"A Changing of Patterns...Attempt No. 2" - Letter, November 24, 2014

Apparently I have problems sending emails. Sorry... :0

But this week has been pretty good. So, I have a question for you. What defines a leader? I have an answer for you. Someone who changes patterns. What does that mean? It means that when there is a situation that needs to be changed, they change it, whether it's within themselves or in the world they live in. So, this week, I feel more like a leader. I have had some patterns that have been changed. And it's been really good. The past couple of weeks, we have really struggled with having enough lessons. As missionaries, we are supposed to teach 20 lessons a week, minimum. We have had a super difficult time trying to get those lessons. But this week, we had 23 lessons. I am so grateful. I will be honest, we had some help though. Our Sister Training Leaders came and blitzed our area (meaning they both came here instead of one of us staying and one going, with one coming here, and one staying there). In 1 day, we taught 9 lessons between the 4 of us. And we found 4 new investigators, and we had 8 baptismal extensions. It was fantastic!!! They helped us change the patterns we were living in, and helped us get ready for this week. I was so grateful to have them come. Some of my companions have been of the mind that having them come is a stressor, and sometimes it can be, but I really love my Sister Training Leaders here, and they really help us out. I am super blessed.

I have learned a lot this week. I have been working on changing my prayers from a rote presentation at the end of my day, to being able to have mighty prayers that can secure for myself and others blessings God is willing to grant. I found this fantastic talk on it that really changed my perspective, and since starting to use this pattern, I have had some really interesting insights. This is the link for the talk: https://www.lds.org/ensign/2006/12/what-i-have-learned-about-mighty-prayer

But the first thing I learned was earlier this week after reading another talk about retaining a mighty change of heart. I was really praying about that, and you know how if you listen right, the Holy Ghost will help you pray? Well, He helped me and the thought that came was, "Help me stay the person I have become so I can become the person I need to be." I have thought long and hard about that, that in order for me to keep progressing, I cannot go back to who I was before. That just won't work. The other thing I learned was, "I have absolutely no reason to be grumpy, but I have every reason to be grateful."  And as I have pondered on those two revelations, I have realized how blessed I am, and how much the Lord has molded me.

Also, earlier this week, we were talking about how the Lord, in Malachi, refers to Himself as a refiner of silver. Sis. Origer told me a story of some ladies who were doing a Bible study, and they found that verse. None of them really understood what that means. So one of them called a silver smith, and shadowed him for a day. She asked if he had to stand over the metal the whole time it was in the fire. He said, "Yes. And not only that, but I have to keep my eyes on it the whole time, because if it's left in the fire a moment to long, it will be ruined." Then she asked how he knew all the impurities were out of the metal. He said, "When I can see my reflection in the metal, I know it's as pure as possible." So, while having this story running through my head all week, we found a video on Saturday called "The Refiner's Fire". It's a Mormon Message. Here is the link for it. http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=3897359657001&cid=HPTU111814487

So, all in all, this week has been pretty wonderful!!! Things are changing, both with myself and my companion, and with the Eaton Ward. The Work is hastening, and God is at the helm. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

"Mad Revo and Sweet Guidance" - Pictures, November 17, 2014

 ​Don't let the beddy bugs bite.  ​

This is what we woke up to this morning.

"Let's Go Down" - Letter, November 10, 2014

Ok, so this week has been good...and not good...It's been a typical missionary week. Things have been hard, but they have been easy, but they have been...you get the point.

I have seen miracles this week though. We have an investigator family that we decided we needed to go back to the beginning with, and re-focus them on baptism. It was a really powerful lesson. When the mom got home (we, and our member, got there before she did) we had asked her why she decided to meet with the missionaries in the first place. And then we asked why they wanted to be baptized and why they aren't working toward it now. It was super powerful because Jamee got all teary eyed and the Spirit was really strong. We shared 2 scriptures with them about baptism, and then committed them to be prepared by the end of the month, whether the dad is off parole or not. That's also why they quite progressing, because he can't be baptized yet, and she didn't want to do it unless they can do it as a family. I love this family so much, and they make me so happy. I have seen how the Gospel blesses their lives and has changed them, even in the 2 months I have been here. I know it will continue to change them, and help them know how much God loves them.

I know that Heavenly Father truly does care for us, and that he will help us live His commandments.

I say that in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Love, Sister Worthen

"Happenings in the Greater OCM" - Letter, November 3, 2014

This week has been a LONG one. I'm glad it's Monday. But it's also been a great week. Things in the Greater Ohio Cincinnati Mission just got SHOOK UP!!! We had transfers last Tuesday, and most of the mission got changed. Sis. Porter made the joke that if she'd realized how many of us were there, she might have taken a mission picture. In my district alone of 8 people, 2 of us stayed. In the zone, about 18 people, there were about 4 or 5 that stayed. And it was that way in the whole mission. I have a new companion, Sis. Origer. She has been out 1 transfer longer than me, and is going home at the beginning of December. We were neighbors in my first area--she was in Hamilton when I was in Oxford. We get along really well. She's a lot quieter than my last companion, but that's ok. I like the quietness. But we've had some really good moments together.

We had a fast as a mission as well that we would find people to teach and baptize. We fasted that we would be led to people who are ready and be able to put them on date very soon. So, if you would pray for me and for my mission to be able to do that, I know it will happen. We are going to baptize 720 people by the end of the year!!! That is the goal set by our key-holders and because it was set by them, and they receive revelation for us, I know it is possible.

