Things to be Grateful for

TUESDAY MARCH 1

HI GUYS!! 

This week has been sooo busy! Monday and Tuesday we had a new missionary training down in Manchester New Hampshire for Sister Drapper. That was a great meeting, we got to spend the night at the mission home, which is always fun, especially because Sister Stokers waffles are so delicious. Wednesday we had zone meeting, which Sister McVey and I are over two different zones, so we had to split up and train by ourselves. That was a little bit scary, but I'm very grateful everyday for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. Im sincerely grateful for the way He comforts and helps me daily. I'm also thankful for the opportunities that help me grow. Our mission President always says "there is no growth in the comfort zone, and no comfort in growth zone." I know that to be so very true, we're given hard or uncomfortable things in life so we can grow! This week we also went on splits, so my two companions went together and I went with a recently returned missionary in our branch that served in Argentina. It was so fun to get to know more about her, she told me a lot about her mission which I really enjoyed, we were able to teach a lesson together and do some tracting.

The chapter we read through this week in our training was 2 Nephi 4. Man oh man, my love just continues to grow for good ole Nephi! In this chapter, Nephis dad, Lehi is about to die. He gives some great counsel to His posterity, and dying words of a parent usually have alot to say, let alone a prophet! There was a little insight I really liked and wanted to share. Nephi had a moment in the middle of this chapter that he was feeling down, and was feeling really bad about his mistakes. Which I guarantee everyone of us have moments like this. He was down in the dumps, it made me feel better for the times that I get down to realize that even Nephi, a prophet had hard times. The great lesson that is taught here is that he was only feeling down for three verses (17-19.) We are going to get sad, we are going to make mistakes and feel bad about them... BUT, like Nephi we can't stay there for long. We have to move on, and press forward.  Verse 19 says "And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted." 

He changes His mind set from wo is me, to God help me. Our attitudes are everything. I know that our thoughts are powerful. Because our thoughts lead to emotions, and emotions lead to our attitude. As we stop and recognize like Nephi where we are at, and what state of mind we are in, we then can change negative thoughts to positive. Even in the midst of his trails and hard time, he changed his thinking and had gratitude. When we start feeling low, I know we can say NEVERTHLESS and think of things to be grateful for, and just like Nephi we will remember in who we have trusted in. He tells himself in verse 28 to Awake, and ask for help from the Lord. He recommitted himself to God and walks again with him. I hope this week you can find the time to study your scriptures, turn to 2 Nephi Chapter 4 and see what you can learn. This chapter has taught me so much. I really love the Book Of Mormon, the principles taught in it truly has changed my life. It will forever be a testimony to me that Jesus is The Christ.

A little funny moment from this week.. So Maine is known for having not only having 4 seasons, but 5! Fall, winter, MUD, spring, and summer! Every year after winter all of the snow melts and its a big muddy mess everywhere. We have to wear a our big boots everyday, or were gonner's. Well it was dark and we were out in New Glouster, a little farm town on the end of our area. We were driving to go check up on a person and we come over this hill and we drive into a HUGE mud pile. We wiggled and turned the car as many ways as we could and we were nothing but STUCK. Three sisters with mud splattered on their dresses pushing and doing everything we could do. All I could do was laugh. It really was quite amusing. I just had no clue what to do.. So we decided to pray.. I'm not even kidding it goes something like this. "in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." our heads all come up and we hear "Hey do you guys need some help?!" There were 4 boys in a shed near by that came walking out, they we're so kind and happy to help. They all had trucks, they hooked our little toyota up to some chains and out we came. It was such a blessing and an answered prayer. I truly believe God helped us get out of the mud after we remembered to ask Him for his help. It made me think of all the times we struggle in life, and forget to ask our Heavenly Father for help. He is anxious to help us with anything, all we have to do is remember to ASK! He is our Father, I know that He cares. If it matters to you, it matters to God. I have become reliant on Him. Overall this week I've been so grateful for my Heavenly Father. I could not do a darn thing without His love and help. Its nice to have someone who will listen to us all day. He can be on speed dial, and never get annoyed. How neat is that? I know He lives and its blessing to be here helping Him in His work. I know that as we reach out to Him, as we talk with Him, and trust in Him and His plan for us that we can find peace knowing things will always work out. I'm grateful for that peace that comes from having hope in the gospel and in its eternal promises that we can all live with Him again someday.

