Week 48

"FOURTH FLOOR, LAST DOOR"

So, I forgot to tell you about the title from the last email. We met this guy who was walking past us, we handed him a card and he looked at it then said, "Oh yeah, this is cool. I know about the pioneers. Bye!" Sister Roberts and I were like, "Alright!" then watched him dash away after his friend...

The General Women's session of Conference was Saturday. President Uchtorf changed my mission. He is incredible. I love his story about his sweet wife, Harriet. He literally spoke to the missionaries because he said something about keep knocking and keep trying! The phrase that was coined from this conference is "fourth floor, last door". He told a story about how he met Harriet. Well, she wasn't a member and lived on the 4th floor of this apartment building. Missionaries went tracting there and knocked on every door starting from the bottom up. NO BODY was interested, but they kept going. The last door they knocked on was Harriet's and her mom's. FOURTH FLOOR LAST DOOR! okay. I'm ready to be a missionary for the next 7.8 months. 

I've also been praying to understand the Atonement and how to be bold in missionary work. Obviously God hears and answers our prayers because Sister Oscarson talked about being not ashamed of the name of Christ that we bear. I love how she said that one person of faith and action can have lasting effects and make a difference in God's work. Well, I'm one person. Even though I am weak I have faith that God can continue to increase my faith and all He asks is that I put one foot in front of the other and continue working. We can make a difference together. I think that's what the Atonement is all about. helping us to become something bigger and better than what we are as we turn to the Lord for help.

I hit 11 months this week. I can't believe how fast the time has gone. I look forward to the bigger and better heights that God and I will reach throughout the rest of my mission.

I love you all!!

Sister Hammond ♥

Early bday present from Jenn and Shiloh ^.^ thanks!!

Exercise is a part of the missionary schedule.

Week 47

"I know about the pioneers"

This week was so full of the spirit. I have such a strong testimony that Heavenly Father answers our prayers. I've been trying to understand the Atonement more in my life and it's correlation with missionary work. We had a zone training that just so happened to be focused on understanding the Atonement in order to plan more effectively. Preach My Gospel says something along the lines of, "As our understanding of the Atonement grows then our desire to share the gospel will increase." (pmg pg. 2) Christ's Atonement is everything that He did in order to prepare the way for us to return to live with our Father in Heaven again, beginning with His suffering in Gethsemane and concluding on Sunday morning when He was resurrected. Everything that Christ did in His life was for us. To help us to overcome the affects of sin and death. 1 Nephi 19:9 says that He suffered all things because of His, "loving kindness and long-suffering for the children of men." There's not one person that we pass on the street whom the Lord didn't love enough to pay the full price for. That is the message that we take to the world. The better we understand this, the more urgency we will have and the more people we will invite to come unto Him.

The week ended with an amazing mission devotional. The stake president talked about pruning trees in order to help them bear fruit. He said, "What do you need to prune from your life in order to let in that Heavenly light?" I think that is a good question for us all to ponder. What are some things in our lives that are distracting us from being able to receive all of the blessings that God has in store for us?

I know that the message that we share is true and that it truly brings that Heavenly Light into our lives. It is centered on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, who loved me, and you, and everyone else enough to pay the price for us to live with our Father again. Don't take that for granted.

I love you all!! I'm praying for you!

Sister Hammond ♥

Congratulations to Aspyn for her mission call to Bismark ND! say hi to my dad for me ;)

Good luck in the MTC Abby Miles! Finland is going to be so blessed by you!

Week 46

"the fruits of our labor"

Lol, we met this super awesome guy named Harold. He's 74. Not really interested in hearing our message. But every time we walk past his house and he's outside we stop and talk. He's probably the funniest person I've ever met. The last time we were there he said, "hold on a minute, I've got something for you!" He then ran inside. As he was coming out he said, "I didn't want you to go back to your friends and say that your efforts didn't bear you any fruit!" He then proceeded to pull out two apples from his jacket pocket. Thanks Harold! ☼

Proverbs 3:5-6

 5 ¶Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

I love this gospel and I love sharing it. Have a great week!

early bday cake from an awesome member :)

missionary entertainment includes watching cars get towed in our parking lot.

Week 45

"Go to the temple, help me fill those seats"

Transfer calls were Sunday night....

Sis Roberts and I are staying together for another 6 weeks in Lake Holm!! I've already been here for 6 and a half months. I'm so happy that I get to stay. Also, my birthday and General Conference are this transfer, so that's exciting :)

A sister in our ward bore her testimony about going to the temple. It is such a blessing that God has given us the opportunity to go there and be connected with our families. She boldly invited every one to "go to the temple and help [her] fill those seats."

We got blessings last night from our zone leaders. Beforehand I had prayed that Heavenly Father would let me know what I can do this transfer to continue to become a better missionary. The very first thing that Elder Chance said in my blessing was that I needed to remember my purpose as a missionary and that the message of the Gospel is the most precious thing that I can share with people. That was so powerful to me. My purpose during these 18 is to "Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the Restored Gospel through Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End." -PMG. Remembering that this is my purpose shapes the things that we do. I only have 18 months to give God all of my heart, might, mind, and strength.

I have seen so many miracles and blessings in the last 10 months. With 8 months left to serve, I'm excited to assist God in this work.

I love you all!

found a giant match lighter. (haha Sis Skousen!!)

made swords and shields with Claire and Jaycee.