Angels Ministering Daily

March 9, 2015

I read this morning in 3 Nephi, chapter 7 verse 18..."And Nephi did minister with power and with great authority...for so great was his faith on the Lord Jesus Christ that angels did minister unto him daily." I have been striving for this kind of faith this week, the faith to be supported in all my trials, and to be given revelation and answers to prayer daily!

There have been so many angels in my life this week! Brother P. (best gospel principles teacher ever) says, "The Lord sends angels to surround us and answer our prayers...these angels are the people we interact with every day!" Wow! I KNOW the Lord answers our prayers, and it truly is so often through other people!

My district missionaries are angels in my life. Elder Odom was so inspired this week for district meeting! I had been praying for renewed spiritual strength and motivation. Sometimes we don't see just how important this work is in all the lives we interact with. I asked Him to remind me why I was out here and why I loved this gospel so much...and He did! Elder Odom asked each of us in the district to stand and tell the story of our conversion. As we each testified, the spirit was incredible! We happen to have two converts in our district, Elder Odom and Sister Sims. Both joined the church 2 years ago! We also have an Elder who was less-active most of his life before his mission. And of course, the rest of us have had to strive for conversion throughout our lives! I was so touched by each story, and the spirit testified to me that the gospel is JOY! I realized that the gospel really means everything, I mean EVERYTHING to me! I am so grateful for the chance to share it. I am so blessed!

Another angel in my life is S. Her courage and determination and strength is like nothing else! She inspires me to do better. We've had to push back her baptismal date to the21st of March to make sure she is prepared, but she is SO determined! I've asked before but please pray for her!! I have had some of the most meaningful and sincere prayers of my life in praying for S...I love her and know she will succeed!

Sister C.--a recent convert that got baptized my first transfer here-has been such an angel to me this week!! She has no idea how much her strength strengthens me! Despite so many trials in her life, she is constantly reaching outward to others. Nothing is about herself! The same day her son had a monthly cancer checkup she texted us saying she had some groceries she wanted to give us!!!! She truly is like Christ, and I love her. Pray for her family as well!

B. has been an example to me as well this week, and example of being a missionary! We had a lesson with both her and Lorenzo, her son. I felt the spirit FILL the room as SHE testified of the truthfulness of the gospel, and how much it had changed her life. We were teaching her but really she was teaching her son. I have said this before but I LOVE teaching with recent converts! They feel the spirit and blessings of the gospel so strongly, and it is easy for them to share it. I love this gospel!!!

One more small miracle this week that helped me feel God's love and support and his angels all around! There were three separate times this week where we had a 15 minute space or so before our next appointment. Both Sister Ramirez and I want and love to work hard every minute, so each time we went out and knocked just 3 or 4 houses before our appointment. Each time, we were led by the spirit, and were able to see miracles! The first time we met C...a young mom who wants to know more about how to live happily in families. The second time we met M., a dad who wants to be closer to God but doesn't know how. The third time, we met W., a truly humble man seeking God! Warren said he'd been praying for a deeper belief in God and reading His Bible right as we knocked his door! He said, "I don't believe in coincidences...I think God sent you sisters to me!" Sometimes, we get to be angels to others, we get the privilege of being an answer to someone else's prayer! I feel so blessed!

I know my Heavenly Father is watching out for me, and I know he is doing the same for EACH of His children. He has a plan! His love is incredible! His angels minister to each one of us, daily, if we have the faith to see them!

YOU ALL are angels to me, family! Thanks for your incredible support. I know this Work is His, and the gospel is the way to happiness.

Sister Petrie

Hard Work and Blessings!

Selfie of Me and Sis. Ramirez

March 2, 2015

It was another wonderful week full of hard work and blessings!

We are so excited for S.! We had an amazing lesson with her this week...all about the importance of baptism! She said she felt the spirit so strongly, telling her that baptism is the right thing for her! We read 2 Nephi 31: 20 with her, and she says that when she thinks about the future, she feels that "perfect brightness of hope" working in her life. She threw away her cigarettes this week. No more temptation! We are so proud. I feel like I can't express how much I love her! Both Sister Ramirez and I would walk around the world for her. She will be getting baptized this coming Saturday. Keep her in your prayers if you can, I know this coming week preparing for baptism will be a hard one!

