tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69443471786405394792024-02-19T00:31:34.427-07:00Sister Elizabeth MarchantAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05999171909129045345noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-29069422228930170812010-02-08T19:43:00.000-07:002010-02-08T19:44:12.198-07:008 Feb 10Hey!<br /> <br />I will need to keep myself busy busy busy. I was thinking about volunteering at the hospital or something part time while I look for a job, so that way it isn't so depressing because looking for a job is the worst thing in the world!! Also I was thinking about moving to Utah with abs. I dunno... when I get home I am sure that I will know what to do. <br /> <br />This week has been great! Last Sunday one of our investigators that we have been working with on and off came to church! She is reading the BoM and praying everyday! I just love to see people actually take our commitments and do something about it! And then see that it actually does work :-) crazy isn't it?! <br /> <br />Yesterday we helped this family clean up their Hogan probably the most disgusting thing I have ever had to do. There is a layer of dirt and something black all over the floor. There were dirty diapers just chillin' on the floor, clothes everywhere, etc. they had done some laundry and they hadn't hung it up to dry yet, so I picked up this blanket to fold it and it was wet so I said "oops this is still wet" and asked the little girl to hang it up to dry and then she goes "oh, no my sister peed on it" AHHHHH! The mom tried to cover it up and said "no she spills milk a lot"...right! Oh man!!! Afterwards our hands were black! We had to soak in boiling hot water :-\ <br /> <br />My district leader is going home the same day as me and so at district meeting this week we are having a "funeral". His comp is giving a eulogy. My comps won't give one for me :-( but we are having funeral potatoes and watching "Labor of Love" ha-ha it should be fun!<br /> <br />Welp just trying to soak up as much info as I can while I can! Love you all and I will probably email you next week too :-) LOVE YA<br /> <br />Sister Marchant (for only 9 more days :-( sad!!!!)Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-73939851266661981242010-01-25T21:35:00.000-07:002010-01-25T21:37:16.451-07:0025 January 10HEY!!!<br /> <br />our week was pretty slow again but better than last week! <br /> <br />we had zone conference which was really good! we talked about the Holy Ghost and using it in our own conversion as well as helping other's conversion. It was perfect for my last zone conference. i gave my departing testimony. i was really nervous i don't know why. it's one of those things that i always saw other people do but never thought my turn would come. <br /> <br />the mud is really bad here. we got a bunch of snow this week then it turned to rain and so all the roads are just MUDDY! and not just mud but clay. we got stuck because we slid into the ditch but luckily a few weeks ago someone told us that if you jump up and down on the back it helps, so my comps got out and jumped and we got out in about 10 min! we are good. the worst part is, this van drove by and just laughed and kept driving! ugh but it was cool to say that we are self-reliant! <br /> <br />the work is going good! no exciting stories this week. it seems like the work goes up and down. last transfer we were really busy and things have slowed down a lot, so it just leaves a lot of time for finding new people :-) but that's okay<br /> <br />Well our meeting with Richard G. Scott got cancelled :-( i was really disappointed but there is nothing i can do about it! <br /> <br />mom, that's fine if we don't go out to the baby shower. i want to come visit utah though so i can see alex, lauren and the family. maybe after a week or so. <br />your zone conference decorations sound like they were really cute! <br /> <br />you all have been really good at not talking about me coming home :-) thanks i really appreciate it! it's hard to stay focused on the work and think about what i am going to do when i get home ... so i have no idea what to do! take classes, try to get a job...? ugh! mom, if you have time could you look for any job opportunities?Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-80846079177510629702010-01-23T13:30:00.000-07:002010-01-23T13:31:55.891-07:0018 Jan 10HEY!!!!<br /> <br />this week was pretty slow :-( except on Sunday we had stake conference and Elder Romeo Villareal of the 70 came! he held a meeting for all the recent converts (within the past year). we went too of course. it was awesome! and then on Saturday Jan 23 Richard G. Scott is coming to talk to the missionaries, ward mission leaders, and bishops. i can't wait! i have never even been in the same room as an apostle :-) i will let you know how it goes!<br /> <br />That's so fun that you got to play nertz with Lucy and jenny. sis. neilson took us to farmington yesterday. she spoils us, she took us to eat and bought us groceries. Plus she is great company! always a riot :-)<br /> <br />mom i might enjoy going to st. George on the 20th. i need to keep busy or i am going to go crazy! plus it will be fun to see everyone. then Abby and Alex wouldn't have to fly out to Michigan, we could just go visit them in salt lake. just tell everyone not to judge me because i am low maintenance (i don't even blow dry my hair anymore AHHHH) <br /> <br />dad that church is beautiful! Thank you for the pictures, i especially enjoyed the pig's head! haha <br /> <br />we have zone conference tomorrow i am excited! i always love the energy and motivation that it brings :-) <br /> <br />all our snow has melted and it has been raining, so our truk has an layer of mud on it. (not a lot of paved roads around here) luckily it's sunny today :-)<br /> <br />how is everyone's Book of Mormon reading going? i hope it's going good :-) love you all and you are always in my prayers<br />xoxoBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-73956453930973149682010-01-11T18:27:00.000-07:002010-01-11T18:28:43.872-07:0011 Jan 2010HELLO!<br /> <br />Arron and Ryan got baptized on Saturday and it was sooooooo awesome! I will try to send some pictures home soon. the spirit was soooo strong there! one of my favorites for sure :-) <br /> <br />Everyone keeps reminding me that i am coming home and telling me how terrible it is to go home. so i need something to jump into to keep me busy so i don't get depressed. i am really nervous! everyone keeps asking me if i am trunky! ugh! somehow the ward found out...<br /> <br />other than that things are going GREAT! mom, i am glad you like that bracelet. did abby get her package? it had al and lauren's in there too... <br /> <br />dad i LOVED your sissy thing! that was hilarious i just laughed haha! <br /> <br />sorry so short but the library is down so we are at the college and we only get 30 min. we will try to get to another computer so i may email you again! love you xoxo<br /> <br />Sister MarchantBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-86201013854317048902010-01-05T20:28:00.001-07:002010-01-05T20:30:57.710-07:004 Jan 2010NOTE: NEW PICTURES!!!<br /><br /><br />Hello family! <br /><br />we had a really good week! we got a lot of good lessons in and... Ryan and Aaron came to church, so their baptism is on saturday!!!! although, the baptismal font is filled up with sewage :-( so i really really hope they get it fixed by saturday! we have been trying so hard to get them baptized and satan just keeps getting in the way!!! ugh.