May 7, 2012

Hello,

 

Where to even start...

 

Phoenix!  So just to clarify, we met Phoenix right after we met with Paco and Jaquelin the first time.  We were skipping through the park and we see the family -mom,dad and son and we talked with them and Phoenix chirped up (even though the parents said no thank you because they were Buddhist) and said that he would love to learn more about Jesus. SO. . . since then we have been teaching him and this week he went on the Father and Sons campout with the ward. Sadly, his stepdad had to work but his parents gave the okay for him to go with the family that we bring with us to his lessons and he just had a blast. That is just the coolest thing ever that he was able to go!  After he got back Phoenix's mom called and just thanked us up and down for that experience for phoenix! Sweet!

 

 

Paco and Jaquelin!  They came to church this sunday! It was their first time and they showed up all spiffy Jaquelin wearing a dress and Paco even wearing a suit jacket! At the end they thanked us and seemed to have really enjoyed themselves, but we will get the real scoop this week. We had the best lesson with them and we taught them about having faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. It was powerful and amazing and at the end Jaquelin said "I finally get it!" It was awesome and we extended a date for baptism and they accepted so we told them that in order to get baptized, they would have to be keeping all of God's commandments, meaning getting married. They totally agreed and told us they would talk about it this week and we can make plans when we meet with them this week! SOOO EXCITED! they are just amazing :)

 

 

Deborah!  A month or so ago we met Deborah and she told us to come back, which we did 2 times and both times she said I'm not feeling well and asked us to come back another time. We were thinking that she really wasn't interested, but thought we would try back one more time. So we did and to our surprise she answered and invited us in. We then sat down and tried to get to know her a bit and asked her about her family and she just completely opened up and told us about two of her sons that had passed. She proceeded to tell us -very emotionally- that one of her sons  (who was atheist)  appeared to her in a dream and told her not to worry about him because he is the happiest that he had ever been and he is in school right now learning about Jesus with a bunch of other people!!!!  You can imagine Sister Price and I are freaking out because she is completely describing the Spirit World and we told her that we knew that the experience she had was true and that those who have passed are intact at this time,  learning more about Jesus in the Spirit World. She was very relieved that we didn't think  she was crazy and she agreed to meet with us again. She wasn't able to attend church this Sunday but she looked at as firmly and said.. "But I will soon"! 

 

Missionary work is the best work that can be done!

 

Ohh man so much to write and so little time...

On friday our mission did something that we had never before done. From 8 am- 8:30 pm all the missionaries met as zones and read the Book of Mormon... ALL DAY! If you asked me to do that before my mission I would've definitely said no way, but it was the BEST experience ever!  We were to focus on Christ and highlight references of Him, His attributes, and His words and it was just amazing to be able to do that!

 

I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and is in fact Another Testiment of Jesus Christ! The biggest thing that stuck out to me is that the Book of Mormon is written PLAINLY for us! it is so plain and we just complicate it. The gospel is so simple for a reason; so that we can know EXACTLY how we can return to live with Him! 

 

I love you all! Go and read the Book of Mormon TODAY!  It will bring the Spirit into your lives that you just can't deny.

love,

Sister Martin

April 30, 2012

 HELLO transfer calls are in and the verdicts is.....
WERE STAYING TOGETHER! I am sooo excited because we work so well together and there is still so much to be done. Actually, everyone in our whole zone but one, is staying here which makes me SOO happy because we have the best zone ever right now and I was sad for the changes. My district and zone leaders are BOMB and we have so much fun together. We recently started a diet competition against our ZLs and we are going to kick their trash!  It's fun to have a good zone with people who actually talk to the Sisters... ughhh kinda annoying but I love all these elders and I'm with Elder Bitton again, who I'm related to if you remember.. his gma is Zena Van Ordon.


I got your package on Thursday mom and THANKYOU SOO MUCH! I love having more pictures and it was just so great to get a package!  I love you so much momma!


Last week was awesome! Sadly, we didn't meet with Paco or Jaclyn because that were both out of town,  but we will see them this week. So the night that we met them, we also met another couple, Rene and Carrie, and set up a time to meet with them. So we met them last week and go figure,  they are next door neighbors to Paco and Jaclyn and  are literally the EXACT same people! They aren't married, the male is more open and the gf is open but will def take more time. They are awesome, and tomorrow we will be teaching them about eternal marriage and the plan of salvation! haha it is weird,  but they both accepted a soft commit for baptism too, so we could have a double wedding and baptism!  :)

Phoenix -the 8 year old came to church again last Sun.. This week we left him with the "Finding Faith in Christ" dvd and as I sat by him in church I asked him about it and he said "What was wrong with that boy? You know the one that looked like a hurt bug..?" haha, "ohh the boy that had a seizure that Christ healed?" hahaha, I just love him. He just loves church and soaks everything in and just loves learning about the stories of Jesus Christ. His dad picked him up from church and actually came into the church building this time so that was pretty cool!


