The Miracles of Being a Missionary

February 10, 2014

HELLOOOOOOOO FAMILY!!!!

 

Can I just say that I love missionary work? 

I mean, it's a lot more fun when you have tons of appointments. I just love it! so much! I don't usually do this... the whole numbers thing... but i'm proud of the work and the word. 

We hit a record this last week. Sister kellar and I taught 28 lessons. 28!!!! so cool. We're super busy and I love it!!!! Because each lesson is meaningful. People's lives are changing and God is working through me. I can feel it.  I get to see so many miracles. Last night there was a family thanking us and saying how we changed their lives. 'no one else could crack him but you' and I just kept thinking that i'm just along for the ride. this is GOD'S work. not mine. He's the one working - not me. I'm just here for Him to work through. It's beautiful. I love being a missionary.

 

Guess What!! There's a family in our ward who is deaf! Which means i'm gonna be learning and doing some ASL! (I took college courses in ASL, but have not used it.  Now I can!)  The Ward does not have an ASL interpreter, and the deaf branch meets really far away, so this family ends up not going to either meeting, and they miss out on the spiritual boost of attending church.  

I'm hoping that Sister Kellar and I can brush up some and help other people in the ward brush up on their ASL too. See, Dad.... you thought I'd use my ASL on my mission... and now I am. :) We're getting some church materials about signing. Hopefully they come soon!

 

Okay, now I want y'all to think back many many moons ago. Meadows 5th ward. 

Do you remember Danielle? She had a baptism date set in April but her husband wasn't supportive. Then We helped them move and I asked her husband if he wants to take lessons and he said yes! 

Well, somehow their move didn't do what for their relationship what they were hoping it would... and they're getting a divorce now. So sad. I heard about it through one of the elders that was up there at Meadows 5th Ward. So I got a hold of Danielle's phone number to figure out where she had moved, so I could send the missionaries over to see her. Well guess what.... SHE'S IN OUR WARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D 

I was on top of the world when I found that out that day. It's just so funny because I was thinking a day or two before that I wish I could go back to Meadows 5th with what I know now about how to do missionary work. Well, I guess Meadows is coming to me. :D  I love Danielle. i'm so looking forward to seeing her this week. :D

 

Also, I'm getting more comfortable with kids. Yep. Kids. I don't know what's changed... but I just am. I like them. they think so simply and loving. They're great. :) So I guess there's more blessing of serving a mission than I thought! haha!

 

There's lots of other stuff going on. I just can't seem to give enough back story to make it all make sense. Basically, it's all amazing. Being a missionary is amazing. People are amazing.  The Spirit is Amazing...

 

Love you all SO MUCH!

 

Sister Cornelsen

Transitions, Teaching and a Super Bowl National Holiday

February 3, 2014

Well we're down to two in our companionship. 

It's weird and nice but not nice at the same time. I guess it's just different.

 

We found a new investigator named Terry. She's in her 80's and grew up Catholic but isn't practicing in that religion. Her neighbor who is in our ward told her about Priesthood blessings. Terry had cancer and part of her tongue had to be cut out. She's in a lot of pain. She invited us over to explain what the Priesthood is. After teaching her about the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and answering her questions, she wanted to have a Priesthood blessing. The next day we taught her about the book of Mormon. I'm hoping to get in contact with her again tomorrow.

 

Morgan's baptism has been postponed because of a death in his family. He's bummed about it - he's been waiting for 2 or 3 months.... a trial of patience I guess.

 

We taught Julia the Law of Chastity. Being 14 and in a sex education class at school, she really appreciated the gospel viewpoint.

 

We got in contact with a less active member who is in difficult relationship that I understand very well from my own personal experience. She wouldn't let us in for 4 months because she was doubting the existence of a God. Well, she finally let us in. She says she sees that she needs to take the spiritual lead in their home. We offered reading the book of Mormon with her every week and she accepted that. I feel for her so much - sorrow, compassion, and more.

 

Steve told me that I was the sand paper that softened his rough edges so he'd be able to accept the gospel. hahaha! He said I gave him "looks" of disapproval whenever he'd leave the room before we gave a spiritual thought during our visits with his family. I don't remember that. I think it was the Spirit saying he should stay and listen. Either way, whether it was me or the Spirit, Steve is doing great now! He asks fantastic questions. I LOVE answering gospel questions. My favorite thing in the world.

 

Patty said she's ready to start figuring out how their finances would work out if they got married. I think she's scared and that's why she goes back and forth with getting married or not. If we can conquer this hurdle, I think Roger getting baptized will be a piece of cake.

 

Saturday we had a ward party with some live country entertainment. I really enjoyed hearing some country music again.

 

Super bowl.... why must it be on Sunday during church? Let's just move it to a different day and make it a National Holiday. It might as well be. Just sayin.

 

I've made some pretty cool planners... It's fun to add a little craft decoration to the missionary planners the church gives us. I'll show them to you when I get home. :)

 

Sure love you guys!!!

Sister Cornelsen

Downsized, Answers, Singing Testimonies and Sushi

January 27, 2014

It has been a great week - Good News and Bad News… well, sort of.

I'll give you the sad news first. Sister Bair is being transferred today to a Singles Ward!

So our threesome companionship is to be downsized to a twosome. 

I'm gonna miss Sister Bair a lot. 

I'm not envious of the flirting she will witness at the Singles Ward! 

It's been really nice not being around that actually - better to simply 

focus on sharing the gospel and service -  what I came here to do.

Sister Kellar and I are staying here together but we are not getting a third companion.

As for the amazing and wonderful people we are teaching the gospel to...

 

Wendy said she has decided to get baptized!!!! So Wendy and Donnie are all in!

Julia is still praying and pondering. I'm so excited for all of them. 

They came to church and they fit right in with the ward - so I know they will have loving fellowship.

Sister Kellar, Steve, Sister Bair, Sister Cornelsen

Steve has gotten his answer to prayer. He told us that Saturday night he felt the Spirit undeniably, and now he knows God's love. 

Sunday evening we went over there so Sister Bair could say goodbye. It was a joyful cry-fest for 2 hours. We really love Steve and his family. 

Steve coming back to church and renewing his faith is an answer to their prayers. And he knows his goal of going to the temple. He even told us that he considers us daughters and that he wants to come to our weddings... which means he'll have a temple recommend. Love them!

 

Morgan is getting ready for his baptism on the 8th. He went to a baptism fireside for kids. Bishop told us that Morgan knew all the answers, which is amazing because he's only getting the gospel doctrine as taught from us and at Primary. I'm really proud of him for being so invested in wanting to know the ways of God. He's prepared.

 

Dena got her recommend for a patriarchal blessing… seriously, this feels as good as a baptism! 

:D I'm proud of her and so happy for her!

 

I sang in church on Sunday - the song "Everywhere I Go", by Sally Deford.

Steve says that I sing better than Hillary Weeks. haha. :)

It felt really good to sing. It was a powerhouse song - lots of energy to it.

And I love sharing my testimony through song.

Now Brother Jennings wants me to sing when his son gives his homecoming talk. 

So i'll sing again in 2 weeks. Loving it!

 

District Hike up Lone Mountain

Oh boy. you're gonna be proud of me... I had sushi. Real sushi! 

The Jennings took us out to a sushi place. It was balls of rice with a piece of raw fish on top. The worse was the red tuna. so fishy. I couldn't finish that one. I tried the salmon, and super white tuna as well. The classic California roll. I had a really hard time getting over the texture and the thought of eating raw fish. My favorite was the Mexican roll - crab wrapped in seaweed and rice with cooked shrimp and avocado on top. That was tasty and the texture didn't make me want to gag, so yeah -  

Sushi woman right here. (Just don't ask me to eat it again. :)

 

Love you all!

 

Sister Cornelsen

Missionary Milestone

January 27, 2014
Missionary Milestone Tradition: 
There's a tradition for elders to burn pieces of clothing to 
commemorate certain mission milestones… 
at 6 months in... a year... etc. 

Sisters haven't really done anything like that in this mission. 
But… I just hit my one year mark and I wanted to join in the fun! 

So… Remember that favorite skirt of mine that I wore so much it got holes in it? 
I put it to good use and made a memory. :D 

Brother Gray recorded our little bonfire and posted the video on youtube.  

Don't worry… we were all supervised really well, and 
we didn't break any mission rules… at least not that I know of… :)
I even have to wait until I get home to watch the video!

My sister companions are there behind Brother Gray with the camera, so you won't see them in the video.
But you will see Elder Madore (the one with glasses), Elder White (the tallest one) Elder Patterson (with his tie around his head. he's from Scotland) and Elder Shanklin (wearing a sweater). 

Good good times! 
One Year of Full Time Missionary Service!