Monday, August 26, 2019

One month down, seventeen more to go! - Week 5


I have officially been a missionary for a month now!  Things have been going so well for me here in Placerville, California!  I love the small town vibes that this place has!  We see a lot of interesting things here though... sheep, weird street names, ****, people who have had way too much weed, dead scorpions, etc...  It's always an adventure here!  I'm so grateful for my trainer, Hermana Lewis!  She was taught me so much about being a Christ-like missionary and I love working with her!  We do have a lot of inside jokes though... which is why we are currently investing in some golf clubs for protections (Once again, thank you ****.  

Funny Story Time:  Because Hermana Lewis and I are over the Spanish group, we have the opportunity to attend sacrament meeting in Spanish each Sunday evening!  It's really cool and it is a great time for me to brush up on my Spanish skills.  Well, this past Sunday, one of the Spanish Elders (Elder West) was asked to speak in the meeting.  So he got up and was introducing himself, like you always do when you give a talk.  All of a sudden, he said, "yo tengo tres hijos mayores".  You didn't have to know Spanish to understand that he messed up pretty badly.  We were all laughing as he corrected himself by saying "yo tengo tres HERMANOS mayores".  Now poor Elder West is going to be known as the Elder who has three older children.

Highlights of the Week:
- I got to meet Coco this week!  Coco is a sweet older man who absolutely loves having the missionaries come and teach him!  He also loves the Book of Mormon and daily prayer.  Now we just need him to start loving coming to church.  But that's okay because we missionaries can be equally persuasive (and stubborn)!  I'm excited to work with Coco because he really is just a precious bean!
- We did quite a lot of tracting this week (knocking on doors).  We didn't technically make any new friends (we've been asked to call investigators and people we are teaching friends) but we did have a couple of experiences that made all of that tracting worth it.  We knocked on a door and a much older lady came out.  We asked her how she was doing and she looked at us and said, "Not good.  I'm not feeling well and I'm really sad."  She just radiated sadness and it broke our hearts.  Turns out, Nyna is 95 years old and is going through a really hard time.  So we sang her "Be Still My Soul" and the whole song she just listened and wept.  We also got the chance to say a prayer with her.  Afterwards, she kept thanking us over and over again.  It was such a tender experience and it made all of the previous rejection worth it.
- I got to attend a baptism for the first time as a missionary!  A group of Elders from our zone invited us to attend the baptismal service for one of their friends.  It was a thirty minute drive to Georgetown from Placerville and the roads were really exciting!  The trip was worth it though! It was such an amazing experience and the Spirit was so strong!  It made me super hopeful that soon our friends will also be baptized!  Getting to see your friends enter the waters of baptism is such a profound and spiritual experience!  I'm so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for the Atonement of Jesus Christ!  I know that it has the power to change lives and brings families together!  

I guess I'll share one more thought I had this week.  Even though I don't understand Spanish, I love being able to attend the Spanish Sacrament meetings.  I especially love it when people bear their testimonies because even though I don't understand exactly what they are saying, I can still feel the Spirit.  I can tell that what they are saying is true and that they are testifying of Jesus Christ.  I have learned that the language of the Spirit is a universal language that we can all learn to understand, no matter our background or language, if we trust in God and have faith in Jesus Christ.  The gospel is true in every language!  Families can be together forever no matter what tongue they speak!  We can feel God's love no matter where we are from because we are all his children!  I am so grateful for the chance to have felt that love while serving here in Placerville and in the Spanish group!

Scripture of the Week:  Mormon 9:16-19 (One of Hermana Lewis' favorites!)     
Funny quote of the week:  "What kind of Christ-like person has to use the bathroom once in a while?"

Lots of love (except for Creepy ****, our not-so-beloved stalker),
Sister Ferrin

Mailing Info:
8267 Deseret Ave
Fair Oaks CA 95628 
United States








Monday, August 19, 2019

No Hablo EspaƱol - Week 4

It's crazy to think that I've been in the Sacramento, California mission for already a full week!  It feels like just yesterday I was being introduced to my teachers and district at the MTC!  Now I'm out here, knocking on doors, meeting with members, and teaching lessons!  And I love it!  I'm currently in a small town called Placerville (Pl - AH - sir - ville) and my companion is Hermana Lewis from Herriman, Utah!  Hermana Lewis is a fantastic trainer and we get along really well (maybe too well...?)   

Funny Story Time:  While I was in the MTC, some of the members of my district (*cough* *cough* the elders *cough*) were obsessed with this app called Duolingo, which helps you learn languages.  I thought it was funny how much they were using it to help them learn a language (Spanish, French, Japanese, etc) even though all of my district was English speaking.  I may have even joked about it.  WELL... TURNS OUT... I guess I should've jumped on the Duolingo bandwagon while in the MTC because now I'm over the Placerville Ward AND the Spanish group!  So I get to go to Sacrament meeting in both English and Spanish! It's a good thing that my companion is Spanish speaking and has been helping me improve the little Spanish that I do know!  I guess I'll also be downloading the Duolingo app on my phone pretty soon... hope y'all are proud MTC district 38-E! ;)

Highlights of the Week:
- One of the first people I met out here in Placerville is a 90 year old woman by the name of Dorothy who the missionaries have been teaching recently.  She is super spunky but also has the biggest heart!  She loves it when the missionaries sing hymns and primary songs to her.  Recently, one of her daughters passed away and she wanted us to be at her celebration of life.  It was a really sweet experience and everyone thanked us for being willing to sing to Dorothy and her daughter.  Every time I give Dorothy a hug, she always kisses me on the cheek! I love her so much and can't wait to keep teaching her! 
- On Friday night, we went tracting (knocking on doors) and met two really amazing people: Zach and Lerin!  With Lerin, we got to talk about faith in God and the importance of being a true follow of Christ.  With Zach, we briefly introduced the Book of Mormon to him and we actually have a follow up appointment with him tonight!  It's amazing how people will open up to us and tell us about their beliefs and experiences!  I love getting to hear all the many stories, especially the stories that include realizing how much the hand of God is in our lives!  
- It was my mom's birthday on the 13th, so I got to video chat with my parents the day after I flew into California (not on a P-day!)  Getting to talk with my family has been such a great experience and it allows them to be involve with my life as a missionary!  I'm so grateful for our prophet and for modern day revelation!  God is truly a God of miracles!
- On Sunday evening, Hermana Lewis and I went to this one house of a lady who has shown interest in the church in the past.  When we knocked on the door, the lady's mom actually answered it.  The mom's name is Robyn and she has such an amazing belief in Jesus Christ!  Her life was spared miraculously a few years ago and since then, she's tried to devote her life to God.  When she saw us, she immediately wanted to know all about us and what we believe in!  She even asked for a pamphlet!  We gave her a pamphlet about the Restoration of the Gospel, our phone number, and a Book of Mormon!  After we introduced the Book of Mormon to Robyn, she asked us if we would be willing to pray with her for her sister who has cancer!  It was such a cool experience and I'm so grateful the Lord inspired us to visit her house that evening!  

I've had a wonderful week and I can't wait to keep serving the Lord and his children here in Placerville!  Thank you so much for all of the emails and kind messages I've been receiving!  They really do brighten a missionary's day!  If I could ask for anything, it would be to pray for Dorothy, Max, Martha, Jon, and Ty!  Praying with faith is a very powerful missionary tool and it has the ability to lead to mighty miracles!  

Scripture of the week: Romans 1:16-17  
Funny quote of the week: "Anyone who says Joseph Smith isn't a prophet can go eat a bowl."

Lots of love,
Sister Ferrin


P.S.  I did not appreciate the "Welcome to California" surprise waiting in our apartment when we got home the first night.  No me gustan los scorpions.


Mailing Info:
8267 Deseret Ave
Fair Oaks, CA 95628
United States









Monday, August 12, 2019

Goodbye MTC - Week 3


Wow... I can't believe that it's already time to leave the MTC! It's actually really bittersweet. I've learned so much in just the past few weeks and my testimony of the gospel has grown so much! I'm going to miss District 38-E with all my heart but I can't wait to serve the people of Sacramento! 

Highlights of the week:
- Sister Rawlings and I taught our last TRCs with Amelia and Caleb. It was heartbreaking to say goodbye but it was equally amazing to bear our testimonies of the power of the Book of Mormon! The Book of Mormon has blessed my life so much and I know it's true! Reading it and acting on it has the power to change lives!
- I got a couple of special packages from friends back at home! Thank you so much Alyssa and Karen for the delicious cookies! They were very yummy and a fun treat to share with the district!
- We listened to a devotional given by our MTC president about temples. It was so touching and it made me realize how much I love and miss being in the temple with my family each week!  I truly know that the temple is the house of God and that regular temple attendance has the power the strengthen families and individuals! Never take for granted having a temple so close to you.
- I was able to sing a solo in front of most of my MTC branch. I sang Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love and Elder Fairbanks played the piano. Being able to sing hymns and primary songs has filled my heart time and time again! Singing hymns is such a beautiful and simple expression of love for the Savior.

I've learned so much in these past few weeks and have grown so much! Shout out to my district for teaching me that coconuts are mammals, the Lion King is doctrine, Child's Prayer is the ultimate song, and a lot of facts about Canada. Also, thank you for teaching me to love more, be filled with joy, and to know that I'll never be forgotten! I love them so much and will miss them! I have a strong testimony that God puts people into our lives for a reason! God has been so good to me since coming to the MTC and I will forever be blessed because of it!

D&C 109:22-23

Lots of love (from Cal-Sac),
Sister Ferrin


Farquaad Starquad District

Yummy cookies

View from the MTC

One more of her district

Sister Ferrin and Sister Niu

Sister Smith and Sister Ferrin

Ready to go to the airport


At the Sacramento airport, with President and Sister Hymas








Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Bonding over Sour Patch Watermelon - Week 2

It's crazy to think that this is my last P-day in the MTC!  We got our travel schedules this week and we leave on the 12th of August (this next Monday).  We leave the MTC at 10am, travel to the SLC airport via frontrunner, and our flight to California leaves around 3pm.  I'm still wrapping my head over the fact that I've been at the MTC for two weeks!  Time flies so fast when you are doing the Lord's work!

This past week was great!  We spent a lot of time in class (big surprise) and participating in other fun activities.  This week the Elders in my district convinced all the Sisters to join them in playing Four-Square.  It was actually a lot of fun and everyone was super supportive!  We bonded a lot as a district this week which was really awesome!  Funny story: my mom sent me a package with some of those nasty flavored jellybeans so me and the other sisters put them in a clear plastic baggie and brought them to class.  We then proceeded to invite the Elders to have a couple of "normal" jellybeans.  They quickly realized that what they put into their mouths wasn't a regular jellybean and several of the Elders ran out of the room to spit out the nasty flavored candy.  We all had a really good laugh over that! 

A few highlights from this week:

- Sister Rawlings and I had our last lesson with Chey Ann.  It was a wonderful experience!  She is such an amazing person and has such a strong love for Jesus Christ and the scriptures!  Teaching her brought us such joy and love!  At the end of the lesson, we invited her to come to church on Sunday which she immediately said yes to!  Then we invited her to be baptized and she said that she would work towards a baptismal date!  The Spirit was so strong during our discussion and you could just feel how much the Lord loved Chey Ann!  
- A bunch of new Sisters came in to the MTC this past Wednesday and it was great getting to know them all, especially those on our residence floor!  In the evening, Sis. Rawlings, Sis. Abraham, Sis. Burgener, and I invited all the new Sister to come to our room and have some of the Sour Patch Watermelon candy my mom sent me.  We told stories, laughed a lot, and testified of the power of missionary work!
- We had the opportunity to fast twice this week.  Once for fast Sunday and the other time for a Sister in our branch who was taken to the ER.  Being able to fast as a branch is one of the coolest things I've been able to do as a missionary!  The Spirit was super strong and there was a sense of love and unity that wasn't there before.  Thanks to the tender mercies of the Lord, the Sister was able to come back to the MTC and she is doing a lot better!  
- I was able to run into Sister Smith (a friend from High School) a couple of times this week!  We actually sat next to each other during MTC choir (which is absolutely the best and all missionaries should at least participate in the choir once!).  I love running into people I know!  It really makes my day!

I'm so grateful for the chance to serve the Lord and His children!  He has blessed me so much in just the past few days!  Being a missionary is wonderful but also really hard.  We are so blessed that we have a Savior who sacrificed his own life so that he could help us when we struggle with ours.  I'm so grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and that we can repent of our mistakes daily!  I know that Christ lives and that he loves all his children!  I have felt His love so much this past week for my companion, my district, those we've taught, and for all of the missionaries!  I love my Savior so much and I am so grateful for everything He has done for me!

I hope everyone has a great week!  Next time I write I'll be in California!  Also, thank you to everyone who has sent me emails, letters, and packages!  They really do brighten a missionaries day and we love them so much! Thank you for all of your support and prayers!

Mosiah 14:3-5

Lots of love,
Sister Ferrin



Sister Ferrin and Sister Rawlings, her companion

Sister Rawlings and Sister Ferrin

Farquaad Starsquad District