This week we also met a couple named Lili and Ooo who just recently moved here from China. Lili speaks pretty good english so we talked to her and invited her to church. We weren't sure how much they even got from the whole conversation but guess what,  they came to church! It was the craziest thing and it's awesome, because there is a guy in the ward that speaks Mandarin, so it's pretty perfect! Hopefully, we will begin to teach them soon.


Funny story of the week. We taught this guy named Rafael a few times, and for the past three weeks he was in mexico. We we saw him this week and he said he didn't want to meet with us anymore and then said, "but hey I was thinking about you two while I was in mexico and I got you both something." He then went inside while Sister Price and I looked at each other in confusion and disbelief.  He came back out with 2 keychainsfor us from Mexico! hahaha He got us parting gifts... it was quite funny and random.


It also RAINED one day last week. Not just a little... ALOT  and we werecaught in it and it was AWESOME! I love this work more then anything!!!!

Yeah, RAIN!

I love getting wet when it's so hot!

Ok,  it's pouring on Sister Price!

I love you,

Sister Martin

April 24, 2012

I love you Heather!

HELLO HELLO

Chelsey Evans... YOU'RE ENGAGED!!!! I knew that I'd be the last cat lady in the bunch! Congrats I love you so much. I need an invite! :)

This week was SOO great! We are getting more and more teaching opportunities as the weeks go by. May 2 is transfers and I'm stressing about it a little because I DO NOT want to split up from Sister Price. We work really well together and are finally figuring out things here, so change is not needed!

Okay, so Paco and Jaclyn: well I LOVE them! We met with them and taught the Plan of Salvation. We were a little nervous about telling them about the importance of getting married and keeping God's commandment by doing so, but it went very well. At the end we were really rushing for time, so we briefly covered getting married here while on the earth. At the end Paco said, "Wait, so we just need to go to the courthouse and then we can live together for eternity?... that doesn't make sense. Shouldn't we need to get married before God?" HOLY AMAZING! We told him that he was exactly right and then we briefed the temple, but sadly, we had to run off because we were late for the next lesson. Paco is sooo prepared, and Jaclyn understood too because it's not like all religions teach the need to get married before you live with each other. SOOO COOL!

We also had another awesome lesson with Phoenix -the 8 year old whose parents are Buddhist. I think I talked about him last week- but so we taught him again, and his parents took him to church and he LOVED it.

Sister Price and I had two awesome experiences this week where 2 different people living in separate homes told us they love it when we came over because their home always feels more peaceful! I love that because IT DOES! The spirit is so strong and so evident when you are talking about Christ, praying, and reading the scriptures and people who aren't used to having the Holy Ghost in their homes definitely notice it!

I just thought that was so awesome, especially because I figured they would say they don't like us coming over because we are so sweaty when we come! Yes... THE HEAT IS BACK! My tan lines are out of this world. Literally, when I get out of the shower I look like I'm still wearing a white suit! HAHA! It's horrible but I love it!

Helaman 15:6 "striving with unwearied diligence" Today I read this in my personal study and it just really struck me! This is exactly what we have to do at all times throughout our lives. I'm so grateful for the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon!

I love you all so much!
love sister martin

April 16, 2012

WEEK OF MIRACLES!!!

If I learn nothing more on my mission it will be that God answers our prayers! We have been struggling to find more people to teach in this area, but this week I'm pretty sure our teaching pool exploded!

Late Tuesday night right before we were about to head in, we were walking around this condo plex and Sister Price spotted a couple sitting together on a bench so we made our way over to them. (haha isn't it funny that on pitch dark nights we are walking up to random people! don't worry we're protected)

We talked with them briefly about the Restoration and shared our testimonies about the blessings the gospel brings to families. Then we invited them to learn more and they said something I haven't heard for a while.... "YES"! Really, that word seemed too good to be true! So we set up a time on Thursday to meet with them.

I really don't know how to describe the lesson we had with them...
the very first thing we asked them at the beginning of the lesson was "Why did you want to learn more" and Paco told us that he just felt like he needed to have his questions answered. These were a few of his questions:

1. Why can't we pray directly to God? Why must we pray to a saint in order for them to relay our message?
2. Why are babies baptized; they couldn't possibly have sinned yet?

