Sister Inman Letter - June 20, 2016

Last Full Week of the Transfer :'(

I hate transfers. They make me so sad. And then everybody changes and you either get a new companion or you get a completely new group that you don't know, or whatever... Gah. We find out what is happening on Saturday night. Pray for me that I go or stay where I need to! I love my companion. And I love Pima so much. I don't want to leave. I love the Gila Valley. 

BUT, on a brighter note.......

Monday was fun! We played basketball and volleyball for P-day! We've got an awesome zone. Love them! And we all live within 10 miles of each other, so we see each other like all of the time. Only in the Gila Valley! There are about 24 missionaries, I think? Super fun. My skills at sports have decayed rapidly since Sierra Vista, which makes me sad, but it's okay.

Tuesday was super busy and awesome! We had a lesson with Shawnee, and her reading is still getting better! She still struggles, but there is power in the Book of Mormon, and her reading has improved since she has been listening and reading out loud. :)

We also visited with Peggy again. I love that lady. We had a really good lesson with her about eternal families, temples, and family history. It started off a little rocky, but the moment we began to testify that she would be able to see her deceased husband again, because of the Plan that Heavenly Father created for us, the Spirit was very strong. I know we all felt it. Peggy related to us that she had a strong desire to do family history as well, but just really doesn't know how. We invited her to the Stake FH Day and she seemed very interested in going and almost did! But then she got sick. :( Almost! Then we went over to the Busby's (we met them the week before) and tried to have a lesson with them, but were not able to because they are a little long winded and distracted aha. They are actually a really cool family! It is a part-member family, and their son William is actually the wife's son from another husband. But we are teaching their son William! Sweet kid, has been going to scouts, but attends church in another ward in Thatcher and should be coming to our ward next Sunday! :) We had dinner with them on Saturday night, which was interesting. It turned out okay, they made us homemade lasagna and homemade apple pie and it was super good! We did a summary of the Book of Mormon and testified of it's truth, and invited him to read and pray about the Book of Mormon! We will see what happens!

But other than that, not too much happened that is exciting. We met with Race again a couple of times, and he is all set to be baptized on Saturday! We will have to reschedule Rudy's baptismal date, but he has been coming to church every Sunday! We are going to be singing in church next Sunday too! Cool stuff :) kinda nervous.

Something that I thought I'd share with you all:

I just learned again, but in more depth yesterday that the Book of Mormon IS true. It has to be. It is the word of God, and I don't think I would have had that same experience if I hadn't testified of the promised blessings and had someone challenge me and say that the promises are not sure, and that it tells us "if" or that "you might" feel these feelings. Back home, I could have just gotten angry and yelled back at this man and shut him down, but it really troubled me. I had to prove this man wrong. I had to know for myself that these words were true, and as I was reading the Book of Mormon yesterday, I finished 2 Nephi. The last three chapters are incredible. In particular, the last two chapters. He tells us, if you don't believe in my words, believe in Christ. And if you believe in Christ, you will believe in my words. But if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye, because He will prove to you that they are His words with His power, and we will stand face to face at the judgement bar and these very words will condemn you. The words of Christ invite us to do good. If they don't... they are not the words of Christ. And I just have had it confirmed to me over and over that this work is so true. It has to be. 

But anyway, I'm sorry I don't have any more time left. I'm sorry this email is kind of lame. :(

But I love you all so much! The church is true!!! I love my mission so much. It's the hardest thing I've ever done, but it's the best and most rewarding. I love this gospel and this work!!! 

Have a fantastic week! :)

Sister Inman

Sister Inman Letter - June 13, 2016

Sorry, I have like nooo time :(

Hey all! I am so sorry, I got to responding to an email and it took longer than anticipated. BUT, I didn't forget about you haha. :)

Kind of a rough week again, but it got better towards the end!

Both Rudy and Race came to Church on Sunday! :D So happy. :)

We spoke in sacrament meeting in Pima 3rd ward, for a missionary farewell. That was a little bittersweet, but really good! He is going to Little Rock, Arkansas! His name is Elder Stiles-Culver. I don't know what he will be called in the mission. And we also taught sharing time in Pima 2nd ward. 

