03. 31. 2014

This week I have felt the feeling of pure joy! 

Sister Fullmer and I are truly being led by the Lord and it is so wonderful. Thursday was the most amazing day of my mission so far and will probably be the only day I will have time to tell you about this week. 

So we have been working very hard and the Lord is showing us He trusts us because on Thursday we had 3 teaching appointments scheduled! Most weeks we are lucky if we have that many for the whole week! So our first teaching appointment was with Michelle.

Michelle has a pretty cool story of how we came to teach her. She is single and 43 and moved here a few months ago to be near her dad after her mom had passed away. On one Sunday she just showed up to another ward at a different church building wanting to know more about the church. So the missionaries found out she was in our area and called us up. We then contacted her and she was excited to set up an appointment with us and eager to learn. Since when does that happen??? Never. Not in the Woodlands anyway. We went with a member from the ward Sister Moore and taught her about The Restoration. The spirit was with us and I know Michelle could feel it. She was eager to learn more. She even said a kneeling prayer with us at the end of the lesson which is a HUGE deal for investigators. She came to sacrament meeting this week and later today we will set up another appointment to go and teach her more. Michelle is the perfect example of the Lord preparing a way for His children to know His plan for them. 

Right after Michelle we went to our lesson with a young mom named Marlis. We found Marlis tracting one evening (which I think I might have mentioned in my last email) She was more then happy to have us come back and teach her. We then taught Marlis The Restoration and it was one of the most powerful teaching experiences of my life. I was able to recite Joseph Smith's first vision. The spirit is always strong when you are able to look into the investigators eyes and tell them in Joseph's own words the first vision. This time was no exception. I then can't even describe to you what happened next, the spirit literally opened my mouth and gave me words as I bore testimony of the reality that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and called him a prophet of God. It was my voice but they were not my words. I know this because I learned from them, my testimony was strengthened by them. It was an amazing experience. I know Marlis felt the power of the Holy Ghost as well. Sadly, Marlis was honest with us when she said that now isn't the time for her to learn more. She did say she would read the Book of Mormon though and thanked us for coming. Even though that lesson may not have seemed like "a success" it was in so many ways. 

We then went to our lesson with Chon Gonzales and Rui over at Bishop and Sister Fife's home. Once again we taught the lesson of The Restoration (which is literally my favorite one) This time Sister Fullmer and I know that that the spirit gave us the words to say because we were just emotionally and spiritually drained at this point but the spirit was SO strong. I honestly can't recall anything I said but I knew how I felt and all of the sudden the spirit burned deep in my heart and I knew that I needed to invite her to be baptized and so I followed the spirit. Before I could even finish the sentence Chon was nodding her head almost as if she knew before what I was even going to ask her. Chon is getting baptized!!! May 3rd is the date we set with her. I can't even begin to describe the feelings of the spirit in that room. The feelings just came out in tears as I hugged her. Sister Fullmer and I got into our car after the lesson and it took everything in us not to scream. We cried all the way home though. 

I now know how Alma felt when we exclaimed how great is my joy! It is pure joy that you feel when you are able to be apart of an experience like that. It is pure joy when you are trusted by the Lord to be even a small part in helping someone come unto him. My joy was full and I truly was only a small part in Chon's conversion but I am honored to have even been apart of it at all!!

Chon Gonzales will be the first baptism of the sister missionaries in the Woodlands ever. 

The Lord has prepared a specific plan for us all and as we trust in him He guides us down that path. It turns out that The Woodlands area is relatively new to having Sister Missionaries. If I would have came out on my mission a year ago, I wouldn't have been able to even serve in The Woodlands because it wouldn't have even existed. 

What a great and marvelous work it truly is.

Sister Niedert 

03. 24. 2014

So another week! and this week was a good one! So good I don't really even know where to begin.

