Three Months Later

It has been three months since returning home from Indiana as a Full-Time Missionary. In that time I've found two jobs working as a lifeguard and a reception hostess, I've enrolled in school with a college algebra course, I've decided to change the major I've wanted for the last 7 years to what I'm not sure yet, been on TWO dates, gone on two trips to St. George, UT and Lincoln City, OR.

In that time I've discovered I have a lot of issues. I miss my mission terribly so. I want to go back and do things over again. All of it. I guess every missionary feels that way at some point and it has taken a bit of convincing for me to truly understand what I was meant to learn as a Missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It's taken time but I think I'm now at peace with it. I made my fair share of mistakes as well as haven't been the most obedient missionary in the world. I'll admit it. I'll gladly admit it. But I feel now as I've become a Youth Mission Prep teacher for my stake that I have worth and value and I can make a difference in the next generation. They can learn from my mistakes as well as my successes how to become effect teachers as they receive calls and explore the world that our Father in Heaven has given to us.

And we are so blessed! I'm blessed because I have three other teachers with me who are faithful young men going through similar trials and struggles. and we've taught on all corners of the globe! My state-side experience helps connect to teaching in English and understanding something simply to teach the blessed souls of Indiana. I'm so thankful I had that experience! One brother served in Mexico, another served in Japan, and the last served in Denmark! How crazy is that?!

It goes to show that the Gospel is the same, no matter what language we speak. The Spirit of the Lord testifies of ALL truth. Not just the truths we can hear!!! The Spirit was so so strong today as we taught the Restoration in UNISON as a motley crew of RM companions called to serve in a new way. :) Helping the next generation of missionaries. What a wonderful feeling!

Three of my companions returned home on Wednesday. These wonderful young women inspired me and have helped me grow in crazy ways I never thought could be possible. I love them all so much and am still learning to love them more. It was hard. Don't get me wrong. Missions are agonizing at times when all you want to do is sleep but you need to pray for these blessed souls you are teaching, it's torment talking to strangers that have the choice to be rude to you and reject your message of love or choose to follow their Savior enter the waters of baptism, it's frustrating when you and your companion don't see eye to eye and can't get along to save your lives let alone anyone else's soul, it's heartbreaking to see people walk away from their covenants from fear or sorrow or anger and leave what they know to be good, it's joyous to watch your loved ones make that commitment and be baptized, and no word can describe the feeling knowing you completed the time you gave up and return to your family or walk off that plane knowing you served a mission with your heart.

I feel I have served with my heart. And while my heart may still fear that the people I have come to love don't love me or have forgotten me because I was what I call a Fixer and don't think I was very memorable, I still love them. I know good things will come. Maybe not even until the next life. But I know they come and I know they will be worth it. These blessings will come. I have already received some.

I know that God lives and loves us. It's up to us to follow Him however we may feel so inclined to follow. He gives us that gift. He knows we will use it well. I know the plan He has in store for me is good and real and right. I know things may be bad. But I know they get better. I have a long journey ahead of me of actually facing my fears and conquering them and actually saying I haven't failed my mission. Right now I feel I have. But it's getting better. I can see my work is in the Lord's hands as he helps the people I have loved continue to love this Gospel. I love this Gospel. And even Returned Missionaries still doubt and fear and hope and pray and fight to find what is true and real and right. I would know. I'm one of them.

Love always,
Alli

The Fighting RM

This Isn't The End...

Hello Friends and Family!

Well...Who would have thought it would ever come to this day?? I swear when I first started I had forever left and now? Days. In TWO days, to be exact. That, my friends, is insane. I cannot believe that after all this time I'll be on a flight home headed for Salt Lake by this time on Wednesday.

It's been with mixed emotions that I've completed this week. I don't have a planner anymore. That's not ok. I soon won't have a name tag, which is not ok. (I waited 5 months for it!) And I've been able to see some amazing people come unto Jesus Christ, to make that commitment and come to the waters of baptism. That is totally ok! I'm so grateful I was called to serve as an Indy Missionary. I never would have thought it would be this kind of ride but man, it was worth the 18 months.

In a grand final review, my mission in a nutshell included 11 companions including the MTC, 6 areas ranging from 6 weeks to 4 1/2 months, and tons of miracles that the Hand of God was willing to give to us as we worked and did all those things that He needed us to do.