Sorry for the long email. The longer I'm out the more I just want to share with you! I bet you guys miss back at the first of my mission when you would get a nice hello and then a bye! Haha  

I hope you guys have a terrific week. I miss you dearly, and love you beyond words!

Love, Sister Bee

This was at the Temple today down in Mass. It was a beautiful day! Lovely Sister Call gave us a ride down :)

Everyone is tapping their trees up for homemade maple syrup!

The sweet Raynolds kids have my heart! The most wonderful family. Emily Reynolds is seriously an angel here on earth. They had us over for dinner this week, and they had some delicious soup. It was just what I needed getting over a gnarly cold and being out in the cold all day. On Sunday right before dinner at their house, we did some tracting and found a street with the nicest people. We were able to hand out 3 Book of Mormons and some pass along cards. That was super special!

The Restoration

MONDAY FEBRUARY 22

Hi my little family....

Man the Monday's are rolling around quick, I feel like I was just

updating you on last week!

We had an awesome meeting down in Manchester this week. They're pretty

great, I always learn a lot, and feel the spirit so strongly. It's

always fun to see other missionaries too. This week President Stoker

asked us the question of "What did Joseph Smith Learn from the first

vision?"

The more time I think about it, the more and more the spirit teaches

me about it. I had jotted a few down that day and thought I'd share a

few with you:

We know because of the restoration that:

-Heavenly Father hears, and answers our prayers

-We know that God knows us by name

-We know God and Jesus Christ are two separate beings

-We learn the importance of modern day revelation, and that God still

talks to us and  to His prophets in our day

The list goes on and on. Needless to say I'm thankful for the

restoration of the gospel and for all that has been restored. I'm

thankful for the restored power of God, the Priesthood has blessed my

life so much. I'm thankful to know I can live with with you for

forever. I'm thankful to know the doctrine of Christ, Its such a

blessing to have repentance in our life's. It's a blessing to know of

the resurrection and that Christ lives, I'm thankful for all of the

things were blessed with because of the restoration and by having the

constant companionship of the Holy Ghost with us. The Book Of Mormon

has changed my life, and has taught me how to draw near to my Savior,

I am beyond grateful to have its divine guidance in my life because of

the restoration.

I'm thankful for Joseph Smith, he believed in the power or prayer, and

we need to as well. I know that wonders happen because of the

connection we can have with Heaven.

We found a new investigator this week! Yay, she seems pretty golden.

The spirit was so strong in her lesson, and I am looking forward to

continue and teach her! As we patiently waited by the door of

sacrament meeting yesterday, with several people promising to come to

church. Sadly no one showed. I was pretty bummed, I know that with

faith and time one day they will come. I was reminded of a scripture I

had read earlier this week from 2 Nephi 10: 23 "Therefore, cheer up

your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves--to

choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life." I'm

not saying these people are choosing everlasting death, but I was

reminded that I needed to cheer up my heart, and remember that people

have their agency. And on top of that, I look up to see a member from

the Somersworth ward!! They were visiting family near by and decided

to stop on in, it was so fun to see them!

Each week we have an exchange with another set of sisters, I truly

enjoy it. It's fun to get to know new sisters, and to learn from each

other. When they spend the night, some sleep on our couch, and we also

bought a foam pad, so it's like a huge slumber party once a week! This

week on exchange we had a cool hand of The Lord. So for exchanges,

Sister McVey goes with one Sister, and I go with the other, but we

both stay in our area. So on Thursday, Sister McVey and her companion

for the day were at one end of our area, and we were at the other,

just doing work on opposite ends. It was lunch time so my companion

for the day, Sister Clegg and I went back for lunch. We went to the

back door to get in, and the lock was jammed and not letting us in..

