God is Good! 2/23/15

Helloooo! 

Are y'all ready for this? I don't think you are. I've got so much good stuff to tell you it will blow your mind!! Ok. Lets see if I can get it all in ;)

Monday we met with the Mckinley's and taught them the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" with some help from an awesome couple in the ward, the Barry's. We went throught the first principles and ordinances of the gospel and Sister Mckinley was asking alot of questions about baptism....the spirit was so strong and I could tell she was really thinking about. But there was still some hesitation. At the end of the lesson we invited her to keep praying and she said she would!

Tuesday we had plans to see Lizmary but she cancelled...so we got some good ol' tracting done. We also met with one of my favorite Sisters in the ward (shhh) Sister Sears. We read through Mosiah 4 and my favorite verse I think is verse 11:  "And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order." In the chapter it talks about all these good things we need to be doing but then we are reminded that we must not do more than we can...And I was reminded that all Heavenly Father expects is our best. Sometimes we get so caught up in all the things that we aren't doing, all the things that we can be better at...I know I do. But what about all the stuff we are doing? Do you think Heavenly Father see all we're doing? I know He does and he loves us for it. Even when we may not feel what we do even matters. As long as we try our best, THAT is what matters.

Wednesday, we were able to meet with Liz! It had been almost a week...and I was so stressed about getting her ready for her baptism. Well...she informed us that she has decided to not be baptized yet...and I was devastated. I felt she was ready..but she told us she didn't feel like it was for her. She told us she was doing it for her family...and we assured her that it was a good decision because baptism is a big thing. And one should not go into it half-heartedly! I love her so much though... and know that things will work out when the time is right. But! We met with a potential, Megan, who is so sweet. She is a single working mom with 5 kids! We had planned to just share a quick scripture because we didn't have much time to meet with her...but I was prompted we should share the "Plan of Salvation" and so we did and the spirit was so strong! She was recently told that she might get her kids taken away from her because of reasons unknown to me. But we were able to testify to her that the gospel is one that will help her to be a better mother and teach her kids the things that they need to know to be the people she would want them to be...and we are seeing her on Wednesday! Miracle :) That night though we went home and I was still a little sad about Liz...I was so excited to see my first baptism...I was being selfish. But I prayed to Heavenly Father and asked him to help me...and to help me know something I could to be better the next day...and He told me patience....How was I supposed to have patience? 

Thursday I decided I would study patience...and I was led to Alma 26 :27 27 "Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success." And I thought, "Well gee, that will never happen." But the spirit testified to me that it was true...and so I plead for patience. Well that night, we met with the Mckinley's again. Sister Mckinley informed us that she had read in the Book of Mormon!! So we had planned to read a bit more with her. But then she stopped us and said ok, I have a couple questions...and she said it was about baptism but I could tell she was having trouble trying to phrase her question so I said, "How? Where? when? why?, and she said, "Yes, How long does it take for someone to be baptized?" And she went on to explain that she had been thinking about baptism ever since Monday and she... felt it was right! My heart wanted to just burst with joy! She said that as she was reading the Book of Mormon she said out loud, "I want to know if this is true." And as she started reading she had the urge to mark certain verses, and then she realized...that there was something different about the book due to the fact that she wanted to mark in it because she rarely does that. And she felt that was her answer. So, God is good, like I said. He knows each of His children. He knows me...and He knows Sister Mckinley. :)

Fast forward Sunday! After 2 weeks of not taking the sacrament my spirit was yearning for it! It was such an awesome day. We were able to see fruits of our labors in many different forms with a little help from Heavenly Father. I was privileged to sing in Sacrament meeting, (Thanks Mom, Sarah, and Leisel for scrounging every LDS music sight to get the music to me ;)) But the cool thing about it was that Sister Smith, a member who wasn't able to get to church much since I have been in Waterville due to work, was able to accompany me on the violin...she said she hadn't played since her sophomore year of high school..and she did great!!! We also had some other members who haven't been  able to get to church in awhile come to church...and it was awesome! I also got to play the piano at a memorial service. Boom! As I went home last night, I was exhausted but so happy. 

Well, My time is up but I think I got everything in. If you're still reading, you're awesome!!! Well Iove you all and hope you have a great week!!! :)

Love, Sister Innes

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Eternity! 2/16/15

Hello! 

To Whoever is reading this: you're awesome. Really, you are. I am so blessed to have amazing friends and family! So thank you for being awesome. 

This week was great! Instead of getting two feet of snow like the weatherman predicted, we got.....one....inch. Yep, they even cancelled church because it was supposed to be a nasty storm...and it was I hear but, it missed us! :) And the sun is shining....I really like the sun. Arizona girl is missing warmth but you know, this too shall pass. WHATEVER DOESN'T KILL ME MAKES ME STRONGER...and FATTER. ;)

Anywayssss....Liz is getting baptized in two weeks!!! We met with her on Tuesday and taught her about Prophets. So we discussed what prophets were and why they were important...and then we asked her why prophets were important to her and she gave us this cool analogy that was so clever...she compared ta TV to a Prophet, the power cord to Jesus Christ and the electric outlet to Heavenly Father. If we didn't have the TV (prophet) we wouldn't be able to  receive everything we need to know from Heavenly Father. She is doing so well!

This transfer I have been working on the Christlike Attribute: Humility and man, Heavenly Father sure has been helping me this week to become humble. So I told you on Monday we got a flat tire...and then Tuesday our car was getting fixed so, you guessed it, we got to walk! Well, while we were walking....Sister Innes dropped the apartment keys alongside our busy street. And we didn't realize it until 6 PM when it was dark and I had to pee really bad...so after being frustrated for a good minute I humbled myself and we said a prayer. We decided to talk to our neighbor Bob..the man is so nice! He loaned us his big flashlight and we went on down the street to trace our footsteps..and lo and behold there were our keys about half a mile down the road! So the next morning I was pondering the last couple days and wondering why all these unfortunate things were happening to me (bruised and swollen thumb, flat tire, lost keys)...And I realized that not only was Heavenly Father humbling me, but He was compelling me to be grateful. Because I sure wasn't doing it on my own! But, how grateful I am for a thumb that I can write with, drive with, and most importantly play the piano with, I am grateful for a warm car, and for a warm apartment...all things I took for granted! 

Wenesday night we had the opportunity of teaching the Young Women about missionary work...and my favorite thing we shared with them were the benefits of serving a mission. I was able to see all the things I have learned and gained on my mission...all things that I will use for the rest of my life. I shared a scripture: Words of Mormon 1: 7-8 "And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will. And my prayer to God is concerning my brethren, that they may once again come to the knowledge of God, yea, the redemption of Christ; that they may once again be a delightsome people."  I came here on a mission because the spirit moved me to...I don't know really exactly why Heavenly Father needed me here in New England...but. I know that I am where He would have me and because of that I am becoming the person He wants me to become! 

I read somewhere that this life is designed with hardships...and I'm sure we have all had our share of hardships. But the knowledge that all things in our life is for our learning and growing is something that I have really held onto lately..and not just that but the fact that we are here to become like Heavenly Father. We our Children of God! Our potential is eternity people! We are made of eternal matter...we have a potential far beyond our knowledge to reach...and this earth life is only preparing us for that. Our time here on Earth is short...let us make it count!

Okay I will get off my soapbox...but if I could I would tell each of you individually that you are a Child of God.  You are loved eternally...and you are worth it. I love you alll! Have a good week :)

Love,

Sister Innes

Spiritually refined. 2/9/15

Hello people!!! 

What a week it has been...lets just say the snow keeps coming and I almost can't see over the snow banks. :) Enough about that though...life is so great. I feel like I have learned and grown so much in just this week alone not including every other week of my mission. But this week has really been a week of growth for some reason. I really love this scripture:

Helaman 3:35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.

This scripture really means alot to me and I have seen this in my life as a missionary...and I ams o grateful.

This week consisted of a bruised and swollen thumb, and a flat tire (welcome to life with Sister Innes). It's not as bad as it sounds though because the miracled outweighed it all...

Tuesday we read through 1 Nephi 8 with Liz and explained the symbolism of Lehi's tree of life vision...it was such a neat experience to be there as she just soaked it all in...and the spirit taught me more as we went through the chapter of just how perfect God's plan is for us! And how much HE LOVES US. Liz is progressing towards baptism...and she is so ready. It's crazy to see the change in her from the first time I met her. I love her so much.

We also met with Sister Mckinley 3 times this week...and she has read all the way through 1 Nephi! Woop woop! Her husband is so awesome and solid in the gospel and she really admires him and so she is learning what we are about because of his example..she is praying to know if this is for her and loves when we come over. SO AWESOME. I know this is something that will bless both of their lifes.

Well Sunday was an awesome day too...it started snowing yesterday and hasn't stopped yet...but I thought no one would be at church but man was I wrong! We have been working with a couple people in the ward who haven't been to church in a while and 3 of them were there yesterday...nothing makes my heart happier. We taught alot about the sacrament this week and just how sacred of an ordinance it is..never have I known how much of a blessing it is until now. And how crucial it is that we partake of it worthily every week. After we are baptized we have the opportunity to be cleansed again every Sunday...we as humans aren't perfect and Heavenly Father knew that. He gave us the Holy Ghost but He knew the only way we could be worthy of it would be obedience...but sometimes we would mess up so we would need repentance and the only way we can truly be forgiven through repentance is through the sacrament which literally gives us access to the atonement. So as we partake of the sacrament we are washed clean and become worthy once again of the Holy Ghost. And we NEED the Holy Ghost. Phew I could just keep going but I won't. Just go to church k? And make the sacrament the best 15 minutes of your week. :)

This week I also was overwhelmed with my Savior's love for me. I was able to have a personal moment with Him and the Holy Ghost. I was reminded of my worth and knew that he knew my potential..He knows me perfectly and if I put my trust in Him he will help me to become the person he wants me to be....He loves us. He loves us so much...He is so kind and merciful.

Also, I lost my memory card so sorry there haven't been picture lately! Prepare yourselves for an overload next week :) Oh and HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

Love, Sister Innes

I will survive!! With a little help from my Heavenly Father. 2/2/15

Hello! :)

In case you were worried, I survived the blizzard and I didn't die of Ebola! Life is great. It is currently snowing and we are expected to get 12-18 inches today :) I'm just loving it so much...(fake it till you make it right?) No, but I have learned and grown alot this week!

My new companion is Sister Maxwell, shes been out four and a half months and she is awesome! Shes so cute I just want to put her in my pocket..she is from Cedar City, Utah and she is just really cool...our first night together we visited a potential investigator and taught her the restoration and the spirit was so strong. I was so impressed by how easily Sister Maxwell was able to bring the spirit into the room. She says she is a horrible teacher but I'd say otherwise.

Well, I'll just give some awesome highlights of the week!

Monday me and Sister Olsen were deathly ill but after our P-day was over we got up and went and visited the Mckinley's. Did I tell you how much I love them? They both our awesome and I just know that Heavenly Father sent us specificly to them for a reason...Sister Mckinley read EIGHT CHAPTERS in the Book of Mormon! That never happens people. 

Tuesday we stayed inside....all day....and it snowed...and we slept....and it snowed...and we did the area book...and it snowed...and we got alot done! And got alot better....Heavenly Father knew I needed a day to sleep so he sent a blizzard! He is pretty awesome:) Me and Sister Olsen were also able to have a really awesome talk...we talked about all that we had learned so far on our missions and it was really neat to see all that I really have learned and the person I have become...If there is anything I have learned on my mission it is what really matters in life...I find that things I used to think mattered just really don't anymore. My perspective has changed with the testimony I have gained...and I'm so grateful. My confidence has grown as I have come to know my Heavenly Father and his plan for me and ultimately feel of his love. I am so grateful to be a missionary.

Friday it snowed some more...and we tried driving and I got our car stuck. Luckily this really nice large man pushed us out and we drove straight home and parked the car for the day...at 4 PM. We were supposed to be at Liz's at 5 and we weren't driving so we started walking...yep we walked about 2.5 miles in 3 inches of snow...and we talked to 11 people on the way! 

Sunday the Mckinleys both came to church!! Best day ever :)

Well my time is up and I haven'teven covered half of what I wanted to...but I'll just say this. Heavenly Father knows us...He loves us and if rely on Him and Jesus Christ we can do anything...I know it because I tried it this week :)

Well I love you all! 

Love, Sister Innes