Hindsight?

July 7, 2014

Massachusetts Boston Mission Case Study: Sister Susan Fulcher

This case study is something I think should be circulated around a bit, as it can help missionaries be more effective. Some of this stuff I've picked up on throughout my mission. Other stuff, I didn't.  Now I wish I had realized it earlier on. 

Love y'all!

Sister Cornelsen

Summary at YSA Leaders.org

http://www.ysa-leaders.org/m/d/node/42

Full PDF at BYU.edu

https://theboard.byu.edu/media/attached_files/r_32199/susan.fulcher.study_18817.pdf

"It's Killing Me"

July 7, 2014

This will probably be a short email.

For the fourth of July we played Apples to Apples with the Pedroza family. And then we came home and watched "FROZEN"!!!! I fell in love with that movie! I was really surprised our mission president let us watch it, but he did!

Teresa dropped us. She said she finds her AA meetings to be more spiritual than church. That doesn't make sense to me because she received revelation every time she came to church. I expect she'll come back to the restored gospel at some point.

Abby brought a friend to the lesson we had with the Newcomb's. Her name is Eden, she's 9 years old and full of questions. She asked "that voice in my head that tells me what's right and wrong - is that God?" I got the biggest smile on my face and said yes. She has so many questions. Hopefully she'll be at the lesson tonight.

We had a sisters conference on Saturday. It's quite strange being told all of the things that you need to change as a missionary when you're going home so soon. I realized that even though my missionary time is short, I still need to change - that's what repentance is.

When a missionary goes home, the slang is that they're dying. Sister Kellar, being my last companion, is "killing me". Now relate that to real life. If I was 80 years old and didn't have that long left on earth, I'd be sorely tempted not to make changes. But repentance is the point of this life -  to change and become better. It's never too late to repent. So I've stepped it up once again. I can do it for 8 more days, or however many minutes dad said I had left. LOL

Love you all! Talk to ya next week!

No Countdown. Life Can Change in an Instant.

Hey, 

This week we had a MUCH better week. :D 

June 30, 2014

We were able to see Veronica again and introduce her to the Book of Mormon.

We talked with Theresa about the Atonement.

We're continuing to help Janice with the addiction recovery program. We reached the tough part, step 4, writing a moral inventory. It's the hard part, but she's working on it. It's one positive thing for every negative thing, and it's working.

We saw Ted as well. He says that when he does come back, He'll be coming back to this church, it's just a matter of when. Sister kellar said "how about this Sunday?" :)

A couple weeks ago two police officers were shot while they were having lunch. They didn't see it coming. One of them is LDS, and his family attends a ward that is in our building. There's one potential investigator, another policeman, who is dating someone in the ward, that knows both of the officers that were shot - he's in the same unit. We explained what we believe about the spirit world and resurrection. He's not looking to take lessons but it was a moment where I was so grateful I had that knowledge so I could offer something of comfort. 

We saw Angel! we were able to introduce her to the Book of Mormon as well, and showed her some chapters on what happens after death. Apparently she felt connected to me. So strange, because this is only the 3rd time I've seen her. I feel like my mission won't be stopping when I return home. 

Monique went to girls camp and loved it! I'm sure hoping that she'll be more interested in learning what we believe. She and her dad were at church yesterday :)

So yeah... lots of good stuff happening! Looking forward to another good week. Really hoping Ed's work schedule slows down a little. We did lots of studying to answer his questions. I want to be able to answer them before I go home. 

Love y'all!

Sister Cornelsen

No countdown as a request of dad.... i still have one at home. ;)

Reservation Confirmed

Massive Connecting Link

Gospel Wings

The Master

Lift Up Your Voice

June 23, 2014

Well it's been an interesting week! Lots of appointments canceled. A less active woman threatening suicide. A part member family member had a seizure. We were dropped by 2 investigators, except they like the social time so they still want us to come. Ugh. Moved to an Apartment Friday. Packed on Wednesday. Why is it the 3rd week of the transfer that is so off?

Now here's for the positive. I sang in the mission musical fireside. The rehearsal was terrible. I made lots of mistakes. But the actual performance with the investigators and less active members there... was SPOT ON!!! You know that promise that if you lift up your voices the words will be given? well, I've tried that a couple times when I'm just talking with people and I stumble over the words. But that promise has been so true as I have sung on my mission. The spirit helps me so much.

