06. 30. 2014

So this week. Where to begin?

First off I have to say I know it's all true. I can't say it enough. I feel like my heart is filled with pure love and joy that it really will burst. and then I feel like my heart is going to break because I want everyone to have this feeling. I want everyone to know that it is true. and then I start to feel really helpless in that moment because how can I do this? What can I do? How can I truly help those I come in contact with?? My week is best taught by the scripture in Alma

"and now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us." -Alma 26:27

This is what Sister Wahlen and I experienced this week. I can go into all the details but really those are so unimportant. The important thing is the Lord was with us. He comforted us. He comforted me daily. He is truly here with us and He loves these people more than I can comprehend. Because of that I can put my full faith and trust in Him!

So I will share some spiritual experiences, first off I finished the Book of Mormon. I cry just thinking about it. (wow am I an emotional basket case or what??) As I read Moroni 10:3-5 I felt a burning in my heart. I knew that what Moroni was saying was true, that we really could ask God our questions and through the Holy Ghost we could know the truth. I have never doubted the reality of the Book of Mormon but I had the desire to pray specifically to know. So I did. I ponder about all the things I know to be true. I pondered about Christ and all He as done. I pondered all the spiritual experiences I have had up to that point that helped me know all of these things. Then I prayed. It was as if time stopped. Everything was still, and I was filled with happiness. And then I knew. I knew once again that the Book of Mormon was true.

Second, the temple. Wow. To go into the temple and then to be taught after by the temple and mission president was truly an enlightening experience. Enlightening doesn't do it justice really. We were able to ask any questions about the temple that we add and the ordinances performed within. I mean it when I say it felt like a Heaven on earth. The Spirit was abundant in the room as we all learned and were taught from on high. and once again I knew that it was all true.

With all of these spiritual experiences though I realize that I still nothing without my Savior. I can't do it on my own and the wonderful thing of it all is that the Savior doesn't want me too. He doesn't want any of us too. That is why he has given us religion and pray and scriptures, and prophets, and churches, and temples, and families, and friends, and everything! Everything that is good comes from Him and testifies that He is there and He lives and He wants every single person to come unto Him. Isn't that such a wonderful thing? That even though we are imperfect and make mistakes that He wants us with Him, He loves, and that love will never ever change. Because He loves us all, I too must love all. We must have Charity.

I know this email is all over the place haha my thoughts are all over the place today. So quick updates: Candace didn't come to church this week. She sent us a text and wants to be apart of the church but is still confused. We will be teaching her this week, actually the Spirit will be teaching her this week, we will be there to just help haha Hopefully we will be able to clear up her concerns and confusion. I know the Spirit will help Candace find the truth if she is willing to seek. Sydnee has postponed her baptism for now. She wants he uncle or grandpa to baptize her so it will be more meaningful to her. How wonderful! We are hoping to help her come up with a date that isn't too far away so she won't be in Satan's fire for long. Right now she is talking about December..... Our investigator Virginia has agreed to have the lessons! Virginia is 72 and is just so sweet. We have been going over and reading from the Book of Mormon with her. We taught her about life after death and that she can be sealed to her husband. We have been doing family history with her and we explained that one of the reasons we do family history is so we can do work for the dead. We are excited to go back and teach her more.

Life is good. I am so happy. Even when it is hard, I am happy. Even when I am tired, I am happy. Even when I am hot and sweaty, I am happy. Even when I am homesick, I am happy. Nothing can explain where this happiness comes from except that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true.

Thank you for sending Jericho Road....Sister Wahlen and I were "jamming" out to it in the car on the way here. haha I decided that I want to be a missionary always, I don't want to ever take this name tag off, but I do want to live at home. Do you think they would let me do that? haha

I love you all! Have a great week!

xoxo

06. 23. 2014

Hey Family!!!

So I have a joke for you,

What did the Sister Missionary take a shower? ...Because she had Knee dirt.

Elder Steed and Elder Fa'amausilli (the new missionary in our area from New Zealand, good luck pronouncing his name haha)  they made up that joke. hahah When they asked me my reply was "because she is covered in sweat and bug spray" I was being to literal though.

I loved my package! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I can't say it enough! The pictures were perfect!

Okay so I don't have a lot of time, surprise! haha not I never have enough time but I will tell you of a couple updates real quickly.

So it is pretty much the happiest days of my life because earlier this week we had a lesson with Candace and her girls, and Brad sat in on it!! We read from 3 Nephi 27:13-22. We just took turns reading a verse. The spirit was there as we discussed the gospel of Jesus Christ and the importance of it. Candace started to cry. She told us that she has no doubts, she believes. She wants her whole family to be baptized so we asked them if they would pray about a date. She said yes and hugged her little 8 year old saying "its a sign!" when we told her we baptize at the age of 8. I about cried myself and then to top it all off Brad said yes as well! We will set a date this week with them and they are all planning on coming to church Sunday. yes yes yes yes yes :)

And then Sydnee!! We had a great lesson with her and we told her that we know she is prepared for baptism and should consider moving it sooner! She wants to as well! She is looking at her schedule and hopefully we will be able to get it all worked out so she can be baptized July 19th! We are so happy for her and she is so happy! Both her and Ruth!