<br /><br />Also, Marishia (she has had a few baptismal dates but has never come to church) came to church this week! she called us on Sunday morning and asked for a ride! i was soooooo excited :-) it was so good. <br /><br />Sister Lo told me after that she fasted for them this week! isn't it amazing how fasting really works! it speeds up the process. we pray for them every night but fasting is what they really needed. I can't believe i didn't ever think to fast for them! but it helped to realize the power of fasting and prayer and i need to fast more often! <br /><br />so things are going great! we got a new companion, another 3-some! her name is sister abney. <br /><br />i am so excited for aaron and ryan to get baptized! i just hope we could get their siblings. i asked courtney if she was going to get baptized with them and just just looked at me and goes "nooooo"... so we have a lot of work to do but hopefully soon. and gabriel has been MIA for about a week or so. we gave him the book "our search for happiness" maybe he will read it when he comes back.<br /><br />I also heard that Jessica (one of our investigators from Cedar Crest) got baptized last saturday! i was so happy to hear! so lots of exciting things going on i am so excited for this transfer.<br /><br />love you all and hope all is well and everyone is traveling in safety!<br />xoxo<br />Sister MarchantBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-33282946052917605412010-01-03T19:54:00.001-07:002010-01-03T19:55:51.435-07:0028 Dec 09it was good to talk to you all too!!! i really do love the people here and the missionaries i work with. obviously it's hard to work with some people but that's what life is all about. Charity and love! which i have grown in a lot but i still need a lot of work :-) <br /><br />the pictures are so cute! it looks like the family is all doing so well! everyone looks really good. <br /><br />We had a good Christmas, Sister Lotulelei got to talk to her family it made her so happy :-) then we went to our Bishops house for dinner it was fun. they are such a sweet family! Then we made dinner for some of our LA and investigators and so we took that to them. (i am not sure if i told you but one of our LA's Ella, he son just died and he was the one that took care of her, now she lives all alone! i feel so bad for her) so it was a great day, and obviously i got to talk to you :-) <br /><br />we are trying to find those that are ready for the gospel. i once heard someone say that God wouldn't put missionaries into an area that there wasn't anyone ready to hear the gospel... so i am hanging all my hope on that and trying to find those people!<br /><br />well have fun in southern utah...you aren't too far from me! you should go to 4-corners and i can accidentally run into you there! just kidding i get to see you soon enough.<br /><br />well love you all and hope you have a wonderful break and travel safely where ever you go! xoxo<br /><br />Sister MarchantBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-73651033794127044632009-12-22T17:08:00.000-07:002009-12-22T17:09:21.155-07:0021 Dec 0921 Dec 09<br /><br /><br />MERRY CHRISTMAS!! ah I can't wait to talk to you all! 4 more days :-)<br /><br />So Mexico!?! That's awesome. Mom and I will def. come visit! I hear Mexico city is very dangerous... ekkk! <br /><br />I haven't thought much about my plans for when I come home, I just figured I would stay in Michigan and work until I got bored out of my mind or if I couldn't find a job so we will see. <br /><br />Did you get my flight information in the mail?<br /><br />This week has been pretty good. Kind of frustrating still with our investigators not coming to church! ugh. We finally got a hold of Marishia (one of the dates) and she said she just hits her snooze button and can't get up! So we told her that we would stop by on Sunday before church... hopefully she will get there this week. She is so sweet and needs to strength and guidance of the holy ghost so badly! <br /><br />The yazzies haven't been to church in 2 weeks! ugh so Ryan can't get baptized until he comes to church one more time and they will be out of town next week so probably not until mid-January! But I still hope they keep up the excitement, it's hard when there are delays because their enthusiasm dies down but I am sure it will all work out :-)<br /><br />Today we went into Farmington with yong-sun Nelson it was fun. She is such a riot I just love her! and she spoils us too much. We ate at chili's and shopped around. it was fun.<br /><br />Well love you all and have a great week! Talk to you Friday :-) YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />Sister MarchantBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-36032625897154715292009-12-17T19:54:00.001-07:002009-12-17T19:54:28.158-07:0014 Dec 09<br /><br /><br />HELLO!!!!<br /><br />Well, we had a discouraging week. First I was sick on Wednesday :-( I think it was just food poisoning (never eat Chinese food!). It was my first sick day on the mish so I figure I am doing pretty good :-) Then our investigator that was supposed to be getting baptized on Saturday Dec 19 (Aaron and Ryan Yazzie) didn't come to church yesterday so we have to push it back (hopefully just one week) and our other baptism for Dec 27 has been avoiding us. We haven't been able to meet with her ever since we set the date which was about 2 weeks ago. It's so frustrating! BUT, all we can do is keep trying and keep praying!<br /><br />Tomorrow we have zone conference which will be good and uplifting as always :-) <br /><br />For Christmas if you can call me that would be great! Our phone number is 505.368.4112 (don't abuse it ha-ha jk). I am not exactly sure what time yet maybe 10:00 am. I will let you know next week when our plans are finalized. I can't wait to talk to you! I can't believe Christmas is coming up so fast!<br /><br />So will Alex and Lauren not be at gmas for xmas? I need to know where to send packages (preferably one place)<br /><br />So that's pretty much all that's going on here pretty lame week :-( LOVE you all and hope you travel safely where ever you are going! talk to you soon :-) xoxo<br /><br />Sister MarchantBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-23825544557192751572009-12-07T16:44:00.003-07:002009-12-07T18:47:13.890-07:0007 Dec 09Hello family!<br /><br />Soundl like things are changing for everyone. Alex and Lauren moving out, Abby moving to Utah etc. I Hope everthing goes smoothly and everyone travels safely! I love you all<br /><br />Well, Christmas is upon us, and I love it! I just love the holiday season and the 1st Presidency broadcast was so good last night! It made me start to think more about what i can do to help people have a good holiday. I was coming up with elaborate plans and presents I could get our investigators (especially the ones who will probably have a lean Christmas), and I was getting exciting to the point that I couldn't sleep. But the problem was, I don't have money. So i was coming up with ideas of how i could get the money to buy all these things for people. Then this morning i was reading a quote that I had in my scriptures by Pres. Ezra T. Benson "The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature." it made me start thinking about how i can take these people out of the slums (in a smaller scale, by giving them presents etc.) but i have a better gift to offer, the Book of Mormon! a lot of people already have it so i am still working on what exactly i could get them or do for them as a gift but i realized that i don't need to give them elaborate gifts to bring them a great Christmas. I can offer them the humble gifts of the spirit. It seems like i alwasy get caught up in worldly things! haha but i am working on it. <br /><br />things are going well. The 2 Yazzie boys (aaron and ryan) have a baptismal date for dec 19. and another investigator marishia has a date for dec 27. (although we cannot get her to church ugh!) so it looks like that fast we did is working! THANKS! :-)<br /><br />other than that we are trying to keep busy and out of the cold. we were walking a lot to save on miles but now that it's so cold it's really hard to walk. we are still trying to walk when we can! anyways i love you all and hope you have a wonderful Christmas! and remember it's not the presents that count it's the actions! My favorite Christmas memory is when we went to that food bank in Tennessee and gave out bags of food and toys! <br /><br />Sister Marchant!Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-22944020683961460892009-11-29T18:14:00.001-07:002009-11-29T18:14:16.700-07:0022 Nov 09<br /><br />Hello all!<br /><br />Things are going great! Sister Lo and I are staying together for another transfer! Only 1 left after this one so I am guessing that President won't move me for my last transfers (hopefully), so I think I will 'die' in Shiprock. Pretty exciting but you never know! <br /><br />Things are going good. An investigator we were teaching was struggling with getting married (his girlfriend lived with him and they have 2 kids). Well yesterday at church he said that she doesn't live there anymore, and he wants to get baptized... ugh! Not the results we wanted... we wanted them to get married! So I don't know what's going on there<br /><br />The Yazzie's came to church yesterday! Yay!!! It was so exciting I can't wait to get them baptized. The younger 2 boys (Ryan and Aaron) both want to be baptized we just have to teach them! Ha-ha we are probably spending thanksgiving with them (hopefully). <br /><br />So things are going great! This morning I was reading a talk called "Because My Father Read the Book of Mormon"; it was so good! You should read it but my favorite part was" <br /><br />"When you know that the Book of Mormon is true, you know that Joseph Smith was called by God to restore the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth. You know that Joseph Smith saw the Father and the Son. You know that there is only one faith and one valid baptism. You know that a prophet of God lives on the earth today and that he has all the keys of the priesthood and the right to exercise them, as Peter did anciently. You know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the only name whereby you can receive salvation. You know that God the Father lives and that He loves us. You know that His plan of salvation is perfect, and you have the desire to perform ordinances, live the commandments, and endure to the end"<br /><br />I just love the gospel so much!!!!! it's so awesome :-) President Anderson always says that eternal things always get better and better (i.e. the book of Mormon, his marriage etc.) and the temporal things of the world get old and boring! I love that! Anyway, just some thoughts for the day! <br /><br />Love you all and have a wonderful thanksgiving! xoxo<br /><br />Sister MarchantBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-77780968365282896332009-11-16T17:51:00.002-07:002009-11-16T17:53:34.761-07:0016 Nov 200916 Nov. 2009<br />Well hello dearest family!<br /><br />Things are going great! We had an awesome week and picked up a few new investigators. A few weeks ago we found these awesome girls (one is 17 and the other is 19) and every time we teach them they listen so intently and they are so excited about changing their life! They are golden... when they are home! Ha-ha it's so frustrating when people aren't there for their appointments and it's especially bad here in Shiprock, but... you get used to it and ALWAYS have a backup plan :-) <br /><br />There is also this family they have a 17yrd old boy, Gabriel, 16yr old girl, Courtney, 12 and 9 yr old boys, Ryan and Aaron, and a 3 yr old girl, Ashley. Single mom (Pauline) and they have no electricity or running water. They just ran out of wood and the mom doesn't have a job. She had to quit because her kids were running around after school and she never knew where they were and she wanted to keep an eye on them. It's so sad! But they are so awesome and fun. I just love them. The 2 oldest kids don't want anything to do with the church but the younger ones do, so hopefully we can get them baptized. (The mom went on placement so she is less active). The older kids are rebels but hopefully through our winning smiles and charming good looks (and maybe the spirit) we can get them interested too :-) ha-ha <br /><br />The other day we picked Courtney up from school and as she came out (in front of everyone) sis. lo honks the horn 20 times! It was so funny Courtney gets in the car and was like why did you do that! She wasn't mad it was just hilarious, you know how important a high school rep is and then 2 sister missionaries come pick you up and honk HAHA! They are a really fun family. <br /><br />Mom it sounds like your talk was a hit... even the high priests listened!! That's quite an accomplishment!! I would love a copy of it to read :-) speaking of talks, I was reading over the conference ensign and it's soooooooooooooo good!!!!!!! I just soak up every word but elder Uchtdorf gave an amazing talk about the love of God and this part was so poetic, I just LOVE it! You should read the whole talk!!!!!!!!<br /><br />"The divine love of God turns ordinary acts into extraordinary service. Divine love is the motive that transports simple words into sacred scripture. Divine love is the factor that transforms reluctant compliance with God’s commandments into blessed dedication and consecration.<br />Love is the guiding light that illuminates the disciple’s path and fills our daily walk with life, meaning, and wonder.<br />Love is the measure of our faith, the inspiration for our obedience, and the true altitude of our discipleship.<br />Love is the way of the disciple."<br /><br />If you get a chance could you burn some of the talks to cd and send them to me... especially elder Holland's talk about the book of Mormon? THANKS!!!! <br /><br />The other day we went the thrift store here and I got a cashmere sweater for $0.50 I was pretty excited, so it inspired our idea for today. we are going into Farmington and going thrift store shopping :-) got to love those cheap finds (especially for mission clothes) Courtney (the 16 yr old) always asks us why we always dress like grandmas. I was talking to sister lo and I said "I think we both dress really cute" and she says back "you know you have been out too long when you think that we dress cute..." ha-ha it was funny! So I guess we are going to get some more grandma clothes :-) <br /><br />So life is going good... transfers are coming up next week so hopefully sis. lo and I stay together in Shiprock! Love you all and pray for you every night! Keep on reading the book of Mormon :-) xoxo<br /><br />Sister Marchant<br /><br /><br />9 Nov 2009<br /><br />Yá'át'ééh!!!!<br /><br />Sounds like you are all doing GREAT!!!! Things are going really well here too. It was actually a really slow week but after slow weeks come AWESOME weeks! <br /><br />mom, thanks for the countdown but ... I don't want to get trunky :-) as much of an angel you think I am... I still get homesick <br /><br />My comp and I are still doing AWESOME and still loving the work. It's hard, you would think it would get easier... yet you are always trying to be better and always striving to work harder, so it just gets harder not easier! But that's okay.<br /><br />For Christmas I don't want anything... just save the $$ for when I get home. I don't need any more things... I already have too much stuff! (Like always) ha-ha maybe just a few little things so that I have something to open :-)<br /><br />So I have been reading the BoM every day, obviously, and it is going GREAT!!!!! I don't want to lose the calling I am scared that I won't be able to understand and learn as much as I do right now. But there is no stopping the inevitable. You should all do it with me! Then when I get home you can maybe you can be as spiritually mature as me (jk you all have so many more years of wisdom and knowledge behind you)<br /><br />LOVE you all and have a GREAT WEEK!!!!!