photo 06/23/14

Our district at the Boise temple

Letter #64 06/23/14

Well, since I just wrote last Wednesday, I feel I won't have as much to write about in this week's blog. But knowing me, it will probably be just the same ;)

We had some great teaching appointments this weekend. Thursday, we got to teach Minda more about the commandments, this time about tithing and the Law of Chastity. It's so great to teach her and then listen as she so simply agrees. It's not that she's easily persuaded, it's that she's been prepared and she knows these things are true. She even said as we asked her if she would keep these commandments that of course she would because they come from God, how can she say no. Seriously? She's so great! She and her husband even stayed all three hours at church this Sunday, which is a first because they haven't felt comfortable splitting up for the third hour of Relief Society and Priesthood. I think she did just fine though and got to be surrounded by the wonderful sisters of our ward. 

That evening, we had the opportunity to teach a new investigator who is actually in another ward, but requested sisters. We had the priviledge of having our mission president's wife join us as well. We shared with her the message of the Restoration. She had very limited knowledge of anything religious, but she had 3 of her friends there with here who were a great support and bore some powerful testimonies to her. She accepted all that we taught her. At the end, I asked her to offer the closing prayer and she was very hesitant, but she agreed to do so after her friend gave a prayer. Then each of her friends bore their testimony of the gospel to her. The spirit was so strong! We then felt prompted to invite her to be baptized and she accepted! It's so amazing. We can teach people who have been working with missionaries for months and then we find someone who is just ready! We all progress in our own way and time, but I'm so grateful to see those who are already ready, wanted to know the truth, but didn't know where to find it. It comes a lot from all of us opening our mouths and just inviting our friends or family to hear what we cherish so much. The worst they can say is no...

Overall, things are going well here. Although most of the people we are working with are having a hard time keeping their commitments, we continue to find tender mercies every day. There was a family that we were teaching who are all members, but the husband is not active and the son is preparing to be baptized in September when he turns 8. We've been going through the lessons with him and his mom so that he can truly understand what he is committing to do. Unfortunately we haven't been able to meet with them since Mother's day because of holidays and then we just stopped hearing from them. Friday, we decided to drive by and just see how they were doing. The wife drove up just as we got there and seemed so excited to see us. She was just as kind and welcoming as ever and then explained apologetically that the reason we hadn't been in touch was that her husband had blocked our number on her phone. She was so upset and hoped we weren't mad. Of course, we weren't. We were just grateful they were still willing to meet with us as we had been so confused with the sudden drop. You just never know what's going on and I'm so grateful we continued to try because we wouldn't want her or her son to feel forgotten!

We receive our transfer call this weekend and I really have no clue what will happen as this is basically my last transfer. I am so grateful for where I have served and the things I have learned. I know that there is a reason we are meant to be in certain places. I know that the Lord is mindful of each of us and as we continue to exercise faith in Him, we will feeling those blessings and guidance in our lives. I know this gospel that I have the privilege to teach is true! What a great time this has been and it's only the beginning :)

I hope you have a great week!

Love,

Sister Wightman

Letter #63 06/18/14

I hope all you father's had a very happy and special Father's Day! I know I have been so blessed with a wonderful father in my life :) Love you Daddy!

It has been a fun and eventful week. Last P-day, I went to downtown Boise with the 4 other sisters in my zone. We started off at a fun small Argentinian empanada restaurant called Tango's. It's a favorite missionary spot and has great food (at a great price...love "missionary discounts"!). Afterwards, we went to Powell's, yes, it's the same one as the one in Los Gatos. Our Ward Mission Leader has some friends that own it and I was so excited to hear they had one hear. None of the other sisters had ever heard of it so it was fun to take them to this fun "candy land". We all got little mint boxes with the Idaho license plate logo and our names. A little memoir ;) And we finished off at a sunglass shop called Proof, with sunglasses and other accessories made out of wood. It's fun to just browse and get out of Meridian haha. It has been pretty hot, but thankfully these last few days have been in the high 60's and low 70's and even some rain. I'm not ready for the 100 degree whether yet (it's coming either way)! 

We got to work with our investigators and less-active members a lot this week. Minda is still progressing greatly and is so excited to be baptized (we're still working on a date with her). Billie is also still progressing, slowly but surely. She is loving all the lessons we continue to teach her and really enjoyed our Stake Conference this weekend, as did Minda. We just keep praying for them and know that everything will happen in the right time. 

