Spring in Ohio - almost

Hi Mama!

Hello from sometimes-sunny Kirtland! There was a day this week where it got up to 51 degrees--SO marvelous. It's back to 24 and snowing at the moment, but the sunshine and warmth were a welcome reprieve. :) 

It's been such a great week. It was a trying week, but I learned a lot about relying on the Lord and recognizing His blessings. I also learned something that's really exciting to me. Awhile ago when I was studying charity, President Vellinga challenged me to memorize and study Moroni 7:48. I did, and have been pondering it ever since. Something that struck me this week is that when we see the Savior "as He is", we will recognize Him if we have done all we can to become like Him in this life. We will recognize Him because we will see ourselves in Him! Isn't that exciting? It makes me want to keep working hard to develop Christlike attributes.

We had Zone Conference on Wednesday, and it was incredible. One of my favorite tidbits: "When you have the Spirit with you, you're happy." from Elder Gubler. So simple, but so powerful! All we need to do to ensure our happiness is to live worthy of the Spirit, and then choose to accept his companionship and be happy. Simple, but sometimes much easier said than done, I know. 

I also had the opportunity to bear my testimony at Zone Conference--those who will be going home before the next one are always given the chance. It was amazing to me to stand at the pulpit in the Kirtland Stake center and remember watching so many others who have come before me. I remember watching an Elder bear his testimony at my very first transfer meeting when I arrived here--everything seemed so strange, foreign, and new. But on Wednesday, it was a precious moment for me to stand at that same pulpit and realize how familiar and sacred it has become to me. This place, Kirtland in general as well as the sites and my areas--truly have become sacred to me. I know it is through our sweat and tears that places become sacred to us, and I am so grateful for the opportunity I've had to give my whole heart, might, mind and strength to serving the Lord here. I truly love being a missionary, and I am excited to continue to see miracles here. 

At Zone Conference, Elder Chapman led a really powerful discussion about faith, where he asked us to think about the most beautiful things we've ever seen, heard, and felt. As we discussed, I couldn't help but think of the beautiful Wasatch mountains and Provo temple--truly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen, including all my favorite scenes in Europe. Elder Chapman then asked us to apply those things when imagining what heaven will be like. It was a powerful experience for me, because it struck me that as sweet and joyous as coming home to you and my mountains & temple will be next month, my home coming to heaven and Heavenly Father will be much, much greater if I continue to live righteously. It gave me just a taste of what that day can be like. :)

We also had an amazing experience on Friday, when we went down to the John Johnson home for our training meeting. We had the senior couples who serve there take us through the home and share with us parts of the tour they give there. I was praying hard to feel the Spirit there and receive needed comfort and peace--and the Spirit was so strong from almost the first moment there. It was incredible. We are so blessed and so lucky to serve around such sacred sites!!

Our investigators are mostly doing well. Kia and Kayla are girls who are struggling to understand the Book of Mormon. We watched one of those Book of Mormon cartoons with them last week, and it really helped! We will continue to teach simply and move slowly so that they can understand--any suggestions from anyone on teaching youth? I'm grateful for this opportunity because I know it will help me be prepared to teach my own children someday. 

We watched a General Conference talk by President Monson with our investigator Laura yesterday, and she loved it! It was so neat to see her connect with him and relate to his stories--to see our promise come true that she would learn something from his talk and feel that he was speaking directly to her. I'm so grateful for the Spirit, and that the Lord answers prayers! I know the Church is true, and that testimony is reaffirmed every time I see someone come closer to Christ because of the gospel we share with them. 

We also had an amazing phone lesson with Robert on Saturday. He is so incredibly strong and prepared. We told him about lds.org/youth last week, and he's read through all of the For the Strength of Youth sections and is trying to live all of the standards he's learned about. He is so good at recognizing truth and applying what he learns--and he does it mostly on his own!! His testimony and growth are amazing to see, and I feel so incredibly blessed to be a part of it. 

