April 28, 2014 — “If you don’t feel the spirit there is seriously something wrong with you.”

Posted on May 4, 2014 by Mike Meservy

Sister Meservy’s Letter from April 28, 2014

Subject:  “If you don’t feel the spirit there is seriously something wrong with you.”

Hey.

GEMMA IS GETTING BAPTIZED.  OUR NEW FAMILY OF 6 CAME TO CHURCH YESTERDAY. THE MEMBERS OF OUR WARD CAME OUT WITH US A TON THIS WEEK AND WE TAUGHT 12 LESSONS TO NON MEMBERS WITH A MEMBER PRESENT! (For all you members, just know that mission life is three times as powerful when a member is with you. Go out with your missionaries!)

HEAVENLY FATHER ANSWERS PRAYERS.
STAKE CONFERENCE.
THE GOSPEL HAS BEEN RESTORED TODAY.

That’s all, folks!

Just kiddin’. I’ll give y’all more details. This week we were teaching Gemma and we planned a lesson to get her more excited about being baptized. Turns out she is already totally excited and when we invited her to be baptized she looked at her husband and then at us and said, “it is going to be soon.” Just grinning from ear to ear. She asked how she can be ready and then we read the baptismal interview questions. SHE IS SO PREPARED. We’ve been teaching her for so long but she has completely changed! I can’t even tell you how much I love her. 🙂

The Ludwig/ Olsen family came to church! I got to sit by Chloe, the eight year old. They brought us these adorable painted flowers that they made us. I love them. They need the gospel.

In fast and testimony meeting yesterday, a member got up and was talking about going to general conference. He said, and I quote, “If you don’t feel the spirit there is seriously something wrong with you.” The member sitting next to my companion leaned over to her and said, “Now that sounds like a good line to use in your lessons.”

Haha… we haven’t tried it yet… and we probably won’t. I do have testimony though, that the spirit is the most excellent teacher. When we are filled with feelings of joy, peace, comfort, and understanding the spirit is speaking to us. Galations 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

Those are feelings that witness the truth of the gospel. 🙂

Now back to “Smile.” I love this area. The members are so supportive. They have seriously changed my life. For a while I thought being a missionary was teaching me how to be a better member at home. Well let me just say, being in 5mile Prairie has taught me more than I ever thought I could know of how to be a good member missionary. I’ve made some of the deepest friendships of my life serving here.

So yesterday, Sister Busath and I got to go to MISH again. “Missionary Preaparation and Social Hour”  We taught the first vision really quick and then played my guitar and sang “Joseph Smiths First Prayer” Flash mob style. 11 of the kids that have their mission calls got up throughout the verses and sang with me. The stake president was there.

Remember when I sang for the YSA ward’s Bishop and he had me come sing in their sacrament? I should have realized singing for the Stake President would mean something similar. Don’t worry though, I’m not playing guitar and singing in another sacrament meeting. I’m playing guitar and singing in Stake Conference next Sunday. Haha. Wish me luck.

However, the experience was pretty cool and I do have to say that I felt the spirit so strong. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God. I know that He saw our Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ. Through Joseph Smith they restored their church, with priesthood keys and authority. The atonement can be accessed completely through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Through Faith in Him and His atonement. Repentance. Baptism by proper priesthood authority. Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. And Enduring to the end by making and keeping temple covenants and partaking of the sacrament weekly. 🙂

I am so grateful for the Gospel. It just keeps me going and helps me remember that I am enough. I believe in Grace. I believe in Redemption. I believe in myself, because I believe in Christ.

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom- once again established on this earth! 🙂

Keep reaching out to those around you and loving them. I know that God loves you. I know that he is preparing those around  you to hear the gospel. I know that the scriptures have
answers to all of our questions and concerns.

I know that God has a plan for each of u
s. Adam fell that men might be and men are that they might have joy. 🙂

Love,
Sister Meservy

Froyo with Sister Strom. . . 🙂

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Stickers from a quarter machine

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Sisters

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Sisters. 🙂 

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Hunger Hallucinations

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Funyuns . . . . our reward for hard work

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April 21, 2014 — “Best thing since . . . .”

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Mike Meservy

Sister Meservy’s Letter from April 21, 2014

Subject:  “Best thing since . . .”

Well Hello. Can I just tell you that miracles are happening all around?

We picked up a family of 6 this week. They are amazing. It’s like Amanda and Eddie (if you remember them from Liberty Lake) but they have 4 kids. AND THEY ARE ALL AMAZING. I just love being a missionary.

Gemma is amazing. She CAME TO CHURCH  yesterday. She has really been struggling lately, and turning to God. She is amazing. We’ve been talking about her getting a blessing, and after Sacrament she told us that her kids were sick and she wouldn’t be able to get one that night.  I said, “Gemma, do you still want to get a blessing?” and she said, “Yes, I want to be baptized. I want to be soon.”  SAY WHAT?!

Let’s talk about the cool things about this: Gemma wants to be baptized soon and she is just amazing.  — HER FAMILY WAS SICK and SHE STILL GOT THEM TO GO. She told us that everything inside of her was convincing her not to go, so she got her husband out of bed and said “We are going to church. I am going to give you every reason I shouldn’t and you have to make me go.”

She is changing. She is amazing. I love her.

We’ve seen so many miracles this week. I’m just grateful.

I’m also incredible grateful for the chance I had to talk in church yesterday. For Easter. Want to hear something funny? It was my first time speaking in sacrament meeting on my mission. 🙂 And it wasn’t even in my ward, it was in the singles ward.

When I was on exchanges with S. Huffaker a while back we sang Where Can I Turn for Peace at her Bishops home. He got some crazy ideas and made a sacrament meeting out of it. 🙂 With missionaries from both wards speaking, and S. Huffaker and I singing. WITH MY GUITAR. I’ve never played my guitar in sacrament meeting. It was terrifying. Ha. Anyway. I just wanted to share some of my talk with you, because I’ve gained a stronger testimony of redemption. 🙂

Here’s how it went:

So I have this best friend. Her name is Lindsey Lockhart and she is basically the greatest thing that has happened since….. [long pause]…. The Restoration of the Gospel. [That’s literally the only thing I could think of. I’m losing my creative genius. And gaining a love for the Restoration of the Gospel. Which we are living in. Don’t sleep through it. anyway, back to my talk].

[awkward laughter]

So, one day when I was in high school Lindsey asked me if I wanted to come to lagoon with her because her work, Chik-fil-A, was having a Lagoon Day.  I WANTED TO GO SO BAD. Sadly, I didn’t have the money to go. So I tried to think of ways to get the money, but I knew I need to save my money.

Well Lindsey, being the amazing friend that she is, came to me a couple days later and told me this, “Sister Meservy, I want you to be the friend that comes with me to Lagoon. So I decided that I would just pay for you, and then you can come.”  I refused. Until she seemed to be so determined that I would go, that she would have gone to lagoon, bought my ticket, and waited for me to show up, had I accepted the offer or not.  I decided to accept.

Lindsey and I had the funnest time at lagoon, and I gained a love for her that I can’t even explain. I am so grateful for the friend she is to me, to this day. We ended up being roommates in college, and leaving on our missions a week apart. 🙂 She has been a huge strength to me throughout my mission. I love her. I am so grateful for her example to me of that Christlike Charity from the beginning of our friendship.

Now I want to talk about my other best friend, My Redeemer, Jesus Christ. He too has paid the cost for me to enter a place I so desperately desire to go. I am the one that Christ wants to come to “Lagoon” with him. Or in better words, to receive eternal life. Each of you are that one, as well. He has paid the price for every one of us to be Redeemed and He is inviting us to accept that Redemption. “Behold, He sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arm of mercy is extended towards them; and He saith: Repent and I will receive you. Yea, he saith: Come unto me.”
I know that the Savior wants to forgive us.

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=3446112587001

I also know that even though we are each imperfect, he loves us perfectly. I love Him. I know that He is my redeemer. The Price has been paid, and we can accept it by Repenting. Remembering Him. Living the Gospel. Desiring to Return to him. I am so grateful for the beautiful plan of Redemption. I am grateful my Redeemer has paid the price. I am grateful I can Pray to my Heavenly Father and ask for forgiveness. I am grateful I can be cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost.

As we accept the redemption our Savior has to offer, we are freed. We will feel closer to Him. Though it was humbling, I felt closer to Lindsey after accepting her selfless service. And I am more and more grateful every day. It is the same with our Savior. How silly would it have been for Lindsey to pay the price for my ticket, and I not use it? Don’t leave the Savior waiting with a ticket that has been bought for you. 🙂

I wanted to end by adding my testimony to the testimony of Lehi to his son, Jacob. “I know that thou art redeemed because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer.”  And I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I LOVE YOU ALL!. Keep helping in the hastening!

