Sister Torie Inman: Sister Inman Letter

Let's finish with a bang!

Hey there, hi there, who there!

So this week was a little bit challenging for me personally. I was struggling because i just was in a bad mood for some reason. And I knew that, and it bugged me. So it has been a week-long endeavor to get over that. But you know, good things still happen every week, and during the times where good things happened... It was when I had a good attitude and we had unity and the Spirit with us as a companionship. And there were some little and big miracles that have happened this week, and the Lord is still very aware of us, even when we are being stink-pots. :)

So on Monday, we had a Zone P-day (Minus the Douglas and Bisbee missionaries, which will come for next P-day), in Benson/Pomerene. We played games and sports together, and at the end, we played a massive game of free-for-all dodgeball. Essentially, it is you against everybody else, and there are a few balls that anyone can pick up, but if you have a ball you can only take three steps before you have to throw it or "recharge it" against a wall. We were all in the gym and there were about 15 missionaries playing all at once, so it was pretty intense. The Willcox Elders and Sisters are now part of our zone.

We were on exchanges Monday night to Tuesday night, so I went up to Benson with Sister Jones (One of our Sister Training Leaders). Benson has kind of a small, dusty old town feel to it. I mean it was founded in 1941, so it's not too old, but... anyway.

Tuesday:

Got a killer workout this morning- we did a workout video from the Biggest Loser... man. I was sore all day, but felt good afterwards :)

Wednesday:

This morning was the WORLDWIDE Missionary Broadcast, where general authorities and other leaders, i.e. from the Missionary Executive Council speak to and train missionaries across the entire world in one conference. Apparently, we have not had a worldwide devotional/conference broadcasted to all of the missionaries across the world for over a decade. It's SO COOL to be a part of this historic-ish event. And I don't think it will be available to the general public, as you had to have a password to watch it. But it was the BEST training ever. We were taught about the Fundamentals of Preach My Gospel, with each section spoken of in detail by a separate speaker. I've gained such great insight and understanding!

Those who spoke were:
Elder Neil L. Anderson, Conducting

Elder David A. Bednar

Elder Christopher Waddell, Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric

Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson

Elder L. Whitney Clayton, Presidency of the Seventy and

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Quorum of the Twelve and also the chairman of the Missionary Executive Council

Here are a few of my favorite things they said:

Elder Neil L. Anderson
Teach Repentance, and Baptize Converts.

We share a responsibility to testify of Christ. We must always have His name on our lips and be prepared as the prompting comes to testify of him.Wherever you are, whenever you are unsure of what to say, speak of the Savior and of his doctrine. Because of the restoration, we know more about the savior than anyone else. No matter how much we speak of him, it is never too much. "Whosoever will confess me before men, him will I confess before the Father." We are charged to defend His name.

Elder David A. Bednar- (super good. It was a training, but it was a previously recorded training with a group of local missionaries and more of an interactive discussion with him.)

The Role of the Holy Ghost in Conversion

You CANNOT put the message into the hearts of the people.We must be worthy vessels unto the Lord to bring it UNTO the hearts of the people, but it must be the Holy Ghost that brings it INTO the hearts of men.
The Holy Ghost is the teacher, not us. It is He who carries into their hearts. We need to invite investigators to prepare to learn. Invite them to act. Most of the time their preparation is more important Than the actual lesson. Our worthiness affects the spirit that is present there. The Holy Ghost is not the tool we use. We are the tool, and the Holy Ghost is the teacher. All the things that we do contribute to the environment and the spirit.

Elder Christopher Waddell
We invite, they commit, we follow up.

Miracles are wrought about by faith. Conversion is a miracle in itself. They must act upon their faith.
Without the invitation by you to act, they have no commitment or reason to accept the invitation to act on their faith.

Invite them to become an agent to act, not an object to be acted upon.

Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson

Teach people, not lessons.

Seek to obtain the word and treasure up the knowledge. We must put things in your treasure chest for the Holy Ghost to take out what the investigators need.

Elder L. Whitney Clayton
Finding people to teach

This was a training on how better to work with members, less actives, part-member families, etc. Great advice.

Study after study, and statistics from missionaries all over the world show that the most baptisms happen when working with members than by our own finding efforts. More investigators are found through the efforts of the missionaries, but the MOST baptisms happen when the members assist in the work.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

We must develop the faith and skill to find. Now is the time more members and missionaries to come together. Our most success will come through working with Ward councils, Ward Mission Leaders, and ward members.

We must have the gospel of Jesus Christ engrained in our hearts. (Missionaries)

All missionary work is rooted in the doctrine of Christ.

The doctrine of Christ allows us to be saved in the kingdom of God.