We also got to talk to a woman in Australia on Saturday! Her name is Michelle, and she's a referral from someone that Sister Johnson took on tour awhile ago. Michelle so awesome, and it was so fun to get to know her and tell her about Kirtland. My favorite part was when she said she looked forward to our phone call next week--success! That means we connected with her and made friends, which means that we'll be better able to share things with her and strengthen her in whatever way is helpful. I'm really excited about that. 

All in all, I'm so grateful for this week. I'm grateful for all of the ups and downs and bumps in the road, because it has made me more grateful for the times when I'm blessed with peace and calm and hope. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father still sees fit to stretch me and build me and mold me so that I can continue to become a better instrument in His hands. I'm always, always grateful for His sustaining support, and for your prayers and support. I need them always, and I can truly feel the strength of your prayers. Thank you!!!!!! I love this work, and I love you. :) Have a great week!!

Love,

Sister Wygant

Kirtland Temple

Happy President's Day!

Dear Mama,

Hello! Happy President's Day!! We had a pretty great week, and I'm excited to tell you about it. The sad news is that Nitin moved to the Elder's area, so we won't get to teach him...but the great news is that he set a baptismal date with them for 29th March, and he came to church yesterday!! He is seriously one of the most prepared people I've ever met. I'm so glad that we'll still get to see him on Sundays and be his friends, and be excited about his progress.

We watched the Joseph Smith movie with Jason at the Winder's house on Thursday, and it was great! He said that he thinks Joseph Smith could have been a prophet. :) He's not completely sure about the Book of Mormon being true yet, but he's going to pray about it. He's SO close!!!! The Winders are amazing, by the way. I think I wrote about them last week, but they are so bright, friendly, and excited about everything in life. I love them. :) 

Laura came to the fireside yesterday!!!! We hadn't heard back from her all week, so we thought she wasn't coming...but she was there!! We were so excited and relieved. Thank you for your prayers!! I know they worked. :) The fireside was amazing. Bob shared his conversion story and testimony, and both President Vellinga and President Haymond (our Stake President) spoke. They each bore powerful testimony of the Restoration and Kirtland, and shared how they know that this Church is true. It was perfect. 

I've seen so many answered prayers this week, which has really helped me to feel and recognize Heavenly Father's love for me and all of His children here. I think it's been the small things that have meant the most to me this week--the things that don't really matter eternally, but that are important to Him because they are important to me. Like me really wanting some grapefruit (Sister Johnson has taught me to like them!) but not wanting to eat any more of Sister Johnson's...and "randomly" running into a member at a grocery store we weren't planning to go to who had just happened to buy an extra bag and gave it to us. Or finding a bathroom when we were out tracting and I really needed one. Tender mercies. :)

Another HUGE tender mercy was that I got to talk to Robert again on Saturday!! It's been a few weeks since I've been able to reach him on the phone, but he called me back on Saturday and we had an amazing conversation. He told his mom his testimony and that he wants to be baptized! She can see that it's something he really wants, but she's having a hard time. She asked him to wait until he goes to college to get baptized. :( But he doesn't want to wait! He learned about Institute and wants to go when he goes to college. He asked if he would be missing out at college if he gets baptized and doesn't go partying/etc. Sister Johnson has great experiences/stories about Institute and friends joining the Church--Robert let me introduce her on the phone, and she talked to him about it. It was perfect, and I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father planned ahead and made Sister Johnson my companion--her experiences were exactly what Robert needed to hear at that time! Robert is so strong, and I'm so grateful that we got to talk to him again. 

Thank you also for your prayers in general--and for the specific times you mentioned. There were a few times this week that I felt absolutely drained of energy and hope, and it was probably at those times that you were prompted to pray. I'm grateful for those times because they reminded me that I can't do this without the Lord's help, and it's worth it to be tired when something amazing like Robert's phone lesson happens...but I'm also glad to be on the other side of those experiences. :)

We got to do service for Sister Wagner on Thursday, which made my day. She is such an incredible person, and I love her so much! She even made us healthy, organic bread from a new recipe book she bought (she has some dietary restrictions, so she has to eat really natural and healthy--and she's so great at making it yummy). It was so good. What a sweetheart. :)

