Three Lessons

There were some great things that happened this week! I'll tell you about three of the lessons we had this week that were particularly meaningful.

There is a less active family that we saw a few times when we first got here, but they wouldn't keep appointments and when they did they seemed a little bit disinterested, so we hadn't seen them in a few weeks, but the mom called and asked us to come over last week. Sage has a son who has really struggled with making some bad decisions in the past few years, but recently out of nowhere he's been thinking about the possibility of going on a mission, but he's just not sure how to get himself out of the place he's in. I've been studying personal revelation for 10 minutes each morning as part of my personal study (a suggestion from Pres Bonham) since one of the things I'd like to improve on is recognizing promptings from the spirit and acting on them. When we were planning for the lesson I suddenly had the thought that we needed to read Alma 36 with them- the thought was so quiet that at first I wasn't sure, but it came out of nowhere and as I turned to Alma 36 the feeling became more powerful. Throughout the day I was a little bit afraid, worrying if the thought really had been a prompting from the spirit or if it was just my own thoughts, and I didn't want Sister Turley to be upset with me if it didn't end up being what they needed. When we got to the lesson and began talking with them it was absolutely incredible how apparent it was that Alma 36 really was what they needed to hear. We read it and testified about change through Jesus Christ, and Esteban started to cry. I felt really bad for him, because his family started to ridicule him for it, but we told him that it was the spirit he was feeling. We invited him to say a prayer at the end of the lesson, and his prayer was so sincere. Esteban is very humble and I think that he would make a great missionary. We actually just started teaching Sage's brother Jeremy who is not a member, and we have another lesson with him tonight, so hopefully he is interested.

On Saturday we had another lesson with Bennett and Verna. Throughout my mission so far I've had moments where I felt guided by the spirit, but never an entire lesson, and this was the first time that I can really say that the entire lesson was guided by the spirit! I'm not sure what came over me, but somehow I was able to not worry about what I was going to say or whether or not what I was saying was coming out right, but when it was my turn to speak I just talked, and as I did scriptures and thoughts just popped into my head instantly. It was amazing! We finally finished the Plan of Salvation lesson, and we also talked a lot more about baptism in this lesson. At the end I invited them to be baptized, and they both said that that's something they would like, but they need to study and pray more. It just felt natural to ask them to be baptized, and I think it's because I just have such a big love in my heart for those two wonderful people. Bennett surprised us by telling us that he finished 1 Nephi this week and he has also been praying (last week he told us that he was hesitant to actually read the Book of Mormon because he was afraid that reading it would "convince him" and he wants to know its true before he reads so he knows he's not being persuaded... haha) Bennett also told us that since we have been coming, people from his past dreams have been appearing in dreams again and "telling me interesting things and answering questions" He told us he doesn't want to tell us about it quite yet, but soon... I am so curious! I think that his brother Bobby is working pretty hard from the other side. Way to go, Bobby! Verna also said something interesting. She said: "I think the Lord knows that he's already got me, he just hasn't told me yet..." Hmm. I hope that that means what I think it means. :) Sadly, yet again Bennett and Verna didn't come to church yesterday even though it sounded like they were going to. Next week I'm kidnapping them and dragging them to church in their pajamas if I have to. :)

We also finally had a second lesson with Shannon this week. The spirit was very strong there as well, and after telling him about the restoration, we invited him to be baptized, and he said that it's something he definitely wants to think about. Shannon has been making a lot of amazing changes in his life, and you can tell that he has been prepared recently to hear the gospel. Since half of our investigators seem to be African American, we've decided that we look forward to having a "blacktism" in the coming weeks. (Don't worry, there was a black elder serving here a few transfers ago who coined the term, so therefore I'm not being racist... :) haha)

I feel like I'm working as hard as I can right now, but sometimes I feel overwhelmed by just how much more improvement I have to go to be a good missionary. One of the biggest fears I have is that by the time my mission is over I will just barely have learned how to be a good missionary, and by that time I'll be going home.

We had a lesson with River this week that will go down in the history books as the worst member present lesson imaginable. Oops. We won't go into that haha. All can be made right through the atonement of Jesus Christ, right? We invited 11 people to be baptized this week! So that was cool. We decorated a cake for the ward linger longer. We're teaching a wicken woman. We always seem to have investigators, but none of them actually want to progress. In the words of our wise district leader, "Plead, Promise, Persist, then after that accept that people have their agency." Also, I have to remind myself frequently that you succeed when you invite.