We had an interesting experience this week. Sister Worden and I were trying to figure out how we could do better at finding people to teach. We decided on Thursday to go do some more tracting (door-to-door knocking). Although it hasn't been successful here in the past, we just thought it's something! We decided to tract this one street and although no one was interested, Sister Worden pointed out that our prayer had still been answered that every door would open. Our last house was where it got interesting. We knocked and two little boys came to the door, as did their teacup terrier. He was very friendly greeting us, but then decided to dart! The boys started to follow him, but he soon ran farther and farther, heading towards one of the busy boulevards. We started to chase after this dog as well, especially as it ran into the street and cars were swerving around it. Finally, with some help, we were able to catch the dog and I carried it back to their home. The mom had come out by this point and looked somewhat relieved, but still worried. She expressed that she had thought her boys had been kidnapped. I've never had anyone accuse me of that before on my mission! Haha. It was awkward, but memorable. Unfortunately the mother was not interested in listening to our message. But at least their door was opened to us! 

As I mentioned, we had Stake Conference this weekend. It still blows my mind how many members are here as they had to use all 3 buildings in the stake to fit all the members (back home, we all fit fine in our stake center haha). It was a great conference filled with conversion stories, discussion about the importance of families and of making an effort to go to the temple. Today, my district actually gets to go to the temple again (haven't been since February), so I feel pretty blessed right now. It is amazing that being on a mission, these conferences to me help me think more about those I'm working with. Although I still get some out of it for myself, I can't help but think of others and what they are needing right now. I love this time to not worry about myself, but to help others! We were able to hear from the Stake Presidency, the temple president, President Winder (my mission president and his wife, and Elder Erikson of the 70. These are magnificent men and women and were definitely inspired in their words. One of our young women, Riley, also spoke and shared of her conversion story when she was baptized in February. They had all the young women that had worked with her stand up with her as well and it was great to see that love and support. 

I continue to be amazed by the strength of others around me and the tender mercies that I see every day. You really have to pay attention to notice them, but I think you'd be surprised on how much we are blessed every single day. Life is hard and it's truly only going to get harder. We're going to have to stand up more for what we believe. We're going to have to trust in the Lord, our prophet and other Church leaders and know that they are hear to guide us and bless us. We're going to have to doubt our doubts and let faith overcome fear. We're going to have to be on our knees more in prayer. And we're going to have to stand on higher places to be a light to those around us. I am so grateful to be reminded that I am never alone. There are so many out there doing the same thing. We are a family and we can be united when we have the same goal in mind. Never lose track of that!

I love you all!

Sister Wightman

Daily Bread

Letter #62 06/09/14

Hello hello!

Well thankfully this week has seemed busier than last week. We've continued to have more consistent teaching opportunities and lots of great training and edifying. 

Monday night, we had Family Home Evening with Billie and the Burrup's home. The husband was out of town on business, but the family still did it and I think it was perfect setting for Billie. The oldest son, Dylan, taught the lesson on Prayer and it was great to hear Billie contribute so much to it. The hymns sung were "I Am A Child of God" and "When I Am Baptized" and yesterday at church Billie shared with me how much she enjoyed those songs as well. We were able to see her the next night as well do more scripture reading with her. Her faith continues to grow. She had to cancel our appointment Friday, but I'm glad we still got to see her twice and she came to church yesterday and stayed ALL 3 hours!!! Caitlynn, her daughter, is now 18 months so she was old enough to be in Nursery. It was great because I think Billie got so much more out of the lessons. She is also having more opportunities to get to know the other ladies in the ward and every one seems to know her more as well. 

Tuesday, we had Leadership Meeting again. We focused a lot on commitments and following up. I think this is just what we needed as we are all striving to commit individuals to baptism for this month. As I've made more of an effort to extend specific commitments and make plans to follow up, I can see a difference in their willingness as well as they're understanding of why we're asking them to do certain things. A part of the meeting that I was not a fan of was the Assistants to the President did a training and had us all take off our name tags and ponder about when we are done with our missions and who we want to have become. I think the concept was great and it helped me to set some goals with these last couple of months I have left. However, having that name tag of my chest made me feel like a big part was missing and I know I will not be looking forward to that when I am officially released as a full-time missionary. I've still got lots of time though!

Thursday night, we had dinner a member's home and we had asked them to have their daughters' ask their boyfriends (who are not members of our church) to join for dinner. Only one of the boyfriends was able to come, but it was a pretty cool experience. This young man had very little knowledge about our religion, really only from what he knew from his girlfriend. He had moved from Alabama when he was 5 and had never even heard of a Mormon before. We got to share with him what we did as missionaries (which was great since he has some friends from school who are preparing for missions) and help him have a little better understanding of what we believed. Although there didn't seem to be a ton of interest from this 16 year old boy, I know we have planted some seeds there. For our message we did the "cups and knives" game of balancing a set of scriptures on knives that are on top of cups. He actually got really into trying to figure out how to do it, and seemed like a very appropriate lesson to teach about the basic principles of praying, reading scriptures, and attending church to have a firm foundation in the gospel. We've had members be more willing to invite their friends over and be more involved. It's exciting!