On Wednesday morning we did Commodities, outside, in the BLAZING HEAT. Good thing I got ready that day. -_- We wear proselyting clothes for that service, so we were burning up and sweating a LOT, but luckily we had water given to us throughout the whole time. I didn't get a bad sunburn this time, though, because I wore sunscreen! Yay! :) Our district meeting right afterwards was about teaching doctrines, and we practiced doing that, and I think it will really help us in our teaching! The spirit is at its strongest when we teach the pure, unchanging doctrines of the gospel, especially out of the scriptures or out of the words of the prophets. We had lunch with a few missionaries in our zone.

From Wednesday through Thursday, we were on exchanges, and I got to be with Hermana Adams, my second trainer! It was kind of crazy to be companions with her again, having grown myself, and learned how to be a better missionary. But it was a sweet reunion, and I also realized that I had completely lost most, if not all, of my Spanish since I was companions with her :'( That made me very sad.

I have been studying the Christlike Attribute of Diligence. A couple of neat things that I found in Preach My Gospel:

Diligence is:

1. Steady, Consistent, Earnest, and Energetic effort in doing the Lord's work.

2. Working effectively and efficiently.

3. An expression of your love for the Lord and His work.

You can find joy and satisfaction in your work when you are diligent!

How can you be diligent:

1. Do many good things of your own free will

2. Don't wait to be told to do things. In other words, Seek to be on the ball.

3. Continue until you have done all you can, DESPITE being tired.

4. Prioritize and Focus on the most important things, and avoid wasting time!

5. Pray for guidance and strength

6.Plan regularly and effectively!

7. Avoid anything that distracts your thoughts or actions from the work.

These are just a few of the things I have found, and will be seeking to incorporate more this week! There are so many promised blessings to those who try their best to be diligent and obedient.

Good scriptures for Diligence are: Moroni 9:6 and D&C 123:17

Thursday we did service at two food banks, and did exercise with the Safford district (still on exchanges)

Then the rest of the week was a blur because we finally finished most of our weekly planning!!!! WOOO!!!!

This next week we are doing a Discovery Day for family history in our stake. We are helping out at that. In a couple weeks we will be singing a duet in church, and I am quite nervous for that, but...... The Lord will hopefully sing for me, because I'm sure His voice sounds a lot better :) No, I'm not too bad. That's what practice is for!

Anyway, I am SO EXCITED I AM GOING TO BE AN AUNT! YES!!!!!! I TOTALLY KNEW IT. I'm getting a niece. :) And I'm happy to hear Jesse loved AP Camp! :)

Have a great week! And Happy Father's Day, Dad! I have the best Dad in the workd!

Sister Inman

Sister Inman Letter - June 6, 2016

Week three of the transfer already done?! NOOOOO

The transfer is already half over and that is one of the saddest things of my life. I love this area. I love my companion. I love my district and zone. I love the Gila Valley!

Aaaannnddd another week has come and gone and time time hasn't slowed down.

But that being said, Hello family! This week's letter is kind of short, as I have been bad about writing in my journal :(

This week was a little rough, especially since it was a holiday on Monday and people are out of town, and it is now summer, so people have better things to do than hear about the gospel! Nothing is better than talking to missionaries about your eternal salvation!!! It's the besssstttt. :)

Monday was... stressful. But on the plus side, I got some new music! I get tired of listening to the same stuff all of the time, so it was nice! We got to sports late, so we didn't really have enough time to play a full game with everyone, because they had already been there awhile. But they were playing chair soccer which is HARD! I always get super nervous playing those games where I have to be coordinated with my feet, because I am definitely not. At all. But it is still always fun to be around the other missionaries.

Tuesday morning we had Pancake Tuesday where we have breakfast with our district before studies at 8am. Fun stuff! We tried a ton of people that weren't home or didn't show up. Everyone has those days every once in a while.

Wednesday we did not have district meeting because of the Zone Conference on Thursday. BUT, we met this guy named Phil. He's an interesting man. We knocked on the door and this big guy came out without a shirt on. He had long, scraggly white hair, and his suspenders barely held his pants up. Kind of gross and made us uncomfortable, but... he answered the door and said, "I'll go put a shirt on so you guys don't have to be so uncomfortable." We were thankful. But unfortunately (fortunately) his wife was not home, so we could not stay. But his son is a potential investigator that we are hoping to start teaching, and his wife has never really been active. But yeah, we might even be having dinner with them soon! They said they are excellent cooks.

