This was a wonderful week, commencing with the baptism of Domingo. As he put it, he became “a new Domingo.” Sweetest man ever! Unfortunately my camera cable is playing hide and seek so I will send a picture next week. (Those kids and their games!)
So, I’ve decided Connecticut owns about 90% of the world’s cat and dog population. These people are obsessed with their pets. Everyone has about twelve dogs and twenty-six cats. Okay, well, not quite that many but close. Being surrounded by it, a non-cat-and-dog-lover has to either learn to enjoy them or offend an awful lot of people. I have succumbed to the temptation and started petting kittens in spite of myself and my allergies. I pay for it every time in sneezing and puffy eyes, but I still don’t stop. (“I can stop anytime I want!”) Anyway, so I was petting someone’s cat the other day and I said, “Cute puppy!” I must have been tired. (Don’t worry, I’m not to the point where I want to go out and buy a dog or cat. They’re fun to visit with and then leave. Like Mom and Dad always say about their grandkids.)
Speaking of cats, yesterday we met the most hilarious cat. If he were a person he would have escaped from the psych ward of Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and be panhandling out by the West Side Package Store (that’s Connecticut-ese for a liquor store) in Torrington. He is a stray that the ward mission leader and his wife have kind of adopted. (They already have about a thousand cats anyway, so what’s another one?) Yesterday they introduced us to Fu (as in fu man chu- I don’t know how to spell that- because his whiskers are very long and unshaven-looking) after giving him a bath. (They said he smelled.) He has six toes on each foot. And his eyes are crossed. Sister Tillinghast decided that if he were a person, not only would he be panhandling, but he would be saying, “Mithter Tillinghatht thaid I could come in and have thomething to eat.” (“Hey Mister! Got any change? I got me a real neat watch. It’s a Rolex!” It’s a miracle that I still remember that movie from my previous life.)
Speaking of the West Side Package Store, it’s a couple blocks away from our apartment. I can’t remember if I already mentioned that a truck ran into it a few weeks ago. As in, ran off the road and into the store. I laughed really hard at first because I thought the truck driver must have been a too-recent customer of the store (it also has a bar in the back). But it turns out someone had cut him off and he was swerving to try to get out of the way. Still, that’s quite the swerve, don’t you think? All the way off the road and into the front of the store.
One of our investigators is a writer who happens to have written several other books, including a slasher novel. It’s not published yet and she’s told us a little about it before but on Saturday night we got her to tell us the entire plot. For some idiotic reason. We kept dragging more information out of her. We wanted to know how it ended SOOOOOOOOOO bad. Then we got in the car and drove home and we were FREAKED OUT, our little pure missionary minds were on scare overload. I was afraid to let Sister Thomas get out of the car to back me, because a serial killer might be hiding in those bushes. Anyway, so we made it home and we had some rotten tuna fish in our garbage that was making the apartment unbearably smelly. (Are we sure it was only tuna fish? No. Someone probably hid a dead body in our garbage.) We took out the garbage to the big bins that are behind the house. Big bins, by that old empty hot tub, there could be anything hiding in there, and it was so dark…anyway, so we had to cross the driveway to get back to the door of our apartment. I walked by the neighbor’s SUV and had a heart attack at what I thought was a face in the window. Turned out to be a “Baby on Board” sticker.
Earlier this week we ran into a man that we had tracted into a few weeks before when Sister Mortimer was here. He was a very staunch Catholic who proceeded to tell us all about how we are a cult, and as we work our way up in the cult we learn more secrets, and blah blah blah. Needless to say, I didn’t feel too warm and fuzzy about him at first. But when we saw him again we started talking and he asked if he could read to us from a book about cults. This book is written by a Texe Marrs, who claims to be quite the authority on “cults and new-age religions.” It has a section on “The Mormons” and another section on the RLDS church. The section on the RLDS church, in talking about the origins of the church, mentions how it was reorganized “after Joseph Smith died in his native Ohio.” Really? Native Ohio? Aren’t they supposed to have editors to make sure they double-check their facts before letting stuff like that actually making it into the final draft? Some drunk on the street could have given him more accurate information. Anyway, that gives you an idea of the accuracy of the rest of the stuff in the book. Most of the stuff on Mormonism was incredibly offensive, but some of it was outright hilarious. For instance, did you know that Mormons teach that Christ was married to Mary and Martha, and Mary Magdalene, and that all of his wives and children were present at his crucifixion? Did you know that Joseph Smith worshiped Jupiter? (Ummm…that’s not really true, just so you know.) Really. I can’t believe the kinds of things people publish. I think I will go home and write a book about how aliens drive minivans in Fiji. Because I have totally been to Fiji and I am an expert on aliens AND minivans, and I even drove a minivan a few times. My book will be much more factual than Mr. Marrs’. Seriously. You think I’m joking.