It is an understatement to say that these questions blew me away! Then we began to explain about Christ's earthly ministry and the effects of the Apostasy. If there were any doubts in my mind about my testimony up to this point, they were shattered during this powerful lesson! The Spirit was thick as fog and I was not the only one feeling it. After we taught them about the Restoration, Paco and Jaclyn committed to read and pray about the things we talked about. They said also when they knew that these things were true, they would be baptized! Unfortunately, they are not married YET, but this week we will teach them the Plan of Salvation and they will see the need to make that committment to each other.

This is just one of our many amazing lessons this week. I know that I am a child of God and that He loves ME! If you don't know this, then pray and ask... he WILL answer your sincere prayer!

I love you all so very much
love,
Sister Martin

April 9, 2012

Sister Martin's one year mission birthday!

Easter Pageant at Mesa Temple with Sister Price

We couldn't stay away. Loved visiting the Mesa Temple!

Craig, Linda, Crystal, and Heather

Had to find the Cafe Rio in Gilbert!

Heather is mimicking Emily's former picture.

Hello!
Mom and Dad,  thank you so much for all of the wonderful treats that you sent Sister Price and I in the Easter basket! You are so awesome and all of it was really appreciated! Those peanut butter eggs are AWESOME and might already be gone... haha! I LOVE the calander that Christy made too!  I was so excited to get it, so now I have that one in my bedroom and the other one with inspiring quotes by my desk. Thanks so much for all that you do.

Weird that everyone is here in AZ for Easter, and that I'm not, but its good though. Easter has become one of my most favorite holidays and it is great to be able to celebrate it twice on my mission! I love you all sooo very much. Ohh and I love love love the stationary that you sent me:)!  The cloud one I kept because it was def. the cutest. Ask Heather if she will be still living in the same place next semester because I sent her a latter last Tue. and it will be in her mailbox when she gets home. Love you!

HAPPY EASTER!!!!
So this week was crammed full of small miacles! It's interesting when weeks are like this because when I look back and think about what heppened this week, it's easy to totally skip over all the small and simple things.  I feel like the Nephites in the Book of Mormon after they had already seen with their own eyes the signs of Christ's birth and slowly in time they forgot all the signs and wonders that they had seen. Remembering should be easy,  but it is definitely not. I'm always trying to remember names, dates, places, and most importantly, times in my life where I have had spiritual experiences; where I knew the Lord was leading and guiding me.

In Alma 37 it talks about how small and simple things are "great things brought to pass".  Missionary work is hard sometimes because each week we have to give our "stats",  meaning how many lessons and so on we've had. Well, before getting lessons there is usually a lot of work done first, aka, small and simple things that have to take place. This week was full of that. Days go by that we don't get any lessons, BUT the great thing is, Heavenly Father always gives us little miracles that help us to know He is mindful of us and that He cares. For example .... alot of times Sister Price and I will get done talking to someone or have an awesome conversation with someone and afterwards we look and each other with a huge smile and are just like "OHHH YA, they are Golden", (meaning their hearts are softened and ready to learn about the gospel and accept it) and then... nothing happens or comes of that amazing visit! This could be so discouraging OR it could be Heavenly Father just showing us His love everyday. His love for me is so evident and I am so grateful for that.

This week was a rough week, BUT just like they said at conference, we are just getting "more polished"! I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer and that without Him this life would be pointless.

I love you all so very much!!!
Love,

Sister martin

April 2, 2012

Happy Late birthday Bridget and Happy Early Birthday Pops!  LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU BOTH!
This week was another one for the books!
Slow and steady wins the race, right?  Well in this case it sure will because that is the exact pace at which we are moving. There have been a lot of dropped lessons and such, but there is still a lot of really good things happening, so it's awesome! Sister Price is pretty much a pro missionary and she has only been out for 5 months! We have so much fun together and also are really great together. It's so fun how with every new companion it's different, but so good at the same time.

Wasn't conference just AMAZING!!! wow after watching those sessions we were pumped up and ready to share with the world what we had just heard and FELT!  It was awesome because after hearing the prophet we talked wih this guys for about 30 minutes about the need for a prophet today. There is no doubt in my mind that having a prophet today is completely necessary! It shows how much God really does love us.  I mean we could do it on our own but he loves us so much and He wants to give us every opportunity to have added help and support in the crazy life. ohhh and did everyone hear the Elder say "WRITE THE MISSIONARIES LETTERS"! yep an apostle of the Lord said that,  soo I'm pretty sure you should listen :) haha!

