A Few Last Words

Family and Friends,

I am unsure of how to even start this email. I have so many emotions and thoughts that I can't put any of them into words! Who would've thought that would be hard for someone who has been talking to everyone for almost 18 months!

The last week of being a  missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints couldn't have been better. We worked hard and saw many miracles. Sister Wright and I felt what it was like to solely be instruments in the Lord's hands, answering prayers, showing people they are not forgotten, and helping others feel love. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

I would never trade these last 17 1/2 months for anything. It has been trying, hard, frustrating, saddening, and brutal, but it has also been exciting, fun, fulfilling, and full of joy. The joy I have felt surpasses all the other feelings and experiences. Living the gospel of Jesus Christ and helping others come to know, and live it as well brings immense joy. To be able to watch someone make positive changes in their life, or to learn of Heavenly Father's love for them, are experiences that will never be forgotten.

As I look back on the things I've done and the people I've been able to help, the person who has benefited the most is me. As I've been trying to focus on others, my heart has changed. I have become a different person as I have followed the example of my Savior. It is through Him and His Atonement that I am changed. I will never be able to express my gratitude and love for the blessing this is. 

God is real. He is our Father in Heaven and He loves us. He wants the best for us, so much that He sent His son, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. He is the Prince of Peace. It is through Him and His Atonement that we can have peace and hope in this life. It is because of Him that it is possible for us to return home to our Heavenly Father. 

 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ truly is the recipe for success and happiness. It is real and the promised blessings that come as we live it are real.  

 

The Gospel needed to be restored after Jesus Christ and His Apostles were no longer on the earth. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Jesus Christ's church, here again upon the earth. The Book of Mormon is the evidence of this, and the evidence that God truly does love us. He speaks to us today through a prophet, just as He did in biblical time. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

I could go on and on, but I won't. 😉 Just know that this is all true. I know it is by the experiences I've had and by the testifying power of the Holy Ghost. 

I love you all. Thank you for the support and love you've shown me. I will see you soon💓

xoxo, Sister G 

[Sister Groneman is a twin!]

There is a concert every other week and people park in the church parking lot right next to the concert. We used it to booth. We gave away over 300 pass along cards, a BoM, and a pamphlet.

Service and Good Thoughts

Hey Hey Hey!!

 

Ok, so this last week gave us a challenge with the heat, but we're pushing through. We've got 4 fans running in our apartment 24/7 and the lowest it gets in there is maybe 70-75 degrees...at night. We are feeling really blessed though because we only have to push through it for two weeks here. And we know that other places are wayyyyy hotter. (Like Texas.... you've got it Sister H**!!)

 

Besides the heat it's been a normal missionary week for Sister W** and me. We are still on the hunt for the elect souls and we know we will find them and they will find us. This game of seek and find doesn't last forever!

 

One highlight of my week was the unplanned opportunity we had to serve one of our members and his wife on the 4th. A member of the stake owns a nursery and tree farm here that he opens up and has a huge bbq for the holiday, so of course we went! While we were there, we noticed a couple from our ward so we went and said hi. Now, they aren't just a normal part-member family in the ward, they are unique--they are both blind. They are fully dependent on other people to get them places and to do many things. 

 

After the prayer on the food was said and people got in line to get their food, we noticed them just patiently waiting for someone to help them. We had a special opportunity to offer our help. For the next hour and a half we were able to make them plates of food, eat and talk with them, and fill their plates with seconds and thirds. It took most of our time there and at one point the adversary made us feel like we weren't doing what we should (go and talk with everyone), but we know we were representing our Savior and are so grateful we had the opportunity to serve this couple. I love them and am so impressed with their outlook on life. They are positive and have a love for life. That night I saw and experienced what it was like to truly help someone who physically could not do it themself. 

 

One other quote that I will share quickly. It was from Relief Society yesterday and I loved it--

 

"You will never change your life until you change something you do daily"

 

Just ponder that for a moment. It is not enough to change something you do periodically. To really make a change, something you do daily needs to change, whether that is stopping/starting something or adjusting something to do it differently. I can testify that it is the little daily things we change that help us become who we are meant to become and how we will be able to do great things in Heavenly Father's eyes. 

