Week 37: pumpkins, and wounded bears

Dear Family and Friends,

Hello! This week went pretty well; sarcasm is here each morning when we look at the temperature of 18 degrees and say, "It's Balmy out here!" At least it isn't 12 though, right?! This week we had a wounded bear in the neighborhood. It was a big brown bear and apparently it was terrorizing chicken coups. People warn us when that happens- we were doing service that required us not to be in area or on the streets so all is well. We carved our pumpkin- still working on it, but it was lame to open up and realize that there is like NO SEEDS in it (no more walmart pumpkins for me!).

 

 

 

Just a follow up on Sister Beesley's Birthday wall from last week, this is what she wrote and she still doesn;t know everything: "I totally love my Birthday Wall...it goes all the way up the stairs at the Mission Home…often stop to read another stickie on my way up or down stairs and find myself tear-ing up (as in water tears, not tearing as in ripping…) which is just not at all like me, now, is it…big thanks to all and especially to the instigators... wonder who they might be…?"

We volunteered at an elementary school halloween carnival up in airport heights this week-- The sisters got to work in the kitchen taking tickets and prepping food-- think carnival food, nothing fancy-- but it was a blast! That night we got a text telling us that there was a 7.7 Earthquake in the Metlakatla, Craig, Ketchikan area (near Canada border) so they were on tsunami warnings (I assume they still may be)- there are elders in those areas, and we are keeping them in our prayers.

We taught a girl this week who has been invited by many of her friends to church and to read the Book of Mormon (by the way, the youth in the ward are SO AWESOME! They love to share the Gospel and they are just some pretty solid teens!). She has been reading and when we taught you could feel the spirit powerfully, there really are no words to explain that to do it justice. She has been seeking for herself alreay and wants to be baptized and when the member bore his testimony about her being a daughter of God, she said how relieved it made her feel to know that God loves her unconditionally, no matter what. She is such a wonderful young lady, we are excited to have the opportunity to teach her and have felt the power of bearing testimony.

This week I wasn't doing too well one of the days, and I am so blessed with two companions who really help me out. Yesterday we had another sick companion and sister g and I pitched in and made her breakfast. We really are just loving this trio!

Book of mormon challenge from Sister Beesley is going great- trying to shoot for over 17 pages a day-- I noticed this week in flying through the Isaiah Chapters and Jacob five how much more they make sense when you are reading them without overanalyzing them. It is so wonderful! One of my favorite verses in Jacob 5 is verse 22 --Heavenly Father knows how to cultivate to bring forth fruit, and we don't always see the good before hand, such as this with a spot of dry ground, but he knows that better than we do. If we are following with spiritual eyes, then it really should not matter what we see with our physical eyes because he can make up the difference if we will just put in the effort.  ( And the Lord of the vineyard said unto him: Counsel me not; I knew that it was a poor spot of ground; wherefore, I said unto thee, I have nourished it this long time, and thou beholdest that it hath brought forth much fruit.)  I notice this sometimes as sometimes we think we know if someone in a certain situation is going to accept or reject the Gospel, but you never know where those seeds will take, you only have to listen. How much easier does EVERYTHING become when we just listen to him!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Be safe!

Love,

Sister Wuehler

Scripture: Mosiah 27:14
"And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath ^aheard the prayers of his people, and also the ^bprayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has ^cprayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the ^dknowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to ^econvince thee of the power and authority of God, that the ^fprayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith."

ism: "Sister Morey, You sit quietly in the back while we're yakking like two crows!" -Sister Gerber

Week 36: bear prints

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been going well! It's gotten really cold recently but it keeps changing it's mind- I had to start wearing my winter coat a couple of times this week (which is way comfy! It just makes me want to take a nap even though I can't!).

 

 

 

 

 

 We saw bear prints at someones house- he had to back people out of his driveway because he was incredibly overprotective of them and keeping them there, but it was fun to see how excited he was about them. The members here are SO great and all so excited to have sisters. They take good care of us. Sister Gerber actually has to bring her own food to dinner because of allergies- people keep trying to cook for her but it is safest for her if she doesn't eat their food. She worries that people will be offended by it because on her last part of her mission they were- I don't think it should be a big deal to anyone- anything that keeps us healthy- It is just fine.

