A peak into my head and happenings...

Here is a bit of an insight as to what my life as a missionary has been like recently. This is the email I wrote home a couple weeks ago.

 

Dear Family,
Sooo... in all honesty, we didn't get much time this week outside our appartment. One of my dear sweet companions was sick most of it. :( I had some good study time, however!

Sister Morgan is our new companion! She is also going to Brazil--- same mission as Sister Johnson2, actually! :) She is great!

Yesterday was about the only day last week we were able to really get out and do a lot. ...And man it was just filled with awkwardness! We went to contact a referral that a member had given us. We had high hopes for this one... but as we got up to the door, it was open, and we could hear people yelling at each other inside. So we tried to run away as sneakily and fast as we could, so they didn't know we were there! Yeah...we'll try those people later.

Then another referral we went to contact, and that one we actually got to talk to the man... but it was also weird--- but didn't realize why he was acting weird until we'd said good-byes... apparently he was just trying to keep his dog away from us, so it didn't eat us. (That was nice. I Iike it when people we talk to don't want their animals to eat us. :) ) Luckily however, he gave us his wife's number, to set up an appointment, so hopefully we can have an encounter that is not awkward, and we can teach them. --These two came to Pageant and we talked with them before it started...they were sitting with a member couple in our ward (I'm not sure if I told you about them in a past email--- I actually gave the wife a pageant card when we were tracting, and she was just in her car picking someone up-- she said she wanted to come this year, then it was really cool to see them with the members. And the memebers they had been at Pageant with told us later that the husband had seemed touched and had even been crying at the end...). Aaaanyway, we have high hopes for them! :)

Then later we talked with another lady who for some reason only would peak her head around the door...oddly.

And then, we went and contacted someone we'd talked to before. It had been weird before, but to keep our word we went back. And she was clearly telling us lies...but for no good reason. Just making up stories. So weird.

 

Anyway, that was yesterday. Strange day!

 

I will tell you a little about what I've been pondering on lately.

In district meeting, a well-meaning Elder who was giving the training passed on advice his uncle had given. It included something to the effect of "if you are really working hard enough as a missionary, you should be coming home every night so exhausted and in pain that you are praying/wishing for the 'sweet relief of death' to take you." --- To which I leaned over to Sister Johnson1 and commented that I was going to ignore that comment and pretend I hadn't heard it. We should always want to improve, and be better servants, but we do what we are called to do, and He doesn't have unrealistic expectations for us. ----- It would be hard to find anyone in this world who wishes more dearly than I to be able to do so much that I am so exhausted in the work of the Lord. ...But that is not what He has called me to do, and that has sometimes that has been a struggle for me. ((I wish I could teach and baptize ALL of Western New York, and have them all be 100% fully converted to the Lord, but they have their own agency...and I have a limited capacity. and am not perfect! :) ))

Sometimes what I am called to do is to love and take care of a sick companion. Sometimes it is to sit (during the winter) at the historic sites, waiting for the one (and only one) person who will venture in that day for a tour. Sometimes no one will even come in, but we are there for them just in case! ---- But one thing I am learning is that 'the one' is worth it to the Lord. During my extra study time this week, I read in the New Testament about Phillip getting sent by the Spirit to go into the desert. I don't actually know how long of a journey it was, but it sounded like a fair distance to me. Also, I think he had been with a pretty big group before, but was sent to leave and go elsewhere. Well there in the desert, he meets a eunuch (sorry that is how the story refers to him... I don't have a better name) who is reading scriptures, but not understanding. He expounds the scriptures, teaching the eunuch about Jesus Christ. Then the eunuch is happy and believes with all his heart and asks to be baptized! Philip baptizes him, and then the Spirit immediately takes Phillip away. ---Phillip was sent all the way out there for JUST that eunuch. Heavenly Father cared so much for just that one person. ...And the same with these people out here in Western New York. Often times that "one" is my companion. Often times, when I'm at the sites, it is some random person, non-member sometimes, usually member though, that just needs that little bit of strengthening-- and He cares enough about them to place us there to help them. --- But no matter what He wants me to do, that is what I will do my best to do. Sometimes I will get that fulfillment as we tract, sometimes as we have amazing lessons, sometimes as I get to sit and study and study, and sometimes as I get to run back and forth to the microwave every two minutes to keep wet dishrags hot for my companion's head (one of the senior sisters said that works for sinus infections)!

