Sister Inman Letter - January 30, 2017

SISTER CHARLES IS REBORN.

Greetings, from Saint David, Arizona!!! How was all of y'alls' weeks? (Not sure how to properly ask that question...) Also, I think that when I get home, I'll probably sound like I've digressed in my grammar and ability to speak like a sophisticated person. I seem to have picked up quite a few phrases and terms on my mission that I didn't ever use before..... Well, I'm certainly morphed into something different! Who'da thunk that the people on this part of the state would communicate so much differently than we do? It's almost like people are from the South here in Southern Arizona. It's the beeeessssstttttt! I love it!

Well, this week was awesome! Monday was super fun, I got to go spend it with my district in Sahuarita in the morning, and then head over to my other district friends in Rincon for the afternoon. I truly have made a lot of great friends in the Southeast Zone. Monday night was pretty stressful, because I had to finish packing, and try to get rid of stuff and things like that. My goal these last two transfers is to dejunk and get rid of a whole lot of stuff. SIMPLIFY will be my favorite word. 

Tuesday morning, Sister Spencer and I drove over to the transfer site, and we parted ways! :( I truly loved my companion. She has become one of my greatest friends, and we both helped each other grow so much as individuals, and as missionaries. When I left, we had just begun to have hope for the work picking up! Sister Spencer is training now, and I am confident that she will do so well! I took the transfer van down to good ole Sierra Vista Zone, and stopped in Benson, AZ! There I met my new companion, Sister Freeman!!! She is seriously almost an exact duplicate of Sister Charles. She looks the same, talks the same, is the same height, haircut, similar style, sometimes, too. There are obviously some significant differences, but sometimes... it's a little scary! She is from Atlanta, Georgia. Woohoo! But she doesn't really have too much of an accent, because she's from the northern part.

Let's see. I've had some interesting experiences this week! I got to hold a bunny.... who belongs to a family who raises them and then eats them... They're an AWESOME family! But when I heard that, I was a little disturbed! Haha.

I also met a dog that is half pitbull, half basset hound....... one of the weirdest looking dogs I've ever seen! It was cute, but what?

Wednesday we had the Worldwide Missionary Broadcast, remember how they had the first one in over 10 years last year? I got to watch another one! And they made some significant changes! They completely changed the daily schedule, and got rid of most of the key indicators that we report on weekly. We only report on 4 of them now. And we no longer have a section to input daily goals. What?! I am liking the new schedule, though, it has alleviated a lot of stress, and we have enough time to get done the things that we need to get done! Including on P-days! Which is a HUGE help!

Speaking of P-day, I just got back from going and visiting the Kartchner Caverns! WOW! What an amazing museum/exhibit/place! A kind member took us and two other sets of missionaries. I think Jesse would absolutely LOVE it!!! We went to the cave called the Throne Room, which was AMAZING! It is so beautiful! And God is such a good artist. He is a genius! To think that something so incredible could have happened naturally, it was truly awe-inspiring. Too bad we weren't allowed to take pictures.

This week we taught a girl named Hailey, who is probably about 25, and she has a 6 or so year old and a baby. She is from the south and has an awesome accent! She is on the search for truth and wants to find something that will strengthen her family. We set a baptismal date for her for February 25th!!! (Happy birthday Mom!) and we have high hopes for her!

Another man we are teaching's name is Don. He's in his 50's. He is also from the South (they're everywhere! haha), and we are trying to help him as he makes his way back to the Church. 

My first Sunday in Saint David was SOOOO LONG! Church and Meetings from 8:30am till 4pm!

In answer to a few questions!

-The Tillett's are actually in either the Pomerene or Patton ward! So sad, they're not in mine, but it's fun to know someone that lives around here!

I cover Tombstone as part of my area! Super stoked, I get to work in the town too tough to die!

I am so happy to get all of these hilarious pictures of Rory! It's so fun to see her mature and see her sense of humor come in. I love her so much. Already!

Well, that's mostly all I have to say this week! I hope you all have a wonderful week, and stay safe, and keep reading your scriptures, and living the gospel, and smiling, and laughing, and sharing the gospel! How is that going with the neighbor, by the way?

