Miracles Happen

March 19, 2012

Hello everyone! Happy 2 days after St. Patrick's Day!

So, I had another incredible week! Shocking, I know. Who would have thought?

On Wednesday, Sister Hebdon and Sister Nielson came back to visit. Sister Nielson had to go home early from her mission twice, because of back problems and Sister Hebdon was in West Palm Beach for an entire year. Everyone knows and loves her. One of our investigators, Cesar, was taught by them and dropped by them, but was super excited to see them again, as was the rest of the ward. Lucky for us, they gave us an opportunity to see lots of less active converts that we wouldn't have seen otherwise. Plus, they came over one morning and went through our area book and explained a whole bunch of people to us. It was SUPER helpful! Then they came with us all afternoon on Friday and were super helpful there too. It was pretty awesome to have the power of 4 sister missionaries all at once! They came to see their recent convert, Edeliz, get sealed in the Orlando Temple on Saturday! They said it was the most wonderful thing ever to help someone get baptized and sealed for eternity. I can only imagine how wonderfully magnificent that would be! Hopefully I'll be able to experience that sometime, too.

On Thursday, we did our weekly planning at the church building so the Zone Leaders could watch us, take notes, and give feedback. It was pretty awkward at first, but turned out to be amazing. They stopped us after a while and discussed some things they had learned from us and then gave us some advice. Elder Rybin explained ... well, he said a lot, but I will summarize it into two quotes: "Guess What! God's still going to bless you" (he was refering to the fact that even when we can't incorporate every aspect of PMG and every piece of advice from leaders, we're still doing a good thing by being missionaries) and "Faith is my acceptance of God's acceptance of me." Everything they said was super helpful and very humbling. They gave us each a blessing since we've been a little overwhelmed and lacking in faith lately. It is so wonderful to see the power of the Priesthood in action!

We had a Noche de Hogar on Thursday night that was also miraculous: 7 investigators came! All of them SLM except Blanca! Most important in my opinion was Inocente's presence because afterward he said he felt better about getting baptized on Sunday (Monday, he said he wasn't ready). Although, he got sick and didn't even come to church on Sunday, so he didn't end up getting baptized this week anyway. Oh well, that's what next week is for!

We went by to teach Blanca this week and Rosa's friend was there. We taught him, Fabian, and he accepted a baptismal date for next Sunday and came to the FHE. We came by to see him on Saturday and ended up teaching Blanca 2 Nephi 31. This is a great story but I don't have time to tell it. So to be quick: She accepted baptism, passed both her interviews, and got baptized yesterday!! It was amazing to see the Spirit touch her and have her completely change her mind. Her baptism was probably the sweetest experience I've ever seen. (even though she is 78 and couldn't get down the stairs by herself!) I am so glad that President Anderson was able to see it and 2 of our other investigators were able to be there as well.

So, needless to say, miracles exist and I'm sure if you try, you can see them in your life, too. God really does love each and everyone of us!

And I love you all, too. Isn't life great?

Love, Sister Sheffield

P.S. Thank you Sheffield Family for all the little notes!! They were Fantastic! I Love you!

We are blessed! Blessed Blessed Blessed!

March 26, 2012

Complete with a fist-punch dance!

HELLO Wonderful family and friends!!!

It is such a wonderful day!!!

I don't even know where to start because this week was PACKED full of awesome-ness like never before.

"Thus we see that the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of his people."

Alma 24:27

Tuesday was Sister Sobkowicz half-birthday and her 6th months left mark (yes, she's going home on her birthday!). We celebrated by setting Diego with a baptismal date for Sunday!! Turns out he hasn't been talking to us because he thought he hadn't passed his interview and couldn't get baptized when really he could!

Wednesday we met a great couple that told us they needed to get married before they could get baptized before we even mentioned baptism! and we finally had a lesson with this great family that has 5 kids. We've been praying to find families so it was great to finally teach them!

Thursday, when the exciting stuff started. Instead of weekly planning, we had EXCHANGES! Sister Hawkes and SIster Pack are visiting all the sisters in the mission to teach/train/help. Sister Pack and I spent the whole day together. It was super different than it is with Sister Sobkowicz because sister Pack isn't as "go go go" as Sis Sob and I are. But I learned a lot from her, especially, that I can somewhat communicate with people without Sister Sobkowicz there! (I was really worried because I didn't think that was possible) In general it is just great to have exchanges because everyone goes out with so much faith and miracles follow. Plus, Diego had his baptismal interview and Elder Palacios said he was "beyond ready!"

