Traverse

Hello dearest family and friends, 

    I truly don't think I have been happier on my mission than I am right now. Things are starting to pick up here in Traverse City and I am thrilled to be here. Another transfer is over this week, and I can't believe how quickly it is going. As I'm sure like a lot of things in life, when I wanted it to go quickly (like at the beginning) it went on forever, but now that I want it to stay, the time is flying by. 

The Lord is definitely hastening His work.

 I just have to tell you about yesterday! We have been out knocking doors and trying to find people to teach. Well let me tell you we have found some pretty incredible people! I don't really want to tell you too much about them yet to ruin the excitement, but keep reading the chronicles of Sister Ensign in the MLM to find out what happens! All week we had been trying to meet with less-actives and we have been calling everyone with very little success, BUT YESTERDAY 8 less actives came to church! That was incredible and truly a miracle!!!

  One of the coolest things was as we were running one morning this week- we met a woman who offered to drive us to Suttons bay. So we hopped in her car a few days later and then took multiple bus systems to get home. Not going to lie, the tourist in me had an absolute blast! We taught many lessons on our trip, and it was so fun!

   My thought I am going to leave with you all this week is the power of prayer. I think many times we go to our Heavenly Father in times of need and we forget to thank him for all the help he gives us. I invite all of you to follow the council found in D&C 19:28 and pray vocally. Pray with a sincere heart and contrite spirit. Grow your relationship with Heavenly Father. Come to know the Savior and by doing this I promise you will come to know yourselves. I love you all so much:) Talk to you soon!

                      With love, Sister Ensign

P.S. I have two P-days this week and no P-days next week so don't freak out when I don't write next week! But I will write you all again Saturday:)

A confidence booster for sure. Oh yeah baby! And I COULD tell you how many times we have been asked if we were twins on one hand-but then I might have to grow 39847239857 million more hands. Twins? More like Sisters:) 

Payday

This week was honestly one of the best weeks of my mission.

I got to go to the temple with Jessica and Mary!!! It was a dream come true!! One of my favorite less actives also went through the temple for the first time in years!!!

Photos

One of my favorite pictures

"I'd rather wear out than rust out."

Ok, so you know how people say that missions are the best two years of your life? Most definitely the best two years for my life-a struggle to say the least when facing a sinus infection. I was teaching a new guy about the restoration, and my nose was so stuffed he literally couldn't understand a word I was saying. I just sat there, laughed, and looked at my greenie (who is AMAZING) to take it over because I my blocked nasal cavities were preoccupied as they became well acquainted with two whole boxes of Vicks scented tissue. Even though I felt kind of crummy, it was cool to see how the Lord helped me be able to work every day. He helped me not feel too tired and to help my greenie know what to say when I was coughing like a maniac. I received a blessing, and I know all will be well. It's my own fault too-I just love to talk with other missionaries when we get together and stay up chatting about who knows what. Moral of the story-if we don't take time to take care of our bodies, they will make us take time to feel better (unless your a missionary-then the Lord will help you keep doing the work every day) :) 

This week was actually pretty good considering the sickness! However, we did drop 4 of our investigators. They weren't progressing, so we're excited to see what miracles will be placed in our paths this upcoming week. We met the CUTEST little family in a town called Suttons Bay right on the coast. They have already had all of the lessons because they used to live in Colorado, and their member friends sent over the new missionaries to "practice" on them. Smooth. I am a little worried on how high my hopes are. It's fun when I met someone and think, "Yep. You fit the mold. You would be perfect". But then it's also fun to see people who come from crazy backgrounds and think "You'd have to change everything, but it's exactly what you need". 

I was down in Lansing this week for MLC and we had a huge BBQ together as leaders in the Mission. It was the first time I was able to see Sister Bates and Sonderegger from the MTC and all talk. You would think we had known each other for years. We laughed to hard and talked about the craziness of the mission thus far. 

We have met so many nice people recently (more than normal), which may be due to having a greenie on board. Sister Fletcher is doing so well and I am so proud of her. It is so fun to watch her apply the little things she has learned and already see her becoming braver. It makes me excited to Hunter to get into the field and watch him change. Love the kid. 

