Friday, December 19, 2014

Sister Isaksen transfers to Fresno & baby miracles 12-8-2014

Hi!

   Soooo much has happened this week. 
   I guess I'll just start off with the most embarassing! So this Thursday for Relief Society, we went to the Relief Society Building to hear from Sister Burton, Sister Stephens and Sister Reeves (the actual General Relief Society leaders of the church...I had no idea that's who they were because they all look so much alike I always get confused, so I just thought I'd clear that up for anyone who doesn't know who they are.) 
   ANYWAYS, Sister Isaksen and I talked to Sister Poulsen (our mission president's wife) a few days before Relief Society and she told us we didn't have to do anything to prepare for Relief Society since we were going to the RS building. So, we go to the building Thursday morning and take our seats and are just talking and all of a sudden it gets super quiet and the AP's just look at Sister Isaksen and I. They are like motioning for us to go up to the front and conduct the meeting! 
   We go up and Sister Burton like whispers to us, "What is the opening hymn?" WE HAD NO IDEA and I'm pretty sure both of our faces were just completely blank, I felt like time stopped and I couldn't speak at all. Sister Burton, being so sweet, suggested that we sing "As Sisters in Zion." We just both nodded. hahaha! I am so glad Sister Isaksen is good at taking action and doesn't freak out when things don't go according plans. She just went up and conducted and acted like nothing even happened. She is so good. I will miss her so much. 

   Today we had transfer conference. I found out who my new companion will be!!! Her name is Sister Campelo and she's from Brazil. She's going into her 5th transfer. I can't wait! She seems so sweet. We only talked for like 5 minutes this morning, but I know we'll be really good friends. I'll send a pic next week. 

   We have had some little baby miracles this week. I love when they happen. The first one was with our less-active Stephen. We call him every other week because he's doing really,really well and meets with local missionaries Tuesdays and Thursdays. Anyways, we weren't really sure what to teach him when we called but we just really felt in the last minute like we should go through Christlike attributes in "Preach My Gospel" and invite him to develop one this month.
   When we began talking about Christlike attributes and how we would like him to develop one, he said, "Right before you both called, I was praying and praying to know how I can better serve God and what he wants me to work on." 
  This really strengthened me because sometimes it is hard for me to know if I am following the Spirit, or if it's just me coming up with these things. It was just a really good reassurance that any idea you have to help someone follow our Savior and come closer to God, is always from God. Trusting in God and being willing to follow the promptings you receive from the spirit is so vital. It can be difficult, but trusting in God really is the only way you can do missionary work. 

   Another little miracle was the night after Sister Isaksen was called to Fresno, we had been asking and asking every person we met on the Square for referrals and hadn't gotten one. We had like 30 more minutes left of Square time and ended up talking to this guy and his girlfriend. The guy was from FRESNO CALI and wouldn't you know it, referred his aunt who isn't a member to us without us even asking. Sister Isaksen said something that I really loved she said,
   "Things don't always work out the way you planned, but when you show God that you are willing to work and to do the things he has asked you to do, he will bless you." It was also just a cool little reassurance for her to know that Fresno is where God wants to her be right now. 

A little mission genealogy:
This is me with my "Mom"
 (because she trained me) Sister Isaksen
with her "Mom" and my "Grandma"
(because she trained my trainer) Sister Jones
   There have been a few other little things that have really been incredible this week. One of them is that I realized, I didn't fully understand why I personally need a living, modern day prophet. Of course I know that we need one to lead and guide Jesus Christ's church because throughout all time, that is how his church has been lead, but I just kept thinking and thinking, why do I, Carly, need a prophet? 
   In our Zone Training meeting, it was focused on being taught by the Spirit. I'm obsessed with personal study time on the mission. It is such a blessing. I 100% know that when we have questions, if we take the time to study them out and are really searching for answers, God will direct us to know where and how to find those answers. I used to be scared to have questions because I didn't want to receive an answer that would diminish my faith. I really have come to learn though that it is when we have questions, that our faith is strengthened. When we have questions, that is when we are able to see God working in our lives and that is how we feel his love. He will answer our questions I just know it. Maybe not in the time frame we want, but he really will. 
Love you all so much!

-Sister Helton

On the Utah State Capitol steps

I love Sister Ye. She is one of my favorite missionaries.

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