Another happy thing of the week was Ed and Monique. We answered one of Ed's questions about whether God has a body of flesh and bone. We studied the scriptures and shared 3 of them that showed our point and then left a list of scriptures he could study on his own. HE ACCEPTED IT!!!! It has taken me 6 weeks to learn how to teach him, but I got it! I really hope these last 3 lessons with him count. I can totally see him getting baptized. Monique is his granddaughter who's staying with him. She's 12. and has been listening in to the lessons with Ed. (as has her dad, Rob) We invited her to go to girls camp on Friday. On Saturday she said she wants to go, and on Wednesday they leave. :) There's going to be scripture time at girls camp so we gave her a Book of Mormon and introduced her to it. I was AMAZED how well she understood! I've never known a 12 year old like her before. I really hope to keep in contact with this family. I wish I could be here for the whole conversion process, but I'm glad to be here for the part that I am.

eta: 3 weeks and 22 hours and 35 minutes ( that took me a minutes to do the math. haha)

love, 

Sister Cornelsen

High Notes: Mission Musical Fireside

June 16, 2014

Please excuse the oddity of this email. i'm not really sure what happened this week.

 

I'm going to be singing in the Mission Musical Fireside on Sunday. So that's fun! I think a bit of our time has gone to practicing for that. it's amazing how good I feel after warming up and singing a high note.

 

There's a less active sister who seems to have gone back to drinking. She was in a frantic state when we showed up for our appointment with her. Sister Kellar did a great job of calming her down and the Spirit came in.

 

Wednesday was an incredibly busy day. An appointment every hour. It was WONDERFUL!!!! Teaching is my favorite part of missionary work.

 

I'm doing well. super tired, but we still get out and work. I probably will sleep for a very long time once I'm home and everyone leaves after our reunion fun.

 

Love you all!

 

ETA: 29 days and 1 hour

 

Love,

Sister Cornelsen

P.S. Missy Whitlock-Ghormley‎ recorded me singing in the Mission Musical Fireside!!  Not a fancy video, but my momma loves it!!

Honesty and Humility

June 9, 2014

Hey everybody!

 

It's been a good week. Theresa, an investigator, just moved into our ward. She was taught by some zone leaders in Lone Mountain stake and we just met her. She is solid! She came to church and wanted to spice up the music a bit. in Gospel Principles we talked about baptism and how it needs to be performed by the proper authority. Our other investigator, Ed, has been struggling with that concept. Theresa, after the class, went up to him and testified of that. they both have a Catholic background. it was really cool to see.

 

Janice is down to 3 cigarettes a day. We're just going through the LDS addiction recovery program with her, and actually doing the workbook with her. This week has been about honesty. Honesty sparks humility. It's amazing what happens when you recognize God's power and ask for His help.

 

Love you lots!

 

Sister Cornelsen

Six Weeks, Connect the Dots, Politics vs Truth

June 2, 2014

And here's the transfer news!!!! Sister Coleman is going to a new area with a brand new missionary from the MTC. I am staying here for my last transfer and Sister Kellar is coming to be here in this ward with me!!!! Crazy?!?!?!?! My impression is that the lord has a long term plan for her. :) It'll make the transition to a new area much easier if she knows someone. And I'm excited to have her!

Stake Conference was wonderful! I really enjoyed it.

Remember the less active member who wanted to quit smoking? Well she doesn't anymore. At least not right now. She does want to work through the 12 step program the church offers. I think that was the biggest disappointment this week because I was so convinced she wanted to quit.

Ed is doing great! He had lots of questions about the plan of salvation. It was really fun to answer one question and then see him "connect all the dots". He came to the adult session of stake conference. Afterwards he said "the Lord is in this Church",  and then later he said "that man said when I get baptized he wants to come... I'm still saying if." Haha. I think when he connects the dots about the Priesthood, he'll say "when".

As we were driving home one night, we saw a teenager walking along the side of the street. I kept driving and then turned around. said to Sister Coleman "I have an impression we need to talk with him" and she did too. We turned around and he wasn't there. what?! someone had picked him up. so we stalked the car back to their house. And then ran down the street to catch them before they went inside. (literally running to save souls) and talk with the people there. We told them we had an impression to talk with their grandson. They said they were Catholic and don't speak about religion with anyone. so we walked back to the car rather disappointed. I said a prayer we got to the car to ask for understanding. We both had the impression we needed to talk with the teenager specifically. So we went back. Knocked on the door. And he answered it! I felt the spirit so strongly just standing there. But none of the words could come out of my mouth in the right way. We told him we just felt like we needed to talk with him. His grandparents came out, and cut off the conversation. Nothing happened. again, we were rather disappointed. But this time I felt no more inspiration of what to do. I hope he remembers the night that two sister missionaries felt the spirit and went to talk with him. I hope one day he will come to the church. I will certainly keep an eye out for him on the streets. It saddens me that we weren't even allowed to speak about religion with him because of his grandparents. I hope he gets the help he needs.

