"Well, we don't eat our shirts, we wear them."

From the mouth of babes wisdom can be found.

Well, you already know Jose is awesome. But just wait--there's more! He just has such a big convert fire and it is so cool to be able to watch it continually grow and flourish. This week, we got a call from Jose on Wednesday night after he met with Bishop Lund and he was SO excited because he told us, "I'm getting the Priesthood on Sunday! And then I am going to sit up there for the next 2 weeks when they bless the sacrament and then in like 3 weeks I am going to bless the sacrament!" He was so bubbly and excited, which was so cool to hear. And then, yes indeed, yesterday he was ordained to the office of a Priest! He was sustained in Sacrament Meeting (in which Sister Jensen and I were beaming with joy because Jose was getting the Priesthood), and then right after Sacrament meeting he was ordained. It was so cool! Another recent convert got to stand in the circle as well and so it was so powerful. Sister Jensen and I were beaming all day and so was Jose. He is so cool! Last night we went and taught him, and it was awesome. We started off with the question, "Who are you?" And he soon found that we were looking for the answer "a child of God." We talked about his divine parentage and how that influences us here on earth and how it can help us. As part of it, Jose told us that he talks to everyone about the Gospel because "You grew up in the gospel. I didn't. This stuff is familiar to you, and it's not to me. So I get so excited when I learn these cool things and I want to share it with everyone I see!" He is doing great at fulfilling his baptismal covenants thus far. Another highlight of that lesson was in part of it we asked 'Who do you know that is struggling and how can you help them?" He thought for a second and then told us he thought of Brian, the less-active member he's come to visit with us a few times. It was cool that he was already thinking this soon after baptism of how he can help those less-actives he knows come back to the full joy of the gospel.

We taught Karen and Brian this week with Jose as well and it was awesome. Sister Jensen and I were a bit nervous because we taught tithing, which is the reason they went less-active 11 years ago. So it's a bit of a touchy subject. But having Jose there to bear his testimony of tithing and how her knows it is inspired of God and helps us was so powerful! Jose is not afraid to testify boldly and do what he can to help them. He really wants to be able to be home teachers to Karen and Brian and that would be great. So we're going to get that ball rolling. It's so fun to work with someone who has so much desire to help everyone and ANYONE they can!
 

Karla is also doing well. This week when we met with her she told us the story of her journey with God, away from God and then back to God and how she knows she let us in for a reason. A lot of people from different churches have come to her door, she said, but for some reason when we came she felt like she should let us in. She is so close to being on date for baptism! She is so fun to work with. In that lesson, she also told us that she knows the Book of Mormon is true, or she believes it is so much. Such a cool lesson! That lesson when investigators tell you they know the Book of Mormon is true is so powerful. The Spirit is always so strong. She also came to church yesterday, which was so exciting because she has a 2 year old and a 1 month old, so it gets a bit crazy with the both of them. But luckily, the 2 year old went to nursery and stayed there the whole time, so Karla could mostly focus on the last 2 hours. She loved it! We went to 2nd ward because she couldn't make it to our ward this week due to the earliness of the hour. But now she understands why coming to the ward she lives in is so important, so hopefully this week she'll be able to make it to our ward. I love church, but 6 hours of it in a row (only 20 minutes in between wards) was a lot. But Karla was there and she stayed, so it was all worth it.
 

To explain the quote on the subject box, on Monday we were visiting with a less-active, Sister Feil and she has 2 young kids. The oldest is 3 and the younger one is around 1. We were sharing a message with Sister Feil and were talking about the commandments when her adorable 3 year old daughter stated. "Weeeeellllll, we don't eat our shirts, we wear them." (Stated in a very matter-of-fact voice). She then continued. "See this big hole? [pointing to the bottom of her shirt] That's where my body goes. And see these small holes? [Pointing to her sleeves] Those are for my arms." Haha it was hilarious. And the best part is, her mom has no idea where she got it from.
 

We got a new investigator this week, who is new to us but actually is a former investigator. Her name is Shirley and she is a cool spunky firecracker. She is awesome and we love teaching her already. She had a lot of questions for us about the Book of Mormon and the history of the Church, so she is very curious. She remembers a lot from when the missionaries were teaching her from before, so that's always cool. She takes in the answers well and really thinks about what we are teaching.

This week, the elders gave us an investigator they just got last week. We haven't been able to teach her yet, but we have an appointment set up so we are excited. It's funny because she lives in the same apartment complex as Jose (recent convert), 3 other investigators (now 4), a less-active part member family, a former investigator and a potential investigator. We haven't been able to tract it yet, but that's the plan. We plan to baptize everyone in the complex and rename it "Celestial Condos" or something. But really though. Everyone lives there! It's hilarious.
 

So yeah, this week was awesome! Sister Jensen and I both feel that we will not be together next transfer, so we are enjoying our time together while it lasts and making our area the best we can. I can't believe how fast this transfer is flying by! It is crazy to me.
 

I am so grateful for all of your prayers and help. Thank you for being a huge support to me and for being great examples to me. I love you all!

 

sister leslie. 