Which brings us to Friday. We had a lesson with an unenthusiastic investigator which ended in us setting her with a baptismal date for the 8th! Then, we got a phone call from Inocente who was trying to cancel our appointment again (he did that last week and then didn't come to church!) So we drove straight to his house before he could leave and got the zone leaders to come join us. They interviewed him for baptism! He passed because he is ready for baptism, but wanted to pray about getting baptized this Sunday or the next. Then we dragged the Zone Leaders (only one of which speaks Spanish) to Cesar and Dora and Cesar's house. We read in the Book of Mormon with Cesar (hijo) and Dora while Cesar (padre) had his surprise interview with Elder Odar. Then they switched and we taught Cesar while Dora had her interview.Why did we give them their interviews a week before their set date? We had no idea. They were both ready but still wanted to wait until the 1st.

Saturday. The best day ever and I'm not joking. Seriously the best day of my life. Here's why:

We went to a random Asian Buffet with our recent convert Pedro because he wanted to. I ate sushi! Then we went to get gas in the car and saw Caravel (great Ice Cream place). We felt like we needed to take some ice cream to Luis because we didn't get to see him on Thursday. So we bought some and stopped by instead of visiting some new people. Then we dropped by Jesus and Victoria's house just in time to see him and set up an appointment. We had a lesson with her and she said she'd come to church! Then we visited Diego and finished the plan of Salvation with him. He bore his testimony to us and it was super sweet. We surprised Inocente with a visit and quick lesson which he liked but still wasn't sure about baptism the next day. Then we stopped by Cesar and Dora's and just checked in to see if they had changed their minds (they hadn't) and drove down to pick up our dinner at the church. On the way down we noticed a call from President Anderson, so we called him back. He said,

"I got a letter from President Monson. Cesar Canalas has permission to get baptized."

We literally screamed right there in the car, on the phone!!! This was the news we have been praying for!!!! And so ironic that it should come right after we visited them!

When we got to the church, a man pulled up next to us. He said his name was Dick Stapleton and he hadn't been to church in 15 years. He had been sitting in the parking lot for an hour and a half waiting, praying, for missionaries to come so he could find out when church was. We were literally prayed there! (mostly because the food wasn't even supposed to be there for an hour!) It was so awesome. He told us his whole story. Which is great but I don't have time to relate it.

We drove to an appointment which wasn't home and then we went straight to Cesar's house. He was the only one home and when we told him the news, he was in total shock. He said "I thought God had forgotten about me!"We went over the interview questions with him to help him feel more ready (except he is already a better member than most are) and he accepted to get baptized the next day!!

Then his dad came home and we invited him to get baptized the next day to. He said no, the 1st is fine.

Then Dora came home and we told her the news, bore testimony, had Cesar bare testimony and asked them if they wanted to get baptized.

Cesar -padre turned to Dora and said, "do you want to do it tomorrow?" And she said "Esta bien" and he turned to us and said "I guess we'll all 3 get baptized tomorrow!"

We screamed again!!! Best. Moment. Ever.!!

So, Sunday, Cesar, Cesar, Dora, and Diego got baptized!

There is so much more to tell, but I can't right now.

I love you all. I love this work. I love the Spirit. I love the Lord.

Love, Sister Sheffield

Vamos a morir!

March 12, 2012

Okay, so the title was actually from a few weeks ago, but it is still funny. Sister Sobkowicz said this phrase twice that week: Once in reference to the weather and how it was only February and it was 91 degrees, and again more literally when teaching the Plan of Salvation. I laughed because I was thinking of the little gif Alan found once that had Harrison Ford mouthing the words "WE ARE GOING TO DIE" very over-the-top like. Now I want to watch Indiana Jones in Spanish just for that scene!

Anyway. . .

What a week it has been. I feel like I say that a lot, but it is always true. So much happens it is hard to keep track!

On Tuesday, we drove down to Boynton again to go to a specialized training. It was all about driving. Our mission (along with 24 others) has been chosen to test out a monitoring system for safe driving. This basically means those little boxes they installed in our cars are now working. We named ours Kiwi. However, Kiwi and I had a rocky start to our relationship. Every morning Kiwi says "No driver" and I have to swipe my card so he will say "Driver Logged in". Then if I go too fast he says "Speeding violation" or if someone isn't wearing their seatbelt he says "Seatbelt violation". If I turn too fast, go over bumps too fast, or do an assortment of other things he says "Aggressive Driving." All of which is reported to the office and goes on record. Yay. Needless to say, we are coming closer to being exactly obedient in all things including driving.

