Wowowowowow this week literally soooo much happened!!!!
Monday- Beth Chamblee texted us and asked how she can better prepare for baptism. We went over after pday and she told us that she wanted to be baptized on Saturday!!!! Can you believe that!! We still had to go over the commandments with her so we weren't sure it was going to happen so soon. But she was so excited and the change in her was crazy to witness! We had dinner with the harpers and connie and she was so excited for her baptism!! I love the harpers so so much!!!
Tuesday- we had district council and thats where we get together with all the missionaries in our district and talk about how we can better help the people we are teaching. Its fun because we never get to see other missionaries and we usually just skype in. But we actually went that day because it was the last one this transfer. After we went to Beth and taught her about the word of Wisdom. She drank coffee and tea (haha) she wasn't to happy about that but we told her if she knows the BoM is true that the Word of Wisdom is true!! She said she would pray about it and we will come back the next day! We taught the moss family (the cute little fam with the adorable kids) the plan of salvation and they said it made sense. Mom i love them so much! Its so weird how emotional i get thinking about them not having the gospel!! They were so interested in learning about the plan and they accepted to read the Book of Mormon! Later that night we went to the Robinsons with Sheridon! So fun we ate the yummiest food. They're like my home away from home! I love them so much! I cant wait for yall to come and meet everyone in the Cullman ward!! I love them so much!!!
Wednesday- literally the craziest day!!!! We went to Beths and she had prayed about the w.o.w and she said if that is what it takes to get baptized then she will accept it! We asked her to give us all her coffee and tea so she wont be tempted! SHE DID!! she went through her whole house and got ride of it all! And not just the substances but ALL her decorations!!! Her whole kitchen was decorated with coffee pictures, mugs, place mats, rugs, etc. and she gave all of it away!! I WAS IN SHOCKED!!! Such amazing faith! I love her!!!!
After we drove with Sister Fleming (the relief society president) to see Lindsey. She is the one that always posts about us on facebook. She is awesome!! But she lives an hour away! Literally on the edge of the ward boundaries! Im so blessed she's in our ward I love her!! She LOVES to talk lol literally just talks and talks and talks haha its hilarious we just listen and try to teach when we get a chance. She's the best and says that the Book of Mormon and Plan of Salvation is true!! She's married and has the cutest little girl! I love sis Fleming she is so faithful and takes such great care of me! Her daughter is in the Temple Square Mission, just got there this week!
Later that night we played volleyball with the youth and it was so fun!! They were blown away that I could play haha they were like Sister Schultz you're so sweet and kind we had no idea you could play! It was so fun! After we taught the restoration of the gospel in 10 minutes!! It was so powerful!
Thursday- it was Connie's birthday! Since Wednesday was so busy we didn't get to see her so she had the worst day!! Satan really is working on her!! So we made cupcakes and a card for her and surprised her! She was soooo grateful just hugged us and almost cried!! I love her!! She's had a hard life and I'm so grateful she has the gospel now!
We went to the store and got Beth some new decorations because she literally got rid of all of her's haha. We still have all the coffee things in the back of our car haha we don't know what to do with it! They had there interviews that night and they were both so ready to go! It was amazing!! We planned the baptism that day and got all the jumpsuits and things ready for them! Wow baptism are amazing, but a lot of work too!! Haha so so grateful tho!
We have weekly meetings with our mission leader Brother Liveoak. He and Dottie are the cutest old couple! They remind me of grandma and grandpa! I cant wait for you to meet them! They have the biggest rivalry for Alabama and Auburn haha they're the cutest!!
Friday- Sis Fleming went with us to see Connie that morning and welcome her into the ward and get her ready for baptism. We read Mosiah 18 with her and the spirit was so strong! She was so ready for baptism! Her husband was coming down to stay the weekend and her four little grandkids were coming too! She was so excited! But her husband has a bad problem with drinking that is why she left she needed to get away from him and hope he changed and shapes up by her leaving. He seemed to be doing better.
We went and did the same welcoming thing with Beth and she was soooo excited! She got an easy to read Book of Mormon and was studying it! She was so excited and it was so fun to see her!
We were trying to teach this guy Tommy for so long and we finally got to meet with him. We were planning on teaching him the plan of salvation, but we got there and he told us his whole life story and all the crazy things going on in life!!! haha It was intense and then he goes "so with all this going on I just can't do the mormon thing right now" hahah We were so bummed, but hey one day he will be ready and he was so nice about it!
Connie called us after sooooo upset! We ran out to see her and her husband got arrested!!!! No one would tell her why and what he was telling her was a lie and then she had the four grandkids 7 5 4 1 and they are wild because they don't have good supervision at home. Three aren't even her biological grandchildren ,they all have the same mom but all different dads. One of the kids dads is Connie's son, but he's not with her anymore just works, so the mom has his son all week and he has him on the weekends. But connie loves all of them and they don't get the best love at home so she just takes care of them all! But they were wild on Friday and then her husband getting arrested just broke her heart because she was hoping he would change! So we went out and took care of the kids. Got them all ready for bed and mama aspen came out haha we read and sang songs with them and got all of them sleep! Josh gave her a blessing and it was amazing!! I think I'm meant to take care of people and be a mom lol
Saturday- THEY WERE BOTH BAPTIZED!!!! it was amazing!! My heart was so full! But wow it's stressful being in charge of stuff like this! haha but it was a beautiful day! The kids were crazy and the 1 year old wanted nana and so I was just taking care of her the whole time. We aren't really suppose to hold kids, but like I had to! I think Heavenly Father understood! It all worked out in the end! Brother Fallows is from England, but has lived here for years. He said to me "you're going to make a great mummy one day" it was so sweet! I love the Fallows!! Cant wait for you to meet them!!
We went to see Lindsey after and met her husband! They are such a great family!!! Just really genuine and loving! We taught them the restoration and invited them to be baptized and they said YES!!!!! Financially they are having a hard time and someone stole money from their accounts! So because church is so far they're struggling to come! But i know God is going to provide for them and I'm so grateful for technology because we get to video call with them and still teach them!! Its amazing!
That night we went to teach Terry! He is the most southern man you'll ever meet. Hard core baptist and has been meeting with missionaries for months, but recently has changed so much. He is like a grandpa to us and he's the one the bought us the cross necklaces. He has chrone's disease, so he is stuck inside all day. he loves when we come and teach him. He said that he is so impressed with us serving God as young as we are. He told us that we have really become like his family! He's slowly but surely coming to know its true!! Brother fallows came to the lesson with us and shared his conversion story! It was so powerful!!! His health is what prevents him from coming to church! But i know he will come one day!
Sunday- Connie was 30 minutes late so she wasn't confirmed with Beth! I braided Beths hair for her baptism and she left it in so it would be wavy and she loved it!! Said I need to teach her how to braid haha ! Who knew braiding would be so memorable on my mission!
Mom the sacrament means everything to me!!! I cannot survive without it. My Savior has never been more real to me than in those moments of quietly remembering him and reflecting of the strength he has given me through out the week!! He's carrying me through this, I love Him so much!! We had fast and testimony meeting because it was stake conference last week! The Area 70 suggested to just bare brief simple testimony of what you know to be true. So members in the ward are doing that and it was so powerful!!! When Connie finally came I sat with her and the kids and was mama Aspen again haha. She was confirmed at the end and it was beautiful!! She always says we glow and now she gets to glow!
Church has always been my favorite thing, but being a missionary has made my love and appreciation and happiness for it grow so much! Never miss church its the best thing Gods given us! The gospel is amazing!!!!
We went tracking for three hours on Sunday haha. We didn't really find anyone who was interested lol, but planting seeds! The last door we knocked on was this cute old couple who knew members back in the day. We went in and talked with them and they were so sweet!! They told us there life story and it was so special! Then before we left the wife wanted to pray with us. We all held hands and she prayed for us!! Then she asked if iI would pray so I did and wow it was special! Showed me that Gods love is infinite and eternal!! That its for everyone we are teaching, and my update for the week!
I love serving in the south!! All these religions will blow you away when you visit!! Literally a different church on every corner but they are the greatest people!! And they all tell us we're doing Gods will and always thank us for what we're doing and pray for us. NO WHERE IS LIKE THAT?! hahaI'm sooooo blessed to serve in Alabama especially Cullman!! Mom my love for Cullman is indescribable! This place has changed my life!!! Im so grateful to serve here!!! I never want to leave!!! We have hour of mighty prayer every fast Sunday and wow just talking to God for an hour is amazing!! Try it sometime it will change your life!
We went to Tracy's on Sunday night and made s'mores haha. It was so funny she has a fire pit, but wow we couldn't get a fire started lol! We made it work! We read the Book of Mormon with her and she prayed! We kneel in a circle and cross our arms and link pinkys we call it fam prayer! Its the best! And I love her prayers!!! She's still learning, so her prayers are so innocent and pure she's literally just talking to God! I love her!!! The change that has happened in her is the most mind blowing thing!! I love her so much she's for sure one of those special people!
Monday- yesterday was good but I hate Mondays that aren't pdays haha just feels off. And I felt so bad I couldn't tell you it's not p-day. But it was a great day. Connie called us crying!! Allen her husband lied to her and was drinking still and is now going to prison and all this awful stuff! She told us that she was just praying to God all morning and he told her that she needs to close that chapter of her life. She knows its right to say goodbye and let him go, but she loves him and was hoping he would change! It was so heart breaking!! We read the book of Mormon with she said she is so ready to fully let god take over her life! She's amazing and we just sat with her and loved her and it was so sad but so amazing to feel how her savior was there for her!!
Bella moss the little three year old girl broke her leg!! It was so sad!! We made cookies and took them to their family last night. We are making dinner for them tonight! We also took cookies to the cute old couple, but they weren't home. There son was and at first he was stand offish, but when we told him how grateful we were for the kindness his parents showed it was crazy to see how God softened his heart and he told us to come back anytime!! Miracles!
We taught Terry and it was a break through!! He told us he knows its true!! That he wouldn't keep letting us come by and keep trying to learn if there wasn't something there! He said he is seeking and praying to have God let his heart and head come together. I know he's going to accept it! We watched a mormon message with him about a current bush and he was almost in tears!! The spirit was soooo strong!!! Literally you could feel it in your heart it was crazy!! He's coming slowly but surely!
We ate dinner with the Harper's and this yummy bbq place, Jimmy Nix, wow sooo good. We are for sure going to eat there when ya'll come! They told us there whole story and wow its amazing! They are some of the most miraculous people I have ever met! I can't wait for you to meet them!!!!
That's my week!! Haha So much happened!!! Literally this isn't even all of it. Missions are amazing!! I literally just go around trying to do good and show the truth about the gospel! This has changed my life forever and I am forever grateful to know without a doubt that this gospel is true!! Jesus Christ lives!!! Heavenly Father is a loving God who will do anything for us! Mom I'm sooo grateful to be a missionary!! Serving a mission is the greatest thing I could ever do!!! I MISS YOU EVERYDAY, BUT I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE ANYWHERE ELSE!! I LOVE YOU!!!