 

Transfers are this week and I am not getting transferred. Sadly Sister Nielsen is leaving us so it will be Sister Fullmer and I for the next 6 weeks. I am so happy that I get to serve with Sister Fullmer (even though I will miss cute little Sister Nielsen) and even happier to be staying in the Woodlands! We are seeing so many little miracles and we have SO much work to do!

 

So highlights:

 

First we were tracting on Wednesday night and it really is so cool because we are so guided by the spirit. We prayed to know what area we should tract in and then Sister Fullmer just drives and we follow any prompting we might get. Well we were led to this area and of course the first 5 house no one was having it. People wouldn't even come to their doors even though we could clearly see that they were home. Others just peeked through their blinds and then walked away. We were starting to get a little confused why we were lead to this area. So after about 40 mins of this we were getting to the last few houses on the street and then we were going to leave. We knocked on the door a young mom answered with the cutest little baby in her arms. The baby instantly smiled at us! The mom's name is Marlis and the little baby is Vivian. Marlis was the first person to let us sing to her. She was so kind after and we started asking her if she was very religious. She is Methodist and her husband is Baptist. They just moved to the area and have been going to different churches to see which one they like (because seriously it is a smorgasbord here) So we asked if we could come back and share about our church, she said Yes! We are meeting with her this Thursday and I just can't wait. Marlis is exactly the reason we were led to that little neighborhood.

 

Thursday we went to the temple. BEST THING EVER!!!! They showed my favorite video of course so I was in heaven. It was just such a blessing to go and to feel of the spirit of the Lord so close to you. The temple is pretty, small and simple. I will never be able to deny the truthfulness of this gospel because of the feelings I have when I am in the temple. I wish I could live in there. What a blessing that we have temples on the earth today.

 

So after the temple we went to dinner with Chon (one of our investigators) and Rui (her exchange student from Japan) It was probably my favorite thing all week! Sister Fife (the bishops wife) came with us and she is just the coolest lady. She is a convert to the church and has the most powerful testimony. She went on a mission after she converted and has honestly never stopped being a missionary. The conversation was lead by the spirit as Chon shared her feelings about going to church and reading The Book of Mormon. In a text Chon sent us the night before she said "I love my Book of Mormon, I feel like a member already" We shouted for joy! So at dinner Sister Fife brought this up and Chon basically shared how she believes this is the true church and agreed to let us teach her the lessons. We know the spirit has been converting Chon because we have not been able to sit down and actually teach her but she has been acting in faith and going to church and reading the Book of Mormon and that is why she believes. When you show faith and actual read The Book of Mormon and go to church, the Holy Ghost tells you it is true and you just know it. I am so happy for Chon and so excited to continue to teach her. Her exchange student Rui is also adorable. We invited her to come to the lessons with Chon as well and she was more then happy to join. She shared with us that she has never had religion in her life and she wants to know everything. We gave her a Book of Mormon and you would have thought we gave her a diamond ring. (it is far better than a diamond ring though so I understand haha) She was so happy and so thankful.

 

Another miracle was we were finally able to sit down and teach Mark. Mark is the guy who works at the gas station by our apartment. We have been trying to teach him and have invited him to church but each time work gets in the way. Mark is very busy at work. We made an instant friendship with him and each week go to visit him at work and share our testimonies of how the gospel can truly bless his life right now. He is very genuine and has really been wanting to learn but like I said, work and life is just dealing him a bad hand at the moment. We were at sonic and none other then Sister Fife and Bishop Fife just showed up and sat themselves down and joined us. It was a testimony to me of the Lords plan because this is exactly what needed to happen. Bishop and Sister Fife were able to share powerful testimonies of their conversion stories and it was just what Mark needed to hear. Mark agreed to have the missionaries in his area teach him (it breaks my heart we can't) and we will just continue of course to be his friend and help him along the way.

 

So I have so much else I could share but my time is short this week because of transfers and I have already used up so much of my time haha I sang in church yesterday. Yep your daughter sang a duet in church. I am becoming quite the little singer out here on my mission. Sister Fullmer played the piano and Sister Nielsen and I sang "I Know that my Redeemer lives" It was beautiful but the best part is we did it so we could invite our investigators to come to church and hear it. Chon and Rui were there and also Linda came! You don't know about Linda, or maybe you do I can't remember but it was so great that she came! I knew she felt the spirit as we sang and I am pretty sure that feeling that spirit is just what she needed to continue to read the Book of Mormon.

 

My testimony of the Book of Mormon is just growing and growing. It is the word of God, I will never deny it and being on my mission I have seen the miracles it brings to peoples lives, including my own. Read that Book. You have too, you just can't afford to miss out on the blessings that come from it.

 

I love you family. I love this gospel even more though because it has given me you for forever. Missionary life really is the best life.

 

Xoxo

Sister Niedert

03. 17. 2014

Howdy! 

So this week was weird haha

Sister Fullmer got sick on Tuesday, she had a really bad cold so we took it very easy that day. The cool thing is though we still met all of our goals that we set the night before. It was a testimony to me that we we truly are giving are all, even if it is only just a little, the Lord will bless us and will help us accomplish His work. 

So this week was Spring break and everyone and their dog went on a vacation. Everyone. It was very hard to tract this week because people were gone, but we did our very best. So sad to report that we have no new investigators this week but we were able to have some successes with the investigators we have! 

The first success I will share is Linda. Sister Fullmer and Sister Nielsen had found Linda through tracting efforts a couple weeks before I came. They taught her about the restoration and the plan of salvation. The lessons went well but for some reason or another they just hadn't been able to meet with her as often as they would have liked and so they didn't really know how she felt about everything. Well here is the success. We had an appointment with her this week and we decided that we just wanted to go in there to listen to her, to listen to the spirit and then to share what the spirit prompted us. I bet you can guess that the lesson went well. Everything goes well when you have the spirit. Linda really opened up to us. I bore my testimony about prayer, about being patient and waiting for the answers and not expecting the heavens to open up and to give us the answers. But that the answers are small and simple. I needed that reminder for myself. I also bore testimony of the power of the Book of Mormon. We all did. The spirit was strong as we talked about praying about the Book of Mormon. Linda committed that she would take 15 mins for at least 5 days this week to pray and to ponder the Book of Mormon. I am now just praying that she will keep her commitment because I know if she does she will know that the Book of Mormon is true. She will feel it. 

So the next is Dave and Wendy. They aren't really investigators because they have no interest in joining the church but they are so nice and always willing to talk about Christ. This week they took us out to lunch at this way fancy place called Hubbel and Hudson Kitchen. It was so nice. Everything was just organic and green and yummy. I had a veggie burger, sweet potato fries, and a gelato for desert. But what I ate is really beside the point haha It was our conversation. Dave and Wendy go to The Fellowship of The Woodlands church. They consider themselves apart of the southern baptist church though. Dave's job is stage production. He creates all the props and the technical stuff they have for their "sermons". He has built waterfalls on stage before and for Christmas built a life size train. What???? The sermons are basically a rock concert. Loud and all about the show. I have heard it is awesome, who wouldn't want to go to a church where they told you were doing everything right just by saying you believe in Christ and then you get to watch a show with trains and waterfalls??? I guess in one room they have xboxes and things so the kids can go there while the parents go to the sermon. Wouldn't that be something?? I can see why it is so appealing but let's be real. That is not church. This was foretold though in the Book of Mormon. Just read 2 Nephi chapters 28-29. That is Houston Texas. It really is heart breaking though because these people want to do good, they want to follow Christ, they just don't know. They just can't see and can't understand. We try to tell them but they just won't try to see it themselves. Dave and Wendy are really the nicest people, who else do you know would take 3 strangers who go to another church and are trying to teach you about their church out to lunch and spend like way too much money on them??? No one. That is my point, these people in Texas are just so nice. They love Chirst and they love their fellowmen, they just think they have received all the truth and don't need anymore. One day Dave and Wendy will see and I can't wait until that day. They will be so happy when they can come even closer to Christ. I just hope that I am here when they do. 

