Thanksgiving Dinner

Family and Friends,

Janet came to church!!! Janet is Richard's wife which makes that the most exciting news of the week. She came due to a compromise, but she came all the same! The story is that Richard wasn't too keen on spending Thanksgiving with her sister who doesn't have the best opinion of the church, but she told him that if he would go that she would come to an hour of church. Thanksgiving went well with no arguments and I think Janet really enjoyed sacrament meeting. When she left she made it sound like the next time we would be seeing her would be at the baptism, but as Richard keeps inviting and we all keep praying we hope she'll come around more often. They have a home teacher lined up who lives on their street so that should be perfect. Richard is making all the plans for his baptism and we can't wait! He always refers to us and everyone else supporting him as his "team mormon." He's phenomenal and I can't believe that I get to be a part of his life and witness his conversion. It's truly an honor.

The other great news is that we found a family this week! They were former investigators from earlier this year who just had a lot going on when they met the other missionaries. We set an appointment with the father and were a little surprised to see that he had his family all assembled and ready for a lesson when we came. Miguel and Theresa are the parents and they have Jonathan(17) Michelle(15) and Stephanie(4). The kids seemed more like they were trying to be obedient than actually interested, but it's a good start! They didn't make it to church because they had a cousin go to the hospital, but they seem really sincere and like they want somthing more for their family.

We've actually been finding quite a few young people in our area that are interested. One even came to us at the V.C. Unfortunately we have to transfer them to the sisters serving in the singles ward which is a total bummer, but it makes sense.

We had stake conference this past week and had Elder Porter from the Seventy come because we got a new stake presidency. As always it was amazing to hear a general authority speak. He talked a lot about following the spirit and recognizing answers to prayers. I think I assumed that was something that would come cery naturally on my mission, but even without all the distractions of the world it's such a delicate thing and difficult to master. I appreciate all the guidance I can get in that regard. Something that I've opened my eyes to recently though is that the Lord will never direct us in all things. Turning to him for guidance is essential, but I can tell you first-hand that looking for direction in every minor detail of our lives only brings disappointment and confusion. I'm finding that I have a lot more trust in the Lord and confidence in my future as I make decisions that are in alignment with the covenants that I've made. In the end if we're choosing the right God will never let us go astray. That's somehting I've always known, but as always the application can be more difficult. It's amazing to me that we all come to the same conclusions when it comes to truth, but everyone has to get there in a different way that brings it to light for them. Anyway, the conference was great especially because I'm still in the Santa Monica stake which means that I got to see everyone from the Palisades Ward :) So much love!

The Visitors' Center has been bustling with people this week who are expecting the lights to be on. Usually they come on the day after Thanksgiving but this year they are holding a special reception for government and religious leaders for the first lighting which is happening this week. The Director and his wife are very nervous about it althougth they haven't said so. They have given those of us that have been invited to be on shift a dress code and all the do's and don't's of how to act and what to say. Sister Jones and I have been invited to be the hostess companionship and cover the guest book! The center will not be open to the public that evening and we are not allowed to proselyte. We are just here to be warm and inviting and answer any questions. No pressure! I guess there will be foreign ambassadors in attendance. I'm just excited to meet everyone, I think it will be fun.

I mentioned last week that people  tend to come in waves. This weeks has been loads of fun! We keep taking couples around where one is not a member and the person they're dating is sharing the gospel with them. All have felt the spirit here and ended up referring themselves. It's been a faith building experience to teach them and it's fun to send referrals to other missionaries knowing that the person is prepared. One couple was especially impressive. He joined the church 6 years ago when he was studying to be a catholic priest. Talk about a change! And she was so excited to learn and they mentioned a temple marriage as their goal. Also, random fact: He is working on a movie called "The End of an Empire" that is about the Book of Mormon from the war chapters to the end and supposedly is going to have Liam Neeson in it... What?! Watch that one for me will ya?

Well I'm out of time. The church is true! I am always grateful for the gospel and for all of you, but especially at this time of year.

Happy Holidays! (We've been listening to Christmas since September...)

