Week 17

Dear Family and Friends, 

It has been another great with here in NOM. Ah I just continue to love and embrace this work.  I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for this amazing opportunity that he has given me.  I am so humbled each and every day.  This week so a roller coaster of emotions.  Sister Belka and I well let's just say that we are just the best of friends.  I love her so much, and am so grateful and humbled for the many things that she has taught me.  I will be forever grateful for her.  I was so blessed with an amazing trainer. One who I will be forever grateful for. She taught me that obedience is everything, and how we receive blessings. She taught me how to have charity and love people. She taught me how to strengthen my relationship with Father. She taught me how to use the atonement. She taught me how to love this work, and work hard. I could go on and on all day. I am so grateful for the many things that she has taught me. I just hope and pray that I can continue to grow, and become who Heavenly Father needs me to become. I hope and pray each day that he is proud of me, and the missionary that I am. My new companion's name is Sister Graham.  She is amazing!!  We joked a couple of weeks together how sad we were that we would never be able to be companions, and now look what happened.  We are both so excited.  As we have taught together I have already began to understand the many amazing things that I am going to be able to learn from her.  

I had such a humbling experience yesterday on tour.    I had a feeling that I needed to go and sit up in first chair.  Not even five minutes later an older couple walked in through the doors.  I knew that there was something special about them from the moment I looked into their eyes.  I walked them into the Theater room, and started asking about them.  Patricia is having surgery tomorrow, and so they wanted to come and touch the temple tonight to bring her some comfort.  They then began to tell me that they had been really inactive for quite some time.  Patricia felt prompted to read in the bible one morning, and knew in her heart that she needed the gospel back in her life.  So she told her husband thinking that he wasn’t going to agree with her, but to her surprise he felt the exact same way.  He then went on a drive and ended up at the church where he found his old bishop, and went in and talked with him. Since meeting with him they have come back to church, and have received the blessings that this gospel brings.  They have understood that this is where they need to be in order to have the fullness of Joy that the gospel brings.  They then told me that they were going to be sealed next month.  I was instantly able to feel of the love that Heavenly Father had for them.  It was so overwhelming.  The spirit was so powerful as I told them the love that I had for them, but most importantly how much Heavenly Father loved them.  We all just sat there and cried.  We then watched God’s Plan.  There was not a dry eye in the room.  I was so humbled to be able to grow such a powerful love for them instantly, and to be able to share my testimony with them.  I was then able to take them on tour, and focus the whole tour on covenants.  We all were able to bear testimony of the blessing that this gospel has brought to us.  It was such a tender mercy.  As we got to the Temple I was able to testify of the blessings that come from the temple, and the blessings that they were going to receive as they prepare to enter the temple next month.  They then asked me to go to their sealing.  How humbling.  I know that Heavenly Father is so aware of me, and he allowed me to change tonight because of their testimony.  I hope that I will be able to be a part of their special day.  Before they left Patricia told me that what I said at the beginning of the tour as I expressed the Love that God had for them was almost exactly what her patriarchal blessing said.  I am so grateful that I was able to speak from the spirit, and be able to teach them what they needed to hear.  I love this work.  I love the trail center.  I am so grateful to be here.  

I also had a very powerful experience with Elder Watson.  He has become my best friend (He is the TC director).  He is leaving in just two weeks, and so he told me he wanted to give me a blessing before he left.  So he brought me into his office, and started telling me how proud he was of me, and most importantly how proud Heavenly Father was of me.  We talked about some other stuff, and he just gave me some really powerful counsel.  He then gave me a blessing.  In the blessing he promised many so many powerful things.  He was able to tell me how proud Heavenly Father was of me, and also how proud my family was.  He told me that they were such a huge support to me.  How I got so lucky I will never know.  He then told me that I have been forgiven from everything.  That I am pure and clean, and that I needed to move on.  This past month I keep looking back on all the mistakes I have made, and am sick inside for the things that I have put my Savior through.  Today I realized the true power of the Atonement.  I can't tell you how humbling of an experience this was.  I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and for his atoning sacrifice for me.  I know that he loves me, and is with me EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!!  I walked out of that office a new determined missionary.  I walked out of there knowing that I can do anything.  That I have a Savior who loves me, and is going to bless me as I continue to Change, and become who I need to be.  