I tricked my companion by telling her she ran over a bunny and she totally fell for it- she has been trying to get me back ever since. It is too funny.

 

Sister Morey, Sister Gerber, and ME! on our first day together

 

We spoke in church yesterday and it was also our first time in the ward because of stake conference last week. They had all three of us on the program, a newly returned missionary, AND a song- all girls-- I went first, sister Morey went next, then they had to cut her short and cut Sister Gerber and the song so that we could listen to the sister report on her mission. It was too funny that they would think that they could fit four girls and a song into an hour- THAT doesn't happen- haha, oh well, It went well- I spoke on how conference and the words of the prophets helps us and what it does for us. We had a lesson in Relief Society about temples and it was really special because Sister Gerber's family is going to have a sister they recently adopted sealed to them and since she can't be there for it she was saying she felt it was meant just for her. I love to see how Heavenly Father is in all of the details.

 

Recently we found out that it is Sister Beesley's Birthday and so we had a crazy idea to decorate with a ton of sticky notes in the mission home- we haven't talked to her about it yet, but the assistants sent out to the whole mission with something they all like about her-- I hope she liked it! The dedication I see from the senior couples here is so wonderful! I am so grateful for all they do- one comment talking about Sister Beesley I liked said "I remember the time when I was cooking with her and the pan wouldn't fit in the oven- she pulled out the pliers and made it fit" -- she is so funny!

 

In the Mission Home

 

The trio is working out well, every once in a while there are a few bumps and bruises but we work out everything great and we have a ton of fun. I love to see how we work together- Sister Morey's insights are awesome and Sister Gerber is very bold in inviting and we mesh pretty well. I am excited to see how it continues, even as we tract and teach out in the icy weather- no falls or slips yet, but thats probably because the sun already melted the ice. Studded tires are on and we have sandbags inthe back of our truck- we are good and prepared for the weather!!! I don't know if I am though.

 

We went tracting as a zone in the Huffman Elders area this week-- they gave us a street and I was impressed in the end by knowing we needed to be there-- we met a woman who I met a few months back, who has had a lot happen since I saw her all those five months ago and had been offended, but I was also able to see the hope the Gospel brings and share it with another woman who used to come with us to lessons when I was last in Anchorage and reunite there. We are here to invite ALL others unto Christ, and it is interesting to see how Heavenly Fathers plans pan out. It seems we always have more to do to share the Gospel, so it seems like it never enough, but it is sufficient when we do all we can.

 

All the Sisters in Alaska

 

Someone called us charlies angels!!! blond red and brunette- it was perfect. We bought a pumpkin today! way excited for the seeds--Have a great week!

Love,

Sister Wuehler

scripture: 1 Nephi 16:28-29

28 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the ^afaith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them.

29 And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us ^aunderstanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by ^bsmall means the Lord can bring about great things.

 

ism: "buzz your points" -- this is like a broken record from my companions-- they have this thing that replaces acupuncture or something and is like a natural medicine-- whenever somethings up, you can depend on one of them to say that

One of the many views we get to see!

Anchorage Alaska Temple




 

 

Week 35: Whitewashing Rabbit Creek

 
 

Dear Family and Friends,

So I do need to brush up a little on my writing skills because we are limited in time at the Anchorage library and for me, that time is crucial. Rabbit Creek is in South Anchorage, and it is SO different than North  Anchorage and WORLDS different from Kenai. South Anchorage is a really expensive part of town and I am not used to seeing this kind of living. I will have to adjust. It will never cease to shock and amuse how dangerous of drivers city folk are. I think I am partial now to the small town feel and the more relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The ward here is real great- we still have a truck and it is AWESOME. I would way rather have a truck than a malibu (the boat). The members are so excited to have sisters, at least most of them and have provided us with SO MANY people to contact we are so blessed here. We have already had opportunities to teach and as we are still feeling out the area, we will figure out how the area will be like- we weren't able to meet everyone in the ward yet because there was Stake Conference on Sunday.

