Ruston, LA- Week #47

Happy Easter everyone!!  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday reflecting on the things that the Savior has done for us. I also hope that you have thought about all of the accomplishments our Savior did. He really did overcome death and gained Victory! I know he LIVES. He has a body of flesh and bone, as does our Father in heaven. I have had that confirmation in my life over and over again! I also know that Jesus Christ died for US. He did, and it is the only way we can ever return back and live with our Heavenly Father. Yesterday we celebrated his life and Resurrection and it gives me so much peace and hope that one day we will have resurrected bodies and have a chance to become like our Father and Savior. What a special gift!  This week was pretty good! We have been pretty busy it has been great! For Easter we went to our Ward Mission Leaders house and had dinner! It was really fun! They fed us dinner and then told us that they have a traditional family Easter Egg Hunt planned, and they invited us to do it! They hide eggs in their house and the Easter Baskets. They gave us a basket and it was super cute! We had a great time!  On Tuesday we had Zone Conference, and we talked a lot about how we can improve our planning, and it was super helpful! We also did some "timed restoration lessons" in less than 3 minutes!! It was super intense and hard, Sister Eaton and I couldn't do it the first time but then we did it the second time! President wants us to "get to the point" of the restoration, the most important part is the fact Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet and the Book Of Mormon was translated by the power of God. It was good, but so hard! We have been trying to practice teaching the restoration in that time everyday, it has made a difference! I also sang a musical number, I sang "Did you think to pray", everyone said they loved it, and thought I did a good job, so it meant a lot to me!  On Thursday, we saw Destiny for the last time, she is moving in with her mom in Naccidich! We had a good decision and conversation with her and her little sister. The spirit was so strong! I felt prompted to share a song called "He knows me better" It is an EFY song, and all of us just sat and listened to it, it was so powerful! I love music! It motivates me to be better. I love the lyrics in that song. I will get a link on here so ya'll can listen to it yourself it is amazing! We also went with Sister Breeland to meet with some of her elderly neighbors and  pick up recycle-able  items and we  sang songs to them and it was really fun! One of the ladies name is Joy, she just spent a good half hour telling us all of her favorite poems she has written. She would be a great story teller the way she recited her poems! It just warmed my heart spending time with them! I felt the spirit so strong!  Saturday we had Women's Conference and I learned so much! The title of my group email probably doesn't make sense, but it was one of my favorite stories that was told during that conference! Sister Burton shared this story I think. It is about the the young women leader who was teaching a object lesson. she was  holding a mirror to her face while having a conversation with a sister, and then she just watched the reactions of the sisters, but didn't explain herself. Then then the second time she held a window to her face and talked to the sister through the window. It was a testimony builder to me that we cannot be selfish, the work that we have been asked to do requires to put our focus on others. I know that as we strive to serve others and make them a priority in our life over our selves we will be blessed! I love Easter, I love conference time! I am excited to see what our leaders of the church would have us hear right now. It is the best time of the year! I love you and I hope ya'll be safe this week! Love ya'll! (:  Love always,  Sister Scott <3 Dear Mom,  I cannot believe that I am 20! It is one of those ages you feel like you are never going to reach, but I just did! It seems so crazy to me. But you know what that makes you right...yeah, it makes you OLDER and WISER (: hahah good save huh? (: LOVE YOU! And thank you so much for the package!! I was about to ask for those shirts! You are the best! And the garments fit great! (:

Well this week has been okay! I wont lie, I am pretty jealous that ya'll are on a cruise without me, and over my B-day week! But, it is spring break! I hope ya'll have a ton of fun. You should make a cardboard cut out of me and take pictures so I feel like I am there! (: hahah. Sister Eaton and I are just trucking along! We are trying to work really hard! That journal that you sent me a few months back? It is already getting filled pretty quickly! I am trying to write down everything that I am thinking and feeling. I want to remember and look back and see my progression. I read back now, and I see that how much I am really converted to the Gospel. I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON! it is truly amazing!

Well this mission is flying by, Sister Kendall will be home in 4 months and then I will be home 4 months after her! It is so crazy! I am just enjoying the rest of my time here in Ruston, I get the feeling I will be leaving in 6 weeks again! I am pretty sure I will have only 3 areas!! I have served here for almost 6 months! It has been so fun!! I have loved this area! (: It will be interesting to see where I would go. I wonder who I would train next because that is all I have done for my entire mission!

well, that is all that has been on my mind this week. We watched the Women's conference and it was super good! My favorite part about that conference was the story about the the young women leader holding a mirror to her face while having a conversation with a sister, and then then the second time she held a window to her face and talked to the sister through the window. It was a testimony builder to me that we cannot be selfish, the work that we have been asked to do requires to put our focus on others. I love Easter, I love conference time! I am excited to see what our leaders of the church would have us hear right now. It is the best time of the year! I love you and I hope ya'll be safe and enjoy your cruise! LOVE YOU! (:

Ruston, LA -Week #46

Good afternoon everybody! 