Greenwood: 4 1/2 Months, McKendrick and Bulman

Seymour: 6 Weeks, Hofheins

Warsaw: 4 1/2 Months, Bradshaw, Hathcock

Crawfordsville: 3 Months, Anderson

Fishers: 3 Months, Munoz and Thalman, Eralie

Zionsville: 3 Months, Simmons

I feel like it's the hardest thing trying to write out how you felt about the last 18 months of your life when you've been so close to Heavenly Father and are helping Him in His plan to bring Souls unto Him.  I mean I feel like I can catch a glimpse of parenthood because of it.  Spending all this time taking care of people and loving them as well as hoping to see them go places, being disappointed when they say no or push you away, being overcome with love as they take the steps into the font and are baptized then confirmed at church.  I've seen and been to a lot of baptisms.  So many people have followed Christ into the True and Everlasting Church.  I'm so happy to be one of those people and to help my loved ones see that too.

Bobbie, Jesse, Mike, Carl, Michelle, Dave, Vikki.  The list doesn't stop there.  I learned recently that Mike's family in the Philippines is taking the discussions.  Jesse is doing great.  Carl is getting sealed to his girlfriend this October and they're getting civilly married this summer.  Seeing all of these things happen is incredible.  Simply incredible. 

When looking back at it, there were a TON of ups and downs. Hardships, heartaches, and difficulties were not few. Seeing the miracles of Christ help others in their life, or even just adding to the light they already have were many. I've made friends and had opportunities I don't think I ever would have had had I not served a mission. I'm grateful for the experience and for the chance to come to know my Savior a little more. When I was in the MTC someone once said it was My Time with Christ. I can see now how true that statement is. My Savior has helped me see so much and open my view of the world and how merciful the Lord truly is. 

I just think by the end of this I've learned life lessons and values I've been lacking. All these life lessons, all these spiritual lessons, all of these things that happen when you're a missionary.

It truly is incredible. This has been one of the hardest weeks of my mission. It was so hard saying goodbye to the people I've come to love. I'm excited to add them on Social Media, of course, but it will never be the same. I know Indiana is a stone's throw away and I'm grateful to be so darn close to home and have the opportunity to come out whenever I want. It's not going to be the same without the tag. I know it's only temporary to feel like this and I'm going to miss Indy a ton. I'm going to miss everyone so much and to know the people I knew and helped, it's just incredible. I made a ton of friends and have now three bridesmaids for my wedding one day. :) It's been incredible. I'm ready. Let's do this.

I know that this Church is True. It is the Church of God and I've come to know my Savior more through it. I know His love for me and He would go through the Atonement again if only for me. He would do it again for you, if only you. That's how much He loves us. I'm so grateful to know of His love. I know Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God. I know he translated the Book of Mormon through the power of Heavenly Father and Because of Jesus Christ. I know these things are true and if you are struggling, kneel down and pray. I've seen how it helps and affects me. I know it can help you too. I know by the power of the Holy Ghost you can come to know that these things are true too. I love you all and know Heavenly Father does too. :)

In the Name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Monday: played sports, hung out, said tons of goodbyes.

Tuesday: Had dinner with the Bullocks! Departing Interview with President Cleveland :(, preparing for life.

Wednesday - Sunday was a blur of people and seeing them and saying good bye. I made wonderful friends here. I will miss Indy. But I'm coming home and I can ALWAYS come back. :)

It's not about point A to point B. It's about the Journey. And boy oh boy was this a journey. :) Love you all. See you Soon.

Love,

Sister Halverson

Where Did the Last 18 Months Go?

Hello Friends and Family!

So Saturday was a very big day! 18 months ago I entered the Provo MTC as a brand new missionary. Today I'm almost done with my mission. I still have a week left (I'LL BE HOME NEXT WEEK?!?!?!?!?!) and we've been working hard this entire week. We reached a total of thirty lessons, found a new investigator, took not one but FOUR youth tracting with us on Saturday (My 18 month mark!), and have spent a total of 2.5 months together in the land of Zion. Needless to say, we've been busy.

This week was a busy week to be honest. We had appointment after appointment and then adventure after adventure. We managed somehow to get out alive! :) Hope you all had a great week yourselves!

Monday we had another P-day and hung out at Fishers. We had awesome Japanese soup with bean noodles and tofu. It was so good! We also saw a recent convert and spent some time with her too. :) 

Tuesday Was crazy! We taught Seminary, spent time with our new investigator Judy, she has asked us to help her clean up her apartment from her cat and to help her get her life back in order. She's had a hard time with depression and clutter hoarding. So we're helping her get that taken care of. Then we had MORE service and helped Sister Neuton clean up her apartment too. Then a few more lessons later, we taught the Activity Day Girls about Joseph Smith and the First Vision as well as judged the Cub Scout Cakes. It was busy busy busy.

