Week 68

My very own mantra ♥

We had one of the best lessons in Relief Society yesterday. We learned about optimism from Gordon B. Hinkley's teachings of prophets manual. It gave me a new perspective of the importance of making the best of any situation. His idea of doing this - by reciting a positive mantra every morning. I've got to do a lot of work in order to come up with my own mantra ;)

Brother Thompson and his family came to church yesterday! We've been meeting with him for the past 2 months and they are probably one of our favorite families here. His wife is a member. They have 2 kids: Rocky is 3 and Birdie is almost 1. Brother Thompson loves the gospel and we had a powerful lesson last night about the Book of Mormon and the Bible. He's been thinking a lot about baptism so we invited him to counsel with his wife and with God about what he should do. I'm so grateful that God helps us to find our answers in ways that are unique to us. We have a lesson with them again on Wednesday and we'll follow up with what his thoughts are. Keep him in your prayers!

This past week I was reflecting on my mission as a whole. I was on exchanges with another missionary and she reminded me so much of my 3rd transfer with Sister Linker. It took me down memory road. I've come so far and learned so much in the short time that I've been on my mission. I especially know that these next 3 months are going to be some of the best. I can just feel it. I set a couple of goals to help me to really dive into missionary work. I want to build up my testimony and understanding of Jesus Christ and His gospel so that I can be prepared to testify of Him wherever I go. I love my mission. I love the opportunities that I have to share the things that I hold so close to my heart.

I want you to know that I have a firm testimony of the truthfulness of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. He stands today at the head of His church and directs us through His prophet, Thomas S. Monson. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is the keystone of our religion. I've studied it. I've prayed about it. The spirit has taught me time and time again that it is Holy Scripture. I'm so grateful to have these truths, and most importantly to be able to share them. 

I love you all! Happy Valentine's Day ♥♥♥ 1 Nephi 26:24 - the greatest act of love.

Sister Hammond ♥

our temple trip from a couple of weeks ago ♥

Mission leadership council ♥

Week 67

Let it Snow Snow Snow

A member told us earlier in the week that we were supposed to get a snow storm. Sister Erickson and I responded with an unconvinced laugh. Mostly because a couple of months ago we were supposed to have a huge storm that literally was only a little bit of rain and some wind. But to our surprise we woke up yesterday morning and it was indeed snowing! It snowed all day and into the night. The roads were pretty treacherous this morning. We had to have the Elders come and help us get our out of the parking lot this morning. HAHA the funniest part is that we only got maybe 3-5 inches, but in this part of Washington it doesn't snow very often, so nobody knows what to do!

Yesterday we had a pretty amazing miracle, we were walking down a street before dinner - the roads were pretty scary so we made it to our dinner early and decided to talk to people in the area. We are walking down the road and this man comes around the corner of his house. We go over and start talking with him, share some scriptures and testimony about the Plan of Salvation (because he told us of his parents passing away and feeling like there was something more after this life). After setting up a return appointment and inviting him to pray he looks over at us and says, "This is just the weirdest thing. I was sitting inside, warm, watching the Super Bowl, and out of know where I had the thought that I needed to come outside and move my van because of the snow. And when I walked out, you two were here!" I don't believe in coincidences. I believe in a God who loves His children and wants them all to have the opportunity to hear about the message of the Restoration and His plan for us. I know that this man, Jimmy, has been prepared and this was divine intervention so that we'd be able to meet him.

Check out this website this week and share a link with someone who could use it :)

Discover.mormon.org

Sister Hammond ♥

 

Week 66

Fill the font

We had a miracle filled week, SHANIA WAS BAPTIZED!! Alma 26:16 "Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea. we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel." Yup, that basically sums it up. Everything about her conversion was a miracle. So many steps that had to fall into place for this to happen. After she came out of the font she went into the changing room and was just bawling. It was one of the most spiritual baptism I've ever been to. Her brother baptized her and then gave his mission farewell the next day after her confirmation. I am so beyond blessed to be a part of this work. God truly is at the head of it. Alma 29:9 "...perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy."

And Brother Bartholomew entered the waters of baptism shortly thereafter.

We've seen a lot of miracles recently, and I know that it's evidence that God is both in our lives, and in the lives of those that we are able to work with. The spirit has born witness to me more times than I can count that this church is true and that the work that I'm a part of is good. I'm so grateful to have this sacred opportunity to serve a mission and the people here in Washington

Continue to light the world ☼

Sister Hammond ♥

Week 65

The Federal Way, Seattle, and Tacoma missions...

We had the sacred opportunity to attend the temple today with half of our mission. I have been looking forward to this week for so long. I have missed the temple since I haven't been there in a year. But I made a promise to God that I'd never wait that long to go to the temple again! I'm so blessed to have so many temple close by in Utah, it really is a privilege. The spirit is so strong in the House of the Lord. I'm grateful to be a member of Christ's church and to be able to learn and gain insights and answers to prayers.

Side note: Sister Orme drove us to the temple and on the way home we accidentally took an unauthorized detour that took us through Seattle and Tacoma...We sat in the car and just watched the skycrapers and Tacoma Dome pass by us and silently prayed that we'd soon make it safely back to the Federal Way mission. Haha, it was quite an exciting road trip!

I want to tell you all about a really special girl. Her name is Shania Roberts. Her brother was baptized a couple of years ago and will be leaving for a mission to Africa in a couple of weeks. Shania has had the desire to be baptized for quite a while, but her mom is against religion and hadn't given her permission to be baptized for a long time. She said that Shania would have to wait until she was 18 and then could make the decision for herself. Shania kinda fell off of the radar for a couple of months. Recently, Sister Erickson and I had the thought to stop by and just see how she was doing. She told us that she missed coming to church and she noticed that she wasn't as happy as she was when she was regularly coming. She ended up coming to church the next Sunday. We had a lesson with her the following Tuesday. Sister Erickson and I both felt impressed to invite her to be baptized. She said she would love to, but since she's only 16 she knew that her mom would still say no. Sister Erickson read 1 Nephi 3:7 to her and promised that God would prepare a way for her to obey this commandment. We began to pray and fast for a miracle and for her mom's heart to be softened. When we came into church last week her brother, Jose, came in and told us he had talked with his mom and that Shania could be baptized if it's what she wanted. Shania told us about this as well and asked if she could be baptized on January 28th. Her brother will baptize her and give her the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then, on Sunday he'll be giving his farewell talk in Sacrament meeting. 

Heavenly Father has a way of making things work out in His way and in His time table. I'm grateful for the opportunity that I have to be a piece in His great plan.

Another cool miracle real quick - a few weeks ago we received a HQ referral, but he wasn't in our area so we passed him off to some Elders. Well, he is also being baptized on Saturday! <3

Sister Hammond <3

also, forgot my camera so I'm forwarding sister erickon's pictures :)

Week 64

"It's simple, just do exactly as I say."

We had the opportunity to go to the mission devotional on Sunday night. Sister Edvelson is the choir director and she's amazing. We sang a new song called "Beautiful Savior" and I tried out the alto part this time, it was fun! The spirit was so strong as we sang and listened to testimonies of those who have recently found the gospel. As we were practicing Sister Edvelson sarcastically said, "It's simple, just do exactly as I say!."

I'm so blessed to be able to stay in South Hill with Sister Erickson for another 6 weeks. We are working so hard together and learning from each other all the time. I've seen so many evidences of the Lord's hand directing us and helping us to be able to find people who are being prepared to hear the Gospel.

We also had an incredible miracle on Sunday. One of our investigators, Shania Roberts, is 16 and she wants to be baptized by her brother before he leaves on his mission. Her mom has been against it for over a year. She barely let Jose, Shania's brother, be baptized a couple of years ago. We've been praying and fasting for her. On Sunday Jose came into church and said, "Sisters, I need to tell you something. Last night I bore my testimony to my mom about how the gospel has changed my life and how I know it will be good for my siblings. She agreed to let everyone be baptized when they turn 16. Sisters, Shania can get baptized!" 2 Nephi 27:23 says, "For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith."

I know that our loving Heavenly Father provides the way for all of His children to receive the hope and peace and direction that comes through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Sister Hammond <3

Week 63

(From Sister Erickson's perspective)

Sorry for not emailing last week! I was busy with college applications. This is Sister Erickson's email from last week.

"This week has been a wild one. But a wonderful one at that.

On Sunday morning, the car slid in the parking lot and I ended up parked on a hill/curb, inches away from a tree...angels definitely took the wheel and i'm so grateful we, and the car, were okay. It was pretty traumatic though, and definitely instigated some tear shed. Tried to collect myself, and we went into church, only to find out, who had come to visit that Sunday? President and Sister Rasmussen and my old companion, Sister Woolsey. Sweet. :) really, it was, it just led to more emotions...and thus more tears....I love being a girl and crying all the time haha. 

Other great things happened this week. My favorite family, the Thompsons LOVED my analogies when we taught the the plan of salvation this week. AND they remembered my analogy to pizza when we taught them about the apostasy a few weeks ago...a lot of my analogies have to do with food/pizza...because that's what i love haha :)

We had an incredible experience yesterday. We went by to follow up with one of our investigators who has been sick. She was still sick, but we ended up teaching her dad, who was a potential investigator, and is now a new investigator, Greg. Me and Sister Williams had a powerful lesson with Greg on exchanges a few weeks ago, but he didn't agree to meet with us again. Greg has had a really hard life and his time in the military left him with deep spiritual and emotional wounds. He has a hard time applying God's love to himself and says he has lost hope in mankind. We were able to testify boldly and with great love that God lives, and loves him. We read many scriptures together, Mosiah 3:7-8, Alma 7:11-12, Romans 8:35-39, and Romans 8:16-18. As I testified of God's love for Greg, despite the sins and wrong doings Greg feels like diminish God's love for him, I felt the spirit bear powerful witness of the reality of what I was saying. That Jesus really is the Christ. That He truly lived and died, and lives today! That we can be clean from sin as we follow Him. We invited him to be baptized, and it wasn't something that was wrote or forced, but came as an invitation to really come to Christ and feel His healing power. I got emotional many times during this lesson as it was one of the most powerful lessons I've had on my mission. Greg told us he knew that God sent us to him that night, and that God seems to always send us by when he really needs us. I was so humbled to be an instrument in God's hands in that way. I am so grateful to be a missionary and to testify of the divinity and the reality of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful week. Read the Book of Mormon. Tell someone you love them, and then show them that you do.

LOVE,

Sister Erickson"

1. trying to take District meeting pics 

2. so icey outside so we had to go VERY slowly down the driveway

3. The sun finally made it's appearance!

Sister Hammond <3

Week 62

2017 + snow + locked out

It's been an exciting last week of the year and the beginning of a new one. 2016 has honestly been one of the best. I am so grateful that I was able to consecrate the whole year in service to our God.

Exciting things from this week:

3 exchanges with these lovely sisters. They are all amazing and so spiritual. I've learned so much from them and it's cool to see the love that they all have for the Lord and the people they're working with. Each one teaches so differently. I have a lot of great ideas to implement into my teaching style as well.

It snowed!

Also, we got locked out of our car. So we slept over at the Hermana's house and had a fun adventure this morning getting everything worked out :)

I'm excited for 2017 and all of the miracles that we'll see. 

I love you all ♥

Sister Hammond ♥