This week has been pretty interesting week! I have some sad news, and then some good news, and then some sad news again! The first sad news is about my recent convert Bob! I am sure ya'll remember him, he was just a stellar investigator, and shortly after we starting teaching he became the newest member of the Hattiesburg Ward! He just sent Sister Kendall and I an email saying that "he appreciates everything that we did for him, and the tremendous time and effort to help him, but he just doesn't think that this is the right decision for him right now". I just wanted to cry! It was the saddest news I heard all week, please pray for him to come back! He was so close to being able to go to the temple!  

The Happy News is that the ward needed a pianist for the sacrament meeting this week, and I got to play on Sunday! It was really fun, I loved it! I am embarrassed to say that I was so nervous that my hands were super sweaty and I missed some notes because my hands were stuck to the keys..haha but I was glad to have the opportunity to play in church! 

The other good news is that we went to Monroe to help the church's "helping hands crew" to help the flood victims clean out their homes, and tear out sheet-rock, and break down walls that were ruined. It was pretty devastating to see these homes. it just broke my heart, and I really am glad that we were able to help out, also! While in the process of helping, I stepped on a NAIL! 😥 It hurt super bad! The nurse said that the nail went about an inch or so deep. That thing just went right through my shoe! She said that I needed to go to the clinic to get a tetnis shot. When we got there the doctor said that I was going to need another shot, and this time it was going to be on my bum! I wouldn't reccomend it, but I am so glad it is over! I got to talk with good members and friends while we were at the church, I am so blessed to have missionary friends and stake members who care about me! 😁

Ruston Ward volunteers for "Mormon Helping Hands" and Elders Hughes and Rawi

Ruston, LA Zone

The other sad news is that yesterday, Sister Eaton went to go visit those sweet recent converts who struggled with "Evil Spirits". When we drove over there we saw Patricia (Recent Convert) walk out of her apartment looking all nice, we ran up to her and talked with her for a second, she told us that she was on her way to church! And we were excited and said yay! We can't wait to see you there" and she said, "Sorry ya'll, I am actually going to a different church." And our hearts dropped. Well, the work had to keep going right? So, we went to go see our other recent convert and Patricia pulls up next to us to see if we knocked on her door yet? We said no, and then she HONKED THE HORN! Gwen is the other recent convert, and that is who Patricia was honking at. Gwen came out and I went and tried to give her a hug, and she told me,"Darling I don't have time for you." And walked away. It was so sad! They were both on the way to a different church. I was so sad, please pray for these sisters! We are still going to try to work with them! 

To end on a good note, we also had ZTM this week! (Zone Specialized Training) and I got to see Sister Kendall again! When we were together as companions, we didn't get to have this training meeting, and so it was fun for us to both be trainers and learn how we can improve and help our companions. It was super fun, and I always love seeing all of my friends! I am beyond blessed to serve with all of these cool members and awesome missionaries, they make the job fun! 

I can honestly say even though this week has been crazy, and full of up and downs, it has been a fun week for me! I really have enjoyed all the experiences I have had. Reading about everything that I did this week probably makes ya'll wonder why I am still happy but I love what I do! I love my savior and I am grateful for all the good times as well as the trials I have had. It makes me stronger, and allows me to have a better relationship with my father in heaven. The scripture that has been on my mind is Ether 12:27. God really can make weak things become stronger. His Grace is sufficient for us all. I know that to be true! I love ya'll! Have a blessed week! (: 

Dear Mom and Dad- 

This week has been one crazy week! I was so EXCITED to hear your voice on the phone!! It kills me every time! I unfortunately had 2 shots.. I got one on my Bum, and one on my arm!! It sucked so bad!! They also gave me some perscription to take for the next month or so. It is to stop the infection from spreading apparently. It sucks! I played the piano in church! It was super fun. I have never had such sweaty hands..dude it was like glue. My hands were stuck to that piano! I was so embarrassed! No one asked to shake my hand afterwards so that was good. I went and washed my hand after the meeting. it was SO NASTY! I am doing pretty good on the piano! Every one asks me to play now, and so it is just habit to practice the piano.I love it so much!! I cannot wait to play for you when I come home! Also, we had ZTM and I got to see my friends! :) 

Sister Scott, Sister Eaton with STL's on their splits Sister Dobbins and Sister Harrison

Sister Eaton told me during comp inventory that, that is what she admires about me. She said she noticed everybody loved to talk with me, and wanted to say Hi to me. It felt so good to hear her say that! I always want to be that person everyone wants to talk to, not for prideful reasons, but just because I care! (: It seems like Satan was playing games with me this week, but he obviously didn't win. It turned out to be a pretty good week! 