<br />Thanks for participating in the fast. It doesn't matter what day you do it so thanks :-) <br /><br />Sister MarchantBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-30418033365944060062009-11-02T19:50:00.000-07:002009-11-02T19:52:33.359-07:00Nov. 2, 2009Dearest family,<br /><br />We had zone conference this week and it was my favorite by far (except when Elder Grow of the 70 came). We are focusing on using the Book of Mormon in our teaching and using it to answer questions of the soul. President Anderson said that it is the best self-help book! It has put a purpose to my studying the Book of Mormon. Before i would just read it and think "oh that's inspiring!" or something. Now I am soaking up every sentence! I want to read it all day every day. I already have a long list of questions that are answered by the Book of Mormon. It's such an awesome book and I always took it for granted. It is crazy how my love for that book that I have been reading for years has grown exponentially in less than a week.<br /><br />President Anderson challanged us to read the Book of Mormon for 15 min. everyday for the rest of our lives. He promised that if we did, our spiritual maturity will be far beyond anyone else who doesn't! AWESOME!<br /><br />That was by far the highlight of my week, but we have been teaching and trying to get people ready for baptism! We got 2 new investigators this week and they are amazing! We found them tracting and they are 2 sisters; one is 17 and one is 19, and they want to change their lives and do the right things. They said they like that we come and teach them what we believe and why, and no other churches do that.<br /><br />So things are going AWESOME! Hope all is well there!<br /><br />Love you all! xoxo<br />Sister MarchantBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-12491991460718164672009-10-26T16:58:00.000-06:002009-10-26T16:59:01.899-06:00Oct. 26, 2009<br /><br />Yá'át'ééh pronounced (ya ta ay) means hello in Navajo! The language is soooo hard! I wish I could learn it, but it's like mandarin Chinese where the meaning of the word depends on the intonation (I don't know if that's a word); but anyways I am learning a few words here and there. "Oat" means "yes"<br /><br />Anyway things are going really well here! We are working hard and seeing much success. We have a lot of people to teach and work with, and it's only going to get better!<br /><br />We are working with this family and they are so awesome! It's a single mom with 5 kids ranging from ages 18-3 and the two oldest are giving her a lot of grief so; she had to quit her job to stay home and make sure her kids were staying out of trouble. But they are really fun. Lots of work to do and hopefully we can be a good influence on the 16yr old girl.<br /><br />We have a lot of people we are working with so it's nice to keep busy. <br /><br />Halloween is coming up; we are trying to think of something to be. We might just be Elders, but we will see.<br /><br />Mom to answer your question about keeping the ward thinking about missionary work... we did a 40 day fast which worked really well. We also thought about making magnets to stick to their fridge that has a picture of Jesus and says something about missionary work. Firesides and getting the ward involved help give them a place to invite friends to see them perform. I could send you the living Christ one we did a few months ago. We did a bag with missionary tools (i.e. book of Mormon, together forever DVD, restoration DVD, pass along cards) and at dinner appointments had people reach in and pull something out. Then they had to give it away or show the DVD to a non-member.(but don't tell them that until after they have pulled it out) the sisters in another ward did a BOM rock, where they got this really big rock and painted it bright yellow and it said "Book of Mormon rock" on it and they put it in someone's yard and they had to keep it out there until they gave away a Book of Mormon and then the family would put the rock in someone else's yard (if they needed help they could call the missionaries) there are a few ideas hopefully some of them work :-)<br /><br />Well life is good! I love you all and I am so grateful for your love and support xoxo<br /><br />Sister Marchant<br />-----------------------------<br />October 19, 2009<br />Hola familia!<br /><br />My new companion is Sister Lotulelei (sister "lo" for short) and she is AMAZING!!!!!!!!! I absolutely love her! We teach so well together, the spirit has been so strong in every lesson we have taught so far!<br /><br />We also work out every morning wahoo! 4 months to sexy is under way... ha-ha<br /><br />This week we have been looking for new investigators and we found a golden one tracting. Her name is Katija and she said that a lot of different churches come by but she "picks us" so we are pretty excited about her.<br /><br />Life is good! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the mission and my love grows daily as I am trying to serve the people and bring them the gospel. Our mission has been focusing on baptism a lot lately and I understood that is our purpose but I read an article in last month's new era called "Why do we do missionary work?" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks. It's really good and but baptism in a new perspective for me. Here is a quote from it that I loved:<br /><br />"We do not preach and teach in order to “bring people into the Church” or to increase the membership of the Church. We do not preach and teach just to persuade people to live better lives. We honor and appreciate the many ministers and others who are involved in the kind of ministry that makes bad men good and good men better. That is important, but we offer something more. One can qualify for the terrestrial kingdom instead of the telestial kingdom without the aid of this Church. We are concerned with a higher destination.<br /><br />The purpose of our missionary work is to help the children of God fulfill a condition prescribed by our Savior and Redeemer. We preach and teach in order to baptize the children of God so that they can be saved in the celestial kingdom instead of being limited to a lesser kingdom. We do missionary work in order to baptize and confirm. That is the doctrinal basis of missionary work."<br /><br />SO DO YOUR MISSIONARY WORK!!!!! I hope you are all looking for opportunities to share the gospel. There is an article in this month's ensign that talks about a stake president in Texas that promised his stake that if they would properly prepare themselves to teach the gospel, people would approach them and ask to be taught! What an amazing promise! It takes all the awkwardness out of sharing the gospel if someone asks you! You should read the article it's really good it's called "the member-missionary effect"<br /><br />Can you tell I gave a talk on member missionary work yesterday! It got me all fired up! So do your missionary work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />LOVE YOU ALL and hope all is well! Keep on keepin' on xoxo<br /><br />Sister MarchantBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-29394552426234850112009-10-12T19:26:00.001-06:002009-10-12T19:27:11.915-06:0010/12<br /><br />I am so excited to get a new companion! Sis Lo is awesome. She is companions with sister Boisselle (the crazy Canadian) right now. She is a hard worker and obedient... woot!<br /><br />So yea things are going great! We set a bunch of baptismal dates last transfer and a lot of them dropped off the face of the earth, but hopefully they will come back! Our goal is to get 9 baptisms next transfer :-) so it should be exciting!<br /><br />I am so sorry to hear about grandma! My prayers are with the whole family. I hope the treatment works!!!<br /><br />Well this week has been kind of slow missionary work wise, but I know it will start to pick up! Sorry I don't have more to report<br /><br />I love you all xoxo<br /><br />Sister Marchant<br /><br /><br /><br />9/28<br /><br />Things are going well. This week was kind of lame. Our investigators with baptismal dates dropped off the face of the earth. We haven't been able to get a hold of anyone. So we went tracting this one day, for an hour and got 11 "other" lessons (teach a principle and say a prayer with a non-member)! That's got to be some kind of record or something. In Cedar Crest we would tract for 5 hours and get about 2 others.