Hello family and friends!
Our mission said their goodbyes to President and Sister Bowen last week and President Weaver and his wife arrived to take their place. I just love them!! They are so outgoing and all hugs and smiles and everything..just wonderful people. We had a BBQ today for the 4th and it was at "the mansion" (where the APs, Highland Hills ward, and Office Elders live..6 elders in their own house!) The Weavers were there as well as most of the Tacoma Zone. The Weavers supplied the meat and buns and Sis. Field and I bought some cookies to bring. It's definitely an exciting time..four weeks left and I know it's going to go fast!
We have a large teaching pool and many of them are really sincere investigators and solid individuals. We're struggling right now to know how to help them commit to baptism. Sometimes I look around and I see the work that other missionaries are doing and I see that many times their investigators are getting baptised in a much shorter time span and I feel overwhelmed wondering what I'm doing wrong and what I can do better. Sister Field helped me to see things in a different way by saying "Well Sister Luke this is exactly the mission you're supposed to serve, doing just what you're doing with these people right now. The Lord already knew what your mission would be before you came and He still sent you to it."
I've learned to have faith in every person we meet/are teaching and to try and see past who they are and have a vision of who they can become. When the investigator sees that you have faith in them and have complete confidence in the things you promise them (receiving answer to prayer, for example) then their faith to follow increases. As I think about the people the Lord has sent to me throughout my mission and the ways things always came together, I can look ahead and trust that the Lord truly is in control of the work.
I love sharing the joy that I've felt because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope you have a wonderful day! I am grateful to have you in my life! (:
"...and men are, that they might have joy."
-2 Nephi 2:25
Leap fearlessly -- Enjoy the journey!
Love, Sister Luke
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Miracles!
--Last Thursday...how to even begin..Well, it'd been a long week with lots of appointments falling through and nearly all the investigators we were working with weren't really going anywhere, at least not very fast (afraid to make commitments, not coming to church, difficult to meet with) So that afternoon, Sister Mayfield and I were at the end of ideas. We just didn't even know where to go or how to find people to teach! We'd been trying to follow up with some potentials we'd tracted into and others in the ward but nothing seemed to be going anywhere. We stopped to pray and ask Heavenly Father to place those in our path that were searching and prepared for the gospel. At 5:00 p.m. we met up with our splits and I was to go tracting with Sister Bo Chambers (a recent convert of last fall) and she just LOVES missionary work! Her energy and enthusiasm is just what I needed! We decided to knock doors in an apartment complex. We set up a church tour with the first person we talked to, and the second door we knocked on became the next best thing to happen to me (well, really, to them!) while in Skyline .. We met Marcel and his granddaughter Alexcia (11) and great-granddaughter Destinee (9) (Three generation family!) The two girls were so excited about coming to the church that when we asked if they could come right then they said "Let me get my coat and put on my shoes!" They got in their car and followed us to the building where we were able to teach them about the gospel of Jesus Christ and they committed to baptism. A recent convert family in our ward used to live in their apartment complex so the girls had been to our church for some activities before but the family moved and the girls missed going. Marcel and the girls came to church yesterday and had a really great time. Bo (my split that night) sewed the girls Easter skirts. Marcel and the girls picked Bo up for church Sunday morning and their coming to church actually brought the whole recent convert family out to church! (They didn't all usually come) Many miracles just by Marcel's family alone! I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers, whether they be for ourselves or for others close to us or those that we do not yet know. It is usually through another person that He answers our prayers!
Mosiah 8:18
"Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings."
--Ted (baptised on Mar 26) got hired for a job about two weeks ago and was ecstatic! He had been unemployed for over a year and his life was kind of tumbling down until he found the gospel and got baptised and changed his life. The blessings that I've seen in his life alone are such a testament to me that true joy is found in following the Savior. Now he has a great job and is happier than ever. His new job flies him out to Arizona during the week and back to Washington for the weekends so he's able to come to church..it's perfect!
I only have a minute left on my email --
Love you all!
I'll write more next week.