(Excerpt from Sister Hannah Eaton's email)

Flood cleanup in Monroe

This past Saturday we got the opportunity to go to Monroe and help with the Mormon Helping Hands crew, and do flood clean up in peoples houses. In one house we were cleaning out the water had gotten up to four feet high, and had just soaked everything and damaged alot of the things in this persons home. It was really sad to see, and it was hard seeing something someone worked so hard for just be damaged by floods. 

 Sister Scott before she stepped on a nail. 

In the second home we were working in, we started tearing out the wood paneling and knocking out sheet rock when Sister Scott stepped on a nail. It went about an inch deep into her foot, and she ended up having to get a tetnis shot (or a techno shot as she calls it because she couldn't pronounce it haha) and an antibacterial shot in her bum (OUCH) to prevent any infections. (I ended up giving her the nick name hop-a-long because she hobbles every where;) 

My poor companion had to go through a lot that day, but she is seriously a trooper and such a positive attitude about everything. She is beyond awesome. :) It was a bummer though because we were totally willing to get back out and get to work but no one would let Sister Scott get up and use her foot which is totally understandable but both of us were eager to help, but couldn't :(. It was a little bit of a tender mercy though because we both got to text our parents off of a members phone, and through that I found out that my sister had her baby!! I started crying and was just a mess, but I was so happy for her! She named him Buel Isaiah and he is just the cutest little thing! So that is it for this week! 

Ruston, LA- Louisiana Floods 2016

Four days of nonstop rain in the Monroe/Bossier Louisiana areas...

These sweet girls were more than happy to get out there and serve after being cooped up in their apartment for 4 days straight! 

The rest of the "Mormon Helping Hands" crew!

Good times I am sure all the way up to her stepping on that nail! 😱

And having to get that shot! 

Love this girl and so comforting to have so many people caring for her, tending to her and keeping me posted while I am miles away. Technolgy saves the day!

Ruston,LA- Week #45

Good afternoon ya'll! 

Man, what a week it has been! It has been a while since I couldn't think of what to share for this group email, I usually come up with them pretty quickly! So much has happened, I don't really know where to begin! Well, I will start by saying that Sister Eaton is doing a lot better, still homesick, but she is taking it like a champ! I think this week we both missed home a little bit because of this crazy weather!! Holy cow! I have literally never seen so much rain in my life!! It rained non-stop for 3 or 4 days, so missionary work has been pretty hard because nobody wants to meet with us or want us to even try to come by because the weather was so crazy!

We also had a flood in Monroe, which is pretty close to where I am at. There is a ton of damage there, and I am SUPER grateful that the flood didn't really come over here much. We had a ward member who owns a barber shop and his workplace was covered in like an inch or two of water. He was supposed to give a talk on Sunday but I ended up doing it. he was super stressed about his shop. Also water got into the Elder's apartment but as far as damage goes that is all I know of! Our apartment is okay. We were blessed BIG time! 

Maybe some of you already know, or maybe you don't. There was a less active in our ward (Destiny) her husband Chris Horton went missing on Wednesday night in Jonesburo (which is a little town right next to me) and Destiny panicked and called us over to help comfort her because all of her family was gone. Nobody was there to help her! he was missing for a while, no body knew what happened to him but I will spare ya'll all of the details of the story, but he ended up being found. He was hanging on a tree for 19+ hours. His car got caught under a tide and flipped the car and he had like 15 seconds to get out of the car before it completely covered with water. We are so grateful that he made it home! The rescue team found him and he is doing a tons better. Here is a picture of him and his wife and their 3 month old son Maddox! 

Chris, Destiny and Maddox Horton

It was just an eye opener to me about how much God really does know us and loves us. He is in our midst through every trial and every happy time we go through. He really does hear our prayers and wants what is best for us. I love ya'll sorry this is so long!! It really isn't even a portion of my week but I figured ya'll wanted an update about the storm. Have a great week! I cannot wait to hear ya'll next time! Please send prayers to the families here in Louisiana that are suffering from the damages. Love ya'll <3

Dear mom

This week has been probably one of the hardest weeks of my mission. I have been through so much emotionally, and I just want to tell you some of my thoughts. My sweet Companion Sister Eaton is doing a lot better, but she is probably my most homesick companion I have ever had. She tells me everyday that she wants to go home, and that she doesn't belong here in the mission. It has been pretty hard! She is LITERALLY counting down the days until she can go home. She tells me everyday how many more months, days and hours she has left. ( a little exaggeration on the hours part) but it is like eternity for her. We had some pretty awful storms as you know, and some flooding and ton of water here! It has been insane, and so we have been indoors this past week and we have just had hard time because I wanted to go visit people, and while we are at home it is too easy to think about what ya'll are doing. 

Sister Eaton would tell me all the things she misses about home everyday, but she missed it so much more these past few days and it has really made me miss you a ton this week too!! I miss you so much! I love what I do, and I am grateful to be here, but some days I wish I could just hang out with you, and be with the family. Usually, I focus on the work and those that I am serving but some days it is just hard when we are stuck in the apartment and she just talks about home to me all the time! I feel like I have developed a great listening skill since I have been with her, I think she just needs somebody to love her, and hear what she has to say. We get along so well!! I really don't want her to go home! We almost get along just as well and sister kendall and I did, and I am so, so, grateful for that. We see so many blessings.

 The best news that happened is that Sister Abril told me that my investigators THOMAS AND RACHEL ARE GETTING BAPTIZED ON MARCH 26th!!! I AM SO PUMPED!! It is amazing the feeling that I have in my heart right now. I am so blessed to be a part of their lives and watch them grow. It is a tender mercy knowing that being a seed planter PAYS OFF! That is why we need to be genuine to everybody we teach and meet. Those seeds makes a difference! I love them so much! I wanted to add that to my group email, but I don't have a picture of them right now, and I want to wait until it actually happens. It is a miracle! That is my week. Also, I read a miracle in the mission by Elder Holland with Sister Eaton and it was so so good. She loved it! And I have also been praying hard for her, and I felt prompted to share an article in the ensign (march 2016) It is called "spiritual Rehabilitation" it is so good and helped us so much. You should read it! (: 

Ruston, LA- Week #44

Hello everyone! 

This week has been really good! Nothing super crazy happened this week, but we have had so many tender mercies!! Sister Eaton is doing well, and we are just having a great time together! (: This last month went by so fast!! I cannot believe it is March already! I love the spring time! I just heard from one of our members here that we will be getting 10 INCHES OF RAIN this week! haha that will be fun! I will have to take some pictures and show them to ya'll. 

This week we did 10 hours of service! It was super fun! Usually members will ask us every once in a while to do service, but this week it seems like everyone wanted us over! We helped Sister Shelly paint her living room to help put her house on the market for sale! It was super fun. I will miss them when they move..they were such a sweet family!  We also went to a less active's house that we are currently working with, Leora Thomas. her son's birthday was coming up so we were cutting down trees in her backyard and testing out the zipline for his birthday party in their backyard!! It was the best thing ever! I will send ya'll a video of it! We also went to another less actives house and helped her with her spring cleaning! She is an older lady and can't move around much so we got a lot of it done for her. I love doing service and the way it makes me feel! When we put others first and truly focus on their needs it brings so much Joy to our lives! I know that to be true! I love ya'll and hope you have a great week! 

Love Always, 

Sister Scott (: 

Dear Mom

It has been a good minute.. I miss you a lot! I haven't really told you much about my adjustment into the mission field, but I remember it being really hard!! I used to have to remind myself to take everything day by day. I had to literally be patient with myself, and not think about everything I had to do at that moment and overwhelm myself. I didn't want to think about "how far into the mission I was" or "how much more I needed to go". I had to force myself to think about the "here and now". Think about who needed me now. and it changed everything for me, I adjusted so much better! And now I look at how far I have come and see the changes I have made in myself and the changes I have seen in others. It totally pays off! It feels like it has been a good minute since I have seen you, I miss you so much, but I know this is where I should be!

It sounds like ya'll are doing great for the most part! I am so happy everything is going good! I am doing great too! My investigators are progressing pretty well. We are really working with Leora and her family. She came to church on sunday with her mom and that was a huge step for her! It was also fast and testimony meeting and those are always awesome. We are also working with another less active family, they are the chandler's! I mentioned them in the group email last week I think, but they are awesome! Please pray for them!! We have pictures for you this week! I hope you love them! Anyways I love you! And also, was Logan's Patriachal blessing awesome? Did you go with him like you went with me? (: