Trunky papers and a better week in Pueblo

This week went better! Yay! We were able to teach, find some new investigators, serve, and eat some BBQ ;) President said that I have been doing a really good job to help Sister Daulton. That was really nice to hear and reassuring. I was having a hard time this last Monday, so I was able to receive another priesthood blessing from a member in our ward. At the very end, it said that the Lord was pleased with my mission. It made my heart happy to know that :) ...sometimes I just need Heavenly Father to say things LOUDLY so that I can get it through my thick skull! ;)

So Trunky papers...dun dun DUN! Last Monday, I got the email asking for my departure information. NOOOOOO! We had interviews on Wednesday, and I told my President that I wanted to make the most of my last two transfers. I realized what I had just said, and then promptly burst into tears. It's really weird to think that I will be home in three short months. This has been my life for so long, that it is hard to imagine something else. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to see you all, but I'm going to miss here too!! So for all of you that just started, or feel like the mission is taking forever, trust me. It ends way too soon. Make the most of it!

One of the days this week (sorry, they all blend into one), I was getting super frustrated with everything that was happening. We had planned some people that I had already met and talked to, and wouldn't be home at that time anyways. Our appt fell through, and it was HOT! And I about broke my necklace. So yeah, I wasn't in the greatest of moods. I decided that we should just tract a street since there was no potentials on it. We did almost the whole street, and had time for one more door. This guy answered, and he didn't seem all that interested. We then started talking about the Book of Mormon, and his eyes lit up and said "Jesus
came to the Americas? Really?" Of course we get super excited, and we were able to set an apt with him for this week! It was really amazing that the Lord blessed us with a miracle, right at the end. It was like He was saying "You can do this!"

Our Bishop gave a really awesome lesson to all of the adults about Member Missionary work this Sunday. Can I get up on my soapbox for just a minute? If you aren't sharing the gospel as a member, you need to do it! There are no excuses, Heavenly Father has asked us all to participate! Something that really helped me was remembering that the invitation is the success, not what the other person says. So if you invite, then you succeed! As missionaries, we cannot do it alone. It is impossible! In our mission, it takes 45 new investigators to equal one baptism. That number goes down substantially if members are involved. At one point, it took 22 investigators for one baptism, and that's because the members were involved! Just do it! :)

Things are looking up here... I don't think it will ever be easy peasy, but there are definitely days that are easier than others. Just got to focus on all the good that is happening! I love you all so so so much :)

Love,

Hermana Erickson

Watching for Small Miracles

This week was about the same sadly! If it's even possible, the work inour area slowed down even more this  than the last. At points it's really frustrating when nothing happens.... I think sometimes as missionaries, we expect immediate results because of our hard work and obedience. But life isn't like that; sometimes Heavenly Father gives us challenges when we are doing our best (actually, I think it usually happens that way, haha!). But, my attitude about what was going on changed. I realized that I could try to find the small things that were going right and make those my focus.

I was able to go on exchanges again with Sister Loveless at the beginning of the week. Remember that really cool referral, Mike, that we ended up sending to YSA? Well, I got to teach him twice on exchanges! He is progressing really well--he is what you would call a golden investigator! Sis Daulton and I came out of Pday sports around 5 pm. Mike was outside the chapel reading his Book of Mormon! The best part is that the lesson wasn't until 6 pm!!! :D In one of the lessons I taught him, we set him with a baptismal date for June 4th! He is awesome--The STLs have been keeping us updated on him, so it has been really exciting to see how he is doing.

We talked to so many people this week, it was insane. We talked to a whopping 97 people! As you all know, street contacting is not one of my strengths. I still feel like I am going to throw up on the person
every time we walk up to talk to someone. But I have been very proud of myself this week. Haha! I really tried to go out of my way to talk to people, even when it was especially awkward or weird. Luckily,
Sister Daulton has no trouble with being bold, so she will yell "HELLO!" From across the street. I will never be that bold, but she does awesome at it!

Our week was soooooo slow until Sunday, which is funny since that is usually a slow day for missionary work. We were able to find 3 new investigators :) One of them was really cool: We were trying this
house, and I felt prompted that we should try a potential that lived right next door after talking to the house we were knocking on. That door answered, and while we were talking, Sister Daulton left me and went to the door that I had felt prompted to knock on. The potential had walked out, and Daulton felt like she needed to talk to her right then. It was pretty cool!

That was our week! I really appreciate the constant prayers on my behalf. I know that I am never alone....
Heavenly Father and the Savior are always with me, especially when times are hard. Love you all!

Love,

Hermana Erickson

Focusing on Others

This week was...... Challenging in many different ways. Our work here has really slowed down, and not much is happening, sadly. Our person with a baptismal date was evicted and her mom died, so the timing is not good right now. We have been finding, but a lot of our investigators haven't been keeping their commitments. I'm trying to remain positive and see what the Lord wants me to do here.