It was a total bummer! There was no other thing to do than to walk a

few miles to go meet up with the other set of sisters to grab the key

to the front door.. So we took off walking. On our way to where they

were at we passed a post office that we live by and we look over and

there was a struggling mom, with a HUGE package, holding her baby in

its car seat carrier.. We were able to run over and help her get into

the post office safely. I know this sounds so small and simple, but I

was SO grateful our key didn't work and we had the chance to serve

her. My testimony was strengthened on how if things don't work out the

way you have planned, that it's okay.. Because Gods plan for us is

ALWAYS better than the plans we have for ourselfs. I see that time and

time again out here.

Line of the week... "I'm a 90 year old man... So I can flirt with

you..." Uh.... Probably not! Haha

Oh next Tuesday will be my p-day. We're going to the temple!! So

expect a little update on Tuesday instead of Monday.

Xoxo. LOVE YOU SO MUCH.

-Sister Bee

And then there were three...

MONDAY FEBRUARY 15

(Tay's email wasn't working great last week, so this is including pictures from the past two weeks!)

Hi my dear family and friends!!

Welcome to the month of love!! Yay for February.

My apologies for no email last week.. that was such a crazy day. I was

sad my email wasn't working, but you know what that means, just more

to update you on this week. ;)

We had such BEAUTIFUL weather last week. Lots of snow, and sunshine!

It was just fabulous. This week it sadly went into the negatives, but

still not too bad. We had a lot of service opportunities with the snow

which made for a great week. We had some cool experiences where

Heavenly Fathers hand was in the whole thing, I sure love how God can

lead us to those in need. Friday as we walked out the door we had

remembered an older couple that lived down the road from us, and we

had the idea of going to see if they needed help. As we got to their

driveway we saw that half of it had been done and then there was a

shovel laying down like someone had gotten tired and went inside. I

was so thankful to see the Lord lead us to that house. We both started

shoveling away when a woman opens her window and yells at us (in a

cranky tone) "what do you think you are doing?!" We both JUMP and say

"um... Shoveling your driveway?" Boy, did that surprise her haha.. She

said thank-you and closed the window. About a half hour later when we

we're finished she came out to thank us, and asked why we had done

that. We told her that we were missionaries from the Mormon church,

and that we love to serve, we even got to talk to her a little bit

about what we believe in. As we were leaving she said "you Mormons

really practice what you preach!". It was such a nice compliment, my

heart was touched and I couldn't help but think of what a wonderful

church we're apart of that teaches us to try our best to love and

serve as Christ does. I'm so thankful for all the service members of

the church offer daily to help mold and shape souls.

I just have to say first off how much I love Sister McVey, she has

truly been my best friend since day one. She is a wonderful person. I

feel like we were even best friends for forever. She blesses life's,

and she is blessing mine right now. She is the funniest person I've

ever met too, I can't wait for you guys to meet her. We weren't

worried about transfer calls at all because President Stoker told her

in her interview that we would be staying together until the end of

her mission. Well earlier that week I was showering one morning and

had the thought that Sister McVey and I would be training a new

missionary. I got out of the shower and yelled to sister McVey as she

was studying "Sister McVey, what If we train together as sister

training leaders!?" She laughed, and I laughed as well, knowing that

that was most likely not going to happen. Well lo and behold Saturday

night we get the call from the assistant and he tells us that we are

staying together and that a brand new missionary will be joining us!!

Man oh man, it was like fireworks on the 4th of July going off in our

apartment, we went nuts! This is the first time either of us have ever

heard of anything like this ever happening. We were SOOO excited. We

couldn't even sleep that night. It's just so fun to train a new

missionary, they come out with such a special spirit, and such fire! I

have two transfers left, and a missionary is trained for two transfers

and so I'll finish my mission training. I have really been wanting to

end my mission strong and running, and I know that a new missionary

will help keep me focused, motivated, and ready to work!