Anyway, I love you tons.

Have a great week!

Love, 

Sister Inman

Blessed Arizona! :)

True Statement! I love how fancy it is, and yet it says that haha

Sister Spencer's birthday was on the 20th, and some awesome members, the Demaio's, took us all out to Macayo's!!! It was her husband's birthday too, and also Elder Taylor is somehow related to her too! So the Elders came too. And our former investigator, Rod. Haha. :) It was really good! I missed Macayo's!

One of my FAVORITE families in Vail, the Weitz'!!! They are the family that Jayda lived with when she got baptized!

old district!

Isn't she cute?

Our dog reminds me of Chloe!

Got a haircut!

Ride to kartchner caverns!

St. David

District!

Sister Inman Letter - January 23, 2017

Two Transfers Left... And I AM SO READY TO BEAR DOWN and POUND THE PAVEMENT. IT'S GO TIME!!!!

HEY FAMILY! Sorry, I am so distracted today. And I have a LOT to DO!!!! Lots of packing and cleaning and everything left! Sorry, it's not as long as I'd like it to be. But I will try to make it a good one. :)

Wow. This week has been interesting! I have had some really wonderful experiences this week. Some of my most spiritual moments of my mission. I was still sick for like the first half of the week, and am still getting better, but I am a lot better than I was.

Well, before I forget to tell you, I am being transferred! To SAINT DAVID!!! I'm going back to the Sierra Vista Zone! I'll be in the San Pedro and St. David Wards, and my new companion will be Sister Freeman, who just finished being trained and I will be her second companion. My guess is that this will be my last area. And I am so ready and excited to start new and bust out these next 3 months strong. I'm not trunky, I am not counting down the days. But my companion and the emails I am getting from Headquarters are, haha. I have less than I'd like, but for once, I feel okay. I am ready to do my absolute best, with a new companion, and be a leader and be strong and put everything I've learned to the test. I am so excited. One thing I have also realized is that I have met some of the most incredible people in the world on my mission. I have met so many amazing families that I love and will miss forever, and I am so grateful to have felt their love. I have also met the most incredible missionaries, who have become some of my best friends. I am so grateful to have been able to meet the people that I have, and to have been able to learn so much. 

This week, I was able to defend the faith. I was able to stand up for what I knew to be true and declare with boldness, but not overbearance, that I know that the things which I came out to testify of are true. without a doubt. I have had few other experiences in which I have felt the Spirit testify as strongly as it did there at that moment. I was on exchanges. We went to this former investigator's house, and got there right as he was pulling up. So he got out of his car, and talked to us for about an hour. We essentially taught the entire restoration. He had a lot to say about how religion is manmade and how God is everywhere, and he doesn't need a book or a church to get to/talk to God, but that just talking with us or other people about God that that is church. But after much of his opinions and everything, I was able to be bold and ask if I could speak and say something, etc. I don't think I have been as bold as I was with him ever before. But I prayed that God would help me to not argue or be contentious, but that I could bear my testimony with power and with the Spirit. So God gave me the strength to do it. And it was probably the most powerful testimony I have ever borne. I bore my witness of the Book of Mormon, the Prophet, the Church, and this sacred work which I am a part of. I testified that I knew these things of a surety, and that I did not come out on my mission and go through half of the things I have to be here to spread a lie. I know God directs us through living prophets. I know that I am supposed to be here so I can meet specific people that I can share this truth with. I wish I could repeat everything. But I teared up and it was a much needed experience for me. I had my testimony confirmed once again.

Well, that's all the time I have today. I love you all, and will send you pictures. Have a great week!!!!

Love,

Sister Inman

Sister Inman Letter - January 16, 2017

Zone Meeting, Temple, then Sick, but going strong!

Hey family!

This week was pretty packed but super awesome! We went to the temple, and it was amazing. Such a beautiful place and experience. I just love the feeling that is there, and being able to feel of God's love in greater abundance. I could definitely feel a boost of strength, and I was able to refill on my spiritual tank! I was also able to take a family name to the temple. It was a particularly sweet experience.

