The work of mid singles

Hi Family,

Well this Sunday was a sad one. We each got little "yearbooks" of pictures of members of the East Bay Ward and had them sign it. We had a very interesting 2 hour fast and testimony meeting. We may or may not have cried to see it all end. They all frantically signed up to feed us one more time this week and gave us way too much food to take home. I have made some fantastic forever friends there. I enjoyed especially going on splits with the sisters.

We saw mini miracles as hearts were softened by these ward members taking time to pray about this change for themselves. This ward has been their home for years, especially those who didn't feel comfortable in family wards. So for them to say "it's in the Lord's hands" is incredible! I know prayer works! There have been very clear instances on my mission where I needed to pray about something to have the Holy Ghost confirm it, and He has. Even if it is something really really hard, and pride could easily get in the way, if we allow ourselves to align with His will, we feel so much more peace.

As for the new ward. Oh my goodness, I can't express how crazy it all is. We literally feel like we are on the edge of a cliff about to dive over into who-knows-what. Everything is being carefully handled until we officially meet next Sunday. We have a big leadership meeting tomorrow night. My companion and I are the only missionaries covering this new ward. And we cover 4 stakes. For now. With hundreds of names in one stake alone. Most less active. Please pray we know how to focus with this assignment. Also please pray we have investigators that the new ward can help fellowship and teach. One of the zone leaders here jokes with me always asking me if I am going to "poach" their YSA ward and get the older ones out of there. Kind of...there is a lot of work to be done. We are really excited! We feel great things are about to happen!

Love,

Sister Martin

Ammon's Joy

Dear Family,

 

This Tuesday we met with the lady that came to church. She kept saying she enjoyed our church meetings, but she didn't want to become a Mormon. Well, she let us teach her the Restoration. She seemed pretty happy to receive a Book of Mormon and when we asked her to be baptized, she said "Hm, I will have to think about it.". We set up to come again the next week same time. Then on Friday we got a phone call from her saying she would not be able to meet next week, and was not interested in becoming a Mormon and I asked her if she had prayed, and she didn't quite understand me and said "I am capable of praying. I will be returning the book to Donna." Donna was her member friend who took her to church and had sat in the lesson. Then she cut off my response and hung up. Sad. But this happens to missionaries, we are used to it, so we were actually more worried about Donna, because this wonderful member had really put herself out there to share the gospel and got the dreaded response of most members. But when we talked to her about it, she was totally fine and even said "oh well, as bishop says, next!" She has not been deterred by this experience, and I think it is an example for all of us! Even if we do get rejected, to just recognize to still be their friend, but still always look to share the gospel with someone else. Our ward got to watch  the rebroadcast from last week, and afterwards Bishop stood up in front of everyone and used Donna as an example, she was called as a ward missionary one week, and brought someone to church the next! And did I mention she is probably 80? She. Is. Awesome.

 

This week I was reading in Alma 26 about Ammon talking to his brothers, rejoicing about how much the Lord had blessed them in their missionary work, converting thousands. He goes so crazy that Aaron his brother "rebuked him, saying 'Ammon, I fear that thy joy doth carry thee away unto boasting." Haha I can just picture this happening. But Ammon's response is "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore, I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold many miracles we have wrought upon this land,  for which we will praise his name forever." I love it. This truly is the Lord's work, and as we choose to get invovled, He allows us to be a part of it. Full time missionary or member missionary, we can see the miracles He performs everyday. This week, I got to go to Peter's baptism (long story how I got to go), and it was one of the best baptisms ever! As soon as he came up out of the water, you could see and feel the difference. He stood in the water for a while, wiped his face and said "woah". Norman gave the talk on the Holy Ghost! I was so pround of my men converts! But as Norman shared about his experience with praying. he said stuff I didn't even know had happened! So truly, I was able to feel such joy as Ammon, but I know it was all the Lord and He did so much that I didn't even know. But because I chose to be involved in missionary work, I now know more of my brothers in the Lord. He allowed me to be a apart of it. This work is real, and it is hastening. May I invite you to pray fervently for opportunities on how to be friends and share the gospel with those around you, so you can enjoy the blessings and happiness that comes from all this.  Also, that Bishop has plans for Norman and Peter to bless the sacrament in the next few weeks!  Happens to work nicely since all the priests are graduating or inactive in that ward. The Lord works in mysterious ways! Priesthood will now bless their homes and families, and the ward.