Us with our awesome investigator Karla

Us with Jose the night of his ordination

Becoming Consecrated

Zone Conference this week was probably one of the longest day of my life, but in a good way. We woke up at 5am, left by 6:10 (we had to pick up the sisters and elders) and got down to Bismarck by 8. All the trainings were so inspired and so awesome! They hit me to the core, they were all about how we can become converted and need to repent and be better. The Assistants to the President (or the APs) did a powerful object lesson in which the point was to show that when we as missionaries have fears or distractions or anything that is personally holding us back, it holds back our investigators and makes it virtually impossible for them to progress. A lot of missionaries were crying and it hit us all that we need to be better, to consecrate ourselves to the Lord. They taught us that to be consecrated, we must give up all of our bad things, and good things, that are not in harmony with our missionary purpose to the Lord and when we do that, the Lord will be able to mold us into the best missionaries we can be. All of this just hit me like a brick wall and I immediately started of things I needed to change. I was scared at first to have to face the things I needed to resolve, but I was determined to figure them out, so for the whole rest of the day I was thinking to myself about how I could help myself let certain things go. I was like an emotional wreck inside myself that day. We drove home that night with the 6 of us in Mo, and I was driving, which already had put me on the edge for it was dark and there was a lot of people in the car and I was just plain scared. But we made it back safe, we got back to Minot around 9:15 at night. I t was a very long day and Sister Jensen and I were emotionally and physically done. But still, before I went to bed that night, I gave everything up to the Lord. It was one of the hardest moments for me on my mission, because I loved these things and I thought I could still carry them with me on my mission, but I realized that I can't. I can look at them every once in a while, but can't pick them up, which is what I had done. So I gave it all to the Lord and told Him that He needed to help me, because I loved all these things so much. I fell asleep very fast that night and when I woke up in the morning, I felt better. I felt peaceful about it all and I have noticed ever since then, only 2 days ago, that I feel the Spirit more. I have a bigger desire to go out and share the gospel with others, I have more motivation to do the work. I wasn't a bad or disobedient missionary before, I'm just deciding to make the step now to becoming a consecrated missionary. Saturday night, we taught Jose and I had the prompting to share my experience with Jose, and so I did, among tears. I bore my testimony of the Atonement and how we can be forgiven and cleansed again. I wanted him to know what I now know, that the Atonement works and there for all of us. It was cool to see that change in my motives that soon after I had made the decision to become consecrated. I KNOW the Atonement works and that God and his son, Jesus Christ love us so much! They are willing to do ANYTHING to help us, we just have to reach up and ask them for Their help.

Zone Conference was the highlight of my week for sure, but we did have some other great experiences with some awesome new investigators. We were able to teach Karla again, and she is recognizing the Spirit so well! It is so cool to see her already recognize that. We watched The Restoration video with her and she said she felt the Spirit so strong when the First Vision happened. It's so cool because so many people don't recognize the Spirit or understand the good feelings they have when meeting with us! It is so cool to get to work with her, and to help her progress. She has been practicing praying and is doing so well! She now feels much more comfortable praying when we come. She has a sweet heart and is strong in her desire to learn! 

Debbie is another great investigator we have who actually knows a lot about the Church and had a lot of questions for us. She was so excited when we gave her a Book of Mormon and a chapter to read. She was like, "I was hoping you would give me a reading assignment! I've wanted to read in this book for a long time." She is pretty much Mormon without being baptized. Growing up when her friends wanted to go to a bar, she'd be like, "Can't we stay home and scrapbook?" There are many more examples from her life that she is prepared to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ.Our area is picking up again, slowly but surely.

It always makes it worth it when recent converts or investigators tell you that you've changed their life for the better and have helped them grow in their faith. A few mornings ago, we woke up and checked the phone like we do every morning to find a text from Jose. Part of it read: "Sisters, I know it's late but I just wanted to tell you that I wish I could have met you a long time ago. I wasted so much time away from God and it makes me so sad...know that you two girls mean so much to me, I know all you left behind just to teach people like me and I truly appreciate it!" Jose helps us so much in boosting our confidence in our teaching and in our motivation that we can prepare people for baptism and that they can be active, life-long members. It is so cool to be a part of this great work. Yesterday, we watched "Legacy" with him, and it was cool for him to see a bit more of Church history. Next we're going to watch the Joseph Smith movie. In the next 2 weeks, the plan is that he will be given the Aaronic Priesthood and ordained to the office of Priest. It is so cool to watch him continually progressing in the Gospel! Having converts is the greatest, they help boost you, you help boost them and it just makes life so much nicer. :) 

Word has gotten out that I am an interior designer major and so last week Elder Kirton employed me to decorate a letter for him so it would be "much cooler". And then yesterday, he told me and Sister Jensen and he and Elder Larsen want us to decorate planners for them using our "skills". So that's funny. The Elders are becoming friends with us now, which helps us to trust them even more and helps us as we further the ward with them. 

Those are the highlight of the week. Know I love you all and have a strong testimony of the Atonement! It works! I know it with all I am. The Lord can make a better person than we can make of ourselves! Ether 12:27!

 

sister leslie. 

Sister Miller and I at Zone Conference

Me in yet another snow storm with HUGE snowflakes yesterday

Me in front of "Mo", our glorious minivan. He's a big dude. 

"Does My Breath Smell Like Rock?"

My brain isn't working at the moment, so I don't know what nifty introduction to put at the beginning of this email. I hope this works.

Monday, we did stuff with all the Minot missionaries because it was Elder Stewart's last P-day before going home. He's now a regular person in the Land of Eternal P-day. Elder Wilkinson was here still because his companion had to go home 3 weeks ago due to medical things so he was companions with Elders Larsen and Stewart in a tripanionship. I guess the thing to do with elders to "initiate" them into a new "area" is 2 get 2 cakes and smash them into either side of the new-to-the-area's face and to get it everywhere. So on Monday, it was poor Elder Wilkinson's turn. Poor guy. He had frosting everywhere. The elders told me and Sister Jensen that we are next, but I don't think so. Long hair with cake and frosting in it would take fffooorrreeevvvveeeerrrr to get out! Yeah no thanks.
 