Where was I going with that story? Oh, I digress. The story has a happy ending. The man who read us the book actually really listened to what we had to say. When we told him he could find better information about the Church from “The National Enquirer” than from his book, he actually believed us. He seemed to gain much more respect and appreciation for the Church, and actually believe that we are Christians and normal people and all that. He turned out to be very nice.
Driving is fine, it's tolerable. I don't really mind it as much. But I am definitely not an excellent driver and I am an endless source of entertainment for Sister Thomas. I keep telling her, my brain works well with words and sounds and noises. Not things you can see. Like the road. Or judging distance. Or backing out of a driveway. Or directions. We all have our different gifts. I think my gift for driving got taken back to the store and exchanged for the "freakish pitch monkey" gift. Not complaining though! I like the freakish pitch monkey.
Guess what else? I am already picking up some horrible New England driver traits. Like stopping out in the middle of the intersection instead of actually behind the line. I really should not do that. I am not a talented enough driver to safely bend all the rules like they do.
I have never had so many mixed emotions all at the same time. I really really really do and really really reallly don't want to go home. But I am so blessed that this area is busy and keeps me from getting too trunky. Sooner or later, that going home part will come, whether I want it to or not.
I love the humor of missionary life. It’s so much fun! And Torrington is absolutely wonderful. Got another baptism coming up next week! Can’t wait! Lots of love,
Sister Monson
Monday, June 28, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
21 June 2010
What a great and crazy week. Suffice it to say that Monson is not the world’s greatest driver. (Big shock, I know.) But we have been miraculously protected and not gotten in a wreck. I’ve been feeling pretty scatterbrained with Sister Mortimer gone, and having lots of airheaded moments. Like the time we were driving home from district meeting in Canton…I somehow managed to go the wrong way until we were all the way in Bloomfield instead of Torrington. That’s at least a half hour in the wrong direction. Maybe more. I was on the right road…I just forgot to go west instead of east on the 44. J
Sister Thomas is majoring in sign language interpreting. This week she taught me to sign “Families Can Be Together Forever.” Yay! I am so excited to learn more signs.
On Saturday we did a youth fireside where the youth invited their friends. We got five nonmember visitors there. I was proud of the youth. They are such strong kids. They did a good job of inviting their friends.
Earlier in the week one of our investigating friends called and said he wanted to go back to his old church because he knows the people there and he’s afraid of not being accepted in the Church because of his past. We had a big heart-to-heart with him about the Atonement and he ended up taking his last pack of cigarettes and tearing them up in front of us. He is done smoking! And ready to think about a baptismal date! His friend, who is also taking the lessons with us, wasn’t planning on coming to church until he had a dream on Saturday night. In the dream he was in prison, tied up, and the guards were asking him, “Didn’t you used to go to the Goshen Ward?” He woke up and decided he needed to go to church.
These guys have such a crazy past, they have been through so much, but it has taught me so much about the Atonement. We love them so much and want the best for them, we don’t think about their past because they are different people today, and I know that those loving and compassionate feelings are just the tiniest portion of comprehending what God feels for each of his children. The Atonement is so real and so deep! God takes the Sauls and Alma the Youngers and molds them into missionaries and prophets. I think I sometimes take for granted the power of the Atonement. It is so important not to judge, or label people as having “baggage,” or whatever, because the Atonement works these kinds of miracles all the time. It is so important that we allow people to change, and that we let go of their past so they can put it behind them as well.