I love missionary work. I love being able to serve the Lord, and learn the lessons He would teach me. Its HIS work!

Love you all!

--Sister Gillespie

"Verily, this is fasting and prayer, or in other words, rejoicing and prayer." --D&C 59:14

My testimony of the principle of fasting has just been strengthened so much. Yesterday and the day before there were people in the ward (congregation) fasting for the missionary work in this area (not fasting two days straight...different people different days). And both days we saw miracles!

Miracle of day before yesterday: We were able to have a lesson with a specific family for the first time in a couple months. We've been worrying about and praying for this family for a long time. It went so well! They seem to be on the path of progression again. It may not sound very big... but it was a miracle to us.

Miracles of yesterday: There is a lady that I've never even met, but that the missionaries in this area have been trying to work with for the last 6 months. But she hasn't been intersted. And yesterday, she texted us! She told us that she'd moved, where she'd moved to, and that she wanted us to come visit! [We were astonished!]
Also, there was a lesson we were going to have yesterday...really weird situation. Can't even really describe it here. But my companions and I had been praying together and individually a lot to know what to do about this, and to have help during it, or even if we should continue to go back. I'd also been praying to be able to have just a little glimpse as to the way that Heavenly Father feels about this lady we were going to go see. The only two other times we'd been there things had not gone well. -- The lesson went super well, considering the strangeness of the situation. And afterward, we talked with our ward mission leader, who'd accompanied us. I began to get better insight as to how Heavenly Father sees that lady. It was amazing to see just how Heavenly Father answered these prayers, and sent miracles, I believe a greater measure because of the fasting and prayers of others.

Hill Cumorah Pageant Highlights!!

 

 

Sister Gillespie's journal entry from July 11, 2013:
Wow! Today has been one of the most exhausting days of my life...and also one of the funnest, best days of my life!
Today was the first day of us in "Pageant Mode" at the church historic sites in Palmyra.

 Happy, exhausted

 So. much. fun. sooooo much fun!

 

So here are just a few of the highlights from the week and a half of the Hill Cumorah Pageant!: 

 Little brother Seth!!!
(Didn't see them on the same day...just happened 
to wear the same dress...)

• Over 2,000 people came through the Book of Mormon Historic Publication Site on Saturday (July 13th)... it was AWESOME!!! I was nearly yelling for 2 hours straight as I was explaining about the process of binding the Book of Mormon... My voice was shot--at church on Sunday I was nearly singing base!
• Entertaining hoards of previously unruly children in both the Art Gallery and Harmony Pennsylvania exhibits at the BofMHPS by just telling them it was "Story time"
• Got to see my little brother Seth! (As well as my cousin Andrew!) [My companions tell me that I "speak in 'story book'" ... they got a kick out of meeting my brother and discovering that its not only me who speaks that way! Same thing when Barbara came!]
• Going to bed "delightfully exhuasted"!!!
• A little boy named "Ty" who was probably about 3 years old...super sweet and made his parents blush!
• Spent 3 hours in the Peter Whitmer Log Home with Sister Johnson2 in the sweltering heat...
• Teaching people in the Chapel at the Peter Whitmer Farm, about the hand of the Lord in the lives of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon.

Little Sister Barbara!!!
Not sure what's up with the little duplicate shadowy picture...

• Acting out a few different scenes from the Hill Cumorah Pageant to a group of about 50 teenagers.
• Got to see my little sister Barbara!
• Acting out my best rendition of Joseph recieving and protecting the Golden Plates, to a group of Chinese children.
• Sister Johnson2: "Contrary to popular belief, it is 'plaster of Paris' ... not 'plaster of PEARS'."
• So tired Sunday when packing up to return home that I fell asleep on my suitcase...