The trio is working out pretty well, and we are learning to work together- we are lucky we get along pretty well. Sister Gerber, from Vernal, Utah served in South Carolina last and is 9 and a half months out. She needed to be in cold weather so after being home to recover for a couple of months she is up here now and she brings an awesome perspective to the companionship. Sister Morey just finished being trained for three months up in the Fairbanks First Ward and is learning Chinese- she is from Mapleton, Utah. Now Sister Gerber decided to pick up Chinese along with her, so while they are studying each day I am busy doing a ton of updating. I am also the only one in the companionship without different food allergies. It always makes me grateful that I do not have to worry about it for myself, but honestly it is still fascinating to me to see.

I had an impression last night that I should begin something for myself called "Miracle moments". There are plenty of them every day and I need to be better about getting them down but maybe I will write a few of them in here. As we have been going out and meeting people and learning to work in unity with each other we have had opportunities to teach and testify to people the Lord has placed in our path. The spirit works when we are prepared and can place into our mind what he wants us to say. I have recognized this over and over this week. Our goal was to begin to establish trust with all those we see and we were able to go and visit a woman in the ward who had a friend over at the time. She invited her friend to hear our message and she accepted to study with us and also a copy of the Book of Mormon. I could see the way the Lord softens hearts. As we listen, observe, and discern those needs we then know what to say- because they really are not our words. They are the spirit speaking through us. We also met a woman while tracting where even though she was not interested in the message we were able to invite her to come closer to Christ. At first meeting she did not want to hear anything, but the spirit spoke and we were able to share scripture with her that helped her to see that we love the Savior, the same God which she does, that he answers all of our prayers, and to hear of how her life was saved through the power of prayer to our Heavenly Father. I was so  grateful to see the turn of heart from assuming to knowing a little more-- you really do not know about something until you look to the source. Ultimately that source is our Heavenly Father and as we humble ourselves we can prepare to listen- really listen, not just say we are.

Sister Beesley just extended a "Book of Mormon challenge" for the next five weeks. Personally I prefer to read slowly but we will read it like a novel and use a check mark when we find something interesting, a question mark for questions, and a star when something hits home. We just began this approach this morning so wish me luck. It will be cool to read it quickly with a question in mind. I am thinking my question will simply to be looking at it with unbiased and fresh eyes, as if it were the first time I was reading it- trying to imagine I was the investigator trying to learn and to know for myself.

Well, gotta run, things are going well, we got to have interviews with Pres. Beesley yesterday and the snow is coming and going along with the Northern Lights, Moose and Bears. Love you all!

Love,

Sister Wuehler

scripture: 2 Nephi 1:14-15,19, 21, 23

14 Awake! and arise from the dust, and hear the words of a trembling ^aparent, whose limbs ye must soon lay down in the cold and silent ^bgrave, from whence no traveler can ^creturn; a few more ^ddays and I go the ^eway of all the earth.

15 But behold, the Lord hath ^aredeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his ^bglory, and I am encircled about eternally in the ^carms of his ^dlove.

 19 O my sons, that these things might not come upon you, but that ye might be a choice and a ^afavored people of the Lord. But behold, his will be done; for his ^bways are righteousness forever.

21 And now that my soul might have joy in you, and that my heart might leave this world with gladness because of you, that I might not be brought down with grief and sorrow to the grave, arise from the dust, my sons, and be ^amen, and be determined in ^bone mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity;

 23 Awake, my sons; put on the armor of ^arighteousness. Shake off the ^bchains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust.

 

2 Nephi 2:11,13-16

11 For it must needs be, that there is an ^aopposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.

12 Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no ^apurpose in the end of its creation. Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the ^bjustice of God.

13 And if ye shall say there is ^ano law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not ^bthere is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away.

14 And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and ^alearning; for there is a God, and he hath ^bcreated all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be ^cacted upon.

15 And to bring about his eternal ^apurposes in the end of man, after he had ^bcreated our first parents, and the beasts of the field and the ^cfowls of the air, and in fine, all things which are created, it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the ^dforbidden ^efruit in ^fopposition to the ^gtree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter.

16 Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should ^aact for himself. Wherefore, man could not ^bact for himself save it should be that he was ^centiced by the one or the other.

 

 

ism: A member of our ward claims he is in the "spiritual witness protection program." There are some awesome people in this ward., by the way in leaving Kenai, a member put a picture on a mayonaisse container and said "goodbye sister mayonnais, we will miss you" and gave it to me-- it is way awesome- I don't know if I will really use it though haha.

