My Last Email!

Hello Everyone!!! Well here go the happenings for the last week and next week I will tell you in person :]

• We went and got manicures and pedicures last Monday. Mainly for my birthday and I needed it. Felt SO good!
• We had zone conference this week. The main focus was on getting our investigators to church and helping them realize the blessings and how they can receive revelation there.
• We met with Valerie this week and talked about Lehi’s dream and how we can apply it to the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was SUCH an awesome lesson! You could tell that she felt the spirit and she came to church again this Sunday. I fell like she is really getting comfortable at church.
• Went on exchanges with Sister Davidson this week. She is a super hard worker and really nice girl! We checked on a lot of people.
• Also went on exchanges with Sister Mello. We got to help with Mormon Helping Hands. Wow. We helped clean this neighborhood that the majority of houses were breaking so sort of city code. It was hard work but one lady let us in and was talking to us about how her brother was Mormon and he has missionaries over all the time. It was a REALLY good way to get the church’s name out there.
• Darlene and Robin are our two new investigators. We had met with them before but this time we were able to have an AWESOME lesson about how God is our Heavenly Father. At first Robin (the daughter) was very closed off and just sitting there. I got the impression that she was frustrated that her mom might buy it to what we were saying the first time we met. But this time both of them were both really involved and the spirit was so strong. It was great.
• It was my last Sunday in the Duarte ward since we switch every week and it was great! It was the fullest I have ever seen that ward. Including on Easter lol Maybe all these people we have stopped by and called is really working.
• I went on a Hike this morning… had to wake up at 4 AM BUT it was good. It was really hard but worth it once we got up there. Its called the “A” in Azusa. It was me and Sister Fleming and about 8 other elders lol
• I will be home in Washington in 8 DAYS! This short time has FLOWN by! I can’t believe it. My companion keeps bringing it up to me to watch me squirm I swear. But I have loved being here and grown more than I ever thought I could have. LOVE IT!!
• Favorite scripture for the week…4 Nephi 1:15-17 It is talking about how there was so much peace in the land at the time… verse 15-no contention in the land because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people. Then in verse 17- they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God. Wouldn’t that be nice? I loved the visual of having “peace in the land”  

LOVE YOU ALL!! And see you soon!
Sister Arbogast

Another Week!

Well this week was pretty good! It has gone by so fast! I can’t believe it is already p-day again.

We had a lesson with Lisa again. She even invited her seventh day Adventist cousin over. We went over the Ten Commandments. I think it was good for him to realize we aren’t weird and we believe in living them too. The kids also LOVED the hand signs.

The rose garden is SO pretty! We do service there every week and the lady we work under, Jill, loves us! We took pictures with her this week. She is great.

We watched the Joseph Smith movie with the Nancarrows. They are a part member family. He said he is looking for a church to go to, one he feels good at. Then he tells us how when people of other faiths come to his door he tells them he goes to the Mormon church and tells them he goes there.

We had a creeper referral from the elders. They insisted on coming with us to the appointment so they came and yeah… they were right. The man opened the door 3 inches, saw the elders with us and said, "Hold on a second" He leaves and 10 minutes later one of the elders calls him and he tell him that he can’t meet today and isn’t really interested anymore.

We had an AWESOME lesson on the priesthood and patriarchal blessings with Paula this week. It was cool to watch how everything just clicks with her. She was really excited to hear about the patriarchal blessings and how personal it is. My birthday was AWESOME!

Got lots of flowers and birthday wishes and good food :] I even got to hold a parrot at the street fair. It was some guy walking bys pet lol Can't lie I was a little bummed being 25 but by the end of the day I was LOVIN' it lol

The Stogner’s in the Duarte ward are AMAZING people! They have had us over for dinner 3 times now. Each time we hope that Tess, their less active daughter will be there. Well, yesterday she was and she actually talked to us! We met her on Easter but she was pretty quiet. Yesterday though she was laughing with us and listening as we were sharing our message. I hope it clicks with her.

We also met with another part member family, the Smallwood’s. Two of the daughters are investigators. One of them, April (10) we thought would be more open to be baptized than Anna (14). We asked them about it last night and April was SUPER quick to say no. But Anna said she wants to be but she felt pressured from the past elders. We told her it is between her and her Heavenly Father. But we asked her to pray and ask Heavenly Father when she needs to be baptized. She said she would. I’m excited to find out about it this week

My favorite scripture from the week… well I finished Doctrine and Covenants and I LOVE section 135! It is about the martyrdom BUT the testimony of Joseph Smith is wow. I love in verse 3 when it talks about how great of man he is and in verse 6 when it says, "…that if the fire can scathe a green tree for the glory of God, how easy it will burn up the dry trees to purify the vineyard of corruption." Wow. I do NOT want to be dry.

LOVE YOU!!
Sister Arbogast

I'm tired, but that's good, right?

Hello!! Well this week has been great! I'm tired which is good right?

1. We meet with Lisa who is a less active in the Monrovia ward. She has been pretty depressed about life lately. She knows the church is true but she said that Satan is working on her extra hard lately. We had a lesson about the restoration and it went really good. Her two children were there and as we all discussed the importance of the restoration and Jesus Christ I really felt the spirit there. You could tell the children know about Christ.

2. We met Darlene. She was a referral from someone in Arizona. She has a son that is a member in Alaska. At first her daughter and her were a little stand-offish but by the end they were really nice and telling us to come back. We are planning on seeing them tonight.

3. We got dropped by a man this week that we have been trying to meet with but he was rescheduling with us. My companion calls him up to check on our appointment and he tells her, "You know, I haven't been really honest. I just wanted to meet with you two because I thought I could date one of you." What?! Creeper. Oh well, it brought a good laugh.

4. We have an investigator in Monrovia named Phyllis. She has met with missionaries before but didn't really learn too much. We had a lesson on the Book of Mormon, she went from being very anti reading the Book of Mormon as the word of God to maybe it isn't so bad. Hopefully she just reads it now. 

5. It was a service week... 1. I swear I am now a MASTER at weeding gardens. We did about 5 hours of it this week. 2. We laid laminate tiles and molding at home 3. We cleaned a refrigerator and cleared out a living room to sweep the floor and then put it all back at an investigator's home.

6. We met a less active Michelle in the Duarte ward. She is raising her 8 year old grandson and has a few of her children living with her. She said she wants to come back but is really busy. She told us that she left the church years ago because of someone in the church. She knows that it isn't the church or gospel but she still needed time. We set up an appointment for this week to hopefully help her find the importance of coming to church and bring it to her grandsons life.

7. Just got back from the temple! We went with two other elders from the area. It was really nice and the session was really small. I was thinking about it and this was probably the last time I will ever go to the temple as a missionary. Crazy to think about.

8. Mission life is GREAT! I love being a missionary!!!!

　

LOVE YOU ALL!!

　

Sister Arbogast

More from Monrovia

Well HAPPY EASTER!! Just a lil late :) Here are the happenings of the week...

1. Our recent convert Paula gave the BEST talk ever! We were able to go over and help her prepare for it. She was super nervous but we read a few scriptures about the spirit and following it when we give talks and how when we give our talks there is someone who needs it in the congregation. Her talk was amazing and MANY missionaries went up to her afterward to talk to her about it.

2. We met Tonya in the Duarte ward. She is a less active who decided that she needs to be at church. She said that it makes her happy and feel better about herself. She lives with her "husband" who is really just her boyfriend, Jose. They have 2 children. Jose has met with the missionaries before and he wasn’t there when we went this last time. We scheduled another time when he will hopefully be there.

3. We had a GREAT lesson with Alejandra and Ivette this week! They are 17 and 12. We went over 3 Nephi 11 and how we need to have a conversion for ourselves. They said they both want that. Alejandra just had jaw surgery but still said we could come over. We are excited to help lay out the red carpet for the spirit to give them their conversion.

4. Had zone leader council this week… wow. It was great! I LOVED it when president quoted I think Elder Bednar how our knowledge comes from the head, our understanding comes from the heart and intelligence comes from both. And one of the assistants quoted from conference, "The what informs and the why transforms" Sister Becerra addressed how we need to find "seekers" and be "seekers" and how we need to be willing to sacrifice to get more, even though we think we have sacrificed already.