Our Valentine's Day was great--full of miracles and reminders of Heavenly Father's love. For training meeting at sites that morning, we did an activity called "I love you because", where missionaries who found hidden hearts on their seats got to come up, and we all gave reasons that we loved them. It's always a fun, feel-good activity, but I was amazed by Heavenly Father's hand in it this time--those who sat in the right chairs were those who really needed an extra boost that day. It made me so happy to see these sweet missionaries be so touched and moved by simple expressions of love and gratitude. I'm grateful to have been His hands in making their lives better in a small way. :) :) 

We had a really neat experience on Friday when we stopped at Jimmy John's for dinner. Lately, we've been trying to be creative in our finding efforts, including making our phone calls in public places that are inside--like fast food restaurants--and making friends with employees whenever we go out to eat. At Jimmy John's the previous time we went, we made friends with Butch and Menuell, and this time we made friends with Mark and Cam. We talked to Cam for a long time after other customers were gone, and he was so interested in what we do! He was shy at first, but once we learned that he likes sports, and found out that he knows BYU basketball, we broke the ice. :) He loves Jimmer, and had heard a lot of good things about BYU basketball. We gave him a temple pass along card, which really caught his interest, and hopefully we'll be able to share more with him soon! It was a fun, natural, easy way to share the gospel--I loved it. 

All in all, it's been a great week. Lots of ups and downs to be sure, but the good times certainly outshine the bad. I love Ohio, and I love missionary work! I'm so grateful to serve in this specific, sacred place, with these specific, inspiring people. I'm especially grateful that I decided to stay an extra transfer, because we're seeing so many miracles, and I'm learning so much. I'm so grateful for my Savior. I know that He lives, now more than ever before, and I'm so grateful for the added witnesses of the Spirit that strengthen my testimony every single day. I know that as long as we keep moving forward in the right direction, the Spirit will continue to lead and guide us, no matter what our pace. Our teacher in Relief Society yesterday likened the Plan of Salvation to the Olympics (what? I forgot those were happening. haha)--everyone wants to win the gold of the Celestial Kingdom, and we get there in our teams of families, with help from wonderful coaches like parents, both mortal and Heavenly. Go for the gold!! I never want to settle for less, because I know that Heavenly Father's plan for me and us makes this, our divine potential, possible. :) I hope that made sense to someone besides me--I promise it made sense in my head. :) I love you all--thank you so very much for your love, support, and prayers. I'm so grateful for you!!

Love,

Sister Wygant

Happy Valentines Day!

Hi Mama!!

Wow, this week has been amazing. Especially yesterday!! It's funny how there can be lots of ups and downs and bumps in the road throughout the week, but every time I come to email home, the things that stand out in my mind the most are the miracles and the blessings. I can look back and see the hard times from the week, but they don't matter as much anymore because of all the good things that happened. :) 

One of my favorite quotes from the week: "The Lord calls regular people to do holy things." --Elder Sorenson

Some of the miracles that happened this week:

Jason finished the Book of Mormon!!!! He read the whole thing in about 3 months. Isn't that amazing?? We had no idea he was so close to being done--a few weeks ago, he was just starting Alma! He's pretty laid back and reserved, but he said that he gained a lot of new perspective from it, and that he is leaning toward thinking that Joseph Smith was a Prophet. YES!!! We had a great lesson with him at the Winder's home on Friday. They are an incredible young family, always cheerful and so excited about life. And so excited about missionary work! I love them. Brother Winder's mom was visiting, and she sat in on the lesson too. She and her husband were in the Hill Cumorah pageant last summer--so she had some perfect experiences and testimony to share when Jason said he had finished the Book of Mormon. It was an amazing lesson. I love teaching in member's homes, because they are all so wonderful, and the Spirit is always so strong! I think Jason really liked the Winders as well. He had to work at noon yesterday, but he came to the Euclid Ward (meets at 9 at our same building) with us--and stayed for Gospel Principles for the first time ever!! He's really starting to open up, and I think we've become better friends. He seems more comfortable talking and joking with us, and more eager to learn. I'm so excited to keep teaching him. 

We had a great lesson with Laura yesterday. We taught her about prayer and the Holy Ghost, and it was so cool to see the light click on for her. I really love her so much. She reminds me so much of Judi, plus she's the sweetest, kindest, easiest person to talk to. Everytime we teach her, I remember what a miracle it was that we came in contact with her. She's going to come to the mission president's fireside with us next Sunday--yay! 

Also, speaking of Judi......I got to talk to her on Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The sisters haven't been able to get in contact with her, so President Vellinga gave me permission to call her. We talked for almost an hour, and it was the most amazing blessing.  It was so amazing to talk to her again. I love her so so so much! She and Staci and Bubby haven't been going to church, but she prays every day and feels connected to Heavenly Father. She feels so guided by Him and recognizes His hand better than ever before. She is going through tough things, but her circumstances have softened her heart. :) I'm so grateful for her, and for the wonderful blessing I've had of being able to be a part of her life. :) She said that my letter last month and phone call that day were perfect timing as always, and very impactful and needed. :) I'm so grateful that I could be an instrument in the Lord's hands to make a positive impact on her life. I know that Judi is one of the reasons I was called to the Ohio, and I want to always stay in contact with her. :)

We found a really cute family this week--a mom, Kiesha, and her two daughters, Cheyla and Dazia. We met Cheyla and Dazia awhile ago when stopped by a potential who lives next to them. It was dark and freezing cold that night, but their light was on, so we decided to knock on their door. They let us in for a minute and were so excited when we told them we talk about Jesus Christ! That doesn't always happen, so we were pretty excited about that. We went back last Friday and were able to teach both of them, plus Kiesha, who was home. Kiesha is an ordained minister, but none of them have been to church in awhile. They all have strong faith in God and Jesus Christ, and we're excited to share more with them to help them strengthen their faith.

One of the most amazing miracles was yesterday. Remember when Bob just showed up to church and asked to meet with us?? It happened AGAIN!!! A member invited someone he met to come to church with him, and he accepted. Nitin is his name, and he just arrived in the States from India for medical school studies. He was so interested and excited to learn everything he could about our church! He met the Elders first, and asked them tons of questions. It turns out he lives in our area, so we were able to meet him and tell him more as we went through church with him. He is very bright and curious, and loved learning about our church! The Sunday School lesson was perfect for him--points of the true church--and there was even a baptism after church that he came to with us! I can't believe how prepared he is, and all of the many things that fell into place for him to be at church yesterday. What a miracle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Heavenly Father is truly leading His prepared children to us, and I am so awed and grateful to receive so many wonderful blessings. How could Heavenly Father not be a part of His work? This miracle was so obviously done by His hand--there's no way we could have made that happen. I'm so grateful for miracles. :) :) :) 

We had a great lesson with Bob as well. The Staceys are such wonderful fellowship for him. They are arranging everything for him to go do baptisms at the temple with Brother Lavin--I'm so grateful for them!!! And for every single person in the Shaker Heights Ward. They work so hard, are so amazing at missionary work, are so organized, so spiritually solid, and such great examples to me. Sitting in Ward Council, or eating dinner with wonderful members like the Banburys or Clarks (this week), or just seeing the way they teach, serve, and love their children and each other gives me so much inspiration for the kind of wife, mother, and Church member I want to be someday. I love them all. :) There are so many good things happening in the Shaker Heights Ward!! Thank you for all of your prayers on our behalf, and for our investigators--it truly makes a difference!! Will you also pray for Ed and Kathy, the Shaker Heights North sisters' investigators? They are working hard to quit smoking so that they can be baptized next month! They are really amazing, and I love them. :)

Speaking of Shaker Heights North...Sister Rigby is training a new missionary! Her name is Sister Hunt, and she is from San Tan Valley, AZ. She is cute, spunky, and outgoing, and I love her already. I'm so glad that we finally got a new sister in Kirtland! We haven't had new sisters come since October--isn't that crazy?