We met the Peck family! They are less active because they felt unaccepted because of their political opinions. We asked if it made the church any less true? "No". We invited them to come back. She said that if she were to come back her attitude would need to change. We told her that's exactly what the Atonement does. It was so awesome!!!! They were very open and they said they'd read the chapter from the book of Mormon that we left them.  I'm hopeful.

I think those were the highlights of the week. Looking forward to the coming week. :)

Love y'all!

Sister Cornelsen

P.S. Is it just me or is everyone I know getting married? It's kinda crazy how many engagements have happened the last month. Just sayin...

Baptism, Blisters and "Journey with the Mormons for a While"

Camdyn and Abby got BAPTIZED!!!! Their dad baptized them. :D the whole Relief Society room was completely filled. every chair was used. it was so great to have so many people there. :) They are such a great family. Their mom is continuing investigating. Great moment of the week was when she said that she thinks she will get baptized, she just needs to learn more. so proud of them!

Yesterday, for memorial day, we got permission to go on missionary splits with women in the ward. The stake was putting on a fun run. Sister Coleman ran for BYU before her mission. She's been itching to run more. I'm just not in that condition. so Sister Coleman ran with a woman in the ward and I walked with a woman in the ward. it was a very nice walk. :D in the process, I realized my tennis shoes are 5 years old and just too old. I got two blisters on the balls of my feet. Thankfully, I threw in some moleskin when I was packing for my mission. I am very grateful I have brought that with me my whole mission. :)

We have a new investigator named Ed! He's in his 50's or so. we grew up an alter boy and in 9th grade denounced Catholicism. He's studied Lutheran, Jehovah's Witness, Seventh Day Adventist, was baptized in the Church of the Nazarene, and in his 20's was baptized into a Baptist church. He still feels like these churches aren't quite right. One day he ended up at a public library but had no idea why he was there. He was led by the Spirit. He figured while he was there he would check out the books of Enoch in the Apocrypha. A member, Brother Cox, was also led there to the library and had no idea why. He figured he'd check out some consumer reports while he was there. They met each other at the reference desk and started talking about the prophet Enoch. Brother Cox said "my Church actually has some information about Enoch in our scriptures, The Pearl of Great Price" They met several times to talk about religion after that. 2 sundays ago he came to church and we met him. He has many many questions. 5 years ago he didn't think Mormons were Christians. So he's come a long way in understanding our beliefs. I'm excited to work with him. On Sunday he said "When the Lord tells you to journey with the Mormons for a while, you journey with the Mormons for a while". He's very in tune with the spirit and has a very inquisitive mind.

It was our zone leaders birthday yesterday so we made him a cake! it's regular cake. but it looks like a block of fancy cheese, cause he's into that. Sister Coleman made the cake and I made the little sign. it was fun!

There's two different less active/part member families that we're making some good progress with. Two completely different situations, and the spirit told us to read the book of Mormon with both of them. It's so cool how the Lord can use the Book of Mormon to speak individually to people.

We started the stop smoking program today with a less active member. I sure hope it goes well. The only thing i'm worried about is the friendship support. It seemed to be an odd dynamic. I pray it goes well.

Love you all!!! Keep up the great work! Follow the Spirit. Have the courage to follow His promptings.

Love,

Sister Cornelsen

Fantastic Week!

May 19, 2014

This was a FANTASTIC week! Lots of lessons with members there. :D love it!

 

The Newcomb's are ready for their baptism on Saturday. They had their interviews and they are set. Sister Newcomb still hasn't chosen to be baptized. It's disappointing but I think she'll come around eventually. Brother Newcomb was ordained to a priest yesterday and is ready to baptize his kids. Exciting!