<br /><br />Guess what!? We might have the opportunity to butcher again! I am so excited. I don't know what my fascination with butchering is, but it's kind of cool (plus no one has faith that I can do it, so I like to prove people wrong)<br /><br />This weekend is the Shiprock fair! It's going to be great. Although hard for missionary work. No one will be home so we will have to go OYM at the fair for 4 days. Plus the traffic is so horrible that we have to walk up to the church for general conference (about a 4 mile walk) but it will be good to get some exercise in :-)<br /><br />It's been a hard week, but going to the temple on Monday really helped to give me the strength to carry on!<br /><br />I don't feel like I bear my testimony to you all enough, but I really do love the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every day I grow and my faith is strengthened. Especially the last few weeks as I have been focusing on faith. I didn't realize that an outward expression of faith is obedience. As I learned that my testimony of obedience grew also. as we are obedient to the commandments we are showing God that we believe that He knows what is best for us, and in return He says "here are some blessings" I was reading a talk from conference a few years ago and there is this story about a girl who needed to pay her tithing but also needed to pay for school or she wouldn't be able to take some tests. She didn't' have enough to pay for both so she agonized over the decision. Well she finally knew that she needed to pay her tithing so she did. well at work a few days later (as the tests we approaching) her boss (who she said wasn't very kind) was about to leave and asked her how school was going and she said "it's going good" well the boss left and a few minutes later the secretary came in and said "today must be your lucky day, the boss just said that all your school and books are paid for from today on" she said that she knelt down and told heavenly father that she only needed this month's tuition paid. I loved that story because it reminds me of the scripture in Malachi that the blessings will be POURED out that will not be room enough to receive them! She was greatly blessed for paying her tithing and that's how God always blesses us. So much so that a sacrifice isn't really even a sacrifice. The blessings that come are 10 times more than we gave up!<br /><br />Anyways I love you all and hope that you are doing well xoxo<br /><br />Sister Marchant<br /><br /><br />9/14<br />Hello family!<br /><br />Well things are going great! The work is starting to pick up. We set a goal of 8 baptisms this transfer so we have 4 more weeks to accomplish that! (We are working off our faith right now because we don't have any that are coming to church) getting people to church is the hardest part out here. Everyone just wants to be baptized but they don't understand the importance of church, so we are going to have to learn how to teach how important it really is.<br /><br />Can you believe it's been a year already? AH! Where is the time going? Everyone said it would fly by and it really is!<br /><br />Abby: I sent you letters the past 2 or 3 weeks so I hope you got them...<br /><br />So I am sending Alex his bday present (I know I know I am horrible), probably tomorrow, so look for it in the mail.<br /><br />I don't know what has been going on lately, but I just am running out of words I guess! So love you and hope all is well xoxo<br /><br />Sister MarchantBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-71774333243368005222009-09-22T16:50:00.001-06:002009-09-22T16:52:47.087-06:009-22-09Well sounds like things are going well over there.<br /><br />Yesterday we went to the temple. It was amazing! I just love going! It gives me so much spiritual strength (physically it drained me!) We ate at Macaroni Grill afterwards. I haven't been out to eat at a nice restaurant in a long time, it was nice. You know me I love to go out to eat at fancy places. My comp was slurping up her spaghetti and Sister Boisselle (former comp) said "well no one will mistake you for being refined"! It was kind of mean but funny at the same time. It's a long drive down there (about 3 hours) so 6 hours in the car makes for a long day.<br /><br />Other than that, things are going really well. We don't have our greenie yet, hopefully soon! But not yet.<br /><br />I am glad to hear that Lauren liked the scarf. Mom, I will make you one too if you want it. Or if you want a different one or something else just let me know.<br /><br />Alex you should look up the company that made that shirt, they have some "sick" (in the good way) shirts. (Their logo is on the back)<br /><br />We have about 1600 members but there aren't very many active members, needless to say home/ visiting teaching is really a struggle. they are all nice but I think people are just starting to warm up to me. They don't open up for a while.<br /><br />Pres Anderson spend 1 year of his mission in Shiprock so it is his baby. But the missionaries we serve around are crazy. They aren't too bad and we keep them in line. Although there are some Elders that have a dog! It's so cute! They brought it to district meeting last week and they said I could babysit it for a few days. But I am going to wait until its house broken. (Sisters don't appreciate the smell of dog pee).<br /><br /> We live in a very ghetto trailer that is falling apart and VERY small. I don't know how we are going to fit 3 people in there but we will make it work.<br /><br />The work is going really well! This week we had some really good days! We had a few investigators just fall into our laps! I just love when that happens :-) so we are keeping up our faith and keep praying that we will get our 8 baptisms. We still have 3 weeks :-)<br /><br />The Shiprock fair is coming up next weekend which is the same weekend as conference. Everyone says that it takes about 2 hours just to get across the bridge so we might have to walk up to conference and camp out all day. But I am so excited for the fair. All the culture and fry bread yum! Jewelry and all that good stuff! So it should be a blast.<br /><br />It's starting to get cold here. I am bummed I hate the cold! This morning it was 29 degrees ah! Too cold for me! Mom, I don't think I need any winter clothes I have too many clothes as it is. I will have to send some summer clothes home soon.<br /><br />For Christmas you should probably just save the money for when I get home so I can buy clothes or stuff I need. I will need new clothes because I am fat now :-(<br /><br />Llove you and thanks for all the support and love and prayers! xoxo<br /><br />Sister MarchantBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-51292238832850251672009-09-13T14:50:00.000-06:002009-09-13T14:51:30.848-06:009/8/09Hey everyone!!<br /><br />Things are going great. You will never guess what we did today!!?! Butchered a sheep. My dream came true :-) It was so awesome I loved it. No throwing up and no fainting- so it was a success, right?! It was so cool to see. I am so glad I had that opportunity :-) I will send you some pics later we don't have much time.<br /><br />Sounds like everyone is doing well. I am sad I missed Muskegon. I love going up there! But, count me in next year :-)<br /><br />I am glad to hear that Abby has found her niche! That's always nice to find something that you can excel at, I am just glad that she realized it so soon in life! Plus when I get home she can do my hair for free! Yay :-)<br /><br />I am so jealous that you are going to Chicago that's my favorite city ever! I hope I can do my internship there when it comes time!