Well, I love you so, so, so much. I'm so grateful for you, and for the shining light and example you are to me. I wish I could fit every experience and everything I want to say into one email, but there's no way I could remember it all or adequately express everything I've learned and am grateful for this week. But know that I am so eternally grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission. I know that even though some parts are grueling and hard, Heavenly Father is molding me and shaping me and using me as an instrument in His hands--and that is something I love so much. I love serving in Kirtland, and I know I am so blessed to be here. I love you, and I hope you have an amazing week!!

Love,

Sister Wygant

Decorating cookies for Valentines Day 

Last transfer and ... snow rollers!

Hi Mama,

Man. What a week! So much has happened this week that I'm not sure I can even remember it all. Some highlights were our great lessons with Kia, Jason, and Laura, making new friends at a restaurant, and that Jason came to church on Sunday!!

In our lesson with Kia, we talked about the Atonement, and it was so good. Her little sister Kayla even joined in the lesson, and we are teaching her too now! They both expressed the desire to follow Jesus Christ and be baptized--they're just not sure which church they want to be baptized in. We can help with that. :) I love them both so much--that lesson was one of the funnest lessons I've ever taught!

Jason's lesson was at the Price's on Friday, and it went so well. He and Brother Price have really connected because they were both raised Catholic. It's so helpful to have that background and support! Brother Rhodes, our ward mission leader, came to the lesson as well, and shared some great insights. I'm so grateful for the wonderful members of the Shaker Heights Ward who are so great at missionary work--it is such a delight to teach with them and see them so excited to reach out and share the gospel with people! We taught Jason about our potential as sons and daughters of God, and the potential  he has to live with Heavenly Father again. It's been so neat to see his faith grow. He really opened up during this lesson, asking lots of questions and sharing his thoughts. He told us that he believes in God and Jesus Christ now, but just needds to figure out which church is the right fit for him. He taught himself when he realized that he should be asking and seeking to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet. That was an awesome moment.

Laura's lesson was great also. Her cat died this week, which I know is not a coincidence. As hard as it was to hear about Purrcy's passing away [Purrcy is Lyndsay's cat], I'm so grateful that it happened exactly when it did, if nothing else than to allow me to relate to and comfort Laura. Death is hard, especially when you're away from home--but I'm so grateful for the knowledge that I can turn to my Heavenly Father in every time of need. He doesn't care how much I have to give, as long as I give my all--"be it a dollar and a half or two cents or sixty-one cents," as Stephen Robinson puts it. This week, it's been a lot closer to two cents some days--but as long as I give it all to Him, He has truly made up the difference and blessed me with added strength and comfort. I have grown closer to the Lord this weekend as I've turned to Him constantly, and I'm so grateful for that opportunity. The Lord calls us in our weakness and works through us that way--I hope to continue to be an instrument in His hands. D&C 121:29 became one of my favorite scriptures this week. I know that if we continue to move forward and do our best, even when it's hard, the Lord will bless us and grant us blessings--both in this life and laid up in store for the next. 

Transfers are this week--crazy!! It was a 7-week transfer (instead of 6), and it seems like it's been forever since we had a transfer! I'm so excited and grateful that I get to serve with Sister Johnson in Shaker Heights East for another transfer--that's right, we're staying together! Yay! I honestly love this area and this ward so much, and I would have been heartbroken to leave. I've learned and grown more this transfer than I think any other transfer, and I'm exciting to keep learning and growing here! I'm excited for more opportunities to share the gospel and strengthen my testimony, and especially to see miracles and be an instrument in the Lord's hands in blessing His children. That has come to be one of my very favorite things in life--whether through service, a smile, giving tours, making phone calls, or teaching the gospel--I love it. :) I know that this gospel is true, and is the only thing that leads to lasting happiness. I know especially this week that the Plan of Salvation is perfectly set up by our Heavenly Father to allow us to find peace in this life and joy in the eternities--and that joy will come from being like our Heavenly Father and living with our families forever. What a great life that will be--eternal life, indeed. :) I love my Savior, and I love you all. Thank you for your prayers and support! Keep moving forward. :)

Love,

Sister Wygant

Snow roller

Snow rollers!