Thanksgiving and the Kirtland Temple

Hi Mama!

Happy (almost) December!! I got the photos from Thanksgiving—thanks for sharing!  Oh, I just love you all so much. It's so good to hear that everyone is doing well--family and also MC/etc. Tell everyone hello for me!

Thanksgiving here was grand. I got to take a nap (!!) before our lunch appointment, which was much needed :) then we had a meal with Sister Davis, a member of the branch, her sister Betty, and Betty's son and grandson. Sister Davis is an incredibly lady, and I look up to her so much. She is so sweet and faithful and always feeds us great food :) We went straight from that  appointment to dinner with the Dicksons—a less active family. What's great about that appointment is Sister Dickson called and invited us herself! We stopped by awhile back and
didn't think anything came of it--until she invited us to dinner for Thanksgiving. Her family is great, and we had a LOT of great food that day. :)

Zone Conference on Monday was amaaaaazing. Our first meeting was in the Kirtland Temple (!!). Pretty amazing in and of itself. We are so blessed to have that unique opportunity. :) President and Sister Vellinga spoke to us, as well as the Edmans (VC directors--speaking of which, we're getting new ones in January--there was an announcement about it in the Church News a few weeks ago--did you see it??) and the stake presidents of the Kirtland and Akron stakes. They are all such wonderful, loving people and leaders. They gave us some very inspired counsel, and I just loved it all. It was a sweet experience for me to sit there and listen, but also to ponder and think about everything that's happened since I first visited the Kirtland Temple on my first day here. It was amazing to me to be able to feel the Spirit so strongly on Monday, because it made me realize that I've come a long way since my first day here. On that day when we went to the temple, I was still so terrified of being a missionary and being away from home that there wasn't much room in my heart to feel the Spirit. But sitting there on Monday I was able to see that as I've worked and taught and studied over the past 2 months, the Lord has truly calmed my troubled heart just as He did the stormy sea for the apostles in Galilee. I came here with a lot of fear in my heart--and I know that He is the only way it could have been calmed. This is why I love the gospel so much. It's not just a bunch of rules and fairy tales. As we come to accept and act upon the principles taught in the scriptures and by prophets today, we can see the changes and blessings brought to our lives. That is the proof that this is real, and that it is from God.

Our other meetings for zone conference were at the stake center and sites (the VC). They were all so good but were dampened a little bit by the fact that Sister Vellinga had to be taken to the hospital from the temple. They still don't know what's wrong but are doing some tests and hope to know soon. Please pray for her. :)

ALSO. I got to play my flute in the Kirtland Temple yesterday! Preface: mission conference was split into two zone conferences of 3 zones each so that the meetings would be more manageable. So everything that we did on Monday was repeated yesterday with the other 3 zones in the mission. And for that morning meeting in the temple, I was asked to be part of the musical number. We played an arrangement of "What Child is This" for flute, violin, and piano. So. amazing. I'll try to send a recording next week :)

Judi is doing well. We taught her about the Word of Wisdom last week and she committed to stop smoking--but she's having a hard time with it. We're not discouraged though--we know she can do it. And having it be hard will be an opportunity for all of us to lean on Christ more and rely on His help to make this happen. We sure would appreciate your prayers though. She is so wonderful and she truly wants to make this change--but it is going to be challenging.

In response to your question about info for Tanner, I'm in the Chardon Branch. And our Branch President is President Draper. Also, Dad told me that Pat's grand daughter is coming HERE in the spring!!!! Woohooooo!! How very very exciting. Please tell Pat that I would LOVE to answer any questions that Sara has. She's welcome to write me at any time. I remember wishing that I could have someone to tell me what to bring/what not to bring/answer other  questions/concerns/etc before I came--and I'd love to be able to do that for her!

I'm so glad you found a tree--I can't wait to see pictures! We found some Christmas decorations in our basement (score!) and it's fun to have them up. Not the same though, of course. :) We also got to help decorate some of the trees at sites last week--you would have been so proud of my layering skills :)

As far as Christmas goes, I honestly can't think of much right now that i want or need, but sending anything at all is always so appreciated--getting packages or letters honestly makes our day every time. It doesn't even matter what's in it--it's just nice to be remembered :)

Another random thought: This morning I studied Elder Robert C. Gay's talk from conference entitled "What Shall A Man Give in Exchange For His Soul?" I loved it in Conference but I love it even more now. I really love this quote: "The question before us is not whether we are doing things which need correcting, because we always are. Rather, the question is, will we “shrink” or “finish” the call upon our soul to do the will of the Father?" So good.

Well, I'd better get going...but I love you all. How's Andrew doing, by the way? Tell him  I love him and miss him.

We're going to make Hungry Jack for dinner with Jerry tonight (recent convert)...wish me luck! :) Thanks for the pictures and the love and the quotes. You're the best. I love you all so much, and I pray for you daily. Let me know how all the many concerts/programs/etc go! I wish I could be there to see them...but I know they'll be great.

Never give up, never surrender! Smiley face.

Love love love,

Sister Wygant

PS: we're not in a triple up anymore...which is sad, but it's okay. Sister Christian has a new companion--Sister Mitchell from Temple Square!! She's here on her outbound til February, and she is great. We love her already :)

Tschuss!!

Merry Thanksgiving!!

Hi Mama!

Good morning! How is snowy Provo? Still lots of snow? We actually don't have any here yet--still! Apparently that's odd for Ohio. But I know it will come soon.

I've been thinking a lot about Thanksgiving this past week. I will really miss not being with you all at Grandpa's, but I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here serving these people. I really cannot
imagine not knowing any of these people. They are all so wonderful and I love them so much. I have really seen this week that as I've given my whole heart and all my energy to serving the Lord, holding nothing back, I have been so blessed. We have seen miracles in so many ways--we've found more people and had great lessons and I've just had more energy and motivation to keep working hard. Elder Holland said something in a talk we watched in the MTC (I think) about setting our feet to the plow and never stopping, never looking back, until the work is finished. That's what I'm trying to do, and I know that we all have been blessed for working so hard. It's exhausting but it's also so rewarding to come in at the end of the day and know that you have worked your hardest and given your all that day.

Judi is doing so well. She came to church yesterday with her 2 kids and they all loved it so much. We are going to teach her about the word of Wisdom this week (hopefully today!) and challenge her to quit
smoking--please pray for her! I know that she can do it, but I also know that she will need a lot of support and encouragement.

…
 

We met a guy named Jared while contacting the other day-we just randomly stopped and talked to him while walking down the street. We made fast friends and shared what we do as missionaries. and then he
came to the fireside we did at kirtland last night! He really liked it and is going to come back for a tour. Super exciting. Every year they do a huge nativity/lights exhibit at sites. it opens on Friday with a lighting ceremony and I'm SO excited. There are at least 700 nativities all around sites and lights everywhere outside.  The nativities are from all over the world and in all shapes and sizes. Best ever?  I think yes. It runs til the end of December and is apparently a huge draw for people all over the community. It is a wonderful resource/something to invite everyone to that is not threatening or anything--just a way to celebrate the birth of Christ together. I'm so stoked. I wish you could all be here to see it! I'll send pictures, don't worry :)

I heard a saying this week that I've been pondering a lot. Something like "the more you give up for something, the more it means to you." The thought i had when hearing that is that I've given up pretty much my whole world for this--which shows how important this work is and how much it means to both Heavenly Father and to me. For Him to ask young people all over the world to put their whole lives on hold for 18 months/2 years truly shows that He loves all of His children everywhere--that this work is so vital and so important. And since I've given up so much to be here, I ought to act like it means the world to me. It really does though. I know that this is where the Lord needs me to be, and I've come to love these people so much. I have given up a lot to be here, but i don't regret it. I know that "those who wait upon the Lord shall not be ashamed" (1 Ne 21:23) --He will always bless us for following Him, and will prepare a way for us to accomplish those things He asks of us. I've truly seen that this week. Trust Him. Believe Him. I rediscovered Stephen Robinson's talk "Believing Christ" recently--the talk that the parable of the bicycle comes from. It is so wonderful, and you all should read it :) He talks about not just believing in Christ--believing that He lived and died for us--but also believing Him. Believing His promises to us. It's hard sometimes but He never lies. He invites us to try Him, and try it for ourselves--because He knows that it will all work out, and that His promises will be fulfilled. And if He asks us to do something, and we try it, and it "bears good fruit" or brings more light and happiness to our lives, it must needs be of God (Moroni 7:13--a new favorite). That's our evidence. That's our answer. :)

Okay, gotta go. Love you oodles and bunches!! Merry Thanksgiving!!

Love,
Sister Wygant

First baptism set!

Hi Mama!

Great news - J..'s getting BAPTIZED!! She is golden. Seriously. Plus she has two cats--so you know she's great, right? :) But she really is so prepared. She always has so many great questions and whenever we teach her something she immediately sees connections and it makes sense to her. She told us that she feels like a sponge, and she wants to soak up as much as she can. Well, we can help with that :) … we have a lot to teach her still but we are SO excited. I keep feeling so much love as we teach her AND learn from her. I feel selfish sometimes because I feel like I'm learning by the Spirit every time we teach her--but I suppose that's how it ought to work. Seriously though...sometimes I feel like I don't know enough to teach her or anyone much of anything. You're a saint for raising me so well--there are so many times that I feel so inadequate and not up to the responsibility of making sure that our investigators learn everything they need to know. How did you ever do it? I'm so impressed and awed of every parent out there.

The rest of this past week was pretty good too--but that was definitely the highlight. Some of my new favorite scriptures are Rev. 21:4, 1 Ne 22:30-31, Moses 7:44, Alma 31:31, and 1 Ne 21:14. So so good. Also, I made a startling connection yesterday when listening to "Be Still My Soul"--I thought of D&C 101:16 which tells us to "be still and know that I am God." And it occurred to me that Be Still My Soul shares the same message--but that we should be still not just in the sense of not being frantic or running faster than we have strength--which is very important--but also that our hearts and souls need to be still. That's a deeper calm and peacefulness than we can find just by not rushing through life--when we allow the Lord to calm our troubled souls, we can become as peaceful and still as the waves when Christ commanded them "peace; be still". I hope that made a little sense--it was really cool in my head. 

How was everyone's Halloween? It was crazy here because a lot of neighborhoods postponed their trick-or-treating nights due to the storm...so there ended up being trick or treating happening on at least 3 different days. And we're not allowed to be out tracting when things like that are going on...so it definitely made things interesting. It reminded me of fun times last year though. Tell Rachel Hastings that I miss making pumpkin fudge with her! :)

This experience is definitely a roller coaster. Sometimes I feel like we're doing so well, and things are going great...and the next minute I feel like I don't know anything. Ha. We pray so much to know what we can do better and where we need to be/who we need to talk to in order to be instruments in the Lord's hands. Sometimes I feel like I get answers or I learn things, but sometimes I am still lost. I guess that's a good thing though...if I knew everything already I'd have nothing do to for the next 16 months! Sometimes I feel like I get confusing or conflicting promptings. I'm trying to be obedient anyways even when I don't understand completely.  I think that's when it's the toughest. But in chapter 6 of PMG it teaches that same principle in regards to obedience--and we are promised that as we are obedient and follow God's commands even when we don't fully understand why, we will be given more light and understanding. Like in John 7:17. If you want to know His will, live His doctrine.

I will hopefully get to play my flute again on Sunday! I'm scheduled to play in sacrament meeting and I'm so excited. Hopefully a lot of investigators will be able to come--and hopefully I can play well enough to help them feel the spirit. I feel like it's cheating a little bit...but it's also an incredible tool that I've been given, and i'm so grateful to be able to use my talents in a way that can bless others (hopefully :) )

Please say hello/thank you/congrats to everyone you've mentioned! Especially Chelsey--I knew about Erica but I'm so excited for both of them now! How wonderful.

...we found a little plastic Christmas tree in our basement yesterday...and we definitely have already set it up. :)  Aren't you proud? :)

We've been absolutely loving our triple up. Sister Ellsworth, Christian, and I have so much fun aaaaall the time. I love it. I'm learning so much from both of them every day. They are both so incredibly charitable. They always always put others' needs first and never complain when anything inconveniences them. I'm working on that. :)

Okay, I have more to say but I'm going to try to send some pictures first. If i don't get back to writing, talk to you next week! Love you!!!!

Love,
Sister Wygant

***********************************

Sisters Ellsworth and Wygant

Our house!

Period costume at the Visitors' Center

Triples!

November 5

Hi Mama!

… The storm was certainly an adventure! But also had a lot of crazy, wonderful, exciting things happen this week besides the storm. First: we were at the library the other day, and a lady came up to us and told us that she had been praying for a sign from God, and that she'd seen the name of Jesus Christ on our name tags, and that we were an answer to her prayers. What? Awesome. Her name is Judi and she is so sweet. We were able to teach her part of a lesson right there in the library, and at the end she said "Well, looks like I'd better come to church on Sunday." We didn't even have to invite her--she wanted to all on her own! So exciting. She came to church yesterday, AND she brought her 14 year-old daughter and 12 year-old son. They are all so sweet and so nice, and I really think that they enjoyed their time at church. I was so proud of our branch members for friendshipping all 3 of them and making them all feel welcome. Some of the YW came right up to Stacey after sacrament meeting and talked to her until her mom pulled her away. It was great. :) We have been praying to find a family to teach, and this one practically dropped into our laps! Miracles do happen :)  We have another appointment with Judi on Thursday--pray that it goes well!

ALSO, Fiona came to church yesterday! That is a huge step for her. She even bore her testimony! We are so proud of her and so happy that she came. :)

ALSO. BIG transfer news! I'm getting another companion! We assumed that we were safe from transfers since all new missionaries stay with their trainers for 2 transfers...but the District Leaders called us
last night to tell us that our area (Chardon) and the other area in our branch (West Chardon) are being combined, and that for this transfer we're going to be in a triple up with Sister Christian (one of the sisters currently serving in W. Chardon--also the Sister from the Isle of Man who knows Luke Rowley! Small world :) )!!! So exciting! So we're not changing companions, really, but we do have to move houses because only 4 sisters can fit into the Davis Home (where we live now). So tomorrow we get to pack up and move next door to the Boynton Home. Yay moving? Haha.

I've really seen blessings and miracles come this week from making sacrifices. Sacrifice truly does bring forth the blessings of Heaven. I've started to love fasting because it brings me so much closer to my
Heavenly Father--that constant reminder that I'm hungry is a constant reminder of the blessing I'm seeking and fasting for. We had the opportunity to fast on Thursday for a potential we'd been working
with, and although the lesson with that person didn't happen that night, we met Judi that day! That was truly a miracle. I've also seen myself change and grow in ways that would have been nigh unto
impossible before my mission--and it's thanks to the help of the Spirit. Many times I'll pray to be able to have more patience, or more faith, or etc--and it's funny because often I'll have an experience
the next day or hour that really tries my patience or tests my faith. Funny how that works, but I know that the only way to grow and become stronger is through trials. Sometimes I find myself wondering, "does
He have to grip so tightly?" :) But I'm grateful for the knowledge that I am in His hands, and that we are never alone. :) Sometimes I don't understand why I've been prompted to say a certain thing or why
I've been asked to do certain things--and it's incredibly hard to move forward not being able to see how those things will make a difference or help contribute to another's progress (or my own), but if nothing
else, I'll get really good at trusting God and being patient.

Did anyone get to watch the CES devotional last night? We did, and I'm so grateful for that chance. I loved what Bishop Causse said about trusting God's promises. I know that while I may not be able to see
all the fruits of my labor, and I may not see everything go the way I'd like it to, I will be blessed for doing the Lord's will.

I don't have my study journal with me (usually I bring it to the library to do emails but it's been a crazy day...) Sidenote! I got to play my flute at ZTM this morning! That's Zone Training Meeting. The Solon District put together a musical number that was a wonderful arrangement of Be Still My Soul, and I got to play the flute part. So, so fun. :) But anyway, back to what I was saying...some of my favorite scriptures from my study this week that I do remember:

Col. 2:5
D&C 25:10
Alma 31:31
Alma 32:28

Last weekend when I was on exchanges with Sister Esser, we found two cousins from Romania named Radu and Julia. They're here on an internship program and they are so fun. They let us right in and we talked with them for over an hour. We weren't sure how interested they were in our message itself, but they at least wanted to hear it and listen to what we had to say. Did I talk about them last week? I can't remember. Anyway, they both had a lot of questions, and we were able to answer a lot of them and just make some good friends. Well, Sister Ellsworth and I stopped by on Saturday and were able to teach them part of the Restoration lesson...aaaand they came and took a tour yesterday! I'm still not sure if they're interested in anything but the historical part of our message, but I do know that they felt the Spirit during the tour--even if they didn't recognize it. Anyway, Radu kept wanting answers to his questions that made sense logically. I finally realized that I can't prove that God exists--but I believe He does because I want to. I'm here on a mission because I want to be. I do things like keeping the commandments because I want the blessings that are promised us for doing so. That's something that my teacher in my Psychology of Performance class talked about a lot--we really only do things because we want to, if you get down to the bottom of it. Take note of the things you're each doing everyday and why you do them--our desires tell us a lot about ourselves. And the wonderful thing about the gospel is that by studying and living the principles it teaches, we can change even the deepest-rooted habits and desires. The study of the gospel can change behavior quicker than a study of behavior can. That may seem hard to believe to some people--and I can see why. But it's not blind faith. It's having enough faith to act, and then receiving promised blessings and the companionship of the Holy Ghost to guide us, teach us, and protect us. I hope some of that made sense. It did in my head. Haha.

Well, I've got to get going, but I love you all! Thanks to everyone for all of the letters, encouraging ideas/quotes, and prayers. I can definitely feel your love, and I'm grateful for it.

Love,
Sister Lyndsay Wygant