Week 11

Dear Family and Friends,

Highlights of the last week:

• WE CLEANED THE CAR. Finally!!!! We went to this place called the monster wash which was awesome.
• We had transfers: it is so weird being out of the house past curfew as a missionaries, but we picked up the Fairbanks sisters to stay at our place and they all got in past 10.  Anchorage is gorgeous at night and we are getting so much more light than when I first came out, especially late at night.
• With all the craziness of transfers, I have decided that I love seeing everone, but hate how hectic it is; but everyone does great with keeping it as calm as we can.
• I am beginning to teach myself to play the Ukulele!!!  Love it already.
• New district--the mission was shaken up and we are now the only sisters in Anchorage (North and South)

(This is) Something I have found precious to me this last week came while we were teaching a lesson.  We spoke of prayer, and why we do it.  I could feel the spirit working through this person in a different way than I normally had; however, the thing that hit me happened when someone else walked in the house, pretty upset.   This lesson could take a turn, however, the spirit was working through this other person to help them to calm down in the other room. We ended the lesson after a bit, and as we left my companion shared with me that she said a prayer that there would be less contention, or that her heart would be softened so that the spirit could still be in the room.  We saw that happening. We had no control over it; however, the spirit worked in this family for the better. Remember to always recognize the concerns of those around you, even though they may not seem so obvious.  This is why discerning through the spirit is so important: We cannot rely on our own selves to know what we need to do, we need the the direction of the Holy Ghost, who can speak truth to our hearts if we will listen and follow through.  We are spiritual beings in a physical world, and we need to listen to the Holy Ghost or we cannot recognize it over our own desires and frustrations.

This week we also went and saw a woman who I have spoken of before (I believe). She has cancer, is in her nineties, and is failing fast. We sang "I Am a Child of God" to her with the ukulele; and as we did, her face lit up and she was tapping her toes. She continues to thank her Heavenly Father that her family does not have to see her in pain and I am so grateful for her positive example, because she lifts me every day.  Remember to always appreciate your loved ones- you may not always have them with you.

Love you all!

Sister Wuehler

Scripture: 2 Nephi 28:30
"For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have."

Ism: "Don't be afraid to leave the room filled with light"


 

Week 10: Life is a Roller Coaster

Dear Family and Friends,

So, we got our transfer calls this week and guess what. . . We are staying in Turnagain!!!   Thank goodness, because I am not ready to leave yet.  Hope you enjoy the hike photos (below)-- Alaska really is such an amazing place, especially when huge moose randomly run across the streets, but it probably doesn't happen as often as you think it may.

Anchorage is warming up so fast. I can't believe the snow was taller than I am when I got in and now I am seeing grass. There were multiple times when I turned to my companion this week and said "It's hot, what is it, like 70 degrees?!", she replied always with, "no it's only 38 degrees"...Crazy how used to the weather you get.

So Sister H. and I did double teaching in church yesterday:  Gospel Principles and Relief Society--one with only an overnight notice and the other with a couple hours notice--but all turned out well.

Sister Halatokoua has been practicing the Ukelele as well, so we may be doing some recording with Sister Beesley (Mission President's wife) sometime soon singing with the Uke; we will let you know.  Specific songs that are our favorites right now are "Give Said the Little Stream", "Love is
Spoken Here", and "I Am a Child of God".  Totally going to rat out my companion on this, but "Give Said the Little Stream" started out for her in a hick accent... it won't continue, but it gave (us) a good laugh.

Half the time we come home and are totally spent.  There is no energy left.   It make me appreciate the blanket that we made before I left even better. (Her sister Melanie made a quilt designed by Julie--it turned out so great!) By the way, our members we live with are so cute; they are beginning a breakfast tradition on Monday mornings.  This morning was Eggs Benedict--I had never had it before, but now I want to learn--so good!  

It hasn't been the easiest week, but it has been a week of miracles, not huge obvious happenings, but huge for all of us personally.  I think of Dad's letter he shared with me of the difficult lonely times in his mission, but he knew that the Lord would help him.  Sometimes we have to go through things like this before we can recognize things which are greater.  We had the opportunity to go to the temple this week, and I am so grateful for the peace it has given me and for the peace it always gives me; it is there where I can feel of my Heavenly Fathers love and mercy towards me.

Prayer has been a major focus for the week.  There is a story my companion says all the time about an "Elder Tom" and "Elder Dave", who live in Africa with many animals, and when they are transfered they walk to the next place.  She goes on to say that there was a lion, and they didn't want him to eat them, so they both knelt to pray.  As the lion got closer, one of the Elders disappeared, and so the other Elder started to pray even harder and began to hear this voice, saying, "Run, Elder Tom, the lion is going to eat you!"  As he continues, he hears it, but does not recognize what or who it is, and the lion is getting closer.   Soon the lion is there and he realizes that Elder Tom climbed the tree. Basically the point is that if we don't want to get eaten by a lion, we must pray and then go climb the tree. Something with prayer is to pray specifically for what is needed because with a specific prayer, Heavenly Father can give us a specific answer, and we can be ready to listen to it.

Sometimes we expect blessings to be sunshine and unicorns, but usually it is the most difficult things that we can recognize the greatest blessings from.   I would like to share the words and testimony of President Gordon B. Hinckley when he spoke at Sister Hinckley's funeral years ago that lifted me this week.

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is.  It all works out.   Don't Worry.  I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out.  Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us.  He will not forsake us. If we put our trust in Him, if we live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers." 

To any and all who feel that they cannot move any farther, to those who are at their limits, put your trust in the Lord who created you and know that there is hope and purpose, and that he will not give you anything that you cannot handle.  Seek always to live by his teachings and you can find joy, and "consider on the blessed and happy state" of those who follow the teachings of God.  That is how we can be happy.  As we follow, without delay and without wavering, he can truly help us know that where we are and who we are striving to become is where he would have us be and that we can go forward with faith.  I know that because the Lord moves mountains in me,; the trials that I have become small stumbling blocks from which I can learn to pick myself up and continuously move forward.  I am blessed because of those experiences, and it helps me to understand others as they are having their own difficult times.  I have seen the Lord working through others to fulfill his purposes, and I know that he will always continue to do so.   Something I realize of this is that God can do anything he wishes, but sometimes he asks us to do it.

Someone we meet with in our ward was asked to give a talk this last week and so we were enouraging her, but she continued to be nervous about sharing something that was so close to her heart.  Sunday came around, and I was so excited for her, and while she was up there, (she froze).  She had the courage to get up there and to share what she had in the first place, and this was an act of Faith.  The person who got up to help her continue was acting as the hands in her life.  I saw the way the Atonement worked in her life, specifically on that day when she could go no further, and unexpectedly, someone who knew how much the Lord loved this woman, followed a prompting to get up and help her to continue.

When we can go no further, that is when miracles happen.  There is joy in the journey.  I love you all and I am grateful for the love and support you give me and for the prayers offered.

Love,

Sister Wuehler



Scripture: 1 Nephi 21:15-16
For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel.  Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

Ism: "When you pray until it feels like it's too much, that is actually when it is finally enough."

Pictures from the hike on "P" day last week -- they do have some recreation time on Mondays. . . and Julie is true to self--she loves to take 'silly' and fun photos!

Week 9: "Hatch, Match, and a Dispatch"

Dear Family and Friends,

This week I made an oreo castle. We helped set up for a wedding of a couple in our ward and they gave us four costco sized boxes to make one on their dessert table-- BEST assignment ever!

By the way I am developing a dislike of candy because, as you can see in one of the photos, we have a TON of it.  Not that I don't like it, but I would definitely be okay if it disappeared for a short while. It has also been a sick week for Sister H.   Poor thing, but everything is on the up now, so that is okay.

  

This week we had a lesson with one of our investigators who does not understand why she should have any reason to go to church. She said she goes for special occasions (a.k.a. a hatch [birth], a match [marriage], or a dispatch [funeral]), but I am beginning to see the impact that the continual opportunity for church has made and will continue to make in my life. It gives me the opportunity to renew my baptismal covenants as I take the sacrament; and with that, to become clean and forgiven as I have repented of my own misdoings each week.  The opportunity to serve and to be actively involved and to share is a blessing that is so unique that I am grateful for.   As I have the opportunity to serve the people around me, I am able to give of the gifts that God has given me, and through this, I am able to strengthen them. 

There is no one who is exempt from these blessings as they seek them and see the happiness they can bring.  In going to church, I am able to remember who gives me all that I have-- My Savior, who has given so much so that we might have hope, and with that hope, I begin to understand how much he loves us.  This Good news is for all. That is why I go. . .  because he has asked me, and because I know that it is the way that I can come to understand him.  As I see the examples around me, I have seen God's love, because I have been a recipient. Whether it has been from my mother, father, family, friends, or from those who I don't know as well, I have seen it.  Never forget the power of a positive mind, that is how the Savior would have us be. We have been given much more than we can ever say has been taken away.  None of us are far enough away that the light of the Savior's atonement cannot reach us.

It has been a difficult week at times, and where there are definitely wonderful times, I have weighed my heart down with things that only focus on the negative. But on Sunday, I saw this entry in my journal which remined me of why I came--I wrote this:

"I am now realizing how excited I am to wear a nametag bearing the Lord's name!  I can't wait to be the one who is struggling to patiently teach.  I am not always patient, but I am so excited to learn, person by person, how to become a more patient teacher.  I also realize that there is a greater significance in the nametag than normally realized.  My name will be one to represent my Savior, and the Savior of the World, and all I do will be attached to that-- but haven't I already attached my name to his?  All I do can reflect my belief and faith in him... All I can do now is make the decision of who I want to be."

 

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

Love,

Sister Wuehler

P.S. We are going on a hike later today!

Scripture: Alma 26:27

"Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success."

Mosiah 24:12-16

"And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.  And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.  And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.  And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord. And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage."

 

ism: "When things get tough, just remember whose work this is."

 

 

Week 8: The Frozen Tundra Refreezes

Dear Family and Friends,

Happy Easter Week (last week)! Today I am feeling a little under the weather- so if this email doesn't make sense at any point- I apologize. This week has been very eventful filled with lots of training in South Anchorage, a companion exchange, the Anchorage museum, Easter, etc.

Last Wednesday we had a companion exchange because Sister Williams and Halatokoua had to go to a training with all of the zone leaders so it was Sister Peterson and I taking over the Turnagain area! Being the one who knows everything about the area made me nervous to take it over without Sister Halatokoua, but everything turned out very well.  I think it makes me even more grateful for my senior companion.

We had a training meeting about working with members this week, and although we are missionaries, I think it is easy for each of us to forget that we each have a responsibility to reach out and lift each other.  I hope that once I return home that I can continue with working with the missionaries to help them, but more importantly to help the people.  Too often we make our lives so busy that in all of our leaping, we leap over the individual. What good are our treasures on earth comparatively to the treasures that God can give us- our knowledge, our friendships, our family. What would we rather have? the a pile of gold, or the atonement. We are constantly faced with these decisions in our lives, yet ultimately, Heavenly Father still gives us this choice.

We had a cultural training at the Anchorage museum with Sister Beesley this week. We got to look at all of the tribal and native Alaskan things and it makes you appreciate the natives so much more; although you may not see them much in Anchorage, I hope that I can see them sometime throughout my mission.

Sister Beesley and I getting ready to make Big Bubbles!

Snow came again: four inches on friday--- BUT WE BROKE THE RECORD- for snowfall in Anchorage- members say it may just be by about an inch but we have been waiting and waiting for this. It is funny because it keeps melting and freezing and remelting on us. When that snow fell, though, I have to say that it is so pretty to see.

Easter on the mission has definitely become one of my favorite things- the members are so wonderful. We went "egging"-- I know what you may be thinking, but no-- we cut out eggs and put scriptures on them to share the true message of Easter: The message of Christ's Ressurrection-- because he lives, we can one day live again. I loved going to houses and putting this on their doors-- many of them caught us, but still, I hope that they and all who are reading can feel of Christ's continual love for us.

By the way-- I stepped on a cadbury caramel egg yesterday as I got out of the car-- it was pretty sad.

  (note: Julie was craving Cadbury eggs before she left on her mission)

Thank you for all of your love and support! I want you to know that I love each of you!

Love,

Sister Wuehler

Scripture: Matthew 28: 5-6

"And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

isms: "I've never seen someone fall into a pile of crap and come out smelling like a rose" (something told to one of our members)

"People are not a waste of our time-- people are the reason we are here"

Sister Wuehler and Sister Halatokoua with Members

Happy Easter!

Easter Treats from Home!  Yeaaaaah!

Week 7: "but... it's general conference!!!"

Dear Family and Friends,

    This week has gone well.  We have begun something called active member lessons where it gives us a chance to improve our teaching skills; except, not all the members realize that you don't need to feed the missionaries when we do these lessons, so, as is (apparently) common, I ate my first "double dinner" this week.  We had already eaten and when we taught, the members insisted that what they made was for us.  We felt so bad, but we did not want to offend them.  We also had training this week with all the "new" under 12 week, missionaries, which was basically a Q and A to just clarify different subjects.

    I have been working on getting excited about tracting and it has become a long hard struggle with my own personal "natural man".  I think that I am coming to appreciate it more as we come up with more ideas--such as asking members what streets may be best to talk to (people), working gospel related topics into the restoration, and so on.  It has definitely become easier to do as I have incorporated different ideas into it.

   Members have been a great guidance to me, particularly those who have been on missions previously, and the things that they have done.  We had one member sister come with us knocking on less actives' doors, and after knocking and knocking, there was no answer.  As we turned around to leave, (she says), "No, you have to have faith", in a 'how dare you even turn around yet, sarchastic' face, and she knocks on the door again.  It was so great when he answered the door that time and no matter how funny that was, it was her words of faith that I repeat in my mind each time I think of turning around too early.

    General Conference was AWESOME.  I don't know what it is but as a missionary, it just feels like they are ALL talking directly to you, and I have to admit, this was the first time I haven't fallen asleep for at least one session of conference and I was proud of myself for that, because, as you know, I love to sleep.  Particularly in my memory is Elder Uchtdorf's talk when he said, how can we deny mercy to someone when we are seeking it so desparately ourselves.  I really loved it all, but that is what I have been so impressed to share with those around me- how often do we come across that question?  Each of us does-- what does Christ think of US?  By the way, the reason for the title this week is because in district meeting, our District Leader kept saying that after EVERY single thing we said to get pumped for conference, and it worked, because the rest of the meeting, we each kept saying it back to him.  We have been telling everyone to go into conference with questions and as I was asking, I had to "practice what I preached" and I can say, it definitely works, and these men are inspired by God as to what we need to hear.  One idea at conference, drawing the ties of each of the speakers--it is pretty fun as it was Sister Halatokoua's idea. (I guess that would keep her awake!)

   There is a member in our ward who has designated herself as our "mission mom".  As such, she has emphasized that we can ask her for ANYTHING, anything at all. S he took us to a burger place for dinner this week called "Tommy's Burger Stop" and as we all had never tryed it, we thought it was really good, and as I am not usually a fan of burgers I actually REALLY liked it.  It's this little hole in the wall place.  Anyway, she has been so wonderful to be willing to come with us to lessons anytime, give us big bags of m and m's etc.  She says that is how she hoped her boys were being taken care of so she is trying to do the same.  She even gives me mom hugs when I miss everyone and for that I will always be grateful.

   Either way, it has been a great week despite the hard times.  Hope you had a great week as well.  I love to hear from you all and I am glad to hear that everything is going well.  Love you all!

Love,

Sister Wuehler

scripture: "dispute not because ye see not, for you shall receive no witness until after the trial of your faith"

isms: can't really think of one today, but this is from conference "was it all worth it? to this family, it was" (David F. Evans talk)