Love,
Sister Meservy!

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April 14, 2014 — “I can’t imagine being anything but a missionary . . .”

Posted on April 14, 2014 by Mike Meservy

Sister Meservy’s Letter from April 14, 2014

Subject:  “I can’t imagine being anything but a missionary . . .”
Well hello.

I’d like to start out by informing the public that Puce is not in the green color scheme. It is a purplish brown color. My companion got a dictionary for her birthday and we learned that.

It’s a tragic thing really because we love the word puce but Sister Busath abhors the color purple. She is certain the dictionary is wrong. She doesn’t trust Webster like she trusts Mormon and Moroni.  I’d like to see a Dictionary according to Sister Busath. I think the definition of everything would be green. It’s her favorite color.

Another thing about my companion is that she loves to brag about being Junior Companion. It’s a touchy subject because I want to be Jr. Comp.  I always try to convince her that everyone probably thinks she is the Senior Companion because she’s the COOLEST. Turns out I’m right.

The other day we were helping some investigators set up their yard sale. Chris turned to Sister B and said, “So… You’re like Batman, and she’s like Robin, huh?” TRUTH.

Hallelujah, my point was proven. 🙂 I love being Junior Companion.

I also love everything about my senior companion, Sister Busath. 🙂 She is a champion. 🙂

So I forgot to mention something major last week: TRANSFERS CAME AND WENT AND GUESS WHO STAYED IN SMILE PRAIRIE WITH HER LOVELY COMPANION!? This Sister. When I answer the phone for our zone leaders now this is how it goes:  “Hello, this is Sister Busath and Sister Meservy, forever and always.”  I AM THE LUCKIEST.

We had some amazing experiences with our investigators and returning less actives this week. Heavenly Father just put us in the right places at the right times. I feel so blessed to be a part of His work. We showed up at a part member families home and the member husband told us he’d been thinking about calling us and asking us to come over. We showed up to do service for some non-members, just when they needed it. We ran into so many people at just the right times. Everything was just amazingly timed out. I can’t even explain it all- but I just want you to know that Heavenly Father is in charge of this work. He loves his children. He is preparing them to receive the gospel. As we do our best he ALWAYS puts us exactly where he needs us. No matter what you are struggling with, I know Heavenly Father loves you. He is aching for each of us to return to Him. Follow Him with all the energy you have.  He is ready to accept whatever it is that you have to offer.

This week we all have an amazing opportunity to SHARE THE GOSPEL with just a simple video on easter.mormon.org

I wanted to invite all of you, between now and Sunday, to share this video: Because of Him. Share it on Facebook. Twitter. EVERYWHERE. 🙂

I know that the only reason I am here on my mission to this day is Because of Him. My wonderful Savior. I love Him. I love His work. I know that as you join us in sharing His gospel you will find greater peace and happiness in your own life, because of him.

I love all of y’all. Madly.

Remember:
“When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives.”
-President Benson

I know that Heavenly Father has greater plans for each of our lives than we could ever create. Trust him. 2 Nephi 4:34. 🙂

Love,
Sister Sarah Jane Meservy

PS: Elder Lloyd, from Smile, is in Brazil now. He wrote this in my transfer journal. “I can’t imagine you being anything but a missionary.”  Best compliment of my life.  I am a missionary.  Forever and Always.

#BecauseofHim

Pic #1- Sister Shepherd and I reunited with a Deer Park Convert, LEXIE SCHILLINGER.

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Pic #2 – SIster Busath and I with WHITLEY our little Missionary. 🙂 

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Pic #3 – We got to wear service clothes a lot this week. 🙂

 

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Sister Shepard, Sister Meservy, Sister Busath

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April 7, 2014 — “Potent Elder . . . “

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Mike Meservy

Sister Meservy’s Letter from April 7, 2014

Subject:  “Potent Elders . . .”

My Dearly Beloved Brethren and… Sistren,

Are you ready to hear about this week? We have had some of the most spirit filled lessons this week. It seems that when I struggle the most as a missionary I am also having the most joy. I love this work. I love my Savior.

I also love my companion. And I know that GOD LOVES MY COMPANION AND ME.

THURSDAY:
Personal Study. Sister Busath gets on her knees and says a personal prayer to feel God’s love. The phone rings. Sister Beasley is outside with a gift for me and a Birthday gift for Sister Busath. Talk about immediate answers to prayers.

That night I got an amazing blessing from Brother Startin. The greatest ward mission leader in the world.  It’s amazing how the priesthood works. I know that priesthood power is real. I am so grateful for all the times in my life that I have been lifted and strengthened by the priesthood. Especially blessings from my dad.

FRIDAY:
Personal Study. Feeling overly stressed about the trainings I had to give at Zone Meeting. The doorbell rings. Brother Startin is standing outside with a letter to me and a talk he gave in sacrament meeting last year. It was exactly what I needed.

Then when I was training the Zone later that day I got in a good laugh. Every time I can laugh or make others laugh I definitely feel God’s love. This time I got both. I was writing on the board all the different lists we have access to as missionaries. I wrote P.E. as an abbreviation for Potential Elders. Everybody kept asking what PE meant so I decided to erase it and write it out. In the hurry I was in to get all the ideas on the board I abbreviated as follows:

Potent Elders.

I moved on, looked at the missionaries and saw my companions face. That was all it took. I tried to erase it  but wasn’t fast enough. The whole zone saw, and the whole zone laughed.

No, my friends, We are not provided with a list of the Potent Elders in the ward.
But yes, my friends, God is aware of me and loves me.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY:
Let’s just talk about how amazing General Conference was for a second. Gratitude in each of our circumstances. Looking at our Burdens as Enabling Blessings. The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Loving our family members and friends.
I know that this gospel is true. The more that everything beats down upon me and against me, telling me to deny this gospel, the more sure I am. This is the church of Jesus Christ. I know it. I live it. and I love it.

and back to SATURDAY:
Sister Busath’s Birthday package was supposed to come, and the FedEx man had already tried to deliver it. Sadly, missionaries are rarely home, so we missed it on Friday. Sister Busath called FedEx Saturday morning, trying to schedule a time for us to get it or have it dropped of, but they said “All i can tell you is it will be dropped off between now (8:00 am) and 9:00 tonight. They will only leave it there if you are home to sign for it. Good luck.”

Since we had no plan to come back until 9:00 that night, my mind started working. Luckily, we left something at home and came back between sessions. We walked inside our apartment and dropped to our knees. I asked Heavenly Father to please get the package to us while we were at home for the next 10 minutes. Delaying as much as I could while there, because I knew the package would come, we grabbed our things and headed out. Just as we got to the end of the street, feeling a bit saddened for my companion, THE FEDEX TRUCK PULLED AROUND THE CORNER. I flipped the car around and we pulled into the parking lot just in time to get Sister Busath’s Package.

I know that Heavenly Father is so aware of each of us and is ready to answer our prayers. I love him. I know he loves my companion, and therefore I know he loves me.

Love,
Sister Meservy

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March 31, 2014 — “I’m Finally a Missionary!”

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Mike Meservy

Sister Meservy’s Letter from March 31, 2014

Subject:  “I’m Finally a Missionary . . .”

Guess what? My ward mission leader called me Elder Meservy this week. I think that means I’m finally a missionary. Not just a Sister. 😉 Feels good.

Also. Want to hear a cool story? A couple Preparation Days ago we had this miracle day where everyone just walked up to us and asked us about our purpose.  We had two people approach us while we were at the library. The second person told us all about how he ordered a Book of Mormon online once and got it, but he had never talked to missionaries before. So we taught him a lesson, got his information, and sent the missionaries his way. Then at Walmart: Hewr, a worker there, came up to us and said, “so… are you going to invite me to your church?” Then he asked us to write down the information and he’d grab it from us since he didn’t have time to learn while he was working.

Guess who came to church yesterday. HEWR.
What a fun life I live.

I am basically drained of all energy today. So I’m just going to tell you about my testimony. I know that this Church is truly Christ’s church. It is the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love my Savior. I love doing his work. I know He is by my side.

There may be more to come if I can get another computer.
(Dad’s Comment:  I waited for another letter but nothing came.  She did send the picture below though)

Love,
Sister Meservy

2013-03-27-0512_Sarah_1206

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