Something Big

August 31st-September 6th

Monday was a great Pday as usual.  I am one of the only females who actually play sports on P-day.  It is weird to me that more of the females don't play.  I hope there will be plenty of people to play sports with on P-day throughout my mission.
Tuesday was a day full of miracles.  In the morning we met a lady who had talked with missionaries before but wanted to stick with her religion, Baptist, however she told us that she continues to read from the Book of Mormon and often compares it to the Bible.  And she agreed to have us come back again.  All of our appointments followed through which is awesome!  And while were were on our way to one of our lessons, a random member from a different ward saw us and fed us tacos.
One of the lessons I was most nervous about was John's.  He is in the army and used to live in EL Paso, Tx but moved back to Vegas.  While he was in Texas he converted to the church but no one in his family knows except his younger sister.  We have to teach hime the recent convert lessons but pretend that he is taking them as an investigator...while his family is there.  Today we showed him the  "Because of Him"video (Because of Him - YouTube) and shared some scriptures to try to get the family to warm up to us.  The father made it very clear that the family had all been baptized Catholic.  They are a nice family and fed us a Philippine feast.

The most interesting part of Wednesday what when sister Lellis and I went to go visit a guy named Darius.  Sister Fingerle and I had found him a few weeks ago but had to pass him off to the family ward because he is married.  I felt like we should stop by and see how he was doing.  We knocked on the door of his apartment and we could tell the person behind the door grabbed the knob but hesitated to open the door.  When Darius opened the door, his face lit up!  I asked if the other missionaries had been seeing him.  He told us his wife did not like them to come over.  Knowing he was still interested in learning more, I asked if he had been reading the Book of Mormon.  Discouraged he told us that his wife had thrown it away.  I offered him another and he graciously accepted.  Just as I reached into my bag to give him another, his wife opened the door and gave us a look that could kill!  So we left and tried to figure out how we could best help him.  We are going to have a set of Elders go and try to give him the discussions.   It is incredible how so many people take the Book of Mormon for granted, but there are those who would die to jus the able to hold it in their hands and read it.  It is precious.  It is meant to be read, searched , studied , pondered, and prayed over.  It changes lives.  Abraham 3:19
"and the Lord said unto me:  These two facts do exist, that there are two spirits, one being more intelligent than the other; there shall be another more intelligent than they; I am the Lord thy God, I am more intelligent than they all."   Sister Lellis's translation...."this is God saying shut up and listen you may think you are smart, but I am the Boss!"

Friday we went to the temple and it was lovely as always.  I always have this incredible feeling of peace and comfort there that can not be found anywhere else.   After the temple, we went to visit Tyler, Team Jesus.  He was surprised to see us.  He was a little depressed so it was awesome talking with him and sharing God's light.   In the evening, we went to Brady's house and taught his friend Dejanna the first discussion.  Members are so important to missionary work.  Ever referral we receive is so important because it somebody's friend or co-worker, family member, being introduced to the missionaries to bring them the gospel.  You never know what a huge impact that can have on their life.

I love you.

Aw Naw

Week 14
Aug 24th-30th

This week was rough.  It started with our investigator with a stripper pole in the living room dropping us...It was somewhat anticipated.
I felt popular on Pday with all the letters.  I am glad that I heard from Natalie and know she is still alive.
After emailing, Sister Lellis and I went to In and Out and an older guy came up to us and told us he was going to pay for our food.  Assuming he was a member, I asked which ward he was in and he told us he was not a member and that he was Catholic.  Can you believe it?!  A random non-member bought us lunch.  After talking to him for a while we learned that his daughter joined the church some years ago and his wife is Lutheran.  I don't know what motivated his heart to buy our meal but it was such a generous act of kindness.  My heart and stomach were full!  That evening Sister Lellis made 'brigadeiros".  It is a Brazilian comfort dessert.  "Everyone loves brigadeiros!"

It is only be in the low 100s all week!  We are continuing to find more people to share the gospel with and our investigators are staying strong.   Wednesday we had exchanges.  I was with sister Nelson.  The night before we went out, we prayed for and inspired street contact and decided to talk about family history and prayed that God would place people in our path that would accept our message.  It was so neat asking people what they want their kids and grandkids to remember them by.  While we ere talking to other people, Thought about it myself and I realized how truly wonderful missions are and how I am leaving behind a legacy for my children to follow.