Thursday we had zone conference and it was AWESOME! We learned so much about working with members, using family history, and Sister Passey gave an AWESOME training about Focusing on the Doctrines. A couple of things I loved from the Conference:

-"The Preaching of the Word of God is the MOST effective way to change hearts, even more than the sword!" See Alma 31:5

-The WHOLE gospel is founded upon the basic doctrine that God is our Loving Heavenly Father. No wonder it is the very FIRST thing we teach to people! Upon that Eternal Truth rests every other part of the gospel.

-When we teach PURE DOCTRINE, or the Eternal Truths that never change regardless of modern day revelation or opinions, such as "God is Our Loving Heavenly Father" (and always will be), the Spirit will be the most strong, and THAT is where conversion comes from. We can teach a lot of principles, or the WHAT and HOW, but unless we teach the WHY, it is not likely to cause people to change and to act, because that pure doctrine of "WHY" has not become a part of them.

-If you want to better understand pure doctrine, study a talk by a general authority. Teaching pure doctrine is hard, but that is how true conversion happens.

-We are here to help people know how to return back. When we understand WHY we are here, we are more able to have the motivation to be better.

-It is good to read what the spirit has taught other people, but we must learn for ourselves what the Spirit wants us to know and understand about the Gospel! Read the scriptures, pure doctrine, and allow the Spirit to teach you!

We were challenged to teach pure doctrine most of the time, and to always refer each principle we teach back to the core doctrine from which it is based. It is hard to do! But will be worth it. :)

We were also challenged to find a family name to take to the September temple trip! I gave all of them to you, so I will look for my own! We get an hour a week to do FH work! We talked about how FH work is a huge tool for missionary purposes! A lot of people will be more open to "Can we help you find your family?" than any other approach. Cool! DO FAMILY HISTORY!

Well, I would write more, but am out of time. I love you all! I hope you have a fantastic week! The Gospel is true, the Savior Lives. I had a particularly meaningful Sunday yesterday, and the sacrament was very special. When we prepare the night before, and come with a broken heart and contrite spirit, we are more receptive to the Holy Ghost.

I love this work, and I love this Gospel. I try to be better a little more each day. the mornings are going great, and Sister Chandler and I are going to get rock solid abs by the end of our companionship. :)

Love you!

Sister Inman

Sister Inman Letter - May 30, 2016 (Elder Holland too!!!!)

New Transfer, and I love my New Companion!

Herro Famiry!

We had a great week! So great that we were exhausted by the end of the day and I have been terrible at writing in my journal. I mainly only have bullet points on sticky notes for the past couple of weeks haha.

At least we know that if we are that exhausted, that we must be doing something right. We've been getting awesome workouts lately and have been getting up a little earlier, and have been trying to get to bed earlier, too! I am happier, but still just as tired!

Monday was awesome! Probably the best P-day I've had in this area. We got to go to sports for a couple of hours and it was so much fun! I got a big workout though, I was sweating like crazy which was gross, but who cares when you are having fun? :) We mainly played King of the Court and I missed just about every shot except ONE! And it was from far away. So that made me happy. The Elders were very encouraging. And coaching me because i don't know how to basketball haha.

Tuesday morning we had breakfast as a district at 7am, "Pancake Tuesday" which was pretty good! We tried a bunch of people throughout the day but nobody was home or had time for us. Sad day. We had lessons with Race and Peggy!

I have really grown to love Peggy. She has softened a lot since the Spirit has been working on her. She has committed to continue to read the Book of Mormon because she finds it interesting and she likes it so far! She even read the Vision of the Tree of Life and found it "very interesting! I will keep reading, I promise!" and she did! She read like 2 more chapters than we asked her to. 

We also got asked to do service at 6am on Wednesday -_-

Wednesday morning we did service at the Pima Cemetery with the other Pima missionaries and other volunteers I didn't know. We went through the whole cemetery and put flags on all of the Veterans' graves! That's awesome :) And we replaced the ones that already had them on there, but that were broken or torn. We had district meeting, then had to go to the tire shop because we had a hole in our tire. Woo!

Thursday was rough. But it ended up okay. I was kind of depressed and is a sad mood all day, Satan has been making me feel bad about myself and my efforts as a missionary all week, and I am tired of it, so we are doing something about it now! :) We started weekly planning, and it turned out to be a companionship inventory. We just put everything out on the table, what we were feeling, the things we have been struggling with, and how the other one can help us. We decided that we would just be open and honest with each other, and said that this companionship will not only "work", but we will end our time together, having become best friends, and working together and supporting each other, and we will make this companionship "GOOD"! And a huge burden was lifted off of our shoulders. Now we are already getting along so great and we come to understand and get to know each other a little better every single day! I love Sister Chandler, she is awesome. She is 20yrs old, only like a month older than me, is from Rupert, Idaho, and has been out for about a year now! She is a diligent missionary who strives to be exactly obedient, and has a lot of love to give to people she serves! We laugh a lot, we joke, we have fun, but we both love the work and want to support each other in it!

Friday morning we did a super awesome workout (Thanks, Jillian Michaels!) and we felt super pumped for the day! We did service , and then for lunch, we had a BBQ with the other missionaries for Elder Vaughn's 23rd Birthday! 

We had another lesson with Race and Peggy, too!

Saturday we got another awesome Jillian Michaels workout (It seems silly, but I'm so pumped. We're going to get ripped by the end of this transfer, I just know it) haha :) I feel better about myself more than I did before, because I actually try!

Service again, this time at the Pima Museum. I love history. Do we have ancestors from the Gila Valley? Weekly Planning, still.

Sunday was a great day! We didn't have any ward councils (Seriously, it's the best), and we went to Pima 3rd's Sacrament meeting. Then we went to PIMA 4TH's Sacrament meeting, because we were asked to give talks in their ward, along with the Pima Elders. Seriously? We aren't even in that ward. But I have to say it was actually pretty cool to have just missionaries give talks! We talked about how serving a mission has strengthened our relationship with God and Jesus Christ, and the Elders were just given the topic of "Relationships" which I thought was funny haha. It turned out pretty good! Whenever you get the chance, go read the lyrics to A Child's Prayer. We are the first verse, and we start with uncertainty, but end with a knowledge that He really is there. In the second verse, our concerns are answered, and He shows His love for us when we pray with sincerity. I loved it!

I also had people come up to me after sacrament and talk about someone they know in Surprise. I had a man named Brother Blair that apparently you know pretty well? He is the owner of Kainoa's. He said when you all (the Inman's) were younger and lived in Tolleson, you would play and hang out together, and he knew like our whole family almost! That's so cool! Do you know him? He also said that I guess Rick came down a little while ago to see if he wanted to open a franchise or not? WE ARE OVER THERE IN THATCHER ALL THE TIME, And Rick was not that far from me! Crazy!

Anyway, the church is true! God is good, the Book of Mormon is the word of God. The Atonement is real. 

I have noticed that as I have become more and more obedient to even just the morning schedule and night schedule, we have seen so many more miracles and have gotten so many more referrals and more success with people! Rudy came to church AGAIN, and I am so grateful for the members who took the initiative this time! Ray is still coming to church and approached us about having us over again! He is still strong! He will be getting the Aaronic Priesthood soon, possibly even by his son!!! I love when the Gospel brings families together, and to be able to witness it happen from the beginning!!! I love this Church. I am grateful for the prophet. He is so amazing, and I will strive to heed his counsel ever more diligently than I have been. Familiarize yourself with the words of the prophets! Because not too long ago, they received those very words from Christ Himself. Think about it.

I love you, dear family! I pray for you all the time. I keep you in my thoughts as I strive to serve harder throughout each day. Today Sister Chandler asked me what I loved about or have learned from each of my family members, Mom, Dad, Lacey and Eric, Jake and Chauncey, and Jesse. And it just reminded me how lucky I am to have a family that is so incredible. I have been so blessed. And I continue to learn more from each of you and grow to love you more each day! (And I love you, too, Grandma and Grandpa! Thank you for your letters and words of wisdom and love! I have the best grandparents in the world). 

Have a fantastic week! I love you, and God loves you even more!

Sister Inman

Me and Elder Holland! Look at our faces, so happy! :)

The Pima Elders, Elder Burnd (Left) and Elder Phillips (Right)

 Sister Chandler

Us

Sister Charles and I, and Sheryl, a Recent Convert who is moving to Bylas

Service

Me and Hna. Garcia, who got transferred. She is from El Salvador and I love her!

Sister Inman Letter - May 23, 2016

Could this week have been any crazier?! BAH Transfers.

Hola querido familia!

Como fue su semana?

Mine was pretty hectic, and exhausting, and EVERYTHING ELSE!

SO Monday was the most bizarre, crazy P-day of my life, we were trying to figure out transfers and transport and stuff, because since Sister Charles was a departing missionary, she had to go up the night before, and I had to find a new companion. We didn't get out of the house until like 12 or 12:30 so we didn't have much time left after that to do the stuff we needed to.

But we did emails for about an hour or something, and I finally got all of the pictures from the MTC!!! I was super happy about that, I can send you some of them later. :)

After that we went to Sports to say goodbye to everyone, etc. Every single companionship in our zone was changed! Isn't that crazy? Wow. That night I was in a temporary trio with Sister Brown and Sister Steele because we all lost our companions. Sister McCombie is training! She's so awesome. I love her. She just finished being trained, too!

Tuesday was transfers, and we picked up our new companions! My new companion is Sister Chandler! She is from Rupert, ID and has been out for about 11 months. My trainer trained her trainer. In other words, Sister Addie Brown (My trainer) trained Sister Crissy Brown (her trainer). Ha! weird. (Sister Brown, the trainer who trains? Name that movie). Transfers are always super awkward. You never know what to say. 

Wednesday we met our new zone! Don't really know anybody except HNA. ADAMS is my new STL!!!! It was fun to see her again, my follow up trainer :) 

It was POURING down rain on Wednesday!!! Did you guys get it over there? That night we drove to Tucson, and spent the night at the Casas Adobes Sisters (Sister Packer, my MTC Companion and Sister Daun from my first zone!) So much fun. We were there because I had a doctor's appointment early the next morning so it was a lot easier to drive 15 minutes in the morning rather than 2.5 hours even earlier in the morning. :) That was a fun reunion.

Thursday, holy cow I was exhausted! I had my doctor's appointment, then we had lunch with the sisters, and I drove most of the way home from Tucson! Scary, that's the longest I've ever driven. And Tucson drivers are scary. But Sister Chandler drove yesterday, so I guess it was my turn. But I was way too tired to finish the trip safely, so I asked Sister Chandler to drive from Willcox to Safford. Long day for both of us. 

Friday morning we went to Food Bank, and helped out! We were also finally able to meet with Peggy again, Rudy, and Race! Peggy is a sweet lady, but kind of stubborn. She said "I'm this close. Be patient with me, don't give up on me. It'll happen, just not yet. I'll get there." We're gonna hold you to that, Peggy, you'll see. :) She's fun. We gotta get that lady to church though. Next week!

Saturday was weekly planning basically the whole day! Yay...

Sunday was good, we had church in Central this week. I was super exhausted physically, and was falling asleep, but what I caught was really good! It was about giving selfless service.

I am glad to hear that the reception went well and that I was able to be there!!!! :) How fun. Do you have any other pictures from it? Jake and Chauncey are cute as ever, I love them so much. And Chauncey is the best sister-in-law I've ever had, I love her already. :)

Sorry this week's letter is pretty lame!!! My journal entries have been really short and boring. :( But I know that this gospel is true, and I have begun to realize the power that I can draw from it as I exercise my faith and repent, and allow the Atonement to change me. My testimony of it has strengthened so much. It doesn't matter where you have mean nearly as much as it matters where you are willing to go, and with the help of the Savior, who you will become. I love that truth. Christ knows each and every one of us! He LOVES us! He loves YOU!

Something that I learned from President Passey was that it is one thing to love God, and another to try to love another person, but we often forget the third side of the triangle. We must never forget the love that God has for that person, and the love that they are trying to develop for God. When we remember that, our love for that person increases drastically. Something to think about :)

Love you all! Have a great week!!!

Love,

Sister Inman

P.S. Have fun at AP Camp Jesse!

Also, we are 5 generation Arizona natives, right? SO... where do we come from? 

Sister Inman Letter - May 16, 2016

I KILLED MY COMPANION :'(

Hello family!

Wow, have we had a crazy couple weeks, or what? Man. Over here have both been running around with our heads chopped off trying to finish things and get them ready for Sister Charles to go home, and for me to take over the area. We've been so exhausted, so by the end of the day, I don't even feel like writing in my journal, so I end up writing bullet points to write down later. But I will share some of the highlights of the week, as well as any thoughts or insights I've gained!

So last Monday we were actually able to go to P-day sports, and we played volleyball! Unfortunately..... I forgot my glasses, (I'm out of contacts) and my proper running shoes (I just had my vans) and so it was interesting trying to play while not being able to see and in those shoes. But it was good!

That night we had a lesson with Ray, about baptism and confirmation. He is so solid, we were able to ask the right questions which led up to him bearing his testimony about how the gospel has changed his and his family's life, and that one of the reasons he is excited about being baptized is because he wants to be sealed to his family forever. He is already looking forward to the temple. :)

Tuesday we taught Race, the 10yr old, and had another lesson with Ray! We went over the baptismal interview questions, and got to really see how much he knows and believes.

Wednesday was a good day! We had commodities in the morning, but only went for like 30 minutes :/ then right after, we practiced our musical number as a zone for our half-mission conference. It was sounding a lot better by the end, and it gave me chills! Then most of us went out to lunch. Ray's baptismal interview was that night, and the Elders did it at their house, for convenience's sake, because Ray is in a wheelchair. But we went earlier before they came. Elder Farnsworth, our district leader did the interview. He PASSED! It went well, a lot better than Ray anticipated! We heard laughing from the other room, so I think it went okay. :) So excited for him.

Thursday was a good day too! We rode up with Elder and Sister Reynolds, a senior couple from South Carolina, to the Half-mission conference in Benson. When we first got there, we rehearsed the song again, and it sounded so good! As far as our zone goes haha. Luckily we have at least several of us that are musically inclined. :) The conference was really good! Elder Foster of the 70 came with his wife to train us, as well as President and Sister Passey. They were just the trainings I needed! They talked about working with members, and our success and skills as missionaries, as our mission specifically, and how we can move from the level we are at right now to a level 9-10 on the scale of awesomeness, pertaining to skills and spirituality. There are three phases, and we talked about each of those. Pretty cool!

The musical number went well, too! We got compliments from Elder and Sister Foster and President and Sister Passey. We could also feel the power and spirit behind the words and music. It was a medley of Savior, Redeemer of My Soul and Called to Serve. President just emailed our zone today and said "We have had great music and zone conferences and other meetings in the past two years, but you delivered the best zone choir I have heard. Many thanks for sharing your talents and testimonies. Love, President Passey". Awww!

I got to see Hna. Adams again! And reunite with some people! The Sisters in Hereford and Sierra Vista told me they are still working with Josie and Anna, and that Josie went to a baptism!!!! Woooo! It's so nice to hear she is progressing a little more. They told me that she apparently still thinks I am coming back there haha. :) We came back home, and someone dropped off my tiwi card for me! (That is my card that I scan to be able to drive) so I have been able to practice driving and getting used to navigating around our area.

Friday was a good day, I suppose! We had breakfast as a district before they went to service. We had waffles, which were super good. :) We found out that two of the missionaries in our district are going to be training! New missionaries!

We went on splits, and I set a baptismal date with Rudy!!!!!! June 25th :)

Our Meet the Mormons "community movie night" failed. There were maybe a couple of nonmembers, but the rest were just members. It wasn't supposed to be a ward party. -_- But I guess it allowed us to get in contact with people to invite them! So that was a plus!

Saturday was just great :) Ray was baptized, and it was just perfect. Everything worked out smoothly and the baptism itself went super well, perfect the first time. 4 people in the font, a shower chair, and his son baptized him. Lots of sweet, tender mercies involved. The Spirit was definitely there. He is a changed man, and it was so beautiful to see the completion of this part-member family. Next step, receive the Holy Ghost, and in a year--- the Temple!!!! For the opening song, we sang "Families can be Together Forever" and it rang so true to me. It had a much more special meaning, now that we were singing with the testimony that because Ray is taking this next step of baptism, HIS family can be together forever. :)

Sunday was even more beautiful. I was exhausted, because we were up late packing, but it was a wonderful day. :) Ray received the Gist of the Holy Ghost, and that to me was the crowning moment of the entire weekend, even more than the baptism. He received it. And his countenance changed. There is this added sweetness and spirit about him now. His prayer in class was so beautiful and simple, and full of gratitude, and he could now ask, being included, that the Spirit could always be with us.

We said goodbye to a few people and had our last lesson together as a companionship.

It has been really good. These past two transfers have probably been the hardest and the most challenging of my mission, but they have also been the most rewarding, the most fun, and I have grown the most spiritually, socially, and probably mentally and emotionally as well. Sister Charles and I have been through a lot together, and I think that is why I love her so much. I came to the realization that I am really going to miss her. We have had many successes together, even apart from the hard times for each of us, and even in our companionship. We have smoothed out our rough edges, and I can honestly say that she is the companion I have grown to love the most, trust the most, and who I am the closest to. All of my companions have been very different from one another, but we have learned so much from each other. I love her! We have helped each other through so much.

Anyway, So I will be taking over the area! And my new companion will be Sister Chandler. I've heard great things about her, so I hope things will go wonderfully! I will probably be here for another 3 months. But it's okay, because I have come to love Pima :)

I hope you all have a splendid week, enjoy the reception on Saturday, and I will be there!!!!!! ;) (You'll see).

The church is true, the Lord sustains His imperfect missionaries, and gives us miracles every day, we just have to be willing to see them and look for them!

I love you and am so grateful to be part of an eternal family!!!!

Love,

Sister Inman

The Martinez Family (Ray in the middle)

Us and the Martinez'

Those in the font

HOLY COW! THAT SKY IS ON FIRE!

Sisters Inman and Charles

Sisters Inman and Charles

I did a jumping picture and landed really hard on my feel and also my necklace his my in the teeth. So this was my face.

Sister Inman Letter - May 9, 2016

Rough week, but man does God know me!

Hi family!

Well, this week has been rough, but GUESS WHAT. God supports and sustains His missionaries! I have definitely felt of God's love and support this week, and have felt the promise as contained in the scripture,"And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." Doctrine and Covenants 84:88

On Monday, I had a rough day, but when we went to go get groceries.... a kind man paid for BOTH OF US. I just about cried. It ended up being about $110, and he offered without knowing how much it would be. I hope that God showers a multitude of blessings upon him. He turned out to be a member that wasn't in our ward, but we were so grateful.

Tuesday was a little better! I could feel His love and strength and peace. I have come to understand that when we humble ourselves, that is when the Spirit can be present with us, and guide us and comfort and strengthen us. I was more capable and closer to the Spirit, and was more in tune to the needs of others, which was neat to see. 

Wednesday (May the FOURTH be with you!!!!!) :) Happy Star Wars Day! We had zone meeting which was good!

Thursday was just an awkward day. 

We as a zone are going to sing a musical number at our half-mission conference this week (A member of the 70 is coming! Woo! Elder and Sister Foster). Luckily, most of our zone is willing and can carry a tune :D  We did service at the food bank, which is always fun, I love working there! It is fun to do service with all the other missionaries, because you can work and get to know one another at the same time. :)

Friday was alright. We had interviews with President Passey, and that went well. He was very supportive of me, and had lots of encouraging words, and expressed his full confidence in my abilities, and told me that I have grown so much spiritually, and that he can see great things coming from me. That I am going to continue to grow, and that there is so much success and greatness that awaits me when I do. He said, "You've had quite a few stretching experiences, but I can see you doing great things. Sister Inman, you will go places. I have high hopes for you, and you have pushed through and keep going, despite setbacks and challenges, and I'm going to celebrate that."

I also gained a sister on Friday! Another Inman!!!!! I am so excited that she is part of our family now. I can't wait to meet her finally. I think she belongs in this family. I approve. :) And the reception pictures were beautiful :) You two are so cute.

Saturday was rough. But I got help throughout the day, and got the strength to move forward.

Sunday was AWESOME!!!! Great day. It was Mother's Day. We went to the Pima wards, and RAY and RUDY came!!!!! YAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!! :D We were so happy. God's tender mercies are the sweetest. Rudy stayed all three hours, because his ride home stayed haha. But he said he enjoyed it! Yayyy! He has experienced a total change of heart, and his whole countenance has changed. He went from Doubting Thomas to a man of great faith. What? Sometimes, you need traumatic experiences to shake you up enough to make a change. And that's just what happened with Rudy.

Ray's baptism is this Saturday! We have been meeting with him about 3 times a week, and have two more lessons with him before his interview! SO EXCITED! Man, it's gonna be one of the coolest baptisms ever. He is so prepared.

I got to Skype home on Sunday! It was kinda weird, because it was only Mom, Dad, and Jesse! But it was nice to see those familiar faces, and we had a good talk. I love my family! Jesse looks so big now...... he's a grown man. :( Is he taller than Jake yet?

Anyway, so that was my week in a nutshell! Nothing too exciting. BUT I am excited for the half mission conference on Thursday! It'll be good. 

A couple more thoughts from Elder Holland and Lynn G. Robbins from the conference:

"This is the most important institution in the world. This is the most important work in the UNIVERSE. And God has left it up to young adults, some of you only 18 years old. You need to take this work SERIOUSLY."

"This is the church of eternal progression. You will not make any U-Turns."

"Do not ever ever EVER walk away from your mission. I can understand the one and the ninety and nine, but I cannot imagine losing a shepherd."

The Discussion

He went over to the whiteboard to start our discussion, and started writing, and said "I write in reformed Egyptian, don't worry about this." haha. His handwriting wasn't too bad. I was looking for different things that Mom looks for in handwriting analysis, but couldn't remember what they meant. Well shoot!

• Why are we here? Because of the Fall. We brought upon ourselves Physical and Spiritual Death. 2 Nephi 9:6-9 (He asked where we could find that truth, and I knew the answer but chickened out, so he answered it. That was my only regret of that conference. I should have commented. Grrr. Kicking myself in the shins for it. I wish I had participated more. Still can't get over it. -_- )
• Therefore.... We need a Redeemer.

Which brings us to:

The Enabling Power of the Atonement

1. He is our Advocate with the Father

We want to get into the court room, but we cannot even enter or have any say. We NEED the Savior.

2. Plan of Mercy---Satisfies Justice

Only one person has the power of attorney to give you the ability to enter into God's presence. He buys you a chance to repair the damage. He pleads with the Father to hold the axe a little longer, so He/missionaries can plead with people with all of our might to repent. Time is running out, the probation period is almost up.

3. He is the Surrogate for the Father

He is both the Advocate AND the Judge! He can balance the scales because He is the KEEPER of the scales. The only way that the story is fair is if the Judge, NOT the advocate or the person pays the price. Only HE has the power to do this. "God himself shall come down" to atone for the sins of the world.

4. The Gift of the Holy Ghost

The enabling power comes through the visitation of the Holy Ghost which comes after you prepare yourself to exercise divine power. The Holy Ghost cannot dwell where there is sin. You must receive a remission of sins in order to have the Holy Ghost. Christ HAD to leave, and die, so that the Holy Ghost can come. He HAD to atone, so we could receive that enabling power, or he would have no power to give us, because He hadn't performed the Atonement yet.

5. The Priesthood

The Priesthood holds the keys to all of the spiritual blessings of the church. Do you want to be enabled? Have power? Solve a problem bigger than you? Help investigators? Then you need these two things that ONLY our church has: 1)The Gift of the Holy Ghost, and 2) The Priesthood [after the order of the Son of God], which comes only through the Holy Ghost, which is given to man by the priesthood.

Hope you all have a fantastic week! We have one more week as a companionship before Sister Charles goes home. Wow. I will be taking over the area! Four wards! Holy moly! Scary. Anyway, I love you all, and pray for you daily!

Love,

Sister Inman

Pichas!

Our mission with Elder Holland and Elder Robbins! (Can you spot them?) So cool :D

Mi familia! (got to Skype home for Mothers' Day)