My Heart is Full of Joy

Hey Everyone!

The mission is just so full of adventures, it's never-ending. This last week was an adventure transitioning back into a family ward. It's been good though and I'm excited to see where this transfer takes us!

My companion, Sister P**, is from **. She is really sweet and is such a hard worker. She is continually trying to be the best she can be. Ha, we also didn't take an acceptable picture of us to send in this email so we just used the picture you will see of us. Enjoy!

The reality of how much time I have left really hit me though, when I realized that I was the oldest missionary in our district (meaning I had been out the longest). This is the first time this has happened and I freaked out a little inside. No worries though, I'm still trying to figure out how to do this missionary thing!

It's a little difficult to explain the situation with everyone we are teaching, but we have a lot of people who are willing to learn. This week we are going to figure out their desire levels and where they are in their conversion.  We are hopeful though! We are hoping to start teaching a family this week. Sister P** and her last companion have been working with the mom for a little bit and she has talked about getting her family involved. Because this is something she keeps talking about, we simply asked her when we could teach everyone to make her hope a reality. Everyone's schedules have to match up, but they should this week!

Sister P and I had a great time last night. We decided to park and walk to the people we planned to see and we were able to meet and talk to so many people. We were able to share part of the gospel with all of them. It was cool to see the Lord placing people in our path everywhere we went. It really is His work and He knows who is ready to receive and accept His gospel. We have a few we are following up with this upcoming week, which we are excited for. We hope to start teaching them! 

I had a special opportunity on Saturday to drive back up to **. My friend D** got baptized! (I am so full of joy just typing this out to you!) She was supposed to be baptized last transfer, but it was moved so her family could be there and her boyfriend could baptize her. President was so kind and granted permission for me to go. What made it even better, though, was Sister W and I drove up together! We went on a mini exchange to go. It was so special because we were the two to start teaching her and we were able to be together at her baptism. She also asked me to give a talk, which meant a lot to me. It's actually the first talk I've ever given at a baptism, so that was a neat experience. 

 

She was glowing. You could just tell that she had been prepared and she was ready. I am so happy and excited for her, as she is now on this exciting path back home. Ah, I just love her so much and am so happy!

 

I was able to see other ward members again, too. I** was there which was great! She is wanting to start her mission papers and will be starting them later this year!!! 

My friend S**, in ** was baptized this past weekend as well. I was unable to attend that one, but I am so proud of him as well! 

Well, the work continues on and I know this will be another great transfer. I hope everyone has a great week this week. Don't forget to always look for the little things each day that testify of Heavenly Father's love for you. They are there, I promise.

xoxo,

Sister G 

What a Week!

Hey!

Happy birthday to Jeff and Sophie!! Happy birthday to Uncle Dave as well!!

Miracle news! 

Remember how Sister M** was getting surgery this last Wednesday? Well, we get to the appointment, she and the mission nurse leave me in the waiting room, and I sit there for about 20 minutes. The mission nurse then comes out and waves me into the room. I walk in and receive the news that they decided not to do the surgery! The doctor had thought about it a lot and talked to his associates and decided that letting the hole close by itself was the best option. Because of this decision, Sister M** is still able to work and walk around which is a miracle! We are grateful for the inspired doctor and his associates. 

Because of this miracle we have been out working and it's been great! Sister M** and I have been seeing more miracles each day and meeting so many of our wonderful brothers and sisters.

The biggest news is transfer calls. I can honestly say that this call was the most surprising transfer call I've received. Sister M** will be staying and I am headed to ***. I will be in the *** Ward. When we received the call we were shocked because we were convinced we were both staying. We know that Heavenly Father is in charge and directs His work though. We may not understand the full picture, but we don't need to, to have faith and humbly accept what the Lord asks us to do. This has been a sad weekend knowing that my time here in *** is coming to a close, but I am excited to see what adventures, miracles, and experiences lie ahead in ***. 