This week is the week we are going to have someone on date for baptism, I can feel it!!!

I think about you guys all the time, and keep you in my prayers.

I love you!

Love, Sister Slade

First 6 Weeks...In the bag!

We have had such a blessed week!!! We taught double the number of member-present lessons we have in the past, and we have five new investigators this week! Hooray!!! Of course there's still the issue about getting any of them to progress... but that's a struggle anywhere. This is the week that the chapel is going to be filled, though, I can feel it.

Oh, and I've determined that basically this mission can be summed up by Nacho Libre:

"Why have you not yet been baptized!?"

"I only believe in science..."

(sorry dad, I know that you think those movies are dumb and cheesy... probably because they are. :))

But there are still people out there! In fact, I think I'll tell you a little bit about these investigators we found this week. Are you ready for this? Number 1 is.... SANDRA!!!

Remember her? We've been trying to get back in with Sandra for a month now, and this week we finally caught her at home! We set up a time to meet with her, and when we got there the first thing she said to us was that she had officially decided that she wanted to discontinue the missionary lessons. We sat down to talk with her though, and both Sister Turley and I felt very strongly not to let this one go. Sandra absolutely knows that it's all true, she's just getting in her own way of being baptized and I think she knows that too. Our discussion with Sandra was absolutely without a doubt directed by the spirit. We talked a lot about Joseph Smith, and how if we know that he is a prophet of God then by extension everything else is true too. We discussed faith a lot, and how there are always going to be questions, but everyone is eventually backed up to the wall of faith and there they must make their stand. We told Sandra that we loved her too much and Heavenly Father loved her too much to let her fall through the cracks. Finally, Sandra said, "Alright. Tell you what. Why don't you come back next Thursday ad teach me the next lesson." We accepted that invitation... :)

It drives me crazy how faith always seems to be such a huge issue with people. I think there are times in life that all of us struggle with faith, though. Some struggle more than others, and that's why sometimes just acting and doing those hard things is so important. Bennett and Verna had quite a few questions in our lesson this week, and it looks like faith is definitely going to be an obstacle we will have to get past. Oh, and also the fact that Bennett talks a million miles a minute and it's hard to get a fluid lesson in... Bennett's questions are amazing though! He told us that the things we are telling him are new to him, and he feels that they are much better explanations than anyone else can offer though. He says he agrees with many of them, he's just trying to figure out how they fit into his life and the big picture (Next week is Plan of Salvation lesson time... looking forward to that :)). Bennett and Verna are reading the Book of Mormon though!

We had a lesson in spanish this week, that was really cool. Karina is a former in our area book who took the discussions very extensively and was even on date at one point. She speaks English, but she feels a little bit like a fish out of water with it though, and is much more comfortable understanding things in spanish, so she requested spanish missionaries. The spanish missionaries in our mission don't come as far as Whidbey Island, so we got permission to take spanish speakers from our ward to teach her. I didn't understand half of what Sister Cruz and Brother Penaloza were saying, but the spirit was so strong when Brother Penaloza began teaching her about the restoration! She says she wants to try attending the spanish branch that is about an hour away, and continue learning more!

Oh and then there's River! A few days ago we were tracting, and there were three people sitting outside their apartment building together. We went to go talk to them. We talked for a while, and they told us partway through the conversation that they had actually been planning to be rude to us. When they saw us they started talking about mean things they could say if we went to go talk to them, but when we actually came they saw that we were really open and friendly and honest. One of the women got emotional when we shared some scriptures from the Book of Mormon with her and she said she just couldn't do it- she couldn't say anything rude to us. River was one of the people there. He's 24, so he should technically be turned over to the YSA elders, but he's living with a girl who he's been dating for 5 years, so we talked to the elders and they said that we should teach him. River is one of the most outgoing, positive people I have ever met! We went back to teach him a lesson a few days ago, and I can't count how many times he said, "Is it a beautiful day, or what!?" He has mild cerebral palsy so he walks a little bit differently, and he has really long hair that he wears back in a pony tail. He's one of those people that you just have to meet to understand what a great person he is! River asked all the right questions during our lesson, and at one point he started explaining how "sometimes when I'm in church singing and stuff I suddenly get this happy energy inside of me and it's like I just want to shout for joy or something." After we shared the restoration with River, he got a little bit emotional and told us how, "I've actually been praying recently to know if there's a specific church I should be going to, and just for more understanding, and I think you guys might be the answer to my prayers." Golden.

