerful and they don't even know it. President Firmage ended the session with a talk on prayer. It was great to feel his humility and to explain such a simple principle, but of it's importance. He talked about how our desired aren't always God's will and so as we pray for guidance, we should have an opened heart to know what He needs of us. Also, how we can recognize those answers by the Spirit and that if any answer is not followed by the presence of the Spirit, then it is not true. Truly a great meeting!

Yesterday, we had just a regular day because we are going to the temple tomorrow and the new rule in our mission is that our temple day become our preparation day. Being a holiday, we weren't sure how it would be filled, but luckily our pattern has continued that this area is booming with work to do. Last night, we go to teach Hudson about the Commandments and importance of Obedience. He is continuing to progress and we hope that his family helps him to commit to make it to church this Sunday. Afterwards, we met with Brenda as she had her baptismal interview. It is incredible to see these people grow and their true repentant heart as they desire to follow Christ and have a change of heart from the past. She is amazing and is preparing herself for so many wonderful blessings. We're shooting to have her baptism in a couple of weeks. Her daughter has just agreed to start taking the discussions as well and we're going to start teaching her tonight.

This coming Saturday we will be getting our transfer call and I am expecting to be transferred out of Star. I don't want to, especially with so many good things happening finally, but I haven't heard of any sisters staying in an area for longer than 6 months :( I know that wherever the Lord will send me is where I need to be. I have loved serving here and have had so many experiences that have allowed me to grow immensely. Every day, I receive another confirmation of why this Gospel is true. It makes sense. I feel my Heavenly Father's love daily leading me and guiding me. The principles that we learn and teach are so true and truly bring us that happiness that doesn't go away. Often the world thinks that it can bring us true happiness, but it fades so quickly and often as consequences that make life harder. If you want to enjoy all the blessings that God has for you, just turn to His Gospel. He won't lead you astray. What matters most is our Family being together forever and through Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, that is possible. Who wouldn't want that?

I love you all so much and thank you for your love! Have a great week.

Love,

Sister Wightman

Photos 02/10/14

The "Star Sisters"

Sister Maness and I at the bottom of Table Rock last p-day

At the top of Table Rock. Beautiful day!

My attempt in making a snow angle before shoveling the driveway

Letter #46 02/10/14

Hello everyone! This week has been kind of a roller coaster. Most of it was really great. We had an awesome lesson with Hudson Monday night, teaching him the Plan of Salvation. Having time to role play a lot, with appointments falling through, we were able to really simplify it for his level of understanding and so he was able to even explain it to us after. We invited him to be baptized and he accepted, but his dad said that he has to come to church 4 weeks in a row before he can. We know that if he does that, it will increase his commitment level . We also found out in the middle of the week that another investigator, Brenda, had talked to the bishop about setting a baptismal date because she wants us to be there. We were stoked! and so we tried setting up a time to go over the preparations with her. Thursday, I attended a special Leadership Council where we had in addition to the normal crowd: Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders, the District Leaders were invited and we had Brother Hemingway, Director of the Proselyting Services for the Church and Brother Woodruff, Director of Missionary Services for the Church. It was great to receive training from them and understand how to be more effective and successful. They shared some statistics with us. Since the missionary age has changed in October of 2012, there are now 405 missions, 84,533 missionaries serving, of which 55,396 are elders and 22,667 are sisters. Cool fact for sisters...before the age changed, there were only around 7,000 sisters serving! We've more than tripled!!! They had also done a survey asking people around the country (not of our faith), if they would consider joining the LDS church...9 million said that they WOULD! That is incredible. And Brother Hemingway said there's about 14,000 within our mission boundaries. So...Heavenly Father is definitely preparing people's hearts, and we have got to find them! We learned how to plan better and I can see how this will be effective in our work as well as after the mission. Saturday, we had a neat experience to attend a Family History fair at one of the Stake Centers to teach both adults and youth more about family history work. There were about 230 adults and around 350 youth! We watched a broadcast of John Bytheway and Neil L. Anderson (of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles). Pretty neat experience! Yesterday, at church was where it got a little disheartening. A positive, is that Sister Maness and I got to perform a musical number in Sacrament meeting. She sang "I Know That My Redeemer Lives"(efy version) as I accompanied her. I am so grateful I have a companion that I can share my talents with. She has an incredible voice and it really touched a lot of people in the congregation. We had a couple friends of some members come and so it was cool for them to see that too. However, Hudson did not come (which will push back his baptism) as well as Brenda. She was sick, but she hadn't been able to commit a time to meet to go over baptismal questions. Just when it seems like people are progressing really well, it seems like something always comes up. I understand that there are things not in my control, but it's hard when you have something that is so good and you're able to share it with people, they enjoy it, but they don't embrace it. I keep praying every day though for these individuals, and know that it will all work out eventually. The weather has been a bit extreme, full days of heavy snow fall. I've been able to work on my shoveling skills, but I'm starting to look forward to the summer again...haha. I love you all. I hope everyone will be with their loved ones this Friday (Valentine's day). I appreciate your love. I am so grateful to be out here serving and know that this is where I need to be. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is here on the Earth. Truth and purpose and hope is available to all who are ready to receive it.

Letter #45 02/03/14

There is sunshine in my soul today!!!!!!!! So we FINALLY saw the sun for the first time in a month! I've missed it so much. It's amazing how much the gray skies were starting to affect everyone, and how cheery everyone became once the sun showed up. Definitely lifted all our spirits :) Again, now that we are only covering this ward, we have continued to meet everyone in the ward. It has been awesome just to get to know everyone and how much more united we have become from that. The word has spread that Sister Maness and I sing our spiritual thoughts and so now people are requesting it! A little nerve-wracking sometimes, but still has been a blessing for me. I was a little sick this week, with a sinus cold. It was very attractive as I would just "cry" out of my left eye ;) I tried toughing through as much as possible because I hate telling people I'm sick, especially when they have little kids or older spouses. Finally, Friday night I asked for a priesthood blessing from one our elders. He and his companion willingly came over before curfew and gave me a simple but powerful blessing. Saturday morning I woke up free of congestion and headaches. Sometimes we just need to let the healing power of the priesthood help us to feel our Heavenly Father's love. I am so grateful for that priesthood power and that I've been blessed to always have it in my life. We are continuing to work with Mary Jo, Brenda, and Hudson. Hudson's lessons continued to fall through, but I think it was a tender mercy so that Sister Maness and I could really prepare and refine the lessons more for his needs and understanding. Teaching simply is so much harder! We were ready to extend a baptismal invitation to Mary Jo, but one of the first things she said to us in our visit was, "I'm not ready to be baptized girls". So frustrating! Haha. She keeps all our commitments and goes above and beyond. I know that Satan is just working on her and making her doubt what she has felt and learned, but we continue to feel prompted to challenge her with a date that she might be able to exercise her faith towards. Her daughter and family should be back from Ghana with their adopted kids and have opened up their orphanage there by the end of March and it would be wonderful for Mary Jo to be baptized with the new members of the Hofman family. Our Stake President (who is also in our ward) has even felt impressed and is helping us to make this happen :) I continue to see miracles every day. One of the greatest things I've felt impressed on this week is the knowledge that I am a child of God. To know that God is my Heavenly Father and I am of noble birthright is so powerful. It affects the decisions I make every day. It helps me to know where I came from and how important the choices I make to day to lead me to where I'm going. I hope you all know that you too are children of your Heavenly Father. He loves you and knows you. When we know that, it's easier to do what He asks of us. How little He does ask of us and how much He blesses us in return. Have a great next week (I continue to pray for rain!). Love, Sister Wightman