 

Week 34: Transfers... again.

Dear Family and Friends,



Lots of Letters Written!



So we got our "Transfer Doctrine" and I am going to the Rabbit Creek ward in South Anchorage, which I believe covers

Girdwood as well (this ski place as you drive down to Soldotna). I will be with Sister Morrie, who is coming down from Fairbanks and has been out for 3 months, and also with a sister who is coming from another mission in Florida (I will find out more later), Sister Gerber. We will be right by the temple in Anchorage too, but I am excited to serve in a trio, I just hope we don't intimidate when we walk up to doors-- two is always way less intimidating.



Anchorage Temple

 

We also get to go to the temple tomorrow-- It's Sister Burbank's birthday tomorrow so even though she is a little apathetic about it being her birthday I am excited for her- however, I think she just wants to stay 21 forever. Sister Sadlier is going home tomorrow as well so I am glad to be there as she does, even though we will miss her LOADS!

So General Conference was AWESOME! (view at www.lds.org)And the age limit for missionaries going from 19 to 18 for Elders and 21 to 19 for sisters- CRAZY-- first thought: There's going to be a LOT of nervous boyfriends out there-- I am sure there is going to be a dramatic increase in sisters and elders, but maybe we will get more than 15 sisters in Alaska! It will definitely be interesting to see.

This week I feel like there has been so many awesome things happening, but honestly, most of all I can remember is saying goodbye to so many people I love. I hate that part. I am so grateful though for the knowledge that someday I can see these people again. Sorry that I may seem a little on the down side right now, but that is honestly what it feels like.

We taught fasting to one of our investigators this week, whose family doesn't really want her to learn, but she knows that God is directing her, and we had the opportunity to fast with her this week for her family, and she texted us and told us that her husband wanted to come to lessons with her and that the fasting worked! We are So excited for her! Sister Burbank likes to compare her faith to Nephi's -- pure. When hearts are pure and there is that real intent behind it, and that is when Heavenly Father helps us to see those miracles-- especially because we are ready to hear it.

We also got to see a family who moved down to Wyoming where he is from and they had to move back up for a little bit- as they were driving up the Al-CAN highway there were a couple times where they almost had an encounter with a moose as they were driving-- but the Lord was looking out for them- they barely missed two times. One of the times, they received a call and were able to slow down just enough to barely miss a moose by a foot.

Something that has been on my mind in both my studies and every day has been the patterns that we find. The Gospel is a pattern that is prominent in everything we do-- as we begin with faith, we decide to change and to repent and become cleansed, and THEN are we worthy of the Holy Ghost- that constant guidance, and then we need to continue in that. I was reading in Nephi this morning about Lehi's family when Nephi breaks his bow and noticing how the people murmur and until they ask the Lord for help, they didn't receive that guidance- they weren't ready for it. When we are humble and will use that pattern of the Gospel good can work in our lives. It's good to know that when we are prepared, Good things keep on coming- the Lord is in the details.

Love,

Sister Wuehler

scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 98:1-3

Verily I say unto you my friends, ^afear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give ^bthanks;

2 ^aWaiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament—the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted.

3 Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been ^aafflicted shall work together for your ^bgood, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord.

ism:

Week 33: First Frost of the Season

Dear Family and Friends,

On Mt. Skilak hiking a few weeks ago!!

This week has been getting colder- we had our first snow in Kenai- even though we were up in Nikiski when it happened and it was more of just rain up there, but our first frost happened yesterday, so the snow is coming- it is sticking to the grass in Anchorage we hear. There is a member who calls us "Girl Team." We love it. We are also getting so excited for all the Holidays! Something I though of this week is that Halloween seems to be a missionary holiday- everyone is going from door to door, we just have something greater to offer than candy.

 

The Temperature is going DOWN!

 

 

Someone we met this week in our ward has a farm, and while he was going back to show us the horses, steer, etc, we noticed that they had a REINDEER! It was so awesome-- the reindeer was nervous around people, but calmed down just enough for us to pet it a little bit and take a picture. We have been able to go back and do a bit of service for them- first time we met him though, he was sharing with us how his wife makes glass and they make it from scotch and we were about to say a prayer with him when he asked us to wait a second and ran way across his farm and said "I can't have a bottle of scotch in my hand while we're praying, that's sacreligious!"