Did I mention we have six baptismal dates now? We are so ridiculously blessed. It has nothing to do with us, this area is just amazing.
I love life. I love the mission. It’s all great. The Church is true!
-Sister Monson
Sister Thomas is majoring in sign language interpreting. This week she taught me to sign “Families Can Be Together Forever.” Yay! I am so excited to learn more signs.
On Saturday we did a youth fireside where the youth invited their friends. We got five nonmember visitors there. I was proud of the youth. They are such strong kids. They did a good job of inviting their friends.
Earlier in the week one of our investigating friends called and said he wanted to go back to his old church because he knows the people there and he’s afraid of not being accepted in the Church because of his past. We had a big heart-to-heart with him about the Atonement and he ended up taking his last pack of cigarettes and tearing them up in front of us. He is done smoking! And ready to think about a baptismal date! His friend, who is also taking the lessons with us, wasn’t planning on coming to church until he had a dream on Saturday night. In the dream he was in prison, tied up, and the guards were asking him, “Didn’t you used to go to the Goshen Ward?” He woke up and decided he needed to go to church.
These guys have such a crazy past, they have been through so much, but it has taught me so much about the Atonement. We love them so much and want the best for them, we don’t think about their past because they are different people today, and I know that those loving and compassionate feelings are just the tiniest portion of comprehending what God feels for each of his children. The Atonement is so real and so deep! God takes the Sauls and Alma the Youngers and molds them into missionaries and prophets. I think I sometimes take for granted the power of the Atonement. It is so important not to judge, or label people as having “baggage,” or whatever, because the Atonement works these kinds of miracles all the time. It is so important that we allow people to change, and that we let go of their past so they can put it behind them as well.
Did I mention we have six baptismal dates now? We are so ridiculously blessed. It has nothing to do with us, this area is just amazing.
I love life. I love the mission. It’s all great. The Church is true!
-Sister Monson
Sunday, June 13, 2010
7 June 2010
Once upon a time I was on a mission in a place called Torrington. That was a good time. Don't worry, I'm still here. Might never leave. Still threatening to lock myself up in Sister Musselman's house and "accidentally" miss my flight home. No, I wouldn't really do that. I'd at least go home and see the family first before coming back.
Below is a picture of a zone conference in Manchester, one of the wards where Dad served back in the day. ( I picked up all the dinosaur bones before I took the picture.)
Basically it’s raining miracles out here. We’ve started teaching a former investigator who originally had a baptismal date, but she cancelled it. A couple of weeks ago she told us she now wants to get baptized in July. Since we’ve been teaching her again she is really understanding it, and enjoying her reading. Her whole countenance is different. She’s like a completely different person.
We have three baptisms scheduled. Craziness! President Pehrson just told us we had 26 baptisms in the month of May which is more than he has ever had his entire time as mission president.
We had an amazing first lesson with a referral. She understood everything immediately. When she read Moroni 10 she started to cry. She says she feels like she already knew this, and it feels right. I love when that happens!
It just occurred to me how many labels for people I use in my emails. Let me explain that I think of these people as actual people, and not as “investigator” or “less-active” or whatever. I use the labels to avoid using their names, since this is going on my blog. (I have a blog, which I’ve never even seen myself. How weird.)
Funnies/quotes:
-The other day we parked our car near the corner of a street we were about to tract. While we were still in the car getting our things together, a woman came out the side door of the house we were parked next to. She was talking on a cordless phone. Then she went back inside. We were just about to get out of the car when she came out again, this time with a razor in addition to her phone, and started shaving her legs. Yes. Shaving her legs, on her doorstep facing the street. We gave her a pass-along card.
-“We’ll read a scripture and break him in the heart” (referring to a less-active member)- Monson
-A native of this "yuppy heaven" state, describing the "Welcome to Connecticut" sign: "Welcome to Connecticut. Please dress nicely."
The following conversation occurred between two investigators, whom I will call Bob and Bill:
Bob: “I want to go to the celestial kingdom.”
Bill: “With our luck, we’ll have tents instead of mansions in heaven.”
Bob: “Leaky tents. No, we’ll have a Winnebago. Loaded.”
Bill: “Loaded with what? Beautiful women?”