<br /><br />Brett's baptism went really well! He is a really sharp kid and he is so excited about getting the priesthood, :-) it's awesome. The stake president said that they need more Melchizedek priesthood in Shiprock ward so we need to target those eligible, and they will be able to get it in 6 months! So I am so excited to tell Brett because he really wants to be able to bless his family. (There is no dad in the home and he is the oldest so I think he feels a sense of responsibility for his family)<br /><br />Other than that, all our investigators are so flakey! This week we are going to have to get out there and find new ones. We need a new teaching pool. It's hard to start over but I am sick of everyone not keeping commitments and never being home for appointments!<br /><br />So anyways that's life! I want our greenie to come so badly! It will make things go better I think.<br /><br />Love you and glad to hear all is well! xoxo<br /><br />Sister Marchant (your fav sister missionary EVER!)Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-29601933984306592412009-08-31T18:15:00.002-06:002009-08-31T18:25:36.432-06:008-31-09Dearest family!<br /><br />Well guess what?! I am staying in Shiprock and training. Well sister S and I are training together. I guess God doesn't trust us to train alone! Just kidding, it's because she is getting surgery so she won't be out for a few weeks! I am really excited it should be a grand adventure.<br /><br />Other than that things are going great! I am so glad I get to stay in Shiprock. I don't feel comfortable yet so people don't really know me. Plus my comp takes over the conversation so I don't say much but I think that having a 3-some will be really fun. I loved being trained in a 3-some! So we will see how it works :-)<br /><br />The Shiprock fair is coming up in October. Someone told me that you will never see so many Navajos in one place so I am excited. If you want cool Navajo stuff made by real Navajos just let me know and send me some money (I am poor and can't afford gifts for everyone) lol. I am excited to be here for that.<br /><br />We also have a baptism coming up next Saturday. That should be good. His name is Brett and he is about 21 and has had a rough life. When I first got here he was in jail for something and I was like... wow sounds golden...! haha but he actually is! He is very smart and already knows a lot. I am excited!<br /><br />Things are going great here as always. I am glad that sister s and I get to stay together.<br />Anyways things are great! We are going to Albuquerque tonight for the training meeting tomorrow morning. I am so excited, I love going to transfers because I get to see everyone. I feed off other people's energy so when all those missionaries get together I just feel the energy and excitement and it makes me excited! Haha I am a weirdo I know!<br /><br />So life is good! I almost didn't email today, but I knew you would be angry so I did. Haha well I love you all and hope all is well!<br /><br />Abbs I will fast that you get a job too! And you know the power of a missionary fast is like 10 regular people! jk but I will fast this week for ya!<br /><br />mom, I will try to send you another pic but I don't' know if I am close enough with any people here to do that yet.<br /><br />oh! I don't think I told you, I saw that family from Cortez the Largos (the ones that sent the pic) they were driving through Shiprock and we saw each other so I pulled over (apparently almost caused an accident but I don't think so, I am such a safe driver...lol) it was so great to see them! they were getting sealed in the temple on that Friday Aug 21. that was exciting to hear!<br /><br />Kylee is in Cortez right now so I always talk to her about all the people and it makes me miss it! I forgot about how much I loved it there!<br /><br />so anyways I have to go another busy pday! I don't know why but we just have a lot to do on pdays here in Shiprock! haha love you and glad to hear all is going great! xoxo<br /><br />Sister MarchantBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-66445382107481607452009-08-29T15:14:00.001-06:002009-08-29T15:15:47.247-06:008-24-09Hey family!<br /><br />Happy anniversary! I wrote you a card a few days ago but haven't had a chance to send it yet! I can't believe you are getting so old! Ahhhhh that means that I am getting old too! EWW<br /><br />Life is going GREAT! I still love Shiprock!<br /><br />Yesterday Elder C. Scott Grow came to our mission. It was amazing! We got to shake his hand. He talked about faith and how we can see visions and get revelation like Nephi and the other prophets. That just hit me. He also talked about how the mission is the time to strengthen that faith and to grow. It put a sense of urgency to my studies and desires to grow.<br /><br />Well love you all and hope all is going well.<br /><br />Sister Marchant<br /><br />PS!Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-42454575356630637112009-08-17T17:51:00.000-06:002009-08-17T17:52:27.013-06:008-17-09Hey family!!<br /><br />glad to hear you are doing well! sounds like you had fun in muskeegon man, i miss michigan! it's so beautiful there, here not so much! haha they do have beautiful rock formations though!<br /><br />things are going great! shiprock is doing well. Next week we have Elder C. Scott Grow coming (he is the only GA with a sentence for a name) so that should be exciting! other than that nothing too exciting going on.<br /><br />today we are learning how to crochet. we went to hobby lobby and bought yarn. exciting stuff!<br /><br />missionary work is going GREAT! we have 3 baptisms next month. i just have a feeling that i am going to leave though so we will see if i get to be there for them (such is missionary life though) i am not positive that i am leaving so don't quote me on that!<br /><br />mom i am glad to hear that you are liking your calling. all callings are hard at times! but the blessings are awesome! ( i would know)<br /><br />well i love you all! keep on keepin' on xoxo<br /><br />Sister MarchantBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-21220104331797099912009-08-03T18:54:00.001-06:002009-08-03T18:55:57.920-06:008/3/09Hey!!!!<br />Things are going great! I LOVE it here! I haven't had time to tract once :-) I wish missionary work could be like this everywhere!<br /><br />We did a lot of teaching this week and visiting people. We had a Ym/Yw activity in Red Valley Arizona. It is so beautiful there! You drive down into this valley and its red mountains are so beautiful! Look it up on Google, they might have some good pics. We hiked to an arch; it was so fun and it rained the whole time! lol! I got the coolest rainbow pic while there. I will try to attach it but it's a double rainbow coming off two mountains! Ah I love it. It should be in National Geographic or something! And God put it there just for us (because I am sure no one else was even close to around where we were :-) )<br /><br />Sister S (everyone calls her that because they can't pronounce Sagapolutele) and I get along just great! She is full of personality and spunk, so it makes life more interesting :-)<br /><br />The next picture is the arch where we hiked to with my comp and me.<br /><br />The next pic is a teepee. They are just chillin' everywhere. Normally they have the leather on them, not made of sticks. The Native American Church (NAC) does peyote (a hallucinogen) inside the teepees; some people do camp in teepees but most of the time they do ceremonies with peyote. I love the Navajo culture and learning about it.<br /><br />The next pic (I am not sure if they are in order or not but you are smart and can figure it out) is of me trying to learn how to make Navajo fry bread (its sooooo good but obviously fried) at the Kirtland stake 24th of July celebration<br /><br />Anyways I hope you enjoy the pics! Luckily the computers here let me attach pics! I haven't been able to do that in my other areas... so I can update you as I go :-)<br /><br />I will send the pics on a different email it's not working!