Well, I'm happy to report that this week was a good one, filled with miracles! The weather continues to be perfect, sitting around 75 degrees every day, and Sister M** hasn't gotten sick of me yet, which is good! Haha the more time we are together, Sister M** and I realize we have soooo much in common. Like same friends at UVU common. And we were in the dance hall all the time and we never met each other. Crazy!

The work is going well in Santa Maria. Our lesson with the H** family was great! The Spirit was so strong and you could tell we all felt it and we knew it. It was Sister M**'s first time taking the lead in a lesson and she did AMAZING! I'm so proud of her and how hard she works! She also extended the invitation to be baptized...A** said yes! That was her end goal and she was excited to work towards it! So as of right now she will be baptized on September 23!! We are so excited for her and her family. Their light is growing and you can see how much happier they are. They even made the effort to come to church yesterday when A** wasn't feeling well. She knew she needed to come and so she and her family came. They are amazing!

We are also teaching a little boy named C**. It's a long complicated story, but he is 9 and has grown up in the church and needs to be baptized. He is considered a convert though because he is 9. 

We participated in a cool service project on Saturday. It's called Serve Santa Maria. It's set up by a pastor of a church and there are a lot of different church organizations and people in the community that come together and complete a bunch of different service projects. It honestly was so cool. To have so many good people come because they want to help and uplift their brothers and sisters. There were over 20 missionaries who were there, too, so we all split up to different projects. Gotta spread the love! Sister M** and I planted a bunch of plants at a veteran's center. We got to talk to a lot of great people and explain what our black tags were for! 

I was reading an article this past week in studies and I just wanted to share a little bit of it. The article talks about being a consecrated missionary, but there were some points that I think can apply to everyone because we all are trying to become better servants of the Savior. One quote I really liked was "Eventually we must do more than tell the stories of the Book of Mormon; we must live them." POWERFUL!  How often do we talk about the people in the Book of Mormon and share their experiences? Probably a lot! But are we living like them? These people are examples to us and how we should be every day! You may think that they are too far of a reach and that you could never reach their level. I DISAGREE! We all have the potential to become like them because we have the potential to become like Jesus Christ. The important thing to remember is that the Lord never expects immediate PERFECTION, but He expects immediate PROGRESSION. Just a little step each day in the right direction will get you farther than you think. 

I hope you all have a great week, and for those who started school, good luck!!

xoxo, Sister G

We celebrated Sister M**'s one-month with some frozen yogurt!

 

Santa Maria!

Hey!!

Transfers went well and Sister M** and I are safely in Santa Maria! I became companions with Sister M** on Tuesday after a lunch and training meetings. She is from ***, Colorado. We are both the fourth of five kids, we both dance, and we both did a semester at *** before coming out, so we have a lot in common! Something way cool about Sister M** is she is a licensed cosmetologist! 

The new ward is great! We've been working with our WML a lot so we know a little about the area. We are kinda starting brand new in the area because the previous missionaries didn't make any whitewash sheets... So we are starting with nothing haha! I'm glad I know how to start with nothing otherwise Sister M** and I would be running around with our heads chopped off!

Cool Miracle though! So we are with our WML when he gets a call from one of the ward missionaries saying he just set up an appt for us tomorrow to meet with this PM family-The H** Family. We show up to the appointment expecting to just get to know them and share a little message. It turns out that the wife A**, who is not a member, really wants to learn and change. She and X**, the husband, want to come and get back into the church. So we asked her if she wanted to take the lessons and she was all in! She was so excited! She is reading the Bible and The Book of Mormon already trying to learn. We have a lesson with them on Wednesday so that's exciting! They came to church as well. It's not the first time she has gone, but she said it's the best time she's gone. We are so excited for them!!

Other than that, nothing too exciting has happened. We're just trying to get the Area Book updated and follow up with many who haven't been followed up with. I'm excited though. The ward is great and there is a lot of work to do here. Sister M** and I are up for the challenge!!

Sister M** is doing so well! You wouldn't even guess she is a new missionary. It's been the coolest thing to watch her grow and learn. My favorite part is watching how excited she gets when there is success. I guess I've gotten used to seeing all the miracles that happen every day, so to see her get so excited makes me so happy. I love it!

I hope everyone is doing well and that this next week is full of miracles!

xoxo, Sister G

 

 

Last Week in Moorpark

August 14, 2017
Hey!!

This last week was good! Things have settled down in Moorpark which made it a chill week.

We had a couple lessons with R**. He is doing well! He is somewhere in Mosiah right now in the Book of Mormon which is great! He is slowly changing each day. I can't wait for the day when he feels and can understand the answers he has been getting about everything, because right now he is so focused on reading the whole Book of Mormon. He can see his faith growing though and he has told us that which is great! There is power in the Book of Mormon. It was sad to say goodbye to him, but I know he is in good hands.

D** is changing as well! She has started to listen to the Book of Mormon on the gospel library app in between appointments!! And she told us that somehow she has always known that Christ visited the people in America. It will be in her own time, but I am confident that D** will continue to come closer to the Savior and eventually (and hopefully!) have the desire to be baptized.