Also on Tuesday, they made all of the Elders leave and the Sisters stayed for extra training. We had Elder and Sister Staheli teach us about good health including 3 things: Stress management, Good nutrition, and exercise. We actually got to make and try some really good recipes and work out options. Then Sister Anderson said we were getting a little sloppy in our appearance and showed us all the pictures from the website on what good sister missionaries should look like. So, now we are increasing our obedience by actually getting ready everyday (even though we have no time), working out as outlined in the White Handbook, and eating healthier. (Apparently spinach, kale, collards, and bok choy are SUPER good for you. And eggs, cheese, and bread aren't as good as we thought.) I've never been a fan of watching what I eat or exercising, but as it turns out, that's part of being obedient (See D&C 89).

Also this week, we had 10 investigators at Sacrament meeting again! (It was kind of sad because we couldhave had more, and the Elders had maybe 2. Then there were some nonmembers that showed up and no one talked to them because the Elders thought they were our investigators and we thought they were theirs!) It is difficult to keep track of that many people at the same time. In fact, we didn't even talk to one of them (a member's 75 year old Sister)! Some of them (all Single Latin Men of course) are very needy and require us to sit by them. I unfortunately had to sit by Joel for the third time. No me gusta. Oh how I wish I could describe the awkwardness that is Joel. Here's a taste: On Wednesday, we got to the church early for a lesson (that was late) and Joel showed up. He stood next to the car and made some creeper comments (as far as I know, I can't really understand him) while we ate our dinner (apples and rice cakes!). He then sort of followed us around as we gave a tour of the chapel to another investigator, not really listening or paying attention, just making strange comments and laughing every time. Anyway, I really don't like sitting next to him during church because he's creepy.

Moving on...

Several of our investigators who have come to Sacrament before finally stayed for class!

Best of all, Norbin and Juan showed up at church! They live with a member and we've taught Norbin a few times, but he always refuses to come to church because he is "tired." For some unknown reason, both Juan and Norbin came to church and then we had a lesson with them last night. That was such a great idea! Thanks zone leaders for the suggestion! The lesson we had included a Member House Blessing to a less active! We used 2 Nephi 9:20-24 to discuss the Atonement and the need for Baptism. Turns out, people actually do want to live with God, you just have to ask them. We set them both with baptismal dates for the 25th!

Also, President Acevado just called and said Diego can get baptized!

And Inocente is still getting baptized next Sunday! (As far as we know!)

I love sharing the Gospel!!! And I passed my 1-year-left mark this week! AHH! Where is the time going?

Everyone needs to go read 2 Nephi 9. Even if you just read it, I promise that you will learn something new!

Love,
Sister Sheffield

P.S. Mitt Romney came to Church!!! Not our ward, but in our building! And Glen Beck was with him and spoke in their Sacrament meeting!! AND, we were out rounding up investigators and didn't get to see him! But we have a first hand, eye-witness account from the Elders!

(How are the elections going, anyway? I have no idea. . .)

"Stretch your soul in fresh achievement to bring about lasting change."
(Jesus, the Perfect Leader)

Revenge of the Fifth!! (of March!)

March 5, 2012

Because yesterday was a command: March Forth!

Dear Familia y amigos:

Being a missionary is so awesome! I have never been so happy in my life as I am serving the Lord. I have never been so aware of the mountain of blessings the Lord has to offer us and never been in a situation to receive so many! I was just thinking of my situation in life last year at this time: Probably the worst 4 months of my life. But these past 2 months (well 6 really) have been the best! ever. I don't know if you can properly verify that without actually being here to see and experience it, but just know that this is Zion. I hope everyone gets to experience this soon.