 

Well one more week of our Singles Ward, then we are switching our work to the Mid-Singles Ward. We already got a referral/investigator in that range, so we are really praying that we will see some amazing things in this new ward! I feel it! Our bishop is excited, told us President Meredith sent him the "cream of the crop", so expectations are high! Pray for us!

 

Happy 4th of July, Happy Birthday Gavin, and I will pray extra hard for my family this particular week.

 

Love you all sooooo much!!

Sister Martin

Week 1 of East Bay

Hello Familia,

Wednesday I picked up my new companera, Sister Mitchell!  She is 20 years old, very tan, from Arizona. I am really blessed to have her for this new area, she is a real go-getter! She is already pre-trained.

We love our new apartment and our new car! We feel spoiled. Although, it has been the craziest trying to learn so many new areas! I keep going up and down the same streets trying to figure out where I am, while my poor companion looks through binders and binders of maps. Basically, I pray to even get where I need to every hour. So far, the Lord has answered every prayer. I have seen so many mini miracles, just dealing with driving alone! He really is watching over me so much.

Ward

Sunday we got to meet most of the ward. Sure enough, it was as expected. Older, single people who are all pretty upset they are getting "kicked out"...it's kind of sad actually. But its not growing at all there and the Lord sees time for change. So we are helping visit these members to get their testimony fired up again and get them excited for the change instead of bitter (in some cases, leaving the church). However, we still had a big miracle. One of the newly called ward missionaries brought their nonmember friend to church! AND we talked with her and got a return appointment set up.  We have someone to teach this week!!!! It will be a drive to get out there, but hopefully everything goes well enough for more lessons, her coming to church, and maybe even Peter's baptism! Another miracle was one lady we visited in the ward, she said she was pretty upset at the ward change, but after we visited she was feeling much better and said she even wanted to bear positive testimony at their last testimony meeting! Yay!  Also, the ward feeds us a lot, we have had a few dinners, but also they give us groceries! That has been such a blessing. We also had some sisters sign up for splits with us this week. Even though this is not going to be a ward in two weeks, we are making sure we go out with a bang! We are still here to serve these people.

Broadcast

Did anyone see the broadcast on Sunday?! I hope you did, it was historic! Basically, several of the apostles addressed not only mission presidents, but any member. It was a re-call for member missionary work. They told stories of how the work is dramatically changing. First, that some ward had little success, missionaries teaching maybe 4 or 5 member present lessons a week. Then they changed their attitudes and every member got involved, and now the missionaries teach over 20 member present lessons a week! There are so many miracles we miss out on when the members don't help the work. So that leads to the second point. They said it is NOT very fruitful when the missionaries do all the finding. They said the days are past when knocking doors really worked. So over the next few months, missions will allow us to use facebook! Crazy huh? I am not sure how exactly, but basically if we have open time during the day, instead of knocking, we go online to facebook and blogs, and friend our investigators and keep in touch that way. We will be doing that in the church buildings, so that the buildings are open to anyone who wants a tour! Cool right?!

Well, I love you all, the gospel is true, no matter where you go!

Love,

Hermana Martin

Transfers

Hello Family,

 

I know Mom and Dad already told some of you, but we got transfer calls this week. I actually knew a little early what was going to happen, but that's another story.

 

I am being transferred, my first one on the mission haha. I'm not going far though, my apartment will be in Concord, BUT my area is really a bunch of areas. I will be helping to open up the new East Bay Mid-Singles Ward, which covers over 4 stakes! So a lot of driving, oh nooooo! California drivers still scare me haha. Also, if anyone wants to send me new music or something for the car, that would be nice! But it will be fun too, I will be training again for the third time now. We are getting a brand new apartment, and Sister Peel (Marianne's aunt) called me and was telling me how new everything was and I have to set up everything even the microwave. I was already told its also only a temporary apartment, next transfer we will be moved to Martinez, which is closer to where the chapel is. I am still reporting to the same stake/zone and even the same district. Now our district will have 3 sets of sisters and 1 set of elders, and only me and the elders (Watanawongworakula and Fleming) are staying, we will have 5 new sisters. There are 30 new missionaries coming in this transfer, at least 32 the next. 5 new areas opened this transfer and 7 the next and 7 the next! It's crazy over here! So it is actually common that Walnut Creek will be getting shotgunned/whitewashed again (Sister Fiefia is going to Union City Tongan program and training!) as many areas are right now. And it's mostly sisters doing the shotgunning. I think they said by the end of summer half the mission will be sisters! Which means like over 100 sisters here I think. It's hard to keep up anymore! But both my daughters, Sister Goff and Sister Fiefia, are training this transfer which already makes me a grandma! :) There is even a sister who has to train after being here only four weeks!