Our other investigators are doing well too! June and Nancy and Dash we are slowly but surely teaching them and they love it, and also Virginia. Can't forget Doug and Linda. I know I haven't said much about them but they are just as much a part of my heart! We are happy to teach them and help them progress!

(side note, I am listening to the Mormon channel radio station right now and Jericho Road just came on! Remember them?! I hope I still have that autographed shirt and poster haha :) which reminds me, if we have that CD, SEND IT! )

basically my joy is completely full. I have never been happier and really it has nothing to do with me and has everything to do with The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Everyday the reality of it all sinks deeper and deeper into my heart. It is true. I am converted 100% and I will never and never ever want to deny it! Why deny all this happiness and all these blessings??? Seeing what I have always known come into peoples lives and change them is a one of kind experience. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I get to see the miracle of conversion everyday, especially in myself. Missions are the best.

So funny story as well, Sister Wahlen and I Totally got stuck in a Thunderstorm and then stuck in the mud ahhaahha We called the Elders to come help us and when that didn't work we called Brother Liu to come and tow us out with his big truck. it was definitely an adventure. I will send you all the pictures. Brother Liu's son Collin came with his dad. It was adorable. Brother Liu said when he told him to come with him to rescue the missionaries he ran into his room and grabbed his firefighter helmet! He was so excited to come and so happy he could help! I believe that is just like the Savior. When we are completely stuck we might look to other help to get out but when that doesn't work and we finally turn to him how happy and excited he must to help us. The Savior can help us overcome anything, we just need to turn our weaknesses and our sins over to Him. Ether 12:27 Weak things become strong with our Savior Jesus Christ.

I love you all so much! I hope you have a wonderful week and have fun up north! Give the family all my love!

xoxo

06. 16. 2014

Can we all just shout for joy for like 5 minutes?! How happy are we that I get to stay in The Woodlands! SO HAPPY! I hope you are all jumping up and down at this point!

I have so many thoughts on my mind I don't really know where to begin. First off everyone needs to read "What is the blueprint of Christ's church" by Tad R. Callister. I am studying that right now and it just so insightful and amazing. You need to read it. I have just been overwhelmed this week about how knowing truth changes everything. and what a blessing it is that we can know the truth of ALL things through the power of the Holy Ghost! All we have to do is pray and ask with real intent and it will be given. My testimony of this has grown as I have sought to know more and also how I have seen others seek to know more. Really it just comes down to the simple question, it is either true or it is not. I can testify that it is true. My brain can't comprehend it but my heart just feels it. It is an indescribable feeling but when you feel it you know and that is how conversion takes place.

Man this week went by so fast it is hard to even pinpoint what happened. We weren't able to teach Candace and her family this week because they are moving and are just really busy. We did see Candace as we were sitting outside of the church offering church tours though and she came over and talked to us. Candace's testimony is already strong, there is just a light about her. She told us that her and her family weren't going to be coming to church this week but that after the move Brad agreed that he would come to church! YAHOOOO! This is huge!!! We are so excited for this whole family. Candace has earnestly done her best to come closer and closer to the Savior and we all can recognize that this is the Savior answering her prayers. It is humbling and such an honor to be the Lord's hands in answering her prayers.

We had dinner with the Parkers last Thursday again and it went great as always! We had a lesson on the Word of Wisdom and honestly it couldn't have gone better. You were right Dad, it is not about what is right or what is wrong, it is about obedience. Are we willing to be obedient to God's commandments even if we don't understand them fully. The answer should be yes. Sister Hinkley said it best when she said "First I obey, then I understand." That is how the Lord works, that is how faith works and grows. The Lord asks of us and then we respond. I have been reflecting on the Story of Abraham and Isaac which is a perfect example of this. God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his only son. How confused Abraham must have felt, I am sure that he didn't understand at all. He obeyed though. He didn't let his lack of understanding keep him from obeying. His faith was sufficient and because he first obeyed then was God able to help him understand. He will do the same in our lives, we just need to be willing first.

So I am trying to think of any other updates, there are a lot of boys from Utah here selling pest control haha We have run into them a couple times, one of them even came into our investigators house and sat in on the lesson! It was actually really cool. He was a convert to the church and he said exactly what our investigator June needed to hear! I haven't told you much about June yet. June is so sweet. She is 73 years old. Nancy, her daughter, and June are raising their grandson Dash. Dash's mom is a part of the picture but her mental state is not stable so June and Nancy raised Dash from when he was just a boy. June is wonderful, she calls us her honey girls. She is starting to have memory problems so we haven't been able to sit down and teach a full lesson yet but the time will come.