Miracle of the week: We got a referral from Mormon.org. The family members that he lives with are really against religion of any kind, so he asked to meet somewhere else. We were able to have a lesson with him at our church building, and he had tons of questions. I asked how he had found Mormon.org, and he said it had just popped up on his screen, so he decided to check it out. It's
interesting to see how Heavenly Father works. Sadly, he is YSA (Young Single Adult) age, so we had to pass him off to the sisters that cover that ward. But, he went to church on Sunday, so I'm excited to see how he continues to progress!

This transfer has definitely been different than the last, and I'm realizing that I need to change my focus from the area/key indicators to the ward and my companion. Our sacrament meeting this Sunday was all about service, and I felt impressed that I needed to focus on serving the ward and focus on the needs of my companion. Sometimes as missionaries, we get caught up in constantly asking the ward members for help, and not giving anything in return. I am totally guilty of expecting each ward to be the same and willing to do missionary work. So, I want to serve the ward, especially our Bishop.

I know that I am here in this particular area with my companion for a reason. I need to trust in Heavenly Father's plan. I have been really grateful for prayer these past two weeks--it is amazing that we are able to communicate with our Heavenly Father as much as we want each and every day. I'm grateful for all of your prayers on my behalf. Scripture for this week: 1 Nephi 3:7--" I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no
commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

Love,

Hermana Erickson

Mother's Day and Food Poisoning

I can't believe another week has gone by already! It's been a crazy week with lots of changes and adjustments. It was completed with my last FaceTime call with my family. That is really weird to say. I remember my first Mother's Day and thinking that it would be forever until I saw my family again. And now, the next time I see my family will be in person. Time has gone by way too fast.

I was cleaning the house Tuesday morning in preparation for my new companion, when I get a call from another set of sisters in our zone. They told/warned me that Sister Daulton had food poisoning/stomach flu, and was throwing up. Poor Sister Daulton had begun feeling icky Monday night and didn't feel better until Thursday evening. It was a long start to week one. It's nice to be at home for about 2 hours and then you start going crazy with nothing to do.  There are only so many things that you can write in your journal. Or only so many Mormon Messages.

I was really grateful for the opportunity to serve Sister Daulton right off the bat. It is easy to feel Christ-like love for someone when you serve! I was really grateful for our ward members this week
as well. They were willing to bring me dinner, and also go on splits with me. I really appreciated all of the things they were able to help me with. It helped me not to feel so alone in all of it! I was also able to receive a priesthood blessing, which has really calmed me down with everything going on. I love that I have a ward family no matter where I go!

Sister Loveless was transferred to my zone and is my STL. :) We were able to go on exchanges this week, and it felt just like old times. I love that girl so much! She helped me through a lot and gave me the confidence that I needed going into the rest of the week. I'm glad I have my Washington buddy yet again :)

That was about it for the week since we were inside for most of it. Keep the prayers coming, I need as many as I can get! I love you all so very much :) "Keep the faith, the church is true!"

Love,

Hermana Erickson

Elder Holland and Transfers yet again!

This week has been really great here in Henderson! It has definitely kept us on our toes, but we received so much revelation and guidance this week. We definitely saw some miracles and Sister Greene and I enjoyed our last week together. To start it off, we were able to finally set someone with a baptismal date!!! YAY :) Her date is set for May 28th. She is a single mom, we found her by just knocking on her door. We are so so excited :D

Elder Holland was here from Friday to Sunday. We only were able to see him on Friday, but you could feel the spiritual force throughout the valley for the weekend ;) Not really, but I wish! Haha! Before meeting him, we took a picture with our whole mission. It took about a half hour to get all 200 missionaries in one place and quiet. Just as we got all figured out, the mission leadership told us that Holland was pulling up, so we all needed to be quiet. Then, he walked it....it was
intense! The first thing he said was "Boo!" Haha :) We then all went and shook his hand..... I can't remember looking at his face. I think I was in so much shock that all I can remember thinking is "His hand is big" haha!

Elder Holland and President Robins both gave very spiritual talks. Pres Robins talked about how we are here in our mission will determine the kind of person we are after our missions. We have to not only do Christ-like things, but we must be Christ-like. Elder Holland told us that the apostles and full-time missionaries are the only ones that share the gospel full-time. I loved something that he said--we have to talk to everyone or we are judging them as God does. He also spoke of how important it is to teach by the spirit, but also that we have to be worthy of it. The spirit is the only way we will help the investigator understand the gospel. It was a great Friday and I learned things that I will always remember!!

So it's transfers again....it's crazy that I only have three transfers left. GAH! Time is going way too fast!! So the verdict of transfers........I will be staying in Pueblo, Sister Greene is going
over to my last Zone, Warm Springs/Anthem. We are really sad to be separated. We knew that she would probably leave, but it's sad to know that it is actually happening now. I have another special assignment (I got another call Sat morning from our Sister APs before transfer
doc), and am following training again. My new companion is Sister Daulton. Send some prayers my way because I am pretty nervous for this transfer!