Wednesday, District meeting, Kina and the Fassmanns. Sister Simmons ate a Thai chili and just about died. And it also seems whenever we have dinner with the Fassmanns, the Thompsons are also there. It's too funny. :) We've had dinner with the Fassmann 3 individual times! Too funny.

Thursday was Judy Ellis and Nicole and the Johnson and the Bullock family. We love this area! Pretty uneventful on Thursday.

Friday was an adventure. I had my departing interview scheduled for Friday but they moved it and I never got the text so we drive to Fishers and it's not until 15 minutes after the scheduled time before we realize there was no interview. So we drove 14 miles for nothing. Well, actually we went to Panda Express. :) It wasn't worth the calories lol. :)

Saturday we had a stake youth exchange and we had 4 sisters join us on Saturday and had a ton of fun with them and taught quite a few lessons with them! It was a great experience. We tried our hardest and we have been doing the best we can. It was a great day. :) We spent time with Carla and President Hansen's family for dinner. Enchiladas! :)

Sunday we hit 30 lessons for the week total! WOO HOO! Had Alfredo with Nicole and her family and spent more time with Michelle and Aaron Huff! So much fun! :) I love their cat Spookie. She's too much fun and weirdly enough doesn't give me a reaction. Or Michelle who is REALLY allergic to cats. TI's so funny. She's really talkative.

We found a new investigator named Ryan! It was on the day we went out with the youth! It was so cool. and apparently every time Sister Simmons goes on splits she get the new investigator. just makes me laugh. We're going to meet with him this Saturday. I'm excited!

I go home really soon and it's so bizarre to think I've been out for 18 months! Time has flown by and I can see all the good and the positive things I've learned from each area and companion. Each lesson was unique and I know Heavenly Father had His hand in my life. He still does of course. It just made me more aware of how much He actually is there.

I've been grateful for the time I got to spend with these wonderful people in Zionsville. Even though there have been things here or there that haven't been the greatest we've been able to get through it. I feel like we've been able to do and see a lot here. We're hoping Nicole will be baptized soon. Or at least get her husbands permission. She just wants it. We're hoping a miracle happens this week.

I'm ready for whatever life throws at me I feel like. With only a few days left I think I can take on anything now. :)

Love and miss you all!

Love,

Sister Halverson

SEE YOU SOON!

That Moment When it's Warmer in Indy than Utah

Hello Friends and Family!

We had a BUSY week this week! Meeting after meeting and the Temple both on Friday for us (Endowment) and the Saturday for Recent Converts. :) It's been a wonderfully busy week. We've been trying really hard to work and to do those things we know we need to be doing. :) So we've been working hard with the members as well as our members. We're spending a ton of time with them and have been utilizing our clubhouse gym in the complex. It's been really good for us! I feel like I'll be able to have a good system set up to just be healthier. :)

Monday was a great Preparation day! I played soccer and volleyball with the other Elders and Sisters in the Zone. I AM the oldest sister in the Zone. :) Haha it's so weird. And Since I never trained, I'm considered the Great Aunt of the zone. It's really really funny. :) Hahaha.

Tuesday was a lot of work as we went out and about trying to find our members and have a lesson with them. :)

Wednesday was Zone Conference all say long. It was great! :) Received a lot of revelation for myself as a missionary and what I need to do when I get home. It was great. We got out at like 5:30 but it was still great!

Thursday was weekly planning as per the usual. We had a great day of visiting and working. Not much to report for Thursday.

Friday sister Simmons and I went to the Temple!!!! It was so cool being able to do family names again. I have one left and I can do the work for her! I also found out that I have a card where I can quick do initiatories and then go through for her for my temple visit with the missionaries I'm going home with. I'm so excited. We went to Sheridan on Friday and had a ton of fun meeting with a less active sister who can't attend because of health problems. It's rather sad but it's worth it to go see her. :)

Saturday we had a Ladies Brunch at the Branch Building. It was so much fun! We had basically our entire teaching pool in the room and most were sitting at our table! It was too funny. :) We also had the mission wide temple day! I had two recent converts help with the family names I had. 10 names were baptized and confirmed this weekend. It was wonderful. Sister Simmons and I got to do some confirmations too! It's always so cool when they lay their hands on your head for someone else. It was amazing. It always is. :)

Sunday was nice to be in Church and to go visit others. We went tracting for a bit, met with some less actives and toured a big church called Traders Point. This Church is the BIGGEST MEGA CHURCH I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!! It has a STADIUM wit's so big!! Non-denominational churches have worship concerts and they play really good music about the Lord but it just is lacking something. It's just more and more testifying of how badly we truly need the Priesthood in our lives.

It was a good week this week! We were swamped which honestly kept us really busy. It's been good to stay busy. We deep cleaned this morning and are planning on sending all of the junky stuff we don't use to Goodwill where it will go to good use. I'm really happy we're getting rid of things and dejunking. I found over 20 church books that no one was using and will be giving them back to the Zionsville branch. It'll be a good thing to get rid of a bunch of stuff. I'm excited to have it be open. :)

We have been working hard and our Less Active Family the Bullocks have come to Church for three weeks in a row now. :) It's been amazing! I'm going to be SO SAD to leave them. And Nicole. I feel like we're trying to break through to her and we just need to find something that will help her make that leap and do it. She wants to be baptized. All we need to do now is help her make that solid decision. :) To have her on date before the next set of missionaries get here would be a dream come true. :)

It's been a really good week. Super busy but all in all, awesome. :)

Love and miss you all!!!!!!!

Love,

Sister Halverson

Oh yeah, Last week was SNOWY and cold and awful. But now? It's sunny and warm. Talk about Bipolar. :)

Because Of The Fall....We Have it All!

Hello Friends and Family!

Things have been good here! We had a wonderful Valentine's Day. :) We had visited our Less Active family twice and they came to church. We were sick that day but they still came. That was two weeks ago. We went over Saturday night and had a discussion that changed our relationship for the better, and they came to Church the next day too. Even if they think it's only for their girls, they still came to church. It was remarkable. I know the Spirit was there and was SO SO strong. So given time and a new way to help them through the members, they can be spiritually edified and uplifted that will help them enjoy their times spent in the temple. :)The Little girl was running around in Gospel Principles and filled the room with a special spirit. The lesson was on The Fall of Adam and Eve. And without the fall, That precious little tike wouldn't have been there. We wouldn't have been there. Without good, we'd never know bad. But without bad, we'd NEVER know good. Any good. The Good of the Father, the Good of the Son, the Good of families and temples and everything. It was a great lesson and we loved having them there. They haven't been to Church in years because she has a hardship with a personal loving relationship to God. It's always been out of fear. Not love. So we've been trying to help her feel loved by Heavenly Father and help him come to know he can find truth through Sincere Prayer. It's always hard when people look up Anti information. So it made it hard on him. All of it has been wonderful.

We've been working hard and finding new ways to connect with the ward. We've been trying really hard these past few days to make a plan and execute it. We did that yesterday with Brother Matthews. We're going to be experimenting again with some less actives and those who we can't get a hold of. So we'll see what happens. We're going to work really hard this week. Last week, not sure what happened. We had an interesting week to say the least. Satan had his hands in the work. But we were able to take the Sacrament yesterday and it helped us feel rejuvinated. The cars were grounded yesterday due to snow so we took to calling people and having conversations with them about the Savior and His love for all of us. Even the love of God. Through His love, we can come closer to Them and be able to Return to live with Them someday. I'm excited to do all I can to help me come to know Them. I've come to know Them so well since being a missionary. I'm excited for more time with Christ and my Father in Heaven. 

It's been a great week and we're going to do even better this week. :)

Monday, great P-Day! Played a ton of Soccer and had a blast! It feels like Warsaw again! WOO!!!!!! Then we had a Swiss dinner that involved melting cheese over potatoes and cooking Garlicky Shrimp as well. Mom, I want one. It's a cool Machine. :)

Tuesday, We came up with a new lifestyle change (because diet has the word DIE in it and that's how I feel when I think about it) that will help us lose weight and just feel good about what we're putting into our system. :) we saw a ton of people, went tracting for a bit. Found out where a Less Active lives so that's cool. Had a good day. :)

Wednesday, Tracted, taught a Recent Convert, and Had really really good Roasted Chicken for dinner. Oh. Man. Good stuff. :)

Thursday, had a lunch "date" (JK!) with some elders on their way to Avon for an exchange. They're kind of assistants but not really. They work with LA/RC's from the White River/Crossroads area (Basically Indianapolis area). We had pizza. :) It was really good. :) Then we tracted and taught three lessons in an hour before dinner. Had three really solid lessons. :) Spirit = STRONG!

Friday, District meeting, had lunch, partied, tracted, Recent Converts, partied, Drove home, Partied and then slept. :) Haha we always have fun together, Sister Simmons and I.

Saturday, Had a birthday brunch for Sabrina (Nicole's Daughter). That was a blast. :) We got her Roses and Nail Polish. It was a hit! :) Went to a basketball game but missed it entirely. So we actually get there and no one is there... That was a bummer. So we made an appointment with the family we missed. :) Had Curry. Met with the Bullocks! Our amazing Less Active family. :)

Sunday, WE GOT SNOWED IN! Cars were grounded after we had had a couple of lessons and we spent our night calling people and spreading Gospel Love. :)

1 John 4: 18-19. :)

Love you all! Hope your day was wonderful and that you have a wonderful week! Love you!!!

Love,

Sister Halverson

Superbowl and Super Lessons!

Hello Friends and Family!

It's been a great week this week! We've been out tracting more which is good! Found a new investigator from contacting a referral, and have had some SOLID lessons. :) It's been wonderful seeing the work progress. OH YEAH! We had quite the miracle last Sunday. A less active family that hadn't been to church in years came to Church not yesterday but last Sunday! It was amazing! The Bullock family is from Canada and have been meeting with us for a little bit. We love them so so much and they're really happy to have us over as well. It's been wonderful getting to know them and sharing the Gospel with them too. It's making a difference and you can see it. :) I love this area.

We're trying to work with the members a little more.  Get them involved with everything we're doing. Reaching out more. It's been an uphill climb but things are going places. :) We're so excited to work and work and work. We hit 30 lessons this week! We're pushing ourselves harder and hoping that this week will turn out even better!

The Superbowl was yesterday! Woo! Who won? My vote is the Broncos. Haha jk. Someone told us the Broncos won. :) Super cool! It'll be weird to watch it next year when I'm home. Bleh. Not thinking about it.

We're doing great! We've taught many wonderful lessons and have had seeds planted. It's been wonderful to get out and about in our lovely 50 degree weather. Yep. 50's. It's supposed to snow tomorrow and today and then get really cold but I don't believe it anymore. It's been weird. All the snow melted and it's getting green. And lighter! Woo!!!!! It means summer and spring is coming!!!!!!! WOOHOOO!!!!! no more cold winter nights! No more icky! Yay! Makes me happy. :)

But I hope you all have a wonderful day! I love you tons! See you in a months! O.O Crazy.....

Love,

Sister Halverson

Mega Death...Take It How You Like It!

Hello Friends and Family!

This week was really something special! On Monday we started out with a Heat contest at our dinner appointment on Monday. We both love spicy food, Sister Simmons and I. And we found a family who likes Spicy as much as we do! So we had Texas Style Chili and they brought out their hot sauces. :) We both went for the HOTTEST hot sauce they had: Mega Death. It was hotter than hot. Or so they thought. I got four drops in mine and it was hot but it had a burn to it. Not super spicy and painful. But a really good burn. Some of you probably think I'm absolutely insane but I honestly could have gone for more. :)

We had quite the interesting weekend. We were both SO sick. It's no excuse to not work but we were so so ill we called Sister Head and she told us to rest for the day. We felt the same on Sunday and did not want to risk getting any small kids or young families this virus either. It had been going around in the branch too which may have been how we got it as well.

But I'm happy to say we have new energy and are going to work hard this week. :) We're excited because we found a new investigator named Keelyn on Thursday! She's so cute! She's 18 years old and is a CNA. We went tracting during the nicest part of the day where it was sunny and warm and we felt on top of the world. We prayed and started knocking doors in this one neighborhood near a Less Active Sister we had an appointment with later that day. We knocked the first two and no one answered. Then we knocked hers and had a wonderful lesson about the Restoration of the Gospel and emphasized how God wants us to know who we are and He uses a prophet to do so! She commented on how we seem to know who we are and we both felt like it was a way to help her discover her identity as a Daughter of God. Too cool.

To make it better, we had previously felt inspired to go visit a family in the branch who we met a couple of times and literally fell in love with how awesome they are. So we went and visited them last Sunday and had a wonderful time getting to know them. But for whatever reason we didn't share a message with them . It didn't feel right. Well, because of Keelyn, we found out. One of the daughters has some questions about the church and we didn't know about it. We immediately thought of her to bring to our return appointment and asked her and she told us about her concern about not being in total agreement with the Church. And now we are made aware of a sweet spirit we can help both a member and not. It was an awesome experience. No one else opened their door on that street. Well, except a grouchy man that said he was busy.

We've also been using a new form of tracting, offering service first instead of using a message right off the bat. It's been working REALLY WELL! I love how open people are to receiving the opportunity for us to serve and then we can share a message of Christ with them. It has been working so well! :)

We've had a wonderful week and we're hoping to improve this week by a TON. We feel great and now we're going to get off to a great start having just recovered from an illness. :) It's going to be a blast!

Love and Miss you all! Five weeks... I can't decide if I'm ready or not? Haha either way it's coming.

Love you!

Love,

Sister Halverson

 

 

Spot the Missionary car (they are all Chevy Cruzes)

Sister Simmons and I (sickos)

 

Where Did Last Week Go?

Hello Friends and Family!

We had a great week this week! We've been tracting more and have found a new investigator named Melissa. She's a sweet lady with four small children. We found her while tracting in a member's neighborhood. She just moved from Avon and has been talking with her husband to find a church. We have an appointment with her this week. :)

Nicole went to the Hospital yesterday morning. They think she has some internal bleeding. So she was admitted last night and we got to go see her. It was sad. hospitals aren't the funnest place when you're a patient. Which is why I'm going to be a nurse. To make it better and help others feel peace and comfort.

I've also started My Plan. It makes it easy to see everything in perspective but at the same time I had a plan from the very beginning. Sure things have been subject to change but I still have a desire to serve the Lord and to feel the Spirit more in my life especially after I go home. It's been interesting to say the least. Exciting though!

This week has been very busy. I can't believe it went by so fast! Time is free-falling and it's just getting faster and faster. I can't believe it's my last 6 weeks. Just yesterday it feels like I started my first 6! Crazy. But it's been worth it. I just hope I'll be able to remember all the lessons I've learned and all the friendships I've made. It has been an incredible journey. Good thing there's 6 weeks left! :) Sister Simmons and I are just getting started. :)

Love,

Sister Halverson

Oh yeah. I cut my hair. :)

Hoosiers like making shapes out of their tree lights. Can you guess what this looks like?

Love you all!

We Nearly Froze To Death...

Hello Friends and Family!

Like the title says, we nearly froze this week. It's been really cold. Like 9 or 11 degrees. Plus it has this bitter wind... Not very pleasant. Good thing we have hand warmers and golf balls. Golf balls make it so we can knock and not have to take off our gloves. It's really really nice to have actually. :) 

This week we found a new investigator named Ron! Sister Simmons met him on Exchanges this week and we've taught him the Restoration so far. He wants to move to Utah to rock climb and hang out. He feels Utah is very happy and he wants to be there. So we're working with him and he's great. :)

It's been a good week this week. Not much to report. Just doing what I can and we're working hard. :) Exchanges were great! I went to Crossroads with Sister Smith and we tracted for a good 2 hours. It was fun and worth while. We found them 3 new investigators as well as a Less Active Sister who they had never met before. She was a sweetest thing. I hope they can go back and visit with her.

Our Branch Mission Leader decided to reinstate a plan that will help get members more involved with us and we can work with them hand in hand. It gives members a chance to do something missionary minded and involve us. There's a list of things they can choose from or get creative. It's going to be great. We will contact the first family tonight. :) We tried yesterday but they didn't answer. So we'll try again. :)

That's about it! Going out and working. Nothing very spectacular but still important. :)

Love,

Sister Halverson

Baby It's Cold Outside ~

Hello Friends and Family!

It's really cold today. We got hammered with snow Saturday night and woke up to frozen cars. It's about time Winter caught up! So looks like it'll be snowing most of the time from now on. Which is totally ok with me. It just means we'll have to keep warm and work on planning TONS of lessons. :) This week was good. We had Zone meeting in the Crossroads building which is in downtown Indy. It was kinda sketchy driving down there but we made it safe! Had to hide everything but it just made me giggle. Haha. It was a wonderful meeting. We had the Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders give very good trainings on the importance of having Members with us at lessons. And the Faith-Diligence-Obedience triangle formula for our work as missionaries. The three together lead toward solid work. Two cannot be without one and one cannot be without two. It was very nice. Really long and they didn't even come to lunch with us so it was basically everyone else minus three sets. We had Wendy's. :)

We had an interesting week this week but I feel like everything is still going great. We had a very successful day on Saturday and really put ourselves to the test. At dinners throughout the week though the members kept implying that Zionsville is the last place people are "dumped" when there's no place left. Quite frankly it bothered both Sister Simmons and I because we KNOW otherwise. We just swept past it and are continuing to move forward. I'm grateful for the gift of repentance and being able to be forgiven of pride and mistakes we've made as well as being able to forgive ourselves and others. I feel like I can move forward and just do the best I can to be a better more loving person. We're still working hard in the area. Elder Sinclair's daughter came home from her mission two weeks ago and she's chomping at the bit to go tracting with us. So we will designate a time this week and take her with us. :) I'm so excited to get her involved with the work. We are still trying to find and are making solid plans to bring more members to the lessons we do have with our investigators. We're working very hard.

I feel so accomplished with the work that we're doing because we're trying to show the area how much we truly care about it. I want to leave Zionsville better than I found it. I feel like that's what I've done in all of my past areas. Leave them better than I found them. It hasn't been easy but I feel like it's been worth every single door knocked. I made a list in my journal of all the good I've been able to see in every single area. I love how I feel like I've been able to be the difference between the members and the work. Most importantly I feel I've been the one who has changed the most since serving a mission. I feel happier. I know I've had my down moments and sometimes they felt too heavy to keep going but I feel blessed knowing the Lord is busy working along side me. We're representatives of HIS Church and HIS Gospel. This isn't the Gospel of Man. It is the Lord's Church once again established here upon the earth. :) It's been good to see especially as my mission draws to a close. It's been one heck of a ride and I'm so thankful for it. :)

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!

Love you all!

Love,

Sister Halverson

 

 

Happy New Year!

Hello Friends and Family!

This week was good! We had a ton of fun and were really sore from working out and walking a lot and playing football and Frisbee on Friday. It was a blast though! Happy New Year!!!!! :) It's been a great year so far. :) I'm really happy about it. :) Just working hard and having fun! It was a good week this week with the new year! Celebrated the usual missionary way with a box of party from Mom. :) It was so much fun. :)

Nothing special going on this week. :) We have a normal week this week. Back to work. We're trying out a new plan that we'll be taking to President if it works. Of course we won't be able to do much work on Monday because of P-Day but we'll be working with this new initiative. We call it the NBD 123. :) 1 Active Member Lesson. 2 Less Actives/Recent Convert Lessons. 3 Other Lessons (Tracting Etc.) If it really works we'll be able to share it with President and then things will get interesting for the next missionaries. It'll be cool. :)

We hung out until the new year then went to bed. New Year's eve was more of a work day and we worked hard. It was awesome. :) On Friday Morning we went to IUPUI campus and played ultimate Frisbee and the elders played football in the freezing cold. They tested the tornado siren too. IT was funny to watch all the greenies who had never heard or seen them before freak out. hahaha :) Then we went to Fishers chapel until we had to go back home around 9. :) It was so much fun but I couldn't move by the night's end hahaha. :) Oh well. Slept so soundly that night. :)

Had district meeting! Oh and I'm in the same district as when I was in Fishers. So we went up to Fishers again and hung out with the sisters there. :) It was fun! Until we came back from lunch and the tire had popped. We ran over a screw on the way to the Fishers apartment. Dad you'd be so proud! I changed the tire. :) Hahaha I put on the donut and the sisters were astounded I could change the tire. It was so funny!

We've decided to try out something new for the area. Not sure how well it's going to work but we want to experiment with it to see how things go. We're both excited. We feel like it's going to change up the work in Zionsville. :) We were on our way to a lesson yesterday and a recent convert texted us asking if we could come over later last night and teach her son! It was the first time he had been to church I believe and he LOVED Gospel Principles! We were really excited to see what we could do for him. He's 13 years old and so excited about going to church next week! Also Nicole came to Church! It was so exciting! She wanted to be at church for so long and finally was able to do it. She brought her two little boys with her and wants to be baptized! We're working hard with her and just working hard in general! It was so cool to see her be there. :) All in all just a great week!

Hope you all had a Happy New Year! I did for sure! It's been so much fun. We're going to do great things for my last 9 weeks on the mission. :) Love you all!!!!!!

Love,

Sister Halverson