Dear Family type Peoples,
This week has been interesting. You could say that we’re having growing and improving experiences…a long with growing pains. We have seen a lot of progress with the ward and our investigators, especially as Sister Halladay and I are trying to improve ourselves even more. As we’re making changes in our personal lives, we run into bumps along way, however we have seen many miracles. 2 Basically happened yesterday.
One miracle was Ktristina. She has met with the missionaries for over a year, and when I came Sister Halladay promised that we would not mention baptism until she mentioned it first, because Kristina felt like we were pushing it on her. The bishop and his wife had been and continue to fellowship her and finally after all this time Kristina has a solid date to be baptized. We feel she is ready or will be ready for that day.
We’re slowly building up the ward. For as long as I’ve been here and longer, we’ve had lists of people to go visit from the Relief society president. They were people that probably were less receptive to us than they would have been to actual members in that ward. People who’re less active, inactive, new and they haven’t heard of before, etc. Just as we would finish one list of people, most of them saying they’re not interested, she would give us another list work on.
She gave us another one yesterday, but most of them were duplicates from the other lists. We had planned the night before to finish them all then take them over to her house and report on the results. We did finish and headed over to the relief society president’s house and started talking with her. I don’t know her as well as sister Halladay, but she was 100% more response, receptive and help etc. It was amazing to see the change. We hope that things will go like this, if not better from now on.
Other miracles that we’ve seen are the fact that many people that we’ve been trying to contact for…since I’ve been here and longer have been home when we’re been by this last wee.
One such family are the Eatons. The wife is a member who comes to sacrament then goes to her husband’s church. We met the husband one day when we’re stopped by and set up an appointment. It was very awkward. Like whoa, we basically just jumped into teaching without getting to know them first
Amazingly and thankfully they gave us a second chance and we were able to go back Sunday (last) night. Before Sacrament Sister Eaton came up tot Sister Halladay and gave her some tips. We took those tips to heart and the second lesson went 110% better, even though he still inst’ very open with us. It will take time, but I see good things happening with that family.
I really appreciate your prayers. They help a lot and I know they are answered. J
Love you all! Be happy and know that God loves you!
Love Sister Sarah Durtschi.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Letter 1/4/10
Dear Family,
Life is good. Crazy, but good. My companion – Sis. Halladay and I agreed that she’s going through a missionary mid-life crisis. She hit her half way mark on the 1st and since then it’s been hard, especially since the ward doesn’t appear to be progressing much. It is. It’s even better than when I first got here, but it’s is challenging.
Last week was transfers and sister Halladay and I were worried. We both wanted to stay and most people thought we would stay, but it’s always up to the Lord. We’re both thankful that we are staying together. It’ll be the longest amount of time that I’ll have with a companion. I’m excited because, I’ve been learning so much from Sister Halladay. She’s assertive enough to lead and help me know where to go and what to do, but laid back enough to let me be myself and learn for myself. She’s so funny and we get along every well.
It’s been a slow couple of weeks. Our investigators aren’t progressing as much as we’d hope, but we’re still praying and doing everything we need to be doing things will improve as time goes on.
I got a letter from Lizzie Shattuck. She’s serving in England and having fun there. It’s fun and kind of weird to hear form people back in Hollister. I don’t really keep in touch with people there.
It’s interesting. I worry for the ward and the people we teach, but I’m usually able to stay calm and not lose sleep because of it. I’m very thankful, because I have hard time with no sleep.
How was everyone’s Christmas and New Year? What did you each do? Anything fun?
Oh, are we still planning on having a family reunion when I’m doing with my mission? It’s still a ways away, but now it’s this year instead of next year.
Anyways, I love you all lots! Be Happy! Do missionary work!
Oh and there’s a talk called “The Missionary Next Door” and just listened to it today and it’s REALLY good. If you have a chance to listen to it :)
Love!
<3 Sister Sarah Durtschi
Life is good. Crazy, but good. My companion – Sis. Halladay and I agreed that she’s going through a missionary mid-life crisis. She hit her half way mark on the 1st and since then it’s been hard, especially since the ward doesn’t appear to be progressing much. It is. It’s even better than when I first got here, but it’s is challenging.
Last week was transfers and sister Halladay and I were worried. We both wanted to stay and most people thought we would stay, but it’s always up to the Lord. We’re both thankful that we are staying together. It’ll be the longest amount of time that I’ll have with a companion. I’m excited because, I’ve been learning so much from Sister Halladay. She’s assertive enough to lead and help me know where to go and what to do, but laid back enough to let me be myself and learn for myself. She’s so funny and we get along every well.
It’s been a slow couple of weeks. Our investigators aren’t progressing as much as we’d hope, but we’re still praying and doing everything we need to be doing things will improve as time goes on.
I got a letter from Lizzie Shattuck. She’s serving in England and having fun there. It’s fun and kind of weird to hear form people back in Hollister. I don’t really keep in touch with people there.
It’s interesting. I worry for the ward and the people we teach, but I’m usually able to stay calm and not lose sleep because of it. I’m very thankful, because I have hard time with no sleep.
How was everyone’s Christmas and New Year? What did you each do? Anything fun?
Oh, are we still planning on having a family reunion when I’m doing with my mission? It’s still a ways away, but now it’s this year instead of next year.
Anyways, I love you all lots! Be Happy! Do missionary work!
Oh and there’s a talk called “The Missionary Next Door” and just listened to it today and it’s REALLY good. If you have a chance to listen to it :)
Love!
<3 Sister Sarah Durtschi
Monday, January 4, 2010
December 28th Letter
Dearest Amies,
I got a frame fro the picture and sent it to David, so I hope it gets there because when we talked on Christmas it didn’t seem like it had arrived L Hopefully it will soon.
I did get the package! It’s a lot of fun. I enjoyed reading all the days of Christmas on each package. I got the box on Wednesday when we had district meeting (we usually have it on Tuesday though) and I decided that I’d open it on Thursday because I thought Becky would be sending me the gift rather than Elisabeth, but I saw “Grant Smith” on the other side of the papers and a different return postal code than is normal in Utah. No other name was on the box but mine, so I was really confused for a while. I opened the box and most of the gifts (“days”) on Thursday night since we had to be in the house by 6 pm and had fun guessing what each gift was. The deodorant was the easiest to guess. I got most of them right. On the stocking/tights I guessed socks, but that’s close enough right?
Sister Halladay was sitting there watching me open my gifts, probably thinking my family and I are weird as I laughed at each change in the 12 days of Christmas then relayed them to her and guessed each gift as I felt them. Helps that I knew what I’d asked for, so it was a bit easier to guess. I honestly thought that day 12 was going to be shoes. I felt the box and it felt like a shoe box, but I waited until Christmas day to open it Low and behold it was a purple sweater-type thing! It’s been keeping me nice and warm since I got it. It’s fits nicely and is the warmest thing I have as near as I can tell and goes very well with the purple ½ turtle-neck sweater you gave me. I may not be able to wear it back on Temple Square, but I can enjoy it here and after my mission when I‘ll be going to COLD Rexburg ID.
I’m may combine this letter with the family one because I want to answer you questions and I think the family will like hearing too, if you don’t’ mind sharing J
Question #0 I am not allowed to email. I‘ve just had two exceptions. 1- to let you know I can’t and 2 0 to let you know where to mail things. I’ll be able to email after March 31st 2010.
Q#1 Favorite Tracking Story…
Well we don’t tract a ton, neither of us like it and it’s harder to find apartments (or homes for that matter) without stairs and the physical therapist told me to avoid stairs. However we do it on occasion. One occasion was a Sunday night were we were so close to reading standards, and a very short amount of time, done the things we had planned and couldn’t go street contacting (or “walking”) because it was rainy and no one was on the street. We had not clue what to do. We decided to pull over to the side of the road and pray, so the next tiny side street came and we pulled out onto it turned off the car and prayed. Sister Halladay voiced the pray and near the end, she paused for a long time. I said own little prayer silently that she would be inspired about where we need to go. She finished the prayer and we sat in silent for a few moments, listening. We asked what the other felt and decided to go to an apartment complex near one of our investigators apartment (Kristina). We went to every door in the complex. Most weren’t interested and talked to us for more then 2 minutes and none were able or willing to make a return appointment. I think I mentioned this story in a previous letter so I’ll be brief with the rest. Just as we were walking back to the car, a man walking his dog came towards us, intent on going to one of the apartments we had just knocked or as near as we could tell. We stopped and talked with him and he agreed to meet with use and learn more and prepare himself to be baptized. It was our little miracle. Unfortunately we not really be able to talk to him since.