I have definitely been able to see the hand of the Lord in my life and in this mission. Just this morning, we were asked to talk to our district about being obedient. So during study time (while we were eating our free McDonald's Breakfast, because we can), we read in the scriptures and Preach My Gospel (kind of like scriptures anyway) about obedience and the blessings that come. With our District, we shared the story of Naaman and how he would be willing to do any "great thing" but was mad when it was just a simple thing. We discussed how we would all be more than willing to bike to the other side of the mission to teach a specific family in a hurricane if we were asked to, but we so often murmur and are upset when asked to do the simple things like being in bed by 10:30 or not eating with members after 5. We challenged everyone in our district, including ourselves, to be exactly and willingly obedient to all the mission rules because by doing so we are promised and increase in faith, knowledge, wisdom, testimony, protection, and freedom (PMG p.122) and who doesn't want that?! If we get so much just by obeying the commandments, it is amazing to me that we all allow ourselves to falter. Satan can't promise us any of those things, so why do we listen to him?

We were also very blessed this week to have 10 investigators at Sacrament Meeting!! It was an incredible day! Of course, it was kind of funny to realize that 7 of the 10 were Single Latin Men, but the point is that they came to church! And we had a really nice Testimony meeting, probably the best one I've been to on my mission where people did not all say the same things and there weren't any crazy stories to distract the Spirit. It was such a wonderful opportunity for our investigators to obtain the blessings we promised them (We always invite people to come witness the Sacrament so they can feel the spirit and receive revelation because that it was church is really for. You can too!).

Plus, we had a record breaking 16 member present lessons this week! A first for both Sister Sobkowicz and I and possibly for the mission! And I don't feel like we had anything to do with it! For example, there were 6 people that said they would come out with us on Friday, but they all bailed on us very last minute. We called a member in the morning to see if she had talked to her friend yet and she said she lost her job and had nothing to do, so she came out with us for almost the entire day! It was a very unexpected turn of events that Heavenly Father blessed us with so that we could still have our goal for member support that day!

In the words of Brittany's favorite religious-music-cd-infomercial, "Our God is an Awesome God."

Also on Friday, we stopped by the home of some single latin men (surprise surprise) to have a follow-up lesson from when we taught them the Restoration earlier in the week. They were a little annoyed that we wouldn't come in their house, but then we sang a hymn to start the lesson and they were captivated. They made us sing another one and they filmed it! Turns out they are in a Christian band for their church, so they, in return, sang us some songs. It was really hard to keep from laughing when we were just sitting there with these 3 latin guys serenading us with their Christian songs!

Speaking of singing, we have a message saved on our phone of our investigator Jorge (see previous emails) singing to us about how he is calling us. It is hilarious and we listen to it all the time. I think I have some of it memorized now . . .

Other great happenings in the land of Zion, aka West Palm Beach:

Milagro Miercoles! Which happened to be Leap Day tambien. We met these awesome women who really needed a blessing while looking for some former investigators for Bishop. We didn't actually find/talk to any of them, but we met a man who has been waiting for a Finding Faith in Christ DVD, a Spanish speaking woman who is looking for a church with members that live good moral standards, the mother of another contact, and a woman who we contacted weeks ago who moved and we could never get to ever actually see her (Don't worry, we blessed her, taught the plan of Salvation and committed her to baptism at the same time: Miracles everywhere!!). Plus we got to see our investigator/recent convert Eddie and he promised to come to church!

AND he finally did, so he finally got CONFIRMED!!! Yay!! So not only did our investigators get to hear great testimonies, they also got to witness another sacred ordinance! Nothing like an ordinance to bring the spirit to testify of the power of God.

Going backwards in time again, On Tuesday, the YSA President/Rep. came with us to several lessons. But since he doesn't have a car and we can't take him, he followed us around on his bike! (for the record, we brought our bikes to join him, but we ended up seeing more people than we had time for so he just followed our car.) He saw that group of singing men for their Restoration Lesson, Pedro (our sad-story recent convert who still didn't make it to church again), Diego (our one current investigator with a baptismal date), and Jesus (on his 21st birthday). He was super helpful and ended up calling Diego and Jesus and reminding them about church on Saturday Night without us asking him to!

Also, the Prodigal Son Story is super awesome. I encourage you all to read it because all of us are one of those brothers at some time in our life. And it might be exactly the case with Mayra's family at the moment, but we tried not to point that out as we read it to them! Haha I'm sure they figured it out! But it really brought an amazing spirit into their home that I think affected them all greatly. I love the Spirit.

Also, (because I haven't said that enough yet) 2 less actives came to church! One that I first met when he was drunk and one that hasn't been to church in 30 years since she was in Brazil! So amazing!

I am so excited to go to specialized training tomorrow, I'll let you all know how it goes.

Also, I love you all. Have a great week!

-Sister Anna Sheffield