Sister Denton's Marvelous Mission

Monday, March 19, 2012

3/19/12- Letter to the World

Hello World!

Well, it was a great last week.  The problem is, I left my planner at home, so I'm not sure what I did lol.  I'll try to remember!!

I tried to do it by day and totally failed.  How about some exciting and crazy information?

Pierre is going to be baptized April 8!  So exciting!!  He's super stoked about it.  He's made such a change this last little while.  About a week ago, he decided to completely go in God's way.  He stopped smoking and drinking and started reading the Book of Mormon again.  There's SUCH a difference!  I'm so excited for him!

That's about it for super exciting lol.  Interesting fact--our entire district is getting doubled out.  Our apartment will become an Elder's apartment--weird!  So we had to prep our ward and all of our investigators.

Since this is my last Letter to the World, I guess I'll bear my testimony :D  I know this church is the Lord's.  I know that the Atonement is all-encompassing and individual.  I know that our Savior knows exactly what each of us are going through and because of that He can help us with everything.  I know that our leaders are inspired and that if we follow them, we will be blessed immediately.  I know that Joseph Smith saw what he said he saw and that The Book of Mormon is the word of God and can bring us nearer to God than any other book.  I know that God loves us!  This work is incredible!

Shall we not go on in so great a cause?

Sister Denton

Monday, March 12, 2012

3/12/12- Letter to the World

Hello World!!

You better treasure every word of this because you only get this and one more!!

Monday
We started P-Day by going to the Wong's and teaching a lesson--a part-member family we've been working with for awhile.  It went well!  I love teaching!  After P-Day, we went to the Elizabethtown area--Columbia--and looked up some investigators.  The other sisters had been sick for over a month, so they hadn't been able to see their people in awhile.

Tuesday
Zone Conference!!!  I love training meetings!  It was great :D  I gave my departing testimony and was able to play a special musical number with Sister Topham--Oh My Father.  The same song I played at my farewell :D  She played the piano and I played the flute.  After dinner at the McAllister/Padilla (pancakes and bacon!), we headed to Manheim and split up.  Sis Foster--one of my favorite women in the world--was my companion.  We went to teach Bro Winters, now a new investigator.  His sister-in-law is a member of our ward, so she was there too.  We went to the Black's next, after being stood up for an appointment.  Sis Cahoon was there with her mom visiting the mission (she's from Redmond!), so we taught the Blacks a lesson.

Wednesday
We started out in Manehim and had a great talk with Zach--a potential investigator we have.  Sis Blacks came out with us.  Next we got to see Emma!  She was baptized about a year ago right after I moved to Lititz the first time.  It was SO good to teach her again!!  We went out to Columbia for the rest of the night.

Thursday
We started in Manheim again with another potential who became a new investigator--Leda.  It was a good little lesson!  We hurried back to Lititz for lunch and then we went to Luthercare for Spa Day.  My finger was messed up for the last couple of days and taped up, so I did back/head massages while the other sisters did manicures.  We had dinner with a family in the E-Town ward (burritos!) and then went to see Maryrose, an E-Town investigator.  That fell through and then we headed back to Lititz for Sammy's lesson.  Sis Vega, a new move-in, came with us and it was fabulous!  Sammy is so amazing and prepared!!

Friday
After an eternally long weekly planning session, went to the Relief Society Birthday Party where we had a part in the program.  That went well and then we went to contact some referrals.

Saturday
We spent the morning and afternoon in Columbia.  Dinner was FABULOUS at the Byrds--stew, dumplings, cornbread, salad, and caramel brownies and red velvet cake for dessert.  Um...yum!  We went to the Crofts, a less active family I used to teach, next and it was a fantastic lesson.  I really felt the Spirit and was able to be bold and inviting.  I love when I have thoughts come to my head of things to read or share that I hadn't planned!  Last we went to the Mercers--a new part-member family that moved into the ward.  She took the discussions in Arizona and wants to be baptized!  The lesson again was full of the Spirit and so great!!

Sunday
We though we had meetings at 7:30, but they didn't start until 8, so I got to practice the piano some (I'm doing a piano solo next week in sacrament meeting).  After church, we had another FABULOUS dinner at the Holland--mesquite bbq porkloin, parmesan encrusted pork loin, rice, corn, salad, and delicious raisen cake for dessert!!  I love members!!  Sis Archer brought us milk and cereal at church, too--so grateful!!  Takes care of shopping for the week lol.  We taught the Murphy's last--another part-member family.  It went great and he agreed to work toward baptism!  Again, the spirit was strong.