Q#2 – Did you like our gifts
Yup! Couldn’t you tell? J How long had you all been putting those things together? Who did what?
Q#3 What’s the ASL ward like?
It’s very English. I’m not sure how to describe it. I love it, but it’s different then the other deaf wards I’ve been in. It doesn’t help it’s the only ward from the Canadian boarder to Oregon and we can’t get to the largest group of Deaf near us because it’s out of our mission by 2 miles or so. Sadness. President Blanchard is doing everything in his power to keep things going, but he’s the only in the branch presidency that knows sigh language well.
It’s small and most of the people who go don’t live near by and can’t drive so it’s a bit hard because we want it to grow so on, but there is not a lot we can do. They are not really tight-nit like deaf wars normally are, but I love working with them. I’m still trying to figure out how to best help them…
Q#4 Do you teach many deaf people?
We’ve taught 2 people since I’ve been here. 1 - Michelle, was baptized on the 19th, but she doesn’t got to the deaf branch. The other, Katie, is a bit difficult. She video-phoned us on night at the beginning of my first transfer here and wanted to be taught again. Apparently it’s touch and go with her. She seemed to enjoy the lesson but her kids were distracting. She came to church and seemed to like it, but was still distracted by her kids. We had an appointment, but she wasn’t home. We tried to get in touch with her, but no luck. We still hope to teach her more, but we’ll see.
When we were out eating with a member we noticed 3 deaf men sitting close to use in the restaurant. After we ate I said to sis. Halladay “Should we go invite the to church?” She said “Sure, go ahead.” I’m sure my eyes got huge. I was expecting us both/her to make the approach. I was nearly shaking as we both went up. I started by asking if they were deaf. They said yes. We asked them if they had seen missionaries before and they informed us that they were Jewish and Celebrating Hanukah. They were really nice but weren’t interested.
Anyway. How’s all there? Oh Transfers – Sister Halladay and I are staying here and staying companions next Transfers are on the 9th of February, so life is good until then. I love you lots and the family lots and everyone lots n’ stuff. Be happy and find joy in the small things. J
Love ya! Love ME!
I got a frame fro the picture and sent it to David, so I hope it gets there because when we talked on Christmas it didn’t seem like it had arrived L Hopefully it will soon.
I did get the package! It’s a lot of fun. I enjoyed reading all the days of Christmas on each package. I got the box on Wednesday when we had district meeting (we usually have it on Tuesday though) and I decided that I’d open it on Thursday because I thought Becky would be sending me the gift rather than Elisabeth, but I saw “Grant Smith” on the other side of the papers and a different return postal code than is normal in Utah. No other name was on the box but mine, so I was really confused for a while. I opened the box and most of the gifts (“days”) on Thursday night since we had to be in the house by 6 pm and had fun guessing what each gift was. The deodorant was the easiest to guess. I got most of them right. On the stocking/tights I guessed socks, but that’s close enough right?
Sister Halladay was sitting there watching me open my gifts, probably thinking my family and I are weird as I laughed at each change in the 12 days of Christmas then relayed them to her and guessed each gift as I felt them. Helps that I knew what I’d asked for, so it was a bit easier to guess. I honestly thought that day 12 was going to be shoes. I felt the box and it felt like a shoe box, but I waited until Christmas day to open it Low and behold it was a purple sweater-type thing! It’s been keeping me nice and warm since I got it. It’s fits nicely and is the warmest thing I have as near as I can tell and goes very well with the purple ½ turtle-neck sweater you gave me. I may not be able to wear it back on Temple Square, but I can enjoy it here and after my mission when I‘ll be going to COLD Rexburg ID.
I’m may combine this letter with the family one because I want to answer you questions and I think the family will like hearing too, if you don’t’ mind sharing J
Question #0 I am not allowed to email. I‘ve just had two exceptions. 1- to let you know I can’t and 2 0 to let you know where to mail things. I’ll be able to email after March 31st 2010.
