Sister Meservy’s Letter from March 24, 2014

Subject:  “Sunshine, Candles, Smoothies and FRANCE.”

Dear Family and friends,

I could write a whole email about my awkward experiences as a missionary and that might be funny… however, I truly don’t have time to help you feel the reality of each hideous situation. So don’t be mad if this whole email is just a pile of word vomit.

I don’t like to pet dogs a lot because I think they are stinky. But people want me to love their dogs. That get’s awkward. Luckily. My companion worked at a dog grooming salon. She loves dogs. It’s a nice conversation starter. Until I obviously don’t want to join her in the dog loving. Then it gets awkward and I say things like, “Well… we are the missionaries in the area.” Then they walk away. I’m working on better transitions. Like, “Did you know that Dog spelled backwards is God. We know that we are children of God- he is our loving father in heaven.”

Next time, I guess.

Little children call my companion and I “Stinky Butts.” Only once. But still. It happened. And I didn’t even know how to react. Try to turn that one gospel related.

I went to a Lutheran church yesterday.  And I’m a missionary. To clarify- I’m not a missionary for the Lutheran church. I’m a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They tried to give me wine. No worries, folks, I didn’t drink wine. But that was definitely awkward.

Luckily, it was totally worth it to go because Darlene, the investigator who wanted us to go with her, came to our church after. AND LET ME TELL YOU IT WAS AMAZING. In gospel principles she was bearing testimony of the Book of Mormon and everybody directed all their comments to her. It was so fun.

Want to hear some other cool things about church?! There were 9 nonmembers there and a boatload of less actives. Truly- SO MANY PEOPLE. Sister Busath and I had to get special permission to go on splits during chruch so that we could give our investigators the right attention. AND WE STILL WEREN’T ABLE TO TALK WITH EVERYONE AS MUCH AS WE WOULD HAVE LIKED. This is even cooler when you remember that we aren’t the only missionaries in our ward. The elders were totally busy, too.

While I was caught in the hustle and bustle of it all… I ran into Elder Lloyd. And you know when you run into people, how you grab their arm and apologize? Well Sister Missionaries aren’t supposed to touch Elder Missionaries, so let’s just end with saying I had an awkward encounter with Elder Lloyd  and couldn’t even apologize because there were so many people around me. So I just got to the arm touch part and then ran away with Darlene.

Aside from that though, it was an amazing church service. It was crazy to feel the spirit so strong as I partook of the Sacrament.

And guess what?! Sister Starley, who was the relief society pres, got released! She is like my favorite human. Guess what her new calling is?! WARD MISSIONARY! I am happier than ever before. 🙂 I love this ward. I love everyone in it. And I love how missionary minded they are. It’s AMAZING.  We didn’t even do anything to get people to church. Well… we did our best- but it was the members who got 8 out of the 9 there. There is so much power in members doing missionary work. It just means a lot to people.

I am so grateful for a missionary minded ward. It has changed my life. I will never be the same. I know this email was probably not inspiring at all- but if you take anything from it, know this:

1.  I love you.
2. God loves you.
3. Jesus Christ is our Savior.
4. This is HIS gospel.
5. Heavenly Father needs your help to bring his children to Christ. You are irreplaceable. Your role is significant and cannot be replaced.  Elder Golden of the Seventy told me that this week. None of us are replaceable. We have to step up. 🙂

I love you all.

Love,

Sister Meservy

Sister Meservy’s Letter from March 17, 2014

Subject:  “Sunshine, Candles, Smoothies and FRANCE.”

Dear Family and FRIENDS,

It’s my Birthday I can cry if I want to.

I have a testimony of the Plan of Salvation.

We believe in Grace.

Turns out this week has been a crazy one. Do you remember my companion SISTER SHEPHERD? Well she’s in my zone now and we got to go on exchanges on her Birthday, which was on Tuesday. She is just a little package of miracles. We had the most amazing day here in Smile. 8 Lessons. AND WE WERE ON FOOT. with my guitar. Everybody was calling us and wanting to set up appointments. So I spent all day playing tetris with the appointments we had and the appointments that were trying to sneak into our day. When we called to ask the Elders in our ward to take some of our appointments – they were booked all night as well! Great things are happening in Smile Prairie. We had amazing member help and met some amazing people throughout the day. I am so grateful for the Lord’s hand in this work. I am so grateful to be a missionary.

