Week 11 January 11, 2016 The Sun Is Setting In Arizona...Hint, Hint ; )

So, this past week has been one of the most amazing weeks of my life! I found what my purpose was for being here in Queen Creek, the Gilbert Arizona Mission :)

There is a wonderful family in our ward who we went to teach the Restoration to, and this was my first time to really teach in Spanish. I didn't say much (because my Spanish is even more limited then my Portuguese is, and that's not saying much), but as soon as I said the first two points of the lesson, the sister had tears in her eyes. She told us about how she was really struggling with her testimony, and how she was really doubting the Book of Mormon, and Joseph Smith. The only reason she was really going to church was because of her calling, but she had decided earlier that say that she was going to stop. Her children said that she needed to read from the Book of Mormon, but she said that she didn't believe any of it any more. She had only been a convert fro some years up to this point. She told my companion that seeing my try hard to tell her that she has a Heavenly Father who loves her, and has a great plan of happiness for her in her language brought her to tears because the Spirit. I didn't understand anything, but I could tell that she was going through something hard. After we left, my companion told me everything that happened. This dear sister told my companion to tell me that I had saved a life that night. This is such a special experience for me, and I can't help but feel the spirit, and get a little emotional every time I think about it. What if I hadn't been worthy of the spirit? What if I just gave up in trying to learn Spanish because it's "too hard." I'm grateful that I was worthy enough to be there at this women's time of spiritual need. The Lord has a plan for each of His children, and this experience has helped me to remember the importance of being obedient so that I will always be ready for the guidance of the Holy Ghost. I know that we have a Loving Heavenly Father who is very aware of each and every one of us, and that we are apart of his great plan of happiness. We have a loving Brother who gave His life for us so that we can return to our Loving Father's presence, with the ones we love, to live in eternal happiness and peace. This life is hard, and it is sometimes hard to see what is in store for us, but we must always be ready to do the things which our Father would have us do.

Zone conference was on Thursday!! It was good, and such a wonderful learning experience!

Our ward is growing closer together, and starting to really move towards the missionary effort!!!! It is so cool to see how everyone is starting to take action!!!

So, I have some very exciting news, and sad news....... I'll start with the sad.

Our only two investigators dropped us, it really hurt........ but we were able to find a golden investigator!!!!!!! Her name is Hilda, and she really wants to learn more. She came to church on Sunday, and definitely wants to come back!!! She loves to way she feels, and believes what we have shared with her, in that she can be with her family forever. She will be going to the Bishops FHE this evening!

ok, now for the second half of the good news...........

                      *DRUMROLL*

JEFFERY R. HOLLAND IS SPEAKING TO OUR MISSION ON THE 15th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited!!!!!!!!!

and there is more to the good news.....

MY VISA IS READY!!!!!!  I will be flying to Brazil on the 18th, a week from today!!!!!!! whoa.....I am service and excited at the same time.\

I love you guys so very much, and the next time I email will be in Brazil!!!

Tchau, till next time!!

-Sister Randall

Week 10 January 4, 2016 I Am Seeing Miracles!

What a wonderful New Year so far!!! The past week and a half have been amazing as my companion and I are beginning to see miracles! My area has been very slow since I arrived here in Queen Creek, and the investigators that we had were not keeping commitments, and it really did feel like we were sometimes wasting time. Many people were in Mexico for the Holidays, and we were not getting appointments. My companion and I needed to change something that we were doing. We are getting the Bishop more involved (because I think he was a little out of the flow in missionary work), and we are working to strengthen the members in fellow-shipping :) We also, as a Zone, made a commitment to invite everyone we meet to baptism! It's working, and now we have a potential on date to be baptized on the 23rd of this Month! She was indeed a miracle! My companion and I also had a cool experience with an Atheist! The Spirit came really strong while we were talking to him; and when my companion bore testimony, you could see the Spirit working through him! He said thank you with a smile on his face, and gave each of us a hug. He then let us say a prayer with him. The Lord is preparing people, and even though this man may not be quite ready now, a seed has been planted; and we know that his future will be bright. Our door knocking experiences are getting really fun! Baring testimony is so powerful, and I can feel more in my spiritual growth when I share it with everyone! My companion and made a plan to visit and teach all members and less actives in our area the Restoration. It is such a beautiful and powerful message, and I can see how that re-confirmation that the members receive effect their lives! It's so cool!!! I love my area soooooo much, and the members are amazing!!! I also love the people that I meet, and I am excited to see how many of them grow in learning the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

So, after playing my songs at a lot of the members homes, I was asked if I could play the piano for church yesterday (because the brother who plays every Sunday moved to the YSA ward). Even though I can't sight read the hymns very well,  I was happy to do it! I will be playing again this Sunday! New

New Years was fun! The stake held a party at a small family run amusement park, and had members and missionaries invite non members! There was about 7000 people there, and about 2000 of them were non members!!! It was so great! All the missionaries who were serving in the stake greeted people, and helped do little services! When it was 6:00, we needed to go (New Years Eve....yup) so my Zone did an activity in one of the Church buildings. It was really fun! 

To end this email, I would like to share a little spiritual thought on prayer. We are so blessed to have a way given to us to communicate with our Father in Heaven. He hears our prayers. He loves us. He knows our names. He wants us to come to Him in prayer, and he wants us to put our trust and faith in Him. He is willing, through the Holy Ghost, to answer questions, guide us, and comfort us in times of need. Don't take prayer lightly, and something that becomes repetitive. It is a gift, and one that is given freely with no cost. I invite you to take time this week to pray with earnest to your Father in Heaven. It's important, and by doing so, we are blessed in important ways personal to each of us.