Sister Luke
--Last Thursday...how to even begin..Well, it'd been a long week with lots of appointments falling through and nearly all the investigators we were working with weren't really going anywhere, at least not very fast (afraid to make commitments, not coming to church, difficult to meet with) So that afternoon, Sister Mayfield and I were at the end of ideas. We just didn't even know where to go or how to find people to teach! We'd been trying to follow up with some potentials we'd tracted into and others in the ward but nothing seemed to be going anywhere. We stopped to pray and ask Heavenly Father to place those in our path that were searching and prepared for the gospel. At 5:00 p.m. we met up with our splits and I was to go tracting with Sister Bo Chambers (a recent convert of last fall) and she just LOVES missionary work! Her energy and enthusiasm is just what I needed! We decided to knock doors in an apartment complex. We set up a church tour with the first person we talked to, and the second door we knocked on became the next best thing to happen to me (well, really, to them!) while in Skyline .. We met Marcel and his granddaughter Alexcia (11) and great-granddaughter Destinee (9) (Three generation family!) The two girls were so excited about coming to the church that when we asked if they could come right then they said "Let me get my coat and put on my shoes!" They got in their car and followed us to the building where we were able to teach them about the gospel of Jesus Christ and they committed to baptism. A recent convert family in our ward used to live in their apartment complex so the girls had been to our church for some activities before but the family moved and the girls missed going. Marcel and the girls came to church yesterday and had a really great time. Bo (my split that night) sewed the girls Easter skirts. Marcel and the girls picked Bo up for church Sunday morning and their coming to church actually brought the whole recent convert family out to church! (They didn't all usually come) Many miracles just by Marcel's family alone! I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers, whether they be for ourselves or for others close to us or those that we do not yet know. It is usually through another person that He answers our prayers!
Mosiah 8:18
"Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings."
--Ted (baptised on Mar 26) got hired for a job about two weeks ago and was ecstatic! He had been unemployed for over a year and his life was kind of tumbling down until he found the gospel and got baptised and changed his life. The blessings that I've seen in his life alone are such a testament to me that true joy is found in following the Savior. Now he has a great job and is happier than ever. His new job flies him out to Arizona during the week and back to Washington for the weekends so he's able to come to church..it's perfect!
I only have a minute left on my email --
Love you all!
I'll write more next week.
Sister Luke
Monday, February 28, 2011
Hello family and friends!
I can see why there are so many rules on the mission...it can be easy to get distracted! After learning that I was accepted to BYU in Provo, it's been on my mind all day (So good thing it's a p-day!) I just need to make a decision between BYU Provo and BYU Idaho. Sister Mayfield and I were in the Mission Office today to get mail and everything and President Bowen was there! He's not there a whole lot and when he is it's not usually when we happen to stop by, so I took advantage of his door being open and stepped in to talk to him. I told him about my concerns with upcoming decisions and he said .."Sister Luke, both are excellent choices. It's not so much where you choose to go, but what you choose to do with the decision you make." So he's basically just telling me to pick one and then to just make the most of it! ..What a wise man President Bowen is! ;)
I began reading the Book of Mormon on my mission again and I'm now in Alma 9. I just read chapter by chapter, so it's interesting when the chapter I open up to directly relates to what's been on my mind or is something I need to hear. Almost always, I find a way to incorporate what I have read into the day's lessons.
For instance, a few days ago I decided to read from the Temple Ensign while I ate breakfast. I read an article about the sacred ordinances that are done in the Temple and it addressed some concerns many people have about the purpose of Temples. The thought came to me that I would want to remember those things I read because I may have to use it in a lesson or during a tracting experience that day. Later that day, Sister Mayfield and I tracted some apartments where we met a man named Steve. He isn't related to this story..so I'll come back to that in a minute. haha BUT When talking to one lady, I asked her if she had any friends that were Mormon and she said that she used to but religion became an issue when her friend's daughter got married and she was only invited to attend the reception since the ceremony was done in the Temple. She misunderstood the sacredness of the Temple and was offended by the experience and not really interested in our explanation. But my study earlier that morning helped me to be prepared for our conversation whether or not she wanted to hear. From great 'coincidences' all the way down to small things, like what article I read during breakfast, show me that there is a purpose in all things!
Back to Steve..that same day we were tracting, we met Steve who ended up coming to the church that night for what was supposed to be a church tour. There happened to be a regional Art Show/Display going on all day at our church building so it kind of disrupted our church tour plan but he really enjoyed the program instead. That night, there was a concert! Well, as much of a concert as there can be in the church haha A group of people had formed a band together and they sang Nashville Tribute (A tribute to the Prophet Joseph Smith). They weren't of course the original band but it was amazing! Steve then came to church the next day and was really touched by what was said in Sacrament meeting. Sister Mayfield and I are meeting with him tomorrow to teach him more about the Restoration. The miracle in all of this is that when we met Steve at his door, he had no interest in what we had to say but we were persistent..pleasantly persistent haha..so he agreed to come! He is a Vietnam veteran and medically retired and seems to recognize a need for something more in his life.