My testimony of the Book of Mormon strengthens everyday. WE NEED THAT BOOK! It was essential and is essential if we want to truly understand our purpose on earth and the doctrines of Chirst. In the new edition of the Book of Mormon they changed one line in the introduction. It use to say "The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ, as so does the Bible." It no longer says as so does the Bible. I love that. It is the Book of Mormon that gives us the fullness of Christs doctrines and teaching because it clarifies what the Bible teaches. It is pure and plain and full of truth, if one would just read it with an open heart they would understand as see what it truly is. We have to take advantage of the Book of Mormon. If we want pure joy and to enjoy the kingdom of Heaven with our Heavenly Father, we have to know the doctrines from that book! That means we HAVE TO READ IT!!! If someone wants to know if Christ's church is here on the earth they have to read it!!!! It HAS TO BE READ! As you can tell my passion for this book has just grown tremendously but it is only because I now am just starting to understand how important it is, in missionary work and in life in general. 

Well how about that Book of Mormon rant? haha 

The rest of the week flew by like usual. I am looking forward to this next week though where people will be home from spring break, no one will be sick, and we can work hard. Nothing makes me happier then when I lay my head on my pillow at night and can think "I gave all that I had today" That is truly all the Lord asks. Just give him your all, even if it is only one verse from the Book of Mormon that day. If that is honestly all you could give, The Lord will make up the rest and you can have joy. True, pure, joy. 

I love you all very much. Not a day goes by where you aren't on mind and I don't say a quick prayer for how grateful I am for my family. Work hard, give your all, and you shall have rest :) 

xoxo 

Sister Niedert 

OH Transfers are on Sunday! Crazy huh??? Not this Saturday but next i will have been out 2 months. Weird. Seems longer. hahah 

I have no idea what will happen, trio's usually don't stay together long. Sister Fullmer thinks she is leaving, but then so does Sister Nielsen. Maybe they are both leaving and I will get a new companion. Lets hope that does not happen. I hope we all stay together haha I love these Sisters. I wish I could serve with them my whole entire mission. 

03. 10. 2014

Wow this week.

 

I almost didn't write a letter home because it wasn't my favorite week haha but that is not fair to only write about all the good stuff.

 

So earlier this week I have been praying to know what I can change, what can I repent of so I can become a better missionary, you know the dangerous prayers. Well it was answered.

 

So on Tuesday I go to go to Montgomery, Texas for the day. I was a little bummed because we were teaching Pat and I was going to miss out on it but when we prayed it felt right that I needed to go. It was great to be out of the Woodlands to see the different areas, but I really do love the Woodlands a lot. We were out in the middle of no where, the best description I can give is one of the houses we taught at the lady had 11 dogs, 2 horses, and 2 ponies. Definitely not the Woodlands. But the Lord loves ALL of his children, even the ones out in the middle of nowhere. I liked having the new experience.

 

So when I got back to the Woodlands I was excited to hear how the lesson with Pat went....It did not go well. Pat handed Sister Fullmer and Sister Nielsen the Book of Mormon and said, "This is not for me" My heart sank. The spirit was so strong in the first lesson I couldn't understand how she couldn't accept the gospel. Not only did Pat drop us but the other family we were teaching (the McDaniels), who said they would get baptized if they found out it was true, they dropped us. It was devastating.  it is discouraging when you love something so much and you know how it can bless someone's life but they turn it away. But it is life. I realized all I could do was try even harder.