Some members bought us pizza for dinner and we brought it home.  Sister Lellis heads for the refrigerator and pulls out the ketchup.  When I told her that I had never heard of anyone putting ketchup on pizza before she told me, "you have a problem"!  So I gave it a try.  It actually good...or maybe I was just hungry.  You know how I say "well this is awkward" sometimes?  Sister Lellis caught on but used it all the time and says "tis awkward" whenever something is weird or annoying.  It is hilarious.  

This week was long and hard, but time is going by quickly.  I can't believe it is already September.  Sister Lellis is hard to get used to and is a very dramatic ball of fire but I know that is just how she is and she usually chills out in a few minutes.  Even though she is stubborn, I am glad she is my companion because she is funny and has a unique perspective on the work.  This will be a fun transfer for sure.

The church is true!
I love you!
Sister Gier

Hot Mess

Monday was our last day with our zone and it was sad saying goodbye to most all the missionaries.  I will most likely serve with some of them again later on during my mission.  Elder Jones and Riley were so sad that they made plans with Sister Fingerele and I to form a new mission called the Nevada Las Vegas Strip mission and  we will start preaching from the top of the Stratosphere Like Samuel the Lamenite.  Haha!  Of course we were just joking...kinda!

August 17-23rd

Wednesday was a day of change.  Woke up and decided to change everything in the apartment!  Beds, couch, table everything was moved.  Nothing in the apartment is the same.  Today I was assigned a new companion. Sister Lellis.   She is from Brazillia, Brazil and has only been a member of the church for about a year and is the only member in her family.  She speaks English pretty well but she says she gets frustrated with herself because she has only been speaking English for 2 years.  I may need the gift of tongues!  Ha ha, but she is wonderful   She is very smart and the joke is "I know everything about the lesson...but in Portuguese!"    So far none of my companions have come from the continental USA.

Saturday was a crazy day.  Our investigator Kevone was about to turn us away and then the spirit took over and I asked if he had some time for a short message.  Sister ellis was opening her scriptures to share something but the spirit was telling me to go a different way...we followed the spirit and before you know it we had taught him the restoration and committed him to come to church and be baptized in 8 minutes and he agreed!.  It was a good thing it only took 8 min because it was 110 degrees outside.  That may have been the motivation for the short powerful lesson!

We had an appointment scheduled with two investigators and when we arrived at the house we were greeted by a note that read, "Dear missionaries, we will be busy at 7 pm today."  It made us laugh.  Most people just don't open the door if they don't want us to come and visit them.

The church is true.  I miss you.
Sister Gier

I'm Still Here

August 10-16th Monday I bought some scissors to thin and cut my hair.  I did not take much off the length but there was a cat sized ball of hair when I was done!  It is too hot for may thick hair!  Sister Fingerless asked me to cut her hair.  I told her I had never cut hair before but he trusted me.  It is a good thing it turned out nice because we still have a week together!

Wednesday we taught Johnny about the Restoration.  We are trying to make sure we teach simply and make sure he understands everything.  Later we stopped by Miguel's house.  He has no religious background and does not believe in God.  When I asked him what happens to our bodies when they die he said they just decompose.  That reminded me of the time grandpa said that our bodies dry up like beef jerky (that grandpa) but at least grandpa also knew that our souls go to Heaven.  

Thursday, we had mid 12 training.  It is fun to see missionaries from different areas.  North Star YSA is the promised land!  We got caught out in a bad storm later that day.  We had a door slammed in our face when a lady who we were talking to go startled by a big loud clap of thunder and she excitedly shut the door but then opened it and apoligized!

Friday we did a service project at the Food Bank and had lunch with all the missionaries.  Then we meet with Johnny.  We always read a page from the Book of Mormon with him and then teach him a lesson.  When he said the closing prayer, the said, "thank you for sending me these two wonderful young ladies to my life at this time because I know you sent them to me when I needed them the most."

Saturday we received our transfer notices.  I am happy to say that I am staying in the North star YSA and will be training again.  

I am really going to miss some of the missionaries in our district who are leaving especially Sister Fingerle.  

Lifted Up

Week 11   August 3-9

Monday, I received the package from you and I loved it!  Bubbles, very nice touch!  I had the BEST kill at P-day sports.  One of those overpasses that are just waiting to be smacked....ahh it felt so good!  I know I always talk about P-day sports but its is not the only thing I focus on all week, I promise.
Tuesday we had exchanges again.  This time with Sister Robinson in my area.  She was the sister that I went on my very first exchange with when I came on my mission.  Hi is super awesome but very, very cautious.  We walked into an investigators house and the investigator went into the back room to get her Book of Mormon, when sister Robinson's eyes got really big and she froze!  She then whispered to me and said with her eyes locked on the coffee table, "is that a real GUN!"  I tried not to burst out laughing then said, no, it is the Wii remote!  Haha!!
Wednesday, I was dead tired.  It was such a long day.  But we were able to to meet with Martin again and he said thank you for not giving up on him.  SO background story on Martin.  He has had a tough life.  I am pretty sure he has been to jail because there is no one in LV who has not been to jail.  He has meet with at least 3 other sets of missionaries before us.  Through fasting on the hottest day of summer we were able to find him.  He dropped us the first week and I thought I had failed completely.  Somehow I convinced him to come to institute on Wednesday and then we talked him into taking another lesson from us.  He heard a lesson from the Oct 2014 General Conference on Joseph Smith and his heart was changed.  He continued to progress more and more in the gospel.  The best part about being a missionary is the ability to see the Atonement applied in peoples lives.  Martin texted us that he wanted to be baptized and the 15th is the date!
Thursday, we had lunch at IHOP with sister Fingerle's family friends.  They were so nice! After that things went downhill fast. One of the ladies in our ward committed suicide.  It is horrible to think that Satan could have such a hold on her and gave her such false hope that she felt she could not continue in this life any longer.  It is one of the saddest things and the biggest lies - that there is no hope.
To make things even worse, Martin who had just committed to be baptized told us he did not want to be baptized because he did not understand how why thing like suicide happened and blamed the church for it.  So Satan may have taken one body and two souls.
Friday was better, we had zone training.  We have the best zone and everyone is like family.
Saturday we taught some less actives and some new investigators.
Sunday, after dinner we went to a candle light service for the girl who passed away.
  D&C 42:45  "Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the off of them that die, and more especially for those that have not hope of a glorious resurrection."
I am so grateful to have the knowledge that we will live again through Christ and my heart aches for people who are in pain for the loss of loved ones and who do not have this knowledge.  I guess that is why I am out here - to share this good news - the gospel of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.

The Church is true.  I miss you!

T-shirt Weather

July 27th - Aug 2nd

Monday was Christmas in July!  Elder Jones (my district leader) and I received iPads today.  Excited is an understatement.  We played Christmas music in the background (specifically "where are you Christmas") (Gabby would have been proud) while we set them us.  It was so cool, because Elder Jones is kinda a nerd like me so we took about an hour organizing our apps.  I still have the plastic wrap on my because I want it to be perfect when I put on the screen protector.

The carpets were getting cleaned in the stake center where we normally play on Pday, so I suggested that we to the the Craig ranch park.  It was to hot but is was the best p-day ever!  Some member gave elder Jones BBQ and rolls so we had a little picnic.  Then we played sand volleyball.  It was kinda lame because the san was so hot.  But the nets were super cool, they have sprinklers come out to the top of the nets to wet down the sand.  It was the closet thing to swimming while on our mission.
Then we play kenacky (not sure how you spell it).  I was killing it!  I would make my mamma proud!  The elders in my zone seem to think I am cool because I am athletic and I can catch and throw a football.  They also think that my "sense of humor" is funny but in reality it's just me saying stuff very straight forward and them thinking I am joking.  Kinda like Grandpa!  I am still very awkward so I guess not everything can change while you are on your mission.  Anyway...it was to hot I felt like I was going to throw up.  So we went to the water park thing and ran through the water shoots up and splashed each other to cool off.  This zone is the best!  Hope I don't get transferred soon.

Tuesday we tried walking fore instead of using miles on the car.  It was nice.  I can proudly say that I am not fat! (yet).  Later the sisters in our zone help an investigator go though stuff to move and clean.  We had to organize everything outside and I got a little sunburned.  But when I went inside I had the worst allergy attack ever because the lady had a cat.  My eyes ere so red and swollen and I started togged hives.  I was miserable!

Thursday we had our first Zone Conference.  It is where two zones come together and have training given by President Snow,  his wife, a few others and yes ME!  Sister F and I were asked the week before to give a 30 minute training lesson not realizing that the other people who were asked had been out on their missions for at least a year.  It went well though!  In part of my lesson I boldly read D&C 88:124 "cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated".  A couple of the elders burst out laughing because I was so direct with it.  Haha.  I don't understand why God trusts me with all the responsibilities he had given me.  Honestly, it's is overwhelming to think about where I am now and the potential I have. (letters of encouragement are accepted)
Thursday we had a really neat experience with a lady named Karmen.  We were kinda lost but God put someone inner path.  Karen was walking her dog and wanted to talk to us.  Immediately, she recognized the spirt and she was ashamed that she was drinking in front of us.  We found a bench to sit a while.  For an our she poured out her soul to us.  While we were sitting there, the picture by Greg Olsen of the young man with a backpack who is sitting on a bench with Christ came to my mind.  At that moment, I truly felt like a representative of Christ and even though I had just met her my heart ached for her and I could feel how much God loved her and how important she is in our Heavenly Father's eyes.  No words can express how much our Heavenly Father loves us and the indescribable sacrifice Christ made so that we all can return to our home above.  As we left her my eyes filled with tears.

Perfect Situation

July 20-26th

This week was something else!  We met with Greg (the investigator who is gay) on Tuesday.  We tried teaching him the law of chastity and you can imagine how that went!  We had an older member from Henderson, NV who is also gay, and holds a temple recommend come out to teach Greg.  Things went well for a while but then they were yelling at each other and Greg used the "F" word 1000 times and stormed out of the church and threw his Book of Mormon on the ground.  It was the worst lesson ever!   We went to Greg's house the next day to drop off a note and surprisingly things are on good terms with him.

We had exchanges on Thursday.  You know you like your companion when you both don't want to go on exchanges.  My exchange companion was sister Martin, from Mexico and 24 and has already graduated from college.  Its cool how on missions it does not matter your age, or how long you have been on your mission but what matters is your spirit and your faith in the Lord.  Think heaven will kinda be like this.  No one will care about ages, but it will be a measurement on your age of your spirituality and how well you know Christ.

Pioneer Days were this weekend.  I thought is was just a Utah thing, but you know Mormons find anyway they can to have a "party".  It was actually really fun and a great activity to brin investigators to.  They say that the north stake pioneer day are the best in the vally so I am happy that I am in this area!  Friday night we cut up a bunch of watermelons and served food to the members.  The food was pretty food.  They used KC bbq sauce which is a bummer.  At least elder Riley knows what Head country tastes like!  And at eh end of the night they had all the kids throw colored chalk stuff, like in color runs, up in the air.  I totally would have jumped in but I did not want to ruin my clothes.
Saturday night was even better because there were different booths set up with food and treats.  I had street tacos from the Spanish ward, cotton candy, root beer floats, some fried thing and a bucket load of watermelon!  (Amanda wold be proud)  The missionaries in our zone had a photo booth sue up with pioneer props and clothes people could take fun pictures.  And the best part of the night was that we had permission to stay our later so we could watch the fireworks.  I LOVE FIREWORKS!  Seriously, I don't know how Igot so lucky to have eh best mission in the world and then the best zone in the mission and the best ward in the zone.  God loves me so much. It just makes me nervous to know where i will be sent next cause nothing can compare to Number 1 North!!!

Now for the best part of the week, Jairo's baptism.  It was awesome!  Jairo was in prison when someone slid him a Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price under his jail cell door.  He told us that he was so bored he decided to read it and wanted to meet the missionaries when he got out of jail.  The Spanish speaking elders had been teaching him since February and he had been waiting since March to get his baptism approved by the first presidency of the church.  The first day I arrived in the mission, the Spanish elders (Sims and Thorne) passed him off to Sister Sandoval and me so that he could come to the young single adult ward.  I remembered the love that the elders had for Jairo.  I have never seen someone want to be baptized so badly. I am still sot amazed that he never lost faith during those months and I am so grateful I was able to be a part of his conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  When he came up out of the baptismal water you could tele was a new person.  He truly changed because of Christ.  After the baptism, elder Chambers said , "sister Gier, you've got to look in the mirror!  I have never seen you smile so much."  It was such a neat experience.