 

 

 

 

So Sister Burbank and I are working on getting a few words out of our vocabularies and so we started a friendly competition a week and a half ago that ends as soon as we get off of these computers. We had a list of words (which aren't necessarily bad, but we didn't want to say them anymore, so this was just to make us aware of when we would say them) and whenever we said one of them we get a tally- and whoever gets the most tallys buys coldstone! We will head there soon- at first I was winning, but now she is- I think I'm buying!

Are you preparing for General Conference??!?!?? We are so excited here. I am so glad that the Lord inspires his chosen servants with words we need today. I see them working in my life every day. (for more info, go to www.lds.org and look under general conference)

Last night the full moon was out along with the Northern lights- I have to say- it is interesting that the days are light and the nights are dark again, but right now i am just enjoying it until that changes to being dark for most of the day.

 

Heavenly Father has really been blessing us with some potential people who want to hear the Gospel. I have noticed that this is the harvest of seeds that have been planted by various people that we are recognizing. One man gave us a call one night and said that he had read the book of Mormon and knew that it was true and wanted to learn more. He sounded so happy and ecstatic. i had never met him before, but the missionaries had invited him a time back to do so and he accepted. Another woman is welcoming and had been tracted into and wants to read it. We also have noticed a woman who is less active wants her children baptized and is coming back because her neighbor invited her and she is excited about it although other obstacles lie in her path. We also went over to a members home and her sons girlfriend was visiting and wanted to know more about the church- she asks this sister questions and then she began to ask us and where she was in process of moving to Homer she asked for the missionaries number and took down the times for general conference and accepted a Book of Mormon. We are excited for her ( she also showed us a new crochet stitch that she gave me one of her headbands so i could learn to do that one day- it was so nice of her-it is called the crocodile stitch). Either way, I have been noticing a pattern of seeking recently that has been apparent in many aspects. The Gospel is meant to bring happiness- to make bad people good, and good people better- to improve and to remember that it is because of our Savior that we are able to do so. Opposition comes to all those who have already decided to follow their Heavenly Father (for example, Nephi- 1 Nephi 3:7  "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.")-- as we follow and make those difficult decisions, he strengthens and fortifies us.

It is interesting as I read this morning in 1 Nephi to recognize the conversion to the Lord of Lehi (1 Nephi 1), Nephi (1 Nephi 2:16-17), Sam (1 Nephi 2:18), and Sariah (1 Nephi 4:7-8). It is all by the Power of the Holy Ghost, as we can receive it as well. Even Laman and Lemuel received that confirmation, but they did not honor it in the end. It must have grieved their father, and also their father in Heaven to have seen that turning away and to have felt that persecution and I can imagine Lehi, in 1 Nephi 2:11-15 and as he "dwelt in a tent" I can just see the sorrow he must have felt, even enough to go into the tent and take that time for himself.

Well, the work is wonderful, as always-- never easy, but it is always worth it. Love you all!

Love,

Sister Wuehler

 

ism: Termination Dust- otherwise known as snow, which we got our first of this last week, earlier than expected.

Scriptures:

Alma 26:7

But behold, they are in the hands of the Lord of the ^aharvest, and they are his; and he will ^braise them up at the last day.
 
Moroni 7:13,19, 22, 25, 26, 33, 37 (lay hold upon every good thing)

13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do ^agood continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and ^benticeth to do ^cgood, and to love God, and to serve him, is ^dinspired of God.

19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the ^alight of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a ^bchild of Christ.

22 For behold, God ^aknowing all things, being from ^beverlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent ^cangels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing.

25 Wherefore, by the ministering of ^aangels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing; and thus it was until the coming of Christ.

26 And after that he came men also were ^asaved by faith in his name; and by faith, they become the ^bsons of God. And as surely as Christ liveth he spake these words unto our fathers, saying: ^cWhatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.

33 And Christ hath said: ^aIf ye will have ^bfaith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is ^cexpedient in me.

37 Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that ^amiracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of ^bunbelief, and all is vain.

 

1 Nephi 3:7

"I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

 

 

Some of the funny billboards we have seen: