It has been raining a ton this last week. It poured all Sunday Night and Monday morning. The roads were getting flooded, it was crazy. Luckily it stopped in the afternoon so we didn't have to tract in that downpour. Everything is turning green and beautiful. I will have to get some pictures.
I have found out some interesting things about Sister Merrill. She broke her foot and now it tells her when it's going to snow! Man I wish I could do that. Also she HATES feet, even her own. She never, ever, ever has bare feet. She always wears shoes or socks. She never wears flip flops or sandals except with socks. Funny stuff! We are still doing great. She is so easy going and fun. And she is super organized.
Last week we meet with this lady named Lois. Sister Merrill and Sister Hill tracted into her. When they taught her about the Book of Mormon and she read it, she really liked it. And then when they went back the next time Lois told them that she had had a dream and she felt that someone needed to lay their hands on her and she was going to receive something!! WOW! So they told her about Confirmation and Baptism. Then we went back and taught her Plan of Salvation and she said it answered a lot of questions she had. We invited her to be baptized and she said she would pray about it. Then she thanked us for inviting her to be baptized because she had been thinking for years that she needed to be baptized but had never felt right about it, she said maybe she had been waiting for the Book of Mormon to come to her. Every thing she says, she pretty much believes everything about the Church, all she needs to do is be baptized. We are working on getting her to church first. She is a really nice very spiritual lady. Plus she has baby kittens so I love visiting her.
On Friday's we do service at the Soup Opera. It's a soup kitchen and they serve lunch every day for 2 hours. And anybody can come in and eat, you don't have to show a need or anything. So we eat lunch there on Friday and then help them serve food. It's such a great program but it's some of the people's situations seem sad. There is one man who lost a lot of money in a business and he now does home repairs. And the only meal he gets all day is at the Soup Opera, so he only every eats one meal a day. A lot of people in this area (pretty much all of West Virginia) are on welfare. And they are generational recipients. They see no need to try and get a job when the government will pay them to do nothing. There are a lot of subsidized housing around here too. There are a lot of people in need, but there are also people who just don't do anything. It's kind of crazy.
So I have to tell you about our day yesterday. Okay background information first. The ward mission leader's name is Brother Lindsey and his daughter, Tiffany, just came home from her mission last Thursday from Puerto Rico. And she came out with us on Sunday. And she has lots of great ideas to try and she always made us so excited about missionary work. One idea she gave us was to pray all the time and specifically so we decided to try it. Our numbers had been awful last week and we had really struggled finding people home and getting people to keep appointments. So yesterday we had a goal of 3 other lessons. We taught 1 lesson at an appointment with an investigator. But then we really only planned on going tracting for the rest of the day. So one street we went tracting on we prayed that we could find one person who would let us teach them. (And usually when we go tracting, people don't let us in to teach them right then, usually they say to come back some other time) Well we found a girl named Kristen, who had been to a lot of other churches and had been really struggling with the deaths of 2 people who were close to her. We taught her about the Restoration and we are going back next week. Then later after dinner we were tracting again and we prayed that we could find one person on that street that would let us teach them. Well again our prayer was answered and we met Chasity. We taught her about the Restoration and the Spirit was there so strong! Chasity told us that 2 nights ago she had been praying that they could find a "home" church (that's what people around here call the church they go to regularly especially if they don't really claim a denomination) and a church where her family would be comfortable (she has 3 kids). She said when she saw us she knew that is why we were there. WOW! Sister Merrill and I were skipping out of there. We aren't going to be seeing her again until next Friday, but that will give her plenty of time to read the Book of Mormon! It was such a testimony strengthener that prayers are answered. Go does provide! When we prayed specifically, it showed faith that God could and would answer us. both Sister Merrill and I both felt very humbled because we had both been super discouraged and unmotivated earlier that day and the day before. It's a testimony to me that God Loves us and some times He gives us tender mercies. It totally made my day and week and month. It shows me that I have been lacking in faith and that this is the Lord's work and if we will involve Him in it, it will forth with power.
Well, Mother's Day is on Sunday and so I get to call home!! YAY! I'm really not sure at all yet what time. But it will be between 2-6 your time. Sorry I don't have a more specific time. I don't even know what time you have church. And Kurt and Alanna are you going to be in Idaho or Utah? I guess we can do the 3 way calling again. If this doesn't work or something, quick send me a snail mail and I should get it by Saturday. Anyways I look forward to talking with you!!!
Love you tons, Talk to you on Sunday!!!
Sister Nicole Polatis
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Praying with Faith
Dear Family
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Fairmont!!! (3rd area)
*Hello Everyone! This is Nicole's sister again. We have Nicole's new address so send us and email if you would like it. :-) alanna.lmt@gmial.com . Enjoy!*
Nicole and her new companion Sister Merrill
This is Sister Hill with all her posterity
Nicole and her new companion Sister Merrill
This is Sister Hill with all her posterityDear Family,
Hello from Fairmont!!! I LOVE it here! The area is good, the members are awesome, and Sister Merrill is AMAZING!!! It's really interesting to be with her because she was just trained by Sister Hill and I was trained by her too. It's funny because Sister Hill has taught her to do things the same way she taught me; however, I do things a little differently. One example is Sister Hill hates going tracting! I have almost already taken Sister Merrill tracting more in the last week than she has tracted the last 3 months. On Saturday 3 of our appointments fell through so we went tracting ALL day! I have never done that before and oh man it was hard work. We were so tired at the end of the day. And all you people have been writing me about how you wish it would get warmer, well I'm hoping it will get colder. It was 85 degrees on Saturday, so we were tracting in the heat! Which is super awful especially when you are all dressed up. So today when we went to the store we bought otter pops and we are going to put them in a cooler so after we finish a street we will have a nice COLD otter pop. I am not looking forward to the humidity either.
So the week before I got here they had a baptism, TJ and Johnetta Murin. And I got to be there for when they were confirmed on Sunday. It was so awesome. The Spirit was so strong! Speaking of strong Spirit. We meet this girl tracting named Sara. And we asked her what she thought her purpose in life was and she told us she wasn't really sure anymore. So of course we bore our testimony that our purpose is to find happiness and return to live with God and that through the Restored Gospel we can do that. I have never felt the Spirit so strong when I have been tracting before, I hope she felt it too. She did say we could come back on Thursday, so I will let you know how that goes.
So our apartment complex is really interesting. The lady who owns it, was an architect and designed it, and her favorite color is pink. She used to own her own construction company and all of the equipment was pink! Apparently the complex used to be pink but now it is a very light pink. But there are some pink flamingos around the gardens and there is a pink elephant! There is this fitness trail behind the complex that's pretty cool. It's a path and there are different stations where you do exercises, unfortunately at 6:30 we are both really unmotivated to do much so we usually just walk or run on the trail, but it's nice for getting us up and going. We also have a brand new car! It's so nice and pretty. They had it for a week before I got here. It's a light blue, Chrysler Sebring. It's gorgeous and it drives really nice!! And the best part is it has a tight turning radius! Which if you are a missionary that is very important so you don't have to get out and back the other person as much. ha ha unfortunately it already has a dent. Someone hit us in our complex parking lot and didn't leave a note or anything. We have been looking for a car that matches the paint and dent but we haven't found it yet.
Oh I should tell you about Sister Merrill. Well she is allergic to cats and chocolate, my two favorite things. It actually works out great, whenever people give us chocolate, I get it. And whenever there are cats I get to pet them and keep them away from her. That would be awful to be allergic to chocolate though. She is from Washington State and she went to BYU-I. Sister Hill wrote me when she first got Sister Merrill and told me that she was so shy and timid and afraid to talk to people. Well Sister Merrill has come a long way, she is a great missionary. She has really worked on it and makes her self talk to people and stuff. She is amazing!!!