Love you :)

Sister Davis

This Week from Sister Davis

Me and Jane Seymour aka Sister Elmer

Friends and family,

I can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving! The Visitors' Center is a little chilly (as always) but it was in the high sixties today and barely feels like fall. Sister Jones and I have had an... interesting week and she keeps repeating the words, "Oh my mom would be so upset if she could see me right now." Basically we've been trying to follow up with a lot of formers and had some run-ins with some interesting/angry/hilarious people and have found ourselves in some places that can only be described as "sketch business." We've spent a lot of time in the projects this week and my thoughts float back and forth between that youtube video that Isaac used to quote constantly and just how lucky I am to have all that I do. People are generally more welcoming and willing to listen in humble circumstances and it's been a reminder for me to humble myself as well.

The Visitors' Center has been busier as of late and so of course a lot of fun. People seem to be coming in waves. Not just the number, but also why they're here. We were talking to another companionship and they mentioned that they are meeting recent convert after recent convert while we are meeting countless young girls preparing for missions and people who are recently divorced looking for direction. It's amazing how an experience with one person will prepare you to help the next person that walks in the door. What also is amazing is that for whatever reason many people have no qualms just telling us their entire life story. It's rather interesting really. I'll mention one from this week that was particularly exciting. A Filipino man in his early 30s came in and immediately sat down in the Christus. As we talked with him we learned that he was just snapping a picture of the temple while in traffic on Santa Monica to send to a cousin of his who is Mormon because he thought it would be a good joke. His cousin texted back to "GO," and told him about the VC so here he was. We asked him questions about himself and he just gushed to us about how lost he was and how much he wants to change his life, but he didn't know how. He was embarrassed and kept saying "I don't know why I'm telling you this." We talked to him about the spirit and assured him that through the atonement he could be changed. He loved the Visitors' Center and said he had never felt so much love in one place. I guess the long and short of it is that at the end we invited him to refer himself. He agreed and seemed very excited and even a little impatient to get going. It was a miracle and we're looking forward to following up with him over the phone.

Speaking of VC miracles, I was talking with one of the senior couples and Richard (who we teach at the Visitors' Center so everyone knows and loves him) and they mentioned to him that this week ten or eleven people have come in requesting Books of Mormon after seeing the musical. Richard just laughed and said "You see! 90% of people who see that musical will think Mormonism is a joke, but I'm more concerned with the 10% like me who are intrigued." He is still doing great! We had a little scare with his baptismal date this week because he wanted the colleague who sort of introduced him to be there and she isn't available on the 9th. In the process of figuring out that she can't come at all his faith was a little shaken as she explained that she isn't actually very active. He was a little shocked at first, but it didn't discourage him. In fact, being the wonderful man that he is, he has now determined that one of his responsibilities as a new member will be to reactivate less active members with his testimony that is in his words "on fire." "You have to work at it!" He explained to us emphatically.  "I'm talking every day here!" Ha ha he just gets it. More power to him. I only hope he doesn't wear himself out. Sometimes I get worn out just watching him! He is probably one of the kindest people I know. He somehow found out that I'm an trainer for the English sisters' areas and the next thing I know he gives me a card congratulating me on my "well deserved promotion." Oh how I wish you could meet him! 

We had a great lesson with Susan this week. She still has no desire to keep the commandments and feels that God understands. We talked about the atonement and posed the question, "If God is all powerful, why can't he just choose to forgive us? Why did His Son have to atone?" I think it was a major turning point for her and we were so grateful for the spirit in preparing to teach her. 

Everyone that we're finding seems to be leaving for Thanksgiving, but we have a few potentials that we have appointments with this week so hopefully that will mean good updates next week. 

I'm out of time. I love you bunches :)

Sister Davis

Happy Birthday Sister Davis

Turkey Bowl

Friends and Family,

This transfer has been a little surprising so far. Very much the same and different all at the same time. Sister Jones and I are staying together in Marina Del Rey. I wish you could have seen Richard's reaction when we told him. We actually moved from Temple Hill to an apartment in our area that was previously occupied by elders. Needless to say transfer day was a long one. The other change was that President Baker asked me to be an area trainer! Basically what this means is that I'll be conducting exchanges with the Visitors' Center sisters serving in English areas. I'm excited to see how everyone teaches and I'm sure I'll learn a lot from these amazing sisters. I'm anticipating that it will be very difficult to find things they need to improve on. Still, it will be fun to pick everyone's brains and share ideas about how we can better find and teach.

