Thnksgiving blessings

Hello family and friends:

This week has been very up and down. We had a lot of appointments fall through and weren't able to schedule many anyway because of Thanksgiving, but we ended up being very blessed. On Saturday, we were able to help an older sister in our ward and had a wonderful time getting to know her as we took care of her house and yard. Then we had another member with us as we tried to visit a few investigators and less-active members. Unfortunately, no one remembered their appointments and they weren't home. But despite the set-back, we continued on in faith. We decided to use the last hour of daylight to go harvesting. We were inspired to go to a specific street and we both knew we could reach our goal for the day. We knocked on every door on the street. Out of the 10 or so houses, we blessed 7 homes! It was incredible. Several of them took extra encouragement and our testimonies before they would accept, but our positive, purpose-driven attitudes really made a difference. Being able to reach our goal after so much other disappointments during the week really strengthened my faith.

Two of the best things that happened this week were with our investigators. Scott has been meeting with us for a few weeks now and has been reading a lot in the Book of Mormon, but he considers himself 'new' to religion and doesn't know how to understand answers to his prayers. We have talked to him many times about the Holy Ghost, but he is still unsure. On Sunday, he was able to come to church with a couple from our ward. When we talked to him the next day, he admitted that he had definitely felt something. It had taken his breath away for a moment during sacrament meeting. He said it made him feel excited inside and made him hungry for more knowledge. He can't wait to finish the Book of Mormon and have all his questions answered! It is so exciting to be present to see the change in him; to see the Spirit influence his life. Now we just have to help him stop smoking so he can feel it even more!

Speaking of seeing a change in people, the other great thing that happened this week was the Baptism of Anthony and Laverne! It was so amazing! They were glowing the whole time (even though it took 3 tries before Laverne made it all the way under)! When we saw them the next day, they really did have a change of countenance. Anthony told us that he really has never been this happy before! I believe it. I have seen him change so much in the time that I have been here. It is truly amazing that they were able to get baptized after meeting with the missionaries since February. Plus, it was a double baptism because a family that the Elders have been teaching for months also got baptized on Sunday. It was simply amazing! I understand what the scriptures mean by how great your joy can be by bringing one soul unto God. I can't wait to bring more!

Cool, huh?

Anyway. Baptisms really are the greatest thing ever. Really. I've never been so happy! I am so happy I get to do this some more!

We got transfer news! I'm staying here and will finish my training with Sister Hawkes (which is great, we have lots of investigators to get baptized!). Sister Buckley is staying here as well, but Sister Barnes is finally leaving the area. She has been here since February. I'm pretty sure she was just staying until Laverne got baptized! There is only one other Elder transferring in our district. I think our Zone leaders are changing too. Anyway, we find out tomorrow where everyone is going and who will be coming here.

Thanksgiving: We ate waffles and cinnamon ice cream for breakfast at the Archie's home. Delicious. It was a very warm day. I was sweating as we were walking outside. We had dinner at the Papenfuss home. He is the ward mission leader and she is the relief society president. Wonderful people. There were all 8 of us missionaries, the five of them, plus an elderly sister whose husband is still in the ICU and mostly paralyzed, and a less-active couple. Pretty awesome. We stayed there for a very long time. Oops.

Last Sunday we sang in church, so we had to sing for everyone else as well. We sang "Be Still, My Soul" for the Archies and the Papenfi (or Papenfusses) and they recorded "For the Beauty of the Earth." Also, I got to play the guitar, violin, and banjo at their house! So awesome. The baptism on Sunday included a musical number consisting of Elder Conger on the piano, Sisters Hawkes, Barnes, and Buckley singing, and me on violin. It was fun to play again even though I was kind of just making up some random part. No one had any music for us to use. We played "I Am a Child of God" because it is Laverne's favorite song. It worked out very well.

Well, that's a brief and scattered summary of my week. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I wrote a long list of things I'm thankful for, which includes:

-My wonderful amazing family and the way they raised me. I can't tell you how much that really means to me. I have already seen so many families that were not blessed the way I was and it truly hurts my heart to see them without the love and care and support that I had.

-The letters I received this week: Mom, Dad, Garret, Jill, Stevie. Thank you all! Letters are golden.

-Being here to see conversions. If you have never seen that change come over someone, you don't know what you're missing. How about you all go out and find someone and change their life. You'll never be happier.

Talk to you all soon!

Sister Anna Sheffield

With the heart of a turkey, and the wings of Cranberry sauce, because it's Thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, Everyone!

This week, there is much to be thankful for:

I am thankful for Zone Conference. I got to see my old companion and the Mission President, get a flu shot, each lunch, take pictures, get Steve (the black box in our car that tracks our driving), learn how to be safe and healthy, how to talk to people I wouldn't normally talk to, and so much more. Really, it was awesome.

