Monday, December 28, 2009

Transfer 1 Week 2, 28 December 2009

Questions to answer:

Did you find your check from Grandma and Grandpa?
So you had two breakfasts Christmas day; how did the rest of the day go?
How did everything go with Bill's baptism on Saturday?
Did your "grandma" companion get off to home okay?
Any people you are currently teaching, or are you in search mode?

Reply:

No, not yet. I'm still looking though.

We had dinner at an investigator's house it was really good.

Things went ok at the baptism. The water wasn't high enough so he had to be dunked twice. First time he almost hit his head, second time he almost didn't come up. Renee (Bill's wife) is really happy, they can now be sealed in a year, they're both really happy.

"Grandma" went to NC to teach her grandma the last lesson. so that she could be baptized today, she had slipped and had some coffee five days before, she won't be baptized for another two weeks. Sister Dickson won't be home until next Sunday, but I know she got to NC safely because she called last night when we were over at the Manley's (a recent convert family).

We're in both teaching people and search mode. We have one new investigator who we taught Saturday and she wants more scriptures to read, we left her with Enos that night. She called us yesterday asking for more to read.

I must get going love.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

25 December 2009 Phone Call from Cookeville, Tennessee

Burgess Falls

Downtown Cookeville, Tennessee

Red dot shows Cookeville, Tennessee


It was wonderful to talk to Angela for more than an hour and a half. The missionaries were able to go to an office and use the phones for free to talk to their families. In the course of the conversation we learned that Sister Blackham's name is Holly. They are working in Cookeville, Tennessee, and in the Burgess Falls Ward. They live in a 1-bedroom apartment over the law office of the ward's Bishop. She had two Christmas breakfasts and dinner was to come later in the day. She enjoyed her Christmas gifts and seemed happy. Oh, she did mention that while she was walking with her companions and the Spanish-speaking Sisters earlier in the week that she had a real close conversation with the pavement. Just all of a sudden she had fallen to the ground, ruined her stockings, and turned her ankle. She had to rest the remainder of the day, but she was back to work the next.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Transfer 1 Week 1, 21 December 2009

Map of the Tennessee, Nashville Mission


President Gary and Sister Donna Hutchings


1st Email:
Hey mom, I was wondering if you'd snail mail me these poems. I don't really mind if they don't arrive by Christmas, but I'd like some sort of post because some people have been lacking in their responsibilities of writing to me weekly (you should know who).

My companion is Sister Blackham, and yes we know, black and white hehe. She's been out for about five months now. I'm her first trainee, we'll be spending Christmas with her trainer because she's leaving Saturday to the mission home and then either Sunday or Monday she'll be flying back home to Alaska. So for Christmas I'll have grandma and of course mom.

The ward we're in is very nice they keep asking me what I like about Tennessee, I've been telling them I like how green it is because in Utah everything is dead this time of year. We've had snow, but it didn't stay like it does in Utah, did you know that they'd cancel school if there's an inch of snow on the ground? Crazy, if they did that in Utah we wouldn't have school in the winter.

Besides myself and Sister Blackham there is another set of sister missionaries and they weren't going to have them. One of the sisters is a Spanish speaking sister who started her mission in Knoxville (spelled?). Our District Leader, Elder Beck recently lost one of his fingers while playing basketball. It happened before Elder Welles (Elder Beck's greenie) and I came here.

Oh. Mondays are P-days here, except for today and next Monday due to the holidays.

I gotta go, I love you all.
Lizzie.

2nd Email: One other thing

I forgot to mention that on the 26th we'll be having a baptism. I just got here and there'll be a baptism. His name is Bill and if you'll pray for him we'd all be glad and happy.

3rd Email:

Item Type: Note
Begin time: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:00 am +0000 Bill's Baptism is today!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Tuesday, 12 December 2009 They have arrived! Email from Nashville

Yesterday we received 11 new Missionaries from the MTC. Thought you might like to know since you know one of them very well. Their plane was late, but they were taken to the Mission Home where they were fed, trained, had a Testimony Meeting, and spent the night. Today is "transfers" and they were assigned their trainer and new companion. Right now they are on their way to their new area where they will be serving at least the next 6 weeks and most likely longer.

All of them were very tired, but in great spirits and excited to get going. You should hear from them on Monday via e-mail.