This is truly the Lord's work and I am so grateful to be a part of it. I know that Christ lives. He is our Savior and Redeemer. It is through Him that we are able to return home to our Father in Heaven. 

I love you all. Thank you for all the support and love. Have a great week!

xoxo, Sister G 

Zone Conference

Clean Car Award

Another Great Week

Hey! 

This week Sister M** and I had a few big events.

It all started with Tuesday. Sister M** had some surgery! Trying to make the story short, last week she had her leg checked out and we found out she had Melanoma, so this last week she went in and had it removed. They couldn't close it until they knew for sure they had taken it all out, so she's had this huge hole in her leg since Tuesday. She is unable to look at it as well so I have been her nurse! I have pictures, but I know some of you will probably feel sick if you looked at it so I won't include the picture. 

 

We did find out that they removed all the cancer so she will be going back in on Wednesday to have a skin graft. They are taking skin from her clavicle and closing her leg up that way. 

Despite having surgery the previous day, on Wednesday we went to the temple! Our mission has temple transfers twice a year where everyone in the mission is able to go to the temple. Sister M** and I went with the senior missionary couple who took us, and also Sister R** and Sister M**. We had a blast! We went to the Fresno Temple which is a small temple. When I say small I mean REALLY small. When you walk in and turn immediately to the left, you are in the baptistry. You can even see Angel Moroni clearly at the top of the temple! It was a great experience though. I love the temple and the covenants that are made inside. Temples are such a blessing to us on earth and those who have passed on. 

 

Our temple trip was even better because there were so many missionaries there! There were 3 sets of Elders who went to the temple the same time we did. It was powerful to see so many of us. I loved it. 

 

It gets even better though. Guess where we all went to lunch. CAFE RIO. I'm not even kidding! We all were in Heaven! We haven't had Cafe Rio in such a long time, it was so good!

 

On Friday we had Zone Conference. I just love Zone Conferences. I love gathering with so many missionaries and learning with them. We had many great discussions. One thing that I should mention is that we are now authorized to use Facebook. We are all in the process of cleaning our profiles so they represent a servant of Jesus Christ. We will be able to post and teach through Facebook, but I will not be able to communicate with any of you. I still love you all, don't worry! Haha this is a new way of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I am excited to fill the earth with light.

 

Our friend, E** is doing very well! He was able to come to church yesterday and afterwards we had a lesson. I love watching his faith in Jesus Christ grow. Every lesson, he talks about feeling the Holy Ghost and how he feels new. He made a comment that touched my heart. After he said that he can already feel the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, he said he will have the Book of Mormon with him until the day he dies. That's how much it means to him. I was so touched! I hope the Book of Mormon means that much to each of you as well; that it is so special that you will cherish it until the day you leave this earth. I know I will. The Book of Mormon is the Word of God and it really can bring answers to life's questions, bring peace to your soul, and strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. I know it is true and I know that every single person has the opportunity to know for themselves if it is true or not, by reading it and praying to God, asking with real intent if it is true. 

 

Thank you for all your love and support. I am am so lucky to know such wonderful people. I hope you have a great week this week!

 

xoxo, Sister G 

 

Ready to bandage Sister M**

[From a local member: Sisters M** and Groneman studying and planning on this fine day in Santa Maria.]

[From a local member: The Ward Mission Leader (CP) and I (SP) had lunch with the SM YSA Sisters today!
Word of the day: Remember.
Remember who you really are. Remember the blessings God has given you. Remember the commandments. Etc.]

We bought fresh strawberries this morning from a stand! Check that off my bucket list!

Dad--I ate this one for you!

[From a local member: YSA activity at our house last night! It was fun and I (SP) visited with these wonderful missionaries: Elder and Sister M** and Sisters M** and Groneman.]

So Many Miracles

Hi from Sunny California!

This week was probably one of the most miracle-filled weeks I have been a part of. I don't even know if I have time to share them all with you. I will share what I can😃

It all started with having great interactions with people as we have boothed and with a friend randomly walking into the institute. We only went boothing once this week and when we went, we only talked to 3 people, but those 3 conversations were better than talking to 20 people. The last man we talked to is about to get married and he and his fiancée are trying to figure out what they believe. He was sincerely interested in what we believe. As we were packing up, we actually met one of our investigators that we've been trying to contact/meet! He explained why he hasn't been around and expressed that he wants to start coming to church again next week after he helps his dad in Vegas.  

We also met another investigator Tuesday night at Sports Night! We have been trying to get a hold of her as well so we were stoked! We are in the process of finding a time for us and her member friends to meet!

The miracles continued as we had some lessons with a couple recent converts, a less active member, and a new friend who is learning about the church!!

We are impressed daily with our less active member, M**. We are reading the Book of Mormon with him to help him understand what is actually in the book. He decided to actually read it fully after realizing he has been telling all his friends about it, but doesn't know everything that's in it. Haha he is probably one of the best member-missionaries and he's been less active! He has been inviting friends to lessons and we were able to give one of them a Book of Mormon. One of his friends should be coming to M**'s next lesson.

To help M** read every day we invited him to read 3 verses every day. Because we are here to help him accomplish what he has committed to do and come closer to Christ, we call him every day at 7:00am and read 3 verses each with him. He then reads 3 verses himself after the phone call ends. It has been really cool to see the light inside of him grow and his countenance change, just from reading the Book of Mormon. He has noticed a difference as well and it makes him excited. At first he was nervous because he knew by reading the Book of Mormon he would change, but I feel the nervousness decrease a little more each time we talk with him. 

Now about our new friend E**!! So, he was the potential we visited with last week. We had a very Spirit-filled lesson with him on the doorstep and you could tell the Spirit was speaking to him the whole time. After my companion bore a powerful testimony about how God could help him with the struggles he is going through and how this Gospel can help him, he concluded that he needed to start from the beginning and read the Book of Mormon again (back story: He was actually introduced to the church in high school by a friend. He was given a copy of The Book of Mormon and had read all the way to Alma. Shout out to his friend! You never know what difference you can make in someone's life!) Since that lesson Everett has come to church, loved it, and had another lesson.  After hearing some experiences in Elders Quorum, he concluded that what he is feeling has been the Spirit and that he wants to keep learning. He has seen how different this past week has been for him since he started reading and meeting with us and is going to pray to see if this is something God wants for him. We are having another lesson with him today to talk with him about his prayer and a lesson. He is awesome! His faith is growing every day!

Some miracles we've seen are hard to explain over email, but there are many that have to do with finding potentials and people to teach. There were many times this week where we've had a choice to protect Heavenly Father's time and proselyte, or to finish other very important things. We put our faith in Heavenly Father and kept to what we've committed to do and miracles came. One specific example of this was Saturday. We have committed to protect the 6-9 time for proselyting, but we hadn't finished our weekly planning. We talked about staying in because we haven't been able to finish it for the last 2 weeks, but remembered what we had promised the Lord, so we went out to work. The very next day some Elders in our district called us with a referral. One of our other less active's boyfriends wants to start taking the lessons. I know that Heavenly Father does bless us when we are obedient to His commandments and when we keep the promises and commitments we have made. This was truly a miracle, especially since this member hasn't been interested in the church for a long time and it's been hard to get in contact with her. 

There are so many more like this miracle that happened this week and I am so grateful and humbled by my Heavenly Father's hand in His work this week. He is always willing to help us when we put in the effort and more importantly, exercise faith. Each day that passes, my heart is filled with more gratitude, love, and wonder for this opportunity I have to help our brothers and sisters on their journey home. 