I am thankful for cool experiences while harvesting and, of course, for the Holy Ghost:

As we were harvesting in the middle of the week, we had knocked on several doors without anyone answering. As we got to the last door on the street, we met a young man named Webster who was very glad to allow us to leave the blessing with him and to come back and meet his family the next day. As we were walking away from his door, we saw a woman walking her children home from school. She didn't speak a lot of English but she was happy to have us follower her to her house and leave the blessing with her and her family. Lots of the family was there and participated in the blessing. We were able to speak to her children and find a time when the Creole Elders could come back and teach them. Then as we walked away from her home, we saw a women standing in her driveway smoking. I soon as I saw her I thought "She needs us" so we walked straight to her. When we explained that we were representatives of Jesus Christ she got really excited and put out her cigarette. She was so shocked that we were there because she said she had strayed from the path. As she continued, she recognized us as her sisters in the gospel and was crying before we said the blessing. She was very glad to have us return. And although we haven't been able to teach her a full lesson yet, we have talked with her each day since then and have a return appointment. I know the Spirit was there guiding and directing us to her. I am glad we were able to hear that direction and follow it.

I am thankful for our investigators. We got to see some of them we haven't seen for a while. We also met several more and even committed some more to baptism on the first lesson. Yay!

I am thankful for ward parties. Our ward had a Thanksgiving day party and invited everyone and their friends. We had 3 investigator families there! Patricia, our Argentinian friend (she always calls us her "girls"), Laverne and 9 grandkids plus 2 friends, and Ardena, her son and daughter, and her friend and her daughter. It was so great! The party itself was pretty crazy and chaotic. There was a pinewood derby race (which we totally entered but didn't win) and tons of food. We were able to give Ardena a tour of the church and she was pretty excited to come to church. Unfortunately, she didn't get up in time on Sunday. But at least she's been in the church building now!

I am thankful for the ability to sing. The missionaries were asked to sing at the party, but we were somehow forgotten. So the bishop had us sing in Sacrament Meeting. We sang "For the Beauty of the Earth" acapella as a double quartet. Because we can. I am thankful for the other 7 missionaries in this ward. They are amazing people.

I am thankful for Jim Davis, a less-active member who let us come over and eat dinner with him and his non-member wife. And showed us his lovely Alligator head. Yes. He has the head of an 11 foot alligator. I got to hold it. He used to be an alligator hunter. So cool. Don't worry I have a picture.

I am thankful for all the random animals I see here. And for the great reactions from Sister Hawkes when she sees them (the most common being: "Ew!"). I guess I'm also thankful for the creepy Chihuahua named Tinkerbell which we saw when we were blessing a home. Even though he bit me. That's right. I got bit by a tiny rat-dog. At least he didn't break the skin. I feel like a real missionary! Ha!

I am most grateful for the WEDDING! Our wonderful investigators, that have been working with the missionaries for 8 months, finally got married!! It was so amazing! We spent 4 hours on Saturday decorating their cake and helping get things ready. Then on Sunday, we set up some tables and chairs, put some tablecloths out (that was the extent of the decorations), held the door open for the guests coming in out of the pouring rain, moved the podium from primary into the Relief Society room, handed the bride the bouquet (of silk flowers made by a ward member), and pinned the boutonniere on the groom (yes, we did that), passed out hymn books, and then it started. The bishop conducted the ceremony and we took pictures, I'm pretty sure my companion cried. It was SO exciting! Then they exchanged rings and the bishop gave them some advice. Then we went into the gym for some dinner and cake. Took more pictures and cleaned everything up. The whole thing was over in two hours. It was fun. The best part is that Anthony and Laverne were even more excited for next week: Their Baptism! I can't wait!!! (neither can Sister Barnes who has been here teaching them since the beginning!)

I am thankful for the wonderful ward members here that came and helped with the wedding and are so willing to go out with us to visit people. With 8 missionaries, it requires a lot of help from the ward, and they do it! Would you like to have that experience as well? You can, it is just one phone call away (to your local missionaries, of course)!

I am thankful for all of you! You are wonderful people and I love you. Yes even you.

Go read Elder Scott's talk from conference and then memorize a scripture. Any one. They're all good.

Heads-up: My Preparation Day is on Tuesday next week because of transfers. That gives you an extra day to write to me!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Love, Sister Anna Sheffield

Possum'd!

Dearest Family and Friends,

I hope you're all doing smashingly well. I hope it is not too cold or snowy. It got "cold" one day this week, which means it was about 63 degrees after dark. We wouldn't have really noticed if we hadn't been having a lesson outside for way too long (75 minutes). My companion had goosebumps. I had about 10 bug bites. But the lesson went well. Scott is very logical and is really confused by the fact that only 11 people saw the Gold Plates. But he likes to talk and he wants to learn how to improve his life, so we'll get past the insignificant details soon enough.

This week has been incredible with our harvesting efforts. We were able to put a lot of faith and effort into it, leading to very positive end results. We spent a lot of hours (about 10 in 3 days) at the beginning of the week leaving blessings in homes and by the end of the week, we were getting more appointments and were able to follow-up on a lot of those blessings. One of the homes we blessed was Tyeshia. She was very friendly and loved the blessing. I was able to experience what it truly feels like to have the spirit touch someone during the blessing. She seemed so excited that we had come and was eager to come to our church without us even mentioning it first. She gladly welcomed us to return. She noted that she wasn't usually home at that time and just happened to leave work early that day and recognized that God wanted her to be home so she could meet us. When we came back a couple days later, she was glad to see us (even though she was a bit surprised that we actually did come back). We were able to tell her all about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon. She was very excited to read it and said she would pray before she read each time so she could understand it better. We hadn't even mentioned that yet! She was also very excited that there is a prophet on the earth today and she really wants to be a good example to her family. She was definitely prepared by the Lord to meet us and to hear the Gospel. She committed to be baptized on Dec. 4th. Her son's name is Zion and I'm pretty sure she is married and doesn't have an addiction to drugs or smoking (which would be a first!).

Here are some other fun facts about my mission that I think you'll enjoy:

~Now that daylight savings time is over, we have to do harvesting early in the afternoon because the main area of Delray is not safe to be in after dark. However, we found a gated community with a broken gate and have been harvesting in there after dark. It is much safer, but the people aren't as openly accepting of the Savior' peace and comfort in their home. We did meet a really nice lady from Argentina named Patricia last week and have met her several times this week to answer her questions and teach her. Hopefully she'll realize that she can't have all of the wonderful things we are telling her about if she is not baptized and goes through the temple. It will happen soon enough.

~We have some lovely animal friends that live around our apartment: Lizards are everywhere and scurry across the sidewalk right in front of you (some don't make it fast enough - squished lizards are fairly common); Spiders are constantly making huge webs because they themselves are bigger; ants that are so light they are like tiny ball of fluff invaded our car last week (now it smells like ant spray); a possum hung out in the parking lot for a while; a raccoon almost walked up the stairs to our door; and squirrels are always in the trees and chirping at each other. Got to love wildlife. Also, the other sisters went to bless a home and the lady that lived there had a pet opossum. It was gross-looking but its name was "Snookie". Creepy.

P.S. I still hate large birds that caw and congregate outside of houses.

~The other sister missionaries here are feeding my quote addiction. Anything from random Youtube videos (from last year) to SNL skits to MST3K to HomestarRunner. It is hilarious. We even had our own version of a party-killing youtube moment where we just told all the funny parts of any thing we could remember. We're silly. The most popular thing to quote by far is Emperor's New Groove. We've found situations for pretty much every single quote in that movie. "by all means, it doesn't make sense."

~Our microwave died. I miss it.

~I got a little sunburned the other day from harvesting for so long. Patricia noted that I was a little red and that my companion is very white. We get that a lot.

~We met an 81 year-old preacher "Brother Williams" who told us all about how we are brothers and sisters and that we need to be careful because there are lots of bad men out there that would hurt us and kill us. We left a blessing with him on his porch and left as fast as possible. His stories were a little too graphic for us. He and lots of others thought we were only teenagers. Thus is my life.

~A new Creole speaking Elder came this week. Straight from the MTC. (Creoles come on a different schedule) His name is Elder Jones and he is from South Weber, Utah.

~We ate dinner at the Bishop's house last night (All 8 missionaries and all 6 in their family). It was really fun. We got to see a different side of the Bishop. They showed us an article from the October 2010 New Era that was about our District Leader! Elder Conger's Eagle Scout Project was the subject of one of the articles. You should go look it up. It was pretty funny to see him in there.

~We are singing at the Ward Thanksgiving Party this Saturday. The missionaries were asked to give a musical number, but we're also having dinner and a pinewood derby race, so that'll be interesting.

~We had Super Saturday last Saturday and the R.S. ladies just loved it. I made some hair bows. We cleaned up everything afterwards even though our investigator didn't show up. Actually, none of our investigators showed up at church either. Sad day.

~I got Taylor [Berhow] and Stevie's [Dugdale] letters and they are so amazing. They are just amazing people with awesome experiences and the ability to tell about them and they have wonderful testimonies. Go Cousins. That article on Faith was also awesome. Thanks, Mom. Everyone should read it.

~We went to Subway one day last week and they were playing songs on the radio. I thought it was funny. We haven't really heard anything other that Mormon Tabernacle Choir for a long while. Speaking of, if you would like to send me some Mo-Tab CDs (Christmas or otherwise) I would enjoy that. We have CD players in the car and they can be burned CDs if you'd like. (I'm getting tired of the same songs over and over. My companion only listens to The Men [of the Tabernacle Choir]'s CD and Showtime.)

We have zone conference next week in Boca Raton then a follow-up trainer/trainee meeting on the 23rd in Plantation. That's a lot of driving, but I'm kind of excited to see my old companion and other people in the mission. We're also getting Flu Shots there. Yay.

One last thought: The Spirit is wonderful. But it isn't just great, it is necessary. The Spirit is how we receive revelation and how we learn of God's will. If we can't recognize it then we won't know what God is saying to us. We have to explain this to our investigators pretty much every time. But when we do, it turns out a lot better. There are so many ways to feel the Holy Ghost that it can be difficult to describe, but the scriptures are filled with the different ways you can feel the spirit. Just figure out which one works for you, realize when it is there, listen to it, then ACT. It means nothing if you can feel it and then do nothing about it! Also, do all you can to have the spirit in your life because it is so important and necessary for all of us.

Okay, that's good enough. I hope you all know the Church is True. Because it is. There is nothing that can change that fact. So if you know it, and you know its true, Repent. Alma 12:37. Read it.

I love you all! Have great mid-November week! Don't freeze!

Missionary, cleaner, organizer, seamstress, counselor, wedding planner?

This week was full of service. We were able to help so many people in the ward. I also gained a greater understanding of my calling as a missionary because of the things we have done this week. We were able to share our testimony with an overwhelmed sister in our ward as we helped organize the items left to her family by her ailing mother-in-law. We helped our investigators work through their differences in order to be married in preparation for their baptism with the help of the Bishop (he did the real counseling). We were able to share a message of peace to an elderly sister as we sewed up some of her homemade clothing. We were also able to have a nice discussion about getting through trials as we weeded and cleaned the yard of an elderly couple in the ward. It was very rewarding to be able to serve them and I am grateful for the health and strength I have to do that. (See how I was a missionary, organizer, cleaner, sewer, and counselor? Pretty great, huh? The wedding planner part is coming soon.)

While we spoke to each of these members, we asked them for referrals. They didn't have any for us.

Let this be a lesson to you all: You all know someone who needs the gospel. Share it with them. Let the missionaries share it with them. Why would you deny them salvation? Don't be scared. Just do it. (okay, just to note: I was terrible at this before my mission. Never again. Members are SUPER important and people are WAY more likely to accept the church if they have friends. PLEASE find the courage to talk about the Gospel. How would you feel if your friends knew how to be saved and they didn't tell you?!?!)

We had several very spiritual experiences this week with our investigators. One of them was with Anthony and Laverne, who have been working with the missionaries for about 7 months. They have had a lot to overcome and have been taught all the lessons. The biggest obstacle in their way was marriage. They have lived together for 12 years but are not married and many things have come in the way of making that possible, including working out a divorce and overcoming commitment issues. As we discussed this final step with them, we were able to use the scriptures, our own testimonies, and the deep concern of a member to help them understand the importance of marriage. Laverne has a strong testimony and was able to bear that to Anthony while we were there. By the time we left, everyone in the room had felt the spirit and even shed a tear or two. They committed to meeting with the bishop the next day. Our next appointment with them was canceled.. because they were at the courthouse getting a marriage license! They was a visible change in them when we next saw them. They were so much happier and they recognized that others were happy for them and that God was pleased with this decision, as well. Anthony came to church for the first time in months and committed, with full-conviction, to be baptized on the 27th. It was so amazing to watch this change come over him. I know that he will be blessed with even more happiness and peace as he prepares and follows through with these important events in his life.

It was so amazing to see the spirit work and change people. It is such a blessing in this work and is vital for success. I am so grateful that I know the truth, especially my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. I know that my family will be together forever and that my grandfather is happier now with his wife and friends. (For those who don't know, my grandfather passed away very peacefully on Sunday, November 6.)

We are all here for a reason. We are here at this time for a specific purpose. If you do not fulfill that purpose, why were you reserved until now? Go and Do. Let nothing stop you from making this world a better place. Read D&C 138:55-56. Then read the Book of Mormon because it is awesome. :)

Well, that is a nice little summary of my week. I hope you all had a wonderful week as well. It would be great to hear about it. :)


Love from the humid 80s (weather, not times),
Hermana Anna Sheffield

Have a blessed day.