"Utah v. Indiana" - Letter, July 28, 2014

Sometimes, I wonder how Utah got to be such a weird place...Or how Indiana got to be such a weird place…. People are odd, no matter where you go. People in the Midwest are very open about EVERYTHING, whilst people in Utah are very CLOSED about lots of stuff...I have very interesting conversations with people on the street sometimes. They just tell us stuff, and you wonder why they would tell you the things they do.

Yesterday, I was talking to this lady on the street. We got to talking about some of the things we believe, and somehow, of all things, we ended up talking about the Law of Chastity. We got asked some very odd questions about what we believe is ok and what is not. My companion didn't quite know how to respond. I was like, well, they asked, so I will answer. It was funny because before, I was so tired I wanted to cry. After I got talking to her, I realized that I felt a lot better. I also realized that I love teaching. It doesn't matter what, I love teaching. I love teaching the Gospel the most, but I love teaching anyone willing to listen. Anyway, this lady was really curious about how to teach her children the Law of Chastity and how to keep her kids clean from that particular sin. I told her about a video on the Church websites that explains it in a really simple way that doesn't give WAY too much info for kids. She said she would look it up.

But this week has been a long one. I have woken up with a headache every day, and I have felt constantly sick to my stomach. Sis. Smith has told me over and over that the hardest trials come before the greatest miracles. I am excited for the miracles. I know she is right and that eventually, good things will come. We have had a few hard falls this week, and we have had some really good moments. Heavenly Father knows what He is doing and He is going to help me through this.

I love you all, and I know that Heavenly Father loves you too.

Love, Sister Worthen

P.S. Sorry this is so short.

"Fishing for Moss" - Letter, July 21, 2014

How many of you have ever gone fishing, the day is just right? There is a light breeze, the sun isn't too hot, and there is a chance of rain on the horizon that brings the fish up to the surface. You get there and see people catching on either side of you and you know that you are going to have a full string by the end of the day. But when that time comes, there is not fish on your string, you threw back at least 5, and the big biters just took your bait. The Savior told us as missionaries that we can be fishers of men, but there are days when I feel like the above is the real-life version of my fishing trip to Indiana. I have had to really rely on my Heavenly Father this week. I have had to learn patience and determination. Eventually, I will catch the big-one, but for now, things are looking rather sad. Thankfully, I have a great companion and an awesome Mission President, as well as revelation and the scriptures.

So, as far as the work has gone this week, like I said, just moss off the bottom. But, I have really been able to hone in on the members and serving to their needs. I got to speak to the Stake President yesterday. It's weird, because at home, I am in the same ward as my stake president, but here, it's cool if you see him once about every 6 months in your unit. Anyway, I really love him. He has such a vision of what his stake can be and a desire to make it happen. I am so blessed to be a part of that.

We just had a recently reactivating member get interviewed for the temple. It's been over a year since they went, and I haven't talked to him yet, but he was really excited to be able to go to the temple again.

I love the RS president here. She is sooooo amazing. She has such a desire to help the sisters here. I am so grateful to work with her. Honestly, I may fish for moss, but I am helping members get their poles set so they can catch the big ones. And the missionaries will be there holding the net when they come in.

Well, I love you all. I know that God loves you too, and that He sent His Son to save us and make us free from this fallen world.

Love, Sister Worthen

"She's Far Too Righteous!" - Letter, July 14, 2014

Ok, so this week has been really good. We had some really good moments. At district meeting this week, we got to watch these videos that have nothing to do with church, but are good clean humor to help us laugh. Our mission president wants us to laugh and to have fun while we are here. There is one called Shoulder Devil by Studio C that just cracks me up. You should look it up. It will make you laugh. And then look up another video by Kid President called A Letter to a Person on Their First Day Here...or something along those lines. It's really funny and sweet. Anyway, my point it, sometimes laughter is the best medicine, when mixed with prayer and faith. Things will work out eventually.

We had interviews with our mission president this week as well. I love him so much. He called me to repentance this week. Yes, I know, it even happens to me. Actually, he called me out on something that I have struggled with all my life, and that is talking positively. He told me how awesome I am, and then told me I'm a cynic. It's true though. We talked for a while, and he told me that that is the last major 'old man' I am going to have to kill and burry (See Romans 6). That's one of my greatest weaknesses. So, I am making a much larger attempt to talk in the Language of Faith (See 1 Nephi 5:1-6). I can't make anything happen until I believe it will happen. I also learned what the difference between hope and faith is, for me anyway. Faith is believing something can happen. Hope is expecting something to happen. All in all, it's been a humbling week. We are working hard to be unified, and working hard to find, and it's not always easy, but it's going to be worth it in the end.

I love you. I know you are one of God's special children, and that He love you. Thanks for being part of my life.

Love, Sister Worthen

Pictures - July 7, 2014

 Sis. Keil, Sis. Driesel, Elder Carter my zone leader, Elder Henke, and myself.

"Happy Independence Day!!!" - Letter, July 7, 2014

You may think you know why I say Independence Day. But the truth is that you don't. Ha, I tricked you. I say Independence Day because today is the day that we can all repent and be freed from our sins. And guess what, tomorrow is also Independence Day. And the day after that. Ya getting the message?

This has been a good week. I have learned and done a lot. I have walked a lot. Really, we have walked ALOT. But it's been good. We are really getting to know the town and to know a lot of people here.

Also, we have found some really cool people that we are going to teach. Their names are Kevin and Brandy. They have a young family. We left a pamphlet with Brandy to read one night, and we have asked if she has read it. She hasn't. But, Kevin has. It was a shock because when we gave it to her, he was inside. But he told us he has been to all the churches around. And then we found out that he used to be a bad alcoholic. Now he only drinks a lot of beer...But we know how to fix that. I love the Gospel. We gave them a Restoration pamphlet and then told her that it would change their lives. She looked at us and asked if it had really changed our lives, almost in a skeptical manner. But it has and told her that. We said we would come back and explain it to her. I think that both of them are thirstier than they want to admit and that they will finally be able to quench that thirst once they see how much this can bless them. I am excited for them!

Also, we did this really cool thing at the park on the 4th. They were having a concert in the park and we went out and as a zone talked to everyone and did some awesome chalk drawings to illustrate the Plan of Salvation, a Fan Chart, and the Book of Mormon and the Bible together. It was a blast. I got to work with a lot of the other missionaries that I don't get to work with, just see at meetings. It was a really good experience. I am excited to see what happens from that experience.

Also, funny moment. There is a non-member, married to a inactive member, that was talking about food. She doesn't like cilantro and she was telling us about the stuff her son makes using cilantro. She said, and I quote, "That Mexican crap you go ahead and dip out of there!" and I responded, "Salsa?" She's a funny lady. She is from Germany and she loves the missionaries. But she wants nothing to do with organized religion or our church. But I finally figured out why Steve quit going to church, and why he hasn't come back. It's because of her...sorta. I can't blame her because we are responsible for our own salvation. But she has been a big influence. He was raised in the hills of Tennessee, and after he was baptized he moved to a place where there was no church. So they quit going. And then he went in the army where he picked up a habit for booze, brawling, and not going to church. He met his wife there and they got married. And when they came back here to America, she didn't want to go to church and he didn't go without her. They are now in their 70's. But I think he kinda would like to come back some day. He just has to increase his faith enough to do so. I am sure he can do it though. He's a great guy. And she's a wonderful lady. I love them both.

Ok, well I am going to go. It has been a really good week. I know this Gospel is true and that the Savior is at the head of this Church. I know that it is only through this Gospel and the correct Priesthood authority that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father. I know this.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Love, Sister Worthen