Take Me To Church

Christmas Day- December 27

So as I explained in my previous email sister Wilde and I stayed up

watching the testaments and then woke up at 4am to meet the zone

leaders at the stake center to deliver all the packages and stockings.

It was so much fun! And really funny. Some elders got so scared as we

were banging on their door! Haha for one companionship, they left

their door unlocked (which is a huge surprise cause they always lock

it) and the zone leaders snuck in an put presents under the tree. A

little while later they got a call from them saying "elders, we

thought someone broke into our apartment and it was terrifying... One

more thing, how did you get into our apartment?!" Haha

We had district breakfast at Denny's and it was a lot of fun

celebrating together. We have the best missionaries!

For the Zone leaders Christmas present sister Wilde and I took a

picture together with our frosty blowup and gave it to the elders in a

picture frame. We wrapped it up in Walmart bags with rocks surrounding

it and put it in a tupperware container. It is currently sitting on their

mantle. Haha and the best part is today at ZL STL meeting they thanked

us for the gift again and then told us when they opened it they

thought the rocks were candy and elder chambers licked it. He probably

has some sort of disease cause those rocks came from outside and were

nasty! Poor elders.

Afterwards we went to a stake center and prepared to call home. The

zone leaders came with us since they have the keys and we were all

super anxious. Sister Wilde and I didn't know what to expect. Which

its just a call home you would think it would be no big deal but it is

a loaded call. Which by the way I really love you all and enjoyed

talking with you. Keep me updated on things to come. It was hard

saying goodbye and hanging up but if it makes you feel any better I

was talking to Elder Chambers afterwards and the same thing happened

when he tried to hang up too. I'm glad I didn't get too home sick.

Although for the rest of the day I did want to cry, not because I was

sad but because the spirit has been so strong lately.

We played sports and the elders were nice and let me play basketball

with them even though I am awful. We also played volleyball and I

taught a sister from Tahiti how to flip whip cream in her mouth.

We had a traditional Christmas style dinner. Stopped by some members

homes that wanted us to come by and we were able to find a new

investigator. To end the night we went on exchanges with the sisters.

I was exhausted. Waking up early was not the best idea.

Exchanges were awesome. I was with sister Vaaie from Tahiti in my

area. We were able to see plenty of miracles even though it was

awfully cold. For example, when sister Wilde was in this area on

exchanges she met a lady, Alma, who said she had seen missionaries

before but never had the opportunity to talk to them. One of those

miracle moments where God has prepared her an she is truly searching

for the truth. Either way, we taught her the restoration and she now

has a baptismal date that we may have to move forward cause she is so

amazing!

At the end of the night sister Vaaie asked why we listen to music

without words and then challenged me to make a up a song to the tune

of a song that I had only heard a few times before. it was hilarious.

Sunday was probably the best day of my life. I was asked previously

this week to give a talk in sacrament meeting about chapter 9 in

preach my gospel which is all about finding people to teach. My

favorite. Because this week was so busy I put off writing it until

that morning, so I thought for sure it was going I be a wreck.

We left PEC early cause we walked our new investigator, Alma, to

church. Thank goodness it wasn't as cold as Saturday. And it was such

a joy walking with her to church and teaching her about the ordinance

of sacrament.

There was a crowd of people in sacrament meeting because a sister had

just returned home from her mission. The state president was there and

two of the high council men joined the meeting too. Thankfully my talk

went well. Actually it went extremely well. Heavenly Father blessed me

with the spirit as I spoke. I questioned why the bishop invited me to

speak and not someone else, but there must have been a reason. The

spirit was unreal in that meeting. There were quiet a few teary eyes

and a change of heart in the members so much so that afterwards we

were able to receive two referrals from members, of people they wanted

us to teach and contact. It was a miracle. They were able to feel and

develop trust in us. My talk didn't seem any different than most but

it the spirit was more abundant than ever before.

Afterwards we taught in elders quorum. Which was different. Sister

Wilde and I taught about how to plan for a lesson and how to teach. We

taught the restoration and again the spirit was incredible strong,

which resulted in the high council man raising his hand and saying

that there is no reason why we should not be able to trust these

sisters with any of our dearest friends. It was so touching for him to

say that. We are creating Zion Wards over here!! It's incredible to

see the change the ward has made in such a short amount of time. God

is hastening the work.

The church is true. I love you!

Do I Wanna Know?

Dec 1-7th

I got your package today and I loved it! By the way if you haven't noticed on my debit card I have been purchasing some things like a watch, necklace, tights etc because I know it is cheaper for me to buy them than have you buy them and ship them here. So merry Christmas to me! 

Sister Leete and I want to make a ginger bread (gramcracker) temple so if you could send me the recipe for the royal icing that would be much appreciated. 

I'm glad Grandma will be happier in this new place. Send me her address and I will try and remember to send her a Christmas card. 

Sad to think Dad is off the High Council it would have been cool if he was there just one more year so he could be at the interview when I come home. But oh well. I'm sure he will love primary haha

Did you say the zone has 120 missionaries?! That’s insane! We only have 26 missionaries in our zone! 

Let me see if I can remember anything from this week... On Tuesday and Thursday we went on exchanges which is always fun but a lot of pressure because I have to set a perfect example, correct any disobedience, and teach them skills. Wow. I think my hair is turning gray. Tuesday night right after exchanges right as Sister Leete and I were about to sit down and plan for the next day we had to race off and save some sisters by bringing hot chocolate and talking about our feelings. We didn't get home until 10:30 which is when we are supposed to go to bed... I am being force to develop a heart. It is weird. But I guess this helps me become the person God wants me to be. 

On Wednesday we have MLC which is Missionary Leadership Council. Its where all of the Zone Leaders and STLs come together once a month to receive training from President Snow, the APs and the MSTLs. Its way cool. Its like a super special conference and everyone knows everyone because everyone has been going to these meetings forever or have served around each other. It was a little  weird not knowing what was going on. But the old AP, who is now one of the Zone Leaders that I'm working with, is very determined for me to become the best missionary possible... he kept telling me in the meeting "sister Gier you've got to make a name for yourself." So the pressure is on!

umm this letter is stopping here because I’ve got to go but hopefully i will send the rest later. 

love you!!

sister Gier 

What You Wanted

Well. Where to start? This week was busy busy busy. I saw a load of miracles and then again, loads of drama. Sister Leete and I had this break down realization that we are sister missionaries. We are sister missionaries. Being in leadership my eyes have been opened to the work ethic that most sisters have, or I should say the lack of work ethic. Sister missionaries get such a bad wrap for being lazy, making excuses, not talking to everyone and not living up to their potential. It's said that sister have that reputation and currently there are very few sisters that try to change that. I think that's why last night sister Leete and I repeated back and forth. "We are sister

missionaries". Almost like we were in shock. Kinda like how I didn't realize how short I was playing volleyball until I saw a video and realized I was tiny. In shock about the realization. But sister Leete

and I are doing well at not stooping down to that standard. We are actually working really well together and hitting all of our goals. But we have to rebuke sisters and kick them into gear.

So we gave a boss training on the five love languages (physical, words, gifts, service and time) applied to missionary work so they zone leaders can show the sisters that they care while still telling them that they aren't working hard enough. It's a thin line. The zone

leaders were trying to figure out our love languages. After thinking about it all weekend, they came to they conclusion that sister  Leetes was words of affirmation. But they still couldn't figure out mine so

they decided to try different things to see how I responded to each of them. We got a voice mail from the zone leaders saying "sisters... We

hate love languages...we sent a guy to jail because of it". It was too late to call them back so the next time they saw us they told this story about how they were on their way to drop us of a cake (thinking my love language was gifts) and they witnesses car going about 50 hit a person and saw him roll off the car and fly in the air. They chased the guy down and found out where he lived and then spent the whole evening talking to police men. It was crazy. But God puts you in the right spot at the right time.

We went on exchanges with sisters back to back. Exchanges is when the STLs are companions with another companionship to go to their area and

help them learn how to work more effectively. Those where some long days. My first exchange was in my area with a sister who was convinced that she should have been an STL and not me and she tried to steal one of our families who was investigating. Whoohoo that was a long, frustrating day! The next exchange was a ton better cause I went to the other sisters area and we found a golden investigator. We prayed

to know which door to knock on and as we were walking around we heard a meow sound coming from someone's back yard. We thought they were

kittens but really they were baby puppies! We decided to knock on the door. A 15 year old opened up and said that she has wanted to join the church for a while but thought you had to be a certain age and has

some confusion. We cleared up her questions and asked if she had ever read the Book of Mormon before. She said no. Then we asked if she

would like to. She said yes with a smile. We pulled out a Book of Mormon and her face lit up like Christmas. She started crying when we handed it to her and gave her the biggest hug. It was amazing, the spirit that we felt. So besides crazy sister problems. My week was super good. I always forget what happens but just know I'm doing well and I hope you all have a wonderful thanksgiving.

The church is true. I love you!

Sister Gier

Honey, I'm Good

Nov 9-16th 

You're going to hate how short this message is...just know it's because

I'm working hard!

It was super hard saying goodbye to everyone on Monday and we didn't

have a lot of time to do it. But hopefully I'll be able to come back

for all the baptisms.

Tuesday, all of the missionaries going back in valley met up in Dolan

Springs. Good luck looking it up on a map cause I doubt you will find

it. I feel bad for the elders who have to serve there. It was so sad

saying good bye to sister Kaufusi but I know she will do a great job!

The bus coming down with the missionaries was late so we were late

getting back in the Las Vegas valley. When we got to the mission

office I had to hustle inside to meet sister Leete and go to a

training for new leaders. It was really neat. I'm excited to help the

elders and sisters that I have stewardship over.

It was a mess trying to find my luggage after the meeting and we

weren't able to find my pillows but we had to run and meet the zone

leaders to discuss the zone vision. I may have mentioned this in my

last email but the zone leaders are Elder Sawyer (who was the last

assistant to the president) and elder Chambers (who was my zone leader

in my first area). My companion sister Leete is actually a Spanish

missionary but is now in English to be an STL. This is her last

transfer on her mission which is weird cause I'm used to working with

brand new sisters. Sister Leete knows so much! We different people but

the SAME missionary. I think president did it on purpose. Haha anyway,

I'm part of the best leadership team and I excited to be in this

position.

Being an STL has really opened my eyes. We have to know everything

about everyone...including their problems. If something goes wrong or

the sisters have a question we get a call. Normally a zone has 3-4

companionships of sisters, including the STLs...we have 5, not

including us. WE ARE BUSY!! Not to mention we have appointments all

the time with investigators and for trainings. This Friday we had

interviews with president and the zone leaders and us were there for

10 hours! We barely got a break for lunch cause we were giving

trainings and stuff.

Our zone vision is "Focus on our Purpose". Super simple but it's

needed. We are going to focus by being accountable and motivated

missionaries. We came up with this idea to have a traveling trophy

based on a point system of how many baptisms, investigators with a

baptismal date, investigators who came to church, lessons taught with

a member present, and new investigators. The zone leaders made an

"iron rod" that is made of "diamond willow" the strongest wood in

North America, and you get to sign it if you have the most points.

I'll send a picture.

It's going to be hard being an STL because every sister in our zone

has been out longer than I have besides 3 sisters who are being

trained. So I have to work hard to gain their trust because president

and I can see this becoming an issue if they don't support me as a

leader. Oh well! God wants me here for a reason. Sorry this email is

super short. Just know that I'm seeing miracles and I'm loving the

time in my mission. I feel like I'm being trained all over again.

I'm super excited for pday today. I'm getting my hair cut next week. I

wish sister Pratt could fly out and cut my hair.

The church is true, I love you!

Sister Gier