Hope all is well with you and your family.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

Sister Denton
Financial Secretary

14 December 2009 Watching Angie's Flights



Early in the morning Angela was able to call us from the SLC Airport. She sounded excited and ready to go. She was traveling with three Sisters who were going on Spanish-speaking missions (and I'm still not sure if they were going to the Nashville mission or not) and a group of Elders. But none of them were from her District. We got her to talk a bit more about her experience at the MTC. It seems that it's easier to live the MTC experience than it is to describe it.
Bart and I spent the morning keeping track of Angela's flight from Salt Lake City to Memphis. It arrived on time and she had a layover there before heading on to Nashville.
So I started checking her flight to see it take off and nothing seemed to be happening. After nearly an hour of checking, I finally saw a "Delayed" notification. At first it looked like it would be about 30 minutes, but eventually it was posted for more than an hour. She did eventually get in the air and arrive safely in Nashville. Whew!!

Thursday, 10 December 2009 Snail Mail

Dear family,

This is my last letter from the MTC. My district LOVED the last box you sent. They say THANK YOU! (10X) I leave Monday, pray for me. Tuesday pray for Elder Myler, Elder Falkner, Sister Owen. Wednesday pray for Elder Harrison, Elder Willis, and Sister Bishop. Two Tuesdays from now pray for Sister Kingston. I forgot Elder Kelley and Elder Pritchett, they leave Tuesday as well.

Angela/Lizzie

Tuesday, 8 December 2009 My Last Week at the MTC

If you had told me that I wouldn't want to leave the MTC I wouldn't have believed you, because before I came to the MTC I wasn't happy with the four-week stay, now however, I want to stay with the great Elders and Sisters of District 30E. We've all grown so much that we've bonded together.

Mom, I would like an address book, it'd be nice if you'd send it ASAP. Flight plans are being sent via snail mail, along with dad's birthday card, I found it very humorous, and it works well with dad's personality. I would like some hand written notes sent in the mail (obviously) from you all before I leave. I'm the only missionary in my district who’s received packages but no letters. I would like at least two letters before I go out into the field. I will also be sending you the pictures from here when I get out into the field. I'm not gonna try here and waste the precious time we have on here.

I must go, I love you all and my next email will be from the field.

Love Sister Whitehead. :)

Monday, December 7, 2009

Wednesday, 2 December 2009 Handwritten Note

Dear Mom,

This snail mail is because I forgot to tell you about Thursday [Thanksgiving]. We had two devotionals that day. Pres. Smith (president of the MTC) and someone else you may or may not know, someone named Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, and his wife, spoke to us.

When Sister Holland spoke she said, "He took my breath away, and ever since then I haven't been able to breathe on my own." How cute is that?

Elder Kelley says you've gone up twenty points for liking Elder Holland and being in his Book of Mormon class.

The shirt you sent was great. I love it.

On Thanksgiving we had a service project; what better way to say thank you than to serve?

Love,

Lizzie

Tuesday, 1 December 2009 2nd MTC P-day

Dear people who are related to me,

Mom, Sister Kingston's first name is Keva. No, we're not all going to the same mission, I wish, but no we aren't. Sister Kingston and I are the only "outsiders" as far as that's concerned. We're all going back east, and all but my comp is going to the south. Sister Kingston loved the "count-down to Christmas" treat you sent me/her. It was a wonderful birthday gift (today's her birthday, I picked up the package today also).

I was wondering if you could get me a better backpack, or if you'd prefer, sending me thirty dollars so that I can purchase one here. I was also wondering if you'd send me a pair of jeans and my blue ASL hoodie with "the top ten reasons to learn asl . . ." it'd be great for P-days.

Tim, I'm sorry if my email's going to be a problem, I know it's long, but I was working against the clock.

I gotta get going, I'll talk to you all next Tuesday. OH! before I forget my departure date should be the 14th, just thought I'd let you know.

love, bye!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Tuesday, 24 November 2009, 1st MTC P-Day

Dear family,

I'm doing well. The first week of MTC life has been hectic, but one expects that sort of thing to happen.

Besides my companion and me there are two other sisters in District 30E, Sister Owen, and Sister Bishop. Our district is made up of 5 companionships. The Elders are: Elder Harrison, Elder Willis; Elder Kelley, Elder Pritchett; Elder Myler, and Elder Falkner, with Elder Myler as District leader.

In the District we have 3 converts, they're Edler Willis, Elder Kelley, and Elder Pritchett, with Elder Kelley being the newest (he's been a member for about 18 months). He's very righteous, but not in that way--he's very spiritual.

Mom, would you send more stroop, it was very good. Elder Pritchett would like it if you sent more cookies, I still have half of what you sent, but he'd still like more; I suppose I could say the Elders would like you to.

Yesterday was our first time going over to the Training Resource Center (TRC) it was fun. We also went to the Referral Center (RC), it was a little scary, but fun as well.

Oh Sister Kingston and I have similar cameras, which one of the elders said was pink, we both said it was purple.

Before I forget, I'll tell you about our two teachers. Brother Dixion and Brother Tew (two). Brother Dixion comes up with crazy names for himself. Brother Tew just recently got back from his mission.

When Sis. Kingston and I first got here there were 4 sisters in the room, they're all going to Japan. Now there's only half. We had Sisters Holmes, Ieremia, Patrick, and Tohara. Sis. Tohara and I share a bunk bed, she's on top. Sis. Kingston shares with Sis. Patrick, who's also on top.

The food here is okay, but I think they're trying to fatten us up before we go out into the field. It isn't very filling, about and hour later I'm hungry again.

Well I gotta go. Send my love to the others,

Angie

Drop-off at the MTC

Nina, Bart, and Angela

Angela

Angela and the two Elders escourting her away

What a short trip! Angie's arrival time for the MTC was 1:45 p.m., so we (Bart, Nina, Nathan, & Angie) left the house around 1:25 p.m. As we approached the MTC we could see missionaries and their families taking pictures around the entrance to the MTC. I was glad we'd done our picture taking early. We had our entrance permit on the dashboard and drove in. We got a pink sticky note put on the windshield and we were directed to go to the left. All down the sidewalk there were Elders waiting for cars to pull up so they could help unload and carry off the luggage of the new missionaries. Around, and farther around, the MTC we went until we pulled up along the curb. In just a few minutes Angie was out of the car and her two bags were out of the back. A few quick pictures were taken. We each gave her a hug. Then two fine Elders took her luggage and walked her to the Sisters' dorm where a group of Sisters were waiting to welcome her in. (I have since learned the Maegan Clawson, another missionary from our Ward, got to show her around.) Bart, Nathan, and I got back in the car, followed the road around where it exited by the BYU Press Building and headed home. We were back in the house by 2:05 p.m. Whew! So I set to work making cookies so Angie and her district could have a treat box the very next day.


Family Photo

The Family: Angela, Bart, Nina, Nathan, and Lisa

The Girls: Angela, Nina, and Lisa

Since we had time, I insisted on getting a family photo before Angie left. Since we didn't have a current photo to send with her (the last one has Lisa still in braces), it was important to get this done. Dad set up the camera on the tripod and set the timer. We tried standing in the sunshine, but we had white-out faces. So next we tried the porch and I was pleased with the pictures.

The Luggage and Hugs Goodbye




More pictures. Nate couldn't believe how patient Angela was about all the pictures. She said, "If Mom wants them, there's no point in arguing. Might as well go along with it."



Setting Apart


Bart/Dad, Angela, President Spencer, President Lambson, Grandpa Verl, Bishop Stephens

Just before 9 p.m. President Ross Spencer came and had his last interview with Angie: "Do you still want to go?" "Yes," she said. Shortly after that President Jeff Lambson and Bishop Lynn Stephens also came to set her apart. Her dad and Grandpa Verl got to assist. She's a missionary now!

Dinner at iHop with the Family


Gifts from Grandma and Grandpa.

Lisa

Grandma Vina and Grandpa Verl Abbott

Aunt Liz and Uncle Elvin Tanner

Nathan and Nina/Mom

Bart/Dad and Angela

Grandma Vina and Grandpa Verl took our family and Aunt Liz and Uncle Elvin to dinner at iHop in Orem--Angie's last family dinner! A few of us had breakfast food, but most of us had dinner. Grandma and Grandpa gave Angie a winter scarf, a photo album, and some cash for the MTC. Tanners gave her some money too. Grandma and Grandpa also gave her this poem (author unknown):

To Our Granddaughter
Pearls of Wisdom


We’ve traveled paths you’ve yet to walk
Learned lessons old and new
And now this wisdom of our lives
We’re blessed to share with you
Let kindness spread like sunshine
Embrace those who are sad
Respect their dignity, give them joy
And leave them feeling glad
Forgive those that might hurt you
And though you have your pride
Listen closely to their viewpoint
Try to see the other side
Walk softly when you are angry
Try not to take offense
Invoke your sense of humor
Laughter’s power is immense!
Express what you are feeling
Your beliefs you should uphold
Don’t shy away from what is right
Be courageous and be bold
Keep hope right in your pocket
It will guide you day by day
Take it out when it is needed
When it’s near, you’ll find a way
Remember friends and family
Of which you are a precious part
Love deeply and love truly
Give freely from your heart
The world is far from perfect
There’s conflict and there’s strife
But you still can make a difference
By how you live your life
And so we are very blessed to know
The wonders you will do
Because you are our granddaughter
And we believe in you.

Monday, November 16, 2009

My "Farewell" Talk on 15 November 2009

Good morning brothers and sisters. I’ve been called to serve in the Tennessee, Nashville Mission. People have asked me if I’m nervous about going into the MTC, and the mission field, and I’ve told them no, in fact I’m more nervous now than I’ve been this past week, though ask me Wednesday morning, I’m sure I’ll be just a tad bit more nervous than I am now.

Why do we need to know God and Jesus Christ? What are the ways we can get to know Them? How do we maintain, and increase our knowledge of God and Jesus Christ?

Elder Hales said, this past General Conference, "As prophesied, we live in a time when the darkness of secularism is deepening around us. Belief in God is widely questioned and even attacked in the name of political, social, and even religious causes. Atheism, or the doctrine that there is no God, is fast spreading across the world.

"Even so, as members of the restored Church of Jesus Christ, we declare that ‘we believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.’ " Some wonder, why the belief in God is so important. Moses 1:39 says, "For behold, this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

"Without God, life would end at the grave and our mortal experiences would have no purpose. Growth and progress would be temporary, accomplishment without value, challenges without meaning. There would be no ultimate right and wrong and no moral responsibility to care for one another as fellow children of God. Indeed, without God, there would be no mortal or eternal life." I suppose another way you could say that is: "Life is just busy work, it doesn’t really matter," but it does. In order to get back with the Father and the Son we need to know and love Them.

Elder Hales councils, "If you or someone you love is seeking purpose in life or a deeper conviction of God’s presence in our lives, I offer, as a friend and as an Apostle, my witness. He lives!

"Some may ask, how can I know this for myself? We know He lives because we believe the testimonies of His ancient and living prophets, and we have felt God’s Spirit confirm that the testimonies of these prophets are true.

"From their testimonies, recorded in holy scripture, we know that ‘[God] created man, male and female, after his own image and in his own likeness.’ Some people may be surprised to learn that we look like God. One prominent religious scholar has even taught that imagining God in the form of man is creating a graven image and is idolatrous and blasphemous. But God Himself said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.’

"The use of the words us and our in this scripture also teaches us about the relationship between the Father and the Son. God further taught, ‘By mine Only Begotten I created these things.’ The Father and the Son are separate and distinct individuals—as any father and son always are."

When we are young we lean on our parents’ testimonies before we stand on our own. We learn from others the way we talk, the way we walk, and the way we behave, are just to name a few.

Reading the scripture is another way we learn. From the New Testament we "know that Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, have a physical presence. They stand in one place at one time.

"We also know that the Father and the Son have voices. As recorded in Genesis and the book of Moses, Adam and Eve ‘heard the voice of the Lord God, as they were walking in the garden, in the cool of the day.’

"We know that the Father and the Son have faces, that They stand, and that They converse. The prophet Enoch declared, ‘I saw the Lord; and he stood before my face, and he talked with me, even as a man talketh one with another.’

"We know that God and His Son have bodies, in form and parts like ours. From the book of Ether in the Book of Mormon, we read, ‘And the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood.’ Later the Lord revealed Himself, saying, ‘Behold, this body, which ye now behold, is the body of my spirit; and . . . I [will] appear unto my people in the flesh.’

"We know that the Father and the Son have feelings for us. The book of Moses records, ‘And it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and he wept.’

"And we know that God and His Son, Jesus Christ, are immortal, glorified, and perfected beings. Of the Savior Jesus Christ, the Prophet Joseph Smith recounts, ‘His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters.’

"No testimony is more significant to us in our time than the witness of Joseph Smith."

What about personally? It’s easy to say "we," but what about "I"? "In matters of personal belief, how do we know what really is true?

"I testify that the way to know the truth about God is through the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost, the third member of the Godhead, is a personage of spirit. His work is to "testify of [God]" and to "teach [us] all things."

"However, we must be careful not to constrain His influence. When we do not do what is right or when our outlook is dominated by skepticism, cynicism, criticism, and irreverence toward others and their beliefs, the Spirit cannot be with us."

And how can we keep the Spirit with us, and truly seek to know God, Our Father, and His Son Jesus Christ? Elder Hales says, "You may already know, deep in your soul, that God lives. You may not know all about Him yet and do not understand all His ways, but the light of belief is within you, waiting to be awakened and intensified by the Spirit of God and the Light of Christ, which you are born with.

"So come. Believe the testimonies of the prophets. Learn of God and Christ. The pattern to do so is clearly taught by prophets of old and prophets today.

"Cultivate a diligent desire to know that God lives.

"This desire leads us to ponder on the things of heaven—to let the evidence of God all around us touch our hearts.

"With softened hearts we are prepared to heed the Savior’s call to ‘search the scriptures’ and to humbly learn from them.

"We are then ready to ask our Heavenly Father sincerely, in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, if the things we have learned are true. Most of us will not see God, as the prophets have, but the still, small promptings of the Spirit—the thoughts and feelings that the Holy Ghost brings into our minds and hearts—will give us an undeniable knowledge that He lives and that He loves us."

I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us and want us to succeed in all that we do, and when our hearts are turned to Them, we can accomplish anything we set our minds to. I know that when we follow the promptings of the Spirit we will be blessed in more ways than just one.

And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Another Hurdle!

I got a letter from the MTC saying I needed to have the H1N1 flu shot besides the seasonal flu shot I'd already received. Monday, 9 November, I got in line at the Utah County Health Center for a ticket. My appointment was Tuesday morning at 8. Didn't have to have a shot though--got the mist! Another item checked off the list. Now I'm cleaning my room, finishing some books I have to read, and getting ready to pack! Oh yeah, and writing a talk for Sunday.

It's Official! I've Got My License!


It's done, and here's the proof! I passed my road test on Wednesday, 4 November. Mom took this picture of me in front of the car at BYU on Friday, 6 November.

Friday, November 6, 2009

A-1 Driving School


The beginning of August Mom decided there was enough time for me to get my driver's license before leaving on my mission. By mid-September I had nearly 40 hours of driving time completed. The beginning of October Mom got me signed up with A-1 Driving School so I could complete the hours of observation and driving required by the State of Utah. Each session lasted 2 hours and in four weeks I was able to complete my training on 26 October 2009.

Observations: 10/8, 14, and 20
Drives: 10/13, 19, and 26

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Dinner at Red Robin














Lisa joined the family for dinner at Red Robin after my temple endowment session. (10/17/2009)

Temple Day











I decided I wanted to be endowed in the Provo Temple. Mom called to make the arrangements and we were set to arrive at 11 a.m. for the 12:40 p.m. session. Sister Marilyn Bateman is the temple matron and she spoke to Mom and me and a bride-to-be and her mother.

Grandma and Grandpa came, as well as Uncle Elvin and Aunt Liz. Of course Mom, Dad, and Nathan were there too. I loved the temple! (10/17/2009)

My 21st Birthday











I'm officially old enough to go on a mission! Myriah and Neeka came over to celebrate my birthday with my family and grandparents. I got lots of writing materials from Myriah and Neeka (I think they want me to write) and a camera from Mom and Dad (I think they want me to take pictures) and money from my grandparents to help with my mission expenses. (9/28/2009)

My Mission Call Arrived


After a long wait, my call finally arrived! Mom, Dad, Nathan, Lisa, Grandma Vina, and Grandpa Verl were all there for the big opening.



And the verdict is: Tennessee Nashville Mission! MTC entrance date is 18 November 2009! (8/19/2009)

Missionary Application Photos


The missionary application process began with a brief photo shoot in the front yard. We got a good chuckle from the picture with the tree horns coming out of my head! (6/29/2009)