One year mark--how time flies!

Hi Mama,

Hello from sunny Kent! The summer weather has finally arrived, now that school is starting again. Hmm. :) August went by so quickly--happy almost September! I can't believe the month went by so fast. 

It has been a great, busy week! Wednesday was transfers. Three of our wonderful Kirtland sisters went home: Sister Joseph, Sister Christensen, and Sister Palmer. Two of my companions, and one from the Rootstown ward! It was sad to see them go, because I love them all so much. I'm grateful for the chance to serve with each of them and learn from their wonderful examples. And then, we keep moving forward! With 7 new sites sisters and a fresh start in the Rootstown West area for Sister Bell and I. We are so happy to still be together, and excited for lots of miracles to happen this transfer! 

Our schedule puts us at Kirtland on Fridays and Saturdays now, and we're excited to be there. I love Kirtland! It really is so beautiful. We are so lucky. :) We won't be serving at the Johnson Farm anymore though--now that the summer rush has died down, there aren't enough people coming through for them to need our extra help. We're hoping to go with Anna sometime, though. :)

We've been working really hard to find people, and also to get people to church. Dan and Cyndi came to the singles branch yesterday--yay!  ... a less active member, also came--the first time she's come since I've been here! That was really exciting. We had a great lesson with ... during the week, where I could really see the Spirit teaching him, and he was excited to come to church--but then he got in an accident on the way and missed church. :( Man! Hopefully his car will get fixed and he will be able to come next week.

We had great lessons with Cyndi and Dan after church. Dan loves coming to church, but still has a lot of doubts about the Book of Mormon. He really wants to know the truth though! We hope that something will change soon so that he can come to church on Sundays instead of having to work. Thank you for praying for him and all of our investigators. 

Cyndi is so prepared, and is ready to be baptized--we just have to wait until November when her work schedule won't be so crazy. We're so excited for that, and I love seeing her faith and testimony grow each time we meet.

Speaking of testimonies, we had a great meal and lesson with Sister Alexander and her family last night in honor of her birthday. Her great-niece, Breanna, was just baptized and goes to the singles branch with us. She is so great! We shared a message about the glad tidings of the gospel of Jesus Christ (see D&C 76:40-41--given at the Johnson Farm! :) ), and Breanna told us that she is so much happier since being baptized and joining the church. What a blessing, both to experience and notice the difference that the gospel makes in our lives! Hearing stories like that is one of my favorite things as a missionary. :)

Thanks to everyone for such kind wishes and words of encouragement. It's hard to believe my year mark is this week! Where did the time go? This truly has been the best, hardest, sweetest year of my life. I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission. Before my mission, I didn't understand what living the gospel meant. I didn't know what I didn't know! But over the past year of serving as a missionary, my eyes have been opened to a whole new perspective, and a higher plane of thinking and living. For this, I will be eternally grateful. And there's still so much that I want to learn and do here! Six months is a long time--I'm grateful that I still have so much time to become a better instrument in the Lord's hands and invite everyone in Ohio to come unto Christ. :)

Speaking of instruments! Elder Ingersoll, Elder Romirell and I had the wonderful privilege of playing a musical number at transfer meeting. We played the arrangement of "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul" sung by Dallyn on the 17 Miracles Soundtrack as a duet for flute, violin, and piano. This is one of my very favorite songs, and I'm so grateful that we had the opportunity to play it! It was so fun, and I think it turned out really well. I'll attach two recordings--one of our final run-through, and one of the actual musical number during transfer meeting. I hope the recordings turned out okay, and that you like it!

One of our goals lately has been to become more anxiously engaged. I love working hard, and I know there's always more that we can do--we just have to learn to work hard and smart at the same time. What does it mean to you to be anxiously engaged? I'd love to hear any thoughts, experiences, or advice on how to work harder and smarter. :)

Well, we're almost out of time...but I love you all so much. Thank you for your prayers, support, encouragement, and examples to me. And thanks especially for the jam! I've had some every day since it arrived. :) Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Wygant

A wonderful week

Good morning, Mama! 

I'm sorry I forgot to tell you last week that we'd be having a preparation day this week! Transfers are, and we always have p-days to get ready. The great transfer news is that Sister Bell and I are staying together in Kent!!! YAY!! I love Sister Bell SO much, and I'm so excited to serve with her for another transfer. It will be strange in a way, though--I haven't served with a companion for more than one transfer since my trainer, Sister Ellsworth! This will be great. :) I'm so grateful that we'll get to keep teaching Dan and Brenda and everyone else. I'm excited for more miracles to happen in Kent. :) 

Oh! We have some exciting news that I forgot to tell you last week. Elder Bowen of the Seventy is coming to visit our mission next month!!! He spoke in the October 2012 General Conference, and gave a wonderful talk about the Atonement. I remember loving his talk, and receiving so much help and comfort from it as a new, homesick missionary. I'm so excited that he's coming to our mission! And it's interesting that you mentioned Abraham in your letter...last week, we all studied the Abrahamic Covenant as part of our preparation for Elder Bowen's tour of our mission. Coincidence? I think not. I loved that study--I learned so much! This week we're studying the House of Israel (assigned at Elder Bowen's request). My first thought--from Savior of the World: "I pray thy merciful blessings upon me, my dear wife...and upon all thy children, the House of Israel!" :)