Heavenly Father definitely answered my prayers. I prayed that I would be able to love the people who came in, even when there were hundreds, and that I would be able to love and be enthusiastic about what I was telling them...even when I'd been on my feet all day, talking almost non-stop about the same things over and over again. ---And He blessed me in just those ways. There is no other explanation for being able to nearly lose my voice telling hundreds of people about the process of folding a "signature" booklet of the first 16 pages of the Book of Mormon, and still be excited to see more people to share this with.

I loved being able to recognize the Spirit working through me to help the visitors that came into the sites during Pageant time. ...There were so many people, and I only had just a matter of minutes with them. I had no idea what they needed...but that is just fine, because we have a loving Father in Heaven who does.

I know that Heavenly Father knows each and every one of us. I am confident that He loves us. I am grateful to be serving as a missionary, representing His Son, Jesus Christ. I feel so honored to be able to pin on that black name tag with my name, as well as the name of Jesus Christ.

Farewell to Sister Johnson2.0!!

Well today was both happy and really sad! After two transfers (12 weeks) together, Sister Johnson2's visa came in...and so Monday morning she is off to Brazil! We got the call early this afternoon...and cried! Sister Johnson1 and I have a lot of mixed feelings, because we will miss her so much! ...But we are excited that she will finally be able to go where she was origionally called to serve!
Having her with us for these past two transfers has really been a blessing from Heavenly Father. I have learned so much from this dear Sister!



Sisters Johnson1, Johnson2, and Gillespie

One of the things I admire most about Sister Johnson2 is her example of really loving and serving people. She always seems to be able to tell if someone is having a hard time or needs something. And then she helps them accordingly.  I have, myself, been the recipient of many much-needed hugs! She always is caring and thinking about others. (Haha, sometimes it is almost frustrating because she usually figures out if I'm ever frustrated or sad before I figure it out!) This is a Christ-like attribute that will allow Heavenly Father to bless the lives of many people through her! ...And now I guess we must share her with the people of Brazil!

Different Kind of Angel Work

As missionaries, we have the sacred privilege of being angels in the lives of people, bringing them the message of the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ...teaching them about their purpose here on Earth, how they can be with their family forever---not just till death, and teaching them about how they truly are children of a loving Father in Heaven. I love this opportunity!
A few days ago, however, my companions Sisters Johnson and I (yes, there's two of them), got to be angels in His hands in a different way. We also got to see Heavenly Father make things fall into place, to ensure that His little ones were taken care of.
We had had a meeting Friday morning, and after planned to go straight to the library to do some work online (such as writing on this blog, or on facebook). But, as we were driving back we decided to change our plans and go home to finish our studies first. (Didn't really think much of this change of plans.)
We were sitting at our desks in our living room, quietly reading our scriptures, when all of the sudden we heard a blood-curling scream come from outside. Sister Johnson2 jumped to the window, but couldn't see anything, and all three of us darted out of the apartment not even pausing to close our door.
We ran to the front of our building and see two of the little kids that we talk to outside whenever we go out to our car. Then amidst the still screaming we saw their little sister, a cute little 4 year old girl. And she was covered in blood---her finger had gotten smashed off by the axis of a teeter-totter! So Sister Johnson1 scooped up little Tori and we ran with her siblings to their apartment.
We got inside, no parents to be seen. The brother ran and banged on what we thought must be the bedroom. Sister Johnson1 grabbed a cloth in an attempt to try to slow the bleeding on Tori's finger, while also trying to tell her princess stories to distract her. Sister Johnson2 called 911, and I was trying take care of the crying older brother and sister.

saintshistorychannel.wordpress.com

A few minutes later, the father came out of the bedroom, covered in a towel and soap. At first, we had been really ticked that whatever parent was home wasn't coming out of the room, even though their child was screaming...but after he went back into his room and came out dressed, we saw that his foot had bars sticking out of it, and was also covered in blood. (He ended up in the ER that night.)
So, a super long story short,  it was a miracle that things worked out the way they did... 1. that the Spirit prompted us to change plans, 2. becuase we talked with them every day, they trusted us, and 3. it showed me that Heavenly Father is mindful of each one of us, as He made sure His little Tori was taken care of.
We were sad that little Tori had to go through that pain, but we felt blessed to be able to be there to help when she needed it... getting to play the part of an angel in a different way.