<br />LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!! xoxo<br />Sister Marchant<br /><br />(Note: the pictures didn't come through but if/when they do arrive- I'll post them. Brent)Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-89966643854759111042009-07-27T18:00:00.001-06:002009-07-27T18:00:57.540-06:007/27/09Well Shiprock is awesome! Just as I imagined it.. ugly dry, brown and full of people to teach! We don't have time to knock doors because there is so much to do and so many people to see. We already have this whole week booked with appointments. The people here are really flaky, so I am sure a lot of appointments will fall through but that's okay because we still have a lot of backup plans. I LOVE IT! This is how missionary work should be everywhere!<br /><br />My first night here, Sister Mailo (a sister that was in Shiprock for about a year and she just went home right before I got here), her parents came to Shiprock to meet the people she worked with so we went to this thing at the church and I swear it sounded like a funeral. Everyone was talking about how awesome she was and what a great job she did in the ward... etc. lol it was kind of funny!<br /><br />My comp is sister Sagapolutele she is Samoan but from Utah. She is a lot of fun so I am sure we will get along. We have to get to know each other first but so far so good :-) she has been out 6 months but is very strong!<br /><br />Well the Navajo people are so awesome. Very humble yet A LOT of drama! They all have children from like 5 dads and all have live in boyfriends or girlfriends, we deal with a lot. People getting raped, abuse, etc. stuff that I never thought I would have to deal with especially on my mission! It's kind of like a soap opera!<br /><br />We work really closely with a senior couple. They are the Myers from Washington State. They are awesome I love working with them. Since we have limited miles they drive us places and we see them almost every day.<br /><br />Saturday was a pioneer celebration in Kirtland (the town just west of us) and so we went over to the parade. It was so fun! It reminded me of the Panguitch parade. Wards and families had floats. It was a grand ol' time. then Shiprock ward was in charge of Navajo tacos which is fry bread (the best stuff EVER) with beans and cheese and onions and lettuce etc. but I learned how to make fry bread... kind of. We are trying to recruit someone in the ward to teach us how to make the dough and the bread. It is kind of like elephant ears but smaller and not necessarily have sugar on it. Kind of like the Mexican soppia. Anyways I will learn how to make it and come home and make it for you :-)<br /><br />Yesterday I spoke in church about faith of our fathers but I kind of changed it to faith of our mothers and told some stories I found in the ensign about women pioneers and bore my testimony. The 2nd counselor in the bishopric got up before I spoke and told Sister S. and I that we have big footprints to fill now that Sister Mailo is gone! Ugh I am nervous that people aren't going to give me a chance because I am white, blonde, and not Sister Mailo (she is Hawaiian but looks a lot like the Navajo people)<br /><br />But I know I am here for a reason and so hopefully I will touch someone!<br /><br />Well I am excited for the work to go forth. I can't believe how fast the time has flown but I don't want it to! I love the mission and I love seeing people's lives change. It's really the greatest work I could be doing.<br /><br />Love you all! Thanks for your love and support! xoxo Sister MarchantBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-55291427009945169342009-07-20T20:12:00.001-06:002009-07-20T20:12:55.193-06:007-20-09Well.... guess what!?! I am going to Shiprock! I am so excited :-) They have so much success there! They teach so much they don't have time to tract I am so excited!!!!! I just thought of that scripture in D&C that' talks about your trials being a short time and if you endure them well then you will be exalted! I feel like I am being exalted, lol, although I don't know if I consider Cedar Crest a trial because we had success here and I love it here! Anyway, I can't even begin to know how to pronounce my new comps name so I will let you know next week.<br /><br />This week was pretty exciting we taught a lot of less active recent convert lessons which was good because those have been low ever since I have been here.<br /><br />Ohh there was drama!!! So there is this lady in our ward that is always the "victim", and when we first got here we were looking for service and the RS pres. said that she could probably use some help. Well, we started helping her and the first time we went over she made me clean her bathroom and jokingly I said "man, I always get the bathroom" because everyone knows that the bathroom is the worst job... Well apparently from that time on she thought I had a bad attitude when I went over there. Then a couple of weeks ago she had mice in her house and she asked a ward member to come help her move the stove to get the mice out. So a couple, the Devenports, came over and helped her. So they were taking the stove out and stuff and I was trying to stay out of the way because her kitchen is super tiny so I was talking to Sister Devenport while Bro Devenport was doing his thing. So Wednesday we go over to help her and she said Sister Weatherston what would you like to clean the rugs or the bathroom and she said she didn't' care, So she said "ok Sister Marchant you clean the bathroom and Sister Weatherston can vacuum"! LOL<br /><br />Remember my Christ like attribute for this week was charity and love! God definitely gave me the opportunity to grow this week, I think I failed but I am trying to love her!<br /><br />I am really sad to leave the Wilsons they are so awesome! They gave me the cutest card it said that I really touched Brad's heart :-) That's the real joys of missionary work I love it! Hopefully he will get baptized soon and then I will be able to come to the temple when they get sealed! Or if he waits long enough (I really hope not) I can be there for the baptism. His dad has cancer and so he is really struggling.<br /><br />Colleen is doing really well! She got an opportunity to train for house manager at a beehive home from jay manning. that will be really good for her although she still has to keep her other job that she hates (she finds jobs for mentally and physically handicapped people) but she was telling me that what she does is prays and follows the spirit and she has found so many jobs for the people! It's so amazing to see people's lives touched by the gospel. and how it helps them so much.<br /><br />I really am going to miss a lot of people here and I absolutely LOVE the people but I am ready to go and move on.<br /><br />Shiprock is the reservation so it should be fun. I will learn all about the Navajo people, their customs, and mutton (ew!) plus I MIGHT get to slaughter a sheep :-) awesome hu?<br /><br />Love you and hope all is well (sorry about my stupid drama story but I thought you would enjoy a story about crazies)<br /><br />xoxo Sister Lizzie Marchant xoxoBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-82510505969034595102009-07-13T18:25:00.001-06:002009-07-13T18:25:55.083-06:007/13/09Glad to hear your trip went well! I have never been to the UP except our Mullet Lake adventures! I don't know if we went up to the up though. Although the trip to Mackinac was pretty exciting (remember it was raining cats and dogs!)<br /><br />Anyways this week has been pretty uneventful. We really didn't do anything but tract. We didn't teach any investigators (the 2 we have are super busy) but this week should be better. We are meeting with our investigators and we are meeting with that referral from Texas. So hopefully something will come of that.