I'm running out of time and I know this is super long, but I do want to really quickly tell you about one last person- Everett S. We've actually been teaching Everett ever since I came here, but we had our last lesson with him this week and I can't believe I haven't told you about him! Everett was baptized when he was about 19, and he was super strong in the church for a few years, but then he began drinking and he has been inactive for the last 40 years. It took him up until 12 years ago to give up alcohol, but then after that he still didn't come back because he felt so much shame and guilt. He has read his scriptures every single day for the past 40 years, without fail. He says he never once doubted the church was true in that whole time- the church didn't turn away from him, but he turned away from church. 2 months ago he finally got the courage to come to church. He talked to the bishop, and requested to be taught the lessons again. We've been teaching, him, and let me tell you, I have such a big love in my heart for Everett S! He is such a tender-hearted man. For our last lesson we talked about enduring to the end, and Sister Turley had the idea of having a mini testimony meeting afterwards. It was probably one of the most special experiences I've had on my mission so far.

As always, I feel like I have about a million more things to tell you. There are so many people that you still don't even know about! And a million funny moments too. Sister Turley decided that rather than a "People of Wal Mart" website, we should make a "People of Oak Harbor" website. Some people just crack me up. People are the best. I love it.

But anyways. Those will have to wait until some other time.

Love you lots!

Love, Sister Slade

4th of July

 4th of July companionship party - complete with red, white and blue pancakes!

 Sister Turley, Sister Slade and Kelly H.

 Sister Turley with the Elders on P-Day by our driftwood fort.

District P-Day and our driftwood fort.

Forth of July

It has been another long week and I'm exhausted! I think the real reason the Lord give us companions is that he knows his missionaries wouldn't get up at 6:30 if they didn't have a companion telling them to. :) Oh and the other reason he gives us companions is that we can have off the hook companionship 4th of July parties. It looks like we'll probably have to be in early on the 4th, so sister Turley and I are going to have a party, and let me tell you, this party is going to be like no other! We're talking red and blue pancakes and bacon, dollar store decorations, and 3 hours of watching The District missionary training... :)

               We had our first exchanges this week. I stayed in Oak Harbor, and at first I was a little bit nervous because that meant that I was mainly in charge of planning the day, teaching, and driving the STL and I everywhere. I developed a new appreciation for how hard it must have been for Sister Turley to up and start training after being out only six weeks! I surprised myself and actually did pretty well though. I knew my way around the area at least. :)

               On Tuesday President Wilson decided to have a last minute training meeting just for the sisters, so we drove to Everett for that. There are about 40 sisters in the mission right now. There are 2 more coming in this next transfer, then 17 more coming in in August.

               I realized that I haven't really told you much about the area I'm in! I've given up on making my letters sound organized or even fluid, so hopefully you can get used to just reading whatever comes to my mind next. Which results in me writing a novel. Anyway, Oak Harbor is mainly older retired couples with lots of money that are happy with their life and Navy personnel- this makes things tricky because lots of people we have met either are moving out and the transition time is very short, or being in the military have caused them to have a stigma against religion- they tell us that religion is just a way for people to judge each other and start wars. Which in some ways I can understand their viewpoint, but it's still sad to me that they feel that way. The other thing about Washington is that it's the second least church-going state in the Nation. I can't tell you how many atheists we've met. And for how conscientious everyone is about the environment here, it's interesting that when it comes to smoking nobody could care less about their own bodies. It's true what they say about Washington being a very liberal state. The good thing about that is sometimes we'll meet someone who is super open to experimenting and learning new things, so we've had a few times that we've gone back and taught a first lesson just because people are curious. The spirit will be very strong, then without fail they'll either drop us or they'll purposely set up a second appointment where they won't be there. It's always when someone feels the spirit and they realize what that means and they start to get scared and they immediately back out.