We must understand who we are and what we are called to do. If we understand this, you have the big picture and the basis to understand everything else you need to be a missionary.

Who are you? You are the sons and daughters of God.

What are you called to do? Do not lose yourself in the little things. It is for the interest of the world and all of mankind. You are not called to invite others to a social group, where the rules are made by its members, or to preach what is politically correct or comfortable. We are called to invite others to come into Christ and do what he has asked us to do.

When we understand what the world would be if everyone understood what God's plan is for us, we will understand that this work is the greatest work we could EVER do.

"We salute you and love you as servants of the Lord, and invoke the blessings He has to offer you in the work of the Lord."

This was a super powerful, super helpful and inspiring conference. It was 2 hours long, but I have gained SO MUCH from it.

Thursday: Lesson with Anna, and she bore a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon!

Friday: Miracles today! Milagros!

We finally saw Josie again! Remember her? From my first transfer? It was the first time Sister Adams had even met her. It's been that long. But we both felt like we should just stop by and try to see her instead of keep trying to schedule an appointment. She was surprised, and was touched that we thought of her, and let us in for a little while. We brought up how she started meeting with missionaries, and she related her story about the Elders who helped her move, etc. and she said she had made quite a few discoveries since she started meeting with us and has learned many new things. She said "Not to convert, just to learn". Ha! For now, Josie. And it might take a little while... But eventually it'll happen :) But then it was finally arranged that we could start coming over regularly. Unfortunately she thinks it will be more of a study group for a couple hours... We'll have to figure that one out, but she forewarned us that she will have lots of questions, and we gave her the Gospel of Jesus Christ pamphlet to read before the next appointment. We're getting back on track!

Anyway so we left Josie's house.And on the way down the dirt road, we hear a little pop, followed by an airy sound which synchronized with the wheels turning.... we slowed down and realized that yes, we had popped the tire. GAH. We watched the tire rapidly deflate. (Sounds familiar doesn't it? Oh Hereford. You and your dirt roads that shouldn't even be called roads.) Long story shorter, some members close by helped us change the tire. The manager/owner of the tire shop happens to be the bishop in one of the wards, so we called him, and we took the truck in, and the workers offered to stay after they closed a little bit to change the tire with a brand new one for us that night. They were very generous and kind throughout the whole thing. Meanwhile, our dinner appointment helped us at the tire shop too, and took us out to dinner (while our truck was at the shop) to a Mexican Restaurant, somewhat like Macayo's, but less decorated, and more of an intimate setting. At this restaurant, there were two Mariachi men who played and sang live music to us while we ate! One with a guitar, and one with an accordion. SO COOL! They sounded like the ones on Nacho Libre and I was really happy about that. They were really good! (Pictures to come)

Friday: None of our plans went as planned, as we had to go back to the tire shop to change our other tire that was pretty bald, but there was like a 2 hour wait, so we did weekly planning while we waited.

Saturday, meh.

Sunday:

End of the week calls tonight with Elder Judy! So guess what?! As a district, 2 companionships hit 5/5 Standards of Excellence (Weekly Goals for Key Indicators) and we were so close with 4/5!!! As a zone we did even better! 4 companionships with 5/5, and 3 with 4/5. We're getting pumped up, and next week we're going to get ALL of them. 5/5. we can do it. I love the support that we all have for one another. It's really encouraging!

Side note: For those of you who do not know, I came out on my mission without going to the MTC. Now that I know I am staying in this mission fro the remainder of the 14 months or so, I will now go to the MTC to receive additional training and preparation to continue and complete my service as a full-time representative of Jesus Christ as a missionary for His Church. It will be a unique experience compared to that of those who have barely entered the mission field, but i still have sooooo much to learn, and I am excited to learn while I am there. I leave for the MTC on February 3rd.

Well, that was my week! I have learned quite a few things, and have had some personal pondering time to figure myself out. I have set plans for myself, I have made myself a mission statement for my time at the MTC, (like President Rolfe encouraged me to do) and I am going to make my last week in the Sierra Vista Zone the best one ever! I am kind of sad to be leaving with two weeks left of the transfer after I leave, and I will especially miss the people and the amazing missionaries that i get to work with here, but here's to a new, exciting adventure! "Adventure is out there!"

This Gospel is so true. If you don't know that for sure, please take the time to find that out for yourself. I believe that there is nothing greater that you can do for yourself than to find out for yourself that God loves you, that He has provided a way, and has an individual plan for your life here, and how you can gain eternal life, and then to do what He asks you to do so He can bless you with all of the blessings that he has to offer. I love each of you and keep you in my prayers.

Have a great week!

Love,

Sister Inman

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