December 31

Happy New Year, everyone! I can't believe it's almost 2013! I loved talking with each of you on Tuesday and am so grateful for your continued support and love. Thanks for letting me get my emotions out; I'll be tear-free on Mother's Day. :) I hope you each had a wonderful Christmas. I can't wait to hear how your day went.

 

 

Christmas Eve was our p-day. Sister Lewis and I treated ourselves to Red Robin for lunch-delicious! We spent some time cleaning and making cookies to deliver. We got pawned off on the Kesler family for dinner; it was fun. We stayed long enough to eat then went to spread Christmas joy to members of the Liberty 1st ward.

 

 

On Christmas morning we gathered as missionaries (visitor center sisters, senior missionaries, and President and Sister Keyes) at the Independence Visitor Center for breakfast prepared by the Senior Sisters. It was really great! Lots of food and love! I think one of my favorite things about being a missionary is that I always have friends around me. After stuffing ourselves silly we sang some songs then had the opportunity of having President Keyes read to us a book he had written. It was a great experience; one that really allowed the Spirit to be present through the remainder of the day. We spent a lot of time before going our separate ways taking pictures. One thing I really thought about as we headed back to Liberty was how privileged I was to have had the opportunity to spend Christmas morning with my mission president and his wife. There are 200+ missionaries in the Missouri Independence Mission and there were only 50 present on Christmas morning. It was a really great and lasting experience; probably the best way to spend Christmas as a missionary. Sister Lewis and I spent a couple hours studying before braving the cold to take treats to less active members and recent converts. It was great to be able to serve to remember Christ on Christmas. We had dinner with the King family (I love that family!) before heading to the Liberty Jail to be on shift. (Did you know that most people don't get take-out or have meat trays for Christmas meals? It's all about Thanksgiving dinner-again!) After talking with you I stayed busy while Sister Lewis talked with her family. We had one tour the whole evening but I can't think of a place I would have rather been on that Christmas night.
 

All in all, it's been a good holiday season. It hasn't really felt like the holidays so I think that has helped me to not get too focused on missing family. The only thing that told me this time of year was different was my crazy range of emotions-they're all over the place. I don't generally cry at the drop of a hat but that's what I have been doing!

 

 

Work in the area is going great! I got a random text from a Sister who has been off limits to the missionaries (don't know why..) asking for a meeting with President Keyes. After consulting with Bishop I let her know that she could contact him about that. The next text was--"He is who I need to contact for a baptism interview, right?" WHAT?! This sister, Heather, has been coming to church for a year and a half. She's taken the lessons about 3 different times. Since she contacted us we were given the go-ahead to talk with her. We've been meeting with her to review what she knows but have set a baptismal date for January 19--CRAZY! It's a blessing and miracle to be able to work with and know Heather.

 

 

Ernestine (who prefers going by Sister Ernestine) is in the hospital. She got sick shortly after her confirmation. Her husband, Carl, called today to let us know that she had a kidney infection and her blood sugars were over 300. Yeah, she's one sick Sister. We've spread the word around and are hoping to get her visitors for support shortly. Sister Lewis and I hope to visit her tonight.

 

 

One of my new favorite families in Liberty (I think they all are my favorite...) is the Pennepacker's. They are so great! Bro. Pennepacker is a less active member of the ward and Sis. Pennepacker is a non-member. We have been trying to get into their home for about 3 months. S. Pennepacker recently had some health issues that have restricted her driving ability for a few months. One of our ward members was driving by as she was taken to the hospital and actually got her husband involved in giving Sister Pennepacker a blessing. Since then they have really opened up. They actually invited us over to their home for dinner this week! While there, we had the opportunity to teach them the first lesson. Ah! Such a great family! They have a super cute year old baby boy, Paxton. Just a wonderful family! We have another appointment set up with them; it'll be great!

 

 

Well, I think that's about all for the week. Remember, I keep you in my prayers and love you tons!

Love, Sister Wilson

December 22

Hello, everyone! It has been a ridiculously crazy week! Sister Coplan left just after 8:00am on Monday morning to partake in the festivities at the mission home before flying out on Tuesday. I spent Monday morning at the Jail with Sister Ogletree and Altier then that afternoon we spent time in Sister Ogletree's area. Tuesday the 3 of us were out and about in my ward and had a great day. Wednesday Sister Ogletree and I had a 12 hour shift at the Jail.... Ahhh!!!! Long day! It was fun, though. We had a lot of study time. We planned to pick up our new companions in Independence BUT we had a heavy wind/snow storm Wednesday night and were put on house arrest until further notice Thursday morning--Second 12 hour shift at the Jail! more craziness!!! Our parking lot is on a slope... it was pure ice. We only got about 2 inches but with the wind and cold there was ice everywhere. It wasn't safe for us to get out of the parking lot. It was not until Friday morning that I was able to meet my new companion--Sister Lewis. She's really great. She is from Highland, UT and is one of the sweetest, nicest people I know. I've heard nothing but good about her and am really excited to be serving with her. She has been in Lawrence, Kansas for about 6 months. I don't have pictures yet but plan to get some. So with all this craziness our ward is super neglected and needs some attention but we needed a p-day today; we're running out of clothes! The dynamics at our house should change with 2 new sisters but I'm really excited to see what happens. I'm grateful to be here learning and growing and am grateful for all your support. I've appreciated all your letters and packages and emails. I am super blessed to have you all as a family. I'm excited to see who I can on Tuesday but know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. I love you all and hope you have a fantastic Christmas!!!
 
