"My Purpose" - Letter, January 27, 2014

Ok, so this has been a long, learning week. I feel like I say that a lot. Oh well. Every week should be a learning week.

1. I love Sister Campbell. She and I get a long wonderfully. We have a lot of fun and we laugh so much.

2. Hailey: We finally got her to open up. She said the other sisters had been very pushy with her and she didn't like it, but she didn't know how to tell them that. So she just started avoiding them, and in turn us. That makes me sad. We also got her to tell us that she is just starting to realize that there is a God, and that she cannot be angry at Him for taking people from her. So, we are going to go back to the basics and teach her about God being our loving Heavenly Father, because until she can understand that, it will be useless to baptize her.

3. Cheri: Cheri is a less-active that we met two weeks ago. She loves the missionaries, but she doesn't go to church. As far as I know, she has never been offended or anything. She just doesn't go to church. Granted that she has to use a walker to get around because of health problems, but she isn't that old. In fact, She's only about 50. Anyway, we are going to keep teaching and helping her however possible.

4. Questions? Ok, do you do your Home and Visiting teaching? The people here have a really hard problem doing it and I would love to help them do it and get motivated to do it. How would you suggest that I help them there? Also, how do I tell people what they need to hear without being rude? I want to be bold, but not rude. There is a fine line. Anyway, I want to help them here, and it's going to be a long process.

5. My Purpose: Ok, so this week I realized that I didn't have a purpose. I mean I do, and it's in Preach My Gospel, but I needed to find it for myself, and not just as a missionary. So I did some praying and soul searching. At one point, Sis. Campbell was drawing a picture of mountains and she asked me what I saw in front of them. I told her, "Home." Later, I was thinking about it in Sacrament meeting. I was thinking about all the images that make up "home" and it occurred to me that that is my kingdom. And then it came to me that I am here to build up the Lord's Kingdom by helping others. All 3 of my companions have had a harder time with their previous companions, and I have helped them work through a lot of things. So, I may not be baptizing left and right, but I am helping build up the Kingdom. I am helping others come unto Christ, which is the best purposed possible.

I love you, and even though I want to be there, I know that the Kingdom will be losing bricks if I leave. (Think of a castle being built, and each person is a brick.) Now ask yourself, are you a solid brick in the castle of the Kingdom, or are you faulty, or are you waiting in a pile somewhere to be laid in? Thing is, we all have the option of where we are.

I know the Gospel is true. I know it. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love, Sister Worthen

"Trenton, Monroe, and the Boonies" - Letter, January 20, 2014

Ok, so here goes. I am in Trenton, Monroe, and all the empty spaces in between and beyond. I am literally right next to Oxford Branch. I have addresses in my area that are towns that are fully in Oxford. The area seems to be much like Oxford. Very country. There hasn't been a whole lot done in the area yet because they only recently assigned missionaries here. Up until about 2 months ago, all missionaries that worked here were assigned in Middletown. That is the name of our ward. We are the Middle Town ward and a part of the Dayton Stake. The ward is fully functioning but only just if you ask. There seems to be a disconnect between ward work and missionary work. I hope to be able to change some things. I know I can't change anything, and I certainly can't change anything without the help of God, but I am hoping to make an impact here.

We don't really have any progressing investigators, but we do have one investigator (and there is a difference). Her name is Hailey and she is 20. She has had a really hard life and is just now starting to realize that she can and should change her life around. Her grandma, who raised her, is a less-active. It's kinda a hindrance because she isn't in good health and because of that Hailey uses it as an excuse to not come to church. And when we talk to Hailey, she always tries to draw attention away. But that's ok. We will make progress soon enough.

I love Sister Campbell. She is so much fun and we get along really well. She is still new and I am finishing her training, which nobody told me about until I got to the transfer meeting. But that's ok. I love her and so it doesn't really bother me. I just think it's funny.

Well, I am going to go. But I love you all. My thought for the week is this: When you are trying to help someone, and you can't figure it out, take your focus off that person and off yourself and put it on the Savior. He will then bless you in your capacity to server them. Remember that when you are having a hard time with a calling or with a family member. I know this church is true and that we are all blessed children of a Heavenly Father.

Love, Sister Worthen

"Bounced!!!!" - Letter, January 13, 2014

Hey, yal, I don't have a lot of time today. Sorry, so here's what happened. I got transferred again. I am now in Trenton, which is part of the Middletown ward in the Dayton? stake. I also am finishing the training of Sister Campbell. She is hilarious and we get along really well. I love this area so much already. It's gonna be hard, but I know it will be worth it. There is a lot of good work to be done here and I am excited to do it. Mostly I think we will be working with part member families. There are a lot of them here. But it's going to be great!!!!! Life is good and I am loving it. 

Love ya!!!!

"Jumping for Joy!!!!!" - Letter, January 6, 2014

Ok, so this week has been much better than the last couple. I have found purpose again in my work and joy in my life!!!! I have been a wanderer in a strange land, not being open and ready to find my purpose. But this has changed!!!!!

1. Jada: Jada is a referral from a member. She has led a hard life. I don't know if I mentioned her, but she called a couple of weeks before Christmas. I love this woman. But she is reading the Book of Mormon every day. We haven't talked to her for 2 weeks, and we finally got to see her last night. She is already in 2 Nephi 5!!!! She is great. She thinks she doesn't understand as much as she really does, but she told us last night that the more she reads, the easier it is to understand!!!! Yes, Jada Yes!!!! Anyway, tonight we are going to go over and do the Restoration with her, and help her quit smoking. Honestly, I think things are changing for her so much. Mah, I love her.

2. Stacy: She is our 14 year old investigator. She went to Juvenile detention this week. She got physical with Jessica, her adopted mom. Stacy is a good girl, she just has a lot of problems. Really, a lot of problems. But, we are hopefully going to visit her soon. And we are still working with Jessica. She really is at wits end to figure out what to do, but honestly I think this is good for her. Take a step back from Stacy, and let herself get healthy. Her stress levels are really bad because of Stacy. But we have put her in contact with some great women in the ward here who are dealing with similar situations. So I have faith in Jessica, that she will continue to progress.

3. Kristy Black: Kristy is married to an inactive member. When her grandma died, she kinda got really upset because she didn't really know where she went. Dean, her husband, told her about the Plan of Salvation. She called us (I think--it was before my time here) and we have been working with her for a while now. But she only now is starting to progress. I love this woman!!!

Well, those are our primaries for now. I know that things are really starting to work out here. I love you and I know that this is the true Gospel. The more I am here and the more I talk with confused people, the more I understand what God has done for me in allowing me to know His truth. I thank him for it all the time.

Love, Sister Worthen