In other news, we had a wonderful week. We had a busy few days at Kirtland--including a great youth tour that included some kids from Syracuse, NY who know Ben Hale! Tender mercies. :) We also had Stake Conference this weekend, which was amazing. Our Stake President's name is James Kirk...really. :) President Kirk is a wonderfully kind, spiritually powerful man. He used to do a lot of road biking, and he shared an analogy that I really liked. Being diligent and obedient means pedaling hard and staying on the road. Simple as that! Also, the Youngstown Stake Center reminds me of the chapel in...Pacific Grove? The one surrounded by lots of trees. It was cloudy, so I pretended it was fog. :)

We had a great lesson with Dan this week. He was having a really hard day, and I know that he felt the spirit during our lesson. We just need to help him accept it! But we're working on that. I know it will come. :) He came and took a tour at Kirtland a few days later, and he told us that our lesson/message really helped him that day. Yay. :)

We also had a wonderful lesson with Brenda. She is the sweetest lady. I love her so much! We talked about the Book of Mormon and church attendance, and I think she really wants to come...she's just not sure about it yet. But she gave the closing prayer, and it was so sweet and sincere. She prayed that God would help her accept that that Book of Mormon is true! We didn't even ask her to ask that...she did it on her own. It was amazing! 

We had a few minutes left at the end of the day, so we decided to go contacting at a park...and the first person we met was so prepared! We told him about the Book of Mormon and were going to leave it at that, but he asked to know more, so we ended up sharing almost all of the Restoration with him. It was so neat. We're hoping to meet with him again this week to start officially teaching him!

This week, I realized just how much I love studying the gospel--and how many, many experiences and events in my life have led up to this point and contributed to my understanding of the gospel. It's amazing to me how many choir songs I recognize as I study the scriptures. They're everywhere! I'm so grateful for Coach, and for the sacred texts and songs that he introduced us to in all my years in choir. I'm grateful to have learned so much about the gospel through music. :) 

Mmm, blackberry jam. I was just telling Sister Bell about your famous blackberry jam this past week! Could we beg another jar? :) :) :) We've decided that we're not going to eat treats this next transfer...but we had the idea to try mixing blackberry jam with greek yogurt and freezing it. Healthy-style ice cream, anyone? Yum. :)

We have a new branch mission leader, Zane, and also a new member of the YSA Branch named Anna. She just moved here to start at Kent State. She loves marching band and DCI, and plays the flute. Not a coincidence. :) We got to help her move in to her dorm--it was such a blast from the past! Seems forever ago that I did that. :) We also passed the Kent State Marching Band's band camp on our way--aww. :) Speaking of, how are my band kids doing? What about Leslie and Sam? I love them all and miss them a lot. I didn't realize til that I hadn't been at band camp yet this summer--so strange! Ha ha. :)

Well, we're about out of time...I love you all so much! Thank you for your prayers and support, especially your prayers for our investigators. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to teach so many wonderful people here. Dan, Brenda, Cyndi, David, Mark...they're all some of my favorite people in the world. :) I love serving in the Ohio, and I love being a missionary! We represent the Savior Jesus Christ--how great is our calling! :) Au revoir until next week! 

Love,

Sister Wygant

Sister Wygant and Sister Tietjen on splits

Sister Wygant

Sisters Wygant and Bell (companions)

Helping the Kiwanis Club at Kirtland Strawberry Days

Onward, ever onward :)

Hello family!

How's your week back in Provo been? I hope your trip home was uneventful--no accidents or flat tires. :) Our week here has been great. It always feels good to be exhausted at the end of the day, because I know that means I've worked hard. Sometimes, the hard work is more mental than anything else--it takes a lot to stay focused and motivated the whole day long! But that's a skill that will help me my whole life, I know that much. :)

The work here is great. I love all of the small miracles that happen everyday. We went to the Farmer's Market with some members on Saturday...and they know everybody. :) We even ran into a former investigator they know...and we got his number. Might start teaching him again. Awesome. I also love being in the right place at the right time. That happened last night, and we met a guy named Ross. It seems like those things always just happen...I almost wish I could make them happen on purpose, but then it would be me in charge and not Heavenly Father. And I'm so very grateful that He's the one in charge. I love being on His side. :)

Also, guess what? Anna went to the TEMPLE on Friday! She went with the Derbys (members) and did baptisms for the dead for the first time. YAY!!! I'm so grateful that everything worked out, and that she had a wonderful experience. Definitely the Lord's hand. :)

We had the wonderful opportunity to chat with Elder Sorenson on Friday about some tricky questions Dan had asked us...and guess who else happened to be at sites that day? Karl Anderson! Elder Sorenson pulled him in and asked him to give us advice as well...it doesn't get better than that! I'm so grateful for the help Heavenly Father sends to us, especially in the form of wisdom and experience from amazing leaders. 

Speaking of amazing leaders, we had a great zone conference this week! President Vellinga and the Assistants taught us a LOT, mostly about what to do when we begin teaching someone for the first time, and how to make that a good experience. Sister Bell and I also got to demonstrate teaching the Restoration in front of the whole Zone--a little intimidating, but also so fun! I always love Zone Conference because I learn so much, and get so excited about missionary work. :) 

Our investigators are great. We had THREE at sacrament meeting yesterday! It was also Steve's last Sunday in the branch, so the chapel was quite full--rare for the branch. :) Dan came, Cyndi came (and brought friends!), and our new investigator David came! Sister Bell taught David last year when she served here, and we just started teaching him again. We're pretty excited about that. I'm especially grateful for the members of the YSA branch and how amazing they are at fellowshipping--Dan told us that he loves coming to church because he feels so welcome there. Go, member missionaries! They are great. :) Dan needs a lot of prayers, though--once school starts, he's going to have to work every Sunday. Boo! We're praying that Heavenly Father will help him find a way to change that.

xxxx is also having a hard time accepting the Book of Mormon. It makes me sad, because I love it so much! But I know that it will take time. Does anyone have any experiences about how you know the Book of Mormon is true that you'd like to share? We'll try all sorts of ideas. :) And thank you for your continued prayers!!

Well, we're out of time. Thank you for your love and prayers. I love Kent, I love Ohio, and I love being a missionary. It's the best. :) Have a blessed day (as they say in Ohio)!!

Love,

Sister Wygant

PS -  Please tell everyone hello for me, and that I love them. :) OH!! And we took Brother and Sister Maughn on tour at Kirtland last week--from the Rowley's/Barry's/etc ward!! It was such a tender mercy. I know that Heavenly Father is in the details. It was so fun to talk to someone who knew so many of my friends back home!! :)

Love you!!!!!!!!

Strawberry Days in Kirtland - Helping the Kiwanis Club

Happy August

It's been a great week here. Cyndi came to church yesterday, and in our lesson she told us that her family is no longer so opposed to her being baptized! They aren't excited about it, but they won't hold her back. I am SO grateful that prayers are answered! I know that Heavenly Father had a hand in this. 

We had a GREAT lesson with Dan on Monday. We're finally on the same page about faith! When I remembered to actually stop and listen and ask him questions, we discovered that we really do believe a lot of the same things--we just communicate them differently, and use different titles. I was so grateful for that lesson. Once school starts, he'll have to work every Sunday--we're hoping to have a lesson on keeping the Sabbath day holy this week, and we're praying that the way will be opened for him to not have to work on that day. Thank you for always keeping him and others in your prayers. :) They really help, and I'm so grateful for your support!

I am also so grateful for the companionship and guidance of the Spirit. When we're teaching or giving tours, I try really hard to create an environment for the Spirit, but sometimes it's hard to tell whether they're actually feeling it or not. But after one tour this weekend, the leader of the youth group we took thanked us for teaching by the Spirit and helping his youth to feel it. Awesome. I thought, "they did? Yay!" I'm always so grateful to hear things like that. I really loved our tours in Kirtland this week. I don't often receive specific promptings on what to say or share, but I did on several occasions this weekend, and it was awesome.

Oh! In other, VERY exciting news, Anna (recent convert who was baptized in December) is going to the Columbus Temple to do baptisms on Friday! HURRAY!!!!! We're so, so excited for her. She's going to have such a wonderful time. 

Church yesterday was amazing. Both testimony meetings (the ward and the ysa branch) were so wonderful, and the spirit was so strong. Funny how the Spirit works sometimes--the Lord truly does speak to us in the ways that we understand (2 Ne 28). For me sometimes, it's music. "Come Thou Fount" is played during part of the movie we show at Kirtland, and it popped into my head during testimony meeting yesterday. I've never learned so much from that song as I did then! Now I just need to work on remembering and applying it. :) 

We went on exchanges with Sister Esplin and Sister Nance this week, and it was great! I went to Rootstown North and worked with Sister Nance. I was so impressed by her constant cheerful, happy attitude and desire to work hard. She is still working on gaining confidence, but we learned something in our companionship study that has greatly helped both of us. The end of D&C 121 taught us that our confidence will grow as we have the Spirit with us more--so we decided to work on being able to better recognize the Spirit. The activity in Preach My Gospel Chapter 4 was so helpful, and when we evaluated a few days later, we found that we had both learned a lot from the experience. I'm so grateful that I was able to help Sister Nance, and also grow personally as well.

I'm also so grateful to be serving with Sister Bell. I absolutely love her! She is such an amazing missionary, and I am learning so much from her. I am so glad that we are able to work so well together. I love Kent, and I love Sister Bell, and the Rootstown Ward, and the YSA Branch. I love being a missionary. :) The greatest miracle is a change of heart--that's what we pray will happen as we share the gospel with people, and what I'm seeing take place in my own life. It's hard work, but I like doing hard things. :) Talk to you next week!

Love,

Sister Wygant

PS. Picture! I'm learning many different things on my mission...how to eat peppers, how to study the scriptures, and...how to do a headstand? Yup. :) Second is me with the Palmers--one of my favorite senior couples!