Sooo... mom and dad! Sister Price's bike was stolen this week so I gave her my Walmart one. I hope that is okay.  Not sure if she is going to keep it though because she has long legs and it's obviously not the best bike in the world,  but it's hers for now.  It was so random though, because only her's got stolen and they left my piece of junk bike alone... I guess it's a good thing to not have a good one.

I'm so excited for Easter and for the blessing it is to be able to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ! The Easter Pageant has been sooooo amazing and it's incredible to be able to join with people of all faiths and be able to celebrate the life, ministry and sacrifice of Jesus Christ all together.


I love you all sooo much and I just want to add my testimony that I know that Jesus is the Christ and that "there is no other name whereby we can be saved, only in and through the sacred name of Jesus Christ" How thankful I am to Him!
Take care and Happy Easter!
Love,
Sister Martin

March 26, 2012

I love my Norweigen girl!

Sad to leave!

I love Doug - one of my favorite people!

Queens of the Creek - I miss them already!

Marti and Dolli

Martin and Price! ROCKIN SKYLINE!!

A toast with Martinelies from Bonnie to start the transfer off right! I LOVE YOU BONNIE!

Hello Hello!!!
IM IN SKYLINE!!! Actually that is just the Zone's name, which is just a street,  but I've moved and now I cover another part of Gilbert and also Mesa and I LOVE IT! iI came into a brand new area that  started 6 weeks ago and it is a struggling area with zero progressing investigators BUT its awesome! The people here are SO nice and there is just tons of potential. I love being here and it is awesome to be with my new comp., Sister Price who is from Driggs, ID.  If Christa Strebel is reading this... She knows RAD hahaha small world! But she is awesome and I have no doubt in my mind that big things are about to happen in this area! This week we did a LOT of street contacting and got several return appointments that is cool.

I can't forget to mention that i wouldn't have been able to make this transition as smoothly if it was not for my TRANSFER SURVIVAL KIT, which was a gift from all the Algers! I love you all and miss you so much ! xoxoxx be sure to check out the pictures.

 One amazing blessing is Ginny!  Ginny lives right next door to a member and this member talked to us about Ginny the day I got here. She told us how her husband was super prepared but that the Ginny has a mother who isn't fond of the church at all and that was her big hold up. WELL,  the next day we were biking in that area and Ginny was outside :) soo of course we went up and talked to her and it ended up being an awesome 30 min conversation. The spirit is so cool because when people feel it they can't help but to be relaxed and just open up. A lot of the time I feel like we are are therapists!!!! but it was awesome and she completely opened up to us and pretty much bore her testimony to us. She told us that she knew that the Lord was preparing her for something. In the end we asked her if we could come back but she didn't have a good time yet. She took a Mormon.Org card with our phone number on it and looked at us dead in our eyes and said "thank you so much. I WILL call you"!
I know that she will. THEN the very next day were having dinner in the area and we saw her husband outside and rode up to him.  We stopped and he said "Hey , I know who you are!  My wife talked to me all night about you two last night!" He said that they dont have a time set up yet, but that they will soon :) It was crazy awesome. Miracles are happening !!

Its so weird because we only cover 3 wards in this area and in my other areas we covered 4 but I love it because it helps us to really focus on these 3. We've also met some very unique people in this area, which is always fun, and we cover homes and apartments, which is fun too. We met with this guy named Rafael, and he is very unique and awesome at the same time.

Sister Price and I teach really well together which is fun... no awkward transitions and such, which is WAY nice. I am her "breaker" meaning that she just finished being trained and so I'm here to break her of all the bad habits her trainer taught her :) haha, but she doesn't have any and is already a pro teacher!

It's weird not knowing this area at all or the members after being in Queen Creek for so long. It really is great though, because being a missionary wherever you go, people love you.... and hate you! but it's all part of the experience. For all of you out there,  you should honk and wave when you see the missionaries. I can't even tell you how many times we are biking and for some reason or another that day is just particularly hard,  and then someone honks and waves at us and I am ALL better and I have a smile on my face!

This is the Lord's work and no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing :) Its great to see that at a time when the world is turning away from God and religion in general, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Christ's church Restored back to the earth,  still continues to press forward and more and more people are joining in to help.


my new address is 4776 E Guadalupe #2088 Gilbert, AZ 85234 (I LOVE letters and Packages :)

love you all so much
sister martin