Apr 28, 2015

Hello! So this past week was pretty slow. Sunday night call ins were just hilarious. But! We did stop by a members home who we thought was less active a few weeks ago but turns out she just has social anxiety and goes to the family ward. Anyway we had nothing going on so we decided to just drop by and say hi. We were only there for like 10 min. but then on Sunday (their ward is in the same building as ours) her mom pulled me aside and expressed how grateful she was for us reaching out to her daughter. After we had left she said It really meant a lot to her that we dropped by and she wants to come out teaching with us. So even if it's not to investigators the Lord is still making sure all of his children are taken care of. That just meant a lot to me because it showed me that even if our numbers are literally 0 we're still making a difference. That was probably the highlight of the week. Oh the other highlight would be that Sister Purcell had never had a frosty before so I was like "That's #1 priority"...(probs why we had 0's last week)...jk. So we went to Wendy's. 1st of all I forget to remind her that when she orders a Large combo in America it is not the same as a Large combo in Australia because their Large is our medium and sometimes even small. So she always dies when we eat out because she also doens't ever want to waste food. Then I didn't hear what she ordered and when we sat down to eat she was like "this baconater looks interesting" and I was like "NOOOO!!!"... she couldn't move for the rest of the night and didn't eat breakfast this morning because she's "taking a break" from food. also certain words in America aren't seen as profane in Australia but are here. That's been an interesting experience by its self. Bottom line, missions are really great. We're praying for miracles this week and are certain we will see them!

Hope you all have a lovely week and Don't forget to Read and Pray!!!!

 

 

Sister Pilk

 

 

                                                          Sister Purcell and Sister Pilkington on Black Mountain

Apr 14, 2015

Hello!!! So a lot happened this week actually. To start off last P-day, Tuesday, we went to Old Town with a couple of members. We had lunch at a sweet Mexican Restraunt. The table sitting behind us were actually members and they paid for our meal. It was so nice!!! We talked with them for a bit then they left. After they left the woman sitting at the table next to us kind of overheard our conversation and asked if we were Mormons. We talked with her a little and found out that she's a single mom who just moved to Carlsbad a week ago from Henderson, Nevada! She actually met with the missionaries a few years ago. Now she's just looking for new things to do and friends really! So we got her information and she's expecting a visit from the missionaries up there! Miracles!!! 

We went on exchanges on Wednesday. I went to Poway and did service on a Goat farm. I also got to hold a members pet rat that stuck it's tail up my nose!

 

 

On Thursday, one of our members who is leaving for school this week took us our for Burrito's .... and they were the size of a toddler. I'm a little ashamed that I ate the whole thing.... 

 

 

The next day we met with Mike and preped for his Baptism. He told us his story and just bore his testimony that God is always so aware of us and is continually working with us to make sure we will make it back to him. That's how he originally began investigating. He now recognizes that for years God has been turning him in this direction. When he finally made the decision to go for it, it all made sense that this is what he needed to do. He's so amazing!! He want's to serve a mission too! 

 

 

On Saturday, MIKE GOT BAPTIZED!!!! It was a really sweet baptism!! 

 

The next day was Fast Sunday. Mike got confirmed and got the priesthood! It was such an amazing day! Then he bore his testimony for the first time! That night there was a devotional about having effective scripture study. Mike came to that which was really good for him. I realized there how truly important the scriptures are. If we want to know the truth of anything we have to read the scriptures.I've realized that church is important and good but it's so easy to zone out.  But when we are actually studying the scriptures we can have such a precious spiritual experience between just us and Heavenly Father as he guides us and we can feel His spirit. It really is how he communicates with us. I've felt that every day on my mission and now I really just want to help everyone have those same experiences with the scriptures and realize that relationship they can have with Heavenly Father. So I would invite all of you to read and pray every day!!  

 

 

We also have found out about transfers. Hermana Horton is going back to Spanish work and I am staying in the area and am training! I don't know who yet but I'm excited! Good things are happening!

 

 

Thank you so much for all the support that you all have for the missionaries!!! And have a great week!

 

 

April 6, 2015

Hey! Sorry I'm really bad at writing blogs! There hasn't been anything too exciting to write about, but this last week was pretty cool. We got to watch conference at the stake center. Conference is just always really amazing. Because of the spirit of Easter and the new video that came out, Because He Lives, Hermana Horton and I made Easter Eggs with the hashtag inside and gave those to people around town. Most people were really happy about it and were excited about the video but some people just did not want an Easter Egg...... but hey, what can you do. M came to all the sessions and watched them with us at the stake center. It was a great time and a lovely weekend. The thing that was just so amazing about this weekend is that we get to help people realize that there is so much more that this life has to offer them because of the Atoning Sacrifice of the Savior and the love that he has for us. "Not only are we saved from falling but we are lifted up to exaltation."- Elder Holland.

Also an update on M. He's getting baptized this Saturday! He's so awesome! We also had a lesson with him last night on base. He is a Marine and he trains the military dogs to sniff out bombs, drugs, be obedient, all that fun stuff. He was our last appt for the day and it was after hours on base so he took us to the kennels. We got to see the Military dogs! But he's so great and we just had a lovely weekend! His favorite part about the Gospel is that we get 2nd chances which is what Easter is all about. I hope you all had lovely Easter as well!! Have a great week!!!

Love/ Sister P