Hattiesburg, MS - Week #15

Hey mom! 

How is everything going at home? It is so weird to be the first one to email you, you usually email me first! Well, this past week was one to remember. I am doing very well, Sister Kendall and I are doing great! The transfer ends on September 8th, so we have a little more time together, she may or may not get transferred. President told me to prepare for both, and so I have been! I have learned so much from Sister Kendall! I am very blessed to have only the BEST TRAINER in the mission. I am excited to see what happens this transfer! I am pretty nervous and excited! So, I have some news..I will share the bad news first...I found out this past week that I am allergic to Pollen. My eyes have been super irritated, and they have been pretty puffy. I haven't been able to wear makeup the last week or so, and it has been so frustrating! I wore makeup yesterday and it has hurt my eyes like crazy! I could not wait to wash my face when I got home. I would do this every couple days and it has hurt like none other. I don't really know what to do, I talked to a nurse in my ward and she recommended that I take claritin? I don't know what that is, and I haven't taken it or have any of it. I figured I would email you, with high hopes that you will be online and can respond quickly because I need to know what to do about this. It sucks.. I hate it. This started probably a few weeks ago, but I didn't want you worried! I had no idea what was going on, I wanted to know exactly what the problem was before I told you. Any suggestions? I have been doing fine! I still do missionary work, and I work just as hard before we found this allergic reaction. Sister Kendall told me her mom is in the same boat, she is also allergic and I have asked Sister Kendall to ask her mom if you aren't able to respond today. :( Another thing that has happened this week is that a few days ago I was super homesick. I seriously missed you guys so much, I cried a lot that day. There were a lot of things that made me remind me of you guys, I saw a range rover, dad's acura, and Logan's car all in ONE DAY. I just missed you guys a ton. It seemed like everything that happened that day reminded me of you. I really do miss you guys, I think about you often, and pray for you daily. I know this is where I should be, I am grateful for this opportunity to serve him. Oh and the good news is the ward is opening up to me. I have developed friendships here and I will be super sad to leave Hattiesburg! This is my home now, and I hold it very dear to my heart. I can't wait for you guys to see my areas and meet my investigators one day! I love you mom! I miss you and I hope everything is well at home. I can't wait to hear from you soon!

Hey everyone! 

I can't believe summer is over, it seems like it just started! I miss the summers back at home, they were not as hot as they are here, the humidity is crazy! I am doing great here in Hattiesburg, MS. I am just about to finish my second transfer, and time is just flying right by me! I love my mission, I love the savior. I really can't imagine doing anything else. I have had a lot of you tell me you enjoy my spiritual insights, and so I think I am going to share more of those in my group emails! 

This last week, we have been busy with meeting with investigators, meal appointments with members, and of course tracting! As missionaries we are supposed to plan what we do for the upcoming day the night before. We had planned a meal appointment one night, and we went and had a blast! After the meal appointment we had planned to go to the library, and as we were walking out we saw this boy all by himself. Sister Kendall and I felt impressed to go talk to this boy and so we did! His name was Myron, he is 6 years old. He was just the cutest kid ever! Come to find out Myron's parents are divorced, he hasn't taken a shower in at least a month, his father doesn't care for him, he wanders around the apartment complex at night alone, etc. He is a sad sad kid. Sister Kendall thankfully had wipes in her bag and so we washed his arms, his legs, and his face. We also played catch with his ball that he had. We were with him until it got dark, and then we told him we had to go. He begged with us to let him come with us, but we couldn't. It was against mission rules. He started to cry, I think for the very first time in his life he realized that someone cared about him.I know that he felt the spirit. He knew we loved him. I hope he knows that the savior Jesus Christ loves him so much.  I am grateful Sister Kendall and I talked with him and followed the spirit. I have never felt so close to my savior Jesus Christ. I know that if the savior was here he would have done that very same thing. I know that to be true, I know that I am a representative of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for this opportunity to serve and love those around me. I love you all, thanks for the support you have given me! I can't wait to hear from you all next week!

Hattiesburg, MS - Week #14

Mondays are truly the best days!  Last week McKenah asked how she could keep her new converts active and strong in the gospel...

Hey baby girl!

By the time we hear from you this week Bob, your baptism NUMBER TWO, should've happened!  Whoo hoo- how fun and exciting for you to be part of this great and marvelous work! How incredibly lucky you are to focus 100% of your time to the Lord and feasting on the scriptures.  I know it is not easy and I know you went on a mission KNOWING that.  So proud of you and your obedience because that is what will help you the MOST.  And I am grateful for your growing testimony of that!

I saw in your dads post that you were wondering about how to keep your converts active.  Being a convert myself they definitely need to stay your friend.  For as long as you are there, until they meet friends in the gospel "true friends" of their own.  When I got baptized, i had to go to a home ward.  I was 18 almost 19 and I just didn't fit in.  I needed kids my age.  If I hadn't had the chance to attend a singles ward, I may have even fallen through the cracks. So if there is that option for your younger converts, I would suggest that!  I was lucky enough to grow up in Utah where EVERYONE was practically a member and so when I went to the singles ward I had immediate friends.  They may still struggle but it WILL be worth it, and make the transition so much easier!  For your older or maybe even ALL your other investigator/converts I would get together with your ward missionary leader and bishop to see if you could do a monthly activity with them. All of them.  Then all the converts would get to know each other, rely on each other, and have that common ground to relate.  It could be just a root beer float gathering. Play some get to know you games, watch "meet the Mormons" and offer popcorn, I know you don't have a lot of money but your ward missionary fund should have a little.  It could be as easy as holding a family home evening or testimony meeting with them.  Slowly you could invite presidencies of the auxiliaries to come.  They care about the new members too!  They would feel more welcome in an outside setting than just attending the 3 hr block, and they would feel more comfortable around each other knowing there are others "new" to the gospel and it's not just them.  They would look forward to it each month, and so would you!  Just ask your bishop and/or Mission Pres. FIRST if it'd be ok!

Love, Mom

Hey mom! Wow, everything is going great here! It sounds like a lot of crazy things are happening at home too! We are working very hard here, the transfer is coming to an end! It flew by so fast! I think Sister Kendall is going to stay again, she freaking better. I LOVE THAT GIRL! Do you talk to her mom very often? We talk about you two all the time. We want to get our families together when we get home. Thank you for telling me about your conversion experience! It didn't even cross my mind to ask you about it! Our goal as a companionship is to keep our recent converts and less actives,ACTIVE. We want them to be involved! We have asked the bishop if he would be willing to give them callings so they feel included. They have assigned Brandon, and Bob home teachers, and they are excited to start their journey as members. YES BOB IS "BOBTIZED" ! We are super happy and excited about it! He was so ready that the bishop let him receive the Aaronic priesthood immediately that sunday. How cool is that?!

I have a lot on my mind. I want to tell you everything. Something that was hard for me when I first came into the mission field was being myself. I didn't know how to combine my "sister scott" and Mckennah together. I struggled with it for a long time, I thought we had to be robots as missionaries, but what I didn't realize, is God called Mckennah Scott (my personality) here in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. People will be receptive to the things "I" will say. I learned that with Bob. Bob has seen many other missionaries, but when I started to meet with him, he began to change slowly. I said something that struck his heart about a month ago. I was very blunt and I looked at Bob square in the eye and said "what do you want Bob, why are we here". I felt prompted to say that, and the spirit was able to work through him. After that lesson, he told me that what I had said changed him. We as Missionaries (and members) can change people. Even a little spark of interest makes a difference. I was put here in Hattiesburg for a reason, God has reasons for everything we do in life. My heart is full, I have many thanks to give to my father in heaven for allowing me to help in this great work. I LOVE IT. I wouldn't want to be doing anything else. A lot of people here say that "We may be of different faiths, but we believe in the same God". That is true, however, there IS ONE TRUE CHURCH. This is the church of Jesus Christ and he stands at the head of it. I am grateful for this knowledge. I wish you could see me mom..I am constantly growing and changing. I feel JOY. I feel PEACE. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ, we should be happy to have what we do have. I miss you mom! I think about you constantly, I pray for you daily, and the whole family. I love you! I can't wait to hear from you next week!

Hey there everyone! 

I just found out as of Saturday, I have been out on my mission for 3 MONTHS NOW! I am super excited and am very enthusiastic about missionary work! I am loving it! In a couple weeks I will be starting my 3rd Transfer!! This is awesome I love it. My heart is full, I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve my heavenly father. He is blessing me constantly and  I am so grateful for the things that I have been able to witness here on my mission! 

On Friday, I had the opportunity to witness Bob get baptized. He was more than ready for this! I have a strong testimony of this work. I testify this is the Lord's work. I testify that there is a reason for everything we do. There is no such thing as coincidences.I read a super cool story that reminded me of Bob, and that special experience he had. In my personal study today I read in the March 2013 Ensign and there was a story about this man who is the shepherd over the sheep in his backyard. There are 4 sheep that he owns, and his neighbor gave him one of his sheep because he couldn't handle her anymore. So the man said "okay we will take her". After a few weeks of watching these sheep interact he noticed that one of the sheep was left out. She was alone. When the master comes out all of the sheep know that it is time to eat, they recognize the masters voice, except for the one new sheep. The master then walked up to here and said "come on, you are free, come to me." The sheep stood there for a moment, and the master said again "come on, you are free, come to me". The sheep heard him this time and ran towards the master.

 This applies in our own lives. Because of the atonement of Jesus Christ we are FREE. The Savior beckons all of his children to come unto him. He loves us equally, and more importantly he loves us individually. I testify that he LOVES US. He does have a plan for us. That is why missionary work is so important, so we can invite EVERYONE to come join with us. I love you all very much. I am grateful for this opportunity to serve and to love those around me. I can't wait to hear from you all this week! Thank you for all you do!

Hattiesburg, MS - Week #13

McKennah had mentioned last week that they have not had a whole lot of dinner appointments.  Her last letter said that this area LOVES the Elders, but the Sisters are not welcomed as much.  And as I thought back to the many, many times I have signed up to feed the missionaries, we have NEVER, ever had the sisters over. That will have to change.  I will make a concentrated effort to make sure the sisters in our area are fed as well.   As she struggled with her budget to make ends meet with her needs and meals, I responded to her with this:

Hi baby girl!

I was so happy to hear that you get to spend this transfer with Sister Kendall! I am excited to see what the Lord must have in store for you both in the the next 6 weeks.  I am sorry you feel that your area does not like the Sister Missionaries. Come to think of it, it seems that we have never really had the sisters over either!  Every time we sign up to feed them it does seem to be the Elders.  I will make it a point to seek out the sisters and make sure they are fed.  One area you might want to try to focus on is SERVICE.  I know and can testify that if you SERVE the people, they will come to know and love you.  Elders and SISTERS alike.  If there is yard work, house cleaning, visiting with the elderly, cookies you could bake.....they will come to know you, love you and will want to serve you in return.  

I was also curious if you have tried leaving your door denials with a song like Heather Giacalone had mentioned.  That is right up your alley!  And songs always bring and touch the spirit. I miss your singing!

Love you girlfriend.  I will get your package ready and possibly send it off tomorrow!  Check for it at the end of the week or the 1st of next!  Love you, love you.

Mom 

and here was her response:

Hey Momma! Yes, Sister Kendall and I are together again! We are super stoked! This transfer is already flying by, I can't believe it is already P-day again! That is so funny you bring up service because just last night Sister Kendall and I made a heart attack for a lady in our ward for her Birthday! She loved it so much and she called us this morning thanking us for making her night. We have done a few service things for our ward, we helped move 4 families in this last month, we cleaned another ladies house, we went visiting teacher with another member, and we are always visiting the members as much as we can, we are constantly trying to help. The service is the best part of the mission. I love the ward! We will keep serving until we both leave this area, we figured we would kill them with kindness. And YES! I have sung at the door a few times. I sang trying to be like jesus, and families can be together forever! Sister Kendall loves to sing with me in the car, but not in front of people. HAHA So, I always do a solo unfortunately! YAY I am so excited for the package on the way! This week was the first week I had not recieved any mail :( It was so sad, but I got a lot of emails. I am grateful you email me without fail, and Julie emails without fail too. I am so grateful to know I can count on you both for emails. I sent dad some videos! I hope you guys love them! Love you!

          
                                    Darren's Father's Day Video they were finally able to figure out how to send! 

Hey ya'll! How is everyone doing? I am doing fantastic and just taking in every single moment of the mission! I love Hattiesburg, this area is doing so well. This week I want to talk about one of my investigators, his name is Chase! We tracted into him couple weeks ago and he is super awesome! We taught him the restoration the day we met him and we saw him again on Thursday! We met his neighbor Betty, and she was telling us how he has a lot of snakes in his home! He is in the process of starting a pet store of some sorts and hopes to sell these snakes for living! We did not expect that from him! So, on Thursday we asked him about his Snakes and he told us that he would bring them outside to us! For those of you who don't know, I have a BIG FEAR of snakes. I hate them. They scare the living daylights out of me! Well long story short, I held a 3 foot long snake and a 6 foot long snake! Come to find out snakes aren't so bad after all! I was thinking to myself this week why we have fears in the first place? A lot of peoples fears are heights, snakes, spiders etc.  Why are these fears to us? I think it is because it is unknown, we don't know enough about them to trust them. We just assume things before we try it. In my study this last week I read ether 12:27, and it says that if we will humble ourselves, God will make weak things become strong. We can overcome our fears, all we have to do is ask for help! We just need to pray sincerely, with real intent right? Having faith in Christ. I have a testimony that weak things..can be made STRONG. We have great potential, we are capable of more things than we will ever know! I challenge you all to face your fears this week whatever they may be! And see what happens. I love you guys! Be safe this week!

Sweet Marla Call ran over a Gum ball countdown for our family....that looks like a never ending supply to me! :(

Hey mom! That is a SUPER cool Gumball countdown! I want one, too! That is so nice of her, tell her thank you for me! 2 MONTHS TODAY! So freaking weird! Okay, I will look for the package and keep you posted. Do you have pictures of the office? I wanna see it! I can't believe it! Hearing these little news makes me so happy and sad! Some days, I really miss you guys and wish I was home. P-days are both good and bad, It makes me miss you guys more and more! But then after lunch I have to in a way " Put you guys back on the shelf" and get back to work. Then when next P-day comes around I think about you guys again! I am glad nothing huge is happening at home yet, I don't wanna miss a thing!