"Adventures in Trenton" - Letter, February 24, 2014

Ok, so this week has been really good. I have been sick, and it has kicked my butt a little, but I am doing good now. And besides that, it has been a really awesome week. We have a couple of investigators that are awesome.

We found the one by divine accident, really. It was Wednesday, or so, and I had decided to make a conscious effort to ask for referrals from everyone, something we should do anyway. And I asked a less active, and he said there was a former investigator right across the street. We went right over and talked to her and we found out she had been to church before and she wanted to come back. She was looking for a dress to wear too. Anyway, she said we could come back later. Saturday rolls around and we go to Salvation Army to find her a dress. We went and found one, and then I went to the doctor. Later that night, we took the dress to her and told her that we would love to find her a ride to church. She said sure.

Anyway, long story short, she has been taught about a year ago, and is willing to learn. There was a sister at church that when she saw her was so excited. Apparently, this was a fairly serious investigator and then something went down and she disappeared. Well, we have found her! And we aren't letting her go this time. :D Oh, her name is Sharon.

And then there is Greg. We haven't seen him as much this week, but he has already read all of 1 Nephi. He did it in about 2 weeks!!! What! This is insane, and awesome. I am really excited. But the thing is, he is looking so hard for answers, he's missing the ones he's getting. But that's ok. Maybe the answer needs to come from me and Sister Johnson, and we need to change something in the way we teach. Only God know. I will just keep praying and looking for revelation. It will all be ok. I know it.

Oh, and I got to sing in the Ward Talent Show. It was awesome!!! The talent show, not just me. There is a guy in the ward who is hilarious and is a professional performer. He juggled 3 8-pound bowling balls, and he did some ventriloquism, and some other stuff. He was great! I borrowed a guitar and I sang “Carolina In the Pines.” If I knew some less worldly stuff, I would have done that, but it was fun either way. I miss performing like I used to. Oh well. Someday soon.

Well, I love you all and I hope you are doing great!!! I know this Gospel is True. Nothing in this world can compare to it. Our Savior loves us, and is willing to help us in every way possible. He came to us to do the will of the Father, and because He did, He taught us how to love others. I know that through Christ, and God, and the Holy Ghost, we can truly come to love our neighbors and our families.

Love, Sister Worthen

"Missionari​es are Rockstars!​!!!" - Letter, February 17, 2014

Ok, so this week has been great!!! We have really been making progress with everything. But as far as the subject line, we met with a less active member who loves the missionaries and he told his non member girlfriend that missionaries are kinda like rockstars because all the children know who we are and the members ask us to help them often, etc. It's funny.

Also, I have got no problem with the cold. Or the heat. Or snow or rain or whatever. But my mind and my body need to have a talk and figure some things out. There was a huge weather swing this week and it really threw my body out of whack. My sinuses went nuts earlier this week: runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing. And then it all settled into my lungs, so I am not breathing the best. But it's ok. I can't stand up to fast, but it's no big. Hahahaha!

But we have 3 investigators that are really solid.

1.) Greg: He came to church!!!! And he said he wanted to come back. He doesn't quite understand the Priesthood yet, so that holds him up a bit. But, if you wouldn't mind, will you send me a story or a definition of the priesthood. The more I understand and can have a testimony of, the better I can teach it.

2.) Hailey: She has agreed that she can be ready for baptism next month!!!! She's great. We have to do things on a Primary level with her, but that's ok. It helps us teach more simply.

3.) Bill: He's an interesting character. We've only taught on his doorstep because we were told by previous sisters that he had bed-bugs. And yes, they exist. But we are going to teach him at the church. So, it's going to be a really good lesson.

I have learned a lot about the Priesthood this week and I have also learned about the power of worthy Priesthood holder. I know that when someone is truly following the Savior, they can truly do miracles and bless His children in a way that is like nothing else on earth. I know that members and missionaries are truly the most powerful when they work together. And I know that my Savior loves me and is there with me. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love, Sister Worthen

Pictures - February 17, 2014

"Somehow...​Just Somehow" - Letter, February 10, 2014

I don't really know what to say. This week has been an interesting one. It has been a good week though. So, get this. My zone broke mission records this week!!!! We had 106 member present lessons, which is where a member is there with us for the lesson. No other zone has done this many!!!! Makes me happy. Oh, and our new goal for this mission for baptisms is 720 for the year. Think about that! That's 2 wards and a branch!!!! Oh, and the stake presidents in this area are going to create a new stake here within the next 10 years and are starting preparations for a temple. Now, they haven't announced one, but they are going to build up the members so that they can have one eventually. I love it!!!!!

Oh, and this is the best part!!!!!!!! We have been given permission to go to the temple once every 6 months!!!

We had a special training this week and President announced it at the very end. He almost forgot what it was. When he told us, I started crying. I am so excited! Anyway, that training was really good. They make these videos that are meant to get us all excited for the work and they put pictures and quotes and have cool music in the background. There was a picture of my group as they walked into the airport in Cincy, and when I looked at it, it struck me how powerful the people in the picture looked. And then I realized it was my MTC group. It took me back a second to realize that yes, I am powerful. I am a called servant of the Lord. I am called of Him to teach his word. I am a disciple of the Savior of the World, and if I am doing what He asks, there is no force that can stop the work. It's sad, but I forgot and I needed the reminder. I was sitting next to a sister from my MTC zone and she reacted the same way. Needless to say, it was a really good training.

Last night was just...somehow...I had a fog over my mind. I could not think straight to save my life. It was really weird. It's almost like when you have a fever and your mind cannot function. But I didn't have a fever, or not a full blown fever. It was really weird. I felt really bad because I was trying to work, but my body and mind were not connecting. I seem to be a bit better this morning, but I am still a little foggy. We will see what happens as the day goes on.

Well, we have a few investigators.

1. Bill: Bill is a nice guy. He has some interesting beliefs, but he seems to absorb knowledge. We had a lesson with him on the doorstep the other night that was really good. He promised that his first Sunday off, he would come to church with us. But the reason we had a lesson on the doorstep is not because he is a single man, but because he has bed bugs. The sisters who were here before us found out the hard way. Needless to say, we were very thankful they told us before we went in.

2. Greg: We had a good lesson with him the other day. He is a widower of about 60. He seems really nice, but the lesson could have been much better. But he seems willing to let us come back. We will figure it out.

3. Hailey: Hailey is the granddaughter of a less active. She has had a really hard life and she is just now starting to figure out about God. She is 20. And our objective is to help her realize that God does love her and that the Gospel will bless her life. We just have to take things really slowly because she is very immature, which is not all her fault. Like I said, she's had a hard life. Anyway, I love her. Slow and steady wins the race.

Ok, well, I love you all and I miss you immensely. I know that the Gospel is true. The work is hard, but if it weren't the fruits of our labors would not be nearly as sweet. If the work was easy, Christ would not have been crucified. If the work were easy, the Lord wouldn't need missionaires: people would just walk into the font without a fight. I know that the Lord is truly a Lord of miracles and wonders and that He loves all of us. We are all His brothers and sisters, and we all have a loving Heavenly Father.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Love, Sister Worthen

Pictures - February 10, 2014

This is my last zone.  The one on the table went home the next day.  I guess it's tradition to have a picture where we kill them off when they leave.  My companion is the one in the sweater vest to the right of me.

These are my Sister Training Leaders.  Sister Berguson, Sister Fletcher, me, and then Sister Campbell.

This little guy lives in the back yard of a member.  He came up on the porch to get some bird seed, or something to eat.  I wonder if I'd scared him if he would have feinted.  Hahahah

"Happy Happy Happy" - Letter, February 3, 2014

You know, I used to think that Utah's weather was bi-polar...and then I moved to Ohio. hahahahah One day we can have 40 degree weather and the next 4 degree weather. And then there's snow, or rain, or wind, or all three in the same day. Oh well.

Well, this week has been really good. I have felt much better. Sometimes I think I am as bipolar as the weather is. But I take the ups whenever they come. It's funny, this morning I was looking back through my MTC notes, and some of the things I learned while I was there, and I found one on my 1st day there that talks about what I think my purpose is. At the end, it says I am going to help people. I thought, man, if I'd looked back on this last week, I might have had an easier week. I knew it 6 months ago, and I have forgotten. But now I remember.

Ok, so as far as experiences go, we had a really cool one yesterday. Since yesterday was Fast Sunday, we were fasting until our dinner at 6:00. We met with a less-active/part-member family. The husband is a member, but fell away years ago. The wife is not a member. It was funny because they offered some food, and I said yes, and then I remembered we were fasting. The wife asked us about it. We explained why we were fasting and such. And then Rick, the husband, jumped in and started talking about Whitney Huston and her 5 #1's on her debut LP. Linda just shook her head. We all knew that he was just trying to distract us. He tried to get her to follow his line of conversation, but she stopped him. She told him that we were talking about the church, and not Whitney Huston. And it was really cool. We got to explain testimony meeting, and how we share experiences. The Spirit was present, and even if he didn't want to talk about the church, she did. And when we explained testimonies, we didn't use the word testimony, but he jumped in and told her what it's called when we share like that. And then he shared what's left of his. He remembers things from Vietnam that I am sure he holds very near and dear, and he told us about a time he almost died and he did some real soul searching praying. It was awesome because he volunteered it. He tries to distract us, but he also will join us if he can't beat us, if ya get my drift. It was really cool.

Also, I forgot to mention this one from Cherry Grove. So before we left, we had a lesson with our investigator, Jada. We were studying the Plan of Salvation and I felt impressed to make sure I knew where it talks about baptizing little children in Moroni 8. So when we got to the lesson, we started talking and she asked about it. We started reading Moroni 8 and it was so powerful. The Spirit was SO STRONG!!!! It was so amazing. I love the Plan of Salvation.

Ok, I gotta go, but I love you all. I know this church is true and that the Lord loves each of us. Don't forget that.

Love, Sister Worthen