 

I went on exchanges with my sister training leader, Sister Nelson. (cornelsen and nelson). She'd been wanting to organize her area and ward directory and I just happen to love doing that. So we did that together! It took a day and a half, with some spare time throughout the week to organize the area I'm in. But it only took a few hours in her area! It was fun. :)

 

Zone Conference was on Wednesday. from 9am to 4pm was about the Atonement. I LOVED IT!!! It's the longest zone conference I've ever had. but it was so edifying I didn't mind in the least bit. I wanted it to keep going forever. It's those times that I look around and say "I don't ever want my mission to end"

 

This week we're going to help a less active member quit smoking. We're actually going to follow the "quite smoking program" just how it says to do it. Never done it before. It seems like an intervention almost. A bit bold. But she's already been through it once before, so she knows what's coming. After this first week we're going to go into the Church's 12 step addiction recovery workbook. So that when the stress that causes the addiction comes back, she will know how to use the Atonement to heal, instead of trying to solve the problem through smoking. I'm really curious to see if the combination of programs will work.

 

Hmm, I'm not really sure what else. If you want something to pray for, pray that i'll have the motivation and time to write in my journal. Haha. I need help with that.

 

Love you!

Sister Cornelsen

15

May 12, 2014

I so loved talking with you all on Mother's Day!!

On Saturday we helped an investigator with a horse show. A lot of time in the sun. It was nice to be in that farm- like environment.

I met Jacob, an investigator. He is so solid. He just needs a baptism date. He committed to pray about a specific baptism date. He's 19, and so hilarious. very open. His family comes from a tough background. But he has standards and he stands up for them. Hopefully he'll be baptized in June. :)

I also met Tori. The sisters have been answering her questions. It sounded like she had chosen a different direction. but the family she's friends with invited her for dinner when we were there. as we were leaving she told us she'd love to meet up again for lesson and lunch. So it's hopeful!

We have 15 investigators.

We went to the temple on Wednesday. it was a rush! we had planned on waking up at 5:15 so we could leave at 6:15with our ride. well, the alarm didn't go off. sister coleman flew out of bed at 6:08. we got ready really really fast and out we went. and we got there on time. :) I sure love the temple.

well, that's all I've got. love you all!

Sister Cornelsen

"I Need You Somewhere Else"

May 5, 2014

Oh my. we had so many appointments cancel this week, and yet, we did a lot of good work. I'm starting to see an appointment falling through as Heavenly Father saying "I need you somewhere else". it's kinda cool.

We got a referral to meet with an excommunicated member who's going through a lot right now. he's in his 60's. we met him at the church with Bishop Larson. It was a really good experience. he wants to keep having spiritual experiences and ease his way back into coming to church. I see so much potential in him.

We're working with the children in a part member family's. They want to be baptized so badly, but the mom is scared to ask their father for permission to be baptized. Sister coleman and I were talking about it last night. 

I feel that the mom is scared it will work... they'll get baptized and then what? She doesn't yet have true faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love receiving inspiration about the people so we know how to help them. It'll be interesting to see how it turns out.

We've started teaching someone who is a member of the RLDS church, or now know as Community of Christ. This is very very unique. Hahahahh. Thankfully, our ward mission leader, Brother Pedroza and his wife are there because they have sharp minds. The interesting thing is he doesn't see the importance of switching to a different restoration church. he believes that one day all of the break offs of the restoration movement will come back together, so what's the point of getting baptized into a different church? his baptism will still be efficacious. crazy!!! It blew my mind. So we don't have to help him get a testimony of the book of Mormon - he already believes it! I think we'll have to talk about receiving revelation, and pray that as he strengthens that communication with God, his perspective will grow. He's been coming to our church because he doesn't like some of the changes being made in CoC, and his mom is telling him to go to the Mormon church. He's concerned about raising his son. So very interesting. He's a descendent of Joseph Smith. And I believe there's a prophecy about Joseph's seed coming back to the church. 

We also started teaching Veronica. Her husband is a less active member. We just dropped by and she happened to be there. She was willing to hear our beliefs, so we taught her the first lesson. She said she will consider baptism as she keeps learning. exciting!

Lots of good stuff happened this week.  I am SO looking forward to talking with everyone on Mother's Day!

LOVE YOU!!!

Sister Cornelsen

Photos!

 The Rock Family

Our area is quite literally at the end of vegas. 

we get a gorgeous view of the sunset. :) 

there's the desert!

DENA GOT HER PATRIARCHAL BLESSING!!!!!!!! so proud of her. :) 

I think we were kindred friends in the pre earth life. :)

(Yes, my Mom is having challenges with rotating images… don't know why, it's so simple!)