One cool thing this week is that we were able to work with the YSA Sisters a few times this past week. We had time to fill and needed to be productive so we went out with them. Friday night, we were able to go boothing in the mall with them! You just talk to people in the mall. Sis A and I felt like we walked into the world which was overwhelming at first, but it ended up to be pretty fun! YSA still scares me though haha!

It was really hard to know that this was the last week here. And Sunday yesterday in church, Bishop H** made us cry! Let's be honest though, we've been crying a lot because we love everyone here so much. They are truly my family and I will never forget them. But I knew that things like this were going to happen when I signed up! It doesn't make it any happier though.

So I guess the part you've all been waiting for- where I am going.

So I think I first have to tell you that I won't know who my companion is until tomorrow. I am training! And we are whitewashing in to Santa Maria! Yep, back up north. It will be another adventure!! I have mixed emotions about the whole thing as well. I am really nervous. And hesitant because I will be the companion who knows more and I will need to show the way which I feel like I've had the comfort of leaning on my companions when I didn't know what to do. On the other side, I am calm and at peace because I know the call came from the Lord. He trusts me and has placed His confidence in me. And He will help me every step of the way. "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded." I feel like so many in the Book of Mormon who are called and they have the faith to do it, but they are still nervous. I know whoever my sweet sister is will be an amazing missionary and I am excited to welcome her into the Great California Ventura Mission.

Love you all! Sorry I had so many pictures to send home, but I forgot my camera....I know, I'm sorry. You'll get them next week:)

xoxo,

Sister G

Thousand Oaks Zone Conference

 

 

Zone Conference luncheon

 

 

6 months already?

April 7, 2017
Hey!

I can't believe that tomorrow I have been out for 6 months. The Lord's time is so different compared to the world's time!

This week was good. Sister A and I have seen miracles and have been able to still be productive in our area.  We've been able to set a lot of appointments working with our members and some less actives. They've given us referrals as well so we've still been able to go knock some doors haha.

One cool miracle though! We were out with our RS president again and we were not seeing any success. At all. At one point we ended up on this steep dirt hill trying to find an inactive member. We tried to go visit a lady named M**, who was sooo nice to Sister A and me on the phone about a month back. Well, the door we knocked on was the wrong apartment....So Sister E** called and left a message. We decided to head to the apartments across the street to try a couple less actives there and still, no success. Right as we were about to call it a day the phone rang. It was M**! She was just about home and wanted us to come by! We were able to stop by and meet her. We talked for quite awhile. She shared her story of being baptized at 14 and going in and out of activity, but she always ends back at this church one way or another. She really wants to have a solid testimony in this so she invited us back! When we met with her, she shared some questions that she had and we were able to answer them. She said that even though sometimes her brain starts to overthink about some things, she always goes back and remembers how she's always felt here and how she feels like there is a fullness here. Really the one thing holding her back is the Book of Mormon. She hasn't read the full book and she really wants to. She knows that if she can read it and decide and know that it's true then she will be fine! ... Sister A** and I are really just there to help her read the Book of Mormon. She remembers pretty much everything else, although we will review it all. Her husband is not a member, but is very supportive, and hopefully will gain interest as M** is meeting with missionaries.  It was so cool!

R** and D** are still doing well! We had a great lesson with R** this past week. At the end he asked our members that were there how long he would have to wait to get an answer. It was one of the only times I've seen him really really wanting to have an answer. I can't wait for him to get it! We were able to get D** to stay for Gospel Essentials yesterday which was great. The lesson was on baptism and it was exactly what she and R** needed to hear. Brother H** gave a really inspired lesson!

This week we have lessons with R** and D** again, and hopefully M**. It should be a great week. Transfer calls are this Saturday...I'll let you know what happens!

xoxo,

Sister G

 

 

 

 

Oh. We were able to catch a baby lizard. Her name is Shequoquo:)

 

 

 

Umm...what?

Hey!!

I hope everyone has had a good week! Our week here in Moorpark has been quite eventful for sure. Before I explain, Moorpark is probably one of the safest areas you can go to in this mission, I would say. So I am totally safe (Mom and Dad, I promise I am safe). This week has totally been a testimony builder of just how much Heavenly Father protects and takes care of us.

Long story short Sister A** and I are living with a couple in our ward until the end of the transfer when we get whitewashed out.  We had to leave the apartment because it wasn't safe for us to be there. We received very crude and vulgar texts, followed by the person showing up at our door...and trying to open it.  This person knows where we go to church and things like that so we always have to be with someone at church now. We aren't allowed to proselyte and walk around our area, to keep us safe. And we are totally moved out of the apartment. We almost were ETed [emergency transferred] out, but there are only 2 weeks left in the transfer so President is keeping us here until then. 

Even though all the crazy is happening right now, we've still been able to be productive. We taught D** and R** this week and both lessons went well. They both came to church yesterday, too! R** really liked it he said, which we were happy about. We know D** and R** will be baptized in the future and we are so grateful to be teaching them!