 

Oh, I have one more thought that also comes from Relief Society. The sister giving the discussion talked about how she is trying to meditate more and be more focused. The app she is listening to is literally just one line. She says you sit in a chair with your back straight and eyes closed and listen to this man saying "sit and know that you are sitting." That is all he says. At first she thought it was weird, but then she realized how great it was and how we can apply it every day. We need to be focused completely at what we are to be doing in the moment and not be focused on the million other things we think we need to be doing that moment or that day; serve and know you are serving, study and know that you are studying, listen and know that you are listening, etc. 

 

So invitation time:

Pick a day this week to try this principle out: "sit and know that you are sitting"

Pray in the morning and ask for help to focus on what you are doing and to be fully present in that moment. Then go throughout your day trying to give 100 percent of yourself to each moment. I promise you will see a difference in how you do things, the things you learn and notice, and you will be more in tune with the Spirit.  

 

Have a great week this week and I will see you next Wednesday!

 

xoxo, 

Sister G 

 

 

You know you're short when...

The E** family and J**, another member in our ward who loves to be with us

We got ice cream with one of my favorites, Sister M**!  I have learned so much from her and am inspired by her!

OK we just got the mail. Thank you sooo much! It made my day! Everything is so cute and thought out! Love you both!!  

Another Week Bites The Dust

Hey!!

 

Another week down and more to go! I am so grateful to know that this work doesn't stop even after I get home. What a blessing it is to serve the Lord. 

 

This past week Sister W**t and I have been trying to be creative and think of new ways to find [people] through our own efforts. It is something that we don't think about often as we are always trying to work with members, but because of different events that have occurred, this is what President Nakken has asked us to do in this area. 

 

Finding mostly by our own efforts has been a challenge for us, but as we have tried to do what we can, we have seen Heavenly Father helping us so much and letting us know we are never alone. We have been able to meet people who are interested in learning and who are searching for something (we know that "something" is the gospel!). Day after day we have thanked Him for His help because we would not be able to do it without Him!

 

This week we have truly relied on our Savior and His Atonement as well. We have felt the strength that comes through Him as we have asked for His help. I feel that I have come to understand Him and His Atonement a little better. Life isn't meant to be easy, even though sometimes we think it should be. We should never expect it to be easy when it was never easy for Him. How grateful I am for my Savior. Because of Him, and with Him, all things are possible.

 

A couple great things!

 - The last 2 weeks we have had people who may be interested in learning come to church after we invited them! They just randomly walk in and they have been miracles! We are hopefully going to start teaching them!

- a LA [less active] that we have been working with came to church for the first time in a long time. He has tried a few times before, but he was finally able to overcome the anxiety he feels as he tries to leave [home]. We are so proud of him and the progress he has made. He even said the closing prayer at the lesson last week! 

 

Ooh ok let me share something from my studies! I was reading 3Nephi 3. This is the chapter where Lachoneus, the Nephite leader, receives a letter from the Gadianton leader, Giddianhi. Giddianhi tells Lachoneus to join them or they will kill him and his people. What I want to share is what Lachoneus does after he writes back saying he won't join them. I found 7 things that he did when he knew the enemy was going to attack and we can apply them in our lives-

 

1. Pray to Heavenly Father for help

(Vs 12)

2. Prepare yourself and help others to do the same 

(vs 13-14)

3. Repent and make sure you are aligned with God

 (vs 15, 25)

4. Follow your leader; Follow the prophet (vs 16, 19)

5. Don't put yourself in enemy territory; don't go looking for trouble 

(vs 21)

6.  Surround yourself with support. Gather together with allies 

(vs 22, 25)

7. Have love 

(vs 26) 

 

Every day we know that the enemy can attack and it is so important to be ready when he does. I love Lachoneus'  example and as we apply these steps in our lives, we will have the strength to overcome the enemy and keep on the right path. Man, don't you just love what we can learn from The Book of Mormon!!

 

Well I hope everyone has a great week this week and a great holiday!! I am so grateful to live in this country and to have the freedoms that we have. Happy early Independence Day!

 

xoxo, Sister G 

 

 

Ice cream with the sisters!

We helped someone move! It was so fun!

What happens when we buy groceries...