Week 43

This week.....

 

1. We went on two temple tours. One with a Recent Convert (who loved it!) and one with a potential investigator. I loved teaching there because the spirit was so strong they couldn't deny it. It was also neat to see all the other missionaries there, doing the same thing. We got to take them into the waiting room and just sit and feel the spirit. It made me miss the temple so much more! GO THERE WHILE YOU CAN!!!

2. We were trying to contact a referral that we had received, but when the guard called from the gate he didn't answer. By some miracle the guard let us in anyways and we went straight to his house. An older man answered the door and explained that the person we were looking for was his son who wouldn't be back for another hour. As we left and got in the car another car pulled into their driveway. We got out and introduced ourselves, finding out that he was the one we were looking for. It was a 16 year old boy who had been taught quite a few lessons by the missionaries in Orlando. He loved what he had learned and he had been waiting for us. He was leaving town, but we plan to see him this coming week. You never know what fruits might come of the seeds you plant. 

3. We were also able to teach seminary this week. We taught about how simple it is to share the gospel with our friends by sharing simple principles and testimony. We showed them how to role play and split off into groups so that they could try. We gave them all pass along cards to give out that day. It's funny to see how much I've grown from then till now. THANK GOODNESS FOR MISSIONS!!!!!!!

4. I actually spoke in both the Pines ward and the Nova YSA branch yesterday. Talk about nerve racking! I think it went pretty well though. I realized how simple it is to talk when I prepare myself DAILY and study from Preach my gospel as well.

 

5. We had interviews with President Richardson. That man is so loving. HE IS CALLED OF GOD!!! I look up to him so much. I truly believe that I was called here for HIM to be my mission President.

 

I've been studying a lot about being sanctified in the Book of Mormon and Bible. 

I love how it is a PROCESS and something that we work at everyday. As long as we're repenting FREQUENTLY and prepare ourselves for the sacrament weekly, the Holy Ghost will be able to sanctify us.

 

Love you all!

 

Sincerely,

Sister Matheson

 

 

Pics

-Last P-day we went "mountain" biking with our district. 

(Fake, man-made "mountains"). 

It was fun to get out and explore Florida a little bit. 

Temple Tours

 

Week 42

There were so many amazing things that happened this week I'll just have to brake it down for you in bullet points....

 

-This week our mission expanded! It now includes the Fort Myers zone from the Tampa mission. It's a third bigger now (I'll send you a pic of the new boundaries). We didn't know anything about it and neither did the missionaries over there. They had a meeting with their mission President on Wednesday where he told them they would now be a part of the FFLM and then President Richardson and the AP's walked in. CRAZY!!! We heard about it in a conference call that night. One of their Zone Leaders became our third AP and they did a few Emergency Transfers. I guess the First Presidency approved this a long time ago, but they were waiting for the right time to officially make the change.

 

-This week we were going through our List of Potential Elders and found out that one of them had moved. We were able to say a prayer with some of the people who had moved in. We left with them a chapel card and a Restoration pamphlet. As we got to our car we received a phone call from the woman who lived there. She explained that she had been in the Restroom and wanted us to come back to tell her more about our church. We quickly went back and said a prayer with the rest of their family. On Saturday we did a chapel tour with them and on Sunday they came to church! Sadly, they came just AFTER the sacrament, but they still felt the Spirit and we set them all with a date in two Sundays. God definitely provides people to teach when we follow the council of our leaders, (Elder Zwick's training and encouragement for Sisters to work with Potential Elders).

-Nova Had a Baptism on Sunday and two confirmations! Although Sister Anderson and I weren't able to teach them for very long we still were grateful to be a part of their story of coming closer to Jesus Christ. It boosted our motivation to continue finding families in Pines to baptize and confirm.

 

Funny Story: 

We were at Walgreens picking up my prescription and Sister Hartley started talking to this old Cuban woman. As I walked over, the first thing she said was, "You have such nice legs, you have the nicest legs out of the three of you". hahaha oh my....When we left we were saying a prayer with a woman in the parking lot. The Cuban woman drove by and started honking and waving at us during the prayer. 

This week I studied Alma 49 in the Book of Mormon. Never before has the Spirit touched me and taught me like it did when I read that chapter. As I read I pondered how Moroni is like our Modern day prophet. When we heed his council and "fortify" ourselves we are protected from the adversary (Amalickiah). It repeats over and over how they were "prepared" which made me ponder on the importance of our time to "prepare" as missionaries. Our study times are so sacred because they truly "prepare" us for the "stones and arrows" that are thrown our way. 

 

Sincerely, Sister Matheson

 

Pics:

Jason's Baptism

We did a "mini mission" with our bishops daughter. 