 

My broken heart became a humble heart and so The Lord was able to teach me and help me. I love when that happens. I realized that I need to testify more. That in the short time I have with these people I need to share with them why they need this gospel. What the gospel can do for them. I can't just treat it like I am so missionary from some other church. I am a missionary for the true church! I am a missionary for the Lord and his children need to know it!!! I ate this dove chocolate and on the wrapper it said

 

"Don't settle for a spark....light a fire instead"

 

I don't want my mission to just be full of sparks, I want it to be full of fires! Full of the fire of the Holy Ghost testifying to these people that Christ lives, that He loves, and that we can return to him with our families forever! So it was a rough week, but a great learning week, I needed it. I know the Lord is with His missionaries, His work is bigger then us all. I love being a part of it.

 

xoxo

Sister Niedert

03. 03. 2014

Can you believe it is P-day again? this week went by fast for me and lucky me because I feel like I just got to talk to y'all and I'm talking to y'all again. (Like my y'all's??)

This week we saw miracles people. miracles.

We have a new tracting method, we go door to door and instead of asking people if they want to hear a message, we ask them if thy would be willing to listen to us sing a hymn. Yes we go door to door, singing hymns. It is so fun. The spirit also comes faster then it did when I would meagerly try to tell them why they should let us in and teach them. Much faster. People lets us share with them. it is rare that they say no when we ask just to sing to them so that in itself is a miracle. The real miracle though is David, and Amanda. David is a older man, he was more then happy for us to sing to him but also told us he wasn't looking to change his religion. So we sang and he then in return sang us a hymn? what??? Well his heart was softened and he then opened up about how there are some things he doesn't think he agrees with his religion. He said we could come back. See what the power of singing can do?? Well it doesn't end there. Amanda is our other miracle. She is 14-years old. We sang to her and not only was she wanting to listen but she right then and there wanted to come to church! and She did. She came to church for the whole 3 hours yesterday. She loved it. She also called later and said she was reading the Book of Mormon and asked for a homework assignment. What 14 year old asks for a homework assignment from the Book of Mormon. Her mom isn't a member but her moms boyfriend is and is very supportive of her learning more. We are hoping to maybe sit down and share with them all. Are you as amazed as I am? I still don't understand how it happened. Small little miracles happen like this daily and it is because this is the Lords work and we are truly his hands just helping him along. I am so honored.

Speaking of a miracle, right now as I am typing this my companion Sister Fullmer is inviting someone to learn more about our church. Can't wait to teach him.

This isn't the first time we have found someone to teach in the library. Last Wednesday we came to eat lunch at the library and we were studying as well, just discussing how wonderful the gospel is of course and a man Nathan was sitting near by. We had the impression to ask him what resturaunts are near by to eat at. I am glad we did, turns out he was listening a little bit to us and was impressed by us studying out in the open. He has a friend who is LDS and who has given him the Book of Mormon. After talking to him for a few he agreed to let us meet back up with him to teach him more. We will teach Nathan on Tuesday. Also on Tuesday we will teach Pat again. Our first lesson went so well and it was not because of us. The spirit was strong as we taught about the restoration. The spirit truly is the real teacher and because of that we will be able to teach Pat about the Plan of Salvation. I can't wait.

This last week we had Zone conference. It was amazing. We discussed the Spirit of Elijah and what a powerful role it plays in missionary work. I also learned what the spirit of Elijah is haha I knew it had something to do with family history but it is so much more. The spirit of Elijah is the Holy Ghost manifesting the divine sanctity of families. The spirit of Elijah prompts us to provide our ancestors with saving and exalting ordinances. President Pingree also explained in much more detail how ancestors have accepted the gospel on the other side of the veil and will lead us to their children. How cool is that? Isn't it beautiful. Zone conference was eye opening to me as I realized how much bigger missionary work is then I can even imagine. I am still so honored to be apart of it all.

I love you, my family, with all my heart. I know for sure that I can feel your prayers and love in the moments I need it most. I can also bare testimony to others that the gospel of Jesus Christ truly blesses our families because I have seen it in my own.

xoxo

Sister Niedert