September 30, 2013 - From Hermana Gillett

Hey family!

I seriously cant believe that I have been here so long either! It just  hit me this morning that a year ago at this time would be the day I was calling Dad as I sat on the lawn of the Institute Bldg at SUU asking what on earth I should do as far as my major and if I should take the internship or not. After we talked for a bit, he told me not to ask him,but  to ask my Heavenly Father who had all the answers. That weekend was conference, just like this week and I went to Conference with those questions in mind. Well, I got my answer and 3 days later on Oct. 10 I started my papers. Now here I am a year later and 9 months into the mission. Time is flying by all too quickly,but I am loving EVERY second of it! :)

We have had a great week this week. We have had some setbacks with some of our top progressing investigators and that has been a little disappointing, but we are working hard to get them back on top and progressing to baptism and the temple! We will NOT give up!

I have been pondering a lot what the Book of Mormon means to me, how I know it is true, and how I can do better at making it that link between my investigators and their true conversion. I know that through simply reading the Book of Mormon we can receive the assurance that it is true by the Holy Ghost, as is promised us at the beginning. A lot of our members who aren't actively helping with the work, our less-actives and those of our investigators who aren't progressing are not progressing because they are not actively reading the Book of Mormon. It's not the keystone of our religion just so it can sit on our shelves and collect dust. It is the keystone of our religion because through it we can know for ourselves that Jesus Christ lives, that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and that has provided a way that we can have happiness in this life and the life hereafter, and many more gospel truths that will guide us through this life. My favorite quote in Preach My Gospel states "As our understanding of The Atonement increases, so does our desire to share the gospel." All through The Book of Mormon we are encouraged to be missionaries and are shown how to do exactly that in so many ways. I know that our testimonies will be strengthened and I have seen conversion come through reading from The Book of Mormon. We must continue to read each day to continue that conversion process.

 This week it has been evident to me the power the Book of Mormon holds. As I have read it this week my mind has been expanded so much upon so many simple truths that are so powerful! We have some investigators that want to hear our message, but have a hard time accepting that The Book of Mormon is true, and they refuse to read it. It has been frustrating because we can explain things over and over again and give them all the answers, but we know that isn't what matters. What matters is that we read and pray about The Book of Mormon to know for ourselves that it is true. As a missionary I'm not there to convince others of my words, but to invite them and to help them to be able to recognize for themselves the blessings that the gospel brings to them and their families for the eternities through the Holy Ghost as they read and ponder about The Book of Mormon. Over the course of this week as well as my whole mission I have truly learned how important it is to read from The Book of Mormon each and every day.

Elder Christofferson has some wonderful videos on lds.org in which he talks about the Bread of Life and how just as important as our physical well-being is our spiritual well-being. We must be nourished daily by the word. It doesn't have to be for hours at a time, but it does need to be a time set apart from the rest of the day when we can ponder on the things the Spirit is teaching us through the Holy Ghost. As I have studied from The Book of Mormon each day I have come to know of it's truth and have felt of the Lord's guiding hand in my life each day. The Book of Mormon is SO important and I know that ONLY through reading The Book of Mormon can we truly be prepared for all that lies ahead of us each day and feel of the Love of our Savior as we show Him our inward desires through our outward expressions. May we all continue to read from The Book of Mormon each day and seek for opportunities to share the wonderful truth that we have!

I know it's not easy, but find a friend to keep you on track. We are doing that with some of our investigators and less-actives and it has been so fun! I always like a little friendly competition! Hermana Duong and I also found out that if we read 17 pages a day we can finish The Book of Mormon in a month. We are reading it outloud together in Spanish to finish before the end of teh transfer Oct 27th and we have learned SO much already! It's been a neat experience when people ask how we've learned Spanish to be able to respond by holding up a Book of Mormon and by saying "Through this Book. It contains ALL the answers!" And it really does! We have investigators who want to learn English, so what do we do? We teach them through reading The Book of Mormon with them. The amount of knowledge that comes is unbelievable! I remember not being able to understand more that 2 words when reading it in Spanish (and that was Lehi and Nephi's names) what seems like just weeks ago, and now I am  understanding chapters in Spanish adn applying them to my life and the lives of my investigators. The Book of Mormon truly is AMAZING!

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!!!

XOXO

Hermana Gillett

Jacie's First Letter Home

Hi Family,
How are things going? Do you miss me yet?
Well today has been crazy! I have felt every emotion possible. Adapting to all the rules is kinda hard. Having to call everyone Elder & Sisters instead of "guys" is probably the hardest adjustment. Oh & having to introduce myself as Sister Gillett instead of Jacie, that one is hard too! It's kinda interesting having class in an old bedroom. haha :)
But I love it, I love my zone & I hope I can continue to love my companion. She is from Albuquerque,  New Mexico.  We really have like 2 opposite personalities! 
I saw Kelsey Mecham today. So good to see someone from home! 
I miss you guys so much. Hope all is well @ home. Just know that I am well & loving & embracing every second of the MTC.
Love you to the moon & back infinity times!
Love, Sister Gillett :)

Beautiful Missionary Photo!

What a beautiful picture of our future missionary!

2 more days!

Lovin' the Lord's Work!! (by Jaelyn)

 Monday, Sept 23, 2013 - Jaelyn's email for the week:
This has been such a great week in this area. We have seen miracles and multiple times I have been brought to my knees in gratitude for having the opportunity to have a part in the Lord's work and see prophecies fulfilled. As I have been reflecting over the past week, all I have to say is, "I LOVE the Lord's work!" It has been so amazing to see the transformation that has been promised actually happen right in our hands. We were promised that through the Rescue Plan we would find, and find we did! We have 7 new investigators this week and we didn't knock one door! They all came from less-active members, following through with the Rescue Plan and finding their friends, and missionary referrals. I have felt so blessed to be able to see the promised blessings unfold in our hands. We have been working really hard this week to get our investigators progressing and we have some amazing investigators. Our main focus this next week is to get dates set. I am so grateful for Hermana Duong and her diligence, knowledge, and example. She has so much knowledge and understanding of the gospel and I am learning so much from her. We wish we had more time to accomplish all that we would like to do, and we are working hard to really use our time effectively. We have planned very meticulously this week and we are excited to see those plans go through according to the Lord's will. I am SO grateful to be a part of His work and to feel of his love each and every day, especially through the small and simple things, and especially through obedience. I have been studying a lot this week in the war chapters of Alma in The Book of Mormon. The theme of Preparation=Strength and Success keeps sticking out to me. I have related this to my studies: personal, companionship, and language; How I teach: investigators, members, less-actives; and also to my Physical Preparation: morning exercises, how I am eating, how much I am drinking, and my emergency preparedness:72 hr. Kits, gasoline,etc. Most importantly I have been focusing on my spiritual preparation just as Moroni focused on teaching his people to be prepared spiritually as they were preparing for war. I absolutely love The Book of Mormon and my testimony of The Book of Mormon has grown so much this past week. I have seen it change lives and I know it has and will continue to change mine. I love this area and I love the work. It is blossoming and I am so excited to continue to watch it grow!

We have exchanges planned for this week with the Gulf Port Sisters. One of the sisters seems to be struggling emotionally. They have called us a few times in the past week with concerns. We feel that they want to do exchanges as a way to "get out of having to talk to each other about their feelings or problems" so we have tried not to replace that special bond that can come when you really trust and confide in your companion. Hermana Duong was wonderful in referring them to the scriptures and helping them to find answers and comfort themselves through The Book of Mormon instead of "compelling them in all things". Hermana Duong has been a great example to me. She is so strong and diligent and I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve with her.

3 MORE DAYS!

Jacie will be on her way to the MTC on Wednesday! How exciting for her!

Big or Small there is a difference only you can make!

 Jaelyn has been out for 8 months! She is making a difference!