She leaves next week for Ukrain, Russian speaking

cats for days!!! yes, I got new glasses

 

Week 41

THIS WEEK WAS SO GOOD!!!!

 

First of all, We're in a TRIO now!!!  One of our STL's had to go home this morning for back surgery so now Sister Hartley (from Alberta Canada) is with us. We will be serving in both Pines and her area, Nova YSA. We will be in our Trio for the next three weeks. 

We're SO FREAKING EXCITED!!! This will be the fourth trio of my mission.

 

Elder Zwick and his wife came. They are SO incredible. Even just being in the same room as them you could feel the spirit. They did a special leadership/missionary fireside on Wednesday night down in Miami Lakes. He talked a lot about how the members need to be the ones to find and the missionaries need to be the ones to teach because the work is really hastening.

 

On Friday there was a special mission training/conference with him and we all went through and got to shake his hand and hug his wife. They just peered into my soul. No big deal. Someone also volunteered me to lead the music for the whole thing which was a surprise to me. I jumped up there and after the song, Elder Zwick thanked me by name. I wanted to share a few things that stuck out to me from what he said....

 

In order to stop the comparison of numbers between missionaries we must have one thing on our mind, "Have I done all that I could today?" If we can honestly kneel down every night and say "God, wilt thou accept the very best I could've done today?" 

Than we are doing ok. That applies not only for missionary work, 

but for our every day lives.

 

" I will never limit myself by what I think is my capacity, 

I will allow the Lord to expand my capacity and HE WILL!!!"

 

Mark 1:17

 

"If you're willing to change YOU WILL BECOME"

 

 

We ate dinner with a part member family this week and the Dad said that he would come to Sacrament meeting on Sunday. He is very sarcastic so we shrugged it off, thinking that he was joking. On Sunday his wife came and sat by us and said, "I have a surprise for you...I think *first name* is actually coming!" We couldn't believe it. Right then He walked in and sat on the same row as us. MILAGROS!

 

We also helped a less active family paint their garage on Saturday and they came to Church on Sunday. Service=softened hearts.

 

Funny story: I was moving stuff around in my closet last night to make room for Sister Hartley's things. I moved my luggage and SCREAMED like a little girl because there was a gecko hiding in there. I continued screaming every time it moved for about 20 minutes. Mind you, we were also on the phone with our District Leader and they stayed on the phone to hear the whole thing. Finally Sister Anderson was able to get it in a Tupperware container and through it outside. I'm such a girl. Hahah

 

I love you all so much!!!

 

Sincerely, Sister Matheson

 

 

Week 40 - Happy New Year 2015

HAPPY 2015!!!!! I can't believe 2014 has already come and gone. On New Years Eve a member took us to an Argentine bakery and we got Empanadas. SO GOOD!!! 

I don't know how I will ever live without Latin food. 

I guess I'll just have to make it for you all when I get home.

I can't believe that my HALF WAY MARK has already come and gone as well! SO WEIRD!!! I can't even describe how weird that feels...anyways

 

     This week we had an exchange with our STL's on my 9-month "Birthday". We all met up at ihop for breakfast to celebrate. I got to work in the Nova YSA (Young Single Adults) area with Sister Coates. We went harvesting in a ghetto neighborhood. It was quite the experience for me. I LOVED it! We talked to some homies and some stray dogs followed us and everything. We went to follow up with some people that they had prayed with and they lived right by Hollywood beach. I could just feel the moisture in the air. It was exactly what I thought about when I thought about serving in Florida...weird how my mission has been nothing like that! HA.

 

     Friday we went to a Recent Converts house for her Birthday. Her neighbor made REAL Italian Lasagna. It was THE. BEST. LASAGNA. I'VE. EVER HAD.!!! No joke. I felt like Bob from "What about Bob" the whole time just telling her over and over how good it was. I had to take pictures. She didn't even use marinara or mozzarella like you would think. She also made the best carrot cake I've ever had. (Dad, you should be jealous. I'll send you a pic). Man, now I'm hungry...

 

     On Sunday there was a member visiting from Nicaragua who brought her non-member cousin whom she was staying with. They came up to us and introduced themselves. We asked her how she felt at church and she said she really felt good. They stayed for all three hours. After church we found out that they don't live in our area, but it really boosted my faith and I have no doubt that God will compensate for our efforts when we do all we can.