Ted is doing awesome! We have been meeting with him for almost a month now and his baptism is on March 26th. He is going to make a great contribution to the Church and is building his testimony more and more each week! It has been really rewarding working with Ted because he is very verbal; he always is sure to keep us in tune with his feelings, which are usually good! He feels the Spirit and has faith that God has a plan for just him. He approaches the gospel with complete humility, knowing that the commandments we teach are God's commandments.
Mosiah 2:41
"..Ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."
Sending my love!
Sister Luke
I can see why there are so many rules on the mission...it can be easy to get distracted! After learning that I was accepted to BYU in Provo, it's been on my mind all day (So good thing it's a p-day!) I just need to make a decision between BYU Provo and BYU Idaho. Sister Mayfield and I were in the Mission Office today to get mail and everything and President Bowen was there! He's not there a whole lot and when he is it's not usually when we happen to stop by, so I took advantage of his door being open and stepped in to talk to him. I told him about my concerns with upcoming decisions and he said .."Sister Luke, both are excellent choices. It's not so much where you choose to go, but what you choose to do with the decision you make." So he's basically just telling me to pick one and then to just make the most of it! ..What a wise man President Bowen is! ;)
I began reading the Book of Mormon on my mission again and I'm now in Alma 9. I just read chapter by chapter, so it's interesting when the chapter I open up to directly relates to what's been on my mind or is something I need to hear. Almost always, I find a way to incorporate what I have read into the day's lessons.
For instance, a few days ago I decided to read from the Temple Ensign while I ate breakfast. I read an article about the sacred ordinances that are done in the Temple and it addressed some concerns many people have about the purpose of Temples. The thought came to me that I would want to remember those things I read because I may have to use it in a lesson or during a tracting experience that day. Later that day, Sister Mayfield and I tracted some apartments where we met a man named Steve. He isn't related to this story..so I'll come back to that in a minute. haha BUT When talking to one lady, I asked her if she had any friends that were Mormon and she said that she used to but religion became an issue when her friend's daughter got married and she was only invited to attend the reception since the ceremony was done in the Temple. She misunderstood the sacredness of the Temple and was offended by the experience and not really interested in our explanation. But my study earlier that morning helped me to be prepared for our conversation whether or not she wanted to hear. From great 'coincidences' all the way down to small things, like what article I read during breakfast, show me that there is a purpose in all things!
Back to Steve..that same day we were tracting, we met Steve who ended up coming to the church that night for what was supposed to be a church tour. There happened to be a regional Art Show/Display going on all day at our church building so it kind of disrupted our church tour plan but he really enjoyed the program instead. That night, there was a concert! Well, as much of a concert as there can be in the church haha A group of people had formed a band together and they sang Nashville Tribute (A tribute to the Prophet Joseph Smith). They weren't of course the original band but it was amazing! Steve then came to church the next day and was really touched by what was said in Sacrament meeting. Sister Mayfield and I are meeting with him tomorrow to teach him more about the Restoration. The miracle in all of this is that when we met Steve at his door, he had no interest in what we had to say but we were persistent..pleasantly persistent haha..so he agreed to come! He is a Vietnam veteran and medically retired and seems to recognize a need for something more in his life.
Ted is doing awesome! We have been meeting with him for almost a month now and his baptism is on March 26th. He is going to make a great contribution to the Church and is building his testimony more and more each week! It has been really rewarding working with Ted because he is very verbal; he always is sure to keep us in tune with his feelings, which are usually good! He feels the Spirit and has faith that God has a plan for just him. He approaches the gospel with complete humility, knowing that the commandments we teach are God's commandments.
Mosiah 2:41
"..Ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."
Sending my love!
Sister Luke
HAPPY DAY!
I haven't made a decision yet about where I will attend school this fall (BYU Provo or BYU Idaho)...still very excited for whatever happens!
25 Feb 2011
Dear Gracie:
Congratulations! You have been admitted to Brigham Young University to begin Fall 2011. Through your preparation and personal achievements you have distinguished yourself from a very strong group of applicants. We believe you will make a positive contribution to the BYU community. It is a great pleasure to welcome you to our campus to pursue your educational goals. To be eligible to continue to future semesters, you must register for and complete this semester or term.
To secure your admissions slot, it is essential for you to read the Frequently Asked Questions link below and follow the instructions in Question 1 to accept your admission opportunity. This link will also provide you with important information regarding scholarships, housing, financial aid, etc.