I studied about the sacrament this week-particularly from 3 Nephi 20. People often say they don't need to go to church to be a good person or to become closer to God. In many ways, they are right! We have such a large responsibility to build our relationship with God outside of the church building. However, we have been commanded to go to church because of the sacrament. When we take the sacrament worthily and with purpose, we can be forgiven of the wrong that we do, and don't have to feel guilty anymore. Then we can have the Holy Ghost with us ALWAYS. I second Elder Oaks when he says, "To those brothers and sisters who may have allowed themselves to become lax in this vital renewal of the covenants of the sacrament, I plead in the words of the First Presidency that you come back and feast at the table of the Lord, and taste again of the sweet and satisfying fruits of fellowship with the saints. Let us qualify ourselves for our Savior's promise that by partaking of the sacrament we will be filled, which means we will be filled with the Spirit. That spirit-the Holy Ghost- is our comforter, our direction finder our communicator, our interpreter, our witness, and our purifier-our infallible guide and sanctifier for our mortal journey toward eternal life". 

I am so glad He called me on a mission. It may be especially the times when I don't feel the best that I am grateful that I know I have the Atonement to heal me. I testify Jesus Christ lives and He and His Father have a plan for us. 

Have a great week. Thanks for the letters and the little packages!! Love you!!

XOXO

Sister Ensign 

An eternal optimist

Hello Dearest Family, 

   I CAN'T BELIEVE HUNT IS A MISSIONARY!!! I AM SO PUMPED FOR HIM!!!!!!! 

I am doing so well, and am even better knowing Hunt is a ZONE LEADER!!! Atta kid! 

This week was so much- I love greenies. Greenie fire is real! Sister Fletcher is such an angel and I love her to pieces already. 

One of the most exciting parts about my week was teaching in Sign! There is a less active who is deaf and we decided to stop by (Mind you-I am not that great at sign anyway, and i haven't really signed in a year). So before we went to the door, I prayed for the gift of tongues to be able to communicate with her. We talked for about a half hour, and it was amazing how quickly I could remember things. It was awesome!!!

Dad, would you mind sending me your patriarchal blessing? I'd love to be able to read it.

Also, who is Billy Dean? We met a SUPER old guy this week who is Billy Dean's father in law. ? 

Sorry, I have to go- we are headed down to Lansing today for a meeting! Next week I will probably be writing on a different day because we are hoping to be traveling again! Next week will be so crazy but probably one of the most fun weeks on the mish. I'll tell you more later!

I love you all. I love being a missionary and I can't wait to hear about how Hunt man is doing. I hope you are okay too Momma. I need and love you more than you think. 

Have a great week!!

XOXO

Sister Ensign 

Traverse City

Hello Hello hello!!!

How are you all!?!

      This week was so crazy but it was also one of the most fun weeks I'll probably have while on my mission! I had my birthday this week-and it was AWESOME!!! I woke up in Petoskey, and we went to the pier in the morning. I got to Irish Dance on the pier over the water as I watched the sun rise on my 20th birthday. It was so fun.

THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO WROTE/SENT ME THINGS!!!!!!! I am so grateful for you and don't deserve the love I have been shown. Thank you again!! Some members of the Petoskey branch took me to breakfast to say goodbye, and it was so sad to say goodbye to everyone this week. I will always love Petoskey.

     But I already love it here in Traverse City! This branch is amazing and it is weird to open an area while already knowing quiet a few members (Which is so helpful). 

AND I LOVE MY DARLING NEW COMPANION!!!!! Her name is Sister McKenna Fletcher from Orem, Utah. She went to SVU for a year before coming out. She is the 3rd of 4 in her family, and she is already one of my dearest friends. She cracks me up and we have so much fun together! It is honestly more like she is training me. I can't wait to see what the new few weeks have in store for us!

We got to our new apartment after a long day traveling and found we had nothing in our apartment. Ha!! So we decided we needed some food, and not knowing where much was, we went to McDonalds for a drink. We ended up teaching a guy there and it was a very successful evening! 

There have been so many amazing people I have been able to meet and talk with here. I can't believe I'll hit my year mark this week. This definitely has been one of the best years FOR my life that could ever happen. I love the Savior. I know He lives and I know He knows you because I know He knows me.

Have a great week!! GOOD LUCK AT THE MTC HUNTIE BABY!!!! You may be able to hear the state of Michigan cheering you on because I talk with EVERYONE about you!!! WE ARE SO THRILLED TO HAVE YOU JOIN THE LORD'S ARMY!!! I LOVE YOU KIDDO!!!!

XOOX
Sister Ensign 

Photos

Last day being 19.       19 on the 19th

New Companion: Sister Fletcher