Date
December 14, 2015
Area
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
Companion
Sister Crockett
State college for 4 days-Christmas #ASaviorIsBorn 12.14.15 email
Christmas is coming the pig is getting fat! This was one of those blur weeks.
So Monday we went to State college and exchanged with Sister Dunkin and Sister Jarvis. I stayed in State college with Sister Jarvis and Sister Crockett came back to our area with Sister Dunkin. It was lots of fun. So Tuesday we start out. And State college is a walk area so we were walking everywhere and riding the bus. It was so fun. I really enjoyed the experience. It was soooo bitter cold on Tuesday, I was very thankful for my coat and gloves and boots that I had decided to bring on exchanges. So one of the things we got to do was forums, which is basically you have 3 hours on the college campus to proselyte in a certain area. So we basically would stop students and offer them #ASaviorIsBorn card and to even watch the video. It was fun. I got a lot of rejections but I passed out like 30-40 cards. I only got to show the video once, and when the video finished, I was so in shock that the lady wanted to watch it that I didn't know what to say and handed her a card and blurted out something about discovering why the Savior was born for her. And then sent her off. It was lame of me because the goal was to get a name and phone number. But that was my first time and I was just impressed that I was being as bold as I was. So really good learning experience.
I also got to see Uncle Craig!! It was so fun! I got to sit in and participate in his institute class, which the Sisters were able to get an investigator to come to as well which was also fun! I forgot how much I loved institute, plus he is a really good teacher, and all the missionaries rave about him. It was fun! Then that night we exchanged with the other set of State College Sisters. Because they live in the same apartment complex we did back to back exchanges. So I stayed again in the State College area but this time with Sister McDonald, and Sister Crockett went back to our area with Sister Thornson. It was fun to be in a busy busy city for two days. It's a different busy than Pittsburgh, but a lot of fun. So on Wednesday me and Sister McDonald went and did some OYMing in the downtown area of State College and we met a few people who might be interested. With all our finding we did that day we got 4 actual contacts out of it! So good efforts. There was one point we were crossing the street and when we reached the other side we walked pass this lady and I couldn't shake the feeling that we needed to ask if we could share the video with her so I quickly tried to call out to Sister McDonald that we needed to turn around and I went back to her. By the time Sister McDonald caught up to me I had gotten the lady's attention and was asking her if we could share a Christmas card with her. Then Sister McDonald offered to have her view the video right then and she was open to it. After the video she told us a few things that were going on in her life and family. So we gave her our info and in return we got her info. It was really neat to see that the prompting actually could lead to something since she was willing to listen to us. Hopefully it will anyway.
By Wednesday night we met back together and me and Sister Crockett were so excited to see each other, we were so giddy, or slap happy. We missed each other so much. We both didn't realize how much we got along and how close we were. It was funny. I felt bad for the other Sisters because we could hardly concentrate on what we were supposed to be doing. But it's all good in the hood, because me and Sister Crockett at back together and won't be doing another exchange until after district meeting on Wednesday, so we have almost a full week together. Haha.
Then Thursday we were back to State College for Zone Conference!! It was fun- luckily we didn't have to drive. We had the Mansfield Sisters pick us up on their way to conference. Zone conf. Was sooo good though. They talked about so many good things, but overall about how to share the true meaning of Christ-mas this winter. Here are a few
highlights:
"[the gospel] It's not found in an Internet post...or politics...or doctrine...It is found in the matchless love of Jesus Christ our Savior" -Stake President Price
After this sister was talking about how this Christmas won't be like any Christmas we've had before she said "We get to share Christ this Christmas." -Sister Christensen
A recent convert said this, explaining what the gospel was like when she heard it, "[they were] Things I knew but never found a home for"
I loved conference, it was so uplifting and inspiring! We also talked a lot about ways to share #ASAVIORIsBorn. I'm excited to share that message of Christ to the world this Christmas, what a wonderful time we live in!
{On a side note I just finished the see's chocolates you sent me while writing this letter, thank you, thank you! They were delicious! Sister Crockett says thank you, and that she enjoyed them as well.}
Anyways on Friday we enjoyed a dinner with the Branch. It was the Branch Christmas party. It was fun we ate dinner and then played a game at the end. The members of the branch are so sweet and joyful.
They really are optimistic.
I just have one other tidbit to share that I thought was funny. On Sunday we went to branch council meeting to report our week and when we got there they were in the middle of discussing a matter, and the ending line went like this..."Arizona Mormons are different (implying
better) than Utah Mormons" Sister Crockett may or may not be as happy with that statement as I am. Haha. It was so funny.
Oh and I also gave a talk during sacrament meeting, and Sister Crockett said I'll probably give another in three weeks. That's just how it works in a branch. :)
This week might have been hectic but it's always good when we are working hard, learning, and sharing the gospel. I love this work and the joy it brings into my life. I only wish you all could experience this with me! I love you and hope the holidays are going well. Thank you for all your emails and support I appreciate it. Love and miss you all!
-Sister Durfee