tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89842739452668611442024-02-06T18:29:56.401-08:00Of Cornfields & Conversions: Letters of LoveAlex Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371569302947488998noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-15268728371508766302015-03-17T10:15:00.002-07:002015-03-17T10:16:24.006-07:00I have not only returned home, but I have returned to my pre-mission blog!<br />
If you wish to continue to follow me as I journey through life, just follow <a href="http://aspectsofalex.blogspot.com/">this link</a>.<br />
Mind you, that blog needs a serious re-design. I'll get there. :)<br />
Love you all!<br />
-Alex<br />
(AKA Sister Monroe)Alex Monroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371569302947488998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-14658687566305720052015-01-12T14:43:00.002-08:002015-01-12T14:43:48.966-08:00Called to know the richness of His blessingsI cannot accurately or eloquently express the feelings of my heart at this time, but I will share with all of you some of my thoughts and feelings.<br />My mission is literally the best thing that has ever happened to me. I can honestly say that this has been not only the best 18 months of my life, but the best 18 months for my life.<br />As I sat entered the Nauvoo temple for our departing temple trip, I was completely overwhelmed with a feeling of peace. It has continued through this week as I've began to say goodbyes, as I've left my testimony with our investigators, and especially today as I began packing my bags. I know that while I am imperfect, I was called here by my loving Father in Heaven, and that I have fulfilled my calling. I know that in a couple days, I will have finished all that He sent me here to do.<br />In the time that I have been on my mission, I have learned so much. I have come to understand true service, true love, and true joy. I have come to know my Savior, and seen and felt his atonement take full effect in my life as I strive to help and teach others to do the same. I have come to know the reality of Heavenly Father's hand being in the very details of our everyday lives. I have learned how to listen to the Spirit of the Holy Ghost, and seen the miracles both big and small that come as I follow its quiet promptings.<br />I could go on and on. I feel so full, so changed, and so happy. I have truly been blessed in ways that I could never have anticipated, and for that I am eternally grateful to my Father in Heaven.<br /><br />I love each of you so much. Thank you for helping me get here and stay here. <br /><br />I close with my mission scripture:<br />Alma 29: 9<br /> I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.<br /> And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me.<br /><br />How great is my calling! How great is my joy!<br />-Sister Alex Monroe<br />
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My incredible mission President and his incredible wife. I love them so very much.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-89826741664074551532015-01-05T16:41:00.001-08:002015-01-05T16:41:58.295-08:00I love this place so much!!!This week sure was eventful! Let me just tell you some of the things that happened;<br />Sister Heathcock hit her 3 month click day! My baby girl is growing up so fast! I love her so much!<br />We spent new years eve with, guess who.. the Raisors. Cory, who is a physical therapist had actually had his torn meniscus operated on the day before, so he was not doing so well. Basically we spent the evening with Crystal and the kids. Cory is doing a ton better now, but has a long way to go and is still in plenty of pain, so if you wouldn't mind praying for him, he would sure appreciate it. :) Anyway, It was a fun night. No, we did not stay up, we were in bed by 10:30. Missionaries gotta sleep!<br />Thursday we had a good district meeting, and later that night we had dinner with this couple in our ward, the Zieglers. brother Ziegler is a chef, and made us PRIME RIB for dinner. OH, and dessert was served in chocolate bowls, topped with chocolate pearls. So awesome. We felt very loved- and full!<br />Friday night we met Justin and Hayleigh for a late dinner. It was good. I love Them. Unfortunately, they will not be getting baptized this week, and it doesn't look like it'll be anytime too soon. They need to get married, and satan is trying to make that as difficult as possible. They just need some time to grow in faith. We will keep working with them for the time being, and try to help them! Please pray for them.<br />Saturday, I HIT MY 18 MONTH MARK!!! What!?!? We had dinner with our landlord's family, the Morgans. They are so sweet. They are catholic, and always tell us what an incredible thing we are doing, and how much they admire us. Again, I felt so loved.After dinner, we went to a members house, the Saints, to teach their grandson, Quinnell. He is the sweetest, most intelligent, most prepared 9 year old boy I've ever met. He is living with his "Nana and Papa" right now, and has been coming to church and reading scriptures everyday for 2 months. He is like a little sponge, it's amazing, he retains everything he's learning- and he believes all of it. We taught the restoration, and when we asked him if he would be baptized, he said "Yup!" Haha, kids are the best! They are so close to the spirit. We also set a tentative date for valentine's day. :) Pray for him!<br /><br />I love you all so much. I can't believe how this time is flying by. I feel so blessed every day.<br />See you all in a week and a half!<br />-Sister Monroe<br />
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Fried alligator! It tastes like chicken and fish together. Pretty interesting!</div>
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Prayed, went to the bathroom, and came back to this on my bed. My companion is so cute.</div>
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She got me a sunstone necklace for my 18 month click day. :)</div>
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We woke up to this beautiful sight on Sunday morning.</div>
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Luckily we made it to church without any trouble!</div>
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This is what it looks like right now. The snow went for about 5 hours</div>
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this afternoon, and left a thick, slippery blanket on everything. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-24942596625139241372014-12-29T17:06:00.004-08:002014-12-29T17:06:57.352-08:00O, Holy NightMerriest Christmas and Happiest New Year everyone!!<br /><br />I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas. I sure did. We spent the day with some of our favorite families. We got to sleep until 8:00!!! We had a crepe and waffle breakfast at the Evans with Justin and Hayleigh, spent some time playing games with some of our friends from the first ward, Skyped our sweet families, ate lunch at the Petersen's, stopped by the Saunders, then ended the day with dinner and games at the Raisor's. It was so merry and wonderful. There was zero snow, but in my heart it was a beautiful white Christmas. I am just so happy, and so loved and so blessed.<br /><br />Things are going well for us otherwise. Justin and Hayleigh are doing well. They are reading praying, and working on getting married. Hayleigh received a really incredible answer to prayer, just after our lesson on Monday, during which she had expressed genuine frustration about not receiving answers to her prayers. It was really incredible. There are some things standing in their way, but I know that with faith and action, they will be able to overcome the stumbling blocks that satan has placed in their path. <br />Please pray for them, that they will be able to get married and be baptized as soon as possible. We are still shooting for the 10th of January.<br /><br />It is so strange to be at the end of my mission. I love it so much. <br />I also love all of you, my sweet family and friends. It won't be long until I am home and can se and hug all of you!<br /><br />Have a wonderful week and New Year celebration.<br />All my love,<br />Sister Alex Monroe<br />
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Sister Boone (aka Sharon- she's been home for two months) sent me this. So many inside jokes.</div>
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I love her. I laughed so hard I cried when I opened it.</div>
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Justin and Hayleigh made us this candy santa sleigh. So cool and cute and delicious!<br /></div>
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My Christmas morning gifts. I felt so loved. Thank you to the various angels</div>
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who sent me things. Not pictured is a really cute scarf/cowl and snowflake</div>
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headband that Abby sent me. (I was wearing them. Haha.)</div>
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This picture was taken at the Petersens. Merry Christmas!</div>
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That's mama Petersen. She's not looking. :)<br /></div>