I know that this is my calling, but even without a nametag it is still something we are responsible to do; to help those around us as we all try to make our way home to the God who gave us life. This is his work and His glory and it should be our work to help Him. This Gospel brings a peace and joy. It brings hope and direction. It brings love. How grateful I am for this gospel and for my Savior, and your Savior, who, with His Atonement, makes this all possible. 

I hope this week you seek out your Father in Heaven. I know each one of us has our own challenges and struggles and I promise that when you reach out to God and Jesus Christ, you will find that They have been there the whole time, helping you in every way They can, and They will continue to do so. 

Find Them. I promise it will change your life.

xoxo, Sister Groneman 

When you have been so busy that you eat lunch/dinner at 9:20

We are surrounded by strawberry fields!! I AM IN HEAVEN 🍓🍓

What a Weekend

Can we just talk about this weekend for a moment!? WOW. 

This weekend of General Conference is surely one to remember. Sister M** and I were able to watch it with the members we are staying with! 

It all started with the Solemn Assembly (being able to sustain our new prophet and the leaders of the church). The Spirit was present to testify of the callings made. I know without a doubt that President Russell M Nelson is the man called of God to lead the church on earth, in this day. He stands as the mouthpiece for God, holding the power and authority of God to declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. 

I am excited for the new announcements and changes that have been made and know that they are to help us be more prepared to meet our Heavenly Father. I am so excited for the people in various parts of the world who will have a temple closer to them that they can go to. What a blessing!

And shout out to my bother who sang in the choir during the Saturday afternoon session. It was fun to see you on tv! The members we were watching it with were excited to help me look for you and got excited when we saw you! 

I hope you all were able to listen to the amazing messages from the leaders of the church. Conference is a time to seek answers and direction from Heavenly Father and I hope that you were able to receive what Heavenly Father needed you individually to receive. I know I did!

  

Here are some things that stood out to me:

If we don't find time to unplug (from technology) we will miss the Voice who said 'Be still, and know that I am God.'

Knowing who you are is the most powerful knowledge you can possess.

Even if forgiveness doesn't come today, it will come.

Mistakes are a fact of life. We grow from failure to failure.

Failure is a tutor, not a tragedy.

As you follow the prophet, your faith in Jesus Christ will always increase.

Meekness- it is something we BECOME, not just something we do.

Sacrifice brings hope and motivation.

Parenting is like being an on-call physician.

When God directs us to do one thing, He often has many purposes in mind. 

When it comes to revelation, we must tune our hearts to heaven's frequency.

Being familiar with the voice of the Spirit is a matter of spiritual life or death.

Miracles happen when God's children work together.

The Holy Ghost gives us a vision that our natural eyes cannot see.

The first great truth is that Heavenly Father loves us with all His heart, might, mind, and strength.

Small and simple things invite the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

To move upstream to our goal we have to keep paddling.

We must learn to receive personal revelation if we want to withstand the world. 

Ha sorry for the long list, but they were all too good to only choose a few!😀🏼

I love that it was Easter weekend as well. Christ's Resurrection really is the most important day in history. Without Him, we can do nothing. I love my Savior. He is your Savior too and He loves each one of you. He lives!!

Sister M** and I have been working and trying to find those whom Heavenly Father has prepared. We know they are out there. We were able to have some good conversations with some people we are hoping to start teaching. We can see the desire in them that they can't see in themselves yet.

Sister M** was able to booth for the first time this last week! Boothing down here is really different from boothing up in **. There are some restrictions that the college has set, so we are doing the best we can with what we have. We passed out Easter eggs for Easter:)

Oh I can now say I have been on the beach during my mission! Our ward had a beach activity and we got permission to go! It was so fun! 🏖

Ok, this email is really long and you're probably wondering when it will be over so I'll just end it haha! Just know that I also have been able to see and spend time with members from the ** ward which was great as well.

I hope you all have a great week. I hope you find someone you can lift this week as well. We are His hands here on earth to help our brothers and sisters.

xoxo, Sister G 

Service with a member

Boothing