<br /><br />This has been a REALLY long transfer. With no investigators that are progressing.... But, I love the ward and I love the Clifford's so it wasn't too bad<br /><br />Well since nothing happened this week I will share with you my insights from studying. Every week I study a Christ like attribute from chpt 6 of PMG (preach my gospel). This week is charity and love. So this morning I was going through the scriptures and I came across 1 Cor. 13:13 and it says "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."<br />I thought that was interesting because if you would have asked me, I would have said "faith, duh!?" but then as I thought about it, charity is the most important because, as we grown in charity we feel the love that Christ has, not only for ourselves, but for EVERYONE. As we develop that perfect love of Christ then we know what Christ feels for each one of us and we know that Christ would never let one of us fail (as we know hope is the abiding trust that we will gain eternal life through Jesus Christ) so our hope is strengthened, and obviously our faith in Jesus Christ is also strengthened. Then also I noticed there was a picture of Christ in Gethsemane next to the "Charity and Love" section and it hit me (duh, everyone else already knows this but I just got it) that the atonement really was the greatest act of Charity that anyone could ever do, because it was done with perfect love from Christ. He didn't do it for the glory or the gratitude that we would give to Him, He did it because he honestly and TRUELY loves us!<br /><br />So anyways what we learn from this is that I am not even CLOSE to having the perfect love of Christ, and how important Charity really is.<br /><br />Anyways that's all I got for today! Love you all and hope all is well. xoxo<br /><br />Sister MarchantBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-56741865292621508622009-07-06T14:36:00.001-06:002009-07-06T14:36:15.492-06:007-6-09Dearest friends and family,<br /><br />HELLO THERE!<br /><br />This week we had interviews and president gave me the idea to study baptism. I am still working on it because it's a long study, but it's amazing. Every scripture so far has talked about the extreme importance of baptism. I have always known that it was important and an essential ordinance but I didn't realized that it's more than just an action we need to go through. Although, all ordinances are more than just an action. But I am still continuing my study and will hopefully learn more.<br /><br />Tuesday we were exploring this road that we have never been down looking for houses to tract. As we were driving I saw this house that didn't have a gate! I was pretty excited but decided that it wasn't worth tracting the whole street for one house. So we left and went on our way. Well, we drove past it again and I knew we had to stop there, but my lack of faith stopped me. I was thinking no, that's just my brain making that up. So we continued on our way again. Well, then we drove past it on our way back home for lunch and I knew I couldn't just let it go. So I asked Sister Weatherston if we could tract this street really quickly. So we walked up to this house and knocked on the door and the lady came out and she said "sorry it's a bad time" and kind of walked inside, but I just stood there because I wanted to share my message!! so she saw that we were still standing there and came out and said it again "sorry, but it's a bad time" then I am not exactly sure how but she said something about us being Jehovah's witnesses and I said actually no we aren't, we are LDS and our views are completely different than the JWs. and that started a conversation! We ended up talking to her for 45 min about the plan of salvation and answered some questions she had! It was so awesome. We didn't get a return appointment but we left our phone number and the Plan of salvation pamphlet! So we are praying that she will check out mormon.org and then call us!<br /><br />Our 4th of July was pretty lame. We did service all day. And we didn't' have a dinner appointment so the Clifford's fed us and invited their brother (who works in the mission office) and his wife, and colleen (our recent convert), and Helen (a single lady they used to home teach) guess what we played!? Rummikub I totally thought of you mom because that is your favorite game :-) but we didn't' see any fireworks at all! I saw one when we were driving home from service but other than that... NOTHING! I guess fireworks are a bigger deal in Michigan because they do them for days on end over each lake! Oh well, next year :-)<br /><br />A couple weeks ago we got a referral from this lady in Texas because her friends were moving here. She told us to wait to stop by until they are more settled in and in town for permanent. So we stopped by last night and she was so excited! She said she can't wait to talk to us but she has visitors in town and so we don't have an appointment until next week but she is excited! So we are going to baptize all 4 of them :-)<br /><br />Well that's life in the fast lane... if tracting all day is the fast lane. Glad to hear all is well! I love you all and you are in my prayers xoxo<br /><br />Sister Lizzie MarchantBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944347178640539479.post-82957823690721341562009-07-03T09:33:00.001-06:002009-07-03T09:33:54.509-06:006/29/09Thanks everyone for the bday wishes :-) It turned out to be a wonderful day, and getting flowers was super awesome! It made the day that much better! As you know when it comes to surprises I have a hard time waiting, so I opened all my presents except for one before my bday. Mom... I ABSOLUTELY love!!!!!!!! the stamps! They are sooo awesome I have been playing with them all week, and making awesome stationary... perfect gift! The clothes... Mom I thought I told you I have been getting fat... why all the extra smalls? lol Everything fit except the green jacket which makes me really sad because that was my favorite! It is sooooooooooooo cute! BUT we don't have a Nordstrom rack here, sooo I will have to send it home sorry :-( Everything else was super cute and fits pretty well... a little tight but I know how to fix that, lose weight! haha Well Bryant got baptized on Saturday! It was so awesome. His mom and dad both came and LOVED it! (His mom, Lisa, isn't a member and his dad probably hasn't come in a LONG time). We have taught his mom before but she kind of stopped taking the lessons when we started teaching her son. But anyways the parents were both touched by the spirit at the baptism and they said they would be there the Sunday for the confirmation...but they didn't end up coming. It was really disappointing but hopefully we can go over there and snag them! We had a fast for Brad Wilson to help him quit chewing and then they found out that his dad has cancer! Ugh why can't he catch a break! It’s so hard to see people struggle like this! I wish I could just lock him in a room with nothing in it except the scriptures for a few weeks and he could come out clean of his addiction! haha if only life were that easy :-)So Bro Manning came up with this idea that we were going to wear buttons to church that said "ask me how?" and then we were going to start this program of teaching about service and have everyone doing service for their neighbors and it's the idea that "we aren't asking for any names... just for you to serve" then we would go behind and tract and see if people were more responsive to us coming by. Soooo... yesterday we wore these HUGE buttons (about 3'' in diameter) and we didn't get one appointment out of it! Haha people would say "uhhh I don't really want to know" haha they knew it had something to do with missionary work! SAD... silly people! But anyways...Well that was pretty much all that happened this week! Got to love the exciting missionary life :-) love you all xoxoSister Lizzie MarchantBrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907832458333210095noreply@blogger.com0