Photo - December 30, 2013

Christmas with Sister Wheeler

"Home for the Holidays" - Letter, December 30, 2013

Ok, so this week was really good. I had a great Christmas. I may have been quite away from my home for Christmas, I was made to feel at home. The Cherry Grove Ward really took care of us. 1st off, we were given a pair of pajamas on Christmas Eve. Sister Wheeler got a pair of pink ones. Hahahah! That's funny because she doesn't like pink. And then on Christmas she got a pair of pink socks. I was highly amused. But the point is that we didn't go without for our holiday. And then we had our own Christmas morning. We were lent a 12 inch Christmas tree, and we put all our packages under it. It was great.  

This entire transfer we have struggled to get our 20 lessons a week, and this week we hit 24. What!!!! It is a miracle. We have had a lot slowly changing in good ways. It makes me so happy.

Well, I don't have a lot to say other than that. Just know that I love you and that I can feel all of your prayers. They are the best Christmas gifts you could give.

Ok, and as far as investigators go, we have a couple that need prayers.

Stacy and Jessica. Stacy is 14, and Jessica is her mom. They both have had a really rough background and they are both really serious in trying to come closer to Christ, but they need a little help to understand how to do that. So pray for them that they will receive the answers that they need.

Well, I love you and I hope you are all doing well. I hope you will have a great New Years. As you set your goals, read 3 Nephi 27: 25-26, and consider if you keeping your goals. Do you write them down and then keep them? God writes them down, and so should you. Remember that.

"Ho ho ho!!! Merry CHRISTmas" - Letter, December 23, 2013

Ok, so this week has been great. I have learned so much and grown so much. I have come so much closer to my Savior. I have found joy in my work and peace in my life. Cherry Grove is has been such a gift to me. I am surrounded by people that I swear that I knew from home. I think that it's because I have grown so much closer to the Spirit that I am able to more easily recognize the people that I knew on the other side of the veil. All too often, we think of people we don't know as strangers. But that isn't too true is it? No, we may have forgotten, but that doesn't mean that we don't remember them. I love the people here.

1. Investigators: When I got here, there were a lot of people that they were working with, some more serious than others. For some reason, things have not been going as well in that department. But, I can honestly say that I have come to love the ones we have and that we are finding. There is a member here who has referred two of her friends to us and while things are moving slowly, it is good. We have had several contacts with both. It's gonna be great. I can feel it.

2. Less-Actives: Both of us have felt a strong desire to work with less-actives. For some reason, that is where we feel we are meant to be. I know that as we work with them, and help some of them come back into the fold of God, we will see many good things. I am excited.

3. Christmas: I have been doing really good as far as not being homesick. But this past couple of days have gotten to me a bit. But I know that because I am out serving the Lord, I will be blessed. But more importantly, others will be blessed. I will be here so that God can bless other people's lives. Christ really is the reason for the season. And while people forget that all too often, I am constantly reminded of it. I am constantly being brought to a remembrance of My Savior and how much he Loves and cares for me.

May God bless, and may you feel the love of the Savior in your Christmases.

Love, Sister Worthen

"Long Weeks Like This" - Letter, December 16, 2013

So, weeks like this should be few and far between, if ever. This has honestly been a learning week and one that I have not enjoyed too much. I don't want to be a downer, but it's the truth. And honestly, it's my fault. Ok, not entirely. But things have been in transition mode for me personally and I have not transitioned very well. But this week, I am going to do much better. I have learned a lot and I have gained some great experience to help me improve. 

This area has been hard because I haven't felt like I had a direction to go. There is so much to do and I have no idea where to start. Thing is, I should be moving and a grooving already. So I spent the week feeling a little sorry. But I got a huge wakeup call on Friday morning. Almost literally. This lady had called us the night before after we went to bed. We did not answer. She left a message and we called her the next morning, after listening to her message. She broke down on the phone and told me how much help she needed. We called her back and I had a long talk with her. Afterward, I finally felt like I had a purpose here. I realized that I needed someone's problems to help fix for me to be happy. Problem is, when I do have someone to help like that, it's hard because I get so involved in their life. But it's ok, because I have the Savior to help them. I just get to help them find the way. I am the guide, but Christ built the path. So, anyway, now I have problems to fix and that makes me happy. And I have still not met this lady in person, but I love her already. I realized today while writing a letter that even though I know all the nitty gritty details of people's lives and secrets that I wish never to even think of again, I cannot help but love these people. There is nothing so wonderful as feeling the Savior's love for them. Nothing they do can make me hate them as long as I am fulfilling my calling. I also realized that without that love, there is no purpose to me being here. If I pass judgment on them, then how can I love them with a pure love, and thus desire the safety of their souls? It won't work that way.  

So, I know that Christ loves all of us, and that His Father, our Father, loves us. We are blessed to have the two most powerful beings working for our safety. And also the Holy Ghost. He always seems to be forgotten when we consider the love of the Godhead. They all love us and work endlessly for us. I know this. 

I also came to realize the true meaning of Christmas. The verse below is my current favorite verse. The simplicity and power are amazing. So, read it, and then consider if you were to tell someone your simple testimony of the Savior, in one sentence, how powerful would that statement be? The true meaning of Christmas is that Christ died to redeem us.

I love you, and I am hoping you have a wonderful Christmas season. 

Love, Sister Worthen

"There are no words..." - Letter, December 2, 2013

Ok, let me just say that this week has been a trip. 1st, I got transferred. That's right folks. I flew the coop. I am now in Cherry Grove, which is an area of Cincinnati on the north east side. I was not expecting to move. I felt like I still had more to do in Oxford, but the Lord has decided otherwise. I am now the senior companion, and I get to drive. Our car is a 2013 Subaru Legacy. I love this car! My companion is Sister Wheeler. She is 21 and has been out for 3 months. The Ward here is amazing!!!!! They are so into missionary work that it's a little overwhelming. I don't even know where to begin, which is kinda a good thing.

But the most exciting thing is that Judy is getting baptized this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't even tell you how happy I am. And then Brianna is going to be baptized on the 21st. Finally, she made a decision! Mah! And Minnie is going to be baptized on the 28th. And there will be a baptism on the 14 of this month too. I cannot believe how many miracles are going on in Oxford. I also get to go to the baptism this weekend. Hopefully I can go to the others too...but I don't know if that is going to happen. I am so excited.

We also have a really good pool of investigators here that I will be working with. On Sunday we fasted specifically for a baptism in December for each companionship. So, at least one person in the month of December will join the Cherry Grove Ward and the Fold of the Savior.

I wish I had more time to tell you everything, but I have to go. But I know that this is the work of the Lord. There is absolutely nothing more important than missionary work. I know that God is a God of miracles and that He does provide for His children. I know that the Lord loves me. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love, Sister Worthen