Family and Friends!
216 Shenandoah Dr. Apt. 302
A note to Mom:
Love you
Sister Nay
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Third Area Week 23- New Area, New Opportunities, New Hope! (1-20-2014)
216 Shenandoah Dr. Apt. 302
Second Area Week 22- Grateful (1-13-2014)
Family and Friends!
I can't believe another transfer has come and
gone. Tomorrow is transfer meeting and yes I am getting transferred (not
to Brazil)! The Lord has a need for me in Pennsylvania so I will stay
here through the bitter cold and snow, then go to the extreme heat later
:) I want to thank you all for your love, prayers, and kindness. It
indeed has been a great learning experience for me to serve in
Washington these past three months. I am sad to leave but at the same
time I am excited for the new adventures that await in my new area!
I've got a roof over my head,
I've got a warm place to sleep.
Some nights I lie awake counting gifts
Instead of counting sheep.
I've got a heart that can hold love,
I've got a mind that can think.
There may be times when I loose the light
And let my spirits sink.
But I can't stay depressed
When I remember how I'm blessed.
Grateful, grateful
Truly grateful I am.
Grateful, grateful,
Truly blessed and duly grateful.
Well mostly a warm place to sleep. This Tuesday the
temps where in the negatives so our apartment was pretty cold. We were
sitting in an apartment at 50 degrees all day. So I guess you could say
that is warm.
I also have learned the power of saying grateful prayers. Sister
Roberts told me once that when you are having a hard time, say a
grateful prayer. Pure gratitude and your attitude will change. So
whenever you are feeling down and your spirits sink, say a grateful
prayer and you will always feel better.
In a city of strangers
I've got a family of friends.
No matter what rocks and brambles fill the way,
I know that they will stay until the end.
I feel a hand holding my hand.
It's not a hand you can see.
But on the road to the promised land,
This hand will shepherd me,
Through delight and despair,
Holding tight and always there.
Grateful, Grateful
Truly grateful I am.
Grateful, Grateful
Truly blessed and duly grateful.
This area has had its ups and downs. But it
has been a great pleasure and honor to serve in Washington. I have met
so many people that have changed my life. Donna is a bright spot in my
time here. Each lesson with her I feel like she has taught me more than I
taught her. She was so ready for the gospel to be in her life and her
testimony of the Savior lifts me up each time I see her. Gretchen is a
God send. She has taught me so much about the power of the atonement in
each of our lives and the love that our Savior has for us. I feel like I
have made a true and lasting friend in her. The Cagnon's have brought
so much laughter into my life. They are hilarious and just fun. But most
importantly Sister Cagnon gives what I call "mom hugs". If you have
never had a mom hug then you are missing out. They are the kind of hugs
that just wrap you up in love and comfort and make everything bad go
away.
Most importantly, here in Washington I have learned to look for the
Savior's hand to hold. I know that as I allow Him to pilot my life, it
will always go in the right direction. We as imperfect human beings
sometimes don't understand what His purposes are, but if we trust them
then it will all be worth it. He will guide us to the promised land and
he will always be there through delight and despair. Look for His hand
because it is reaching for yours.
It's not that I don't want a lot,
Or hope for more, or dream of more.
But giving thanks for what I've got
Makes me so much happier than keeping score.
In a world that can bring pain
I will still take each chance.
For I believe that whatever the terrain
Our feet can learn to dance.
Whatever stone life may sling
We can moan or we can sing.
Grateful, Grateful
Truly grateful I am
Grateful, Grateful
Truly blessed and duly grateful!
I hope all of you have a great and fun filled week!
Remember the Lord loves you and the Church is true!
Love
Sister Nay
Second Area Week 21- Will We Forget (1-6-2014)
Family and Friends!
I can't believe
that holiday season is over, it seems like it just started!
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's just flew by. No word on my visa
yet, but there is always hope. In the meantime, serving in Pennsylvania
has been a great blessing and learning experience. I meant to send this
song for my email last week, but with Sister Cohen's departure, it
seemed fitting to pay tribute to such an awesome missionary!
First this week has been full of wild adventures and crazy winter weather! My favorite was Thursday in which we spent all day in McDonald, not the restaurant, and then hit a mild winter storm on the way home. Needless to say we decided to go home early. While we were in McDonald we were able to do so much work! We made contact with some less active members and we were really well received. Sometimes its convenient for it to be cold outside because people take pity on the poor Sister Missionaries:D We also visited a member of the ward whose mother was one of the first members in Washington County so we got some great historical background on the ward!