Yes, I got my contacts the night before our temple trip. It made things SO much more convenient! Thank you! And thanks for the Nutty Buddies! :)

So today has been kind of crazy, and I'm sorry I'm just now sending you my email. We've been in town and driving and super busy today and didn't really have time for much else. But I wanted to make sure to send you something!

So we get transfer calls this weekend, and my guess is that I'm going to be transferred. I had interviews today with President, and we talked about he next part of my life, but also about how much I've improved the past couple of weeks! I am a lot happier. I have been striving to be exactly obedient. I have been studying harder in the Book of Mormon. I have been searching and have found treasures! Wow, my life is so much better when I am more spiritual and missionary-focused! I have been trying to express more gratitude and focus in my prayers, and as a result, I am more grateful and focused, and ready to do the work!!! Let's go!!!

We had an awesome Zone meeting this week, too! It was about retention and reactivation efforts. We want to spend a lot of our prayers and planning on strengthening less active members in our areas, and strengthen the wards that we serve in. Are there people in your Ward that you haven't seen in awhile? That are struggling? That need service done for them? Even active members? Offer to serve people that come to your mind. Reach out! God will give you opportunities to be a missionary in your area. :)

Well, the last thing I wanted to say is that we had a FANTASTIC lesson with Nathaniel this week!!!! The best one we've ever had with him, and the best one we've taught together. We had been trying to find a member to come with us the previous day, and ended up having to postpone it to another day... and then felt inspired to ask Brother
Turner to come with us, who we JUST SO HAPPENED to eat dinner with the night that we would have had our lesson, and were able to have him come with us the next day. And it was perfect. God provided the way, and they clicked really well!!! We read in Helaman 5 about the Savior's ability to redeem us and restore and repair the damage that we have created by our sins. We also discussed the role that Christ plays as our firm foundation. Nathaniel understood the analogy as he compared it to construction work. Bro. Turner testified of this truth several times throughout the lesson, and you could tell that Nathaniel truly valued what Brother Turner said. He testified of the importance of reading the Book of Mormon every day, and that God gives us everything, so we can give Him 10 minutes a day. Nathaniel really seemed to be taking in what had been said. The Spirit was super strong as we all testified of repentance and the redeeming power of the Atonement, which erases all wrongs and sin. We really feel that this was a turning point for  Nathaniel. We really think this is the starting point of his progression to baptism!!!

I love this gospel, I love being a missionary in the ATM. (Arizona Tucson Mission). I am doing a lot better. Thank you so much for your prayers and support of me!!!


Love you tons! Have a great week!
Love,
Sister Inman

Sister Inman Letter - January 9, 2017

JESSE'S AN EAGLE SCOUT?!?!?!

Hooray! I just wanted to start off by saying CONGRATULATIONS, JESSE! You have worked SO hard for this your whole life, and I am so incredibly proud of you! I shouted for joy when I saw the picture! WOOHOO!!!! GREAT JOB, JESSE!!!!

Second off, Exactly a year ago today, I went to the Phoenix Temple to be endowed. I had my whole family there to support me, and I was able to make sacred covenants with my Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for the temple. I have since been able to see the blessings of these covenants as I have gone throughout my mission. Our zone gets the opportunity to go to the temple this Friday, and I am so excited! I need the temple more than anything right now! I am so grateful that we have one in our mission.

This week I have continued my study of the Book of Mormon, and I have truly rediscovered the joy that we experience through studying its pages. I have found so many new treasures that are particularly meaningful to me, and I have felt my faith strengthened. I can literally feel stronger, and I feel like there is more light inside me! It has been a wonderful experience, and I have the Spirit more with me. In fact, I have had some really wonderful things happen this week, because the Spirit has been with me! I have been trying very hard to obey with exactness the promptings I receive, pray more sincerely, express more thanks in my prayers, be exactly obedient, and work harder every day. I'm not perfect yet, but I am getting stronger! And because of this, I am better enabled to be exactly obedient. It's a wonderful cycle! I am so grateful for the Atonement and the privilege and blessing we have of accessing this power.

I have felt the spirit more strongly and in greater abundance this week! Our district meeting was wonderful, and we each got the opportunity to bear our testimonies. Holy moly, the spirit was so strong. A missionary named Elder Hale's testimony hit me the hardest. He bore bold witness of the truth and it was super powerful. God knew I needed to hear the truth witnessed to me first hand.

On Sunday we had lots of great things happen, lots of people we were working with came to church! Three less active families came to church, Nathaniel, Rod and Diane all came to church and the testimony meeting was really good. I bore my testimony too. I could feel Gods power work through me as I continued to open my mouth. I've been testing that a lot lately, and my faith has been strengthened. I've been trying to act and speak exactly as the spirit directs and it has been neat to watch the powerful experiences emerge from that. We shared a dinner message and at first I thought that they needed something a little more. And then I felt the distinct prompting to open to Moroni 10 and testify of the Book Of Mormon. Wow. The spirit poured in and filled the room. Sister Spencer and I went back and forth testifying of plain and precious truths. The mom was in tears.

Well, that's really all of the time I have, sorry! There was a little incident at the library that I was right next to, so I had to move out of the way for a little while before things calmed down. I'm safe, no worries. :)

I did some fun things too.

-I played pie face (after dinner at a member's house)

-Learned how to hover board (it's really tricky! But I want one! It really works your calf muscles!)

And we had another awesome lesson with Nathaniel.

God is so good to us. I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Inman

P.S. Mom: Can you just send it to my address? If possible, I'd love to have them before Friday! (temple trip, and it's just easier) And I shouldn't have a problem spacing them out... I only have about that much time left anyway :/

Transfers are on January 24th. 

Sorry, it's not letting me send pictures :'(

Sister Inman Letter - January 2, 2017

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!

So I'm emailing from my iPad, so sending pictures will be a pain, but I'll do it! We have a lot.

This week was a lot better! We still aren't as up to speed with the area as I'd like to be. But the AWESOME NEWS is that we got a NEW INVESTIGATOR named Fiona, and got her PROGRESSING in the same week! And we also set a baptismal date for NATHANIEL!!!! We didn't even expect to set one with him, but we had set a goal and had prayed to set a baptismal date with someone. And during our lesson with him, we were discussing what we should do going forward, and if he had desires to progress towards baptism. We asked him the baptismal questions to gear where he was at spiritually. Then I randomly felt a prompting, "This is it. Set a baptismal date, this is what he needs right now!"

 So I brought out a calendar to look at dates. And said something like "Nathaniel, do you see yourself being baptized? Something we do as missionaries is we help people to progress towards specific dates for baptism. If we set a date with you, we will do everything that we can to help you be baptized on that day." He said, well, it might be a little way out... and so I gave him a few dates, and he said "March 18th." We're getting closer! :)

Also, remember Enrique and Grisel from Puerto Rico that I started teaching in my last area? Well I got a text from the Sisters in that area, and they said "GUESS WHAT?! Enrique has been coming to church regularly and wants to be baptized! We set a date with him for February 11th! They said to tell you and that they wanted you to come!" That made me SO so happy, to know that someone who I had grown to love, and who I had shared my earnest and honest testimony with was progressing in their conversion and was going to enter the waters of baptism next month. There is no greater news to a missionary than that of someone coming closer to Christ. It helped me to keep going, even if I was just planting seeds.

On New Year's Eve, Sister Spencer and I had fun. We made sure to finish planning and be home on time, and everything else, and we celebrated at 10:00pm, which would be midnight in Indiana, where my companion is from. I'll send you a video of the countdown. We couldn't do any fireworks, so we just watched our neighbors'. And we had glow in the dark balloons. :)

Sunday was good. We are now only over two wards :( we lost Cienega. But all of the talks and teachers were perfect! :)

Please pray for Diane, she hasn't been doing very well health wise. Satan has been trying to tear her down and she's been feeling very weak. Please keep her in your prayers!!!

Well, I don't think I have a whole lot else to tell you! I am doing better, I am setting goals and am beginning to accomplish them! It's a new year, and I got this! I love the gospel, I love the Book of
Mormon. I love being a missionary.

Have a great week, I love each of you and am so proud of the great things that you are doing! Rory is beautiful, and our family is beautiful! Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!! Thank you for keeping your Covenants to each other so we can be together forever! I am so lucky to have you all as my family.

Love,
Sister Inman

Happy new year! Be strong! :)

Sister Inman Letter - December 26, 2016

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Heyyyoooo!!! It's Ricoooo!!!! Just kidding, it's me, Sister Inman.

It was so great to see and talk to all of my family yesterday, and to FINALLY meet Chauncey and Rory!!! Wow. I truly have the greatest gift ever. A family that loves and supports one another, who is strong. We have the gospel.

Well I told you most of what I could've written you today already! But last night we went caroling as a district, and we actually sounded really good! We had the four part harmony and everything! It was pretty fun :)

The Christmas conference was really good! We made people cry during our performance, and lots of comments like, "I didn't know you could play/sing!" Neither did I! But God helped me when I really tried my best. It's a good principle to keep in mind! Through Him, I can do anything. Our mission has a new challenge: between Christmas and Easter, we will read through and study the Book of Mormon with a specific purpose or question. We will pray, and seek for inspiration to find answers. I have accepted the challenge! That is right before the end of my mission. And I know it will strengthen my faith and relationship with Christ. I invite you to join with me!!! :)

Christmas was good, I managed to not overeat or gain like 12 pounds like I did last year! Woohoo! Going strong! Thank you all so much for the wonderful cards and gifts you sent me. I really loved each of the things I got, and I'm grateful for the thought that was put into it, just for me! Thank you thank you! :) thank you for your words of encouragement, love, and advice. I couldn't do it without you!

I am grateful for my Savior. I am grateful for the knowledge that I have of this restored gospel. I know this Church is the only living and true church. Christ is at the Head!

I love all of you, you are the best! I miss you and I am so grateful for you!
Have a great week and rest of the year!
Love,
Sister Inman

I'll talk to you next year! It's been an eventful, wonderful year. I went through the temple. I participated in several baptisms and have been able to help many more begin or continue their journey. I am so grateful to be a missionary! Here's to a great 2016, and a new chance and opportunity in 2017!!! :)

Ugly sweater contest.... look at the tree!!! Haha

After our performance!

After our performance!

The gift exchange at the Christmas conference

Look what I got! "Oh snap" with broken gingerbread men! Haha

They got put in the corner for jumping on the couch haha.

Getting ready on Christmas Eve!

This gingerbread house is two stories... has outdoor Christmas
lights, and is furnished on the inside. WOW. This family takes this
thing seriously! It's so awesome!!!

This was the other one. Also furnished. With lights.

We are loved!!! Christmas!!!

We got matching onesies!!! I was so excited!!!

We put everyone's last names (in our district) on mini stockings
and filled them with candy. It was fun to do :)

The necklace that Aunt Kathy gave me. It's super pretty! I love it :)

Helping Sister Leach wrap presents!

Some of our Christmas decorations!

A member gave us money for a treat! So, in the winter, we got Frost
Gelato haha :)

We decided to make our own fireplace out of tissue paper, cardboard
boxes and paper, Christmas lights, paint, and a sharpie! We were
actually surprised with how good it turned out! It added to the
Christmas feeling!

We're not Charlie's angels, we're the Lord's active duty missionaries. :)

 I beat Parker at an intense sword fight!

Christmas morning, new dress

Onesies - Front

Onesies - Rear

you stinkers! Sister Inman's view of our Skype session. We were singing jingle bells with our mouth's closed.

snow on the mountain

Sister Inman Letter - December 19, 2016

Feliz Navidad, Merry CHRIST-mas, and Happy Birthday, Jesus! :)

Well hello my fantastic family!!!

This week was pretty rough, work-wise. We are running very dry on new investigators (or any, for that matter), so naturally it was hard to stay motivated to go out and to work. This week, we will definitely be exercising an increased amount of faith! God's power and influence in our lives is in part limited to how much faith we have, and our desire and commitment to act!  But we did have a few miracle happen this week, despite the fact that people are sick, lessons cancel, and much of our other time this week was spent at ward functions, meetings, and service! Next week will be SO much better. There is a lot of guilt that you feel when you know you haven't done as much as you feel you could or should have. I never want to have another day or week like that again.

We're ready to pound the pavement this week, be exactly obedient, have more meaningful studies, and set goals for every day during the week, and ACCOMPLISH them in faith.

This past week, I was really trying to focus on listening to and immediately following the promptings that the Spirit gives me. So, with a determination to act, Heavenly Father prompted us throughout the week of things that we could do to serve others. One particular morning, I was feeling not-so-motivated and depressed. So I prayed for the strength and motivation to be a missionary that day, and asked for direction. Immediately, the thought came into my head, "Get up and go serve someone." I immediately got up, and went over to Sister Spencer. I started by saying, "I don't know about you, but I am having a very hard time this morning. I'm feeling depressed, and I need to do something about it." She finished my thought and said "We need to go serve someone. Right now." I said, "Exactly, that's just what I was thinking too! Let's think about some people that we could serve, ask around, and we'll go."

We prayed to know who needed our service, and then looked over some names in the ward. A few came to our minds, and we sent them all messages. I wrote a few names down, and one stood out to me. Sister Spencer also had that same name in mind.  So that morning, we texted her and asked if we could come over and serve her. She responded and said YES. So we went over to her house a short while later. She was so grateful and she was very overwhelmed as a young mother who was recently called to the Primary Presidency. She had been praying for a miracle, because she had a task at hand that would have been impossible for her to do on her own. Something simple as cutting out like 60 balloon-shaped papers, and taping them on the end of bendy straws. She was also one in charge of table decorations for the Christmas party the next night. It literally would have been impossible without a miracle. She couldn't believe it! She thanked us over and over again and was almost brought to tears, because God had answered her prayers through us.

On another occasion, a family's name kept popping in my head, and I didn't know why. They are an active, awesome family, and we love them! But we went over there anyway, and asked her if there was something that we could do to help her. (She has her hands full with a lot of hyperactive kids, and she has so much on her plate). She said no, but then asked if we wanted to come inside. We did, and then after a little while, she asked if we could please help her with her dishes. We said yes, absolutely! And we ended up cleaning her whole kitchen. It turns out that she hadn't eaten or had much all day, and began to shake and didn't feel so good. So we were able to let her rest and eat while we listed this small burden for her. It felt so good to serve!!

On Sunday, we did our musical number in Sacrament. (The same one we will be doing at the Christmas Conference- Mary, Did You Know?). We have been earnestly praying as we have practiced that we would be able to sing and perform in such a way that the Spirit could testify, and fill the room so that all could be blessed by it. We had been praying that we could feel the emotion and true meaning of the song we performed, and when we finally broke it down, read through the words, pondered, and discussed what it really meant, the Spirit testified to both of us that the Savior is truly the Redeemer of the World, that He did come to earth to be born in humble circumstances, and to understand each of us personally as He suffered our pains and afflictions and temptations, and everything we would ever go through. Well, our musical number went really well, and it brought the Spirit for sure! People cried, and thanked us. I was so grateful to my Heavenly Father.

I have a testimony that if we are willing to follow the promptings that we receive, and ACT according to His will, we can not only receive answers to our own prayers, but we can also be the answer to someone else's. I don't want to be the reason that someone else's prayer goes unanswered on delayed. Here's to a new week, and I'm excited to be the Lord's servant this week. Especially the week of His birthday!

What gift can we give Him? Our Hearts! Look for ways to serve this week. Develop Christlike attributes, and as you do this, you will come to know the Savior, as you will become more like Him. 

Have a great week and Merry Christmas! I look forward to Skyping you on Sunday! See you soon!

Sister Inman

Last week's average temperature....This week's has been in the 30's-50's range. Brrrr!!!!!!

A member gave us money for Freddy's so we went :D

One of the Christmas parties. I've never seen one so PACKED. All of the seats were filled.

Selfie yeah!

Caught in my natural habitat... and found a new talent