So the new Sister.. She's great! Her name is Sister Draper. She's

graduated from Utah State. She's super smart, it's awesome. I feel

like I'm walking around with freaking Google. I'm not even

exaggerating. She's from Delta Utah, youngest of 6 and she can solve

the rubrics cube with her toes. I already love her lots! It was a

little bit of an adjustment at the first of the week having 2

companions, but things have worked together so well. Being in a Trio

rocks my socks... Sister McVey and I take turns driving every other

day, and the days that I'm not driving I get to take a little nap in

the back of the car on our way to appointments! It's the best thing in

the world.

The work is going well. We've been working a lot with the members.

This branch is still just phenomenal! I have felt Heavenly Father near

this week. I'm very thankful for that because I needed Him! I'm

thankful for his love, it's the sweetest thing I have ever felt. This

week I was reminded to love everyone, and that you don't have to be

just like me for me to love. We are all unique, and God has created

each of us so  personally and differently. I'm grateful for His love,

that he gives to us all so freely. I'm glad that I can try to return

that love in such an imperfect way by serving Him and giving Him my

heart.

Well I hope you all know how much I love this church, I know it

blesses lives when we embrace the gospel. I hope you have a crazy good

week!

Dad I bet you're happy about the super bowl!! Mom thanks for making my

traditional chocolate cover strawberries, I told sister McVey all of

our Super Bowl traditions and that one was included!!

Oh also we now have wifi in our apartment, because our downstairs

neighbor gave us her password to her wifi! So.. I can read emails

throughout the week, just can't reply until Monday's, so therefore

feel free to update me on anything or send pictures :)

Mom and Dad, thank you for the ALEX AND ANI BRACELET!! Thank you so so

so so so much!! I love it! They're huge out here in New England, and I

brought me one last Christmas with my Christmas money, and wore it to

death and it was lookin pretty dingey so I was so happy to receive

such a precious gift! Thank you. Tawn the package with all the goodies

were great, thank you for the cupcake stuff. We made cute cupcakes for

the ward members and neighbors!

Sending lots of love to you this week...

This..........................................much. Muah!

PS: I can't believe I almost forgot this... I tried real homemade New

England maple syrup on ice cream this week... Dear me!!! I'm in love,

you all need to try this sometime in your life.

XoXo

-Sister Bee

Some call me the chicken whisper....  We stacked lots of wood on a
farm for service for a family that lives near by! I even got to share
my testimony at the end, so that was neat. This week was full of
service.

Valentines Package

Laurie Griswold... We had a girls day today! It was a good p-day. It
almost felt like I was having a girls day with you mom. She's awesome,
and she's been through a lot and is so strong! She took us up to
Augusta, to TARGET, and to lunch, and to get our hair trimmed by a
member up there. It was so exciting I ran into four members of the
Augusta ward while we were there, it made me so happy to see all of
them!! I know Heavenly Father made that one happen because Augusta is
huge.. If you get sometime you should message Laurie on Facebook and
send some love her way, she bought our lunch and frozen yogurt today
and spoiled my companion and I. It was a terrific p-day, thanks to
Laurie. 

We call our selfs the tripod. They're both 24, #oldies.

Elder Luu and I have served around each other a lot. He's a good ole
missionary, with an awesome conversion story. We served in Somersworth
together, and were both ecstatic to find out that we are serving
around each other in Yarmouth. He saw a bee tie and had to buy it
because of my last name!

We now have a 3rd companion who videos all of the stupid stuff that we do.. haha

The awesome crowleys, members of our branch! Each fast Sunday they
have milkshakes and hot dogs to break their fast, we were invited to
join them this month. It was delicious, and BEAUTIFUL, look at their
view to the ocean!

The district that we meet with every Wednesday! The monsoons (senior
couple) are awesome, they make us lunch every Wednesday! I love this
group so much!!

My best mission buddy is heading back to Sandy Utah, she finishes her
mission on Wednesday! I'm so thankful for Sister Olsen, she has
answered so many of my prayers. She's so amazing in so many ways, and
has so many qualities of the Savior. She can make anyone smile and
laugh, absolutely hilarious. So thankful I had the chance to meet
this sweet girl!!

Temple Worship

SATURDAY JANUARY 30

Hi!

Quick weekly update for you!