Q#1 Favorite Tracking Story…
Well we don’t tract a ton, neither of us like it and it’s harder to find apartments (or homes for that matter) without stairs and the physical therapist told me to avoid stairs. However we do it on occasion. One occasion was a Sunday night were we were so close to reading standards, and a very short amount of time, done the things we had planned and couldn’t go street contacting (or “walking”) because it was rainy and no one was on the street. We had not clue what to do. We decided to pull over to the side of the road and pray, so the next tiny side street came and we pulled out onto it turned off the car and prayed. Sister Halladay voiced the pray and near the end, she paused for a long time. I said own little prayer silently that she would be inspired about where we need to go. She finished the prayer and we sat in silent for a few moments, listening. We asked what the other felt and decided to go to an apartment complex near one of our investigators apartment (Kristina). We went to every door in the complex. Most weren’t interested and talked to us for more then 2 minutes and none were able or willing to make a return appointment. I think I mentioned this story in a previous letter so I’ll be brief with the rest. Just as we were walking back to the car, a man walking his dog came towards us, intent on going to one of the apartments we had just knocked or as near as we could tell. We stopped and talked with him and he agreed to meet with use and learn more and prepare himself to be baptized. It was our little miracle. Unfortunately we not really be able to talk to him since.
Q#2 – Did you like our gifts
Yup! Couldn’t you tell? J How long had you all been putting those things together? Who did what?
Q#3 What’s the ASL ward like?
It’s very English. I’m not sure how to describe it. I love it, but it’s different then the other deaf wards I’ve been in. It doesn’t help it’s the only ward from the Canadian boarder to Oregon and we can’t get to the largest group of Deaf near us because it’s out of our mission by 2 miles or so. Sadness. President Blanchard is doing everything in his power to keep things going, but he’s the only in the branch presidency that knows sigh language well.
It’s small and most of the people who go don’t live near by and can’t drive so it’s a bit hard because we want it to grow so on, but there is not a lot we can do. They are not really tight-nit like deaf wars normally are, but I love working with them. I’m still trying to figure out how to best help them…
Q#4 Do you teach many deaf people?
We’ve taught 2 people since I’ve been here. 1 - Michelle, was baptized on the 19th, but she doesn’t got to the deaf branch. The other, Katie, is a bit difficult. She video-phoned us on night at the beginning of my first transfer here and wanted to be taught again. Apparently it’s touch and go with her. She seemed to enjoy the lesson but her kids were distracting. She came to church and seemed to like it, but was still distracted by her kids. We had an appointment, but she wasn’t home. We tried to get in touch with her, but no luck. We still hope to teach her more, but we’ll see.
When we were out eating with a member we noticed 3 deaf men sitting close to use in the restaurant. After we ate I said to sis. Halladay “Should we go invite the to church?” She said “Sure, go ahead.” I’m sure my eyes got huge. I was expecting us both/her to make the approach. I was nearly shaking as we both went up. I started by asking if they were deaf. They said yes. We asked them if they had seen missionaries before and they informed us that they were Jewish and Celebrating Hanukah. They were really nice but weren’t interested.
Anyway. How’s all there? Oh Transfers – Sister Halladay and I are staying here and staying companions next Transfers are on the 9th of February, so life is good until then. I love you lots and the family lots and everyone lots n’ stuff. Be happy and find joy in the small things. J
Love ya! Love ME!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Letter 3 from Sister Sarah
Hey Family Type Peoples!
I’m now battered and bruised…well just my arms and parts of my hands… it was a zone p-day today so it was the first time I’d played volleyball since the MTC and before that I’d only played it really in high school. It was fun. I laughed a lot because of the elders reactions to things and that they came up with mascots for each of the teams. The first was the wombats. Then my team decided they would be the unicorns and then “my little Pony.” We kicked some wombat behinds J It was hilarious. I was definitely not the reason we won, but I did nit the ball several times. Hence the battered and bruised.
Anyways the most exciting thing is we have my first convert baptism coming up! We taught him for the first time after he got married (The Friday I arrived). On Thursday the 3rd , then Wednesday the 9th we asked how his reading and praying has been going. He grinned and said ‘good’ (now some background, he is VERY shy and had just come from Fiji to get married.) Sister Halladay and I both had the feeling he got an answer to his prayer, but we didn’t want to ask if he wanted to be baptized at that moment. We both wanted to be sure he understood and our bishop asked us not to pressure him into baptism. Late in the lesson Sister Halladay felt impressed to invite him. He had kept bringing up baptism himself, like he said the reading we had given him was all about baptism which there is some mention of baptism, but it’s not all about it. He’s excited. That’s second lesson he talked a whole lot more and opened up quite a bit for him. He accepted the invitation and is getting baptized on Friday, the 18th. Pretty fast, but he has a huge support from his new wife and her family, they ‘re all members. His name is Rajendra (pronounced RahJen) Sammi and his wife is Keshni Gaundar Sammi.