    

This week I realized a couple areas that I need to improve on. I feel as though most people desire to see results immediately. I definitely fall under that category as well, especially when it comes to missionary work. I want to help people so badly because I love them so much and it's a little frustrating when I can't see the impact I'm having.  I reflected on our purpose and realized that the only thing we can do is INVITE!!! We can't even be the ones to help them, only Jesus Christ can do that. I reflected on Joseph Smith and how he didn't get to see the full impact that he had until he had already passed away. I know now that God can be and is proud of us when we do all we can do, but when the end result isn't as we had hoped, we can still feel edified because we know we did what we've been called here to do. Just some thoughts.

 

I love you all so much. Thank you for your emails, prayers, and support. 

I hope you all have an amazing week and keep doing the BASICS!!!

 

Sincerely, Sister Matheson

 

pics:

 

Art in Hollywood

Amazing Carrot Cake

THE. BEST. LASAGNA. I'VE. EVER HAD!!!

 Rose and I on her birthday

 Sister Anderson and Rose on her birthday

 Sister Anderson and I

Sister Coates and I

 My 9 month "Birthday" Breakfast Party

Week 39 Happy New Year!!!!! (almost....)

This Christmas was by far one of my most favorite Christmas's. I've never felt so spoiled and loved. Thank you everyone who sent their love my way. It was much appreciated! 

I also loved getting to SEE your faces.

We were WELL fed this week. We had a Latin meal on Christmas Eve (Rice, beans, yucca, pork,), an American meal (Turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, fruit salad) on Christmas, and a Jewish 'Kosher' meal Christmas night. (Matso ball soup, Kasha, and something else I don't remember. At our last meal appointment I was walking out to the back patio when I slipped on some water and went straight down! I grabbed the chair as I fell and everyone was so concerned but I was fine! haha just me being clumsy old me!

This week was a really slow week. At the beginning of the week we did really good at visiting Less Active members. Unfortunately we were visiting a lot of members who had been sick with a 'bug' that had been going around the ward.  By the end of the week I got very sick. Our District Leader came down and gave me a blessing. I immediately started feeling a little better and the next day I was feeling quite a bit better. The sad thing was that Sister Anderson then got sick so we weren't able to work a lot in our area.

During our down time I was able to read and reflect on the scriptures as well as watch the Restoration DVD. My mom actually sent me a scripture attached to each Christmas present and one of them stuck out to me. It was Matthew 17:20

" . . . If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."

Something I felt like sharing with anyone who is reading this was an experience I had on Sunday. I have really been struggling this past week and if I'm being honest, these past couple transfers. I had been praying so fervently that I would receive an answer to my prayers at church. We always tell our investigators that if they come to church with a specific question then IT WILL BE ANSWERED! I decided to try it out myself. In church one of the High Council men quoted Winston Churchill,

"Never give up. Never, never give up."  Whether It's on God, the ones we love, or ourselves, "Never give up"!!! That was definitely an answer to my prayers.

I also read in Moroni 7 and felt like Heavenly Father was talking to me! 

This week my testimony of God's love for me grew even deeper. 

I know he loves us; He knows us; He hears our prayers. His love for us is so real! 

And that is the greatest thing I could've received this Christmas Season.

I love you all and hope you make the most of your.....2015!!!!!

Sincerely, Sister Matheson

pics

-Christmas Eve

-Yes, It was really 94 Degrees...

  I got myself an Olaf shirt for my Christmas Pajamas:)

Christmas morning oatmeal tradition!

 

  -Skyping with the Family!!

 

Week 38 Merry Christmas from Florida!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!     !FELIZ NAVIDAD! (not that I'm a Spanish Sister or anything)

 

Funny story, when it get's into the 60's I'm actually cold. 

We whip out our jackets, scarves, etc. I guess I'm really acclimatized.

 

This week we have so many meal appointments planned. 

I'm already full just thinking about it. The members really spoil us here. 

We have already have several members come up and give us presents. 

So don't worry, we're being taken care of.

 

This weeks email is going to be pretty short because nothing really exciting happened. We're making some good progress with going through the ward list and gaining their trust. This week we actually had 1 Rescue! YAY! It was one of the young men in our ward who has been struggling with his testimony. We're planning on taking him out to Harvest this week. The Lord is definitely compensating for our efforts. We got an amazing referral last night from some other missionaries. We are going to be meeting with him tonight.

 

We sang in our ward choir yesterday for the Christmas program. Sister Anderson and I sang a duet at the beginning of a song and I was SO nervous, but it turned out ok. I've never thought of myself as a good singer so it's actually surprising to me how much we're asked to sing. Missionary life man... I was actually the only alto so that was awk.

 

I read a scripture in the Book of Mormon that stood out to me because of what I've been going through.

 

"For, behold, I have refined thee. I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." 

 (1 Nephi 20:10)

 

I will forever be grateful to my Father in Heaven for all of the trials that He allows me to go through. I know that they are for my experience and growth. 