Richard is doing awesome. He invited his wife to church this week and she politely declined, but thanked him for the invitation. A step in the right direction. He attended a champagne tasting on Friday because he had previously committed to take a few of his clients. He texted us and said "The tasting is half over and I'm drunk as a skunk!" He was only joking of course and told us later that he deflected any questioning of his sparkling water with his conversion story. Classic! He is still inviting everyone to his baptism and wants to do everything he can to be ready. He met with the Bishop this week for over two hours and insisted on paying his tithing and fast offerings. We haven't taught him how to do that yet so I guess he just handed an envelope to the bishop that said "For the poor in the ward." He's simply delightful. He attended a ward activity this weekend that we weren't able to make because of the VC, but when we followed up with our fellow-shippers they said that he was calling everyone at his table to repentance. "Do you read your Book of Mormon every morning?" Ha ha it's amazing to see how much enthusiasm he has about everything he's learning. I'm learning so much from him and his example of diligence, desire, and sacrifice. 

Susan has a baptismal date again and we're scrambling to find a way to help her get to church and quit smoking so she can make this one. John has had a lot going on with his band and we only saw him once this week. He doesn't believe that Joseph Smith could really have seen what he saw so we are encouraging him to ask himself because in the end he either did or he did not, and we know that he did... I feel like it's pretty smooth sailing if people will sincerely keep the commitments we leave, but fortunately everyone has agency. Ah the gift of agency. It's completely necessary and yet can be so frustrating. What can we do to convince them to act? I see it in my own life as well though. Sometimes I would just really appreciate a printed list of commands specific to Sister Jenna Davis, but alas that isn't the Lord's way! I'm learning more all the time to trust in the fact that He is in fact smarter than me :)

I had my one and only mission birthday this week and thanks to all of you I received quite a few letters(I don't think most realized it was my birthday but hey, inspired timing)! My companion was kind enough to make me breakfast and a pan of brownies. I guess when you spend every waking moment with a person they learn that you don't like cake. It was right after transfers so I was a little bummed that several of my dear friends had just been sent full-field, but it was a good day. 22 is old though, don't you think? 20 is like, "Yes I'm not a teenager anymore!" 21 was, "Nice... I'm an adult, I can serve a mission, the future is bright," yada yada yada. 22 is like... old. Anyway, it doesn't really matter since I still feel 17. Getting 19-yr-olds out here will be great for me :)

Well I love you all as always. I'll miss you this Thanksgiving! Our zone had a turkey bowl today so at least I won't miss out on that tradition. 

Speaking of which, Hey Isaac! go tackle Topher for me ;)

Love you everybody! 

Write me!

Sister Davis

9 Month Message and Pics

Last district meeting

9 months!

Sister Rokobuli

I love my sisters

Friends and family!

Hey everyone, I realize that these are extraordinarily silly pictures, but it's tradition! Sister Cole and I reached our 9 month/halfway mark this week and it's a little surreal. It's strange to think that the amount of my mission remaining is shorter than what has already passed. The next few months are going to fly by with the missions annual turkey bowl, thanksgiving, and Christmas. Temple hill is going to be beautiful  with all the lights and a concert every night in December. The VC sisters are in charge of all the music and narration for Christmas eve and Christmas day. It's starting to come together and I'm more and more grateful all the time that I was called to a Visitors' Center. 

Richard is defying gravity as usual. We really hope that his wife will come around, but from the sound of things they have been a little distant for a while now. He has a big load right now working to strengthen his marriage and learn the gospel all at once. Fortunately the gospel is full of everything he needs to have a happy and successful family. He went to an activity for the ward this week and loved it. He gets along so well with everyone and feels totally comfortable in our ward which is a blessing. He is nervous about transfers which is adorable. He calls us the good cop-bad cop routine and says he can't do without both! If you're assuming I'm the "good cop" right now you're dead wrong. Ha ha. I can't wait for you all to meet him. 