Tuesday 3 of our 4 appointments cancelled, but it happens. It was ironic though because the one that went through was with Jose and the other 3 were with potential investigators and a less-active member, so they are the ones that need it more probably. Now, don't think that I'm saying Jose doesn't need anything; he does, he's still growing his testimony. But those who don't know of the gospel of Jesus Christ also need to hear about him. But it was good. We went over the Priesthood with Jose again, and he understood it well. He is getting excited to receive the Priesthood soon, in the next couple weeks! He says that he feels special that he gets to hold the Priesthood and we don't, and so we made sure he understands that it's a big responsibility to hold the Priesthood. It is there to spiritually strengthen and uplift others and so he needs to worthily hold and exercise the Priesthood for all those of us who can't hold the Priesthood (namely, women.). It was cool because he understands all of that and is excited to get to help others by righteously exercising God's power on the earth. I love watching people make connections! But Jose did something later in the week that really showed to us that he does have a testimony. On Friday, he was going to come with us to visit a less-active brother in the ward and he was way excited. But then the appointment cancelled, so we texted Jose to let him know. He replied with, "What are you girls going to do now? This is some sad stuff! Want me to kidnap someone for you to teach?" And jokingly, we replied, "Yes. Yes we do. That would be great!" And he repsonded with "Ummm ok give me 5 mins". No joke, 10 minutes later he calls us and says "Sisters I have 2 of my friends for you to teach. Be over at my apartment at 8 and you can teach 'em. Oh yeah, and they're both guys so bring a girl." Sister Jensen and I talked with him and then hung up the phone. We then just sat there in shock for a second, in awe. He has no fear with talking to his friends and those he knows about the gospel! It was cool to see from such a new convert. So at 8 that night, we went and taught Calib and Steve. It was an interesting lesson, but in the end they became new investigators and were like "how could we not read the Book of Mormon after this presentation?" So we are meeting with them again on Thursday to continue teaching them! They are great! It was a way cool experience. And It was so fulfilling. Also, yesterday in Church, Jose was read in as a member of our ward. He has Church records now! He is on our ward list!!! BOOM, baby! It was so cool to watch him stand up and then have everyone sustain him. It was great. He's so cool, never ceases to amaze and inspire us.
 

This week we found another investigator by tracting. We were tracting Danielle and Anthony's apartment building, and had talked to a few people but hadn't had much success, but we tracted the whole thing anyways. When we knocked on the second to last door, a young mother opened the door, heard our short intro and let us right in. Come to find out she had been given a Book of Mormon by someone in Stanley 3 years ago and had read some of it and liked it but then she moved and it got lost and when she got here to Minot she didn't know how to find the Church. That was 3 years ago. So she has been waiting to find the Church again. She told us that people always knock on her door for a reason, and she knew she was supposed to meet us. It was awesome. Her name is Karla. We taught her the Restoration and she wants to know how her family can be forever. So next time, we're teaching the PLan of Salvation and she wants to come to Church! She is great! We are so excited to meet with her again! It was cool because we had 5 potential investigator appointments fall through this week, and we still got 3 new investigators! And they weren't even the ones on our list. 

Home primary went good this week, we talked about Heavenly Father's love for us. It was so cute, at the end of the lesson we gave both Trent and Brad a candy for saying such good prayers and Brad (4) took a Ferrero Roche truffle and took it out and was like, "Mom, why did they give me a rock?" He put it in his mouth and was like, "Hmmm, rocks taste good." And then after he was done, "Mom, does my breath smell like rock?" Haha it was so cute. You never know what little kids are going to do and so it's always fun to get to interact with them and help them build their faith from a young age.
 

We got in with a lot of less-actives this week that we have been trying for a few months. One of which is a part member family who lives in Surrey, a town about 15 minutes east of Minot. We've been there a few times and talked to the 16 year old daughter, but we always went in the middle of the day and so they were heading off to work and such. Last time we stopped by, Kaitlyn (the 16 year old daughter) told us to come back around 7 or 7:30 sometime and they would be home. So we went over on Wednesday and they let us right in! It was awesome! We came in and just got to know them. For some reason, we were prompted to NOT share a message, which was strange, but we heeded it and then about 30 minutes in the Allen turned to his wife and commented with a smile, "Dear, have you noticed that they haven't tried asking why we don't come to Church or asking if they could share a message yet?" They then explained that they have had hard experiences with Church members and aren't ready to come back to Church. They don't want to be pushed in any way, but they do have a 14 year old daughter who wants to learn more about the Church. Kaitlyn's boyfriend was there as well, and he even expressed some interest in learning about the Church. So they are going to let us come back about once a week to start teaching their youngest, Ashley (14), but also their family. They need to be taught simply and slowly, they said, so we are not going to teach them very much in each lesson. It's kinda like home primary in a way. Kinda like home Young Women. We are SO excited to start working with their family! They like us so far and we already love them!

And yeah, that's about the highlights of the week! We had some great experiences and are excited for this next one! We get to go down to Bismarck on Friday for Zone Conference again, so we are excited for that. ZC Is the best!
 

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers, I appreciate it so much and it helps me through the discouraging times! I love you all!

 

sister leslie. 

Elder Wilkinson after the Cake Smash

The Dream Team: Me, Sister Jensen, Elder Stewart and Elder Larsen: Minot 1st Ward missionaries!
 

The Dream Team in our regular pros clothes



17 Miracles

This week has been a great week! We have seen many miracles.

First off, I won't make you wait until the end to know about transfers: Drum roll, please!!.......I am going to........................stay here! Sister Jensen will be staying here as well! We will have been together for 6 months after this transfer. President told us after this transfer we will most likely be split up. The Brethren have stated that missionaries should be an area for 6-9 months and with a companion for 4 1/2 to 6 months. So I'm not going to go against what they have said! It took me by surprise, but it is what the Lord knows we both need. When we texted Jose to tell him we were staying together, he replied with, "See? Faith! Come over sometime and I will teach you about it! That just made my day!" Haha we gave him a Preach My Gospel so he can be a member missionary and so it was funny. He's very excited. We are, too. So now you know. Watch out, Minot, we're going to do great things this next transfer!!

A week ago, on Monday, we texted the Relief Society president about something, and she replied with a response including information about a RS sister who had been in a bad car crash and was in the ER with her son. We didn't know why we were given this information, but we prayed for the individual and kinda pushed it into the back of our minds. That night we met with bishop to finish Jose's baptismal paperwork, and in passing mentioned the individual who was in the hospital and bishop hadn't heard about it yet. He had just gotten back into town after 2 weeks of being gone the day before, so the RS president didn't know he was back yet. It was awesome to be able to help the bishop. 