I love you all! I can't wait to talk to my family this coming Sunday. I wish I could talk and see you all, but that will just have to wait for another four months :) Until next week!

Love,

Hermana Erickson

The week of locura

So this week was not the best. It was hard and not a ton happened. We
had lots of pains and afflictions.... I will talk about it more in
just a bit. But all that matters is that we improve this week and
become better. The Lord will always give us trials, it just depends
what we do with them that matters. We are very optimistic for this
week and for what is to come.

So Tuesday morning I woke up sick and was just feeling awful. Luckily
it didn't last for too long. At the beginning of the week, Sister
Greene mentioned that her knees were really bothering her. We called
the mission Doctor, but they just had her keep trying different things
to ease the pain. But nothing was working, it just continued to get
worse. So they had a doctor call her from Salt Lake, and diagnosed her
with arthritis. They think it's that, so they are having her take
medicine for a week to see if gets better. I feel so bad for her--it
is never fun to be a missionary when you are in pain.

We also had a crazy experience yesterday. We were having ward council
(it's basically where all of the congregation's leadership gets
together to discuss the needs of the members) and the Primary
president mentioned that there was a outbreak of Hand-foot-mouth
disease in the kids. So they cancelled church for the last two hours.
It was a madhouse trying to disinfect the chapel before the ward got
there. So fingers crossed, it ends soon!

We had a really great lesson with an investigator. Her
grandpa recently died and she is going through a really tough time. It
was difficult for me as well when my Grandma passed, but the only way
I got through it was with the gospel. I knew exactly where she was and
that I would see her again in the future. It was wonderful to be able
to share that  and to help her through her trials. I know
that God gives us challenges to help us become better and to rely on
him more. The wonderful thing is that he never leaves us alone during
them. He is always there for us.

I love you all! Keep the prayers coming because I will need them for
this week!! I am really excited to meet Elder Holland and receive
counsel for the last part of my mission.

Love,

Hermana Erickson

Visitors and new friends

This week has been pretty good! It was a little slower than the last
couple, but it was bound to happen at some point. But, all is good. We
still taught a lot and found some people to teach. It was a good week
overall :) We had some really fun experiences and some pretty amazing
miracles!

There was a big zone conference this week, and President had an
announcement for us...... A few weeks ago, we found out that one of
the Quorum of the 12 would be coming to our mission! For those of you
that have no idea what I am talking about, here's some help :) As
members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we believe
that we have a modern day prophet on the Earth. His name is Thomas S
Monson, and he has the same responsibilities that prophets of old had.
He also has 12 apostles, just as Jesus Christ did. So to meet one of
the them is a pretty big deal! The apostle that will be visiting
is...(drumroll please!)......HOLLAND!!! GAH!! I am ooper dooper
excited beyond belief! We each get to shake his hand....it's going to
be intense!! :D Definitely the highlight of my week :) He will be
coming April 29th!

The not so exciting part of zone conference was getting our new
"friends"...... We call them the black boxes. Black boxes of death
basically. They go into your car and hook up to the odometer and
computer inside. And then they talk to you if you go too fast, and
make hard stops or turns. You have to slide a card each time you get
in or out of the car......it's really fun getting used to. So we all
are loving our new amigos. Claro que NO Jajajaja.

One thing I LOVE about being a missionary is seeing how God works out
His plan. Basically, there are no such thing as coincidences. Last
week, we had an appt that fell through. As we were walking away from
the house, there was a guy across the street working on his car. We
went over and started talking to him. At first he said he wasn't
interested, but then asked about missionary life since he had a friend
that served a mission. We talked about that and the BOM, and it ended
up being a great lesson. We weren't able to set up another appt, so we
decided to visit him the next Sunday. When we went there, his mom
answered the door. At first she wasn't interested, but then asked a
question about the Book of Mormon. Then we taught her a lesson, and
she committed to come to church. It is a testimony to me that God has
it all worked up out there....we just need to trust in His plan.

We are teaching this super fun couple. They let us
inside because of how windy it was one night. They are so funny, and
really love to talk. This last week, we had the
opportunity to teach them.  We had left her a chapter to read in the
BOM, about faith. When we what the chapter was about, her eyes got all
big. She then asks "How did you know?" I had no idea what she was
talking about....and then she asked it again! It turns out that two
people that week had told her that she needed to work on her faith.
And then we gave her a chapter to read about faith. It was so cool!
She also told us that whenever we come, she feels peaceful and she
doesn't hear the wind or traffic outside. I love the power of the Holy
Ghost!!

That was our week here in Pueblito :) We are now starting our
"prepping for Holland" for the next two weeks. I can't wait to see the
miracles that come! Love you all :)

Love,

Hermana Erickson