We encourage you to maintain the standards outlined in the University Honor Code. We look forward to having you on campus.
Warmest regards,
R. Kirk Strong
Director of Admission Services
25 Feb 2011
Dear Gracie:
Congratulations! You have been admitted to Brigham Young University to begin Fall 2011. Through your preparation and personal achievements you have distinguished yourself from a very strong group of applicants. We believe you will make a positive contribution to the BYU community. It is a great pleasure to welcome you to our campus to pursue your educational goals. To be eligible to continue to future semesters, you must register for and complete this semester or term.
To secure your admissions slot, it is essential for you to read the Frequently Asked Questions link below and follow the instructions in Question 1 to accept your admission opportunity. This link will also provide you with important information regarding scholarships, housing, financial aid, etc.
We encourage you to maintain the standards outlined in the University Honor Code. We look forward to having you on campus.
Warmest regards,
R. Kirk Strong
Director of Admission Services
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
The time throughout the holidays seemed to pass really quickly and now it's middle of February! This is my second transfer, or seventh week, in Tacoma and Sister Mayfield's second area in the mission. She previously served in Silverdale, where Sister Brendlinger is now serving. It's taken longer than I thought for me to adjust to being in Tacoma; it's completely different than any area I've been before. Something I really love about being in a city is that there are always people to talk to and places to go! When I was in Elma, I was there so long that I knew the employees at the stores and began to see people around town that we'd tracted into (Elma's population is about 3,000).
One of my favorite converts while in Elma was Will. His baptism was truly a miracle -- a string of many miracles! Through teaching Will, I learned a lot of things about myself and about how to learn spiritual things. I learned that a knowledge of the scriptures and a faith in Jesus Christ does not come easily; it did not come easy for Will and didn't for me either, even though I had many more years to learn than he did. Early in my mission my fragile faith was challenged and tested many times, but because of prayer and obedience to that which I felt was right, Heavenly Father brought me through onto higher ground. God prepared me to teach Will and to help bridge the gap in his spiritual journey. I felt the Spirit assist me multiple times in teaching Will and know that God also prepared him in just the same way He prepared me.
A bishop from one of the wards I served in in Sequim, my first area, came to transfer meeting yesterday. He told me that the DePrati family is progressing incredibly well and that they are preparing to go to the temple together this spring! Soon as I learn what day they'll be going I can make plans to go with them. The DePratis are a family that we tracted into and taught and they were all baptized shortly after, the father baptizing his two children. It was an incredible opportunity for me to be a part of their conversion!
Sister Mayfield and I are teaching a man named Ted..he is incredible! He is at a point in his life where he knows he needs to do something..anything..else than what he's tried before to find happiness and finally the gospel is making a difference in his life that nothing else could. He felt the significant power of prayer as he asked Heavenly Father to help lift his burdens. Ted's baptism is planned for March 6th.
Love you all very much,
Sister Gracie Luke
One of my favorite converts while in Elma was Will. His baptism was truly a miracle -- a string of many miracles! Through teaching Will, I learned a lot of things about myself and about how to learn spiritual things. I learned that a knowledge of the scriptures and a faith in Jesus Christ does not come easily; it did not come easy for Will and didn't for me either, even though I had many more years to learn than he did. Early in my mission my fragile faith was challenged and tested many times, but because of prayer and obedience to that which I felt was right, Heavenly Father brought me through onto higher ground. God prepared me to teach Will and to help bridge the gap in his spiritual journey. I felt the Spirit assist me multiple times in teaching Will and know that God also prepared him in just the same way He prepared me.
A bishop from one of the wards I served in in Sequim, my first area, came to transfer meeting yesterday. He told me that the DePrati family is progressing incredibly well and that they are preparing to go to the temple together this spring! Soon as I learn what day they'll be going I can make plans to go with them. The DePratis are a family that we tracted into and taught and they were all baptized shortly after, the father baptizing his two children. It was an incredible opportunity for me to be a part of their conversion!
Sister Mayfield and I are teaching a man named Ted..he is incredible! He is at a point in his life where he knows he needs to do something..anything..else than what he's tried before to find happiness and finally the gospel is making a difference in his life that nothing else could. He felt the significant power of prayer as he asked Heavenly Father to help lift his burdens. Ted's baptism is planned for March 6th.
Love you all very much,
Sister Gracie Luke
Monday, February 14, 2011
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