Bob: “Beautiful…books.”
Bill: “You take the books. I’ll take the girls.”
Sister Mortimer: “YOU’LL be in the leaky tent.”
Bill: “That’s all right. I’ll have the girls plug up the leaks with their hands.”
I love life. Especially right now. Best time ever. "These were days never to be forgotten."
-Sister Monson
Below is a picture of a zone conference in Manchester, one of the wards where Dad served back in the day. ( I picked up all the dinosaur bones before I took the picture.)
Basically it’s raining miracles out here. We’ve started teaching a former investigator who originally had a baptismal date, but she cancelled it. A couple of weeks ago she told us she now wants to get baptized in July. Since we’ve been teaching her again she is really understanding it, and enjoying her reading. Her whole countenance is different. She’s like a completely different person.
We have three baptisms scheduled. Craziness! President Pehrson just told us we had 26 baptisms in the month of May which is more than he has ever had his entire time as mission president.
We had an amazing first lesson with a referral. She understood everything immediately. When she read Moroni 10 she started to cry. She says she feels like she already knew this, and it feels right. I love when that happens!
It just occurred to me how many labels for people I use in my emails. Let me explain that I think of these people as actual people, and not as “investigator” or “less-active” or whatever. I use the labels to avoid using their names, since this is going on my blog. (I have a blog, which I’ve never even seen myself. How weird.)
Funnies/quotes:
-The other day we parked our car near the corner of a street we were about to tract. While we were still in the car getting our things together, a woman came out the side door of the house we were parked next to. She was talking on a cordless phone. Then she went back inside. We were just about to get out of the car when she came out again, this time with a razor in addition to her phone, and started shaving her legs. Yes. Shaving her legs, on her doorstep facing the street. We gave her a pass-along card.
-“We’ll read a scripture and break him in the heart” (referring to a less-active member)- Monson
-A native of this "yuppy heaven" state, describing the "Welcome to Connecticut" sign: "Welcome to Connecticut. Please dress nicely."
The following conversation occurred between two investigators, whom I will call Bob and Bill:
Bob: “I want to go to the celestial kingdom.”
Bill: “With our luck, we’ll have tents instead of mansions in heaven.”
Bob: “Leaky tents. No, we’ll have a Winnebago. Loaded.”
Bill: “Loaded with what? Beautiful women?”
Bob: “Beautiful…books.”
Bill: “You take the books. I’ll take the girls.”
Sister Mortimer: “YOU’LL be in the leaky tent.”
Bill: “That’s all right. I’ll have the girls plug up the leaks with their hands.”
I love life. Especially right now. Best time ever. "These were days never to be forgotten."
-Sister Monson
Monday, May 3, 2010
3 May 2010
Life is good! The Hartford stake had conference this weekend and Elder Condie from the 70 visited. He is such an entertaining speaker. It was wonderful to see a few people from the Bloomfield ward where I served last spring and summer. (Was it really that long ago? It doesn’t feel like it.) Attached is a picture of me with Tony, who got baptized in July and is still going strong. Yay!
After the conference there was a special meeting for investigators and new members to meet Elder Condie and also President Wood, the president of the Boston temple. I shook hands with President Wood after he had just finished talking to one of our investigators. Of course he asked if I was related and I said no. Apparently our investigator had been saying good things about us, so President Wood said something to the effect of, “You are bringing honor to that name.” Needless to say, it was a Dear Diary moment. In all seriousness, it was an answer to prayer. I remember feeling so intimidated by the prospect of being called to Dad’s mission and trying to live up to the name. Of course, anyone who knows me can attest that I am a professional worrier. I can find just about anything to worry about and fuss over and the name thing was something I worried about a lot. I think this was another way of God sending me a reminder that I don’t need to fear and worry and fret so much. As long as I do my best everything will work out, and I can say, “I have done nothing with your name of which you need be ashamed.” Which prophet told that story? I can’t remember.
Most of our investigators are doing amazingly well, getting rid of their booze and coffee and sharing the gospel with their friends. We have baptisms planned for May 30th and June 19th. This transfer stretched my capacity so much, I feel like I grew more than in the past three transfers or so.