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We spent the the evening with the Raisors. When we got there and walked into the kitchen, baby Robby (aka icepawn) was fast asleep like this on the kitchen counter. Isn't he so cute?<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-58323326279369350972014-12-22T15:04:00.001-08:002014-12-22T15:04:02.784-08:00He is the GiftWow, what a week. Christmas has come so fast! This week I get to talk to my sweet family face to face- well, as close as we'll get to face to face for a few weeks! :)<br /><br />Not to much has happened this week. Coolest thing though- Justin and Hayleigh's lesson on Monday was so awesome. We taught them the law of chastity, which is important for them because they are not married. It went really well, and then they really wanted to know what the other things were that they would need to change before being baptized, so we taught them about the word of wisdom and the law of tithing also. We taught all three big commandments in ONE LESSON- and they were totally fine with it! They committed to live all them! Wooooooo!!! We were so happy. They are so prepared! Please pray that they will be able to get married soon so that they can get baptized on January 10th. <br /><br />We had a really great Christmas sacrament meeting yesterday, followed in the evening by a wonderful Christmas concert presentation put on by the Nauvoo mission. President and Sister Jensen are in town, and came to that. I love getting to see them randomly when they are in Nauvoo. <br /><br />I've been especially touched this week by the miracle of Christ's birth and life. I love Christmas as a missionary, because while a lot of people seldom think of Christ through the year, basically the entire world thinks about and celebrates Him for this holiday season. Not everyone understands that He is "the reason for the season," but they are celebrating Him nonetheless. The spirit of Christmas is really just the spirit of Christ, and to feel that so often and from all around is such an incredible thing. As a missionary, it means even more to me, because I spend all the time thinking about and loving my Savior, and this week I get to show that love by helping others find it. <br />What an amazing gift I have been given. It is such a privilege to serve as a missionary, a representative of my Savior. <br /><br />I love you all so much! Do me a favor, and even if you've seen it multiple times, go to christmas.mormon.org and watch "He is the Gift"<br />Have a wonderful CHRISTmas!!!<br />-Sister Monroe<br />
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A sweet Christmas package from Ev. So awesome!</div>
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This is my absolute favorite thing. Confession- I actually love everything about winter,</div>
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all except driving on ice, but beside that, I thrive on Winter weather. Anyway,</div>
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this is my very favorite, when it snows actual little delicate, gorgeous snowflakes.</div>
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It only falls like this every once in a while. It blows me away how pretty it is every time. </div>
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#Sharethegift</div>
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A cute Christmas package from my sweet cousin Jen! How happy!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-63435480887675083952014-12-15T14:27:00.000-08:002014-12-15T14:27:11.567-08:00Silent Night, Holy NightI cannot believe this. I come home a month from tomorrow. <br />This week had a lot of happiness in it, and also a lot of bitter sweetness.<br />I attended my last zone conference- my last one. How crazy is that? It was our Christmas zone conference, which I loved. We had a session of training as usual, but then we had a Christmas style meal- turkey, potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce. It was followed by each district in the two zones in attendance doing a Christmas and/or Book of Mormon skit, they were all really funny. Then we watched the movie Ephraim's Rescue, and afterward sang a few Christmas hymns. I was totally happy and fine until we closed with Silent Night. As we sang the first verse, it hit me that this was my last zone conference, and Christmas as a missionary. Tears ran down my cheeks as I thought of last Christmas in Cedar Falls, and how it felt like I had an eternity left on my mission, and as I reflected on how much I've been tested, tried, and grown in this year and a half. It was such a tender moment for me. It ended with us opening little gift bags from President and Sister Jensen- so sweet.<br />It was a good day.<br /><br />Justin and Hayleigh are doing well, they came to church yesterday! This week we taught about the ten commandments, and then later in the week we went on a tour of Carthage jail with them, just the 4 of us. It was wonderful. They are still struggling to receive answers to prayers, please pray that they will recognize their answers! <br /><br />We taught seminary today, and are teaching it again tomorrow, and we will end p-day early today so we can go to the temple this week. (It's closed on Mondays) It is pretty exciting. :)<br /><br />I love you all so so much. See you in one month!<br />-Sister Monroe<br />
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Did you know that the temple is extra incredible looking at Christmas time?</div>
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Such gorgeous decorations.</div>
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Sometimes we just like to take random selfies. :)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-23613006716005396912014-12-08T15:51:00.000-08:002014-12-08T15:51:32.717-08:00HallelujahHello all! Is it all Christmas cheery where you are yet, because it sure is here, and I LOVE this time of year. My heart is just so happy! This week was fun, we had a lot of random things going on.<br /><br />Monday was not p-day, but we did find out that we are in fact staying together for my last six weeks, finishing Sister Heathcock's training. We were basically sure of that anyway, but it was happy news. We also had a good lesson with Justin and Hayleigh that night. They are doing so good. Please continue to pray for them. We will begin teaching them about the commandments this week. Don't get me wrong- I love the commandments, but they require quite a bit of faith and repentance , so pray extra that they will be willing to change, and that they'll recognize the blessings they receive as they do. <br /><br />Wednesday we went to the temple with our district, and said goodbye to Sister Browne and Elder Bell. So weird that they are gone. We have an awesome new zone leader and an awesome new sister training leader though, so that's exciting. <br /><br />Thursday was the Carthage Christmas open house (see pictures). We just showed the amazing new video "He Is The Gift" and gave out flyers for Nauvoo Christmas events, pictures of Christ, He is the gift cards, oh, and popcorn. :) It was a lot of fun, and quite a few people came in. Oh, and if you haven't watched the video, go to christmas.mormon.org and watch it ASAP it is incredible. <br /><br />Friday night was Christmas in Old Nauvoo, which we also went to and that was really fun. They had a great live nativity, and I ran into 3 families from my other areas. <br /><br />Saturday we got to see a concert of selections from Handel's Messiah. It was beautiful.<br /><br />Yesterday was actually really rough, but it turned out alright. Morning was strange, I just felt sad. Then, before church started, we had a really sad interaction with a sister who the sisters reactivated this summer. At the start of sacrament meeting I felt overwhelmed, burdened down. Even after the sacrament- which has come to mean everything to me, I was still just struggling. I cried through the whole hour- like three tissues worth. It was weird though, as soon as we got up and left the chapel I was fine. I felt a good bit better. I feel like I was able to just hand it over to my Savior. It took some tears and sorrow, but then I was done. So, one of the most life changing principles I've learned on my mission became real to me again. The principle: put it on the altar. It doesn't matter what it is, if we are suffering in any way, physically, emotionally, or spiritually, it has already been covered by the atonement of Jesus Christ, and if we put it on the spiritual altar of sacrifice- give it to Him, and submit our will to His, He will take it. He will comfort, uplift, and help us. My duty is to help others come unto Christ, so they can experience this same thing. <br />How great is my calling. <br /><br />Have a wonderful, Christ- centered week. <br />All my love, Sister Monroe<br />
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Thanks to one of our awesome members, Sister Saunders who owns a music/ dance studio on Carthage town square, and the empty space next to it, we got to participate in the annual Carthage Christmas open house- it's a huge deal here. Over 1,500 people usually come, and everyone just walks around to the businesses on the square for free food and Christmas activities, santa comes, there's a drawing, the whole bit... We were so happy. </div>
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Meet the Raisor kids! Pink coat- Charity, cute little boy- Michael, Pink hat- Kaylie, little pink polka dot coat- Kennady. Baby Robby (who we call icepawn- it's a random story) is not pictured.</div>
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He is the Gift. Bonus- that's Crystal and Cory Raisor. No, Sister Raisor is not picking her nose- we thought that timing was pretty funny though.</div>
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An awesome package from my sweet friend who I met in Dubuque. I love you Sheri!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-24586703722417751362014-12-01T17:04:00.001-08:002014-12-01T17:04:41.929-08:00Count your Blessings!So, I am very much out of time, but I sent lots of pictures, so hopefully that gives you an idea of what our week was like! It was pretty awesome! All is well. Justin and Hayleigh came to church yesterday, hoooooraaaayyy!!!!! Sister Heathcock and I were so happy we could've cried. Please keep praying for them, as well as Shaquasia. I love these people so so much!<br /><br />We really did have a great thanksgiving. I continually feel so very blessed. I am beyond excited to continue serving heavenly father in this capacity for 6 more weeks- the blessings that come into the lives of others, not to mention the ones I receive, are immeasurable. <br />
<br />Today is transfer call day, wednesday will be p-day. We are like 98% sure that we will stay together, you know, since we're six weeks into a 12 week training program and I only have 6 weeks left. :)<br /><br />Sorry for the wimpy e-mail. I love you all, I love my mission, and I CAN('t) wait to see you all again. Haha.<br />Have an amazing week!<br />- Sister Monroe<br />
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Justin and Hayleigh had to cancel on Monday, but they came over for just</div>
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a minute because the Evans wanted to surprise Sister Heathcock (her birthday was last week) with cheesecake and a little gift. We all sang and she blew out candles,</div>
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it was awesome. (Hayleigh and Justin are on the end of the couch.)</div>
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Someone (a member of our ward- who is very sneaky) ding dong ditched us</div>