It's in those times of trial that our character is defined. 

It is in our times of trial that we can understand more fully who the Savior really is for us.

 

I love you all so much. 

I hope you have an amazing Christ centered Christmas and ENJOY THE SNOW!!!

 

Sincerely, Sister Matheson

 

pics:

Our STL's (Sister Training Leaders) took us to Hollywood Beach 

last P-day to walk on the boardwalk. It was SO beautiful!!!

 

One of our members took us to a Venezuelan bakery for lunch and I tried Malta. 

I guess it's kind of like Root Beer, but it has a molasses taste to it. I liked it. 

We also had Arepas which is a four thing filled with cheese and beef. SO GOOD!

 

I've been giving the CTR rings out like candy. The kids in the ward LOVE them. 

I gave one to this little boy (In the next set of pictures) and he said,

 "awww you shouldn't have". hahaha

 

We loved our Gingerbread kit! 

HEYYYYO Family! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....kind of. 

It's practically paradise here in Florida. I'm not complaining. 

We're doing everything we can to make it feel like the Holidays.

Oh the crazy things that happened this week...where to begin?

1. We have been going through the ward list and meeting all of the members in our ward so that  we can put names to faces. Thursday night we tried stopping at someone's house who was on our list. A man opened the door and said, "um excuse me, do you know what this sign says?" (A no solicitation sign). I said yes, but that we were just there to say a prayer with his family. Things escalated and after asking us several times to read the sign we started to leave. 

While we were walking away, our conversation went like this:

Me: "We're not soliciting."

Man: "Yes, you are."

Sister Anderson:"No, we're not"

Man: "Who do you report to?"

Me: "GOD"

Man: "No you don't. What's the Bishop's number?"

We of course gave him his number and then he informed us that he would be calling the police as well because we were trespassing. hahaha oh my!!!

WE JUST WANT TO SAY A PRAYER NOT MAKE YOU EAT A LIVE CHICKEN!

2. On Saturday we went on Exchanges with our STL's. We were driving home at around 8:00pm and Sister Coats stopped at a stop light. RIGHT when we came to a complete stop we looked at each other and the SMASH!!! The car behind us crunched the trunk of the car. We may have gotten minor whip lash. Good times. We got out and it was this 18 year old kid. He was so distraught and we just got out giggling and smiling. We shook his hand and introduced ourselves. While taking down his information we took the opportunity to share the gospel with him and hive him a "He is the Gift" card.  Of course we had to take a selfie as well.

THE PRIESTHOOD IS REAL!!!

3. We have been meeting with one of our Member's friends. Her name is *J* and she feeds us whenever we don't have a member meal. She has a lot of health problems i.e. she gets migraines and has seizures occasionally. She always has a lot of questions about "Mormonism" and on Sunday she randomly showed up to church with her 8 year old daughter. During Relief Society she wasn't feeling well at all and I suggested that we go sit out in the hall. We walked out and I let her grab my arm for support. She started getting shaky. When we made it to the couch she put her head on my shoulder and I put my arm around her. She started having a seizure in my arms and I told Sister Anderson to grab some priesthood holders to give her a blessing. Three of them came out of their class to give her a blessing. The first part was done in Spanish, but soon after she stopped shaking. She told us afterward that she could feel the Spirit during the blessing. We went over to her house that night and Sister Anderson shared Amos 3:7 with her. She asked why she felt like sharing that scripture and it was the perfect Segway into a Restoration lesson. Who knows what will come of that?:)

We have been working with a family who's son is less active. On Sunday we fasted for him to have a softened heart and he showed up to church. We went up and introduced ourselves. We invited him to come out Harvesting with us and he agreed with excitement. His mom texted us that day, thanking us and saying that she saw a countenance change in her son.

We had our Ward and Mission Conference "Celebrations" this week. I'll attach pictures. It was fun to see all the missionaries and some of my past companions. Each zone did a skit and we had a mini white elephant exchange.

I've been reading in 1 Nephi 16 and thinking of it as an alagory for the Plan of Salvation. When Nephi went ". . . forth up into the top of the mountain . . ."(vs. 30). THEN he was able to obtain food for their families. Food for thought.

I love you all. 

Thank you for all of your love, prayers, and support. 

Merry Christmas!

Sincerely, Sister Matheson

 

Pictures:

 

When I got the package with the stocking. 

It's the cutest thing in our apartment.

 We LOVE the snowballs you sent us. 
We have snowball fights everyday

 Mission Conference Christmas Celebration!

 I'm ready for my job at Deseret Book!

 Selfie after being rear-ended.