Our recent convert Donna continues to amaze us. She truly has
taken the call from 2 Nephi 32:3-5 to feast upon the words of Christ.
She has taken it upon herself to read the entire Book of Mormon, the
Pearl of Great Price and the Doctrine and Covenants. Her desires to
learn more about the gospel and the history of the Church is amazing! I
love the lessons that we have with her! We also got to play with her
month old puppies this week was such a blast, they are so cute!
I think the greatest blessings of being a missionary is the
opportunity that we have to watch as the Spirit of the Lord works on the
hearts of men and women. There is a woman that we are working with that
has let us into her home, but not her life until recently. She and her
son have endured the evils of this world far beyond what should have
been. Yet through it all her heart has been touched by the Spirit and
she has opened her heart to what we teach. She was so excited to see us
this week and also to share with us the verses that she found in the
scriptures. As she told us of her faith and how much hope she finds in
Jesus Christ, I couldn't help but be brought to tears. She is a very
special woman and I cannot help but look up to her. We truly are brought
through trials to help us remember to look to our Savior. One of my
favorite scriptures is Romans 8:35,37-39 which reads," Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that
loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels,
nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate
us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. " We
will never be forgotten by our Savior, Lord, and King. Let us all strive
to remember Him throughout this year as we move away from the Christmas
season!
A heart that's been closed may be opening tonight
A soul that's been lost might believe it's been found
But six months from now on a warm summer night
Will we pause to remember that night in December
When we promised ourselves we'd keep the spirit all year round
When we promised ourselves we'd keep the spirit all year round
Will we forget the promises we resolutely made
Will we forget to thank the Lord for all the gifts He gave
Will we forget to thank the Lord for all the gifts He gave
We'll say it's human nature, but something seems amiss
When there is just one time of year reserved for nights like this.
Six months from now on a warm summer night
Will we even remember that night in December
When we promised ourselves we'd keep this spirit all year round
Will we forget the feelings, will we forget to sing
Will we forget the Christ child came and gave us everything
Will we forget the Christ child came and gave us everything
We'll have a hundred reasons why we have set aside
The memories of this season when His spirit touched our lives
But He who came to save for all eternity
Has not forgotten those who need His mercy to be free
And though the number's greater than the sands upon the sea
There is no time of year that He's forgotten you or me.
And though the number's greater than the sands upon the sea
There is no time of year that He's forgotten you or me.
He has not forgotten us on any lonely night
He has not forgotten that our joy requires His light
He has not forgotten that our joy requires His light
He has not forgotten those who are homeless as we He
He has not forgotten you; He's not forgotten me.
Sister Nay
Second Area Week 20- Three Kings Found the Lord (12-23-2013)
Merry Christmas Family and Friends!
So for those of you
who don't know about my family's Christmas tradition of going to the
Forgotten Carols, this song is my favorite from it!
Somewhere beneath the glitter
That comes this time of winter
In many souls there is a cry
They may not clearly say it
But in their hearts they pray it
And you can see it in their eyes
I cannot find my way
I cannot find my way
I cannot find my way at all
There are so many voices
So many different choices
I cannot find my way at all.
As
a missionary I have never been so aware of those many souls who are
trying to find their way in this dark world. Sister Cohen, Sister
Manwill, and I have spent some time reflecting on the miracles of the
last transfer and a half together (mostly because Sister Cohen is going
home on Friday). We have seen so many come back to the fold as we have
tackled less-active work. Yesterday it was our own little Christmas
miracle to see so many that we have been working with come to chruch. We
also had the opportunity to watch as some of them as they took the next
step to stay longer than sacrament meeting,which they had never done
before!
You truly can see it in the eyes of those who are seeking for a
light in the darkness. I have also gotten to see how the light begins to
radiate in their eyes as they find it! My favorite is Thomisina.
Thomisina has been struggling for a long time now to come back to the
light. Saturday we had the opportunity to see the light come on for her.
We could see in her eyes that she couldn't find her way, but as she
read the scriptures that light began to radiate through her eyes! She
was actually excited and almost giddy. Thomisina came to church the next
day with the light still gleaming in her eyes!
There were three kings
Who followed the star of Bethlehem
They came from afar
To praise and honor him
The light which beckoned them
To seek the Lord of men
It calls to you,
It calls to me
We cannot find our way
We cannot find our way
We cannot find our way at all
There are so many choices
So many different voices
We cannot findour way at all.
Each
of us have times in our lives where we have to search for the Lord in
our lives. Sometimes we may be far away from the light and other times
it only grew a little dim in our hearts. But, we will always have that
star to light our own way back to Him. Aja is the hot topic of most of
my conversations now. She is a bright young woman who found the Gospel
in June, but she has had an onslaught of trials that have pushed her
faith to the limit. We have watched as she has struggled and struggled.
While she is not out of the dark yet, so to speak, we know that she
knows what she needs to do. She can see the star (prayer, reading
scriptures, going to Church) and she knows that she must follow it to
get back to where she wants to be.
We're not alone
We have a star that shines today.
The love He gave Teaches how
And shows the way
That light, it's clear to see
If we have faith and believe
Three kings found the Lord
And so can we
Lord, help us find our way
We need to find our way
Lord, help us find our way back home
Three Kings found the Lord
And so can we!
Gretchen
is one of my favorites! She has come so far. Her life has been darker
than most and her struggles have been deeper than many. But we can see
that slowly she is accepting the Lord's love back into her heart.
Saturday afternoon we decided that we needed to drop by and see her.
When we got there her son was over at someone else's house so she could
wrap his Christmas presents. Naturally we offered to help while we
talked. That was the best hour of my life, we had so much fun! In the
end our conversation turned toward the Savior and the Book of Mormon.
She wants to teach her son about the truths that she has learned from
the Gospel. I know that Gretchen is not alone on her journey back to
finding peace and forgiveness, Christ is standing at her side waiting
patiently for her. He is showing her the way back to Him weather she
knows it or not.
And if you've lost your way
That light burns bright today
And it will shine eternally
Three kings found the Lord
And so can we!
In
the Christmas season, ponder how you can find the Savior as the three
kings did. We all can have Him more fully in our lives regardless of our
calling, religion, or age. This week as you read the Christmas story
from Luke, open presents, and spend time with your family remember WHO
this is all about and HOW you can accept Him more completely in your own
life! The light of His love will always shine on for us to see and
follow, choose to follow it!
Remember the Lord loves you and the Church is True!
Sister Nay
You know you are serving a mission in Pennsylvania when...
You
drive up to a less active's home and you see the woman you where there
to visit yelling at her sons about something, but you didn't recognize
that it was her as you approached the house. So you quietly walk past
the situation, trying not to be awkward. Then you and your companions
realize that it was her and you wait awkwardly in the yard. You finally
figure out the reason why you don't recognize her is because she got
dentures and looks way different with teeth at the ripe old age of 50!
You continue to walk to the front door, but notice a deer leg just
hanging out on the ground. As you walk into the house, their pug is
chowing down on a piece of fresh, bloody meat on the couch that you sit
on. So you make your way to the couch and force yourself to sit in the
nastiness hoping that it doesn't get on your skirt. Then her husband
walks in the room weilding a knife, saying ' We are butchering a deer,
do you want some?' Then he startes to go on about how cool this special
knife is. You teach your lesson and then as you walk out you go see the
deer. In the kitchen there is not just deer meat, but an entire deer
carcas sitting on the kitchen table. Only in Pennsylvania folks!
I thought I would share a little bit of our adventures in Washington, PA!
Second Area Week 19- Like Ten Thousand Legions Marching (12-9-2013)
Family and Friends!
It is another blustery day in Washington, PA!
Snow has been falling and so has some really nasty rain. But it is all
worth it to save the souls of Heavenly Father's children (plus it
doesn't hurt that we drive a car).
Like ten thousand legions marching
Moves a mighty band of youth,
Boldly taking to all people
Zion's glorious song of truth.
Out of every nation surging
Sons of Joseph Israel's band
Now they spread salvation's message
In the tongues of every land.
Far across the might waters,
Reaching every waiting shore,
Seed of Abraham and Jacob
Like a mighty lion roar.
Come, ye nations, out of darkness;
'Tis the time of Christ's return.
Heed the Restoration's message;
Let its light within you burn.
So as all
of you know the number of LDS missionaries around the world has exploded
since President Monson announced what we call "the age change," it
really is like ten thousand legions marching out to share the gospel.
So at the start of this new transfer my companions
and I made some new goals. The people that we have been working with are
mostly not going anywhere and would prefer to stay in the religion that
they are in which is just fine, but we have a specific calling as
missionaries. I love to teach people and bring them closer to Jesus
Christ and share my testimony with everyone. We also recognize that our
purpose as missionaries is " To invite others to come unto Christ by
helping them receive the Restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ
and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy
Ghost and enduring to the end." There comes a point when the full extent
of our purpose isn't being filled that we have to drop in faith
trusting that the Lord will provide people with prepared hearts. That is
where my companions and I stand today. We have dropped in faith and
with that same faith we know that God will help us find those with
hearts ready to hear the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ!
In fact we have already seen that come to fruition
in our lives. After dropping two investigators that we were teaching and
spending two days doing the typical Mormon Missionary tracting, we felt
like we should visit a former investigator family. They immediately let
us in and we were able to teach a lesson that day!
The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored on the
earth today! We have a living prophet guiding our Church with Jesus
Christ at the head. I have chosen to come out as a missionary because I
know in my heart that this is so true! I want others to have that same
truth and knowledge in their lives. I also know that the Gospel will
bring peace and joy and happiness into the lives of those who accept it.
I love the Christmas season and the opportunity that it is to remember
Christ as we celebrate Christmas. We can remember that He was born, that
He lived, that He died, and most importantly rose again! Let us all
remember what Christmas is truly about and that we can share our
knowledge with those around us!
This is a really cute video about the real meaning of Christmas!
Remember the Lord loves you and the Church is True!
Sister Nay
Second Area Week 18- God Movies in a Mysterious Way (12-2-2013)
Family and Friends!
His purposes will ripen fast,
God truly does work in mysterious ways! I know that even though we go through trials and sometimes we even suffer, we are promised by Him bounteous blessings. As we enter this Christmas season let's not forget what and who it is really about! Remember the Savior in your times of trials and He will be standing right beside you!
Remember the Lord loves You and the Church is True!
Love,
Sister Nay
Well....
This week has been a week of trial and a week of
mighty miracles. I am truly grateful for the love that Heavenly Father
and Jesus Christ have not only for me but for all of the people of this
world. I have seen how much God our Heavenly Father does move in
mysterious ways to bring us to our heavenly goal and home!
I think every missionary encounters a transfer where
life is just a little bit tougher than normal. I have been struggling a
bit and my companions have truly been exactly what I need right now. In
a nutshell I have had a growing anxiety of going to Brazil, especially
after my mission president asked all visa waiters to discontinue
language study. I feel under prepared and scared of what it will be like
when I get there and I know that it will be a definite change in my
life. Don't get me wrong, I still want to go and I know that Heavenly
Father has called me here and there for specific reasons. That doesn't
mean that I haven't had to acknowledge fear of the unknown world of
Brazil.
But Christ in His infinite grace and mercy has provided companions
and other people in my life that have made my life easier. The love that
I have felt this transfer has been great and I know that Heavenly
Father knew that I would be facing this trial and provided a way for me
to face it with friends at my side. I have been taught a lot about
patience, love, and charity this transfer and I know that Heavenly
Father has a greater purpose for me learning these attributes than I can
see right now.
Missionaries are truly privy to miracles in their
lives and in the lives of others. My new and dear friend Donna was
baptized on Saturday night by her son. Entering the waters of baptism is
a beautiful and precious moment in anyone's life. I am so grateful that
Heavenly Father has put Donna in my life. I feel that she has taught me
more than I have taught her about the Gospel. Last Wednesday, we
committed her to reading the Book of Mormon in it's entirety. When we
saw her Friday night, she was 20 pages away from finishing it. She had
decided to read it all the way through from the beginning in 2 days! She
was finished with the Book of Mormon by the time she was baptized
Saturday night. She has also read the Doctrine and Covenants and the
Pearl of Great Price all the way through as well. It truly is a blessing
to have Donna in my life!
I had the opportunity to talk to Donna after Church on Sunday and
she shared a very tender moment with me. She had said that she has felt
so much love and forgiveness in joining the Church. She also said that
she really didn't like the Christmas season because of tragedies in her
life, but she was looking forward to this Christmas. Not only can the
Gospel of Jesus Christ bring healing and forgiveness, but it brings hope
and a renewal of life!
I testify that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer! He is our
Guide, our Friend, and our Brother. I know that as we turn to Him and
let the healing powers of His atonement enter into our hearts and souls,
that we can truly change and become more like Him! He brings the hope
that every human desires to have in their lives. He brings love and
kindness.
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Ye fearful Saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding ev'ry hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan his works in vain;
God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.
God truly does work in mysterious ways! I know that even though we go through trials and sometimes we even suffer, we are promised by Him bounteous blessings. As we enter this Christmas season let's not forget what and who it is really about! Remember the Savior in your times of trials and He will be standing right beside you!
Remember the Lord loves You and the Church is True!
Love,
Sister Nay
Well....
I will be staying here in Washington, PA for another
transfer. Sister Cohen will be here until December 27 when she goes home
and Sister Manwill and I will finish off the transfer in a duo! I am
excited to stay in this ward and learn and grow here. I know Heavenly
Father is keeping me here for a reason, and I hope that I can fulfill my
purpose!
The walk elders who just got here last transfer are being taken out
and so are the Wanysburg elders who were our DL and comp. They are
shutting down the Wanynsburg branch and they are being assmilated into
the surrounding wards. And the walk elders are going who knows where.
Elder Doyle has been called as a district leader and Elder green ( a
visa waiter) is being thrown around like the rest of us waiting on the
Lord's timetable and learning patience for our President.
Love
Sister Nay
I can't wait to talk to y'all on Christmas!!!! (around here they say y'inz, but I don't like it)
LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!
The Strapazzons breed dogs on the side. These puppies are 2 weeks old!
They are so cute! They literally were the size of my hand and I have
small hands!
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Second Area Week 17- Now Thank We All Our God (11-25-2013)
Family and Friends!
It is Thanksgiving Week and I could not be more
thankful to be a missionary! The ward that I am serving in is more than
amazing. For example a woman from our ward is sitting with us for 2
hours so we get to email our family from the Family History Center. Plus
there is a baptism in our midst! This Saturday at 7 Donna will be
getting baptized by her son Brain who was baptized a year ago! Sister
Cohen, Sister Manwill and I could not be more excited!
Now thank we all our God
With hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done,
In whom his earth rejoices;
I
thank Heavenly Father everyday for the opportunity that I have to be a
missionary! I think best of all is that He has blessed me to be a visa
waiter! The people that I have gotten to know while I have been serving
here in Pennsylvania have changed my life forever! I am so excited to
be here can can't wait to continue serving more next transfer. (No word
on my visa yet, I am hoping for the first of the year!)
Who from our mothers' arms,
Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of ove
And still is ours today.
I am eternally grateful for my mom and dad who set the example for me. They used all of their hearts, mights, minds, and, strengths to teach me that Gospel so that I could be here today! I look back at moments in my life and marvel at the patience that they had for me and how much they want me to do what is right. I know Heavenly Father blessed me with my parents so that I could grow up in righteousness and share the Gospel with the world. I know that I wouldn't be the missionary and the person that I am today were it not for my parents and their unfaltering love for me, their daughter!
Oh, may our bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever-joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us,
And keep us in his love,
And guide us day and night,
And free us from all ills,
Protect us by his might.
Not only do I love this verse for myself, but also for the many wonderful people that I am currently working with. Aja, as I mentioned last week is going through ever so many trials in her
life right now. I see in her eyes that the weight of the world is on her shoulders and her knees are beginning to buckle. But as we have gone to visit her and bring the Spirit back into her life, she has noticeably changed. As we have borne our testimonies of the healing powers of Christ's Atonement, she has allowed hope to spring back into her life. I pray that Heavenly Father will always be near her throughout her life, that He will grant her joy, love, guidance, protection and peace.
life right now. I see in her eyes that the weight of the world is on her shoulders and her knees are beginning to buckle. But as we have gone to visit her and bring the Spirit back into her life, she has noticeably changed. As we have borne our testimonies of the healing powers of Christ's Atonement, she has allowed hope to spring back into her life. I pray that Heavenly Father will always be near her throughout her life, that He will grant her joy, love, guidance, protection and peace.
Donna is a wonderful lady. She has taught me more than I feel like I have taught her. Her testimony is so strong and she loves Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. She is so charitable and sweet and kind and loving. She lights up when she sees us either at lessons or at church. It is a privilege that Heavenly Father has granted me the opportunity to guide her towards the waters of baptism. I know that she would have made it to this point regardless of the missionaries that served here, but she has been a blessing in my life.
Always remember to thank Heavenly Father for what He has given you, even the trails that you face.
Good timber does not grow with ease,
The stronger wind, the stronger tress.
The futher sky, the greater length.
The more the storm, the more the strenght.
By sun and cold, by rain and snow,
In trees and men good timbers grow.
Like President Monson said, in his talk " I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee" trials make us stronger. So don't forget to thank Heavenly Father this week for the good and the bad, because if you don't know the bad the good wouldn't feel so great!
Remember the Lord loves you and the church is true!
Sister Nay
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