Susan still hasn't come to church, but has been inviting her friends and family to her baptism and sharing the gospel left and right. 

John is kind of progressing... I feel like it's a miracle that he is even meeting with us so regularly. He is part of a band called "Dazed and Confused" and wants us to check out the website. Obviously we can't, but if any of you would like to and report back it would be appreciated. -dazedonline.com- Anyway, so he has been busy lately with gigs. He seems hesitant to ask if it's true, but he is praying now which is good. We're meeting with him twice this week which is an improvement as well. 

Jay awkwardly asked me out and we haven't really seen him since... Major bummer.

The highlight of this week was the fact that we were sort of a halfway house for missionaries on their way home. The first was sister Rokobuli. She was on her way home from the Carlsbad mission to Fiji. New Zealand rejected her so to speak and she had to wait for a direct flight to Fiji. We learned a lot from her in the short time we spent together and she was with us the day of my halfway mark so she celebrated with us. I didn't know I could love someone so much in less than 24 hours! She said that she vaguely knew Elder Kidd. Small world as always. The second sister was from our mission and had to return home to fix a medical issue. She is awesome and should be returning within a few months. We had two extra late nights and extra early mornings but it was worth it to help out and daylight savings made up for it to some extent. 

Along with my halfway mark I did experience what I think was sort of an inevitable mid-mission crisis. Missionary work is hard. Everyone says it's hard, but really... It's HARD. I was able to humble myself enough to ask my district leader for a blessing. I simply told him I was stressed and lo and behold that blessing answered every one of my questions and concerns that had me so upset. I have a very strong testimony of the priesthood. I know that it's real and that it's the power of God. It is evidence to me that God is very aware of me, and after receiving a priesthood blessing I can't deny that.

Well, I love you all! Thank you for everything, and Lisa thank you for the package! I loved it :)

have a great week!

Sister Davis

 

Richard on Sunday

-Lookin spiffy. Lovin life.

Richard on Tuesday

- He found that article and thought it was just too funny after all the answers he has received from the book of Alma.

Family and Friends,

I've been anxious to share the update on Richard this week as it has been an exciting one for all of us. He is rockin and rollin! He has changed significantly since we met him, but more this past week than ever before. He was originally planning to wean himself off of alcohol since he was expecting that to be the most difficult vice to give up after everything he had already changed. He explained the battle in his mind of trying to justify giving it up slowly and recognized that it was a temptation from Satan. Last weekend he went to a mixer with his son and reported to us that he felt the spirit withdraw from him and apparently said to Satan "Where do you get off?!" and explained that he never wanted to feel that again... As of today he is 9 days sober and loving it. He hasn't experienced any withdrawals and is enjoying a new sense of clarity that he hasn't had in over forty years. His wife is loving the changes, but has made it very clear that she doesn't care why or how and she will never be a Mormon. Richard had been asking a lot of questions about the millennium  and expressing concern about being sealed to someone. I'm telling you he's a gem! We were floored yesterday when he walked into church sporting a tie, genuine leather quadruple combination, and missing his 12-inch pony-tail!!(Yes he donated it to locks of love). Who is this guy?! I don't know how he is doing it... well never mind I do. God is so good and He loves, Loves, LOVES Richard :) Still, I'm so impressed by his complete willingness to just drop everything he has always known and trust that this is the truth. He asked me how many baptisms I have seen on my mission and when I responded that he will be the first he seemed a little surprised and then made my day by saying, "Well look what you've done. You should know that I probably count for about 100. I'm just sayin! I know a lot of people." He really does know a LOT of people. It turns out that he was previously the mayor of Culver City and not only does he know everyone; he's telling everyone! More specifically he's inviting them to his baptism! He hit it off with everyone in priesthood this week and loved being at church. He actually knew a few ward members from participating in scouting over the years. I know, I know, it doesn't get better than this. But it kind of does. Richard is planning a trip up to Utah in 2014 so that we can all go to conference together. How excited are we for that trip! I just feel so blessed and lucky to have the opportunity to witness this and to know him. Wow. That's all I can say. 