Then my amazing companion Sister Busath got back, after working tons of miracles in the Colbert ward. Sadly, our day didn’t go so well. We met a lot of people who didn’t like us. Our appointments got canceled. And we got anti-ed. I am so grateful for my amazing companion. When days are absolutely terrible- there is always so much to laugh about with her. She is humble and patient and funny. I am so blessed.

It’s cool to be a missionary and to run into angry people who try to destroy your faith. I’m the queen of, “We don’t want to argue with you, but we know that the things we teach are true. Hope you have an amazing day and God Bless!”  That’s when the spirit comes in and testifies. It penetrates my heart every time I talk with someone who doesn’t believe. I KNOW THESE THINGS ARE TRUE. This is Christ’s church. 🙂 Living the gospel is not checking off a list of things that will get you into heaven, it is relying on our Savior, Jesus Christ, and keeping his commandments because we love him. Then, through his grace, we are made perfect in him. Then, we will be happy to live with him. I know that keeping the commandments makes us happy. I know that our Savior is here to help us when we fall, and to help us succeed. I love Him.

On my birthday I got flowers delivered to me. From Sister Busath’s Mom. Do you want to know why this is amazing? My sister Cara would always have flowers delivered to me on my birthday when I was in school. She told me that my mom had had flowers delivered to her on her birthday. Well Sister Busath’s mom is not a flower giver, this was new for her. It was cool to think that somehow, my mom was involved in getting me flowers on my Birthday. When I left of my mission my stake president reminded me that the most important social unit in the church is the Family, and it stays that way in Heaven. I know that my mom is so aware of me and my family and she is here with us- protecting us, sending us love, and helping us grow. I like to think she sent me flowers on my birthday this year, through my companions amazing, and inspired mom. 🙂

I know my Savior lives. I know He loves me. No matter how much we may fail or fall short— HE WILL ALWAYS LOVE US. I am grateful for my Savior. I am grateful for my family. I am praying for you all. I miss you. I am SO grateful for the letters and gifts and love I receive from you. 🙂

Love,
Sister Sarah Jane Meservy.

Melissa Winn. Member. Birthday Dinner. 

Sister Meservy’s Letter from March 11, 2014

Subject:  “RUSHED”

Dear Family and Friends.
Thanks for the Birthday wishes I’ve gotten thus far. Thanks for everything. I love you all. Today has been busy. And jumbled. And I don’t actually get much email time. SO… forgive me for the LACK of details.

We had a Mission Fast a few weeks ago to find new investigators. Lets just say- miracles are everywhere. God answers prayers and there is power in fasting. We have been finding so many new investigators. Now the struggle is keeping them. I know that Heavenly Fathers hand is in this work though, we aren’t doing it alone. I know that he cares about these people far more than I do, so He is aching along side me and rejoicing along side me. I love Him.

If you remember, our mission read the whole Book of Mormon in six weeks. Then President asked us to share a brief testimony of what we learned with Him and with our families. So here’s what I came out of it with.

Dear President Mullen and Family,
 
I loved having the Book of Mormon Challenge. The Biggest thing that stuck out to me this time through the Book of Mormon was what it teaches us of Gratitude. From the very beginning Lehi’s father teaches us that even when he had just left everything behind, he still built an altar and gave thanks to God. WHAT DID HE HAVE TO BE GRATEFUL FOR?
 
Lehi obviously understood the nature of God.
 
Throughout the whole Book of Mormon we see evidences of those who lose much and still show gratitude for all that they have. I love looking at Ether 6. So many people and animals stuck in barges. Being crushed by the waves of the sea- and still singing praises to God. Then, as they reach the promised land, they are able to look back and see all of the Lord’s tender mercies over them throughout their journey. How many of us when the journey is hard forget to be grateful? It’s easy to be the kind of person who is only grateful for trials after they are completed and we can see the outcome, we can see our growth. However, the Jaredites were grateful throughout it all- and I believe they were able to rejoice even more when they reached the end because they had found joy along the journey.
 
There is power in Gratitude. I love My God. I am grateful for Him. I am grateful for My Savior.
 
I am grateful for the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. I know that it is pure evidence of the truthfulness of the gospel. It is a guide to build a relationship with Jesus Christ. I cherish it for all that it has got me through in life.

Love,
Sister Meservy

So there you have it. I apologize that I don’t have the full time today. But I love you all. If there’s a miracle I’ll get back on. I love you.  Happy Birthday from me to ALL Y’ALL.

I’M TURNING 21 AS A MISSIONARY.

Love,
Sister Meservy

LETTER #2 and all in one day. . . . . guess this makes up for getting it late.

Subject:  “The Sisters and the Missionaries” 

Alright my family and friends.  I”m Back. Here’s a real one.

I got a little more time. SO LET ME TELL YOU SOME STORIES. 🙂

We got a phone call from a man who looked into the church a while ago. He had a question for us. “Hi, I was wondering how much it costs for your minister to marry someone.”

“Our bishop actually marries people for free,” I explained- CONFUSED OUT OF MY MIND.

“Really? Well I just ask because if I want to join your church then I need to be married. I’m living with my girlfriend so we would need to get married.”

Say what?!   Naturally we asked about his Book of Mormon reading and he said he’d been enjoying it. Obviously.

…. This story would be even crazier if you knew this man. He didn’t even believe in Jesus Christ when we taught him a lesson. Now he is spontaneously thinking about being baptized? Apparently he’d really been enjoying the Book of Mormon.

Then we had a lesson over the phone with him last night, but he brought up some wild concerns. And now he keeps calling us to anti us over the phone. . . .  So that one went south.

NEVERTHELESS:

We are teaching the Bonner Family. They are amazing. Sister Bonner’s husband is out of town for the next 3-ish weeks but she thinks that he will be interested as well. Her 9 year old daughter has been reading the Book of Mormon loads since we gave it to her a week ago. We are so excited for them.

We are also teaching a woman named Karla. She is totally open to it all and has also been reading the Book of Mormon. I never doubt the power in that book. Today while we were waiting for our ride to go shopping we randomly met her husband outside. IT WAS A MIRACLE. We invited him to sit in on the lessons as well, and let me tell you- they are amazing. They are moving in a couple of weeks- just barely into another ward, but those missionaries will take care of them. 🙂

We are also teaching the Linders/ Aki Family. Well…. we are ALMOST teaching them. They have investigated in the past when they lived somewhere else and they are trying to decide if they will try it out again. They are amazing.  I am praying so hard for these people.

I know that there is power in prayer. I know that Heavenly Father loves all these people even more than I do and HE WILL HELP THEM and lead them to Him. He will lead them to His gospel. I just hope I can be a part of it! 🙂  Anyway.  Hope you enjoyed the two emails this week. Woof. Haha. Sorry if that was too much.

Love,
Sister Meservy

PS: Time to be dramatic. Turns out serving in a ward with Elders makes you realize a lot of things. For example: When there are Elders in the ward they get asked to help with all the moves. We pleaded with our ward mission leader to let us help with one last week so we finally got to do some service in the ward.

Also: Everyone in the ward refers to us as “The Sisters” and to the Elders as “The Missionaries.”
We’ve chosen to be offended by that. And the Ward in return has chosen to turn it into a running joke. Like our name tags are invisible to everyone in Smile Prairie.

“Hey look, it’s the Sisters and the Missionaries.”
“Thanks for coming Sisters and Missionaries.”
“We sure love our Sisters and our Missionaries.”

On that note. Farewell from the Sister whose been fooled for the last year… I thought I was a Missionary. 😉 

Sister Meservy’s Letter from March 3, 2014

Subject:  “When it really matters . . . I make 500 bad impressions.”

PREFACE:
Sister Busath and I are practicing this new phrase we invented. We’re spreading it throughout Smile Prairie, and throughout the world VIA email. 

In order to be more effective at spreading the gospel, when talking to those who could use the Book of Mormon in their lives (which is EVERYONE) we try to relate the book to their lives by saying, “You remind me of…” and then inserting the name of the Book of Mormon character that they remind us of,and inviting them to READ! This works great for members and missionaries. You should try it out. I’ll try it out in my email. Here goes.

OH MI FAMILIA! Mes amies!
. . . . I don’t actually speak ANY languages. So both of those are probably wrong. I realized that this week when we met Clara Marie. She is from France. We had to say her name like 100 times to get the pronunciation right. Then I had to say her name in the prayer and as I tried to do the french ‘r’ sound I had a flash back of French Class. When we went around the room and our teacher pointed at who would pronounce the next work. When she pointed to me EVERYONE LAUGHED because I did such a heavy ‘R.’  Like I was choking or something. Well…. I did it again, my friends. Turns out I’m not meant to speak a language yet.

Here’s where you say, “You remind me of King Limhi, who couldn’t translate the plates of the Jaredites. . . . you can read about his struggles in Mosiah!”

Anyway. It’s freezing and snowy in Spokane. We took out a Laurel with us on Saturday. She didn’t wear leggings. Did I mention it’s freezing here? Well… the first door we knocked on let us in and gave the laurel tights to out on. IT WAS A MIRACLE. We’ve never gotten in Julia’s house before. Then the next women let us in as well and gave us a drink. Members bring miracles. Thank goodness. I should have used this for the lessons, “You know, you remind me of Amulek. He took in a prophet of God. . . Would you like to read about it in Alma 8:21….”

Guess we have a reason to GO BACK. 🙂

I’m grateful for those who let us in.

So…. I’m an embarrassment. Turns out EVERY TIME I see the bishop I do something embarrassing.
1st Impression:
Bishop meets us and introduces us to the Young Men….
Bishop: We are so excited to have 2 sets of missionaries in the ward. We have never worked with sisters so this will be new for us and might be a challenge at first.
Me: Well… Don’t worry, Bishop. We’ve been sisters our whole missions. So we can probably help.

-SILENCE-

Nobody thought that was funny except for me.

2nd Impression:
Walking out of a dark chapel after closing down from a church tour. I had just made a joke, so I was laughing and holding on to Sister B’s arm. We walked right into the bishop who was in the midst of a serious conversation.

-SILENCE-

3rd Impression:
Driving to the bishops house to drop off a note, we got there and he pulled up, so we started driving away. Then remembering that we have a very recognizable car and our missionary bike rack, we stopped in the middle of the circle. Ran up to the bishops car, gave him the note, and walked away as he was talking to us…. awkwardly. While laughing. Because the car was still running. and I’m awkward.

Anyway. I’m probably immature. But Sister Busath and I love the bishop. He is the GREATEST. I can’t even tell you how amazing this whole ward is. And despite my jovial nature, they put up with me- and the Lord is helping me turn my weakness into a strength.  . . . (Ether 12:27- that’s been a theme for the week)

Just like Sarah in Gen 21:6.  God hath made me to laugh so that those that hear will laugh with me. 🙂  I’m working on laughing at the right moments, not the wrong moments.

“You remind me of Sarah… because she laughed at the wrong time sometimes… but her laughter could also be a blessing to those around her….”

ANYWAY.  I love working here in Smile. It gets better and better every day. The ward council is AMAZING. The ward is amazing. I am so grateful for my mission, my companion, and my Savior. I know that this is His Church. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Thomas S. Monson is a prophet today. I know that is true.

I love you.

Don’t forget to use “You remind me of….” It works best when you use it as a compliment. 🙂 Not an insult. Practice around the house. Then invite everyone to read the Book of Mormon. to ponder in their hearts the message it contains. . . and then to ASK GOD, the eternal Father, in the name of  Christ, if it is true!

Love,
Sister Meservy!

 Sister Meservy’s Letter from February 24, 2014

Subject:  “God doesn’t sit on eggs . . . “

I AM STAYING WITH SISTER BUSATH IN SMILE PRAIRIE FOR ANOTHER SIX WEEKS. That’s the best news I’ve ever been given. 🙂

This week was awesome. 🙂  Sister Busath faced some fears this week. 🙂

As we were walking down the road Sister Busath said, “You know… I have a deathly fear of goats.” The next home we went to was the Scotts. Who spontaneously bought a goat that day, and we got to pet it. Then Sister Busath HELD IT.  And I milked it’s mom.

I MILKED A GOAT. and Sister Busath faced her fear by holding a baby goat.

Fear #1- GOATS.

Sister Busath also started singing with me. . . Which is huge. She has a great voice. So that’s fun. 🙂

Fear #2- Singing in public.

Also… after we finished a nice gospel and walked away, Sister busath ran back and said “have you heard of the book of mormon?”  -That man needed to know about the book of mormon. Spirit confirmed it. and he was so receptive. Took a copy, and said he’d read it and pray. It was awesome.

Fear #3- Running back to people after a conversation is ended. on a dark snowy night.

We also lost our zone leader Elder Andrew. He was my zone leader my first transfer, and his last transfer. 🙂  See a picture of his death, below. (not a real death. just going home).

Fear #4- Elder Andrew faced the guillotine.

SO my friends and family, It’s been a nice week of overcoming fears. 🙂 I love the gospel. I know that perfect love casts out fear. I’m so grateful for my amazing companion. I am so grateful for the people I get to teach. I am so grateful for my Savior.  and the testament we have of Him in the BOOK OF MORMON. 🙂

Sorry for the lack of a great email. . . I love you. all.

Love,
Sister Meservy.

Face your fears.

Sister Meservy and Sister Busath with Elders

Sister Meservy MILKING  a GOAT

Sister Meservy holding a GOAT!!!