This morning in my study I was thinking about the word “bar” in the context of Jacob 6:13: “Finally, I bid you farewell, until I shall meet you before the pleasing bar of God, which bar striketh the wicked with awful dread and fear. Amen.” I first thought of the word “bar” in terms of law and judgment—standing before the judgment bar of God. But then you can also think of “bar” as a verb, how the judgment of God is when the wicked are barred, or stopped, from progressing because of their own choices. Then I thought of the Tennyson poem “Crossing the Bar,” which talks about a sailor crossing a sandbar to reach the harbor and meet “my Pilot face to face,” which is a metaphor about death and meeting God. So all these things talk about being judged, seeing the face of God, being stopped in your progression if you made bad choices, etc.
Finally, I looked up the word “bar” in the Bible dictionary, and it turns out that it is Aramaic for “son”—hence, “Simon Bar-jona” is “Simon, son of Jona,” etc. “Until I shall meet you before the pleasing bar (Son) of God, which bar (Son) striketh the wicked with awful dread and fear.” The Son judges us, and “strikes” us with dread and fear if we are not prepared for that final judgment. Then he brings us to the presence of Heavenly Father, to see him face to face, through His Atonement. Yay! I am going to have such a hard time conversing about normal, real-life things when this is all over. J
Much love,
Sister Monson
After the conference there was a special meeting for investigators and new members to meet Elder Condie and also President Wood, the president of the Boston temple. I shook hands with President Wood after he had just finished talking to one of our investigators. Of course he asked if I was related and I said no. Apparently our investigator had been saying good things about us, so President Wood said something to the effect of, “You are bringing honor to that name.” Needless to say, it was a Dear Diary moment. In all seriousness, it was an answer to prayer. I remember feeling so intimidated by the prospect of being called to Dad’s mission and trying to live up to the name. Of course, anyone who knows me can attest that I am a professional worrier. I can find just about anything to worry about and fuss over and the name thing was something I worried about a lot. I think this was another way of God sending me a reminder that I don’t need to fear and worry and fret so much. As long as I do my best everything will work out, and I can say, “I have done nothing with your name of which you need be ashamed.” Which prophet told that story? I can’t remember.
Most of our investigators are doing amazingly well, getting rid of their booze and coffee and sharing the gospel with their friends. We have baptisms planned for May 30th and June 19th. This transfer stretched my capacity so much, I feel like I grew more than in the past three transfers or so.
This morning in my study I was thinking about the word “bar” in the context of Jacob 6:13: “Finally, I bid you farewell, until I shall meet you before the pleasing bar of God, which bar striketh the wicked with awful dread and fear. Amen.” I first thought of the word “bar” in terms of law and judgment—standing before the judgment bar of God. But then you can also think of “bar” as a verb, how the judgment of God is when the wicked are barred, or stopped, from progressing because of their own choices. Then I thought of the Tennyson poem “Crossing the Bar,” which talks about a sailor crossing a sandbar to reach the harbor and meet “my Pilot face to face,” which is a metaphor about death and meeting God. So all these things talk about being judged, seeing the face of God, being stopped in your progression if you made bad choices, etc.
Finally, I looked up the word “bar” in the Bible dictionary, and it turns out that it is Aramaic for “son”—hence, “Simon Bar-jona” is “Simon, son of Jona,” etc. “Until I shall meet you before the pleasing bar (Son) of God, which bar (Son) striketh the wicked with awful dread and fear.” The Son judges us, and “strikes” us with dread and fear if we are not prepared for that final judgment. Then he brings us to the presence of Heavenly Father, to see him face to face, through His Atonement. Yay! I am going to have such a hard time conversing about normal, real-life things when this is all over. J
Much love,
Sister Monson
Thursday, April 29, 2010
26 April 2010
Well, Torrington is INSANE. This week we were out tracting and while walking from one door to the next we saw a girl sitting outside her house across the street. We said hi to her but I was lazy and didn’t go talk to her. (Lesson learned! Don’t walk past the elect because you never know who they are!) After we were done tracting and walking back toward our car she called out to us, “Are you Mormons? I want to talk to you.” She told us she was writing a fictional novel with a Mormon girl as one of the main characters, so she had been doing lots of research on the Church and wanted to ask us some questions. She invited us into her house and we sat there for maybe two hours answering her questions. She has been researching for over a year, and knows more than probably most missionaries do about the Church. She has the scriptures and Preach My Gospel on her iPhone and has been listening to them. We figured out pretty quickly that she is already converted and just doesn’t quite know it yet. She has some fears about changing her lifestyle and her friends, so she hasn’t really been able to bring herself to pray about the Book of Mormon or about being baptized. It’s because as soon as she gets an answer, she will definitely act on it. Just needs to bite the bullet and do it. It was CRAZY…CRAZY…I don’t understand what is with Torrington these days. Not complaining a bit, though!