Susan and John are both coming along slowly. They both read and pray, but are either unable or unwilling to come to church. We can't tell if Jay is dodging us or not. He's nervous about all the changes he would have to make. We had another "Book of Mormon" musical experience this week. I didn't really talk to him, but I guess some man that saw the show tried to buy a Book of Mormon at Barnes and Noble and was directed to the Visitors' Center. Of course we gave him one for free. I'll have to follow up with the sisters that took him around and see what happened with it. 

Everyone at the Visitors' center is already buzzing about decorating for Christmas, the lights that will be on temple hill, and the concerts every night in December. It's October! But I'm enjoying. It's going to be a busy and exciting few months. 

I think that's all.. I love you all and your always in my prayers,

Sister Davis

This week from Sister Davis

Stephanie and her BIG Book of Mormon

Just before the fireside

Friends and Family!

Richard is getting baptized!! He practically came running into the Visitors' Center, sat us down, and with tears in his eyes held up the Book of Mormon and said "This is truth." It was my first experience with someone really getting an answer, recognizing it and being so excited for the next step. It was thrilling! Sister Jones and I had been praying about a baptismal date for him and separately we both came up with December 9th (Happy Birthday Mom)! When we asked him he said that he knew it was going to be in December and that 9 was his lucky number. Still, neither of us will be surprised if it happens sooner. We haven't even taught him about the Word of Wisdom yet and he has already given up coffee, tea, swearing, gambling, and he's working on alcohol. He read about the Word of Wisdom and other addictive behavior on Mormon.org and in True to the Faith! We had a missionary fireside last night with music by the missionaries and testimonies from recent converts. Richard came and introduced himself as our favorite investigator to everyone he met and as he told his story I learned more about how this all began for him. He had a friend at work that was Mormon, which we knew, but apparently he saw the Book of Mormon musical and that's what really peaked his interest. He said it was vulgar, but for whatever reason he was interested in reading the book. He thought he purchased one that night in hopes of learning more, but it turned out to be a playbill or something. That's when he referred himself and where we came into the picture. Isn't it interesting that avenues the adversary may be trying to use are working to our advantage? Richard was prepared and that musical was the connection for him. Cool!

Susan is not really progressing. It's hard because we know how much a knowledge of the gospel could help her. She believes it, but just doesn't have the energy to do. Especially church attendance. We found two new investigators, John and Jay. John was a potential in the area book and when we went by he said that missionaries do so every few years, but that none had seemed quite as genuine as we do (playin the sister card). If anything I'm sure it's just that he's a little more ready. We hope so anyway. We invited him to be baptized and he said he would like to see one first, but that he does want to continue meeting with us. Not bad! Jay is great. I met him on splits with a member of our ward and he has a baptismal date for November 18. After meeting with us he called and said that he had gone to Mormon.org and just wanted us to be aware that he drinks alcohol, coffee, and he smokes. We told him that as he comes closer to Christ and lives the gospel he will have a desire to cut those things out of his life and that God will help him to do it. I thought he was a goner for sure, but he just said "ya ok, I just wanted to be honest with you. See you on Tuesday." What? :) We're finding it helpful to give anyone we teach a lesson to a Mormon.org card. Mostly because you can't teach someone everything right when you meet them and we would rather people get overwhelmed by truth than by lies. I don't know what the statistics would be, but I think a lot of people that meet missionaries probably do a quick search online and I'm sure many find false information. 

The two people we had come to church this week(Richard missed because he held his own personal general conference - more power to him) were less actives. Crystal, who is a young mother who was baptized when she lived with a Mormon foster family at age 15 - hasn't been back since, and whose only hesitation about coming to church was that she didn't have anything to wear. So, we found her something, she came, and loved it. We had our primary program, and spoke about how to teach our children in relief society. It was perfect for her and she told us she had forgotten how much she liked being there. The other was Stephanie who is 44 and hasn't really been active since she was baptized as a child. She is very open and basically wanting to come back so it's great for us because it's like teaching an investigator as far as lessons go, but she has some basic knowledge and doesn't have a religious history that brings up opposing beliefs. She seemed to enjoy being there as well and seemed to hit it off with another mid-single lady in our ward that's in the same field of work. 

I'm out of time, but I love you all! We had some funny experiences this week as well that I'll have fun telling you all one day. Have a great week!

Sister Davis

This Week from Sister Davis

I have a doppleganger!! We found this in Mormon.org. She is serving at the SLC Visitors' Center and even I think she looks like me. Scary!

Matching skirts. I asked her where she got hers and she said " I don't know, my mom got it for me." Same here! Yay for moms :)

Our mini-missionary Sister Whitaker

Sushi on P-day! Sister Jones. 

Brother Siep

Friends and Family,

It's been a full week and a wonderful one! We are finally meeting with Richard tomorrow. We've been e-mailing him from the teaching center every other day and then calling him to follow up with his Book of Mormon reading and thoughts about the Mormon messages that we send him. He is amazing. Every morning he prays about something that he doesn't understand or needs help with and literally finds answers on a daily basis from the Book of Mormon that in his words "blow his socks off." The one that impressed us the most was when he prayed for the strength to quit drinking, opened to a random page in Alma and read  "And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell." He called us and when we answered he immediately said in his New York accent, "Something is happening here!" All I can say is that there are miracles happening every day with him. His wife still just thinks he is going through a phase, but we're hopeful that if we can get them both to the Visitors' Center she'll feel the difference herself. We have a missionary fireside this weekend with music by the missionaries and testimonies from recent converts that would be just the thing, so hopefully we can convince them to come.

We are still meeting with Susan. She isn't doing very well health-wise. We taught the word of wisdom and law of chastity this week and she disagrees with both. When we talked about her body being a temple she argued the point that her temple is already broken and if she's going to die anyway she doesn't see the harm in doing the very last few things that make her happy. We promised her the happiness that comes from living the commandments and assured her that while her illness may not be taken away she is still entitled to increased health and and increased measure of the spirit if she will keep those commandments. I felt horrible because we're just these 21 year old girls that are perfectly healthy and she's probably thinking that we just don't understand. She has been avoiding reading the Book of Mormon and we think it's because she knows that she'll find out it's true and then she'll know the church is true and she'll be accountable to live those commandments. She still wants to get baptized so now it's really up to her to find out. She's great and we're really praying for her and trying to be there for her in any way that we can.

We had zone conference this week and those are always great. Our zone put together an arrangement of "Brightly Beams our Father's Mercy" which worked out well and was powerful to sing with other missionaries. We left the conference with a renewed excitement to flood the earth with the Book of Mormon and since have given more out and been better about teaching people about it immediately upon meeting them. We also went on splits with some members from our ward so we could meet and teach more people. These two things combined have produced several potentials that we are excited about following up with this week. 

We had the blessing of another mini-missionary this week. Her name is Sister Whitaker and she was a trooper. She was at the tail end of a cold which meant she was already behind on homework AND she missed her senior homecoming weekend to serve with us. Pretty impressive. She was great and the three of us had a lot of fun together. At one point we were tracting and had to be a little grateful that no one was home at one doorstep because Sister Jones said something and had us all laughing uncontrollably. Later we let Sister Whitaker take the lead and when one woman answered "yes" to her question "would you like to hear a message?" She replied with a very surprised "oh!" Ha ha she did awesome. I love having minis because it's such a good reminder that what we do is an exciting thing and we're involved in a very important work every day! 

The Visitors' Center has been a lot of fun this week. It's been busy and we've had the opportunity to teach a lot more than we have in previous weeks. One young man that came in was from Russia and is here trying to get his green card. He was orthodox christian as he says most Russians are and he said they are all unhappy. I don't know how true that is, but he said he was impressed with how much everyone smiles here and wanted to learn more about why that was. We showed him the pictures of the inside of the temple and explained the importance of covenants and he just said, "this is how it should be." Long story short he left with a copy of the Book of Mormon in English and Russian and I was able to send the missionaries to his mother in Moscow. The VC is such an amazing place for people to come and learn about the gospel because who knows what other opportunity he would have had. 

Well I love you all! Thanks for everything you do for me.

Sister Davis

P.S. Deena is getting married?! Let's bump that wedding back to July ;) Just kidding. Congratulations!