So this week we had interviews with dear President Stoker, which was

amazing. I know I say this all the time, but I truly love him and am

so grateful for him. It's difficult at times being across the country

from your parents, but it's such a blessing to have two people,

President and Sister Stoker who love me just as their child. They

care, and bless, and emulate our Savior. It was a joy to talk with

them and to spend two days with them this week.

We had THE best lesson with our investigator this week. The feeling

during a great lesson and after is honestly the greatest feeling in

the world. I love the spirit, and I love seeing people allow this into

their lives! I hope I never forget the feeling and the happiness the

mission has brought. Our lesson was with a young busy mom and I was so

thankful she found the time to meet with us because I know she was

touched by the spirit. She said the most sincere prayer at the end of

the lesson. To hear someone pray for the first time is so touching!

It's the best calling in the world, to teach people the gospel and how

to pray and increase their relationship with Heavenly Father. I have

such faith in this investigator, and know she's going to accept to be

baptized soon!

Today we were able to attend the temple with Lorrie and Ellie

Griswold, both recent converts!. The Gull family--Members of the

branch came down with us and we all went out to lunch before, which

was really fun. Im so grateful that Ellie and Lorrie received the

blessing of being baptized themselves, and now today had the

opportunity to do baptisms for their family members who died without

having that same opportunity. It was a beautiful thing to watch, I

don't believe one of us had a dry eye. We all enjoyed every second of

it, and my testimony grew even deeper on the sacred work that is done

in the temple.

In my interview with President Stoker we talked a lot about the

temple, I feel like my love has grown so much for it over these past

few days. He shared with me some very cool things and I'd like to

share some of them with you! Something I really liked that he said was

that there is a difference between Temple attendance and Temple

worship. When we attend regularly it becomes temple worship, and

temple worship is where the revelation comes. He said that every big

decision he has ever made in his life was made in the temple, and I

hope to take that into my life because Heavenly Father knows best, and

He'll tell us what's best. Today I again had it confirmed to me that

the temple truly is the house of the Lord and there are crowning and

glorious blessings in store for when we go to worship. I'm thankful

each Sunday I can go to church and renew my baptismal and temple

covenants. I know that the temple, when it's our desire, can be open

to each of us, we are never too far from becoming temple worthy, it's

as simple as turning away from our worldly desires, and turning into

the Lord’s arm.

"Jacob 6:5 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words

of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of

heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm

of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not

your hearts."

Well on that note.. I'll share some awkward moments from the week..

*When you're eating Taco Bell and you see a random person that is eyeing

you down, so you sarcastically say "you want a bite?".......That

awkward moment when THEY SAY YES and so you give a random person a

bite of your taco... #imsuchagiver... That was by far the weirdest

thing that's ever happened to me.

*That awkward moment number 2... when you pull over to get gas and you

and your companion had planned to go in and get big Mountain Dew and a

treat, then we look over to the next pump and our mission President

and his wife were getting gas right next to us.. Sister Stoker is

super healthy and would probably not be pleased with our decision to

go and get Mountain Dew.. So we got gas reaaaalllllyyy slow so we

could still go in and get a treat! Haha

Have a good week!! The church is true, I'm happy because I know Jesus

Christ lives, and leads this church today.. Love you all so much!

Xoxo

Sister Bee

Interviews! We got to go back to Farmingdale (Augusta) it was so
exciting to go back!!

We live nearby the beautiful ocean!! Don't mind my face, I'm really
tired a lot, and I feel like it shows strongly sometimes. Lol

Ice cream with the sweet Reynold girls!!

Gave us a traditional Maine dinner... Red hot dogs, and whoopie pies! I
love the Segars! Chuck gives us head hugs where we can't give him hugs
goodbye, lol!

Temple with the Griswolds!! Better than Christmas with the Griswolds :)

Went on a great exchange with two of the sweetest girls I've ever met this week. Sister Lewis and Manjar. Both from Utah! I gained so much love for them spending two days with them. The thing I love about Sister Manjar the most is that she is pure and kind, and it shines from her. The sister in the back, Sister Lewis, I adore her, she is the most profound missionary and loves the work and her Heavenly Father. It was a joy to serve with both of them!