Tuesday there wasn't any big miracles, but it was a good day. Volunteering at the Salvation Army was great as always and afterwards we tried people and looked for an active member's home. We've been getting to know the active members more and that helps with getting referrals and helping them to get more involved in missionary work. So we searched for this one family's home for like 30 minutes. It was so confusing! But we found it and now know how to get there. We will never forget. It was such fun to get to know her and her cute kids. That night, a miracle was that a family in our ward let us use their heated garage so we could wax Mo. It was so much better that waxing it outside in -30! Mo is a big guy, and that would have been awful. The wax freezes and it is NOT fun. So this was much better. For sure. We then had dinner with that family, and had an appointment with Jose but he couldn't meet with us because he was setting up his new apartment for when him and Amanda get married. It's in 2nd ward, and he told us he was moving in like a week, so we took a second and I cried. I was so bummed that we would losing Jose so soon after he was baptized! So I prayed and prayed a lot and the next time we met with him, we talked with him and he will be staying in our ward until he gets married. So that's great. We just didn't want him to be without a strong fellowshipper in 2nd ward and have to start over with a relationship with the missionaries and all that. SO now, when we moves there, he'll have a super strong fellowshipper named his wife. :) So it will be perfect! It will be so much better! And we're excited that we get to both work with him at least until March 15 (the end of the next transfer). The Lord answers prayers through little thoughts of what we can do! 

Wednesday we had some BIG miracles. After district meeting, we went to try 2 referrals we had gotten from a member and they weren't home. They live in a quadplex, and this whole street is covered with them and apartment buildings, so as we were walking to Mo, Sister Jensen had the prompting to go try the quadplex next door. The first door we knock on, they let us right in and I am bold with my door approach (the one I've wanted to use for a while now): "DO you believe God loves all His children equally? (They answer yes) We know that He does because Christ's Church exactly as He organized it on the earth in His time has been restored today through a living prophet. Do you have a few minutes we could tell you more?" They then said yes and we sat down and taught the Restoration to Hailey, Neil and Bernardo. SUCH a cool experience! We needed new investigators so bad. We got 3!! The Lord answers prayers if you heed the promptings He gives you through the Holy Ghost. Tracting also works! Now I have a testimony for myself. 

After Weekly Planning on Thursday, we were going to go to an active family right by our dinner appointment for that night, but I had the thought to go try a less-active who we've never met or gotten in with, so we called her on our way over and we got in! We went over and were able to talk to and teach her. She doesn't come to church because when her and her family moved here 4 years ago, no one in the ward came to visit them and so she got offended. We think she was already planning on being less-active, but the moral of the story stands clear: When new people move in, especially if they are less-active, take the chance and go visit them! When we were baptized, we promised that we would comfort and mourn with those who need it: so fulfill those covenants! Keeping our baptismal covenants requires more than just partaking of the Sacrament each Sunday. We must be willing to "stand as a witness of God at all times, and in all things, and in all places." (See Mosiah 18:8-10) What are you doing to keep your covenants? How are you pushing yourself to become a disciple of Jesus Christ? We were able to get another appointment set up with her, which is another miracle because maybe we can help her get back to Church with her family. We were 10 minutes late for dinner because of visiting with this less-active member, but dinner went well. They wanted take the missionary discussions as a family, so it was our turn to teach the Plan of Salvation. Their kids are high energy, so it was a bit tough, but we made it through. We were also able to meet with a semi-active family who is coming to Church more and they are almost active! Woohoo! That night we brought Jose and Amanda with us to visit Brian, a less active. His wife, Karen, and the kids are in Utah so he's just here working and it was great to get some one on one time with him. He was baptized 11 years ago, and went less-active about a month after he got baptized because he got offended over tithing. Having Jose there was crucial! He was on fire! We talked with Brian this time about Church attendance and scripture study and how it relates to our faith. Jose was saying comments like "When we were baptized, we became representatives of Jesus Christ. You need to be an example to those you work with." and "You need to come to Church so you can get over your fear of coming to Church. The Lord will help you as you keep this commandment." It was so cool! We are using him a lot more now. He loves it! Moral of the story: Go out with the missionaries!

Friday we went and visited the active family we had wanted to on Thursday. They were great! They trust us more now. We were then prompted to go try a potential investigator, which scared us because she has a mean dog who bites. Yikes. But we went anyways, just to see her leave her house and drive away. We were so confused. Another potential lives across the street, so we decided to go try her. When we talked to her she was like, "The missionaries came by in the late summer and I told them to come back and they never did!" She was sick, so we made an appointment for this week. Just as we were about to leave, we saw her next door neighbor start to driver her car towards us (she was coming to help this potential jump her car), and she got her car stuck in a snowbank. So for the next hour, we pushed this car and digged under it all in our skirts. It was an adventure! At the end, Debbi, this potential, thanked us so much and said she couldn't have done it without us! She trusts us more now. :) After dinner, we had a member go with us to visit with Shakeitha. We were a bit worried because we were thinking we were going to have to drop her and JUstin, but instead the opposite happened: Her and Justin set a date for marriage so they can get baptized! Now, it's not until August because Justin works in the oil field and doesn't have a day off until July (moral of the story: NEVER work in the oil field.). Plus, her son Israel is 8 and wants to learn about the Church as well. So we could get him as a new investigator this week! We could baptize them all together! She wants to come to Church, but is on bedrest for her pregnancy, so she can't. She's due the end of March, and then she will be able to come. It was so cool! The opposite of what we thought was going to happen. Tender mercies!!

Saturday, we went to Surrey in the morning and got in with a less-active who was baptized just 2 years ago and wants to come to Church, but is the manager of a bar and can't get off work. (Ironic, right?) But she brings her Quad with her to read when she's not working (So she reads the Book of Mormon in a bar, haha.) She is super cute. We are going to start going over once a week to talk about what happened at Church that week. She's so cool. We've been trying to get in with her for like 3 months, so this was definitely a miracle. WHile in Surrey, we also got a return appointment with another less-active family. No transfer call, so we just had a nice day of trying people. But it must have been National Don't-Open-Your-Door Day, because we didn't talk to many people.

Yesterday was good. Jose couldn't come to church because he called in to work a full day of work (again, never work in the oil field.) After Church, we had an appointment fall through, so we went and tracted a few Quadplexes by where we found Hailey, Neil and Bernado. We got a return appointment with one guy, Stanley, who we found out is actually a former investigator! How cool!! Coordination meetings went well and so did studies and dinner. After dinner, we tried a few more people (but we forgot it was superbowl Sunday so people were mad we were knocking on their door...oops!) and then brought an active member with us to our appointment we had with Hailey, Neil and Bernardo, but they weren't home, so we went and tried Candice and Richard, a couple less active recent converts. We were bold with them and found out that they don't think Church weekly is necessary. So we resolved their concerns and it was great! We found out Richard it a HUGE scouter, so we are going to get him involved with the scouting program in the ward--hopefully it will help to activate him or something! 

This week has been incredible! Obedience brings blessings, but exact obedience brings miracles! Apply that in your own life!

Love you all!

sister leslie. 

 

 Us in our new Mission Vehicle! SDRCM forever!

 

 Amanda, Jose, S. Jensen, Me

 

Us and Sister Vogt in the RS Presidency. She could be happiest person on the planet. 

 

Michelle, S. Jensen, Me and Carson: The Salvation Army Group

D&C 18:15

Now I can say for sure that so far, THIS has been the greatest week of my mission: We taught Jose 4 times and at the end of the week Jose was BAPTIZED!!! This letter will mostly be about Jose and the events leading up to his baptism.

Monday, after our dinner appointment, we had a missed call from Jose, so in Mo we called him back. He was telling us more people he wanted to do specific things for the baptism, but we were also worried about him not knowing whether Thomas S. Monson is truly God's called prophet on the earth today, so we also brought that one up. He told us he had been thinking about it all day, and thought that if the Book of Mormon is true (and he knows it is), then everything that we are teaching as missionaries must be correct and so he based his testimony on the Prophet off of the Book of Mormon, which is AWESOME because everything comes back to the Book of Mormon. Sister Jensen and I were so happy. We called our District Leader and in 5 minutes, he spoke 88 words (his companion counted). We were talking so fast and we were so excited and it was great. 

Tuesday we attended the funeral for Maryati Ruppelius, one of the members in the ward who was in a care home and passed away. It was a good service. Death is always a sad thing, but I know it's not the end, which is so comforting. Tuesday night we taught Jose with a member of the bishopric and Kameka again. It was a great lesson, Jose was so open to everything and it was so fun. We went over the baptismal interview questions again and had him answer them and he answered them all perfectly because he understands and internalizes what we teach. It was so great.

Wednesday was a good day. District Meeting was great, and everyone we went to visit went pretty good. We started Home Primary and it was super fun. That night we were there at the Church for Jose's baptismal interview, which of course he passed with flying colors; he is so solid. Elder Garfield, the District Leader, was amazed at how prepared he was. Like it really is almost ridiculous how prepared he was. Yes, us missionaries taught him, but he was already living everything. He just had to find out for himself that the Book of Mormon was true, which he found out and then he based his testimony on that which he knew (which is a great example to all of us of how to focus on what we know and not on what we do not yet understand). He tried to pull our leg when he came out by saying "I failed the test thingy." And we were like "mmhmm, sure." And he was like "Okay, not really. I think I passed." Hah we've gotten more used to his humor now. 

Thursday we went and had some great visits with a lot of great people. We also got to practice our musical number for Jose's baptism that he asked us to do, and we decided on I Am a Child of God. We sang the first verse together, 2nd verse harmony and 3rd verse with the descant. We were (At least I was) a bit nervous to do it because we didn't practice much (total of like 5 times probably) before we did it at the baptism, but we made it through. We didn't end up meeting with Jose that night because his truck broke down on the way home from work and so he was in the shop (sneaky, devil. Sneaky...). But we did have daily contact with him, which was great. 

Friday was awesome! I did have a minor freak out when I lost my name tag for a couple hours, but I found it and everything worked out fine. Friday's lesson with Jose was really cool because his finance, Amanda was here by that point for the baptism. It was funny, every time we've seen him this week we've asked if he has been bubbly, and he's always replied with a no. But when he opened the door on Friday, he was all smiles and happy vibes and energy. He was so excited, definitely bubbly. (It's because his fiance was here, but still. One step at a time.) The lesson was cool with her there. It was a simpler lesson, we just read 2 Nephi 31 and we answered any questions he had about any part of the gospel or the baptismal service or anything. It was nice and chill, but good. 

Saturday we didn't have any appointments until dinner (Jose's baptism was in the evening due to our ward having ward temple day), so we tried potentials, formers and tracted for 6 hours. I was really worried that the time would cccrrrraaaawwwwllllll by, but it didn't, it went fairly fast actually. The baptism was great! We ended up having a scheduling conflict, so we had it in the Chapel (The font here is in a tiny classroom, so the baptismal services are not held in there). It was nice, the Chapel was actually fairly full. If we would have been in the RS room, we would have been very squished. It was such a spiritual night. The talks went well, our musical number went well and Jose even bore his testimony, which was super powerful. Part of his testimony was thanking us missionaries (He said about us "I am so grateful for them and we all know they work so hard. I am so grateful that they give us this time out of their lives to help people like me find the truth....")  and at one point he said, "I thought I came up to Minot to work, but I actually came her to find God and my fiance." It was so powerful that he made that connection! Amanda's whole family came up from Montana for the baptism and Jose was baptized by his future brother-in-law. It was powerful. He is going to have a huge support group, which will be great! He will be active forever! Being there at the baptism made me think of D&C 18:15, which says  And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one ^asoul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! , and it is so true! It is the happiest I have ever felt in my life. I felt like I was going to burst. Jose kept giving Sister Jensen and I handshakes (because we can't hug, this was the hardest time for me to keep that, but no worries, I'm obedient!) , and it felt so good to know that I have been a part of helping someone change their life for the better. I was an instrument in the hands of God for good!

Sunday Jose freaked us out (again). There was a huge blizzard outside, so when we got to church, there was only 1 family there. We were worried that they were going to cancel church, but they didn't. I was so impressed with the number of people who came to church despite the weather. Sister Jensen and I were freaking out because Jose and Amanda still weren't at Church until 8:06, and Church starts at 8. Sister Jensen and I were having like a mini anxiety attack or something. But he made it and was confirmed by his future father-in-law and was wearing the tie Sister Jensen and I gave him the day earlier for his baptism. It was so cool to hear those words, "receive the Holy Ghost." My joy was complete, as was his. After Church, a lady slipped and fell going outside and broke her hip due to the ice. Sister Jensen and I had to move Mo for the ambulance to come and as we parked it in a different spot and were running back into the Church, I totally biffed it. Haha I can now check of my To Do list "Fall impressively on the ice". My knee was bleeding and my tights were all ripped up, but not to worry! I will be fine, it's just a scrape on the knee. But it was actually quite funny. And last night we went over to Jose's to watch The Testaments that we gave him and it was fun (Amanda was there too). It's to the point where us and Jose are friends, but he understands we are there to teach. It is the perfect balance. We were talking before the movie, and something Jose said really touched me. He said, "I've met a lot of missionaries and some of them have been out a long time, but don't teach well together. You two teach well together, and Sister Leslie, you've only been out 4 1/2 months, but you teach better than missionaries I've met who have been out a year." It really made me think that it's not me, it's the Spirit. The Spirit is vital in teaching and I am so glad Jose knows that we invite the Spirit when we teach. Jose wants to go on a mission so bad, but can't because he is getting married in a few months. He is being an AWESOME member missionary though and telling all of his co workers and friends about the Gospel and why it is important to him and how he knows it is true. He is going to be active forever. And even though I won't be off my mission in a year when they can be sealed, Jose said that "Oh, we'll be waiting for you to get off your mission so you can come too!" So parents, a few weeks after I get home I'll be coming back up here to watch him and Amanda get sealed! Prepare accordingly!

Today it is back to NoDak's comfortable -50 degrees. Yeah, I didn't miss it. Not really at all.

Because transfer calls are on Saturday, please send all mail this week through the mission home in case I get transferred. I would appreciate it!

Thank you everyone! The gospel is true! Never forget it! 

Love you!

sister leslie. 

 

It's ridiculous how much we matched that day, and without even trying! 

 

Us and Jose right before he was baptized. :) 

"Reflex"

This week was another solid one! It was so great! We got another solid 12 lessons, which is big for us! That's the highest I've ever gotten on my mission, so I'll take it.

Monday, we went bowling. Haven't done that in a while. You could tell, because I did not do very well. The elders slaughtered us, but you know. Not a huge surprise there!

Tuesday was a great day. We taught Alyssa and Jose, which are like the 2 funnest people to work with ever! Alyssa is so solid. After this lesson, we handed her over to the other sisters because she lives in 3rd ward, which was a bit sad, but I'm just glad that we got the opportunity to teach her and learn from her awesomeness. We taught her the Plan of Salvation, and it made sense to her (because the plan actually makes sense!) and she asked a lot of great questions. We asked her what she knew about Adam and Eve, and she told us the whole story in detail and then concluded with "...and that's why we need prayer, because we were separated from God, and that's how we can communicate with him now." I was flabbergasted! She is so solid! We committed her to be baptized on February 8, and she replied with "That's the date that I was thinking! It must be of God! Of course I'll be baptized then!" She is just so solid. So inspiring. (Attached is a picture of Alyssa, Sister Jensen and I. She is rock solid. She would make the coolest missionary ever!) We also taught Jose on Tuesday and he is just so fun to teach! He is sincere and asks questions, which we like because it shows that they understand what we are teaching and want to go to the next level. We taught him about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and it went really well. He is so funny (more on that in a sec.)

Wednesday we got to help Faye after District Meeting take down her Christmas stuff. It is always so funny to go help her because she just has the funniest personality and is so opinionated about everything and it's just so cute to see that in an 84 year old woman. She is very spry and fun. We love her to death. The 2 appointments we had on Wednesday fell through, so we tried people and tried to meet with the Primary president about Home Primary (a new thing in our mission, where those less-active kids that don't come to Church, we got weekly to their homes and give them the Primary lesson for the week, and they are counted as coming to Primary for the week. It's going to help us get in with more less-active families, we're really excited.) 

Thursday we were able to make some great goals for ourselves during weekly planning. We took a couple hours to do it, but it was worth it. We've been being obedient, but we feel like we've been obedient because that's what we're supposed to do, but we're not doing it because we want do. Don't get me wrong, I want to be an obedient missionary, but I've been having a hard time with having the true desire to go out and work because I want to bring people to Christ, I've been wanting to go out so I can say I was productive during the day. Does that make sense? I hope so. So we spent some time coming up with what we call "Nitpicky Obedience". It is 5 things we will do to help us become the missionaries we know we can be. These 5 things are:

     1. Look professional every day

     2. 30 minutes tracting everyday

     3. Smile publicly

     4. Share a Restoration dinner message to bring the Spirit in and inspire members to talk to their friends about          the gospel, and 

     5. Have perfect studies and Preparation Day. 

So far, it's going good. The tracting is the hardest for us, our days fill up so fast! But it is helping us to become more obedient and to gain that desire to want to be obedient because we know it will being miracles. That night we also got to teach Jose again (We teach him 3 times a week at the moment). Sister Ketteman came with us and it was our most powerful lesson with him we've had yet. We taught him about Scripture study, obedience, the 10 commandments and we went over his baptismal program for Saturday (WOOOHHOOOOOOO!!!!!!). It all blended together so well and we were teaching in unity and asking inspired questions, and Sister Ketteman was bearing powerful testimony and it was awesome because Jose shared his conversion story with us. 2 years ago he was an Athiest. He had everything he could possibly want--school paid for, a car, a girlfriend--and yet he wasn't happy. So he asked himself "What if? What if there is a God? What if He loves me?" And from then on, he started checking out churches. He went from church to church, building his faith until he came one day to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The missionaries there met him and the rest is history. He came to know for himself that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was indeed a Prophet of God. He found God and His true Gospel. It was so inspiring to hear. He told us that the hole in his soul he once had is now filled. The Gospel is so true! He got so excited when we started talking about his baptismal program and hoe it would go. He told us at the end "I'm excited, just not bubbly." (Sister Jensen and I were extremely happy that lesson and were very bubbly. Haha). HE IS SO SOLID! HE IS GOING TO BE BAPTIZED IN FIVE DAYS AND EIGHT HOURS FROM NOW! To say that we are excited is a big understatement. It is so cool and spiritually uplifting to watch someone make this journey to God and His true Church.