Something else that’s exciting is that we started teaching a family today. We found them in our ‘former investigator’ area and when to see them on Saturday before the ward Christmas Dinner. We invited them to the dinner, but they weren’t able to come because their car broke down, but we met with them this morning at 10 and both Misty (wife) and Robert (husband) were soaking it in when they were being side tracked by their 4-year-old son Dante. They’re both very good to each other and to their son. They treat each other and their son with respect and have come a long way already. They used to use a lot of things, but then Dante came around they stopped. They were both listening intently and liking what they heard. We explained that we’re family oriented as a church and they loved that. We hope the best for them and are excited to see them progressing even farther then they have already.
Wendy Tinker is a recent convert who got baptized just before I arrived. They day of her confirmation she was called as a ward missionary. She went out of town and came back and stared getting right to work. She ahs several friends that she’s invited to 2 different dinners that Sister Halladay and I were also invited to. Two of those friends – a mother and a daughter- now want to learn more for themselves, so both we and sister Tinker are excited.
In this (and probably other) missions we have what we call standards of excellence, which is the mission presidents’ vision of what each companionship of missionaries could feasibly could find, teach etc for each week. Well last night (Sunday Dec 13) we needed to find one new person to teach (investigator) and one person to ‘put on date’ for baptism, so they had a goal to work towards. Well, we’d already done everything we had planned, there was no one outside that we could talk to and were at a loss. We pulled off to the side of the road and prayed. We waited a minute, listening and praying in our hearts (sis Halladay offered the verbal prayer and paused before saying “amen’ and during the pause I gave my own silent prayer that sister Hoalladay would be directed to where we needed to got) then looked at each other. Sister Halladay asked me what I thought, I told her that I felt we needed to go back the way we’d come (we had pulled into a side street) and she feel impressed that we should go to some apartments just down the road. So we turned around and got off the side street and back on the road we had been before. We got to the apartments and started knocking on doors. Most of the people were polite, but not interested. Some accused us of soliciting, I girl – Cassie – was interested, but she was going off to school soon.
We almost skipped the middle section, but I pointed it out to sister Halladay and we knocked on those doors making so we started walking to out car just in time to meet Antonio.
Just before we exited the apartment parking , Sis. Hallsaday said “I guess it was for Cassie’ then a man came around the corner and walking his huge dog (Doberman I think). Sister Halladay and I stopped to talk to him. He mentioned he was having a hard time and Sister Halladay said something to the effect of :if you give Jesus the time first, life will get easier.” He perked up and she said, basically “we’re holding a baptismal service on Dec 31st, will you prepare yourself to be baptized on that day?” he said he would, we got his name, number and address and will be teaching him on Wednesday J God loves giving us miracles at the last second.
Anyway, LOVE you all! Be good! And let Santa think you deserve coal this year
<3 Sis. Sarah Durtschi
I’m now battered and bruised…well just my arms and parts of my hands… it was a zone p-day today so it was the first time I’d played volleyball since the MTC and before that I’d only played it really in high school. It was fun. I laughed a lot because of the elders reactions to things and that they came up with mascots for each of the teams. The first was the wombats. Then my team decided they would be the unicorns and then “my little Pony.” We kicked some wombat behinds J It was hilarious. I was definitely not the reason we won, but I did nit the ball several times. Hence the battered and bruised.
