Monday, April 25, 2016

Week 26

I reach my 6 month 'click day' on Thursday the 28th..I've been thinking about all the things that I've learned and all the miracles that have happened since I've been on my mission.

-Sister Gillespie was baptized ♥☼♥
-Sister Ainsworth was baptized ♪♫♪

-God loves each of His children soooo much!
-being a missionary is hard but worth it.
-the Atonement is real and helps us to change our lives
-prayer allows us to change our wills to align more with God's will
-God will always answer our prayers as long as we ask for the right things
-The scriptures are soooo good and bring us so much happiness and point us towards Jesus Christ
-Prophets speak by the power and authority of God
-Repentance is a process in which we change our hearts to become better every day

AND SO MUCH MORE BUT I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME

I just want to leave my witness with you that this church is true and it's lead by Thomas S. Monson who is a prophet called by God. The scriptures are written for our day and as we read them we can come closer to Jesus Christ and gain a greater understanding of the reality of the Plan of Salvation and the Love that Heavenly Father has for each of us. Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose again that we might have hope through Him. He provides the only way back to the Father. Joseph Smith was an imperfect young boy who God prepared and eventually called to be a prophet to restore the FULLNESS of His Gospel to the earth that we might be able to find true and lasting peace and happiness in this life and throughout eternity. And the best thing? God answers our prayers and He testifies of truth. And I know that this is true.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen




Sister Hammond ♥

Monday, April 18, 2016

Week 25

Thought you'd enjoy some pictures :) did lots of yard work and for this sweet lady, she's been in a wheel chair for 12 weeks because she broke her leg. I've decided that I love yard work. Gaining so many skills on a mission. Like knitting. I learned to knit last week, therefore I have decided to make a blanket. Wish me luck;)


It decided to rain so obviously we walked in it and talked to people because we love the rain. Needless to say, I was soaked. :D



​love these crazy kids! Their mom is a recent convert from September who is less active but coming back to church :) James is 3 and Jon is 4. 

I love being able to see the way that the spirit works in our lives. He helps us to make decisions that will bring us closer to our Father in Heaven. I was reading today about how we are "sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost" (moroni 10:33). If we are always worthy to have the Holy Ghost in our lives then we won't ever have to worry about what choices or decisions we make because we will know who is leading us. (1 Ne. 17:13).

I Love you ALL!!
Sister Hammond ♥

Monday, April 11, 2016

Week 24

Had a great week that was topped off by an incredible fast and testimony meeting. Sister Ainsworth was confirmed a member of the church and she bore her testimony. I remember when Sister Gillespie was confirmed. I miss her so much! Please pray for her to continue to stay strong and have a lasting conversion (2 Ne. 31:19-20)

If any one was wondering what the life of a missionary consisted of, I thought I'd give you a small peak :)

6:30 am - wake up. Waking up means rolling out of bed wrapped in your comforter and trying to remember who's turn it is to say the companion prayer. Praying together with your comp then saying your own prayer. After a couple minutes of groggily trying to wake up you throw your blankets on your bed (neatly making your bed because we are clean and organized.) then, in your pj's, go into the living room and exercise for 30 minutes

7:20 am - shower and prepare for the day. I've gotten really good at taking short showers and getting ready in 5 minutes flat. Also, my wardrobe has become 2nd hand clothes from the thrift store that are super cute but also good to get dirty in. The best.

8 am - personal study. Begin with a prayer. Study the Book of Mormon, Preach my Gospel, and other stories in the scriptures or ensigns or talks that could be useful.

9 am - companion study. Sing a song and start with a prayer. Read out of the missionary handbook, share insights that we received during personal study. Plan for lessons, etc...

10 am - leave the house and go do missionary stuff. Such activities include but are not limited to: Finding/contacting, service, lessons, phone calls, driving around to different points in our area, visiting members for short lessons, visiting less active members, trying to find new investigators, etc...

1 pm - lunch. Come home and take a nap, eat something, organize or clean, do random things, craft something, etc...

2 pm - resume whatever we were doing at 10 am.

5 pm - dinner. Usually at a member's home but sometimes at our house. We always eat weird food and we're the guinea pigs because people like to test new recipes on us. Generally it's really good. Try to keep the conversation gospel based (sometimes members aren't very good at that ;) share a short message. Try to get out by 6 pm...That almost never happens because member looovvvveee to talk to the missionaries.

6 pm - resume whatever we were doing at 10 am

9 pm - return home. Plan by going over what we did that day then make plans and goals for the next day. Sometimes the district leader will call and we will report our progress. Update the Area Book and any other records.

9:30 pm - get ready for bed, write in journal, get ready to do it all again :) <3

10:30 pm - BED

I love love love this schedule because I get to do so many different things every day. Our day is laid out so that we determine what we do every day. It is awesome to be so productive and so busy. It sets great habits of planning and not procrastinating that will carry on throughout the rest of my life.

Love you all!! 


​Sister Zavala took the 2nd picture. Gotta love Washington sunsets. 

Sister Hammond ♥

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Week 23

General Conference + Angie's Baptism = Spirit X 10000000000000

Some of my favorite talks were:
-Pres. Eyring on following the Holy Ghost and acting on it
-Niel L. Anderson reminding us all that we're children of God. I am a daughter of God.
*Mervyn B. Arnold on member missionary work, WE ARE ALL CALLED
-David A. Bednar on baptism and the Holy Ghost (which so happened to be right before Angie's baptism. What a great way to bring the spirit!)
-M Russell Ballard on family counsels
-Dallin H Oaks "opposition permits us to grow into that which our Heavenly Father would have us become"
-Jeffery R. Holland on remembering the spirit today to get us through tomorrow.

I can testify that as we study the words of the prophets we will find our live's lit by the Lord's pillar of light "and you shall know that it is by me that ye are lead." (I Ne. 17:13) I would invite each of you to study, ponder, and pray about the wonderful messages that were taught to us this weekend. If you didn't have a chance to watch conference you can view it on lds.orgat https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04?cid=HP_SU_3-4-2016_dPFD_fGC_xLIDyL1-B_&lang=eng

I'm so grateful that we have a loving Heavenly Father who guides us through modern revelation. Because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever He truly does work through His servants the prophets. Amos 3:7 teaches us this precious truth. D&C 1:36-37 expands on it as the Lord tells us "whether by mine own voice or the voice of my servants it is the same." As we listen to the prophet's words through the spirit we are truly hearing the words of Christ. 

I love you all!! have a great week :)

#LDSconf #IWasAStranger

Sister Hammond ♥