Jose also asked me to give the talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost at his baptism (Sister Jensen is giving the one on Baptism). I am nervous, intimidated, excited and terrified! I want to make it memorable, spiritual, and inspirational. I've been praying a lot! God will help me! 

Friday, not that much exciting happened. Onto the more exciting days...

Saturday was good, we had 5 lessons on Saturday! It was packed! But that's what we like! We met with 2 less-active families and 1 less active, which is always great. We got in with Danielle and Anthony as well as a potential who became a new investigator. Her name is Sam, and a Young Single Adult in our ward has been talking to her and she accepted to meet us, so the 3 of us went over there and talked to her about the Plan of Salvation. It's so cool. I think if she can find out for herself that God is there and loves her, she will have a strong desire to meet with us. Our dinner appointment was out in Granville, which is about 40 minutes away via the highway, so a member took us there since we didn't have enough miles (And had no idea where Granville was, really), and it was cool. The husband is less-active and so it's always good to meet those people. We got to know their family more and they had a 3 year old son who was so funny. He was saying things like "One day, I ate three pieces of bread. That's how I know bread is good for you." And the like. He was a cutie. After dinner we met with another less active and also Danielle and Anthony. It was a bit interesting of a lesson, but sometimes that happens. They're moving forward, just taking a bit of time. They'll get there.

Sunday was great again! Church in the morning is still strange, but nice. Jose wasn't there and we got really worried. So after Gospel Principles we called him and he had a good reason for not being there, and so we made plans to go with him to 2nd ward at 11:30. While we were sitting, Sister Jensen was sitting closest to the wall, I was in the middle, and then Jose was next to me, by the aisle. During one of the talks, across the aisle a toy fell, and so Jose lunged out his arm to try and catch it. It freaked me out! When we turned back and noticed me looking at him, he just replied, "Reflex". haha! It was so funny! What a character! That night, we got to have him over with us to a member's house for dinner again and so in preparation for that, we texted him and asked "Tonight, will you bring your quad and gospel principles book?" To which he replied "No". Now, Jose never says no! So Sister Jensen and I were trying to figure out what to say when we texted and said "I'm jk, i sure will:)" Haha man he got us good. That's how you know when you have a good relationship with an investigator: when he treats you like he treats his friends, but understand that you are there to help him build his faith and prepare him for baptism. So later that evening, we went to show him where the family lives and he ran to his vehicle when we got there, and a truck started following us so we thought it was him. We called just to make sure, though and he was like "No, I haven't left the parking lot yet!" And we were like "Oh no! We're coming back right now!" We just heard laughter as he was like "No, I'm just kidding, it's me. Keep going." Ha oh man, he is keeping us on our toes for sure! The dinner went really well, and so did the lesson. We taught about the priesthood, and he understood it! After he is baptized, he wants to meet with bishop so he can receive the Aaronic Priesthood and start preparing to go to the temple to do baptisms next month. He is on fire! I can't wait to go to a temple session with him someday; it's going to happen! Perks of living close to your mission is, you can come back! Boom! 

This gospel is so true! It changes lives like NO OTHER church in the world does! This is truly God's established Church on the earth today and I know it with all my heart, might, mind and strength! I know it, I know God knows it, and I cannot deny it. Don't be afraid to open your mouth--everyone needs the knowledge we have! Pray for the strength to talk to people, to call the missionaries and ask to go out with them (which would make them the HAPPIEST people ever and make ME so happy--call them up!) , to share the gospel with those around you. I know it works, I see miracles happen every day and they can happen for you if you have the desire to bring this joy to others. Pray for opportunities, recognize opportunities and then act on the opportunities that will come. I know they will come and you will be the means of bringing people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ is you will let Him work through you. This gospel is what makes happy, the commandments don't limit us, but they free us. Living the gospel is the only thing that can make it possible to return to live in God's presence with our families in a state of never-ending happiness (See Mosiah 2:41).

I love you all! The Work is Working!

sister leslie.

Us with Alyssa

At the bowling alley with the other Minot missionaries

Sister Jensen and I now have Scripture boxes we made out of oatmeal boxes! 

They are wonderful and ingenious!

The Frei family we ate with yesterday, us and Jose

Taste the Rainbow!

I just gotta start this before reading anything else, because MIRACLES happened this week all around us!

Starting with Tuesday, we got our other investigator Varney on date to be baptized! He has a lot more desire than we thought he did, which is always AWESOME to find out. He is on date for March 29th, so not too close, and I might not even be here by that point, but it's great! He's so cool! We also got to stop in with Danielle and Anthony and see them. We talked with them about whether or not they still had the desire to be baptized, and they do! So we got that cleared up and made an appointment for Saturday. 

Wednesday, the big milestone of my mission happened.....Watch out, everyone, hold on to your seats.........I am now the designated driver! I drive us all around in our Swagger Wagon (the van named Mo. We gotta spice it up a little bit.)! Okay, so yes we've gotten lost a few times, but we are still here. No signs have been downed thanks to me. Yes, yes I know. Thank you everyone for your support. I could join NASCAR when I get home I'm that good (actually, on second thought, probably not. They go too fast.) We met with Jose again on Wednesday, and he is so great! We taught a lot, including the Word of Wisdom, and he is already living the Word of Wisdom! He has no problems with that! It was such a big relief! Man it was awesome! He is so fun to work with! Oh yes, and we got back Tuesday night from the sister's apartment to find our plumbing and hot water pipes had froze, so we had to use the Noels toilets and showers for a few days, which was a bit odd, but we made it work. We could still wash dishes, so that was a blessing. We also visited with Faye again on Wednesday, and she is so great! SO funny! She was tripping over her words at one point and so did like this little Indian noise thing (I don't know how to explain it, obviously), and Sister Jensen and I couldn't handle it, it was so funny! So we just started laughing on her couch! And when I laugh a lot, I tear up, so Faye was worried that I hurt myself or something. But I didn't, she just cracks me up. 

Thursday, our plumbing and hot water came back! Glory glory! Actually, the toilet revived Wednesday night when we were both almost asleep. We heard a gurgling sound and were so excited we both jumped up and ran to the toilet and then did a little jig when we saw it was working again. Oh man it was great. It's the little things in life that make the difference! Also on Thursday, I drove through my very first car wash ever. Yeah, it was strange. Mo is a big thing to drive. Soon I'll get a picture with him, then you can too see him. (p.s. know why his name is Mo? It's short for Mohonrimoriancumr (sorry for spelling), a name as long as he (the van) is. haha.) We met with Jose on Thursday also, and finished the Plan of Salvation, and taught 2 big commandments: chastity and tithing. Because his baptismal date is so close, we needed to make sure he was taught everything. And we were a bit worried it would be too much, but he took it in great! He already lives the law of chastity and said he has enough faith to pay tithing! I don't call many investigators golden, but when I do, their name is Jose. Seriously. He is so fun to work with. Of course, though, with his close baptismal date, the adversary was trying to get Sister Jensen and I to doubt. It almost worked. But it didn't! For Jose, I prayed the hardest I ever have in my whole life for another person that he would receive the answer he was expecting. He needed it by Sunday, or preparing for his baptism was going to get very complicated. So we prayed.

Friday, we prayed some more. We had Zone Training Meeting, so our whole zone was here in Minot, which is always fun. Our zone has grown by 2 companionships this transfer, and there are now 3 sets of sisters! 2 in Minot and 1 in Williston. In our zone, there are around 12 companionships. We barely fit in our relief society room! Which is great. And it doesn't take much, our Church building is small. So small, in fact that we are bursting at the seams on Sundays. So we now have a portable classroom for the Young Men and Young Women! It's crazy! Next week, I'll attach a picture. It's great that we have too many people and that we're expanding fast, but they can't build the new building fast enough. It'll probably be at least a year. But it will be a huge help. Then Minot 1st Ward is going to be split! Which makes sense because it is a geographically a HUGE ward, but it'll be weird. I won't be here when that happens, though. ZTM took up most of our day, Salvation Army was fun as always, we got to go through the ward list with the Relief Society president, which is always informative. I did get us lost on the way there (we almost started going towards Bismarck when we needed to go towards Williston, whoops!), but we made it! We met with Karen again, and she committed to come to Church. She is gaining that desire to come back!

Saturday was so great! We got a referral from a member for their next-door neighbor and then when we left, got to contact them because they were outside (tender mercy!), we got to meet with Shakeitha and Justin again, which went very well, and we had a great lesson with Danielle and Anthony! We brought the perfect fellowshippers with us to Danielle and Anthony and we had barely walked into the door when Danielle said "I read Moroni." And we were like, "Like Chapter 10?" And she said "Nope, the whole book! Look, I took notes and wrote down questions so I wouldn't forget them!" She then read us her notes. I about fell over! It was amazing! They have that desire to be baptized and want to work for it! We also found out Danielle's concern, which is so nice because now we can work with it! They are doing great! From there, we went and had dinner with Donna, Faye, and the Jenks family, an active family who is really good friends with them. We watched Mr. Krueger's Christmas and it touched Donna's heart. It was so cool to watch.

Sunday was Sister Jensen's 21st Birthday and it was the best day this week! At Church, Karen came with her kids! Danielle and Anthony were there! They got called into work after Sacrament Meeting, but they were there! It was great!! We were very worried because Jose wasn't there, but he texted us and had gotten called into work. SO we made plans to go with him to the 3pm meeting. (We now have church at 8am. For church being that early, there were a lot of people there! Almost everyone was on time, which is impressive because some people live an hour away or more from the Church building!) After Church, we went and met a potential who wasn't interested, and then met with Alyssa. She is so solid! We love working with her. She said she would absolutely be baptized is she finds out the Church is true, and it was such a great lesson. The couple we had with us was perfect. The only downside is we found out she just moved into a different ward. :( which is always sad, but it's okay. She came with us to the same sacrament meeting the Jose came with us to. The meeting was great! It was fast Sunday due to church being cancelled this week, which was so powerful. I was fasting for lunch (which I'm not supposed to do medically (mom don't get mad), but I wanted Jose to get an answer so bad that this is the true Church!). After Church, we talked with Jose and in the conversation, he said: "I know the good feelings I have when reading the Book of Mormon are my answer that the book is true. Because of that, Joseph Smith has to be a Prophet of God." It was the best feeling in the whole world! We pushed his date back until the 25th, because he has never been able to attend our ward yet and we want to make sure he has good fellowshippers. But he is so solid! He is definitely going to be baptized on the 25th! SO EXCITING!!  FOr our dinner appointment, Jose came with us to the Van Bibbers and afterwards we had a lesson in their home. It was so powerful! We went to his apartment so he could follow us there, and he has a super sweet 2014 Mustang (which we didn't know before, we had just seen his work truck), and so it was a bit embarrassing to show up in our minivan (it didn't feel like a Swagger Wagon at that point.) 

The Church is true! The work is working! This gospel changes lives! It's changing mine!

 I love you all! Be an example of the Believers!

sister leslie. 

 

Me in a real Eames Lounge Chair!

 

Us at the dinner with the Jenks, Faye and Donna

 

 The VanBibber family, us and our awesome investigator, Jose

Sis. Jensen birthday cake

 

 

Sister Van Bibber is definitely our Minot mom. She's so funny.

Such a great family!