Anyways the most exciting thing is we have my first convert baptism coming up! We taught him for the first time after he got married (The Friday I arrived). On Thursday the 3rd , then Wednesday the 9th we asked how his reading and praying has been going. He grinned and said ‘good’ (now some background, he is VERY shy and had just come from Fiji to get married.) Sister Halladay and I both had the feeling he got an answer to his prayer, but we didn’t want to ask if he wanted to be baptized at that moment. We both wanted to be sure he understood and our bishop asked us not to pressure him into baptism. Late in the lesson Sister Halladay felt impressed to invite him. He had kept bringing up baptism himself, like he said the reading we had given him was all about baptism which there is some mention of baptism, but it’s not all about it. He’s excited. That’s second lesson he talked a whole lot more and opened up quite a bit for him. He accepted the invitation and is getting baptized on Friday, the 18th. Pretty fast, but he has a huge support from his new wife and her family, they ‘re all members. His name is Rajendra (pronounced RahJen) Sammi and his wife is Keshni Gaundar Sammi.
Something else that’s exciting is that we started teaching a family today. We found them in our ‘former investigator’ area and when to see them on Saturday before the ward Christmas Dinner. We invited them to the dinner, but they weren’t able to come because their car broke down, but we met with them this morning at 10 and both Misty (wife) and Robert (husband) were soaking it in when they were being side tracked by their 4-year-old son Dante. They’re both very good to each other and to their son. They treat each other and their son with respect and have come a long way already. They used to use a lot of things, but then Dante came around they stopped. They were both listening intently and liking what they heard. We explained that we’re family oriented as a church and they loved that. We hope the best for them and are excited to see them progressing even farther then they have already.
Wendy Tinker is a recent convert who got baptized just before I arrived. They day of her confirmation she was called as a ward missionary. She went out of town and came back and stared getting right to work. She ahs several friends that she’s invited to 2 different dinners that Sister Halladay and I were also invited to. Two of those friends – a mother and a daughter- now want to learn more for themselves, so both we and sister Tinker are excited.
In this (and probably other) missions we have what we call standards of excellence, which is the mission presidents’ vision of what each companionship of missionaries could feasibly could find, teach etc for each week. Well last night (Sunday Dec 13) we needed to find one new person to teach (investigator) and one person to ‘put on date’ for baptism, so they had a goal to work towards. Well, we’d already done everything we had planned, there was no one outside that we could talk to and were at a loss. We pulled off to the side of the road and prayed. We waited a minute, listening and praying in our hearts (sis Halladay offered the verbal prayer and paused before saying “amen’ and during the pause I gave my own silent prayer that sister Hoalladay would be directed to where we needed to got) then looked at each other. Sister Halladay asked me what I thought, I told her that I felt we needed to go back the way we’d come (we had pulled into a side street) and she feel impressed that we should go to some apartments just down the road. So we turned around and got off the side street and back on the road we had been before. We got to the apartments and started knocking on doors. Most of the people were polite, but not interested. Some accused us of soliciting, I girl – Cassie – was interested, but she was going off to school soon.
We almost skipped the middle section, but I pointed it out to sister Halladay and we knocked on those doors making so we started walking to out car just in time to meet Antonio.
Just before we exited the apartment parking , Sis. Hallsaday said “I guess it was for Cassie’ then a man came around the corner and walking his huge dog (Doberman I think). Sister Halladay and I stopped to talk to him. He mentioned he was having a hard time and Sister Halladay said something to the effect of :if you give Jesus the time first, life will get easier.” He perked up and she said, basically “we’re holding a baptismal service on Dec 31st, will you prepare yourself to be baptized on that day?” he said he would, we got his name, number and address and will be teaching him on Wednesday J God loves giving us miracles at the last second.
Anyway, LOVE you all! Be good! And let Santa think you deserve coal this year
<3 Sis. Sarah Durtschi
Friday, December 18, 2009
letter #2 From Sister Sarah in WA
Dear Family Type Peoples,
I’m currently watching Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration with 6 guys and 1 girl. My district plus our Zone Leaders. It’s kind of weird to have Elder district and zone leaders, etc. I mentioned to one of my zone leaders last night that it was weird not to be able to hug my district/zone leaders.
This week has gone a lot faster then last week. I’m starting to get used to being in Washington. I’m starting to get used to teaching everything all the way to baptism rather than just the first lesson or trying to get to know what their concern or knowledge is of the gospel and building on it or teaching to that concern. I’ve learned a lot so far, especially from my companion Sister Halladay. We’re been working, fasting and praying for baptisms. We have several people who we believe are ready, but things keep coming up. The ward (Lake Forest Park) needs 3 more baptisms to reach their goal for the year and we don’t have a whole lot of support from the ward as a whole, but there are several members who are very supportive. I hope you don’t see this as negative. I love the ward & branch I am serving in but things have happened in the past that makes it difficult for the members to trust us completely. That being the case we’re working hard and trying to gain trust and get the Lord’s work done.