Oh one last thing and then I will have to go. We decided to combine and start giving church tours with the Elders as well. So one of the companionships will sit at the table and the other will walk the paths to find people to invite to the tours. Sister Wahlen and I had just started walking the path when all of the sudden Sister Wahlen said something like "I wonder if that girl will get a church tour" at that point I realized that I had forgotten the phone so If someone wanted a church tour the Elders wouldn't have been able to call! I quickly told her we needed to turn around and so we did. It turns out that Sister Wahlen received a spiritual prompting because she was right the lady did want a church tour and if we wouldn't have turned around she wouldn't have been able to get one.

Miracles happen like that every single day. This is the Lords work, I know because I live it and I can't deny it.

I love you all!!!!

XOXO

06. 09. 2014

Hello Family!

The Woodlands has my heart. What else can I say?? I was reflecting the other night on my life and every decision I have made, good or bad, up to this point. Before my mission when I would do this, I would always have some feelings of regret like why didn't I do this differently? or why didn't I try a little harder? That was always discouraging. But The other night when I was reflecting I can tell you I felt not one twinge of regret. I was overcome with feelings of love and security like everything I had gone through in life was all worth it because I am here right now in Houston, Texas on a mission. I wouldn't change one thing! Not one! And that is all because if I would have changed one thing I would not have met the people I have who are completely changing my life. They have my heart.

Don't worry... you still have my heart as well. :)

So this week we were able to teach Candace and her sweet family again. The Spirit is truly pouring down on this wonderful sweet family. I have never seen such diligence and desire in someone as I have seen in Candace. She truly wants this gospel to be true and the great thing is that IT IS! It is true and Candace is coming to know that. She wants it for her whole family as well. Brad her husband is still very reluctant. They were suppose to come to church tomorrow but didn't make it. I was heart broken as I listened to the speakers and felt the spirit and just thought of how many of Gods children don't get to feel the spirit like this. Everyone deserves to feel those feelings that the spirit brings! Everyone! I just want to shout it from rooftops....but then everyone really would think I was crazy ;) haha Candace didn't come to church because Brad doesn't want too and she really wants this to be a family thing. So pray for Brad. Candace is going to continue to study the Book of Mormon with her whole family so the answer will come. I trust The Lord and His timing.

I will share a sweet experience with Candace though that happened last Monday. I had the impression to text her to read Alma 32:21 and 26-27. She texted back with this reply

" Wow Sister Niedert! I love that! I looked at the time you sent me this message and it was about the time we finished our bible lesson and Alisia (her 10 year old) was praying that God would tell us if the Book of Mormon was true. This is truly God! We read what you told me and it really spoke to me. I have that desire! I am so excited!"

In another text she sent it said

"Hi Sisters! God is speaking to me loud and clear. My heart is overwhelmed with joy. Thank you girls so much for doing what God has lead you to do and thank you for not giving up on me after I doubted The Book of Mormon. I love you girls!"

If this doesn't make you cry I don't know what will. It overwhelms my heart with joy as well. God lives and He loves us!!! He will answer our prayers and we can know truth!!!! Isn't it so wonderful?????

This week was a good one. It is getting hot and humid and my skin has never been so soft in its life. Yay! It also has never had so many mosquito bites on it in its life! hahah I love it, can I say it enough? I love it.

This morning I was reading about the 2000 stripling warriors. They did not doubt. and because they didn't doubt they were blessed with exceeding strength. This same blessing can be upon us. One of the ways we can use the enabling and strengthening powers of the Atonement is to not doubt. I love the scripture in D&C "Look unto me in every thought. Doubt not, fear not" Doubts are what can take down even the strongest men. We truly can't afford to doubt and so when you feel those little buggers start to creep into your mind you get on your knees and pray! Turn to the Lord and let him take those doubts away! This church really is Jesus Christ's true and living gospel on the earth today. I know it and I will never deny it.

I love you all family! Sunday is transfers....can you believe it???? I would be lying if I said I didn't want to stay here. I never want to leave. I know that I will be where I am needed but I am really really really hoping that I am needed here haha I will gladly go where I am called though.

xoxoxo

06. 02. 2014

Can you believe it is June? I can't. The weather is getting really warm here and really really sticky. I am basically a walking, wet, mosquito bite. Yeah, let that image sink in. Isn't it beautiful?! Honestly though even though I am a walking, wet, mosquito bite, I am the happiest one that there has ever been! How could I not be happy, this week and last I have been filled to the brim with joy because of the miracles we saw!