Sister Whitt

week 16

Dear Friends and Family, 

Happy New Year!! I can't believe it is 2013.  What a great 2012 we had, and what a great 2013 it is going to be. It was such an awesome week.  I am so grateful for the many miracles that we saw this week.  Heavenly Father put us exactly where we needed to be, and when we needed to be their.  I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows me personally, and allows me to bring his children into the fold.  

So I had so many funny things happen this week.  On Wednesday we were going to see Sharon our recent convert.  We pulled in the parking lot, and parked not where we normally park.  We were going over our lesson plan, and then a man walked in front of our car, and sister Belka jumps out and said we need to teach him. It took me like 3 minutes to really comprehend what was going on, and then I finally got out of the car.  He was deaf, and guess who knows sign language yup you guessed it Sister Belka.  So they were signing back and forth.  He was so engaged in the conversation.  She would try and tell me what he was saying, and what she was saying, but let's just say I was just standing there looking really cool.  Well then his friends walks up, and was like what is going on here?  So we explained to him our purpose, and that we were representatives of Jesus Christ.  Well then Sister Belka just starts talking back to Eric (the boy who is deaf), and I start teaching his friend who is looking at me all weird.  Then he was like You are really pretty, and I was like oh thanks so the Book of Mormon ha ha, and then he was like No really you are so pretty can I take you on a date? So Jesus Christ? I am going to take you on a date okay?  So I went on to tell him that we aren't allowed to do that we are here to bring others closer to Christ.  Then he was like come on we would have so much fun!! Let's go hang out while they keeping talking because it is freezing here.  Here I am dying and Sister Belka is in her own little world leaving me with this creeper.  So of course I just ignored what he said and started teaching him the restoration when again he tells me how pretty I am and how there are so many nice restaurants that he is going to take me too!!  I am literally dying.  I have officially entered the awkward club ha ha!!  I never thought I would be awkward when I got home, but yup it only took me 3 months to enter into that Club.  Finally Sister Belka pipped in and told him that she was glued to my hip, and then of course he was like well let's go on a double date haha!! So then of course Sister Belka being the charitable person she is she was like yeah of course.  We would love to teach you about the gospel over a nice dinner ha ha!!!  So I never thought I would be asked out on a date on my mission, but I can now check that off my bucket list.  I am so grateful to be out of the dating world right now!!  

Funny story number two so we had just gotten done with church and we were eating our dinner in the kitchen.  I had to go to the bathroom of course because for some reason I have to pee every 10 minutes it feels like.  Drinking a lot of water is so over rated.  Well anyways I go to flush the toilet and in land my tag haha!! Leave it to me for something like that to happen.  So I of course panic, and run and grab Sister Belka, and try to bribe her into getting it for me.  Well the bribing didn't work so I finally found a plastic glove, and well I am sure you don't want to know all the details, but hey another thing to check off my bucket list. 

So other then really funny things happening we have had a great week.  We actually met all of our goals for the week which we were so grateful for.  I know that it is when we are obedient, and strive to do our best that Heavenly Father will bless us more then we will ever know.  Heavenly Father placed us where we needed to be, and at the exact time that we needed to be there.  We went see a referral that came through the gingerbread, and he wasn't home, but we felt like we needed to go and see two house, and of course they wanted nothing to do with us, but then a car pulled up into his house, and a lady got out.  We started testifying to her, and teaching her about the restored gospel when she told us that she was a member of our church, but doesn't go to church anymore.  She was a total lost sheep.  She is so prepared and ready to come back to church.  We met with her again, and she is incredible.  She has such a strong testimony she just wasn't ever converted.  We had such a powerful lesson with her, and she has started to read the Book of Mormon, and is praying to know if it is true.  We are hoping to see her at church on Sunday.  The next day we met another lost sheep while we were trying to find another referral.  He just landed in our lap pretty much.  He is battling cancer, and is really struggling, and knows that he needs God in his life.  We saw so many miracles today it was so amazing, and such a humbling experience.  

Well I am sure that you are all anxiously waiting to see what happened with Transfers.  Well I actually won't know until tomorrow, but they did ask us to take the new Sister Missionaries out which most likely means I will be training.  Words can't express how nervous I am, but I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for me specifically.  I am so excited for change, and to be able to come closer to my Heavenly Father.  I just hope that I can make my Heavenly Father proud, and to be able to do all that he has asked me to do.  I love this work, and am so grateful for the blessings that it brings to me, and the people of Nebraska.  I am so excited for a new year!!! I love you all so much and hope that you have a great week!! Please pray for me this week.  I need it.  

Sister Whitt

Week 7

Dear Friends and Family,

Happy Halloween!!! Where in the world did October go? How is everybody doing?  I hope that you are all happy, healthy, and just loving life.  Thank you for all of your love and support I am truly so grateful for each of you.  You have all played such a huge part in my life, and I am here because of all of you.

We had a training this week with all of the newer missionaries, and their trainers.  The training was given by the President Weston, and the Assistants.  Before the training started President Weston said, “You are all the new leaders of this mission.  You need to learn fast, and be ready to train because we are going to need you.” AHHH I am not ready for this!!  I have so much to learn, and so many things that I need to work on.  I wanted to ask him if he realized that he was talking to me and didn’t mean somebody else!  I just want to be a missionary haha!!  I know that Heavenly Father definitely has a plan for me, and that he has confidence in me.  I know that I can do anything through the Lord.  Keep me in your prayers.  I need all that I can get.  

It has been another great week.  I continue to realize why I am here each and every day.  This gospel is such a blessing in my life.  Claudia and Ramsey are doing so wonderful.  They are still on to be baptized on November 10. During one of our lessons we were teaching them The Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We asked Claudia why she wanted to be baptized and she just started to cry.  She said, “We want to change.  We want to do what God wants us to do, we want to be happy! We aren’t just going to get baptized and then start sinning again, but we are going to change for good.” At that moment I was so humbled.  This is why I came on a mission.  If I would only change this one family it would all be worth it.  There truly is nothing greater than watching someone change because of the gospel, to see the light of Christ in their faces.  This is what missionary work is all about.  This is what the gospel is all about.  There is no greater joy!! I am so excited for them to get baptized next week, but I am mostly excited for them to be sealed together for time and all eternity. 

So saying my prayers at the end of the day well let’s just say we go go go all day long, and then when I finally sit down I pretty much fall asleep.  So the other night I was saying my prayers and had fallen asleep whoops.  When all of a sudden I farted and woke myself up!! It was hilarious.  Sister Belka was asleep so I couldn’t laugh with someone ha! I can’t believe some of the stuff I tell you, but you all know I am crazy!!

I had a really great experience at the trail center this week.  A sweet lady who was all alone came in, and just looked at me and started to cry.  She said, “Wow, there is such an amazing feeling here.  The pioneers are here with us.  I needed this today”.  We both just sat there and cried as I shared with her my first experience walking through those doors, and having the exact same feeling.  This truly is such an amazing place.  The spirit is so strong here.  Each day I come, and learn more about the pioneers I grow to love it more and more.  As I learn of their stories of faith, and courage.   I am so grateful be a part of such a great place, and to be able to learn and grow and become who my Heavenly Father wants me to become.  Each day I am reminded of why I need to be here.  Not just to bring others unto Christ but to bring myself closer to him each and every day.  

One of my favorite parts about being a missionary is to back Sister Belka up in the car.  It is so great ha ha NOT!!  Especially when we are in the middle of an intersection, and she can't quite make the turn so I have to run out and back her up.  It is hilarious when she means to go in reverse, but puts it in drive.  I have come up with some really good dances to back her up.  The other day I wasn't paying very good attention, and was dancing and she almost hit me.  It made me laugh.  We both are quite the pair, but we have a good time.  

I love being a missionary.  There is nothing greater.  This work is amazing!! I am so grateful for the gospel and the happiness that it brings to me in my life.  I know that this is the only true church.  That Christs gospel has been restored to the Earth today.  That we have been blessed with all of his Authority and power.  I know that Christ lives.  That he atoned for each and everyone of us.  He is the only way back.  We must repent every single day, and become clean.  So that we can become worthy of the spirit, and be intune with those promptings from the spirit.  Strive each and every day to be a little better!!! I love each of you and hope that you have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Sister Whitt

P.S Labor and Delivery!! Oh how I miss you! Somebody needs to write me, and catch me up on everything.  In my dream the other night I delivered Jodi's baby.  Is Jodi pregnant ha ha? Has Jax had her baby?  I know you are all busy, but come on you know I am all your favorite and you all want to write me.  I miss you all so much!!

Fall is in the air....

Sister Belka, Sister Whittaker and another companionship that I am assuming all live in the same apartment.  Having something to eat.  From the looks of the pictures below, I am also assuming is a district meeting.

 Sisters Whittaker and Belka doing some Fall Service.  Looks like fun!

District Meeting.....

A day in the life of Sister Whitt.....week 6

 Sister Whitt and Sister Belka helped to plan the wedding of investigators, Claudia and Ramsey.  From the picture below, I am assuming that Sister Whittaker provided the wedding music.  So glad she has this talent.

 Claudia and Ramsey, the bride and groom

 The wedding party, which has got to be the bride and grooms family....Families will be together forever.

 Sister missionaries don't ever lose their crazy side.  Sister Whitt and Sister Belka

 Having a treat.....yeah ice cream!!  You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream!

 Showing off their traditional sister rings, a tradition for greenies and their trainers.

Another day in the life of Sister Whittaker has come and gone.  Exciting things are happening....

Week 6

Family and Friends, 

Another week has come.  I can't believe it.  The days feel like weeks, but the weeks feel like days. I love it!! I continue to love this work.  I am learning so much each and everyday.  It truly is such a blessing to be here, and I thank my Heavenly Father for allowing me to be apart in it.  As for this week we have been so busy as usual.  So I want to tell you a little bit about the trail center.  There is just one visitors center.  We work here 4 days a week.  We take our tours by ourselves.  So we aren't with a companion.  This has been hard for me because of the little information that I know, but they just through you in it.  I know that I wouldn't have been able to learn any other way so I am grateful for that... MOST DAYS!! We start off with a 15 minutes film.  During the film I go and pray to invite the spirit, and to also know what there needs are and prepare for the tour.  It has been such a humbling experience.  Heavenly Father truly does speak to us, and he allows me to know what these people need to know.  I had a really neat experience on tour this week. I was giving a tour to a man and his wife who are from Mapleton.  They were Brother and Sister Carter.  They used to be apart of a branch presidency at the MTC.  I learned so much from them through the tour, but was also able to watch the spirit touch there hearts as I shared stories about the pioneers, and bore my testimony.  At the end of the tour he asked me how long I had been out, and when I told him only a week he was in awe.  Now I don't say this so you all think I am great, but I say this because this gospel is so true and so real.  I know that Heavenly Father is blessing me each and every day.  As I am obedient, and do everything in my pour I am able to teach with the spirit.  I am able to do his will.  Through the tour I was able to walk hand and hand with the spirit. He is my constant companion every day.  I am so blessed each and every day. 

Claudia and Ramsey are truly amazing.  They are making amazing progress.  We had the wedding on Friday and it went so great.  We finally found Claudia a dress and she looked beautiful.  It was so fun to plan a wedding, but I am glad that it is done so we can focus just on the work.  What I loved most about the night is when we sang Families Can be Together Forever and they just sat and cried.  They have told us many times that the wedding is just a stepping stone for them to be able to get baptized.  I am so proud of them and the decisions that they are making.  Being able to watch see them change, and to see them use the power of the atonement is truly amazing.  They are trying to stop chewing tobacco, and they had relapsed, and weren't telling us, but through the spirit we both knew what had happened.  So I started teaching them about the Atonement, and all of the grief and worry that shown on their faces was now gone, and replaced with a sense of peace.  They were converted by the spirit.  We continue to work with them.  They will be baptized on November 10.  I can't wait.  

So some funny things that have happened to me.  One Sister Belka and I were studying and I went to stand up, and my dress was totally tucked in my garments ha ha!! She frantically was trying to get my attention before anyone saw.  I just looked at her and said it's a good thing were best friends.  Bless my heart.  Well then the other day I was walking out of the Bathroom when the same thing happened except I was by one of the senior missionaries.  Luckily I finally realized it before I walked right in front of him.  He just laughed, and we both made a joke out of it.  I have also fallen down the stairs again.  It was literally hilarious, but the funny thing was Sister Belkas face it was priceless as she sat and tried to catch me, and then I finally got my balance and fell again.  Oh bless my heart!!  I still struggle and have my moments. 

I had a really neat experience the other night.  We were going to meet with one of our investigators named Cathy, and she wasn't home.  Well in getting there Sister Belka and I was dancing and singing in the car and we missed the exit twice.  Anyways as we were leaving I had this feeling totally overcome me that we needed to get out of there immediately.  There was a cop in the parking lot. I have never felt such a strong feeling overcome me before.  I literally thought I was going to throw up.  So we left so fast.  We will probably never realize what had happened and why we weren't supposed to be there, but what I did realize is how protected I am when I am being obedient, and doing everything that I am supposed to be doing.  Heavenly Father used our dittzyness to make sure that we missed our exit.  His hand is in every part of our life, but we have to be doing our part so we don't miss those promptings of the spirit.  

Elder Watson (who is the director of the trail center) pulled me into his office the other day, and told me that I need to learn fast.  That I need to learn everything that I possibly can from Sister Belka.  That I needed to be obedient because he needs me as a leader.  This scared the crap out of me.  We have 26 sisters right now, and 20 of them will be gone by March.  I know that Heavenly Father truly is with me every step of the way, and will help me to become who he wants me to become.  Keep me in your prayers. 

I love being a missionary.  There is not greater place then I would want to be.  It truly is such a blessing to be here.  I love Sister Belka.  She is such an answer to my prayer.  She is the salt of the earth, and I am grateful for her.  I learn so much from her each and every day, and am so grateful for her.  There is nothing greater then missionary work.  I challenge each of you to strive to serve somebody this week.  To talk to everyone and to love everyone.  Look at everyone as God would look at them, and find the good in everyday.  

This gospel is true.  I know it because I have found out for myself.  The book of Mormon is the word of god.  Jesus is the Christ, and these are the Latter Days.  We have to be doing everything thing we can to bring others unto Christ.  I love you all, and pray for you daily. 

Sister Whitt

Week 5

Dear Friends and Family, 

I am in NEBRASKA!!! I can't believe that I am officially a missionary.  I feel like just yesterday I entered the MTC, and now I am in the field.  I loved the MTC, but words just can't explain how great it is to be in the field. When we first got here on Tuesday we got to hang out with President for the night.  We each had an interview with him.  I truly know that he was called on God to lead this mission.  That he is in this mission for a purpose!  He is such an amazing man who I already love.  He told me that I have the best trainer in the whole mission.  That I can be an amazing missionary if I truly learn from her.  He told me that she is the top missionary in the WHOLE mission.  I am serving in the Rockbrook Ward.  My trainers name is Sister Belka. President was right she is amazing.  I learn so much from her each and every day.  She truly is my best friend.  She is obedient with exactness, and does everything that she is supposed to do, but not only that she is so humble.  She knows that this is Gods work, and she does everything she possibly can to be a successful missionary.  She is amazing.  Heavenly Father is truly aware of me.  I was so scared to find out who my trainer was because I want to make my Heavenly Father proud, but he truly does know our needs and has answered my prayers.  My concerns became his concerns, and he has blessed me so much.  We live in a house with two other Sisters.  We totally lucked out.  Our house is very nice, and I love the sisters that we live with.  

Sister Belka has been serving in this area for 3 months, and so she has worked really hard, and found a lot of investigators.  We actually are preparing a wedding as we speak for this Friday.  It has been so fun!!  Two of our investigators Claudia and Ramzey are getting married on Friday, and then getting baptized on November 10.  They are a rock solid family.  We meet with them about everyday.  They are so humble, and so excited.  They both chew tobacco, and so we have really been working with them through this trial.  They start classes this Wednesday.  They have such faith and know that Heavenly Father can help them through this.  Sister Belka is an amazing teacher, but she allows me to get right in there and teach.  She will just pause, and I know that it is my turn to speak and bare testimony.  

We also are teaching another girl named Sharon who is so great.  She is ten years old, and truly is amazing.  She keeps all of our committments, and is really trying hard to do everything she is supposed to do.  Her mother is a less active and so we are working with both of them.  I committed her to baptism on November 17 and she accepted.  I can't even begin to tell you how excited I was.  It totally caught me off guard when she replied yes so fast!! I wanted to jump up for joy!!  We are so excited for her. 

Gladys Knight goes around the US and does firesides for non members and less actives.  She directs an amazing choir, and bares testimony.  She is amazing.  We had four investigators there.  The spirit was so strong.  I learned so much from being there.  It was held in the chapel.  The choir was amazing they were clapping, and dancing!! Ah it was so great!! I wish we sang with such soul ha ha!!  Her husband bore an amazing testimony and told of his conversion story.  He grew up baptist, and so he pretty much layed the line down. He said that each of them are going to be held accountable in heaven if they don't accept this message because they have been taught with the truth.  They were so bold I loved it.  Gladys was amazing as well as she told her conversion story.  They spoke with such  power.  It was like you could cut the spirit with a knife.  I know that this played a huge role in Sharon accepting the invitation to be baptized.  Our mission received 80 referrals from that night.  It wasn't as many as we wanted, but we were so excited.  Three of those were Sister Belka's and I.  This work is progressing so fast!!

I have truly seen Gods hand in my life as a missionary each and every day.  It is amazing the people he places in our lives, and the places we go.  Everywhere is guided by the spirit.  We had an experience where we were calling to find a ride for our investigators to get to the concert, and we were going to call Sister Johnson, but then decided to call Sister Bentley.  Sister Bentley asked if we could meet her somewhere to get the tickets.  Sister Belka and I just started laughing because we had totally forgot them, and had no idea where to look.  So we pulled over because we were 20 minutes from home and called the sisters who live with us.  We then said a prayer and asked to know where to guide the sisters to look.  After the prayer Sister Belka looked at me and immedietly knew right where they were. Another experience was when we were driving to go and see the Eliwise family, and we had this feeling to stop at Claudia and Ramzeys.  They had been really struggling with chewing, and needed us at that time.  Another time was when we were driving home.  We hadn't eaten dinner because we were running around like crazy and so we decided to stop.  We kept driving for somewhere to eat and decided not to stop when we saw Taco Bell.  So we stopped in and the cashier said I am looking for a change in my life.  I want to change and have direction.  We both just looked at each other and smiled, and then shared a message with him.  It was amazing. God's hand is truly in our lives all the time. 

So we work in the Trail Center 4 days a week from either 9-3 or 3-9.  When I first got here they took us on a tour.  There is a room called the memorial room that over looks the temple, and the cemetary.  I was immedietly filled with a sense of peace.  A sense of knowing that this is where I am supposed to be.  I knew that Heavenly Father was aware of me, and that he didn't want me anywhere but here.  I not only felt of his love, but the love of the pioneers.  I know that they are here in this memorial.  They are looking down on us, and helping us invite others to come unto Christ.  This place is amazing!! There is such a strong peace here that in indescribable.  I know that this is where Heavenly Father needs me to be. 

They kind of just threw me right into giving tours.  I was terrified.  I feel like I know nothing about the pioneers, but I do know that if I rely on the spirit I am able to teach whatever these people need to hear.  I have so much to learn, but am so grateful for the opportunity I have learn each and every day!! I love being a missionary! I love being a representative of Jesus Christ.  I have never been so happy, and so at peace, and I know it is because I am supposed to be here.  I love this work, and can't wait to continue on.  

Sister Whittaker