The mission goal for the year is 1,000 [baptisms],which means 4 more baptism for each companionship. A lot of people say it’s not about the numbers, but it is. Not to make anyone look good, not to up the members of the church, but every number we add to the people baptized is another soul saved, it another child of God who has the chance to live with him again. Sometimes it hard for mission to put the two together, I think. Sister Tew helped me to see that in both ways.
It’s kind of interesting seeing missionary work from the missionaries’ point of view. I remember going to PEC meetings as first councilor in the relief society and it’s really different.
And the rest will have to wait until the next week. Please write and if you have questions ask, they will help get my letters going faster.
Love you all!
Love Sis.
I’m currently watching Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration with 6 guys and 1 girl. My district plus our Zone Leaders. It’s kind of weird to have Elder district and zone leaders, etc. I mentioned to one of my zone leaders last night that it was weird not to be able to hug my district/zone leaders.
This week has gone a lot faster then last week. I’m starting to get used to being in Washington. I’m starting to get used to teaching everything all the way to baptism rather than just the first lesson or trying to get to know what their concern or knowledge is of the gospel and building on it or teaching to that concern. I’ve learned a lot so far, especially from my companion Sister Halladay. We’re been working, fasting and praying for baptisms. We have several people who we believe are ready, but things keep coming up. The ward (Lake Forest Park) needs 3 more baptisms to reach their goal for the year and we don’t have a whole lot of support from the ward as a whole, but there are several members who are very supportive. I hope you don’t see this as negative. I love the ward & branch I am serving in but things have happened in the past that makes it difficult for the members to trust us completely. That being the case we’re working hard and trying to gain trust and get the Lord’s work done.
The mission goal for the year is 1,000 [baptisms],which means 4 more baptism for each companionship. A lot of people say it’s not about the numbers, but it is. Not to make anyone look good, not to up the members of the church, but every number we add to the people baptized is another soul saved, it another child of God who has the chance to live with him again. Sometimes it hard for mission to put the two together, I think. Sister Tew helped me to see that in both ways.
It’s kind of interesting seeing missionary work from the missionaries’ point of view. I remember going to PEC meetings as first councilor in the relief society and it’s really different.
And the rest will have to wait until the next week. Please write and if you have questions ask, they will help get my letters going faster.
Love you all!
Love Sis.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Letter from Sister Durtschi 11/30/09
I received a letter from Sarah today :) I've typed it up below. Enjoy!
My Dear Family type Peoples! 11/30/09
Well I’m out. It’s kind of weird. And it’s kind of weird that I’m not emailing. I guess that Heavenly Father wants to see if I can go 4 months without touching a computer.
So I got to Washington last Wednesday (late for a missionary) because my plane was delayed an hour or so. It was supposed to leave at 3:30pm with me and Sister Baily (a sister from class and is in the mission next-ish to me, Tacoma) but it left at 4:50pm or so. Our mission presidents and their wives were there to greet us anyway and mine, President Shewalter, took me to eat at Olive Garden. We then went to the mission office and met the assistants to the President and my new companion. Sister Halladay, the sister who had been sister Halladay’s companion, sister Coleman and her new companions (sister Dewitt & Cicern (sp?).
We – sister Hallway and I – went home and planned, I unpacked a bit and crashed. The next day was Thanksgiving, which we went street contacting beforehand. It was very different. I still used to people more coming to me and asking questions them me pouncing on them to get their attention, then speaking quickly to keep their attention.
After Thursday was a whirlwind of contacting, tracking and teaching appointments ending with Sunday and Church, trying to get people to church, and ‘cottage meeting’ which is where recent and not-so-recent converts give their conversion story and the way missionaries are able to go is if they have an investigator with them. It’s once a transfer. After that meeting, one of our investigators, a 13 year old named Nikki stated that she was going to bet baptized on the way back Nikki told us all that she learned. Sister Holladay and I were surprised at how much she had learned because she kept chitchatting through the whole thing.