Love, Sister Wilson

P.S. My new p-day is on Monday so I'll email again then!

December 12

Hello, everyone! It has been an amazing week! Lots of spiritual experiences to share! Saturday evening we went around visiting some less active members of the ward. We had a great excuse of inviting them to the ward Christmas party. We visited the Mawby family but didn't have any expectations of getting in the house-they haven't really been open before. Sister Mawby opened the door; we've never met her. We spent a great 45 minutes with her! She is a fantastic lady! She was very open about why they are inactive and the fact that they need to get back to church. She told us she'd come to the party and bring us rolls that she makes-yum! Well, we were getting ready to leave and I knew I HAD to share a lesson--it's part of my training. I was taking the lead in all teaching situations this week. I gave her a Christmas message in Isaiah 9:6 and let her know my favorite part of Christmas is serving others because we learn to love them and, thus, draw closer to our Heavenly Father. Oh, goodness! I opened a flood gate! It was such a great experience. The spirit was so strong. Sister Mawby requested a prayer before we left and promised she'd see us at the Christmas party. Yeah!

ERNESTINE GOT BAPTIZED ON SUNDAY!!! It was so amazing! Not only did we have a full house (in the R.S. room) but the program went off without a flaw. Some of Ernestine's family, who are non-members) came and were extremely touched by the Spirit. I had the privilege of watching from the sidelines as Ernestine was baptized and be the one to hold the towel. She came out of the water so happy and joyful and teary. She knew that her son was there with her (he had died exactly one year ago) and could feel his presence. She joined me in the changing room and just sobbed with joy. (It's really hard to comfort a soaking wet woman!) She was the cleanest, purest person that I knew and I was able to be there with her. I have a testimony of the gospel but to see the transformation and change so evident in someone was a special experience for me. When Ernestine came out of the water I felt the Savior's love and comfort for ME. I saw the atonement at work and had a visual of what it actually does. I was honored to be a part of Ernestine's day. She had asked me to the talk on the Holy Ghost and I think I did well. I related an experience I had last week with her. I had been sick and not feeling well at all one evening. A few days later, when I was feeling better, we met with Ernestine again. She said she knew I had not be feeling well because there was no sparkle in my eyes (Mom, don't you say I'm sick because of my eyes?) That statement really stuck with me through the lesson and the coming week. I watched and observed Ernestine every time I had met with her. I let her know during my talk that I had seen her countenance change. That I could see Christ's image in her countenance (Alma 5:14) and that the Holy Ghost was the one who had testified to her of the truth and would continue to do so. I don't really know what else I said but felt good about it after. Sister Coplan later told me she had heard a bunch of Holy Ghost talks but that mine was the best she had ever heard-it was interesting and engaging the entire time. Elder Stevenson told me he was tearing up through out my talk and later made the statement that they should have video taped it to show at the MTC, to mission presidents, and to my parents to show them how far I had come. What in the world did I say?!

 

I love you all and am grateful and blessed to have each of you as family. I know I'm in the right place at the right time doing the right thing. It's not easy but it's the best thing I could do. I'll keep you in my prayers. LOVE YOU!

Sister Wilson

December 5

Hello, everyone! I loved getting your emails this week! I am so grateful to all of you for keeping me updated and letting me know how life is going. Life in Missouri is fantastic! We are getting everything in order for Ernestine's baptism on Sunday. We (Sister Coplan, Ernestine, and I) are all so excited! We took Ernesting to a baptism in Raytown (Independence) this past weekend to give her an idea of what her baptism would be like. She absolutely loved it! We also went to the Independence visitor center and took her through the 'God's Plan for His Family' presentation. It was a great night filled with the spirit. I have the honor of giving the Holy Ghost talk at her baptism on Sunday. I'll make sure to take lots of pictures to share the event with you. It's going to be a great day!

We haven't had a whole lot new or different going on around the Liberty 1st Ward. We are just trying to find people to teach the gospel. We had an awesome lesson with Kimberly on Saturday night. We hadn't talked to her for about a week and a half; Sister Coplan and I were nervous that she was avoided us. So, as missionaries we're really good at not giving up, we drove to her house. And had a great one hour talk with her! She's still interested in learning about the church but has had an extremely busy week. She and her husband own a business and they'd had some car problems they were trying to take care of. She was really open with us and is a great person. She's got a lot to overcome but she is a great person trying to do her best with her family.

Did you love the 1st Presidency Christmas Devotional?! I was really grateful we got to watch it! I love President Uchtdorf's talk about receiving. That's one thing I'm learning now as a missionary is to graciously accept gifts. The people/members here are so willing to help the missionaries. The ward support is fantastic. Hmm... I really don't have a lot else to tell. I don't have any set Christmas plans yet. I get a new companion on December 20 so we're waiting to see what the schedule is going to be like before making those. It's getting colder here just today. It's been in the 60's so far this week. I love being a visitor center Sister and meeting all sorts of new and interesting people. I am working on getting outside my comfort zone to grow but it'll be a life-long process I think. Remember, I love you all and keep you in my prayers.

Love,

Sister Wilson