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at 6:40 AM on Tuesday, leaving behind this box with a 17 POUND TURKEY in it,</div>
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plus other thanksgiving fixings! Wow- we are loved. The turkey is in our freezer for now,</div>
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we will cook it someday. haha. Thanks whoever you are!!! We know that</div>
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multiple families were involved, but the actual culprit remains a mystery. </div>
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Sister Heathcock took her hair down after having it in a bun all day,</div>
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and it looked pretty sweet. Haha!</div>
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Our sweet sweet district- plus the zone leaders. I love them so much. One of our Zone leaders, Elder Bell (on the ground, purple sweater) and Sister Browne (pointing at elder bell) go home on Thursday/Friday. So crazy! All my friends are "dying"!!!</div>
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My sweet friend Sister Browne. Good thing I'll see her in like 6ish weeks!</div>
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As part of her training, Sister Heathcock was senior companion this week, and therefore</div>
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got to drive. She's not actually angry, she just barely saw me take this out</div>
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of the corner of her eye. We thought it turned out pretty funny.</div>
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Hmm, where did the little ones go? We spent Thanksgiving mostly with the Raisors,</div>
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who are basically my adopted family- I love them. They invited us to go eat at the</div>
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Higleys with them, and it was a great time. This is Kennady Raisor and Declan Higley,</div>
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they snuck away with Sister Higley's iPhone while we were all just sitting around talking.</div>
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In honor of Thanksgiving, we ate a quick lunch and then went on the carthage jail tour</div>
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on Saturday. I am very grateful for the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,</div>
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and especially at this time for the Prophet Joseph Smith.</div>
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Carthage.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-90810806953375836112014-11-24T20:30:00.000-08:002014-11-24T20:30:04.792-08:00Praise God from whom all blessings flowThis morning as we were cleaning and getting ready for the day, I put in Christmas music and my heart was just brim with joy. I have been so happy this last few days, just overwhelmed with gratitude and joy. I have been thinking a lot about the blessings that I have received and growth that I've experienced on my mission, and to run through it all in my mind brings me to tears. I cannot believe it. I can't believe what a miracle it is that I am on a mission, and that I have experienced so many wonderful things, even if a good portion of them came through trials. I am finally really feeling the thing that "dying" missionaries always describe. I do not want to come home. I do not want my mission to end. I know that there are blessings and miracles and joy to be had after the mission, but I just want to be a missionary forever. It's so strange. I am exhausted, and given the choice, I probably wouldn't extend because I know that there is much for me to do after this. I jut love this. Nothing else I do in this life will ever be quite like my mission. I am just blown away.<br /><br />Justin and Haley are doing well. I absolutely love Them. We taught the plan of Salvation this week, and it was so peaceful. The spirit was strong, and they understood so clearly what we were teaching. I love teaching the plan of Salvation because as we teach, the light of Christ just illuminates within the soul of the learner, it's beautiful. I know it's because this is not the first time they've heard this. They aren't really learning it, they are remembering it. Each of us knew the plan and the gospel before we came to earth, and as we learn it on earth, we find so much peace and clarity. We understand who we truly are. Ah, I just love it. So yeah, Justin and Haley are awesome. I feel like they are just friends I've known forever. :) Please pray for them that everything will continue to go well, and most of all that they will receive answers to their prayers. <br /><br />Things are the same with Shaquasia, please pray for her and her family. We love hem a whole bunch.<br /><br />We have a wonderful week planned, including what I'm sure will be a fantastic thanksgiving. I promise to send pictures next week!<br />
<br />I love you all so much!<br />-Sister MonroeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-70740323745544002632014-11-17T16:34:00.001-08:002014-11-17T16:34:31.455-08:00I'll be homeward bound in time...(The title is from this song, I have no idea what its from, but it's called "homeward bound" and the motab does this really gorgeous version of it that has taken on a ton of meaning for me about my mission. Y'all should look it up. )<br /><br />Wow. nine weeks, is that all?? Not that I'm counting, because I'm really not, but wow! I cannot believe it!<br /><br />Not a lot has happened here this week. I still just love this area and my companion. The temple opens back up this week, so that's really exciting! Shaquasia is doing awesome, she has been reading the book of mormon and praying and she feels really good about it. It's just sad, because Julie hasn't read anything, not that she doesn't want to, she just hasn't, and her husband is still not okay with Shaquasia being baptized. We could really use your prayers on this one. We are really hoping and praying for Julie and Donny's hearts to soften. Shaquasia is so excited about the gospel, and she really wants to be baptized,but it's confusing for her that her parents say no.<br /><br />Justin and Haley are well. We couldn't see them this week, they went to Iowa City on Monday to meet Justin's new Nephew. We are meeting with them tonight though, and are praying that it will go well. They really need to be reading from the Book of Mormon and praying about it, and they need to come to church, which they haven't yet. Please pray that they will keep their commitments and progress!<br /><br />This week was fun. On Thursday, we went to a Mission Tour in Iowa City. Elder Craig Cardon of the Seventy and his wife came to speak to our mission. It was really incredible. I received a lot of revelation, as I always seem to at mission meetings- I will seriously miss that. At lunch, President and Sister Jensen sat at our table. I love them, they are so sweet and funny. I feel so blessed to serve with them.<br /><br />A pretty wonderful thing did happen this week. About a month ago while Sister jensen and I were painting old ladies nails, I met this less- active fairly recent convert who just moved to Carthage. She was interviewing for a job at the nursing home. I chatted with her but then she got whisked away for her interview before I could get any of her information, or even her name. Anyway, She showed up to church on Sunday. So awesome!!!<br />We are excited to start working with her, she is really sweet.<br /><br />That's it for us. Hopefully I'll have more good news for you all next week.<br />
Love you so much!<br />-Sister Monroe<br />
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Mission Tour with Elder Cardon! We are on the left side, second row. :)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-52486631921759903422014-11-10T14:46:00.003-08:002014-11-10T14:46:49.178-08:00Happiness.What an eventful week! We've had lots of miracles, and lots of meetings! Today is supposed to be the last warm day like, forever. Goodbye bare legs, hello bazillion layers, tall boots and big coat. <br /><br />Well, I am so excited to update you all on our investigators. They are doing well!<br />Last monday night we taught Justin and Haley about the Book of Mormon, and it went really well. At the end of the lesson, we set a baptismal date with them for January 10th! They are both willing to work toward it. They would have to make a few changes, so it's really important that they read, pray, and come to church. Please pray that they will do those things so that they can feel the spirit and grow! I love them a lot, and am really hoping and praying that they will be baptized on Jan 10th, especially since I leave the next week! Ah!!<br /><br />Tuesday we had interviews with President and Sister Jensen, which I always love, but these ones were especially great. I felt very loved. It is absolutely crazy to think that my next interview will be my last. That night, we were finally able to meet with Julie and Shaquasia again! We asked Bro. Raisor and their 10 year old, Charity to come and teach with us. We also taught them about the Book of Mormon, and it was great. Shaquasia is very prepared to receive the gospel. While Julie hadn't read the pamphlet or given it much thought, Shaquasia had read it, prayed about it, and really feels good. She wants very much to be baptized. We extended a baptismal date to her for December 20th, which she accepted. Julie loves us, and what we teach, but she's not interested in being baptized. The hardest thing is that to get Shaquasia to church, and for her to be baptized, her parents need to be supportive of it. Julie is okay with it, but Dad isn't on board as of right now. Please pray that Shaquasia's parents hearts will be softened and that they will allow her to be baptized on December 20th. She is such a sweet little girl, and has true desire to be baptized.<br /><br />Thursday we went to Iowa City for a new Trainers and Trainees meeting. It was fun. President and Sister Jensen just trained and counseled us. They talked a lot about companionship unity, and how it makes such a difference in our work. I am grateful for Sister Heathcock. We are really enjoying being together, and it helps everything go so smoothly. I am definitely blessed.<br /><br />Yesterday we taught relief society. The lesson was on missionary work, so they decided it would be good for us to teach. I just loved it. I realized yesterday that I have a passion for teaching, and if it wasn't for my mission, I never would have understood that. My mission has done infinitely more for me than I ever could've anticipated. <br /><br />That's it for me this week. I love you all so much!<br />-Sister MonroeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-8954923363502116812014-10-27T14:31:00.001-07:002014-12-05T12:33:55.081-08:00More, Savior, Like theeIt has been a really good week. As usual, we worked hard, and did lots of service.<br />