               The strawberries here are sooooo yummy! We have strawberry shortcake at members houses after dinner all the time, it's the best! Poor Sister Turley doesn't like strawberries. But that just means more strawberries for me! :) There are huge planes that fly over the island all the time, and when they do the sound is absolutely deafening- it's so loud that everyone has to stop talking and you can feel that rumbling in your chest. I think of you every time, dad!

               Even though we're still struggling to find progressing investigators, we did have a few awesome lessons this week!

               We finally had another lesson with Bennett H.!!! I'm not sure if you remember but I think I told you about him in the first letter I sent. Sister Turley and I planned to teach about the Plan of Salvation this lesson, but I'm afraid we didn't get around to much teaching because Bennett is so outgoing and talks so much. That's ok though, because we learned things about Bennett that absolutely amazed me and helped us understand him a lot more. When we came to visit Bennett told us about how he had an older brother, Bobby, who died about 10 years ago from cancer. The night that Bobby died, Bennett had a dream where Bobby appeared to him. He said that in the dream he couldn't quite hear the words that Bobby was telling him, but he could understand what he was saying. Bobby told Bennett that he was safe and happy and that the transition to where he was now was almost instantaneous and he shouldn't worry about him. Then Bobby pulled out a pad of paper and told him, "They're teaching me so much here. I have to go learn some more" then he left. I wanted so badly to just tell Bennett all about the spirit world right then and there! Bennett shared with us that he's had numerous dreams in the past where loved ones who have passed on have come and he's had conversations with them. Bennett's wife Verna, who joined us for part of the lesson, told us that sometimes he'll wake up laughing and tell her that Bobby came again and he told him something funny. Bennett also told us how his dad used to casually say, "I'm gone" when he was walking out the door to work. When Bennett was in the Navy he was walking across the deck of a boat and out of nowhere a very strong feeling came across Bennett and the words "I'm gone" came very clearly to his mind. Later that day he was called to talk to one of his supervisors, and before the supervisor said anything Bennett asked, "My dad died, didn't he?" He said that the supervisor was so stunned and beside himself that Bennett somehow already knew.

               Listening to Bennett tell us these experiences he's had gave me chills. He has been so prepared to receive the gospel. Not only that, but I know that his ancestors have been preparing him!!! I get the feeling that Bennett's conversion process might take longer than we think, but I want this for him and Verna so bad! I get along so well with Bennett, he is absolutely hilarious. In some ways he reminds me of grandpa Les, and I can't quite pick out why that is. But I wish Grandpa Les was here so that we could have a member present lesson with him! As always, keep Bennett and Verna in your prayers.

               We had a first lesson with another African American man named Shannon, who is in his 40's. We found him tracting as well. We took Brother Bullock, our ward mission leader, to the lesson and all sat out on the front porch. During our first lesson he told us a lot about his struggles ever since his wife and daughter left him and how he's struggled with his self worth in the past few years but he is trying really hard to become a person who he can love so that if he can love himself, other people will love him too. We had a very powerful conversation about Jesus Christ, and after the lesson Shannon told us "I feel so blessed that you guys came. I feel happy. Not in a hyper way, but in a calm way." Wow! And that, brothers and sisters, is what we call the spirit! Shannon will be in New York for the next two weeks, so we're looking forward to having another lesson with him after that.

               We had a second lesson with Chuck Q. He told us, "I don't want a world based on faith." I think deep down he knows it's true, he's just scared to take that leap. Right now might not be the time for Chuck, but we are still hopeful for him and his family. If anything softens his heart, it will be his beautiful baby boy, and his little 4-year-old girl who changes into a skirt and jewelry when we come over and says, "Look, I'm a missionary like you!" and his wife who is one of the strongest converts I have ever met and is preparing to go to the temple.

               Then there's Sandra. She never called this week like she said she would. Both Sister Turley and I feel strongly that we shouldn't give up on her yet. Nobody really knows what happened that turned things around for her so quickly. We tried stopping by her house a few times this last week, but she was never there. She could use lots of prayers too.

               Well I'm sure I missed something, but I guess those things will have to wait for a future date when I come home. Until then, I love you all a huge heap!

Can't wait to hear from you and learn about all of the missionary work you are doing! It makes my week!