I love this work.  It's true!  I'm so grateful to be a part of it and to continue being a missionary even when I go home!

Love you tons!!

Sister Denton

Monday, March 5, 2012

3/5/12- Letter to the World

So...this was a crazy week!  I forgot my planner, so I don't know the specifics, but the big news is that a sister in the E-Town area had to go home sick, so as of Wednesday we're in a threesome covering E-Town and Lititz.  E-Town is formally named Millersville...my first area!  So now I'm serving in all of the wards I've ever served in with the exception of 4 mo in State college.  Crazy!!!!

Sammy is doing so well!  She's been reading and coming to church and is just so amazing!!

The Douglas family is kind of struggling to make this a priority.  There having lots of struggles and instead of 3 Ne 13:33ing it, they are trying to fix the problems first.

Sorry it's a short letter, but I hope you are all doing well!  We have Zone Conference tomorrow where I have to give my departing testimony--crazy.  I've been watching missionaries do this for 18 months and it's now my turn--I can't even believe it!!!

I love you all!

Sister Denton

Monday, February 27, 2012

2/27/12- Letter to the World

Hello World!

Monday
After P-Day, we got to go teach the Douglas family.  It went really well!

Tuesday
After volunteering, we headed out to Manheim.  We were able to have a couple of less active lessons, which was great.  We had dinner with Sis Archer--love her!  And she made MEXICAN!  That's few and far between in PA.  They could really use a Cafe Rio out this way.  In fact, they opened one near the DC temple last summer and that was like the talk of the ward!

The best part of the night was Sammy.  She's one of the people who just showed up to church last week.  She's so amazing!  We ended up having more of a discussion than a lesson, but it went really well!

Wednesday
We had another great dinner at the Mathis's--spaghetti, and then FINALLY had our lesson with Sam--the guy we met from England.  We had a great lesson with them, but they weren't interested in learning more.  We finished up with Anton, a guy we've been teaching for awhile who went to Lanc Bible College.

Thursday
We had another lesson with Sis Meza and her husband.  They're heading out for an extended Florida vacation, so I won't get to teach them again.  We had a combined District Meeting/Specialized Training with President.  It was on How to Begin Teaching and was really great!  I always love when President comes out!  We got to teach Magen again...she's so amazing, too!  She's from Honduras and has a nephew that is a member out there.

Friday
LEADERSHIP TRAINING!  I love training meetings!  And to make it even better....Chiliwood!  I've attached pictures of it.  It was a lot of fun!  And if my dad will send me the link this week (hint hint...we'll see if he reads this far :D), I can forward it next week to everyone.  My comp and I performed in the Variety Show, though it didn't go as planned, lol.

Saturday
We got to see Sis Stones again, which was good.  I love their family!  We also got to see Sis Heaton.

Sunday
Stake Conference!  I LOVE Stake Conference!  We heard from Pres and Sis Topham, the DC Temple President and Matron, our Stake President, and a woman from one of the wards.  It was fabulous!  We had some studies and then a great Sunday dinner with the Massey.  We were going to have an FHE at Bishop's with the Douglas family, but they've been sick this week.  Sammy made it to church again, which was AWESOME!

Life is pretty much amazing!

Love you all!

Sister Denton

Monday, February 20, 2012

2/20/12- Letter to the World

Hello World!

It's President's Day and the library is open--how cool is that?!

Monday
We got to teach Soila--she's doing well!  She's getting more and more excited for her baptism.

Tuesday
After lunch, we went to volunteer at the library--sorting books for the book fair.  Our volunteer coordinator is very curious about our religion and we were happy to answer questions as we sorted.  I'd prayed for the opportunity to have a gospel discussion and it presented itself!

We went to Manheim next where we were ditched by our appointments.  We came back to teach Bernard.  We had dinner with the Padillas--love them!  Next we went to a family's house that we'd tracted into a couple of days before.  They're very strong Catholics and were not interested, but allowed us to teach a lesson and took a Book of Mormon!  We ended the night with the Douglas family and watched the long Joseph Smith movie.  'Twas great!

Wednesday
After District Meeting, we went to lunch with Sis Meza and taught her husband--I love them!  We tracted some and then went to Sis Wood's.  We had dinner with Sis Mathis again--this is going to be a weekly thing!  We had meat, homemade potatoes, corn, and pie for dessert!  (This week is spaghetti :D).  We ended the night tracting.