Me with the Jennings Family - Cheyenne Ridge Ward Mission Leader

 Sister Coleman & Sister Cornelsen (me)

Prep Day Exercise

Be Careful… there's a Clown in the Refrigerator….

Log Cabin, Darth Vader, Creepy Clown and Headless Doll?

Hey everyone!

 

Log Cabin Ward doesn't really have log cabins, actually. 

it's interesting the diversity in the ward. there's shacks, people with horses, middle class, and upper middle class where they rent bouncy houses or a 1 year old birthday party. so it's just very interesting. it's a good ward. 

We live with our ward mission leader, Brother Pedroza and his wife and 2 daughters. one is 17 and the other is 8. They are all SO FUNNY! They own this creepy clown statue and a 34" darth vader figurine and a headless doll. we are currently having a little war of placing them in surprising places to scare each other. Great for laughs. This morning we put the clown in the fridge. and then darth vader was buckled into the passenger seat of bro pedroza's car. he scared sis coleman by putting it right outside the front door so it fell in when she opened the door and she literally screamed. now the clown is placed strategically so when he pulls into the garage a clown or the headless doll will be staring at him (so creepy) and we got some help from his daughter, Carolyn, to put vader in the master shower... with shampoo in his hand. oh it's so funny. that's not even the half of it all.

 

My companion Sister Coleman is great. She's 19. from Idaho. a runner. her favorite color is orange.  She is super optimistic. almost always has a smile. social butterfly. we got a lot of work done this week. and it's just gonna keep getting better.

 

There's a part member family that they've been workin with. the 12 year old son, Camdyn and 8 year old, Abby, are getting baptized 24 May 2014. Camdyn is surprisingly articulate and smart. I asked him what he knew about Adam and Eve and I was blown away by his answers.

 

The Tribbetts have been investigating for a couple years. They believe it all. but want to be more consistent before they get baptized. so we're gonna help with that. they're a younger couple. 2 little boys. I really enjoyed getting to know them. If you've heard about the huge ferris wheel that was built on the strip, Ryan built it.

 

Ibrum is a 17 year old boy who has had a very rough past. A family in the ward took him in. and he's done a 180. actually, do you remember Garrett Chase? I taught him in meadows? well he's now married to Tricia who took Ibrum in. Garrett is in this ward! It was really fun catching up. Ibrum is so solid. He has to wait til probation is over to be baptized. and I see so much potential. I can't imagine who he was... because all I see is so much good. his baptism is going to be really special when it does happen.

 

There are a lot of Part-member families in the ward. We're starting to work with them. And the start has been good. I'm looking forward to it.

 

Saturday was a great day. Brad Wilcox spoke to all of us missionaries. He talked about why we have to serve and be good people, when lots of other people aren't serving missions. He brought it back to the 12 tribes of Israel and the birthright. Most members of the church are descendents of Joseph, Ephraim or Manassah, and it is our birthright. Birthright means that we are given a double portion of blessings/inheritance and responsibility. We've been given much and so we must give to take care of our Father's kingdom.

 

Right after he spoke, I went on an exchange with sister kellar to go to Courtney's Baptism. :) The Spirit was very strong during the ordinance. I hope she will continue on. (kinda follow in Amy's footsteps because that's who she reminds me of. :)  )

 

I'm gonna try to get some pictures out. I love you all! I'm doing well. til next week!

 

Sister Cornelsen

Transfers and Sore Feet

April 21, 2014

I'm being transferred!!!!! gahhh!!!!! what is this?!?!!? I have to adjust??!!

I'm going to the Tule Springs Stake in the Log Cabin Ward. 

I'm stinkin gonna miss Cheyenne Ridge Ward. It's grown a lot. It's such a great ward now. It's amazing how a ward changes when they start to see and feel that excitement about missionary work. I think the Gibson's baptism has really got people excited to do their own missionary work. Saturday morning the Young women, some elders, and 2 members of the bishopric, and us, went out and invited people to our Easter services. we covered A LOT of houses... at least 500. my feet hurt. but it was a really good experience. Bishop talked with a Baptist reverend that actually came to church with his family!!! So Bishop is pretty excited to do this again sometime this year.

 

It was really hard to say goodbye to the Rocks. Cried several times. it's just good that i'll be coming back to see them. :) They talked with bishop about working towards the temple!!! :D and they have a goal and they know what needs to happen. I'm SUPER excited for them. :D

 

So I'm gonna be with Sister Coleman in the Log Cabin Ward. She just finished her training so she's been out 12 weeks. She has so much excitement about the work and always has a smile on her face. I'm excited to be companions with her. I don't really know much about the ward. I know it's on the outer edge of town again. but I think even more new... possibly. we'll see.

 

The Hess's came to church for the first time in this ward. I was excited about that. :) we actually had quite a few people at church. part member families, investigators, and less active families. it was wonderful!

 

I sang Amazing Grace. Elder Carson has a master musician mind. I told him I was thinking about singing it. and he was all down for helping. I told him i'd find some music and he goes "oh we don't need music! we'll create something!" so we created a mix of Amazing Grace and In Christ Alone. He never wrote a single thing down. It was all in his head. I had they lyrics written down and some notes written on it. Every time we ran through it in practice, I felt like I did something wrong. but I feel like the actual performance went extremely well.

 

Anywho, I love you lots! and I'll tell you all about my new ward next week!

 

Love,

Sister Cornelsen

 

PS. i'm sure gonna miss Sister Kellar.

Soul Pain & Spiritual Joy

April 14, 2014

I just remembered, half way through my email time, that I need to write a letter to everyone! 

How could I forget a thing like that?!

 

Courtney is actually going to be baptized april 26th. she keeps moving it up! i'm excited. This is another one of those people that I really feel I was sent to Lone Mountain Stake for.

 

Our car has been back to Pep Boys which means we've been teaching in Pep Boys. We taught two people... One of them told us way too much about his sins. As it says in Alma 31, it pains my soul. So many people struggle with sins that... well, are evil, they tear up your soul. it's so sad to see one of my brothers, God's child, struggling with it, wanting relief, but not quite willing to do whatever it takes to use the Atonement. They're everywhere. There's also a lot of people ready to do whatever it takes, like Courtney and Steve.

 

We have a new investigator! His name is Cody. The spirit was really strong as we taught the first lesson. He commited to baptism.

 

We spent quite a bit of time in a member's home. she has closets filled with her own clothes. we went through them all with her and she gave us what she didn't need. Then we took all of that stuff to a Sister Missionary clothing exchange this morning. and I got some pretty cute stuff as well. it's a little bit different than my typical style. we'll see if I can work them in. i'm super excited to try!

 

Love you all!

Sister Cornelsen

Worked on by God & 99 days...

April 7, 2014

Aooo there's two families in the ward that are less active. For the last 6 months that I've been here, we share a short scripture, if we're able to get in, and they go on with their life with no intention of changing. I guess it just wasn't the right timing for them. One of them has decided to be active. The other is allowing us to teach lessons.

 

So the first one, her name is Colleen. She loves the Lord and has a testimony. We didn't know what was keeping her from coming to church. Well we dropped by on Thursday. She told us a little story. (she likes telling stories). Her son is getting married in the temple this spring and it's been killing her knowing she doesn't have a recommend. so she prayed the night before about what she should do. her answer: "get your butt to church and talk with the bishop." And we show up the next day. 

We were able to be very open with her. and she was open with us about some doctrinal questions she's had about plural marriage. honestly, no one was willing to talk with her about it. So we answered her questions and she felt a lot better about it. Funny thing is, there's no church that sunday cause of General conference, but we gave her the number to call to set up an appointment with Bishop. So that's cool! I'm telling you, people are being worked on by God!

 

The second family... i think the wife is a bit more resistant than the husband. Some time in the past, they got offended in a different ward and have had spurts of activity and inactivity ever since. We're teaching them the lessons, hoping they realize that they need to live in harmony with what they believe, regardless of whether other people are polite or not. The spirit was actually quite strong. we asked when we could teach the next lesson and the wife was thinking in a month or so... and then the husband says… "How about next Tuesday about the same time?" hahah! I think he's digging it. Hopefully she doesn't rebel. we'll have to be careful.

 

Courtney is set for May 10th to be baptized. Her whole family is going to come. which is SO GOOD!!!

 

I don't know exactly what's been going on with Dawn or Danielle... hoping we can figure that out. but Danielle baptism day passed without her realizing it. Dawn texted us and said she wants to push it back because there's a lot going on right now. Sad.

 

General Conference was lovely. :) I really enjoyed the talk by Elder Nelson.

 

Love you all!

 

Sister cornelsen

 

ps. 99 days til i'm home? what?!?!

Barriers Down, Testimonies Up

March 31, 2014

Well I have some good news. I've broken through a barrier! I''ve been doing ASL interpreting for a deaf couple! 