I think the biggest thing this week, though, is just how much help Sister A** and I have received. Being a missionary, all you do is serve, but right now everyone has been serving us.  I can't even count the number of missionaries and ward members who have helped us. And you can't forget the Lord. He truly has been taking care of us. There were so many who wanted to confront and take on this person haha. Our ward mission leader and his family have truly been our family. The couple we are staying with are so sweet in taking us in and providing everything for us, all the ward members are watching out for us, it's been so humbling. It's been hard for us to be humble enough to let others help us, but we are so grateful. We feel totally safe with so many taking care of us. 

Isn't serving what it's all about though? That's why we're here--to become like our Heavenly Father and the Savior. All the Savior did was serve. We are here to help our brothers and sisters, to lift and support each other, to protect and comfort, to listen, to love.  

Yes, Sister A and I are so sad to be leaving in 2 weeks. Everyone has become family here. We know that it will all work out the way it is supposed to. We trust in the Lord and His plan. 

If you got anything out of this email, I hope that it's service. "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."

Mom and Dad again, I promise I am safe:)

xoxo,

Sister Groneman

 

 

Hi from Cali!

Happy Pioneer Day!! [Mormon Pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847.]

I hope everyone does something fun today! My ward actually celebrated Pioneer Day on Saturday with a ward activity. There was dinner and then a bunch of pioneer games and crafts to do. Sister A** and I were in charge of teaching and helping the kids make yarn dolls. I can make a pretty good yarn doll! Hahaha. It was so fun though! AND R** came! This was perfect for him to meet more members and start to feel comfortable around them. We found out that one of the first ever lessons he had with the missionaries, the member that was brought reacted badly to a question/concern that R** brought up and she was kind of offended. Right now, R** says he isn't comfortable with members there because he doesn't want to offend anyone with his questions, so we were so happy when he came to the activity! The ward was great with him as well! Later that night we were on the phone with him and he said he really enjoyed the activity and was very grateful we had invited him. He said he could feel that everyone was full of the love of Christ and he really did have a great time. 

On the subject of R**. We had great lessons with him this past week. We are so excited about him. We are watching his faith grow each time. In one lesson this week he shared with us how he was able to answer a question that he had while he was reading. He was so excited because it was one that he went back to the chapter in Isaiah that it was referencing and was able to understand. The Book of Mormon and the Bible TOGETHER can help understanding!

We had exchanges on Wednesday, which were fun! I was with Sister P**! We had so much fun. It was a totally different day for me. I can see and understand how some missionaries have no problem talking with everybody. My exchange goal was to have more faith and trust, and I worked on that by being impulsive. I have no idea where this comes from, but we say it a lot in the mission- Every thought is inspiration until proven otherwise. So that's what I did. If you saw me that day you would wonder who I was! I've had moments throughout the day where I wasn't second guessing or hesitant, but Wednesday was a whole day of that! It's so hard to explain! I  want to stay like that, though, and get better at it, which is the challenge. I don't want to start over. I know 100% that I had the Lord's help that day and I know that I will continue to have His help as I work on getting better at it. 

It sounds like everyone is doing well and having fun, so that's good! I hope you all continue to do so. Don't forget to take a little bit of time and crack open the scriptures though! I promise it's worth it!!

xoxo,

Sister G

 

So I guess last Monday was National Ice Cream Day. A couple in our ward was so sweet and bought us ice cream! Just because! It was so sweet and we felt so loved! We love our ward!!

Exchanges with Sister P**

Sister and President Nakken

 

New Mission President Letter

                                                                                  
July 17, 2017

Dear Groneman Family,

As a newly called Mission President and wife, we were thrilled to arrive in the California Ventura mission and meet each of the most wonderful missionaries  in the world.  Sister Nakken and I are amazed at the quality of missionaries that serve the Lord so faithfully.  It is truly a blessing to be with them.

We want you to know that we do not take lightly our responsibilities to help each one achieve their goals in every aspect of their lives, as well as the opportunity to return with a feeling that the Lord is pleased with their sacrifice and service. It is our desire that each one builds a rock solid foundation that will prepare them for incredible success in the future.

As a way of introduction, we have included a picture of Sister Nakken, myself and your missionary.  She is a wonderful young woman and we love her all ready.  When we received the call to serve we contemplated how we could express our willingness to be apart of their lives.  We were drawn to the following scripture, as it represents our commitment to your missionary.  We felt that this calling is more than just for the term we serve.

In 2 Nephi 2:30 Lehi expresses his undying commitment to his family and to his stewardship when he says "I have none other object save it be the everlasting welfare of your souls."  We feel this same commitment to those who serve with us.  Thank you for your prayers.  Thank you for your unwavering support of your missionary.  May this time be one of spiritual growth for your family also.

Yours in the "Harvest"                                      

David H. Nakken                                                                                                                      Mission President                                                                                                                          California Ventura Mission