Things are moving right along. One of our investigators is getting cold feet about her baptismal date which we are concerned about, but other than that, the place is on fire still.
Fun fact: Yesterday I discovered something called sausage bread. It sounds disgusting but it’s actually incredibly delicious. Sausage and bread…could there be a more perfect combination?
This week Sister Mortimer and I were talking a lot about our attitudes about our missions and life in general, and how to think about the future. Ever since then messages are coming at us, from all over the place, that basically say to be excited about the future and remember that while the mission is wonderful, life gets even better afterward. We attended a member’s wedding at a Catholic church. Some of her friends there were returned missionaries and they all told us that. I’ve been pondering that a lot since then, and how to enjoy the moment and also look forward to the future. I didn’t realize before how much I tend to hold on to the past.
I’ve also been impressed very strongly with messages about honesty and refraining from gossip. This is something I want to improve on. Gossip is so destructive. It’s so tempting to engage in it as a missionary because day-to-day life can be monotonous, and gossip is entertaining. But it’s dishonest!
That’s all. I’m boring today. That’s okay, the Church is still true!
-Sister Monson
Things are moving right along. One of our investigators is getting cold feet about her baptismal date which we are concerned about, but other than that, the place is on fire still.
Fun fact: Yesterday I discovered something called sausage bread. It sounds disgusting but it’s actually incredibly delicious. Sausage and bread…could there be a more perfect combination?
This week Sister Mortimer and I were talking a lot about our attitudes about our missions and life in general, and how to think about the future. Ever since then messages are coming at us, from all over the place, that basically say to be excited about the future and remember that while the mission is wonderful, life gets even better afterward. We attended a member’s wedding at a Catholic church. Some of her friends there were returned missionaries and they all told us that. I’ve been pondering that a lot since then, and how to enjoy the moment and also look forward to the future. I didn’t realize before how much I tend to hold on to the past.
I’ve also been impressed very strongly with messages about honesty and refraining from gossip. This is something I want to improve on. Gossip is so destructive. It’s so tempting to engage in it as a missionary because day-to-day life can be monotonous, and gossip is entertaining. But it’s dishonest!
That’s all. I’m boring today. That’s okay, the Church is still true!
-Sister Monson
Monday, April 19, 2010
19 April 2010
To give you a better visual image of what I have been up to this week, here are some pictures:
1 and 2: Elizabeth Park in Hartford. This place is gorgeous beyond belief. The only thing almost as pretty as autumn in New England is springtime in New England.
3: Um, yeah.
4-14: These are all of a beautiful place in Litchfield called Daffodil Hill. Apparently some person went crazy and planted a gazillion daffodils one day. Or something like that. Whatever its origins, it is a gorgeous place. Ignore the shadows as I attempt to learn by trial and error about taking pictures.
15-17: No, that is not a tiny octopus. It is a SQUID. (I thought it looked like an alien.) And yes, I did eat it, as you can see from the pictures. It was at a Chinese buffet in Torrington called the Lotus Blossom. The red eye makes me look really evil, doesn't it? It tasted pretty good, as long as I didn't look at those tentacles with the tiny suction cups on them...
Miracles this week:
-At the end of Church on Sunday a member of the bishopric approached us and said he needed to talk to us ASAP. Turns out a member's husband, who has attended many times with her, suddenly decided he wanted to be baptized. He felt the Spirit so strongly in church, he almost couldn't contain himself. He was crying and when he talked to us he said, "I've never felt anything like that before in my life." We told him he needs to take some lessons before he can get dunked, and he agreed and set up an appointment to be taught, and set a baptismal date.