Love, Sister Slade

Help the Missionaries

I'm sorry that I didn't write yesterday- I felt bad when I realized that I forgot to tell you that our P-Day is on Tuesday this week! I hope it wasn't as disappointing to wait for you guys as it was for me! The wait was well worth it, though, as we had the chance to go to the Seattle temple this morning- turns out, we get to go every 4 months!!

               Earlier this week we had a big zone conference meeting, as this is the last time that we will be seeing President and Sister Wilson- their time is up on July 1st! They came to do a little bit of teaching, as well as share their testimonies with us, and the entire meeting was so spiritually uplifting! I'm going to miss the both of them, which is amazing since I've only known them for 3 weeks- they just have so much love that emanates when they speak to you! I remember when I first did my interview with President Wilson my first day here in the field he told me that he believes one of the main reasons that the Lord is allowing his sister missionaries to come out is not simply to further the work in all these different areas of the world- but to further missionary work in homes. The Lord is preparing stronger mothers for his next wave of children that he has coming. I could feel the spirit testify that this was true when he shared this with me!

               Going to the temple today was absolutely incredible- exactly what I needed! When I was in the Celestial room I tried to go through people I knew both by name and by face, all individually, that I wanted there with me and picture what it would be like for each of them to be sitting next to me. I felt like I needed to ask Heavenly Father to please watch over my kids, and I felt so warm when I did. Sometimes when we have district meetings or zone conferences, I like to think that maybe my kids are attending important meetings right now too- being trained and prepared to come to Earth while I am being trained and prepared to be their mother.

               Missionary work is hard work, and if it weren't for experiences like this, and all the other amazing little moments that make it all worth it, I'm not sure anyone would want to do this! I must be crazy. :) This was a rough week. Sandra called to tell us she had to reschedule our lesson. She also told us that she wants to meet with us one last time, but after that she wants to discontinue the missionary lessons. It was so heartbreaking to hear this. Sister Turley and I have been praying for her nonstop. We fasted for her on Sunday, and we've been studying and talking to the bishop about how to best approach this situation. What’s frustrating is that she is so ready! Something has to have happened, and Satan is working hard on her. Sister Turley and I have a few ideas on how we might approach our lesson this week, but I can tell that in the end this is going to have to be one of those lessons that is absolutely guided by the spirit. Keep her in your prayers.

               We had another investigator- a 10 yr old- fall off date because her parents don't think she is ready as well. A number of our appointments have been falling through, and as a result we've spent an awful lot of time tracting. While I actually enjoy tracting in some ways- it can be so frustrating because it brings so little success. I have to keep reminding myself that no effort is wasted. On Saturday we tracted for a good 4 hours, and man was it a tough crowd that day. Although the highlight was probably when a hippie, after saying no, said goodbye by saying "Namaste! Love you guys!" After a while Sister Turley said, "There has got to be a better way." We discussed how we could work even harder to get the ward helping us. We actually have an amazing ward! Most of our ward is over 65, so we have nicknamed them the "Geriatric Ward." (Is this area perfect for me or what!?) The ward is lacking in the missionary motivation, though. Needless to say, the missionary broadcast on Sunday was absolutely inspired. Tell everyone you meet that they need to help the missionaries!!!! There is nothing more frustrating then tracting fruitlessly all day, then going to a member dinner where they tell you that they don't know anyone you can share the gospel with, then going to bed feeling like even though you're exhausted and you worked so hard, it was a waste of time. I look forward to hearing all of the incredible missionary stories that come from Rye in the next week- I want people to write me and tell me about them directly, in fact! :)

               One thing that did make me feel better is that today after the temple Sister Turley and I were talking to the AP's, and they mentioned that President Wilson has been saying great things about us, and is really proud. That felt awesome to hear! Our numbers definitely aren't what is making him proud, but we must be doing something a little bit right.

               Two other quick highlights from this week are Kelsey and Chuck. I told you about Kelsey last week I think- we said goodbye to her last night, and she was almost in tears, telling us thank you over and over again and how she knows that coming to Washington wasn't a coincidence. We are sad that we don't get to keep Kelsey, but sure happy for the missionaries in Arizona that will get to finish teaching her! We also took pictures, but I accidentally left my camera in the car so I will try to send them next week.