 

So I really have no idea what I am doing as of right now. I won't be in my new area until Wednesday night when I pick up the new companion. I was only told about 50 of these 28-45 year olds are actively going to church, but there are hundreds of names. I will be tracking down these people. And finding I think will be very different than a set area/ family ward. I think it will mostly have to be referrals? I'm a little nervous about that. This ward is currently the singles ward, but most people in it are probably 50 and above. They are getting put into family wards in the next 3 weeks, and the stake president feels this middle aged group needs attention, as that is where most singles go inactive, so they are creating this new ward. Our elders had the singles ward before, so there is somewhat of an areabook, but really I will be working super close with the bishop (whose daughter was actually a good friend of mine at BYU, great family).

 

We also saw a wonderful miracle this week. We were on our way home pumped from a zone meeting we had just gotten out of, and we got talking about how Sister Fiefia needs to still invite someone to be baptized as her training suggests. For some reason, we haven't had that opportunity this transfer. I told her "lets just have faith and ask someone on the street today!" But then we felt prompted to visit Stephanie, a lady I met 2 transfers ago with Sister Goff. She was really interested to learn and find peace from our message but is extremley hard to get a hold of due to her type of job. We knocked and she was actually home and so excited to see us! We knew we were going to be late for our dinner appointment, because we didn't expect to actually get to teach her, but she said lets go outside to the park bench and talk. We proceeded to talk about her life, and she has been feeling so stressed lately she said she had been praying so hard she had fallen asleep right before we knocked on her door! We taught the restoration, gave her a BOM, and Sister Fiefia was able to invite her to be baptized, and she said YES! She even said she notices how happy we are, and she wants that, especially because she wants to start a family, as she is engaged right now. Stephanie is a very special prepared person. She even remembers seeing elders teach her neighbors before. Just everything she shared I could tell how much the Lord is really preparing her to accept this right now.

Also, our bishop met with a part member family I have been dying to teach, but they always cancel on us. He said though, that he got the husband to agree to take the lessons! So even though I won't personally be teaching these people, I am so happy to have left the area in good hands with some good people to teach.

Also, Peter has been changing so much! Zaya says he wants to be with his family more. He is liking church more and more, and has been coming consistently now! He is set for baptism June 29, so since I am still in the same district, I think I can go if I bring an investigator.

So pray I have a mid single investigator by June 29! Pray for me as a shotgun train, in a new area, with no idea what I am doing! Haha. But, my bishop shared with us in Ether 2 about how even though we might be wandering in the wilderness, let the Lord guide us, have faith in Him. I think that will be the main theme of this next transfer! Someone mentioned in the new trainer meeting, "There are only two kinds of days on the mission. Good days and learning days!"

 

Well I really really love you all so much, whenever others ask me about my family and I talk about you, they say how fantastic my family sounds! I know no family is perfect, but I'm so grateful God has blessed me with each of you.

 

Lots of Love,

Sister Martin

Some updates

Hi Family,

So mostly my letter this week is the pictures I sent you. They are a bit overdue, but at least within this last transfer.

Otherwise, this week we really took time to track down some former investigators from the area book. Sure enough, we found someone interested in reconnecting, and then an interested neighbor of someone else. So we had some little miacles this week of finding new investigators. I have put off going through the former investigator files because many were old, and the sisters here in the past never actually taught them that much if really at all; basically some sketchy information. But I knew they needed to be updated, so I just did it anyways. Tracking down these people in over 100 degree weather has been interesting. Especially for poor Sister Fiefia, she was NOT used to the heat, and does NOT like it. I ve a testimony that constantly trying to find in new ways really works. As I have tried old ways it has not worked for this transfer for some reason, but at the time they were new they were awesome.

Anyways, new missionary training meeting for Sister Fiefia was fun. I got to sit by Sister Olsen, my MTC companion. And during our role play/practice, one of the new elders was teaching me, and he was sweating he was so nervous! It is always fun to see old faces as well as the excitement and testimonies of all these new missionaries! Every training I go to literally gets bigger and bigger and the next one will be the biggest so far. I also don't know if I mentioned, but a Sister Smith from EFY is here! She is called to Brazil, but due to visas, we have a bunch of missionaries temporarily here. Texas EFY reunion happening here with me, Hermana Cash, and Sister Smith! It's been fun seeing them here. We were all counselors together last summer, and I was the only one with my call at the time, and after they both had put papers in.

Well I need to go, love you!

-Sister Martin

Picture 1) Priyali's Baptism with Bishop Oyler, my two daughters Sister Fiefia and Sister Goff, Priyali, me, and Sister Pope (Sis Goff's new comapnion)

Picture 2) At the zoo with my district on my birthday! I am "22"! I also broke my watch squeezing into that turtle...

Picture 3) At the bear exhibit- S.Fiefia, me, S.Oa, S. Anderson, and E. Fleming

Picture 4) After Zone Conference, with S. Oslwald a new missionary and Sis Erdenebataar again!

Picture 5) The truck I got to drive for a few days. Elder Bailey, the senior missionary in charge of vehicles still brags and tells everyone I got to drive it, all the missionaries are jealous! My little piece of Texas.

Picture 6) My district in matching yellow. Sister's Anderson, Oa, Fiefia, and me. Then Elder Watanawongworakula (yes, that is seriously his name, its the longest name in the mission) and Elder Fleming.

But there was one among them

Dear Family,

 

Ross and Lacie had their baby girl blessed this Sunday. They are such a cool couple, they have tons of friends, many of whom joined us at church! It was fast and testimony meeting, and we had some interesting testimonies, and my companion asked if I wanted to go up. We agreed we should both go, and we closed the meeting testifying about raising families in today's world of shifting values with the gospel of Jesus Christ (which was perfect, because we have a monthly theme in our ward that the bishopric chooses, and June is 'preaching the gospel in our home' based from talks in conference).

 

That afternoon, we went to their luncheon. As soon as we walked in, one of their friends said how much he loved what we had to say in church. He said something really hit home with him. We talked a little more, and he mentioned how he loves Walnut Creek and is thinking about moving his family here, because he loves the set up that Ross and Lacie have, said it looks like a good place for family. This guy was so awesome! Then before we left, we gave him a card with mormon.org and our number and told him to call us if he had questions and we talked to Ross about getting them in their home to teach more. Then we talked to his wife a little later, and she said "thanks for your testimony today. Something you said about the world changing values I think really struck my husband." We were so happy when we left that luncheon! I came home to do personal study, and happened to read the account of Abinidi in the Book of Mormon, and how even though he died probably thinking he didn't get through to anyone, verse 2 of Mosiah 17 says "But there was one among them whose name was Alma... And he was a young man, and he believed the words which Abinidi had spoken." Then as some of you know, Alma repents, then preaches the gospel and soon over 200 are baptized, later that number doubles. I just get chills reading the line"but there was one among them". And its so true, you never know who is listening, who is prepared, etc. The power of one influence is incredible. I thought about how many nonmembers were in church, and there was at least one among them who liked what they heard and felt. We were meant to share those testimonies!

 

One of our dear sisters we visit is in her 90's and has many health problems. We love visiting her though, and she is always smiling and letting us sing her hymns. It was sad news we received this week that she fell and broke her hip. Her less active daughter called us and said she had asked her mother if she wanted the missionaries, because the doctors said she might not make it out of surgery. She said yes she wanted to see us and others who make her happy. We informed the Relief Society President, and when we got there that afternoon, there was her visiting teacher, her hometeacher, and about 3 other priesthood brethren from the ward, who stopped by to give a blessing before the ward campout this weekend. What an amazing unit of love and support a ward can give! Her less active daughter was impressed as we all gathered around to sing How Great Thou Art, it was a full choir! Then we shared a scripture and said a prayer, and she was smiling and holding our hands the whole time. Turns out she is actually doing great! Came out of the surgery well. She is such a fighter. I just hope that this also gives us an opportunity to talk to her daughter as well.

 

Well, keep Walnut Creek and the sister missionaries here in your prayers, that we can have new investigators. You are in mine, I love you all!

Love,

Sister Martin

Mixed Week

JUST KIDDING.....got this today! Sorry guys :)

Hi Family,

 

So our P-day was switched this week due to us being allowed to go in the temple. Our temple day was today, Wednesday, so that became our P-day. So I just read some of your emails, and am obviously just now responding.

 

Since Monday was not a P-day, we had to work on Memorial Day. We found lots of service to do, including singing patriotic songs to some elderly at a nursing home. That was fun, and they loved it! They especially clapped their hands to Battle Hymn of the Republic. Thanks to all those I know who have served/are serving in the armed forces! You are amazing.

 

Our little Toyota Corolla we get to drive is one of the oldest in the mission. We had to get the battery replaced AND the stereo/radio system fixed, because in a few months they will sell it.Why would I tell you this? Because that means that the only spare car hanging around the mission home for us to use in the mean time, was actually a truck! The senior couple in charge of cars told President Meredith that I was from Texas and drove a truck in high school and he said that was ok, so my companion and I were so excited! We have LOVED driving that around this week. Reminded me of Texas. All of our district, especially the elders, were pretty jealous.

 

We received some referrals from a man in another ward who is dying of cancer. He called us and said he wanted everyone he knew and loved to know about the church. Amazing what being close to the veil makes you think about...

 

I absolutely loved the temple today. I haven't been since November, and it felt like home! It went by waaaay too fast and I felt like I couldn't drink it all in fast enough. I literally will have so, so many stresses before I go in, but when I am inside, I physically can not feel stressed about those things. Even though I think about them, my mind is extremely calm. Whoever reads this, do me a favor, and go to the temple this week! Also, a lady stopped me and the other sisters in the celestial room and hugged us and told us to tell our moms. Her 19 yr old daughter is on a mission and she said she hoped a mom was hugging her daughter.

 

Peter has a new baptismal date for June 15! He read the scriptures about Sabbath Day holy and asked if he needed to take off work. For a guy who works a million hours for his family, this was amazing he even asked! His faith is really growing. They were sure to come on time to sacrament too this week, which was a first in a while. Zaya is so excited she keeps asking again and again when they can go to the temple together to be sealed.

 

This Friday I get to go on exchanges...with Sister Hewett! Surprise reunion in Walnut Creek now that she is a sister trainer. We are both excited :)

 

Well my prayers will definitely go out to people in my home stake this week. I know how much the gospel blesses families, because it has blessed mine in so many ways. When trials came/will come upon us, we can rely on the Lord. When you feel there is nothing and no one else, He is there. When you feel life is out of your control, and there is nothing else you can do-- except pray. He literally is there to hold us and grieve with us- I have felt it. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and the link to me being with my family forever. It was in those particular moments of losing family/friends that it has become very real for me, and not only a testimony builder, but a conversion builder.

There is a story we were told in a talk by Elder Holland, that many years ago two missionaries tracted into a young mother's house in some European country (sorry I don't remember the details). She was very upset they were at the door, and said she had been offended by many priests who told her her son who had passed away was damned because he died young without baptism. She was about to slam the door, when one elder stuck his foot through the door and asked "ma'am, would you like us to tell you where your son is?" and she stopped. He opened up to Moroni 8. Verse 12 I like in particular "For little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!"  The Book of Mormon answers questions of the soul. This lady's grief and anger was answered with words of Christ. How lucky we are to have His teachings and promises! He also shows us how much He loves children in 3 Nephi 17: 20-23 "...he said unto them:blessed are ye because of your faith. And now, behold my joy is full. And when he has said these words, he wept...and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them. And when he had done this he wept again; and he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones."  The gospel is true, and if we choose to live it, we are blessed with such peace. Perhaps He is holding this dear sweet boy now. Perhaps Ally and he are teaching those very people we are doing work in the temple for. So once again, please go to the temple. It is such an important work. Then when you go, write me about your experience.

 

I sincerely love you all, each one of you.

Love,

Sister Martin