Favorite Holiday

So being out here on a mission, I have learned a lot about myself. One thing that I have definitely already known about myself is that I am not really decisive on a lot of things. :) (Haha, quick flash-back to a pesonality test I took many years ago: I could not decide whether I was more indecisive or some other characteristic.) Anyway, I was thinking about that yesterday, and realized that I have finally decided my favorite holiday!

image from www.patriciarossi.com

Definitely, one hundred percent, my favorite holiday is the 4th of July! :)

As my companions (the sister missionaries I work with) and I were singing "America the Beautiful" and "The Star-Spangled Banner" I was reminded of how much I love this country! I am so grateful for the hand of God in establishing this nation. It made me think of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance every morning in school, and the line "One nation under God." I also love remembering our family's traditions. (I hope they still did this at home, even though I wasn't there this year!) Each year around this time, my Dad pulls out copies of the Constitution, and our family reads it together. And then on the 4th of July, we get together with family and friends, and then when it is just our family, we
watch Johnny Tremain.

This year our celebration of the 4th was a bit different. My companions and I got to go with a family to a baseball game. After the game there were fireworks, and music. It was neat to be there in the stadium with all the hundreds of other people listening and singing along to the words "I'm proud to be an American, 'cause at least I know I'm free! And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me, and I'll gladly stand up, next to you, and defend her still today, 'cause their ain't no doubt I love this land! GOD BLESS THE USA!" It felt so good to be there with all different kinds of people, from different backgrounds, and with different beliefs, feeling of their love of God and country.

One of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon contains a description of a vision that an ancient prophet Nephi had about this land. He saw in vision the discovery and colonization of America, and one verse that stands out reads "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles who had gone forth out of captivity did humble themselves before the Lord;and the power of the Lord was with them. (1 Nephi 13:16)"

I am so grateful that this land is one of religious freedom. This was probably the only country in the world where the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, through a modern prophet, could have taken place at that time! Hurray for freedom, and truth, and our God!

A Whole Year!!!

A few days ago, on June 27 I hit one year out on the mission! Wow time has flown! It seems both like just yesterday (and at the same time feels like a lifetime ago) that my brother dropped me off at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.

These are pictures from that first day, and now. ...Same person, yet a different person. One difference between the 2013 and 2012 pictures is that now I'm one year more tired! :) Missionary schedule can be grueling! I've definitely gotten better sleep than ever before...but I've never worked so hard for so long either! -- Our day starts by 6:30 a.m. when we get up and excercise, eat breakfast, get ready, and then start our studies at 8 a.m. When studies are done, it is out the door to teach, find, and do service, with an hour for each lunch and dinner. The day ends at 9:30 p.m.,  in bed by 10:30 p.m.. I've now been doing this for a whole year! ...And I love it!

I can not adequately express what I have learned in this last year of my life. There have been a lot of love, tears, happiness, stress, laughter, prayers, answers to prayers, peanut butter and fluff sandwiches (an east-coast thing), studying the scriptures, giving tours at the church historic sites, tracting, wishing 6:30 am wouldn't come so fast, teaching lessons, snow, leaves, letters to and from home, rough days, super great days, blueberries, service, and flowers. 

 

Just a few things I've learned:

• I am thankful that God has given us commandments. I'm grateful my parents taught them to me. Often people see commandments as restrictions...but that is not really it. Commandments are to us what a string is to a kite. At first glance it may seem as if the string is hindering the flight of the kite (no rhyme intended), yet it is actually the string that allows the kite to stay in the air...and the more string the higher the kite can fly! In my year of service as a missionary I have seen people with a lot of pain and problems. Though not all, so many of these things could have been avoided by living the commandments of God.
• I dislike it when people are in pain.
• Heavenly Father is very mindful of each of us.
• Heavenly Father is in the details of our lives, blessing us each day.
• The Book of Mormon is so powerful! It teaches so much about Christ, and has helped me to develop greater love for the Bible.
• Repentance is a positive thing and to be applied daily!
• Gratitude, especially to God, makes a powerful difference.
• The Atonement not only can cleanse us from sin, but also enable us to do things beyond our own natural ability.
• Ether 12:27 "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." ... This scripture is so true.