We got to see Bob again this weekend. We haven't seen him for a few weeks as he's been recovering from his knee surgery so it was good to see him smiling and cheery like he normally is. He's recovering well although is still doing therapy and moving around slow. He shared that he continues to pray and is slowly reading his scriptures still. Although it's been a little discouraging that we haven't been able to see him for so long, there have been a couple tender mercies, in my opinion, that the Lord has not left him without contact. His surgeon happened to be LDS and did an excellent job, as well as his PT is LDS because he mentioned to Bob about his son preparing to leave for his mission. I hope Bob is also recognizing these things and that he has been able to feel of their spirits as he continues to seek for the truth. Bob is such a wonderful man, full of gratitude and endurance. I am so grateful I've been able to teach him while out here. 

Again, lots of good things have happened this week. How fun it is to look back on the week and see all that's happened and how much I continue to learn and feel of my Heavenly Father's love. Sometimes it is hard. Sometimes I get shy or nervous, but in the end, I am strengthened and reminded that I am not on my own. These are principles I know I will carry out throughout the rest of my life. 

As we continue to live our lives, let us take a step back and see where we're at. Who do you want to become? What are you doing NOW to accomplish these goals? Who are you NOW?

"If you want to BE someone, COME and do it!" (BECOME)

I love you all! Have a great week!

Love,

Sister Wightman

Choose This Day

Letter #61 06/02/14

Hello all!

Hope you've had a great week. This week has been a little slow for me, especially compared to the previous week. We were still able to meet with Minda this week and she is progressing beautifully. We invited her to be baptized after teaching her about the Plan of Salvation and she said she had already had a desire to (she is just waiting on some logistics with her husband)! It's amazing to teach these people that are so prepared. What a difference! Unfortunately Billie's schedule kept conflicting and we weren't able to meet with her this last week, but are tonight. She is joining us with her daughter at another family's house for Family Home Evening. She had been out of town for part of last week and she asked us to check on her cats (she lives just the street behind us) and on our last day of doing that we "heart attacked" her home with little paper hearts and messages and some pictures of Christ. She said she really enjoyed it :) We can tell that the adversary is definitely working on her right now, so we are just being extra prayerful that she will stay strong and not deny the witnesses and answers she's already received. 

Sister Worden and I received a call this week to come to another council with Elder Godoy (of the 70) this past Saturday to discuss the topic of Obedience. I was able to be a part of that council back in February and really enjoyed him so I was glad to hear from him again. He has a way of teaching us important principles with a nice touch of humor and in his Brazilian accent. Obedience is something that we can ALL always try to improve on, as we are not perfect, but especially on a mission, it can be a harder concept to grasp. I constantly think to myself about how this is not my time, but the Lord's time and that is what motivates me, as well as I just have a natural tendency to want to be obedient. The council was great as he helped us to break up the principle between "why" and "how to". When we understand "why", we're understanding the "vision" or the big picture. Examples are like Moses and Joseph Smith who both received visions of what their purpose was for and then shown what it would take to achieve that. When we lose focus of the big picture and get stuck in the steps, it can be draining and discouraging, but when we are refreshed of what it's all for, their is a fire rekindled and motivation again. It doesn't necessarily matter the detailed reasons of why we are asked to do or not do certain things, but as long as we understand the vision/big picture, that can be our reason. I have also found that we don't always understand why people act the way they do, but there is usually a reason behind it that is not apparent. Communicating and listening play a big role in helping. When we understand where they are coming from, it is easier to help them as well help them feel like someone actually cares and is willing to at least listen. When we love others and listen with patience, they are more likely to respond in a positive way. Wow, am I being prepared for parenthood or what?! Haha. 

Something I have really gained a testimony of this past week is of the importance and value of time. Our time in everything is really so short. Time for school, employment, a mission, raising children, and life! That is why it is so important the choices we choose today. Putting it off can restrict those blessings that are there for us in the future. Again, being able to see that big picture helps us to choose how we will be today and what choices we make, whom we serve. As I draw nearer to the end of this mission, I am being hit with the realization of the preciousness of time. I cannot believe how quickly it can go! However, I choose today to make every moment. Again, this is not my time and I want to do all I can to take advantage of this blessed opportunity that I have. It can be hard to see that big picture/eternal perspective in our mortal minds, but knowing that there are great things ahead if we choose the right, then it makes those decisions not so tough. 

I love you all and am grateful that we have ALL been blessed with the gift and ability to choose and to grow. Hope you all have a fabulous week!

Love,

Sister Wightman