So of course because of time I will only get to share one story but it is so wonderful. Okay so on Easter awhile back, Sister Fullmer and went door to door and sang hymns. Only one family let us sing a Hymn to them. Candace her husband Brad, their two sons and their three little girls. When we sang to them the spirit filled the room (did I already tell you about this experience?) and afterwards Candace hugged us and invited us to come back anytime. We were so happy. We tried and tried and tried again to go back though and everytime we did we had no luck. So the new transfer began and Sister Wahlen and I started praying together that we could find a family to teach. One day, a couple of weeks ago, it just wasn't my day. I felt a little frustrated because I didn't know what we should do at that particular time, I just felt like we weren't getting any direction. I remember just driving and making a wrong turn because I was too focused on how frustrated I was and it lead us right in front of Candace's house. I just parked the car and said with a bit of frustration "the solution it to just work, here is Candace's house, let's just knock on her door." Well that is when The Lord quickly taught me a valuable lesson. Candace was home. She was busy though so quickly I invited her to come by the church later that evening between 6 and 7 to have a tour of the church building. She said okay but it wasn't very convincing. The day went on and we were sitting outside the church building giving church tours when lo and behold at like 6:45 Candace and her 3 little girls Salena, Aliscia, and Mia started walking towards us. We were ecstatic! We talked to Candace and it was so special. We were able to give her a Book of Mormon and tell her a little more about it, She said how she had been praying and wanting to come closer to Christ and that she figured that when we knocked on her door on Easter and then earlier that day that it was a sign and she needed to learn more. We took her on a tour of the building and I know she could feel the Spirit. We all could. It was very special. We set up a time that coming Tuesday to go and teach her and her family more. That weekend Candace texted us and told us she was concerned. She was concerned about the Book of Mormon adding to the Bible, and about Joseph Smith and False Prophets. We told her that we would are happy to go over any of her concerns and questions so she let us come back on Tuesday to do so. The lesson went well. We taught her the importance of Prayer and how we can prayer to our Heavenly Father to know the truth of all things and that through the Holy Ghost that truth can be given. We invited her to pray right there with us and ask Heavenly Father if the Book of Mormon was true. She did and I have never felt a more calm and peaceful feeling in my life. After she prayed we sat there and I pointed out how calm I felt. She agreed with me. Tears began to fill our eyes. 

The next day Candace sent us a text it said

"Hi Sisters! I have to tell you this-weeks ago I had written down the verse Matt 13:15 (will you read it) God was giving me a message. I am now seeing and I am now understanding with my heart and I will turn. I am sorry for saying what I said about Joseph Smith, about Him marrying many women, who am I to judge with all the sin I have. I was listening to the world and Jesus said do not be of the world. I watched the video of Joseph Smith on Mormon.org and it brought tears to my eyes because I can see myself like him-just seeking God and the truth. I know with all my heart that God brought us together for a reason. I will continue reading the Holy Bible and Book of Mormon together. Thank you for doing God's work! He is truly using you girls! What a blessing!"

I have never met a more prepared person to have truth be given to her. Candace and her sweet family are truly amazing. We taught them again on Friday and we will be teaching them again on Thursday. Her husband Brad and two oldest sons have still not sat and listened to us teach but Candace has shared with us that she is reading from the Bible and the Book of Mormon with her family and asked us to pray that her family can be lead to know the truth. Please include them in your prayers.

This is honestly only one of the stories. We had many others that I wish I had time to share but this one I find is the most tender to my heart right now. The Spirit has not only been teaching Candace but teaching me. I know this gospel is true and day by day the knowledge grows deeper and deeper into my heart. Heavenly Father is mindful of each one of us. He loves us and wants us all to know him. The Savior invites us all to come unto Him and our prayers are the first step to do so.  

Okay real quickly I HAVE to tell you the best news!!!!!!! So we obviously had dinner at Ruth's the other night. I am still so happy that you met her. She is amazing and her family just has my heart! So we had dinner at their house on Thursday and not only did I get to see the cutest pictures of baby Bennett! SO CUTE! but We were able to talk to Sydnee about baptism. She shared a scripture with us. it was Nephi talking about the way being prepared for him to get the plates. The scripture said that The Lord will prepare the way. Right then and there the spirit prompted me to invite Sydnee to be baptized and so after thoughts were done being shared I invited Syd to be baptized. She said yes! I knew she would! August 2nd is the date that we are working towards. I bore testimony to Sydnee that I know that just like the Lord prepared the way for Nephi, He will prepare the way for her. August 2nd will be the best day. hands down.

I know that the Lord truly provides a way for all of us to accomplish that things that He has commanded. We must never forget that in His strength, we can do all things.

I love you with all my heart! Tell Saint George they better watch out because Carter can drive now!!! and tell the Fathers to lock up their daughters! :) hahah

xoxo