Last two weeks they've come to Sacrament meeting, but no interpreter showed up. So I stumbled my way through it. I've been learning a ton! But it's super good for me and they get a spiritual message. :) Not sure if they're going to keep coming to this ward or not. There is a Church group for deaf people on the other side of the valley. I guess it just depends on what Bishop decides is best. But I sure love Bonita and Jimmy. I think we're going to interpret for them tonight for the Empty Nester FHE, too. I get super nervous, but I love it.

 

Yesterday was fast and testimony meeting. Dena shared why she has so much faith, because of the miracles she's seen. Wendy shared her testimony about her inter-faith community helping her come closer to God and how she's so grateful she has a family feeling in this ward. And Steve shared a powerful testimony about his brother's death and the role of the Savior. For the first time in his life he was able to declare Jesus is the Christ and mean it. It was powerful. It's super nice to see how the people we've been working with have the courage and faith to share their testimonies with the ward. That's when you know you're doing some good in a ward.

 

I LOVED the General Women's Broadcast. I've been feeling discouraged so I prayed for encouragement and comfort. That broadcast was EXACTLY what I needed. It was in direct answer to my prayers. I have been feeling so much better.

 

Courtney wanted to talk with her dad about her choice to get baptized before we set a date. She was thinking July. But we told her the timeline of what needs to happen before her baptism and she realized it could be a lot sooner. :) I think her friend has been a huge help for her to understand the gospel and answer those questions because he's right there. He should have gotten his mission call this last week... we'll find out tomorrow!

 

Love,

Sister Cornelsen

Randomizing: Sad, Led by the Spirit, Happy

March 24

Well, I think today is going to be a jumbled email. so here's a bunch of random thoughts and events.

 

Suicide seems to be a theme for this week. One person told us they had attempted it before they met us, and another person we were starting to work with actually commited to suicide this week. That's been super hard on us and his family, and then a new investigator was asking what happens to people who don't know Christ, like their nephew that took his own life. It's really weird how there's themes like this. And really sad when the theme is something as dark as this.

 

We met a less active man who's in his 80's and a self-professed jack Mormon. haha. He believed the book of Ezekial is about an alien spacecraft coming to earth... funny thing is, I just finished reading Ezekial and I'm pretty sure it's a vision of a temple. ...yeah. haha

 

Chris is a guy we met while tracting. We were able to come back this week and explain more about the Book of Mormon. he seems genuinely interested. i'm excited to keep working with him.

 

We went to a baby shower on Saturday and met Renee, a second cousin of the person the shower was for. Very nice. I didn't think too much about her, but the next day we had dinner with the party host, and she said that Renee could use some help packing and organizing.  She also mentioned that they're looking for a Church because their Seventh day Adventist church is moving farther away than the 45 min drive it already is. So last night we dropped by Renee's house and met her husband, mike, and 2 boys, Cody and Cassee. I LOVE this family. It was so easy to talk with them. Mike started asking questions about what we believe. We're going over on Friday to do some service and teach a lesson. Super pumped! this is the first referral from a dinner that has actually turned into a teaching appointment. I'm really excited. :)

 

I have bangs now... side bangs... still getting used to them.

 

Do you remember Courtney? Well, she texted us! Said she's ready to have lessons again!!! yay!!!!

 

What else... i'm happy. :) yeah. that's good. Which is crazy considering everything that has gone on this last week. but I am. I am happy.

 

Love you!

Sister Cornelsen

The Desire to Serve, Lifted by Faith, Accepted by God

March 17, 2014

Hola!

Well the Gibson's are already talking about what callings they could have. and they want to serve! I just love it ! :) Even a 14 year old wants a calling. It's so wonderful. :)

We met Dawn this week. Her boyfriend has been inactive since he was 11 and now wants to come back to the church. He saved up some tithing and called the church building to know how to get involved again. When we met with Dawn, her boyfriend, Nathaniel, wasn't there. I was a bit disappointed that we couldn't teach them at the same time. But Dawn has been reading the book of Mormon and understand more of it the more she reads. She committed to baptism in the first lesson! They have some things they need to work on to get their lives in order so we'll see when it actually happens. but the baptism is set for April 26th.

I have really felt the power of fasting this month. Because of my health I can't fast normally. but I ask for help to know exactly what to eat/drink so that I can still function and serve, but still fast. It's amazing how well God knows what we need physically. And I receive answers to my prayers when I fast because I am more in tune. It's a wonderful thing.

I'm doing well now. I had an emotional week. Sister Aird gave me some advice a few weeks ago about living in the moment and I can't tell you how much it helps. When we're feeling anxiety we're living in the future, which we can't control. When we're feeling fear, we're living in the past, another thing we can't control. I can only control what is going on right now. And right now, people are changing and using the Atonement and I am blessed to witness it. I'm able to be the Sandpaper, as Steve put it, and to be the push when it's needed, as Sis Seward put it.

Sister Kellar and I have been in the area long enough that things are going well... and there's not a lot of new stuff. It'd be super easy to fall into a rut right now. But I'm trying to find those opportunities to teach from what has already happened. Softening family members hearts and so forth. Hopefully it works. After this transfer, I only have 2 transfers left. It's unusual to be in an area for just 2 transfers. So I wonder if I'll stay here the rest of my mission. If that's the case, I can't get in a rut. We gotta keep moving.

The nice thing is that while we were in a lesson last night. well, back up... we were practicing a lesson with some active members. the Hewitt's. He's in the bishopric and she's in the relief society presidency. Brother Hewitt did a GREAT job at being an investigator. a reluctant, Bible bashing investigator. haha. we don't come across a lot of those. Anywho. it went well. We asked that he would say the closing prayer and we would have a moment of silence afterward to let God communicate with us. In that moment of silence... well it's a beautiful thing. Everyone receives personal revelation. Mine was that my offering of service has been acceptable to God. I can't tell you how much that means to me. I still have a ways to go. And this isn't the first time I've had that impression from the Spirit. But it's so good to know that I am on the right path. of course there are things I should and try to improve on. But God accepts it all. I love it. I love Him.

There are lots of other miracles going on. I testified to Steve and his wife that they couldn't afford to not pay tithing. The Spirit was so SO strong. They whispered 'ok'. and commited to pay it.

A newly wed less active couple came to church... for all 3 hours. It was wonderful to see them engaged in the classes. I know the Word of God can heal hearts and make all whole.

We're actually going to meet Dena's husband tonight! which is a huge thing. He's an atheist Catholic and does not want any preaching. So we're going to share a good battle story from the book of Mormon. :) 2000 stripling warriors. I hope it'll peak some interest. :)

So yeah. lots of fun things going on. I love you! I still appreciate letters.... those have died down a lot... but I still like them!!!

Love,

Sister Cornelsen

The Spirit Speaks...

The Gibson's baptism was incredibly spiritual. Donnie had an overwhelming feeling of cleansing as he was baptized. The Spirit was so strong during the talks. Julia just couldn't stop smiling. And then in the confirmation, Wendy felt an incredible amount of peace. You know how strong spiritual experiences can make you tired? Well that happened to them and to me. I am exhausted from this weekend and I'm so grateful it's p-day.

 

Here's some other reasons this weekend was exhausting, I gave a talk on Sunday, sang with the choir, had someone critique my talk, Steve and his family is coming to a head in a trial they're going through, and I just can't shut up when i'm talking about the gospel so I end up talking a lot. I'm just tired.

 

But I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I am meant to be here, now. 100%.

 

When I was first choosing to serve a mission, I was sitting in the temple and I felt a pull on my heart. I felt like someone needed me somewhere else. That was a huge part of my decision. I may have been delayed... but maybe that was part of the plan as well. I needed to be here at this time. This is when the Gibson's, Steve, Danielle, Sammie, Dena, Desiree, Morgan, and so many others needed me. I say me... but that's not true. They needed the gospel. I think they would have found it eventually... even if it was when the Gibson's older daughter baptized them when they were dead. haha. but I am so grateful Heavenly Father trusts me enough to get a peak at his work. He does some amazing stuff. I'm so grateful to be here.

 

Thank you for praying for me. I feel it and I need it. I have a small amount of letters to respond to and i'm hoping to have the time to do it today.

 

Policy change: we can wear sandals! Not flip flops - but some nice sandals. Super excited to get some today. :)

 

Love,

Sister Cornelsen

Happy Family...

:D This is the Gibson Family. :D They got baptized on Saturday and were confirmed on Sunday. :D 
They had some very powerful experiences of cleaning, and clearing, and happiness in their conversion and commitment process. :D  I can't explain to you how much I love this family! 
:D The older daughter, with the shorter hair, is going on her mission in June to Guatemala. 
She is already a fantastic missionary. :)