Our investigators have been tricky to get a hold of, but we are still hopeful that we can see them soon. Jesse has been working a ton, and cancelled our last appointment, we haven't talked to him since :( Pray that we will get in contact with him soon! Julie called us back this week and told us she had been in the hospital last week, but she is doing much better now. She also mentioned that Shaquasia has been asking for us to come over again. That little girl is so so prepared. We are planning to see them at least once this week! Pray that it will happen and go well!<br />
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This week was fun- on Saturday night, Nauvoo had its annual "Boo-tiful Nauvoo Pumpkin Walk". I didn't get any pictures, because it was dark and crazy crowded- but it's a fun event where they have pumpkins that were carved by volunteers lining the main street on either side. It kicks off with a cool Halloween parade, and then everybody walks around. There's food, games for the kids, etc. I saw a family from my area in Cedar Falls, and a family from my area in Davenport, so that was fun. :)<br />
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Anyway, I have been learning a ton about consecration this week. It has been the focus of my studies and prayers, without me really trying to make it that way. I've been doing my best- especially since I have so little time left- to give myself completely to the work. I want to do my Savior, and Heavenly Father's will in all things- and it's quite beautiful to see the fruits of that effort. I understand now that the more consecrated I am, the happier I am, with the work and with everything else. My favorite scripture about consecration has been this one, it's Doctrine and Covenants 88:67-68<br />
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"And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him;for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will."<br />
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I am so happy and blessed to be serving. I feel so much joy every single day as I do the work of my Savior, and follow the Spirit. The blessings I am receiving equal, and most always exceed the challenges I am experiencing.<br />
I love you all so much.<br />
-Sister Monroe<br />
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My joy and my privilege to serve as a proselyting missionary</div>
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in Nauvoo, Carthage, and Hamilton Illinois. Pretty much the greatest thing ever!!</div>
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Last week our district got together in Nauvoo. We went on the "Joseph Smith memorial carriage ride" It was beautiful. This is Sis. Browne, Sis. Nye, me, and Sis. Heathcock.</div>
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This is "Inspiration Point"</div>
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Bet ya didn't know they had horse missionaries in the Nauvoo mission. :)</div>
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A cute Halloween package from my cute mom and her</div>
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cute friend, Deanna Pennock- thanks sister pennock! So cute! Haha!</div>
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The sunsets here just keep blowing me away.</div>
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Beautiful Nauvoo in the fall is just about my favorite thing.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-76739098211753391252014-10-20T11:23:00.000-07:002014-10-20T11:23:24.676-07:00Be Not MovedWhat a week, we had transfers! This week I said goodbye to Sister Jensen. I will miss her, We had a lot of fun together. Plus, I learned a ton while we were together, we both grew a lot in our time here together. Don't worry though, I am the trainer of an awesome brand new missionary, Sister Heathcock! She is almost 20, from Salem, Oregon, really sweet, and I love her. We are doing really well, I am so excited to be her trainer, I feel really blessed. I am very excited for the growth and miracles that both of us will see in the next 3 months.<br /><br />The work is moving like molasses- slow, but good! Haha. Before Sister Jensen left, we had a lesson with Jesse and we set a baptismal date for November 30th! He said he'd try, so pray for him! Our other investigators and potentials have been tricky to get a hold of- we are hopeful that we can see them soon!<br /><br />We had a really good stake conference this weekend, I received a lot of revelation that I needed. The Nauvoo stake is awesome. The Iowa Des Moines Mission is awesome. I am just really blessed. <br /><br />Sorry for the short e-mail, but I didn't have too much to report. Hopefully I'll have more to tell you next week! Love you all so much!<br />-Sister Monroe<br />
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A gorgeous rainbow we saw in Nauvoo.</div>
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Our last temple trip together. I love this girl.</div>
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This is the bridge from "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration" it's</div>
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just off of river road in Nauvoo. :)</div>
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"Posterity" picture! 3 generations of IDMM sisters. :) My trainer went</div>
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home, along with a ton of my other favorite sisters...</div>
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Sister Boone!</div>
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SISTER CANNON!!!</div>
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Sister Hill!!</div>
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Sister Stahle!</div>
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We went to the temple one last time before it closes for 3 weeks!</div>
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Such a wonderful morning!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-50387347675967571592014-10-13T18:36:00.002-07:002014-10-13T18:36:36.039-07:00Transfers and suchWow! What a week! The work has been s l o w, but the blessings have been many.<br />We were not able to meet with Julie and Shaquasia- their family had the flu this week, or Jesse, he was pretty busy. Don't worry though, we'll see them soon, and they will progress. We actually have an appointment to teach him tonight, and we are planning to set a baptismal date. Pray that he will progress toward baptism! :)<br /><br />We had a really great experience this week, President gave us one-time approval to help clean the temple. It was absolutely incredible. The spirit was just so strong, and there was only faint vacuuming noise. :) I had the incredible opportunity to vacuum the Celestial room, all by myself. It was simply so peaceful, and I could feel so strongly the love of my Heavenly Father as I served him by cleaning his Holy house. When we were done vacuuming that floor, they let us walk through the rooms by ourselves- the same feeling of love, plus an overwhelming feeling of joy came over us both. Also, before we even started cleaning, one of the sisters who works there each night took us all the way up in the tower. I touched the inside of the top metal dome, and the pole where the angel Moroni is attached. I can't fully explain why, but it was just such a profound experience for me.<br /><br />We had gotten up an hour early that morning and helped at a 5k/10k/half marathon, so we were completely exhausted by the time we got home at 11:30, but it was so so worth it. <br /><br />I am thoroughly enjoying the fall here, and I am happy to report that we got our call early this morning, from President instead of the assistants, because Sister Jensen is transferring and I have been called to be a trainer. What a wonderful way to spend my last two transfers. I feel extremely trusted of the Lord. How great is my calling! :)<br /><br />So much peace, so much joy. I am nervous, but mostly excited for the challenges and blessings that will come with being a trainer. I can't wait to help a new missionary get excited and acclimated to this marvelous work, mission, and area. Pray for me!<br /><br />Love you all so much. <br />-Sister Monroe<br />
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A sweet little package from my Evvie. :)</div>
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Sometimes when you're a missionary, you sleep really hard,</div>
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and you get crazy bedhead. Yup.</div>
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There is something so magical about the temple against a pitch black sky.</div>
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I was on cloud nine when we left, see?!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-73336584110474533232014-10-12T21:38:00.000-07:002014-10-12T21:38:17.857-07:00Leap of FaithThis has been such an eventful week, and I have so much to tell you- but so little time!!!!<br />So...<br />We dropped Herb and Carolyn for the time being. Sad, but totally necessary. We love them a lot, and they are just not ready right now. They've been taught for like 2 years without ever being dropped, so we're really hoping their hearts will soften and they'll realize how much they are missing when we don't come or call for a while. But.. because we took this leap of faith and committed to use the Lord's time more wisely, he immediately blessed us. <br />The next night, we were able to finally teach a potential who we met a couple of weeks ago. His name is Jesse, and he is awesome. We met him while checking on a different investigator- the timing of both of our lives was just such that he was grabbing his groceries out of his car as we were walking to our car to leave. I did the hard thing, I went out of my way to open my mouth and start talking with him, my companion was awesome, she invited him to learn. Long story short, we taught him at a members on Tuesday, and he accepted the invitation to be baptized. Please pray for him. :)<br /><br />It was a really good week, we've had lots of fun. General Conference was absolutely incredible! If you didn't watch it, or just not all of it- do! I loved how the talks in each session flowed together. It's amazing how revelation through living Prophets and Apostles works. What an incredible blessing. I felt the Spirit so strong, and I received a lot of revelation for our area, and especially for my self. If only I'd appreciated conference this much when I was a youth!! Anyway, I am just really grateful for conference. It's so bittersweet that that was the last one I'll watch on my mission.<br /><br />On Saturday night, we were blessed with another miracle. We taught a woman, Julie who we had met tracting a few weeks ago and tried to see multiple times, we finally were able to teach her, and her ten year old daughter, Shaquasia. They are awesome, and both accepted the invitation to be baptized. <br /><br />3 New investigators in one week. it is a miracle. The work has a reputation of being slow here, because it kind of is, but as we rely on the Lord, and give up our wills to do His, we are receiving so many blessings, seen and unseen. <br /><br />Well, this week is going to be wonderful too. Fun thing: President Jensen received a copy of the movie "Meet the Mormons" that comes out on the 10th, from the missionary department, and was instructed to show it to all of us before it comes out. We get to watch it here in Nauvoo at the stake center tomorrow morning with all the missionaries serving in the stake. So awesome, I am excited!<br /><br />Love you all so so so much!<br />-Sister Monroe<br />
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President approved the Keokuk sisters to join us at the temple this morning. :)</div>
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Yeah we did. So happy!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-37742798382841923402014-09-29T17:17:00.001-07:002014-09-29T17:17:07.318-07:00The Family is of God!It was an incredible, exhausting week, as per usual. Except, this time it was topped of by an amazing general women's meeting and then the primary program- plus, we did a mission fast!<br />I want to tell you all just a couple of the things I learned this week as I studied exclusively from the Book of Mormon and Chapter 5 of Preach My Gospel (You all had better be studying both of those!). The first thing that I realized was that just about everything I understand about my relationship with my Savior I have learned, from my infancy, through the Book of Mormon. I absolutely love the New Testament, and it teaches me who the Savior is, what He did, but the Book of Mormon tells me what I am supposed to do with that wonderful knowledge- how it all applies to me. The other thing that I realized is that you simply cannot have a firm- or really any sort of lasting testimony of the restored gospel without reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. It truly is the keystone of our religion, and "it contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel."- BofM Intro page. This is why so many people, member and non-member struggle so hard with their testimonies! It doesn't matter what you are struggling with, be it the principle of grace, or the commandments, or how the spirit works, or why the Priesthood or the temple are so important- it ALL comes back to the Book of Mormon. If you read it, pray about it, and receive an answer that it is true- everything else will fall into place, your questions and struggles will be resolved. I promise! Do me a favor- I'm serious about this, Read the introduction, and then moroni 10 from the Book of Mormon, then take the time to heed moroni's promise. Pray to know if the Book of Mormon, the gospel, the church, Jesus being the Savior, the Priesthood being on the earth today, are true. He will answer you, and you will have a stronger testimony all around.<br /><br />Okay, now I'll tell you how people are doing. :)<br />Herb and Carolyn are... well, they're are Herb and Carolyn. I love them, and they are doing good- not great, but good. We continue to have really powerful lessons with them, and they say they will do things, and then they fail to act. It is sad. There is always something in the way. This week they left on Sunday morning to visit their daughter in Michigan, so they obviously weren't able to come to church. On the up side, however, Carolyn did come with us to the General Women's Meeting, and she seemed to really enjoy it. We are really really hoping and praying that they come to church this week.<br />That broadcast was incredible for me, exactly what I needed to hear. I especially loved President Uchtdorf's talk. The spirit washed over me as he testified of Heavenly Father's perfect love for us- and for me. <br /><br />We had exchanges, and I got to work with my beloved Sister Nye. She is awesome, and we had a lot of fun. I have sure missed her since we parted ways after the MTC. It was a blast to have her as my companion for a day. So much Joy. Later this week (Sunday) Sister Browne and Sister Nye had a family get baptized, and we got to go because I've taught them twice on exchanges and Sister Jensen and I taught them last week. Sister Barker had come down from Des Moines with her companion, Sister Whipple! Remember her? We served together in Dubuque. :) Let me tell you, we were so happy to see each other. I didn't get a picture with her, but it was seriously great to see her, and talk with her. <br /><br />Lastly, I just want to share how grateful I am for my family. Yesterday, to close the primary program, they sang the new song "The Family is of God," and I was just overcome. NO, mine is not perfect, but I am eternally grateful to have had such a great upbringing in my incredible family. These words really hit me- and not just because the children were yell- singing them at me. :) "God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be—This is how He shares His love, for the fam’ly is of God." I am just grateful. So grateful. I am who I am because of my family, and someday I will have a little family of my own to love and teach the gospel.<br /><br />I love my mission so so so so much. I am learning more than I ever thought I could or would each day! I cannot believe that I will be home in 3 and a half months. I am both excited and terrified. I never want this to end.<br />
<br />I love you all so much.<br />-Sister Monroe<br />
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Same as last year, the missionary department in salt lake requires that we get a flu shot. We forced ourselves to just get it over with on Tuesday, and rewarded ourselves afterward with blizzards. :) We got a text from Sister Jensen the next day telling us that we won the prize for most obedient missionaries, we were the first to get them and report it! High five.</div>
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I am slowly growing an addiction to blizzards and orange julius.</div>
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That happens when it's literally one of 2 fast food establishments in your area.</div>
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Sister Nye came to our area on exchanges with me, and our companions worked in their area- it was awesome! Sister Nye got to meet and teach the infamous Shallenbergers. :)</div>
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Elder and sister Warner went home yesterday morning! :( We made sure to stop in</div>
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and say goodbye on Saturday night. I love them so much, I will miss them!</div>
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The couple that replaced them is wonderful too though!</div>
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My companion. She's a goob, and I love her.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-80763109831870265492014-09-22T10:59:00.001-07:002014-09-22T10:59:30.954-07:00News from the Field<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0DmiF4AuBVEEPum1DcYUTd9a0qJIwOrbd1t4uoPYHpgJyoa0gsQCOCRa-OfId86FPnwvsYss1FXT9mb0LL1yh-1RtySCULdARRk5L-KlaFccgT8mU2I2PghvqTrH-X6KY3zS8jyfWOg/s1600/IMG_1511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0DmiF4AuBVEEPum1DcYUTd9a0qJIwOrbd1t4uoPYHpgJyoa0gsQCOCRa-OfId86FPnwvsYss1FXT9mb0LL1yh-1RtySCULdARRk5L-KlaFccgT8mU2I2PghvqTrH-X6KY3zS8jyfWOg/s1600/IMG_1511.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a>My, oh my, what a week it's been! The work right now is seriously slow- the Shallenbergers will be the death of me, because I love them so much, and because after the most real, spiritually exhausting lesson of my life with Carolyn, they skipped out on church again. Gah, everyone just needs to go to church! Haha. It's okay though, we'll get them there. Not too much has changed with them, keep praying for them please!<br /><br />Sister Jensen and I have been having a lot of fun. This week, we found a panini maker in our apartment, a member gave us a giant whiteboard, 7 strings of multi-color Christmas lights, and a revolving, color changing fiber optic Christmas tree- they were just getting rid of them! :) We also got a sweet package from Sister Jensen's last companion's mom! People are so kind. (that's the above photo)<br />
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Oh, we did have a miracle, one of the recent converts we have been working with who hasn't been to the temple yet because of not paying tithing, paid her tithing!!! Hooray for keeping the commandments!<br /><br />Also, we had zone conference this week, and it was wonderful. Just the spiritual boost I needed- as zone conference always is.<br /><br />I am at a loss of what to share with you all. I am learning so so much, and I just can't explain it! I will tell you though, that we are doing a mission fast this saturday, to know how we can better use the book of mormon. In preparation, we are studying strictly the book of mormon, and ch. 5 of preach my gospel in our personal studies this week. I am excited to once again strengthen my testimony of the divinity of the book of mormon, because I love it. I have been hitting a spiritual wall lately as I am studying it for the 4th time on my mission, and I know this week and the fast will push me through that. I can't wait.<br /><br />Well, I love you all so much. I know with all of my heart and soul that this gospel is true- I know it more strongly each day. Thank you for supporting me on this journey. <br /><br />-Sister Monroe<br />
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Sister Jensen fell asleep literally in the middle of our nightly planning session.</div>
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One second we were talking, the next she was out cold.</div>
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Missionary work is the best, and it's incredibly exhausting. :)</div>
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It's the most beautiful time of the year! :)</div>
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You better believe we went again this morning. </div>
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What a beautiful place. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-27644028149964119562014-09-16T07:13:00.002-07:002014-09-16T07:13:45.171-07:00Happy fall Y'all!!!So, the pictures I've sent tell you the most fun, exciting things of the week, but I guess I'll fill y'all in a bit more. :)<br />It's been a good, busy week. The Shallenbergers (Herb and Carolyn) are progressing pretty well. This week we taught tithing, and it went really well. I love them so much. Our only struggle has been getting them to church. Things keep coming up that keep them from going, like relatives coming to see them, herb working, etc. Other than that they are doing really well. Please pray that they will receive an answer to their prayers, come to church, and be baptized!<br />We have had a tough time getting a hold of our potentials this week, and we weren't able to see Liz or Jenny, but we see Jenny tonight and hopefully Liz this weekend or next week sometime- she is seriously so busy. <br />Oh! one crazy thing- this week, the weather completely flipped. One day we were blasting the AC in our car and cooling our house, the next we were heating both. I think fall is here, which means winter is coming- which totally freaks me out. I come home this winter, people! So crazy!!!<br />Anyway, things are going well. I love it here. This is a hard, I mean hard area, but it is the best. There are so many blessings of serving- and even more of serving here. <br />I love you all so much. <br />-Sister Monroe<br />
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This last week, the Warners, who usually drive us to things, asked us for a ride to district meeting while their car was getting worked on. It was so backwards and fun.</div>
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I love them to pieces. They go home this month! :(</div>
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A sweet package from my sweet mom and her sweet friend. :)</div>
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There was a huge rain/thunder storm Tuesday night. Just as we were going to bed, there was a really huge lightning that sounded super close to our little house. Well, sure enough, we went out in the morning, and saw this... The lightning struck right into the center of our neighbor's tree across the street, it split right at the base and fell over, hitting their neighbor's car in the process. So insane!</div>
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You could see where the lightning burned the tree inside. I don't know</div>
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if you can tell, but this tree is massive.</div>
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The gutters were like tiny rivers, this is like a foot of water. I was perfectly happy, I</div>
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love the rain and thunder and lightning. Just call me a true mid-western-er.</div>
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President Jensen lets us take a district temple trip at the end of each transfer.</div>
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So wonderful. ( Sister Barker- on the far right, got transferred. Guess who replaced her! Sister Nye from my MTC zone/room!!)</div>
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We went to try one of our potential investigators. She wasn't home, but this</div>
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huge dragonfly was on her porch light!</div>
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I love the bugs here. Haha- no, I don't, but some of them are really cool looking!</div>
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Sometimes you just need a cookie ice cream sandwich, and then you need to make weird faces and take a picture while you eat them. Ya know? </div>
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Stuck behind a tractor on a two lane road? You must be in the mid west. :)</div>
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I love my companion, so much.</div>
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I got two birchboxes that had been waiting for me at the mission office, the warners brought them back from transfers. Thanks again, Air! :)<br /></div>
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It was really wonderful to just sit and think about that throughout the day.<br />There are many more reasons, but I want to share my list of 14 with you:<br /><br />1) I get to wear a black tag and represent Christ each day. It's the best.<br />2) I am set apart from the world, and endowed with Spiritual power.<br />3) I get to help people find, use, and be changed by the Atonement of Jesus Christ.<br />4) President and Sister Jensen- I just love them. :)<br />5) Missionary meetings- I've never felt the spirit as strong or learned as much as I do in our meetings, it's incredible.<br />6) The people. I would never have met so many of them if I didn't serve- but I did, and have gained lifelong friends.<br />7) The blessings that my family is receiving are immeasurable.<br />8) The trial, learning, and growth- I am forever changed.<br />9) Every single day is significant. <br />10) The scriptures have totally new meaning.<br />11) Companions- they are just so much fun!<br />12) The talks I never would've known about that get passed from missionary to missionary.<br />13) The rules and schedule- they give me true purpose and motivation.<br />14) The Iowa Des Moines Mission, it's the best mission in the world. :)<br /><br />I JUST LOVE MY MISSION!!!<br /><br />I am doing much better.Sister jensen and I have resolved to give our wills over to Heavenly Father and consecrate ourselves to the work, both as individuals and as a companionship. We have seen immediate blessings and miracles from this effort. This week, we set a baptismal date with Herb and Carolyn. They are talking and praying about it, but really we feel that this is the most committed/the closest they've ever been to being baptized. Please pray for them that their hearts will be softened (especially Carolyn's) and that they will really work toward being baptized on October 18th!<br />We also taught a new investigator and committed her to be baptized. We had met her briefly before, and she told us that her brother is a member who recently (like 18 months ago) got home from a mission in Africa. Well, that brother came into town this week, and he invited us to Liz's house for dinner. He asked us to teach about the Family Proclamation. It went really well. Liz is a new mom, and she said that this wouldn't really have meant anything to her before, but now it seems so important. She had been taught by missionaries before, just a little bit while her brother was serving his mission, and we asked her if she would be willing to meet with us and learn about it again- she said she would! She is really awesome. The only thing that will be tough is that she is really busy, so please pray that we will be able to make and keep appointments with her!<br />We did some finding yesterday, and we found a few really solid potential investigators, so that is exciting too!<br /><br />I am just so happy. My mission is hard, really hard, and this area is hard, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. We get transfer calls today, and we are pretty sure we'll stay together one more transfer, which will actually only be 5 weeks this time. They do this once a year to line up with the mission call and MTC report date schedule. Anyway, I love each of you. Thank you for your support.<br />-Sister MonroeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-58032550384630937292014-09-01T12:22:00.000-07:002014-09-01T12:22:20.171-07:00I believe in Christ!Wow, so many awesome things happened this week. Let me just tell you;<br /><br />We taught seminary at Carthage jail!!! (Are you kidding me? I can't believe how cool that is!) Brother Raisor is the teacher, and when he was called a few months ago, he asked the stake president if he could teach at the carthage jail visitors center this year since it's doctrine and covenants. Stake president asked the area authority... and eventually, Bro. Raisor got First Presidency approval to do it!!! So awesome. Anyway, he was going to be teaching about the first vision on Thursday, and he asked us to do it. What an incredible privilege. It was great, the spirit was really strong.<br /><br />I toured carthage jail for the first time in my life! We took Herb and Carolyn, they've been plenty of times, but we felt it would be good. They had a good experience. Carolyn said she learns something new every time. I loved it. The Spirit is strong, and so different than in other places, it testifies of the martyrdom of the prophet with undeniable clarity. That night, Herb and Carolyn had a breakthrough. Herb bore his testimony to Carolyn that he knows the church is true, and that they should be baptized, he told her that he wants to be sealed to her. It was so tender, and it took a couple days, but the next time we saw carolyn, the spirit had softened her so much. They are so close to baptism. Please pray for them- carolyn especially that they will accept and stick to a baptismal date!<br /><br /> I had amazing interviews with President and Sister Jensen. To top it all off, we went to the temple this morning! I have been struggling, spiritually and emotionally, and this week I hit rock bottom. Now I am headed back up. Heavenly Father is building me, refining me. I am beyond words to express my gratitude for my Heavenly Father and my Savior. It is a painful but beautiful process to be a part of. I am helping others change, and He is changing me, so much for the better.<br />
<br />I am so happy and grateful to be here- so grateful. <br />Thank you for your prayers and love. I need and feel them!<br />
<br />All my love from Nauvoo,<br />Sister Monroe<br />
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I love this place.</div>
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Crazy teenagers- gotta love 'em</div>
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Through the original bullet hole made by the shot that killed Hyrum.</div>
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This is the window that Joseph jumped out of as he was shot. </div>
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Herb and Carolyn Shallenberger. :)</div>
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Carthage jail. There just aren't words to explain how it feels to be there.</div>
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Nauvoo sunsets are just so beautiful.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-11523199745214827002014-08-25T11:08:00.000-07:002014-08-25T11:08:47.313-07:00I stand all amazedWow! What a crazy week! <br />This week we had exchanges in Keokuk, our usual ton of service, a few awesome miracles, and I got sick- still am! I am running so low on e-mail time! Aaah!<br />
<br />Okay, so our big miracle this week:<br />After 2 years, Carolyn Shallenberger said that she knows Joseph Smith was a Prophet, and that the church is true!!!! I cannot tell you what a miracle this is. Heavenly Father has been working with her so much this week. This week we want to set a baptismal date, because with Carolyn on board, her and Herb are both just about ready. So amazing. I wish that y'all could've felt the spirit we did during that lesson, it was astounding.<br />
<br />Exchanges were really good, I love our STLs. We had a ton of fun and laughs this week, partially in an effort to fight the exhaustion my sickness has caused. I have actually been struggling quite a bit this week, emotionally as well. This is such a sacred area, and the spirit is so prevalent. With that, satan pushes extra hard, especially on us as missionaries here. he knows the good we can do, and he exploits our every weakness- namely mine these last few weeks. However, Heavenly Father is stronger. I got a blessing this week, and it was incredible. As He always does, Heavenly Father is teaching and shaping me in my trials. I know that Satan only has power over me if I let him. I know that I am a servant of my Heavenly Father, and that He and my Savior are the ultimate source of strength, support, and love. I am truly, so very grateful to be here. I could not have anticipated how hard my mission would be, but I will forever be thanking my Heavenly Father for it. This is the most important thing that I have ever done. It will affect the rest of my life, here and in eternity. I am so grateful for this- all of it. I wouldn't trade my mission for anything.<br />Sorry for the short e-mail. I will tell you more next week!<br />Love you all!<br />-Sister Monroe<br />
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We do service at City Hall here in Hamilton, we found</div>
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these glasses in the lost and found. :)</div>
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Sunsets on the Mississippi are just the best. This is my favorite drive- to and</div>
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from Nauvoo on River Rd.</div>
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This is the view from the Sister training leaders apartment- they are in</div>
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Keokuk, Iowa, just across the river from Nauvoo. So pretty.</div>
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This horse is outside of one of our investigators houses in Carthage.</div>
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We call him willy, sea willy. :)</div>
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The corn is getting really tall again!!!!</div>
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So is the soy! :)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-20468134719074358432014-08-18T10:29:00.000-07:002014-08-18T10:29:14.132-07:00Come, Let Us Anew..Hello all!<br />Well, guess where we spent our morning! I'll give you a hint, it's the happiest place on earth... the temple. It was so wonderful! I am still so excited to be serving here. Then, bonus, we were walking over here to the Family search center to e-mail, and President and Sister Jensen were just leaving it, so we got to chat for a minute. I love them so much, that was fun. :)<br /><br />Anyway, It was a really good week. Things are pretty much the same, we had a couple really great lessons with Herb and Carolyn- and Herb is and has been ready to go for quite sometime, it's just Carolyn, she is so stubborn. Don't get me wrong, I love her to pieces, she is just so resistant to the spirit. You can pray for her heart to be softened. I love them so much.<br />
<br />We got a new investigator in Carthage, Jenny! She's been taught before, and she is awesome. She's got a lot of questions, and she knows the scriptures well! We are working to help her gain a testimony of the restoration, because she's just not sure. But, when we asked her, "when you receive an answer about the gospel, will you be baptized?" she said, "I would have to. I mean, I would have to." I love her already. Pray that she'll gain a testimony of the restored gospel!<br /><br />I've been learning a lot about love lately. One of my favorite scriptures is 1 John chapter 4. I am learning more and more that feeling love is one of the ways I most feel the Spirit. Heavenly Father works through me, and helps me feel his love for me, and his other children. It's amazing. I've never understood so clearly how He communicates with me. <br /><br />Something really amazing- Dominique got her Patriarchal Blessing in Davenport this week. I didn't go- but she e-mailed me all about it. I am so proud of and happy for her. She is doing wonderful. <br /><br />Another thing I'm learning over and over again, and finally grasped this week is that "to struggle is to know God." When I am struggling, I am so near to Him, always seeking Him, relying on Him for strength and help. Yesterday, I was just having a rough time. My studies and prayers have been okay- but not what they should and have been, since I got transferred here. We had started companion study and we were prepping for a lesson, when Sister Jensen just said, "I feel like something is missing, are you okay? Heavenly Father is telling me to listen." I was in serious need of a good talk, and I hadn't realized it. I just talked about everything I was feeling and thinking, struggling with, and Sister Jensen listened and occasionally asked and told me things. I felt so loved,so refreshed, and so much better, like a weight was lifted. Heavenly Father is so great to me. He loves me so much. I am truly so happy.<br /><br />Love you all so much. have a wonderful week!<br />-Sister Monroe<br />
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So gorgeous.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-42756936757542103562014-08-12T15:10:00.000-07:002014-08-12T15:10:09.435-07:00All things bright and beautifulWell, I am super out of time this week, but there are a couple of really fun things I want to tell you all about!!<br />First though, I am doing great. I love this area so much, and Sister Jensen. We are working really hard. We have a few investigators, none of whom are progressing at the moment, but many of them are so close!<br />You can pray for Herb and Carolyn Shallenberger. They have been taught for 2 1/12 years, and I love them to pieces. They are the funniest old couple. They just really need to know that this is the true church and be baptized, it would bring them so much peace! They are so so close, they just need to act.<br />You can also pray for Betty. She is also an old lady, who I love. She really likes and agrees with everything we teach, but she is scared to leave the church she goes to now- not that she actually goes to church there or with us. So, pray that she will come to church and also receive an answer to prayer about Joseph Smith. (That is a really tough point of doctrine for most people here, because they hear the lies and rumors about him that originated here in Warsaw- also in our area- back when the saints were in Nauvoo. There are a lot of hard hearts here.)<br /><br />Pray that we will find people to teach, who are ready to hear this glorious message. We are working our tails off over here, so I know we will see miracles!<br />Now, for a really fun story:<br /><br />So.... On Wednesday, Sister Jensen and I had the giggles so bad. It was really fun. We were in Carthage for the day, and we were in our car praying before we went to visit one of our less-actives. I was praying, when all of a sudden, the biggest burp I ever heard escaped Sister jensen's mouth. We both started laughing. I was trying really hard not to lose it and just crack up, but she did, so then I did.. we finally both pulled it together, and I finished our prayer. When we're done, Sister Jensen and I are just red in the face, tears of laughter , and she tells me, "I seriously think I might have just peed a little bit!" Well, she got out of the car and sure enough.. she had. I have never laughed so much in my life on one day. After that appointment was over, we went to the Raisors to dry off Sister Jensen's skirt. The Raisors are my favorite, they feed us all the time, and have the cutest kids. It's only been 10 days, but they already call me family. basically they are the best.. so nobody was home, but their door was open, so we went in. We texted them to let them know we were there, and then Sister Jensen laid on the floor, and I blow- dried her skirt. Seriously, so much laughing. As we were leaving, Bro. Raisor called and told us that the reason nobody was there was because they were at the hospital, and Sister Raisor was having her baby!<br />Woooooo! (His name is Robert Joseph Raisor) in Bro. Raisor's words "Joseph, because he began his life in the place where the prophet gave his." So amazing. It's been a good week.<br /><br />In all seriousness, I know that this gospel is true. I love this church, this work, my mission, and my companion. I am so happy and blessed to be here.<br />Love you all!<br />-Sister Monroe<br />
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A missionary's still gotta have her "pop" once in a while! :)</div>
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There's an amazing mexican food place in Carthage- we ate lunch there</div>
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just before the skirt- peeing incident. Haha.</div>
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I just love her. </div>
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Our zone after Zone training meeting. This is just where we like to take our zone picture. :)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-68928034038353111582014-08-04T13:27:00.000-07:002014-08-04T13:27:12.921-07:00Woooooooo!!!!!Holy cow, I am still just in awe that this happened. This week, I transferred from Davenport, IA to Hamilton, ill. Guess what all is in the Hamilton area? NAUVOO AND CARTHAGE. That is where I am serving now. Are you kidding me???? I feel so incredibly blessed. I cannot express how much trust I can feel the Lord placing in me. There are so many incredible blessings of serving here. We can go to the temple, like any p-day we want, because it's only like 15 minutes from our house in Hamilton, so we can just do that instead of studies. We didn't go today, but next week, you better believe we're going. And, so cool, when I got here there were still 3 nights of pageant left, so we got to go to the nauvoo pageant for it's last two nights. To think I was so worried about getting down to see it! Haha. So amazing. I am so so excited to be here. OH, and my companion... Sister Gabby Jensen! Sister Jensen and I met on facebook about a month before I left, we just already loved each other, and she came out 6 weeks after me. We are just two peas in a pod- she's 20, from Utah, also a loving aunt, and I love her. We have wanted to serve together since before our missions, and that's happening! I was crying the happiest tears as we sang the closing hymn at transfers. I am just overjoyed. This is so perfect, so perfect. Heavenly Father's plan for me is so much better than any plan I hoped for. He loves and trusts me so much.<br />
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ANYWAY, I loved serving in Davenport so much, and I got to say goodbye to some of my favorite people this week:<br />
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The famous Paula and Tera. I will miss them. </div>
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This is Sarah, a recent convert who we see pretty often. She hits her year mark</div>
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this summer! We love each other, obviously. </div>
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Doug and Laurel Westwood. They were such a tender mercy to me, I will</div>
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miss them dearly. (but not for long, because they move to provo this month!)</div>
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Caleb and Kathy Sandford. Holy cow, I love these people so much. Bro. Caleb (as he likes to be called) is our ward mission leader- best in the world I'm pretty sure. Sister Kathy has been such a friend to me. They both just do so much to help us. Cool fact, Sister Kathy was in the orchestra at temple square until a year ago when their daughter (she was in bed by picture time) was born, so she's on like all of my motab cd's :).</div>
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This is Jen and Andy Ramoses, the ones who introduced us to Dominique. They are so sweet.</div>
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Dr./Bro. Bennion!!!! He is so awesome. I will definitely miss having a chiropractor, not to mention one who adjusts me regularly, free of charge. He helped me so much!</div>
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This is Amanda, she's from the other ward, but she would come teach with us and take us out for food now and then. She is super hilarious, and I love her.</div>
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Amanda's daughter, MaKenna. She is also hilarious.</div>
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Sister DeSpain took us down to the John Deere plant to see the tractors. Coree is their daughter who just came home after graduating cosmetology school, and she's awesome. </div>
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I'm driving a harvester!!! This thing is massive, and super fun to sit in. :)</div>
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Sister DeSpain insisted on this one. :)</div>
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I just love John Deere, I'm officially Iowan.</div>
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Sister DeSpain, Coree and I, oh and Ruby. I was sad to leave them!</div>
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This is Marianne, one of the recent converts we saw a lot, I love her to pieces.</div>
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Leslie (and little Ben) Green. I love them. I actually ended up seeing them</div>
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when we were working pageant the next night! :)</div>
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Dominique. Oh, how I love her. She came and sat by our door and visited while I packed. She's my best friend, I miss her already!</div>
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Love you all so much! I look forward to sharing my adventures in Hamilton, Carthage and Nauvoo with you!<br />-Sister Monroe<br />
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My sweet Sister Stahle.</div>
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Wooooo! Sister Jensen!!! My new companion :)</div>
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Sister Murphy!! She went home this week. So crazy!</div>
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Sister England also went home!</div>
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I'm just so excited about transfers, I couldn't contain it! Hahaha. :)</div>
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Sister NYE! We roomed together in the mtc, and love each other, a lot. </div>
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Just making some calls mid-day. Are you kidding me? </div>
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The Nauvoo Pageant!!</div>
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The end of the pageant is amazing beyond words. So incredible.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984273945266861144.post-36803219565062330002014-08-02T06:55:00.001-07:002014-08-02T06:55:42.613-07:00Truth Will Prevail!Hello all!<br />This was an interesting week! We found a new investigator, well via the elders. They found this girl and felt like it would be better if we taught her. So, we did! Her name is Molly, she is 18, and she is about to go through chemo for brain cancer for the 3rd time in 9 years. She doesn't have too long to live, especially if treatment doesn't go well this time. Needless to say, I felt a lot of pressure and urgency to help her accept the gospel. We started with the plan of salvation- since she had a lot of questions about it. It went beautifully. I really hope that we are able to continue teaching and that she is baptized soon. I want to just give her my testimony of the gospel so she can have the same peace I do, but if that was how it worked, missionary work would be too easy for everyone involved.<br /><br />Dominique is doing amazing. I just love her so much. We've been trying to prepare emotionally for the possibility of me transferring this week. She scheduled her Patriarchal blessing for August 13th, and I'm so excited for her. Patriarchal blessings are the best!<br /><br />On Friday, Sister Stahle and I got to go down to Nauvoo and see the british pageant "Truth Will Prevail" and it was incredible!! We went with the DeSpains, they were so sweet and bought us dinner down there. We got there with time to eat, pull handcarts, and see a bunch of our favorite missionaries who also happened to be there. We saw Sister Geiger from my MTC zone, who I love, and Sister Stahle trained her, so that was awesome. We saw Elder Kay who was in my mtc district, and was Sister Stahle's district leader in Dubuque. I got to see and talk to Sister Boone, my 1st Cedar Falls companion! It was basically a mini mission conference, so awesome.<br />Anyway, the pageant was fantastic. I loved it so much, AND the coolest part was that the missionaries got to be in the pageant! The whole thing was basically about when the first missionaries went to Great Britain, all the way up to the time that the saints there were called to join the saints in Nauvoo. At the end, all of us missionaries lined up, and as the narrator made a statement about how we still have missionaries today, we all walked up onto the stage, singing "Called to Serve" then the cast and nauvoo zone missionaries sang a short "truth will prevail" song, and we ended it with the first verse of "Redeemer of Israel." <br />I know I can't explain it very well, but it was one of the most remarkable experiences of my mission.<br />Such an incredible opportunity. I was overwhelmed by the spirit as we walked up, and as we sang both times. I felt confirmed to me so strongly that I am a representative of my Savior, a messenger of His restored gospel. I am so blessed. <br /><br />We have transfers this week, and I'm pretty sure I'll be leaving Davenport. I'm excited to see what lies ahead. 6 more months of this beautiful journey. I love every minute.<br /><br />Have a great week. Love you.<br />-Sister Monroe<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got "barged" on the way to the pageant. They had to open the bridge, so we were waiting for a little bit. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulling a handcart with the DeSpain girls. So much fun! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRJS3WiIsy6kFe6CpPgCH9qRvyePRQFkXdc5r9JfWm7Gux5zYwyjxA8kLLALwqFBr_lPZCMGcZYNs13wMN52APWiuHxP2hlvE858c3LdI_zUeD3zHWgpGNRLNp9qjcBIQYWOWudxpuHs/s1600/100_3234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRJS3WiIsy6kFe6CpPgCH9qRvyePRQFkXdc5r9JfWm7Gux5zYwyjxA8kLLALwqFBr_lPZCMGcZYNs13wMN52APWiuHxP2hlvE858c3LdI_zUeD3zHWgpGNRLNp9qjcBIQYWOWudxpuHs/s1600/100_3234.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Truth Will Prevail! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our YSAs made this and brought it to us last night. We were so happy!</td></tr>
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