Thursday
We were in most of the morning because Sis Page wasn't feeling well, so I got to organize the area book some more.  We had dinner with the Brintons--pork, potatoes and veggies with ice cream and a muffin for dessert!  We got stood up the rest of the night, so we were out tracting!

Friday
After Weekly Planning, we got to teach Soila again.  We went home for dinner and then tracted until our 8pm appointment.

Saturday
Lititz had Fire and Ice going on, so we went downtown and street contacted some.  We then headed out to Manheim where pretty much everything fell through.  We went to the Stone's for a lesson and then went back out.  The last part was really great and we got some good potentials!

Sunday
Church was SO cool!  We walked in and there was a couple I didn't recognize--they aren't members!  Ione lived in Utah for a few years, but now lives out here.  She brought her fiance Coy with her.  We got their number!  During the sacrament, a member pulled us out.  Russell is from Nepal and his sister and brother-in-law just came here as refugees.  He's driven by our church and decided this is the church for them and their 5 kids, so we got his information.  On the way to gospel principles, another member introduced us to Sammy, who had just shown up to church.  She has an LDS friend and has been reading the Book of Mormon.  We got an appointment with her.  After choir (I got to sub as pianist again), Bishop called us in and gave us a referral.  A woman in the ward married a non-member the day before and the Bishop invited him to take the lessons--he agreed!  What the heck!?  So awesome!

Well, I'm off for another P-Day!  We're low on miles, so it'll be pretty low-key again.

Love you all!
Sister Denton

Monday, February 13, 2012

2/13/12- Letter to the World

Hello World!

I hope all is going well with everyone!  Here's the update for the week:

Monday
We taught the Douglas Family again!  I love them to death!  We picked Sister Douglas up as an investigator, but the boys still go to the back room to play when we come over.  Hopefully that will change!  They are doing great.  Bro Douglas has such an amazing testimony of this work and has GREAT support from his family. I'm excited to see him continue to progress!

Tuesday
We started our service at the library--sorting books for the book fair.  It's pretty fun!  Later that afternoon we taught Bernard.  He's been just reading along!  We went tracting that evening with not much success....but it was definitely an interesting night!!  As we were walking to the car, a cop pulled us over.
"Someone called you in as suspicious....I guess you didn't look Mormon enough."
"haha..."
"I guess I'd better make sure you're who you say you are.  Who's the angel that came to John Smith?"
"Moroni!"
"Okay.  It's getting kind of late to be out."
"We're heading to our car now."
"Okay."
 Gotta love PA!

Wednesday
We got to teach Soila this day.  She's doing great!  We're just waiting for clearance on her baptism.  She is SO excited!

Thursday
Sister Page was sick, so I spent the morning going through our former investigator book and calling those that have been taught in the past.  We got a referral and a potential investigator out of it!  We taught Bernard and Altagracia again.  We had dinner with Sis Mathis--Salmon and Crab Cakes.  Turns out it's good!  I was really scared!  We went to the Douglas' house next for an appointment, but he decided to feed us too.  We had rice and beans and Dominican Spaghetti.

Friday
After planning, we stopped by Niki's, but her fam was sick, so she had to cancel. We had other appointments fall through.  We were invited to participate in the Visiting Teaching Conference, so that was a fun experience.  Then we went to an appointment with Magen from Puerto Rico and she became a new investigator.  She was staring at our tags at one point--turns out her nephew is LDS in Puerto Rico and always talking about it online.

Saturday
Every appointment or thought of an appointment fell through and it was COLD and snowy.  Joy.  About 30 min before our 8pm appointment, they called.  I answered the phone and said, "Sister....we've been walking for the last 3 hours in the cold and snow.  If you cancel right now, we are out for another hour.  I hope you're not calling to cancel."  "I was, but now I feel guilty, so I'll let you come over."  You have to understand, we don't usually set appointments with them because they cancel last minute.  Usually we just show up.  They're a Recent convert/ less active family in the ward who really needs a push.  It was a good lesson and I thought she was SO committed to church, but she didn't show again :(  There's always next week.

Sunday
Church was great!  Bro Douglas bore his testimony in Gospel Principles.  Soila is so excited that she's been 3 times so she can finally be baptized.  We sing in the Ward Choir for our lunch break, which is fun.  I'm filling in on piano again next week :D  The Douglas' canceled, so we were out in the freezing cold again.  People give us weird looks normally, but even more so when it's like 25 degrees and we're knocking on doors lol.  We got some return appointments, though!

Well, that's the week!  We're going to have another great one this week!  The gospel is SO awesome!  It's true....live it and you'll be blessed!

Love ya!

Sister Denton

Monday, February 6, 2012

2/6/12- Letter to the World

Hello World!

Well it's been another crazy week here in PA!  Today marks the beginning of my last transfer.  I can't even believe it!  Six more weeks to rock it out here in the mission field and then the rest of my life to apply it and be the best member missionary I can!

Okay...on to the week!

Monday
We had two appointments fall through, so we went over to a less active family and had a great lesson with them.  I wish people would just realize how much the gospel is going to bless their lives!

Tuesday
We went for our appointment with Bro Frost and he told us that he was no longer interested in meeting with us.  I hate when that happens!  We went over to Sis Meza's house for lunch and taught a little lesson afterward to her husband.  Next we went to meet Pierre--a referral we had.  He is a MIRACLE!!  We went over with Sis Vargas.  His mother in NY is a member.  He's from the Dominican Republic.  He is SO prepared!  He's got a wife and 3 kids, plus one on the way.  They all came to church on Sunday and loved it!  We're teaching them again tonight.  They are so incredible.  We taught Bernard this week--he's doing well.  We also got to go see Soila.  We had dinner with them and then taught a lesson.

Wednesday
After a combined District Meeting and lunch at Applebee's, we took care of some business and then went off to a less active.  Later that night, we went to a less active Part member family and the husband agreed to sit in on the lessons!  How exciting!

Thursday
Service day!  I played Uno for a little over an hour with some women at the nursing home.  After that, we went to Bernard's, but he wasn't there.  We taught the Hilliers next...they're so awesome!  Next we had dinner with the Lawson's--'twas so fun!  Their little girls are adorable!  That night Bro White came with us to teach Bro Graham and Sis Betsey.  I love them to pieces.  It was a great lesson, but unforunately they called us this morning and said they'd like to read on their own and they'll call us when they want us back.

Friday
Some women from the ward took us out to lunch, which was awesome.  We went to Sis Schneider's house and had another great lesson with her.  Next we went to Bro Douglas' house.  He and his 5-year old came on a church tour.  He bore amazing testimony of miracles he'd seen that week since he's started meeting with us, praying morning and night, and reading from the Book of Mormon.  Again, he is so prepared!  Next was dinner. Our last appointment canceled.  We stopped by Sis Kelley's--she was home!  Her son wanted to come to church :D  So great!

Saturday
We went to the White's baptism.  There were some non-members there that are pretty good friends with them.  We tracted some and went to Ciro's--my favorite Italian restauarant--for dinner.  We taught a less active man and after that, we went to help a less actvive woman clean some.

Sunday
I LOVE Sundays!  Like I said, the whole Douglas family came to church!  It was so awesome!  Sis Kelley's son came alone and then one of our part-member investigators came.  So awesome!  We stopped by a less active family and then went to the White's for a PHENOMENAL dinner!  Ribs, Wings, fruit and dip, meat and cream-cheese wontons, this awesome cream cheese dessert as well as strawberry and chocolate wontons.  Oh...and chips and dip!  We headed out and did our studies for the rest of the night, which was convenient, because Superbowl Sunday is not a very productive tracting time.

Well today we might be going to get our hair cut...we'll see!

Here's a poem I wrote recently--

My mission, I've found, is just about o'er
I'm soon walking right out the door.
But I'm taking more home than I ever did plan
It's God's way, He always leaves more.

My old worn-out shoes that are falling apart
will add to the weight of my case,
but the things that I've learned while walking in them
weight nothing and time can't erase.

I've learned how to love with a charity pure
and feel God's love shine right through me
He loves all His children and wants them to know
Their potential and what they can be.

The next thing I've learned is how to endure
every painstaking task that I'm giv'n
at the end of each street, I was glad I pressed on
and I'll feel the same when I'm in heav'n

The life of the Savior--just what He went through,
is something I'll ne'er understand
but an 18-month step in Gethsamane here
has taugth me to hold to His hand

There are many more lessons and prinicples learned,
I could fill pages more with this poem
but it'll mean so much more if you learn for yourself
so go--bring a child of God home.


Missions are awesome!  Love ya'll!

Sister Denton