-Saturday we taught a referral and her two daughters for the second time. We had assigned them to read 3 Nephi 11. The older daughter pretty much recited the entire chapter to us. During the lesson she said she knew it was true not only because she had a good feeling, but "something whispered to me that it's true."
-On Sunday we taught Miracle Mark (the one who went to Temple Square and has been attending ever since). He taught US the entire third lesson, and about keeping the Sabbath day holy. He was in Salt Lake again this week and bought himself all the missionary packets and has them all memorized.
HOLY SNOT!!! We have 3 baptismal dates right now! Our ward mission leader asked us yesterday if we were putting something in the water. :) We've definitely experienced a great deal of opposition throughout the transfer, and I know this is why...great miracles are happening and the adversary did not want us to make it to this point.
This week I've found many verses that talk about the devil's devices in metaphors such as "chains," "cords," "bands," etc. One I noticed a lot was "snare"- a snare of iniquity, a snare of death, etc. "In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare" (Prov. 29:6). Well, today I was looking for scriptures on courage and I found this: "The fear of man bringeth a SNARE: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe." (Prov. 29:25). Fear is also a snare! As I read this and many other verses on fear and courage, I was blessed for a moment to feel completely fearless. Now that I've experienced what that is like, I have more motivation to be courageous and work harder at putting fear and doubt out of my mind. I am so blessed!
Love to everyone,
Sister Monson
1 and 2: Elizabeth Park in Hartford. This place is gorgeous beyond belief. The only thing almost as pretty as autumn in New England is springtime in New England.
3: Um, yeah.
4-14: These are all of a beautiful place in Litchfield called Daffodil Hill. Apparently some person went crazy and planted a gazillion daffodils one day. Or something like that. Whatever its origins, it is a gorgeous place. Ignore the shadows as I attempt to learn by trial and error about taking pictures.
15-17: No, that is not a tiny octopus. It is a SQUID. (I thought it looked like an alien.) And yes, I did eat it, as you can see from the pictures. It was at a Chinese buffet in Torrington called the Lotus Blossom. The red eye makes me look really evil, doesn't it? It tasted pretty good, as long as I didn't look at those tentacles with the tiny suction cups on them...
Miracles this week:
-At the end of Church on Sunday a member of the bishopric approached us and said he needed to talk to us ASAP. Turns out a member's husband, who has attended many times with her, suddenly decided he wanted to be baptized. He felt the Spirit so strongly in church, he almost couldn't contain himself. He was crying and when he talked to us he said, "I've never felt anything like that before in my life." We told him he needs to take some lessons before he can get dunked, and he agreed and set up an appointment to be taught, and set a baptismal date.
-Saturday we taught a referral and her two daughters for the second time. We had assigned them to read 3 Nephi 11. The older daughter pretty much recited the entire chapter to us. During the lesson she said she knew it was true not only because she had a good feeling, but "something whispered to me that it's true."
-On Sunday we taught Miracle Mark (the one who went to Temple Square and has been attending ever since). He taught US the entire third lesson, and about keeping the Sabbath day holy. He was in Salt Lake again this week and bought himself all the missionary packets and has them all memorized.
HOLY SNOT!!! We have 3 baptismal dates right now! Our ward mission leader asked us yesterday if we were putting something in the water. :) We've definitely experienced a great deal of opposition throughout the transfer, and I know this is why...great miracles are happening and the adversary did not want us to make it to this point.
This week I've found many verses that talk about the devil's devices in metaphors such as "chains," "cords," "bands," etc. One I noticed a lot was "snare"- a snare of iniquity, a snare of death, etc. "In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare" (Prov. 29:6). Well, today I was looking for scriptures on courage and I found this: "The fear of man bringeth a SNARE: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe." (Prov. 29:25). Fear is also a snare! As I read this and many other verses on fear and courage, I was blessed for a moment to feel completely fearless. Now that I've experienced what that is like, I have more motivation to be courageous and work harder at putting fear and doubt out of my mind. I am so blessed!
Love to everyone,
Sister Monson
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