I love you all so very much!!!! Tchau!!!

Week 9 December 28, 2015 Happy New Year!

Christmas was wonderful!! The members, and investigators made me feel at home, and I am very grateful for that :) It seems like we had Christmas miracles the day after, and people opened their doors to us, and they look like great potentials!! Our current investigators are agreeing on set appointments again (YAY) and our investigator Patricia came to church again! After basically my whole time being here, we are finally seeing progress! So my visa is done processing, and I might be hearing from my current Mission President about leaving soon. I'm excited and sad because I have come to love the members, and my investigators. My experience here has been a blessing, and I am beginning to discover my why for being called here. I love you so very much, and I am so grateful for the love that I feel from My Savior Jesus Christ, and Father in Heaven. I will continue to do my best, and never quite!! This Christmas season has reminded me of why we celebrate, and why we are able to find true happiness; it is because of our Savior. My goal for this upcoming year is to follow after the scripture found in Luke2:52 which is to:
1. Wisdom 2. Stature and in favour with 3. Man and 4. God.

As you set personal goals for this upcoming year, will you  set goals in these four areas?
1. Wisdom
2. Stature (Physical fitness)
3. Favour with Man (Social)
4. Favour with God (Spiritual)

I love you all, Happy New Year!!!!

Week 8 December 21, 2015

We didn't receive any email this week because we skyped! Love technology!

Week 7 December 14, 2015 ARIZONA!

Arizona Sunset

New Companion

Sister Haycock

Hey!

 So I am having a wonderful time in Arizona! My new companion is wonderful! Her name is Sister Haycock, and she is from California. She has been out for 14 months, and does NOT like to think about it. It is actually colder then I thought it would be (45 degrees), that and wet. My companion has let me barrow a coat that she wasn't using, so I am being taken care of. I don't know if it is just getting used to the food, but I have thrown up twice, day one was the first time actually, but I am well just the same. I am in the Queen Creek area, Spanish speaking.....yup. So, I am working hard so as to learn Spanish too! So far I am known as just sitting during the lessons, saying nothing....just smiling.....what else can I do?! I understand the conversations a little, but I don't know how to respond. Luckily most of the ward members speak English too. Sunday was fun (haha), and not just because I couldn't understand anything for the full three hours INCLUDING Branch council meeting, but because our investigator Patricia finally came to church! Yay!! She has been taking the missionary discussions for a few years (I think), and has heard all the lessons several times, she just will not commit to baptism or getting married to her boyfriend of over 20 years. Coming to church was an answer to prayers though, and we pray that she will continue to progress. This is a slow area, and I have found that we are working with a lot of less active members. So many of them don't go to church, or commit to leaving the gospel which makes me sad. I want to help them feel the love of their Savior, especially during this Christmas season. I love all y'all, and pray that you are well!!!

Forca e Honra

-Sister Randall

Week 6 December 7, 2015 On My Way to the Gilbert Arizona MIssion!

I am exited and nervous at the same time! I can't pack my things yet, so I am taking the time to email now. I am well! I can't believe that the time for me to leave the MTC is tomorrow! I'm sorry to hear that you and the rest of the family are not feeling well, I hope you get better soon. I thought about our family yesterday (knowing that it was Sinterclaas Day) and am happy to hear that it was a good experience. Yesterday was a good last Sunday here at the MTC, and I feel that I have grown spiritually from it. I am sending y'all a letter that should arrive in about two days. As for packing, I made a list last night of everything that I need to get done before I leave. I am really looking forward to Christmas day!!! I can't wait to talk to you!! Oh yeah, I will have the opportunity to call you before I fly away to Arizona!  

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I have grown so much here in the MTC. I am amazed at the amount of Portuguese that I have been able to learn! What I have learned about the gospel, and my purpose has changed me for the better. I am looking forward to the continual growth when I am in the field (Tomorrow!!!) I have found great joy in serving, and teaching others. I cannot help but have a smile on my face everyday!!! I love my teachers Irmao Machado and Irma Smith, My fellow missionaries, and my Branch President. I love my family soooooooooo much, and do not want to disappoint them, but to continue to fulfill my mission so that they might receive the blessings which the Lord is ready to shower upon them. Mom, Dad, I love you so much! Thank you for always being there for me, and teaching me of what is truly important. I am so excited to officially start sharing the wonderful message of the Restored Gospel to everyone!! I know that I am ready! I love you all so much!! Next email will be from Arizona!!!!

Week 5 December 1, 2015 Re-assigned!

This week has been an inspiring week full of blessings in abundance. I received news that I will be re-assigned to Gilbert Arizona!! I do not have flight plans yet, but I should hopefully receive them on Thursday or Friday. 
There will be things that I would like to box up for grandparents to pick up. How many times can I say it, you're right when it came to a few unnecessary things.... All good though! It's amazing how I have come to enjoy the small and beautiful things in life. I can't believe that I will be leaving the MTC soon, it feels like forever, and yet very short. I love my my teachers, my zone, and my Branch Presidency. Haha, the Branch President says that if he could, he would have me here forever; meaning that he would find a way to postpone my Visa.... Nope, I'm going, but I will never forget the people who have made me a better person. My Teacher, Irmao Machado says that he loves you mom. He and my teacher Irma Smith have helped me stretch and grow sooo much! Muito!! This is all I can send for now! 

-Tchau! Sister (Jessica) Randall