               There is also a woman in our ward named Samantha Q.- she is married to a nonmember and has two adorable little kids. She is preparing to go to the temple, so she asked us to come and teach her husband. We went over on Thursday. Chuck has taken discussions in the past, but he warned us that they haven't really stuck, and teased that he was a rough one to crack so the lessons ended a while back. Before we began the lesson Chuck told us a little bit about his beliefs- he is an Atheist, and he is very logical and philosophical so he explained his reasons behind this. At first listening to Chuck made me nervous because I wasn't sure how we were ever going to approach the lesson, but Samantha was in the corner quietly smiling the whole time, and as he spoke I said a little prayer. I realized that one commonality every investigator is going to have is that their Heavenly Father loves them, and wants them to feel his spirit. I knew that the only way the lesson was going to mean anything to him would be if he did feel the spirit.    The lesson went great- we shared things in the moment that we hadn't planned to say, and the spirit was very strong! It was amazing- afterwards Sister Turley and I both agreed that we opened our mouths not having any idea what was going to come out, and just like it says in D&C- they were filled! It is obvious that Chuck and Samantha have so much love for each other, and I want this for them so bad!

               Anyways, I think that’s about all I'll share for now. We might have to sit down and talk for a couple weeks when I get back from my mission- letters don't quite cut it! I just hope I remember it all by then!

               Feel free to share parts of this letter with the rest of the family, I've been wanting to write them individual letters but I feel bad because I always run out of time. I do love hearing from them though, and let them know that I love them!

               Love you both bunches!

Love, Sister Slade

               P.S. I forgot to mention- we invited Chuck to read the BOM, pray, and come to church and he said no to all three. But... he surprised us all and came to sacrament meeting on Sunday!!! My heart about leaped out of my chest I was so excited when I saw the four of them all walk in together!

Prayers needed!

This week has been a rough week as far as numbers go, and there were a few things that happened that we could use your prayers for too. As of right now Sister Turley and I don't have anyone on date for baptism. We went to meet with Sandra on Thursday, and we could tell something was wrong from the minute we all sat down. Sandra wants to wait on her baptism. She said that she isn't trying to find a reason to disprove the church, because she knows it's true, but she just came across something that she can't accept right now….Our Heavenly Father knows us so well, but Satan knows us as well, and he does everything he can to prevent people like Sandra from following Christ. Sandra was very emotional throughout the whole time she was telling us she wanted to wait on her baptism. She wants this for her and her family so badly. Instead of teaching her the lesson we had planned to teach on Thursday, we talked a lot about faith, and we shared with her some thoughts from Elder Holland's talk, "Lord I believe, Help thou mine unbelief." Keep her in your prayers.

We're really struggling to find more people to teach so that we can have progressing investigators too. This is something that we fasted about yesterday, and we decided that there's a single woman in her mid-40's that we need to find.

The highlight of the week was teaching an 18-year old girl named Kelsey. Kelsey is from Arizona, but she came here to visit her best friends family. She came to church with them this last week and the week before. The week before last Sister Turley and I taught the gospel doctrine lesson on baptism. On Tuesday she called and asked if she could take the discussions! We taught her twice this week. There is a special light about her. She said that what we are telling her seems to "make everything all fit together" and she said that she's been thinking a lot over the last few years about how when she has kids she wants to raise them with a strong foundation in Christ, but she's been wondering what is the best way to do that. She committed to baptism after the first lesson, and last lesson she agreed to say the prayer (she was too nervous to the first lesson) and her prayer gave me warm chills, the spirit there was so strong. We're sad that Kelsey is going back to Arizona this week, but the missionaries that will continue teaching her when she goes back sure are lucky!

Writing you guys is kinda frustrating, because there is just too much that has happened and too much emotion involved with the work here, that it seems like my letters don't tell you what it is actually like at all. I had another awesome experience I wanted to share with you, but I'll send it in a letter later. I like writing special experiences in letters, because it makes them feel more personal and sacred- like they're going to be preserved- rather than just typed up and sent over email.

Love you bunches!

Love, Sister Slade

(Note from Nancy: If you want to hear more personal stuff, write Britney a letter!  She just gave you a big hint that she writes really great snail mail letters!  And our snail mail letters have been amazing!)

Pictures of Washington

Companionship motto!