One quick miracle with B. this week. Last Sunday, in her confirmation blessing, Brother P. promised her that she would be a light and an example to her family, and that she would be the first of many to find the gospel. When we taught B. this week, we taught her at her son L.'s house. The whole time, we could tell he was listening...slowly walking through the room often, etc. haha. At the end, I knew we needed to invite him to sit in on the next lesson, even though he's refused our invitations before. This time something softened. "Y'all teach about Jesus Christ?" He asked while thumbing through the Book of Mormon, just before we left. Of course we said yes...and he agreed to be taught the lessons! WOW. I'm just so happy for B. She gets to be an example for her family! What a blessing.

We started teaching D. this week, the wonderful lady that showed up to church last week, asking to be baptized!! The minute we started talking to her, we could tell how prepared she had been. She has some hard things in her life, and she KNEW the only solution was to turn to God. Her story of how she got to church was incredible. She said she was in bed, for about an hour, struggling with whether or not she should go to church. She seriously had a wrestle before God! She finally got the courage to just go...and what amazing blessings she's received already! Every time we talk about Christ's Atonement with her, she tears up, because she already knows it is the way for her to be supported through her struggles. I just love her so much already! Miracles still happen, I know it!

J. is doing amazing! We are so excited for him and S, Church was cancelled this week, but they are going to come next week! We had a fantastic lesson on the Restoration. Josean said, "It is a little difficult for me to believe that God appeared to a 14-year-old boy and restored his church, but I will do better this week at praying to know if it is true." He is a man of so much faith. We brought Brother F. to his lesson...which was the best idea ever! They connected so well, they have similar stories/background! We are praying for J. to receive his answer. I know he will!

Church was cancelled this week...we had a foot and a half of snow!! It's like NH weather! Sister Ramirez and I are getting along just great. We work so hard together, and I love it! When one of us gets down, the other is the leader and pushes both of us through it! We're a good team.

Also we started teaching a Hindu family this week...I know nothing about that religion...any tips?

Thank you for all the support and prayers. I love each one of you. What a blessing to have such a great family!

Sister Petrie

The G. Fanily!  We love them!!

The Witness After The Trial of Faith!

February 23, 2015

I learned a lot about the meaning of Ether 12:6 this week. Heavenly Father has been blessing our area so so much! But there were for sure several trials of faith first. I am so grateful He takes so much time and care to plan for my learning and growth!

The trials! We had 5 investigators drop us this week, and many dropped appointments! Also, with the windchill factor it was -20 most of the week. BRRR. Needless to say I felt tried! Luckily Sister Ramirez has so much faith...she inspired me to keep going, and we worked hard, despite things not working out in our favor!

And the blessings that came on Sunday made it all worth it! We watched B. be confirmed. It was incredible! She had one of the sweetest blessings I've ever heard. She was promised she would be a strength and a light to all those around her and that because of her, many of her family would be brought to the knowledge of the gospel! How incredible. Afterwards, she paid tithing for the first time. What a rock that woman is!

Then S. came to church. She's officially quitting smoking, she'd gone 16 hours without a cigarette! Say an extra prayer for her if you could. I am so proud of her! She also received a blessing of comfort and strength. She is going to succeed, I know she is!

Then we had a member call us and refer his cousin to talk with us. She is looking for a church that "feels like home". Ok, miracle.

As if that wasn't enough, right after sacrament meeting, a sweet sister walked into the building, and asked if she could be baptized into our church! She said she was looking for a church, and that she had a feeling she should go to ours that morning. What a blessing. I felt impressed that this was a direct answer to prayer and blessing based on our faith and hard work during the week. I felt like quoting scripture: "My cup runneth over!!" During our sunday school lesson about following the promptings of the Holy Ghost, I couldn't keep from crying, just a little bit, overwhelmed with gratitude! I testify of God's love for us individually. He knows and plans for us.

We should have a great week ahead. I keep you all in my prayers! Thanks for your incredible support! Sorry for no pictures this week :( I was a slacker.

I love you allllll so so so so much! This gospel is TRUE and the Book of Mormon is the way to find answers.

Love,
Sister Petrie

Humility is Confidence!

Sister Ramirez

February 16, 2015

It has been a good good week. I have been learning a lot about humility. Getting a new companion and having to lead the area, at least for this first little bit, has been a challenge with blessings! The first day of the transfer, I realized I needed to study humility as my Christlike attribute of the transfer. I need to be humble enough to hear and follow the spirit, to take ideas from a new companion, to make mistakes, to fix mistakes, to take correction, to give the day over to Heavenly Father, etc. etc. What I've realized is that humility equals confidence. If we are humble, we trust that God has a plan for us and we are willing to follow it. We can be confident in the fact that HE knows what he is doing, even if we don't! We can say like Ammon, "I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things." I KNOW in His strength, I can do all things.

Yesterday, B was baptized! I am amazed at her faith and trust in God. She KNOWS she is on the right path. She is determined to be active in the church, and she is so excited to go to the temple, share the gospel with her family and friends, and learn more about Jesus Christ. That woman will move mountains! I am just so proud of her. I know she will be a great asset to the ward, with her sweet spirit and incredible faith. It was a sweet experience to watch her step out of the font, smiling bigger than she ever has! She has been a blessing in my life.

B's  Baptism!

Sister Ramirez is my new companion!! I've attached a picture of us :) She is as sweet as pie. Seriously, she is one of the nicest humans I've ever met. She was just so happy to work hard and dive right in. She is from Shelley, Idaho. She's 23, and she's SUPER musical! Which is a pretty incredible plus :) She plays the piano, so now we get to switch off playing for Relief Society! Yay!!! :) We also sing hymns for companionship study. And she plays the violin! She's played pretty much all of dad's violin arrangements...so that was pretty cool haha! Oh, and she was homeschooled! We're like the same person! :) I'd love to answer any more questions you have about her :) I can tell we are going to get along great and have a fantastic transfer!

I love this gospel, which teaches us we can get answers to ALL our questions, directly from God. Just a brief experience from this week. On Friday we helped teach one of the elder's new investigators, a family we did service for last week. J., the husband, was firing intellectual questions about the gospel left and right, and sort of trying to "disprove" the Book of Mormon with his logic. I came away from that lesson feeling like I needed to gain an even stronger testimony of the truth of the book of Mormon, and a testimony that ALL seekers of truth can know the Book of Mormon is true, by asking God. So I asked God, like I had many times before, if the Book of Mormon was REALLY, completely, totally true, and if J. could know that if he had the faith enough to ask. I didn't receive an immediate answer this time, but the next day, when we were teaching a new investigator about the Restoration, it was my turn to bear testimony. As soon as I opened my mouth to testify of the Book of Mormon, I had this incredible feeling that I really DID know that it was true, and I knew that I could honestly promise that same knowledge to others, if they just sincerely desire it! There is so much to trust about God's timing. He knows what we need and when we need it, and he will give if we ask. I trust Him so so much. much more than I ever have! I trust Him in his decision to keep me in Danville, and to give me Sister Ramirez as a companion. I trust His spiritual guidance. I trust that he can grow me much faster than I every could grow myself. I trust his love for me!

Well, I'll get off my speech box. I love how much I am learning on my mission. I know I have learned more than I ever thought I would. It is truly a great time to be converted to the Lord!

Some wisdom from "True to the Faith": "To be humble is to recognize gratefully our dependence on the Lord—to understand that we have constant need for His support. Humility is an acknowledgment that our talents and abilities are gifts from God. It is not a sign of weakness, timidity, or fear; it is an indication that we know where our true strength lies. We can be both humble and fearless. We can be both humble and courageous."

I love you all!!! Keep being amazing.

Sister Petrie

Oh I totally forgot I didn't tell you!! J. got baptized on Tuesday, before Sister Biddle left! It was a happy week of baptisms :)

J's baptism!!

Transfer week!!!!

Sure Love Sis. Biddle!

February 9, 2015

What a great week!

Transfer calls came in on Saturday!! I'm staying here in Danville, and Sister Ramirez will be my new companion :) We actually got transfer calls from President Morgan, because he called Sister Biddle to be an STL! She'll be moving to O'Fallon MO. I am so proud of her! She'll do great!

This week started off with exchanges. I stayed in Danville again, and I got to be with Sister Barrett! She is an amazing missionary. I learned so much from her about diligence and hard work! I TESTIFY of exchanges! I've noticed that every exchange brings at least one miracle. Here's the miracle of this exchange.

Exchanges

Our first appointment of the day was with B. We brought a member, Sister J, and we were so excited for the lesson! But when 2:00 rolled around, B. didn't show up! We were just sitting there waiting and talking, when a lady walks in and sits down nearby. Of course, we start talking to her! We told her about who we were and the church, and she says, "Oh, my Grandpa was a Mormon!" It turns out that her Grandpa, J. L, was a good friend of Sister J., the member that we had with us! They were instantly able to connect, and we were able to teach her a little about where her grandpa is now (he passed away a few years ago). We went back to see her on Friday. She said she knew her Grandpa would want her to talk to us. YAY. I just KNOW God places people in our path. We just need to have the faith to talk to them!

B.'s baptism has been pushed back because she's been really busy...but she finally had her interview on Saturday. I have never seen a happier person! She used to be so sad all the time...but just seeing how far she has come has been incredible. I know baptism is the path we need to take! She will be baptized this coming Sunday.

Sorry this email had to be short...Sister Biddle needs to pack! I am going to miss her so much!

I love you all. Remember this gospel...is TRUE. God will tell you all about it if you ask.

Sister Petrie

  

God Loves YOU!

I Love Teaching the Gospel!!!

February 2, 2015

It was another incredible week. Sister Biddle and I are excited to finish out the transfer together with a whole lot of hard work and love for these people. I can't believe this is the last week! Time flies.

We're preparing for a couple baptisms...trying to fit them in before Sister Biddle leaves! :) B. is getting baptized this Saturday. Will you pray for her? She knows she is doing the right thing. I love her! J., M.'s younger son is getting baptized next Tuesday...the day before transfers! He is so excited. I just love their little family!

We set a baptismal date with S...March 7th. She is so cool. I can't even express how much I love her and want her to succeed. I can't believe I'm blessed enough to teach her!

We are really excited about the incredible couple we are teaching, S. and J. They are just our age! We connect so well because we are in the same stage in life. J. is really truly searching. It's so interesting how everyone we teach has different struggles. But the same message helps resolve each one, and that is the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Truly our trials come from many sources, but our answers all stem from one source--and that is Jesus Christ. 2 nephi 31:21. Turn to him!

I've been thinking a lot about testimony, and true conversion this week. I want to help the people I teach be deeply converted. We learn in the parable of the sower in the Bible that if our roots are shallow due to poor nourishment, they won't be able to stand the storms and tempests that come. Depth leads to strength! The more deeply we study and incorporate the principles of the gospel, the stronger we will become. It's been incredible to see so many people deepen their roots. They are truly strong, and because of that, they are so blessed and happy!

Be a missionary like Christ was! He didn't flaunt titles or spout off memorized door approaches. He loved. He served. He spent his time for the one. I want to be a more Christlike missionary. I know that when people can see that I represent Christ, then they will be willing to listen to the messages I share.

Well I've been slacking. I don't have any pictures for this week!! Just know I'm happy and smiling, and excited for another great week.

I love you all!

Sister Petrie

I LOVE Being A Missionary!

January 26, 2015

Oh how I LOVE being a missionary!

Our zone and Springfield zone! Look at all those awesome missionaries!

There were some definite ups and downs of this week. But I'm learning so much!

Weekly Planning JOY!

We are so excited for S. I can't even tell you how much I love that girl. Every time we teach her I feel like I get a glimpse of how much Heavenly Father cares for her. She is doing fantastic on her goal to be done smoking by february 14th. She's cutting down every day, and she says she knows that Heavenly Father is answering her prayers and taking away her desire to smoke.

B. is doing fantastic as well! We taught her the Word of Wisdom...you always get a little nervous teaching that one! We just hoped that it would come across to her like it was...a commandment from God! Not us imposing rules. We taught her the principles, and then read the last part of D&C 89, where the Lord gives us promises. After we asked her what she thought, she said, "well...those are blessings I just can't pass up!!!" WOW. miracle.

The spirit really teaches these people. The better I get a teaching the more I realize that I play such a small role in the conversion of these investigators. The spirit does the converting!

We starting teaching a couple from Puerto Rico this week. They are incredibly prepared. The wife, C., went to church in Peurto Rico when she was younger, but never got baptized. She wants her husband to know about the LDS church and to go at least once, so they are both willing to listen to our lessons. We're excited about them!

We also helped someone move and cleaned 2 houses this week. Shout out to mama...THANK YOU for teaching me how to clean! I see why it's important now :)

Sister Petrie 

Our mailbox got run over. Won't be getting mail for a bit haha!

Paint an edible train! It's pretty fun.