Ain't God Good

Hey Family!!

 

First things first y'all need to go find Sister LaPorte!  She goes home in November so I know it seems like y'all still have a lot of time to go find her but before you know it she'll be back home.  And I already told her that everyone is home for summer and you'll be heading down there soon.  So go find her!  In answer to your question Sarah, you could take starbursts.  :)

 

This new transfer is so different but it's gonna be a good one.  They split our district so now it's only us, the office elders, and the north elders in our district.  I miss having prarieville and tiger bend but it's also nice because it's just our ward in our district which means we'll be more unified.  Plus the north elders were double transfered in so they don't know anyone so there's a lot of work to be done!  It was kinda a slow wek to start off with but nonetheless there were still plenty of miracles.   

 

Here's just a couple miracles: 

 

numero uno: Kiwanna is a new investigator of ours that we met a couple months ago, she's actually the niece of another investigator we've been teaching and we finally called her up and visited her this past week.  She's just searching for peace and comfort and earnestly wants to understand Christ more and come to church!  She couldn't make it to church yesterday because she had to work but she said she's gonna ask for church off.  This was her text to us on saturday,  "They made the schedule before I got a chance so I won't be able to make it but I will ask them to give me sundays off sense I will be joining your church so I can't make it but next sunday will be promised."  We taught the plan of salvation when she was at her aunt's a couple months ago but other than that we only talked about Christ when we came to visit her.  But her family is all set on coming to church and I think she's amazing!  It will be awesome to see her help out her whole family and also help herself. 

 

numero dos:  We called up a less active member, Sister Queen to see if we could come see her and she said yes!  On thursday we planned on talking about the Book of Mormon and she said she wanted to start reading it over again and so we get to go read with her every week now!  Plus she doesn't usually come to church because it's hard to get a ride but she ended up coming yesterday and staying for all three hours. :)

 

numero tres:  On friday we had plans to go see Sister Williams but when we got there her daughter said she wasn't home.  We randomly picked someone that lived nearby to go visit and it turns out that Tommy, the guy we randomly stopped by to see, is actually Sister Coleman's nephew!  He said he would love for us to come over more often and bring the spirit back into his home.  We called up Sister Coleman and she was super surprised we just found her nephew so now the goal is to get him back to church and then he can give Sister Coleman rides to church as well!  Unfortunately neither of them came yesterday but it's always a work in progress. 

 

Emily congratulations on making captain this year!!  Remember to always be a good influence on those around you.  You're gonna be great at it and I'm so proud of you!  Let's just say I'm glad to call you my sister.  :) 

 

When Andrew gets home definitely have him write me about his experiences in Africa.  I want to hear about everything with pictures included!! 

 

Thanks for writing to me Sarah!  The missionary work in Baton Rouge is going well.  Always so much to do and so many people to see...I absolutely love it!  Surprisingly it's not that hot and humid out lately.  At least for me it's nothing compared to the humidity we felt on the cruise but maybe I'm just more use to it.  I loved all the pictures you sent of Lucy!  Haha man she looks like a little trouble maker but also a sweetheart.  So have you been working at Kohl's during your seven week break?  I must admit that I miss work a lot and I'm excited to go back.  Geez it's so crazy that you're gonna be starting your third year of school soon!  Sister Calderwood, LaPorte, and Andrade all went to BYU- Idaho which I think is so crazy.  Haha we were at Miranda and Tasha's the other day and we were talking about how crazy it would be if the four of us were roommates there.  Good luck thinking about which major to change to!  Hey and you should wait to go with me to India or Thailand next year.  :)     

 

Mom and Dad thank you for all you do!  I'm printing out your talk so I can read it later but it sounds great so far.  I gave a talk in sacrament meeting way back when I first got here but other than that I haven't talked since.  Thank you for figuring out all the scripture things mom!  Dad, Barney Cutchen is in our ward but he never attends because he used to work with the bishop in second work.  We still try to see him every other week or so.   

 

Let's see...something I learned from the Book of Mormon this week was in 3 Nephi 5:2-3 which says, "And they knew that it must be expedient that Christ had come, because of the many signs which had been given, according to the words of the prophets; and because of the things which had come to pass already they knew that it must needs be that all things should come to pass according to that which had been spoken.  Therefore they did forsake all their sins, and their abominations, and their whoredoms, and did serve God with all diligence day and night."  The part I really like is right before they were talking about the prophets and how they were testifying of Christ and how the signs came which meant Christ had come.  And because Christ had come they decided to forsake, or abandon all their sins and everything they were doing wrong and full heartedly serve God will all diligence everyday.  Christ is the ultimate movitator for everything.  They were willing to give up their sins, which is often times the hardest things to give up, in order to serve God. 

 

I hope y'all have a wonderful week and know that I love you!!

 

Love Always,  Sister Schmutz   

Transfer Number 5

Hey Family!

 

It looks like y'all are doing well back home.  Having fun with Lucy all the time...she looks like quite the little sassy puppy!  So the big news for transfer number 5 is that Sister Andrade and I are both staying in Baton Rouge!  I thought for sure one of us was going to be leaving but we're still here.  I'm super happy and ready to make the most of the coming transfer.  We've already set some goals and things to accomplish and it's gonna be great!  We're both in our comfort zones here and ready to work hard.  Our district is staying all the same except the zone leaders are switching to a new area so that means we get two new elders in our ward in place of the zone leaders, plus they're gonna be on bikes!  I don't know how they're gonna survive in our giant area on bikes but I'm sure they'll make it work somehow.  And then we get one new office elder.  I think it's gonna be a terrific transfer.  :)  I'll let y'all know who they are next week!  I'm so happy to be staying in BR 1st ward for at least another transfer because it's just home for me.  I love all the people and all the craziness that goes on in our ward because it makes us who we are. 

 

This past week has been a pretty sweet week!  I wanted to share just a couple miracles with y'all before I forget:

 

numero uno:  On the last day of July we had a lot more miles than usual to drive so we decided to go visit some members that live way out in the boonies that we usually never get the chance to visit since miles are limited.  After repeated appointments fell through it just came to my mind to go see this active family, the Palubinskas because I knew they lived up in the general area.  So we found her house and stopped by and she let us in.  Only to find out that she's been having a terrible week/day/month and her husband has been out of town for the past several months so it's just her and her daughter there and she just needed some peace and comfort.  I'm not sure if anything we said really helped her but she said we were an answer to prayers!  It was awesome to see how the spirit can work in bringing us to exactly who needs us. 

 

numero dos:  Last week we started reading 1 Nephi 2 with Sister Mills in order for her to start reading her scriptures again and we commited her to keep reading.  Previously in the past she said she would read but she never did so this week we came over prepared to read 1 Nephi 3 with her.  But low and behold we showed up to find out she read all the way to 1 Nephi 22!  She said she's been staying up late when it's quite and peaceful so she can read the scriptures and she's felt the comfort that comes from it.  Seriously the Book of Mormon is absolutely amazing!! 

 

numero tres: The spanish sisters put on a musical fireside sunday evening for everyone to invite ward members, investigators, and anyone.  And guess who came?!  One of our investigators, Nicollette came!  She said she really like it.  Plus it's been super hard getting in contact with her because we don't have her address and her cell phone is broken.  But she's awesome!!  I think I mentioned her to y'all before when I was talking about shepharding with Sister Lewis because they work together and that's how we got to meet her.  And then yesterday we got to clean up Sister Lewis' yard with the rest of the district just because everything was al overgrown and such.  We're hoping to be able to help her clean the inside of her house with her so we can bring Nicollette over to her place soon and have lessons there. 

 

Haha and yes Mom, I did get y'alls email last week.  I got it right before we were leaving though so I had already written and sent my email to you.  Thank you for helping me out with everything.  I hope work is going well for you and primary is going okay as well.  Good luck with trying to train Lucy in the upcoming weeks!  You'll have to let me know if anything funny happens with her.  :)

 

Good luck with soccer tryouts today Emily!  You're gonna do great.  Sarah write me back!!  Tell Andrew that he better send me some pictures from all his experiences in Africa! 

 

Something I liked from the Book of Mormon this week was in Jacob 2:8 "And it supposeth me that they have come up hither to hear the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul."  When you think about it, it's really unique and inspiring that the word of God (scriptures) can heal the wounded soul.  A soul is also refered to as our own spirit and when we die our spirit is what we take with us.  Everyones soul/spirit is unique to them because it contains all the memories and personalities that only they can hold.  So it's amazing that no matter who goes through what, the word of God can heal you.  In relating to that is the talk  Sugar Beets and the Worth of A Soul by President Monson.  I found this talk earlier this week and absolutely love it.  It's so inspiring to know how much every single soul is worth to God.  And that's where it all comes down to, saving the souls that are lost or fallen away.  In ward council earlier this week we've been talking about how we can improve our Work of Salvation in the ward and Elder Jessop mentioned what Elder Bednar said back when he came to visit last year.  Elder Bednar said something along these lines that he wished someone would pray in sacrament meeting that they'd be able to help those lost souls and then in priesthood/relief society everyone left and found someone that wasn't at church but needed to be and it was their responsibility in helpin them come back next week.  It would be my dream to have that happen to our ward because there are so many people that could and need to do that.  If we all just find one person and help that one then eventually they'll be able to help another one and the list keeps going on and on.  The work of the Lord is hastening and we have to step up and be ready for when he comes again. 

 

I hope y'all have a wonderful week!  Know that you're always in my prayers and that I love y'all dearly.  Let me know if you have any questions I can answer next week! 

 

Love Always, Sister Schmutz

fish!

Hey Family!!

 

I hope y'all are having a great summer break and making the most of the last couple weeks you have.  I can't believe that school is starting again so soon and time just keeps racing on!  School starts next week here!  Andrew and Emily both get to be seniors this year...it's so crazy!! 

 

This week has been a super good week!  On Saturday we had a ward activity for pioneer day but it was raining the whole day so not very many people came out.  Seriously when it rains here it pours, and I mean pours.  It was fun with everyone that did come though.  We just had a picnic up at a little park but it was awesome because they have these ponds with fish that you can catch and release so all the kids were doing that and guess what? I caught a fish!!  I should've taken a picture but my camera was in the car so I didn't get the chance to.  Haha the best part was when we first went over to the pond, I was asking Aiden if he caught any fish and he said  he caught a couple so he threw in his fishing pole, then I did mine, and Sister Andrade did hers and at the same time we all caught a fish.  It was a pretty exciting moment.  :)  We got to eat lots of food at the picnic and then we also had a water balloon fight and played uno.  Man I love the ward here so much! 

 

Weddin, her niece, and me.

 

I'd have to say a sweet miracle from this week was helping the Wleh's move.  They're the family with six girls and she's a single mom and the girls are all the cutest (I've told y'all about them before)!  We usually stop by to see their family at least once a week but we hadn't been able to this week.  Then Saturday morning at the bishops storehouse we asked Tracy if she was bringing her girls to the ward activity later in the day and she said probably not because they have to be moved out by monday so we decided to go help them.  We didn't even know they were moving!  We helped out a little before the activity and they already had everything moved but in their moms bedroom everything was still there.  And Tracy was gone the whole time we were there so with Erica and Janice we were able to carry the mattress and dressers down the street to their new house, plus the elders came and helped with the big things.  Seeing Tracy's reaction when she found almost everything in her room moved was the best!  She was so grateful.  :)  haha they were trying to convince Erica to call us earlier to come help but they didn't.  Seriously their family is the best family ever, it's a party everytime we got over and they all love each other so much.  I hope my family can be like that one day! 

 

Something I learned from the Book of Mormon this week was in Alma 59.  Moroni was talking about the cities and how it was easier to maintain them rather than having to take them back from the Lamanites.  As it says, "knowing that it was easier to keep the city from falling into the hands of the Lamanites than to retake it from them."(v.9)  "Therefore he retained all his force to maintain those places which he had recovered." (v.10)  It relates to the less active people that we've been working with.  In the "baptize, retain, and regain worthy converts" part of our mission vision I think it's just like Moroni said, it's easier to retain the members of the church than to regain them.  So it's our responsibility to retain the members.  That's exactly what we've been trying to do lately.  At church we're noticing who doesn't show up and we're trying to visit them throughout the week so that they don't eventually become less active.  Imagine it this way if you so please, you have a bucket of water half full and an empty bucket.  It's so much easier and quicker to fill the bucket when it's half way than when it's empty.  The less active or semi active members are the half full bucket and the less active that haven't come to church in a couple years are the empty buckets.  It's not impossible to fiill either one of the buckets, but in order to help out our ward we have to create more full buckets so the full buckets can help all the empty buckets.     

 

Hey Mom and Dad, I wanted to ask y'all to send your own conversion stories.  With lots of members we've been visiting I always love hearing how they joined the church and when their testimony really came to them.  And I was thinking, and I've never heard either of yours.  Also Dad and Andrew y'all should send either your favorite story from your mission or one of the craziest ones! 

 

I'll write to y'all next tuesday!  You guys better write me next week you little stinkers.  ;)

 

Love Always,

 

Sister Schmutz