Also, the new elders in Eaton are Elder Chamberlain and Elder Bullen. Elder Chamberlain and I were together in Elwood. For a transfer he was my district leader in Marion, and then he went to Zone leader in Muncie. I am super excited to have another opportunity to work with him. He's a district leader again. Anyway, his new companion is Elder Bullen, and he is brand new--fresh off the plane. He seems like a really great Elder though. It's funny to see how tired he is, because I remember that feeling. It's hard your 1st week. But he's going to do great things.

Ok, I love you and I know that the Lord is personally involved in what we do. He wants to bless us for our obedience to His commandments and is ready to do so. I know that our Heavenly Father is truly mindful of us, and He loves us so much he sent His Son to Live for us. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Love, Sister Worthen

My hair has finally gotten long enough that I can put it in one braid!!!  It may seem insignificant, but it makes me very happy.  :D

This is Sis. Origer and myself.

My nuts and bolts are coming loose--they're falling out of my ears. I can't keep a hold of 'em. Hahahahaha

"Bathrooms Are Grace" - Letter, October 27, 2014

A couple of weeks ago I had an experience where I knew Heavenly Father was 1) Paying attention to my desperate plight, and 2) Chuckling at me. I left a members home, and having been there just a little too long, thought I would be able to make it to my next stop before I really had to go to the bathroom. Little did I realize that I had an hour long trip before I would be anywhere near a decent bathroom. I was about to start crying, when lo and behold, my companion, Sis. Lewis, says to me, "Look, a porta-potty!"

"What? Where?" I responded in desperation.

"Back there."

We were driving past a public park, and I thought, maybe they will have a real bathroom. So I pulled around to look at the buildings. I got out, and the one said, 'No Public Restrooms.' I just about died. And then we got back in the car. But then, we saw another building, which I drove too, needlessly, and they did have a bathroom. Sis. Lewis leaped out of the car, and in an attempt to save me, tugged on the door with all her might (kinda). It opened, and a light turned on!

Have you ever seen one of those movies where the door opens, and the light spills out, and it's absolutely heavenly? This was that moment for me. I turned the car off, jumped out, and ran in.

I knew at that moment that Heavenly Father truly does love me.

The End.

"I'm Not Sister Randall" - Letter, October 27, 2014

I must say that I have started to talk in my sleep much more on my mission than ever before. The other night, my companion and I had an interesting conversation. It went something like this:

Me: "Sister Randall. Sister Randall!"

Her: "I'm not Sister Randall..."

Me: "Oh, I was having a dream about her...sorry..."

Her: "I was having a dream about her too."

Me: "Hmmm."

And then I fell back asleep.

I tend to talk in my sleep when I get a little too tired or stressed, or sometimes, I don't know why, but it makes for interesting experiences. Hahahahahaha

Tomorrow is transfers, and Sis. Lewis is leaving, and I am getting a new companion. It will be fun to see who I get. Maybe I will train. Who knows? Not me. I just know that I am going to learn and grow so much. I am so grateful to be here!

Other than getting a new companion, this week has been pretty good. Sis. Lewis and I got to teach the Corey Family last night. They are doing well. They have come to see how much they need the Gospel over these last 6 weeks. They have been through fights, and sadness, and worry, and yet, they realize that when they try to live as the Gospel teaches, they are happier. It's really fun to see them try and change themselves. As a mission, each companionship is supposed to do an, "I love you because... (fill in the blank)" every night. We taught Jamee about it, and she has told Lee that she wants to do it with him. He doesn't like doing it so much. He says he doesn't know why he loves her, her just does. But he is trying. He is just going to have to learn how to unbend his pride a little. And they are trying to read the Book of Mormon every day and say prayers. We gave them a chart that has Morning Prayer, I Love You Because, Book of Mormon, and Evening Prayer, and who's turn it is to make sure it happens every day. Lee Can't be baptized yet, due to other things, but he is definitely learning, and Jamee is all about learning and growing, personally and as a family. It's great to see how much they are changing.

I love how the Gospel changes people. I love that because of Jesus Christ, we can be cleansed of our sins, those we do on purpose, and the ones we don't. I love that He came to offer us repentance. I know I can be changed if I let Him change me, and I know that for you as well.

Love, Sister Worthen

"I Had a Good Subject Line, But Then I Forgot" - Letter, October 20, 2014

This week has been reallllllllyyyyyy great!!! As I told you all about on Tuesday, I had a Sisters' Conference on Monday, and then on Wednesday, I got to go the TEMPLE!!! Wahoooo!!!

Ok, so in a little more reverence, I was really happy to go to the temple this week. It came at just the right time for me. It has been since March since I went. It was so nice to go in and just feel the peace that comes from being in the Lord's house. I received revelation while I was inside, and I learned so much. I cannot imagine being able to go to the temple, and not. There is so much I can learn there, and so much I can gain. I have a testimony that the Temple is a Holy Place, and it is there that we learn how to be like our Father in Heaven. And then, as I was thinking about what President Porter told us about being a woman as I watched the session, I gained a deeper understanding of my Father's Plan for me. I know you can come to understand that for yourself as well.

I am going to keep my epistle short today. But I would ask all of you to pray for Jamee, Lee, Jaylee, Raniah, and Adrian Corey. Their family is one we are working with, and they are having a hard time right now. They have a lot to work through, but with the help of the Lord, they will be able to make it through.

I love you all, and I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Love, Sister Worthen