If, for a while, the harder you try-the harder it get's- take heart

One of my favorite quotes from Elder Holland is "If, for a while, the harder you try-the harder it get's-take heart. So it has been with the best people who have ever lived". I don't know if I have ever worked harder in my life, and it's sure been a while since Satan’s influence has been this discouraging. Looking back on this week, it was so great and so much good happened that no WONDER it was so hard-...Satan was a slightly peeved to say the least. It truthfully was a rough week, but it was also so so so good. And...that last sentence sums up missionary work at its finest. Haha! 

     As I have felt very inadequate and discouraged this week, I have been thinking about the 3 Nephites who are still here (and if you are one of those 3 Nephites and happen to be reading this letter-you are my hero. I'm currently in Traverse City and I'll be in Provo at the beginning of next year-and I'd love to go to lunch or something and chat). As Christ was leaving them, He said, "and again, ye shall not have pain while ye shall dwell in the flesh, neither sorrow save it be for the sins of the world..." (3 Nephi 28:9). Think of all of the things these three and John have seen? I wonder what has been the hardest thing for them to watch through each generation? I wonder where they were during the revolutionary war, the world wars, the cold war, and all that is going on right now. Having seen Christ personally and to now to be living in a "post Christian" era, I wonder what their sadness and discouragement feels like. But I'm sure they keep their heads high and keep on preaching the good word-and so must I. :) 

    One great thing that happened this week was transfer calls! Sister Fletcher and I will be staying together!! I am SOSOSO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean, I thought we might, but I'm stoked. 

    I also know that God is personally looking out for me every day. As we were grocery shopping earlier this afternoon, a woman came up to us and said, "I just felt impressed like I needed to talk to you. I love the Mormons. You are doing a great job. Thank you for our service". Say what?! Thanks! Also, Sister Fletcher and I get asked if we are twins literally every day. We get asked if we are sisters all of the time, but it seems like we were asked so many times this week! And then when people are drawn to talk to us to find out if we are twins, they all of the sudden find themselves at the end of the conversation with an appointment to learn about the Book of Mormon next week.

    We met this little family that the parents are LA, but their 14-year-old daughter wants to be baptized soon. We put her on date and are going to have her dad baptize her-meaning they have to change some things. The mom is super stand offish, and when I saw her for the first time, I thought "challenge accepted". You will like us, whether you want to or not, you'll like us one day:) 

    We met with many other less actives and met some other investigators. We took one of the Laurels to a lesson with us, and afterwards she said, "WOAH! Missionary work is the best! I could hardly sleep last night I was so nervous and excited to go out with you today". I absolutely love the missionary fire! It made me laugh and I loved seeing someone so excited to serve!

    I hope you all have a wonderful week. If you are doing the best you know how, and life somehow seems to be getting harder---join the club. Elder Holland also said, "You are in good company. In fact, you are in the best company that ever lived'. Angels are around you and are there to bear you up. You've got this! Have a wonderful week!

XOXO

Sister Ensign :) 

We went to the tip of our area called Northport for a picnic on Monday with our branch mission leader. Isn't this beautiful!?!? Can't wait to touch it one day.

Suttons Bay!

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