5. We got into to do service with our neighbor Joann and her less active boyfriend Rich. They both have gone through really hard times but want a change. Joann doesn’t trust people since. BUT they both came to church on Sunday and said they should be coming back next week.

6. We had an AMAZING mission wide meeting on Friday. That is where Paula spoke, Sister Becerra, the assistants to president, presidents 2 counselors and president Becerra. I can honestly say I think that was the strongest I have EVER felt the spirit at a mission meeting. It was also the time I finally realized I was leaving soon. We were singing our mission song and just started bawling! I felt silly but oh man. Its coming and it makes me want to work harder and act like I’m never leaving.

7. Finally got to go to church in Duarte ward yesterday! Well I went to sacrament and gospel essential in Monrovia and then to Duarte gospel essentials and relief society. We had member companions for a couple hours. It is a nice ward. A lot of sweet caring people. A lot of part members too.

8. Favorite scripture this week was from when president was telling us why we come together for our mission wide meeting. It is in Doctrine and Covenants 44. Verse 1 with the why… it is expedient to be called together. Verse 2 we are promised if we come together He will pour His spirit upon us. Verse 3 we will go out and verse 4 MANY shall be converted to obtain power. I have never felt the spirit so strong in a mission meeting than I did then. The church is true. The spirit is real. Once you feel it, you cant deny it and be okay with it. I love it. I LOVE coming together to council. We have done it since the grand council in heave before we came, why stop now? Just love it!

LOVE YOU!!

Sister Arbogast

More Pictures than Words!

Well the week was BUSY!! And I loved it!!

1. The bishop in our new ward is great! We met with him on Monday and had a really good talk about the area. Then on Sunday he invited us to dinner with 2 part member families. We were able to get to know them and hopefully get in to teach them. One of the families, the Velts were really great. She is a member and he isn’t. During our lesson though we was nodding the whole time and really into it. We shall see.

2. I have officially had the worst meal in my WHOLE mission this week… lamb soup aka rubber and vegetables. I have had lamb on the mission before and it was AMAZING! But this time well let’s just say we both were so sick afterwards.

3. We went to visit a girl Sarai who we have seen at church twice now. We met her mom who is not active but Sarai wants to be active and wants to now serve a mission. She is AMAZING! We watched conference with her on Sunday and she was talking notes and really into it. She is simply great!

4. I was prayed for in one of our lessons with an older lady as "Sister Bronzenic" this week… tried my best not to laugh when she was praying. It didn’t help that my companion was snickering though.

5. We met with the Smallwood family. There are 2 girls in the family who are not members. Apparently they didn’t get along with the previous missionaries. But the older one and Sister Butler got along great! Lots in common! This lesson was a little bit of a get to know you lesson but next week we are planning on figuring out why they weren’t baptized with their mom and other sister. I think they trust us so it should be good.

6. Paula is SUPER excited to go to the temple and do baptisms We had an awesome lesson on all the blessing that can come from going for ourselves and others we love.

7. Conference was AMAZING!!! I loved the theme of families in EVERYTHING I felt like. I think one of my favorites though was President Utchdorf when he was talking about judging others and to just "Stop It" He also said that when we judge others we condem ourselves. And that the merciful will attain mercy. I loved it.

8. Favorite scripture this week is 3 Nephi 19:35. The idea of missing out on miracles because of our own selfishness or unbelief is so sad to me.

Love you all!!

Sister Arbogast

Last Transfer!

Hello!! Okay… this week… it’s going to be short.

1. We had an AWESOME sisters meeting with all the sisters in the mission. We discussed 1 Nephi 8 and how it applied to the doctrine of Christ and our purpose as missionaries. That was the big thing. I LOVE being apart of meetings like that. As a council. I think that’s why I love zone leader council so much too.

2. We were able to meet with a less active, Ana this week. She said she really wants to come back to church and be involved. Her daughter that is 15 is not super into it but they were both excited to see that we were sisters and not elders.

3. We are doing service at the Arboretum in Arcadia now. We do work in the Rose garden. It is SOO pretty! Mom. You would be jealous. I have never actually been in and walked around the garden but it is beautiful what I have seen.

4. We contacted this lady who was gardening at her house this week who wasn’t interested but we gave her our card and told her if she needed help with anything or changed her mind to les us know. Then we went on our way to the next house. Didn’t think too much of it. We walked by again to go back to our car and she was still outside. We walked by and said bye to her again and then she goes, "I don’t usually do this but I feel like I should tell you that you two glow with the love of God. I can just look at you and you glow. I have only ever met 5 other people like that in my life. I just had to tell you." She walked away but we were both just in shock. We will be visiting her again lol

5. We were in charge of activity days this week. A lot of the girls tell us how cool we are because we are missionaries and how they want to go on a mission. Of course we told them they should. And our activity was missionary minded. Some even came up to me on Sunday and told me how they talked to some of their friends! LOVE IT!!

6. We have been doing these booths every Friday and we finally met someone! Her name is Sarah. She is new to the area and she set up a tour of the chapel for this week. She said she is trying to find a church that is closer to her. She seems like she is in a humble place right now.

7. Yesterday I had the missionary moment in church and shared a moment that HOPEFULLY will light a fire under some member’s bums. A lot came up to me afterwards and thanked me for it. We shall see the effects soon

8. Transfer calls!!! We didn’t get one. BUT we will now be taking over the Duarte ward too. President said that elders have worn out their welcome there and it needs sisters. Shall be fun training and covering two new areas lol Lord must trust me or something:]

9. Favorite scripture this week is 3 Nephi 17:3 it is ALL about action, 5 actually. We must go, ponder, ask, prepare and come. I love it. Everything we need is right there. We just need to go do it now.

Love you all!!

Sister Arbogast

Adventures!

Well here I am again and here are my adventures from the past week!

1. Last Monday we had a zone activity and we played capture the flag. My team won best of 5, no big deal :D

2. Paula is AMAZING! She not a morning person but she has been going to seminary for the past three weeks now and LOVES it!  When we went over this week for a lesson we asked her how her reading was going. She told us all about how she was reading her seminary homework and how she loved being able to go to class and talk about it. She even gave the devotional this past week. We went over the Strength of Youth pamphlet and she LOVED it. She was like, "So many people at my school need this!" We of course proceeded to talk about missionary work and who she knew might want to listen. He even told us how she was with some friends and one said, "Hey, we are all Mormons here." She said that it was finally true. She was Mormon.

3. Chloe was hard to get a hold of this week since they are moving BUT we were able to help her mom Clara a lot with service and have lessons with her. Clara is going through a  lot right now and whenever we talk about the gospel is just makes sense to her. Chloe was so happy to finally be confirmed on Sunday. Both her and Paula’s confirmations were beautiful and had a lot of promises for them. I have tried to be like Denise and write them down for them like she does-Thanks Nee Nee!

4. Went on exchanges with Sister Flemming… LOVE her! She is a really solid girl. She knows who she is and knows why she is here. We have two booths. One at a college and one at a park. Then we had this amazing lesson with this lady who has been less active for years but wants to come back now. She is a great teacher too. She knows how to relate to people which is KEY in missionary work.

5. Chloe and her sister Katie and her mom Clara made fun of my prayer knees this week. I swear people have really noticed this week for some reason. It what I get for praying so much… I’ll take it.

6. Sister Butler and I had a booth here in Monrovia with other elders on Friday. I finally met the Anti guy, Bob. Wow. He does NOT like sister talking to him. It is hilarious. I was trying to contact him and he just stops talking and starts using his phone. I wasn’t trying to bash like he was to the elders when we showed up. So sad.

7. We met with this part member family this week, Suriweics. She comes to church with her son but won’t go to the classes. Just stays in the foyer. She was so nice to us. And we invited her to come to church. Now that we know what she looks like we can invite her to come to Relief Society. She has a testimony… just needs to be nurtured.

8. Favorite scripture this week was 3 Nephi 14: 7-8. Jesus Christ has just come down and the people have been converted. He tells them something we ALWAYS read in the scriptures. Ask, seek and knock. How simple. All action words too. We HAVE to have action and He will guide us. I know that. I have seen it in my life. Before the mission and during and He will after too. We just have to then act on what he tells us.

LOVE YOU ALL!!

Sister Arbogast