Kentucky Pride

Hey y'all!

Another week has come and gone. Yesterday was my 3 month mark of being
out in the field! WHAT?!?! How did that even happen?? Time is such a
crazy thing. A day turns to a week, then a week turns to a month, then
a month turns into a year. Realizing this has just reaffirmed to me
that life is short and we must be striving to grow closer to our
Savior and finding joy in the process because it really is just a
moment. I wish time would slow down! But, since it won't, I guess I
better just make the most of the time I have here in good ol' Kentucky
:)

This week has been great, as always :) it had its ups and downs, as
every week does, but the ups made all the downs completely worth it.

Last Monday, we went to the church and roped some chairs in the
cultural hall. Yep, roped! Y'all would be proud of me because I
actually roped some!! :) . It was a good day for sure. Sister
Israelsen's bike tire popped for the third time that day though!
Luckily, we have an amazing neighbor named Todd. Not only did he offer
to fix her bike for free, but he gave her his bike to use while he was
fixing it. It was so amazing to see such selfless, Christlike service
from this man we barely knew. We have tried to share our message with
him but he is pretty set in his faith. Such a sweet guy though! There
really are still amazing people doing wonderful things in this world
today. We also had lessons with Kymbal and Rina that day as well as
throughout the week. They are struggling to keep their commitments
right now so we are trying to discern how much time to spend with
them. They are amazing though and we are going to continue to pray
that the desire to keep those commitments and find out if this church
is true will come to their hearts.

On Thursday, we had an AMAZING thing happen. About a month ago, we got
a referral named Abbie. We tried and tried to contact her but had
hardly any success so we decided to "drop" her (just put her as a
former investigator in our records). On Monday, she randomly texted us
and told us that she wanted to meet. We set up a time to have lunch
with her Thursday after district meeting. When we got there, we asked
a little bit about her background and what had gotten her interested
in meeting with us. She told us that she was YSA age and has been
watching Mormon YouTubers (like jamesthemormon) for about a year now
and was intrigued by the values they had and the things they shared.
She recognized that when they shared their beliefs, the things they
were sharing made sense and cleared up a lot of things that had been
confusing for her in her other Christian church. She started googling
and searching all over Mormon.org and LDS.org to find out more about
what we believed. During her search, she found the option to get in
touch with missionaries. As she began asking us questions, the Spirit
led the lesson into the plan of salvation, even though we had full
intentions of teaching her the Restoration. After she had finished
asking questions, she said, "Alright, one more question. How do I
convert to this religion??". Sister I and I were jumping around like
little kids on Christmas morning inside but we kept ourselves composed
and told her about the steps that she can take to be baptized and
received the Holy Ghost. We extended a baptismal date and she
immediately accepted. Since she is YSA age though, we knew we would
have to hand her over to the assistants since they are the ones in
that area. We started showing her pictures of them and telling her
about the church building. We realized that the church building was
right up the road so we headed up there to show her around. And guess
who had just gotten to the church for a different thing?? THE
ASSISTANTS. They were able to do the church tour with us and develop a
connection with her right then and there. They had been teaching her
every day since and she is progressing so wonderfully. She came to
church, told her parents and boyfriend about her decision to be
baptized, and even decided that she wants to be married in the Logan
temple. So amazing. It is such a wonderful miracle to be able to
witness these amazing souls who's hearts are so prepared to accept the
truth.

We hit it off so well with her that we are actually hanging out with
her today! And she and I have decided to room together at college if
she goes to BYU. But I am for sure coming to her sealing after my
mission. It seriously feels like we have been friends forever. Man!
This church is so true and our Heavenly Father knows us so well :)
Missionary work is phenomenal.

On Thursday, we made cookies for our investigators/weekly planned and
then saw a recent convert that we have been struggling to get in
contact with. We also got to go eat at the Phinney's and they have to
most beautiful home I have ever seen! It would have been awkward to
take pictures but if I could have, I would have ;)

Saturday was also a great day :) We saw our awesome friends, Peggy and
Ted and then taught some lessons over in Clifton. Then we went over to
our dinner appt and heard about an all fat diet that one of our
members is on. Is so cool! She eats mostly fats and hardly any carbs
and no sugar. The reasoning behind it is that her body is now burning
the fat instead of producing insulin to store the carbs and sugar as
fat so she is losing weight. Cool, huh?? She even has a cook book for
these treats called fat bombs...hahaha.

After dinner, we watched the women's session of general conference. OH
MY GOODNESS. That was literally so good. I have never enjoyed that
session as much as I did as a missionary. Not only did I receive
revelation for my own life, but I also received revelation for how to
make me a more effective missionary and help my investigators. I love
that! Our Heavenly Father knows us. He loves us! He hears and answers
our prayers, even if they may not be what we expect them to be. One of
my favorite things was in Utchdorf's talk. He was talking about the
missionaries that had to faith to knock on every door in an apartment
complex, even though they didn't find success until the very last
door. Our Heavenly Father will answer our prayers if we have faith and
act on that faith. He will reward us for knocking, but the reward is
hardly ever found after knocking on the first door. We must continue
to knock with faith and trust in the Lord that He will answer us in
His time and in His way. This was exactly what I needed to hear. With
this goal to baptize every month that we have accepted in our mission,
there is much faith required. Faith is needed as we pray for miracles
and then as we go out and do our part. But we can't expect to find
someone prepared for baptism after talking to one person or making one
phone call. We have to exercise our faith by working until you have
done all you can do to achieve your goal. In the Lords time and in His
way, He will answer you. Trust in Him and have the faith to act. As
you do, you will see miracles occur in your life and the lives of
others. I know that because I have seen it in other people's lives as
well as my own. Build your foundation on the Savior and put your trust
in Him and He will guide you home, and help you bring your fellow
brothers and sisters with you :)

After the broadcast, we got home late and realized that we were off on
our TWE (talk with everyone) goal by one person. So, we said a prayer
and headed out to find one more person to share with. we ended up
teaching an on the fly lesson with a guy named Warren. The Lord
answers all of our questions and helps us to hit each and every goal
we hit if we have faith and then go out and work.

Yesterday, we ended up teaching the youth Sunday school class and
relief society. It was so fun! I love being able to teach and lead
discussion and it was totally a throw back to like two years ago
sitting in the youth class. So fun!

I love you all. I know that this church is true. Being a missionary is
such a sacred privilege and I thank Heavenly Father for this
opportunity every day. To be His servant here in Louisville is the
greatest blessing I could have ever asked for. Each of us can serve
our Heavenly Father in this sacred and hastening work. Be an example
and a light to all that see you and come to know you. Share the truth
that you know! You have been so richly blessed to be able to know it
for yourself. As you share with others, you are acting as a witness of
Christ at all times. You are showing those you share with that you
love them because you know that this way is the only true way to make
it back home with our Father in Heaven and our Savior. Pray for those
opportunities to share and then act when those opportunities come,
because come they will. The children of Israel are prepared to accept
the truth. Let us participate in the Lord's work of gathering His
people in these last days. It is such a joyous, wonderful work to be a
part of. I am loving every second of it and I know that you will as
well.

Thank you for all the support and prayers. You rock! Keep being
amazing and remember, smiling and prayer is the best medicine for any
bad day or time :) Have an amazing conference weekend! Make sure to go
with specific questions and take lots of notes. It is a sacred
privilege to hear from our beloved prophet and his apostles!

"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better
world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh
of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them
sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to
glorify God." Ether 12:4

Love always,
Sister Dorian