O, I’m going to get a tape recorder. Sister Halladay says she sends on, a tape, back and forth wither family because there is too much to tell just in a letter and I agree wholeheartedly. I’m not sure whether to get a mini-tape one or a regular sized tape. Does anyone have a mini-tape? And we just went shopping and tape recorders are/seem expensive! $25! I don’t know if that normal or not…
Anyway, lots of love to you all! Hope you’re having a great season so far.
Love y’all lots!
Love Sister of the share of the Durtschi sort.
My Dear Family type Peoples! 11/30/09
Well I’m out. It’s kind of weird. And it’s kind of weird that I’m not emailing. I guess that Heavenly Father wants to see if I can go 4 months without touching a computer.
So I got to Washington last Wednesday (late for a missionary) because my plane was delayed an hour or so. It was supposed to leave at 3:30pm with me and Sister Baily (a sister from class and is in the mission next-ish to me, Tacoma) but it left at 4:50pm or so. Our mission presidents and their wives were there to greet us anyway and mine, President Shewalter, took me to eat at Olive Garden. We then went to the mission office and met the assistants to the President and my new companion. Sister Halladay, the sister who had been sister Halladay’s companion, sister Coleman and her new companions (sister Dewitt & Cicern (sp?).
We – sister Hallway and I – went home and planned, I unpacked a bit and crashed. The next day was Thanksgiving, which we went street contacting beforehand. It was very different. I still used to people more coming to me and asking questions them me pouncing on them to get their attention, then speaking quickly to keep their attention.
After Thursday was a whirlwind of contacting, tracking and teaching appointments ending with Sunday and Church, trying to get people to church, and ‘cottage meeting’ which is where recent and not-so-recent converts give their conversion story and the way missionaries are able to go is if they have an investigator with them. It’s once a transfer. After that meeting, one of our investigators, a 13 year old named Nikki stated that she was going to bet baptized on the way back Nikki told us all that she learned. Sister Holladay and I were surprised at how much she had learned because she kept chitchatting through the whole thing.
O, I’m going to get a tape recorder. Sister Halladay says she sends on, a tape, back and forth wither family because there is too much to tell just in a letter and I agree wholeheartedly. I’m not sure whether to get a mini-tape one or a regular sized tape. Does anyone have a mini-tape? And we just went shopping and tape recorders are/seem expensive! $25! I don’t know if that normal or not…
Anyway, lots of love to you all! Hope you’re having a great season so far.
Love y’all lots!
Love Sister of the share of the Durtschi sort.
Monday, November 30, 2009
No Email Until...
I'm just emailing to let ya'll know that I won't be able to email you again until after march 31st when I get back to Temple Square. It's a mission rule in the Everett Washington Mission, but just know that I'm doing well. My companion is Sister Halladay, who is awesome, and we're teaching a messload of families and individuals. Some of which are really close to baptism, one said she wants to be baptized, and just let us know tonight. I'm over two wards, a hearing ward and a deaf branch, we live with the deaf branch president, so you can write me at that address for at least the next 4 weeks.
233 19 Cedar Way K201
Mountlake Terrace, Washington, 98043
But, after that... you may want to just write to the mission address.
16124 35th Avenue NE
Mill Creek, Washington 98012
I love you all, and hopefully I'll be good at writing individual letters so all ya'all can hear from me. I'll probably write Amy so she can post stuff on the Blog, whether by scanning it in and forcing you all to read my horrible writing, or by typing it up. Hope to get letters from you all, and I love you all. Email you in 4 months!
Be happy and all that!
LOVE!!!!
~Sister Durtschi of the Sarah Sort (AKA Sister 'D' People have a hard time with my name for some reason here... :P)
233 19 Cedar Way K201
Mountlake Terrace, Washington, 98043
But, after that... you may want to just write to the mission address.
16124 35th Avenue NE
Mill Creek, Washington 98012
I love you all, and hopefully I'll be good at writing individual letters so all ya'all can hear from me. I'll probably write Amy so she can post stuff on the Blog, whether by scanning it in and forcing you all to read my horrible writing, or by typing it up. Hope to get letters from you all, and I love you all. Email you in 4 months!
Be happy and all that!
LOVE!!!!
~Sister Durtschi of the Sarah Sort (AKA Sister 'D' People have a hard time with my name for some reason here... :P)
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