So our most promising investigator is Bobbi. She pretty much has a testimony and wants to be baptized, her biggest hold up is she has extreme anxiety because she was attacked and raped a few years ago. Sister Merrill says I haven't even seen the worst of it yet. She doesn't like to be in big crowds, meet new people, be introduced, or shake hands. Whenever they've talked about her going to church she gets ulcers and can't stop moving around and once she started crying. So this last week we took her on a tour of the church and ran her through the game plan so that she can sit at the back, escape to Sunday School and Relief Society and not have to hardly talk to anyone. She said she would do it, because she really wants to come to church, but the whole time she was bouncy around very nervously. She is supposed to come next Sunday, so everyone pray that she will be calm and be able to be there.
We also meet with a lady named Tammi this week. She ordered a Book of Mormon because she feels the need to find comfort and peace. When we went and taught her we found out that she had separated from her husband of 26 years last year, very recently moved here, both her parents had died in the past 3 years and a close uncle, her daughter had gotten pregnant in high school, and some other things. So recently she has developed depression and anxiety. And she WORRIES about everything. When we were there she kept saying about much she was worried about her kids and it was starting to get to the point they were annoyed with her. She cried several times during our lesson especially when she read Moroni 10:4-5. She was one of the saddest people I have ever met. Thankfully our message is one of happiness and if she will accept our message she will find so much peace. We have another appointment this next week.
We had Zone Conference yesterday and it was so totally awesome!!!! I loved it!! My testimony was strengthened so much about the blessings and miracles that will come to us as we are obedient and put our whole trust in the Lord. When we let Him into our lives and hearts, He can do miracles there. Another big focus was on teaching people about the doctrines of Faith and Repentance. These two principles will bless our lives. We also talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon, there is a scripture about the Book of Mormon that says it will hiss forth unto the nations, and another about how it will be like a voice out of the dust. When people read the Book of Mormon it has a familiar Spirit, if they are the Elect than they will know it is true. We need to let the Book of Mormon cut it's own way. Something important I have learned in the last few months is that we cannot convince people of the truth, we must testify of truth and then let them feel the Spirit confirming it is true.
I am so happy to be here in Fairmont. It's been great to have a change and to refocus, I really need it. So far it has been great and I have felt the Spirit so strongly lately. I feel a renewed desire to be obedient and to be an instrument in the Lord's hands. I only have 9 months left, I better give it my all!!!
Love ya, Sister Nicole Polatis
Hello from Fairmont!!! I LOVE it here! The area is good, the members are awesome, and Sister Merrill is AMAZING!!! It's really interesting to be with her because she was just trained by Sister Hill and I was trained by her too. It's funny because Sister Hill has taught her to do things the same way she taught me; however, I do things a little differently. One example is Sister Hill hates going tracting! I have almost already taken Sister Merrill tracting more in the last week than she has tracted the last 3 months. On Saturday 3 of our appointments fell through so we went tracting ALL day! I have never done that before and oh man it was hard work. We were so tired at the end of the day. And all you people have been writing me about how you wish it would get warmer, well I'm hoping it will get colder. It was 85 degrees on Saturday, so we were tracting in the heat! Which is super awful especially when you are all dressed up. So today when we went to the store we bought otter pops and we are going to put them in a cooler so after we finish a street we will have a nice COLD otter pop. I am not looking forward to the humidity either.
So the week before I got here they had a baptism, TJ and Johnetta Murin. And I got to be there for when they were confirmed on Sunday. It was so awesome. The Spirit was so strong! Speaking of strong Spirit. We meet this girl tracting named Sara. And we asked her what she thought her purpose in life was and she told us she wasn't really sure anymore. So of course we bore our testimony that our purpose is to find happiness and return to live with God and that through the Restored Gospel we can do that. I have never felt the Spirit so strong when I have been tracting before, I hope she felt it too. She did say we could come back on Thursday, so I will let you know how that goes.
So our apartment complex is really interesting. The lady who owns it, was an architect and designed it, and her favorite color is pink. She used to own her own construction company and all of the equipment was pink! Apparently the complex used to be pink but now it is a very light pink. But there are some pink flamingos around the gardens and there is a pink elephant! There is this fitness trail behind the complex that's pretty cool. It's a path and there are different stations where you do exercises, unfortunately at 6:30 we are both really unmotivated to do much so we usually just walk or run on the trail, but it's nice for getting us up and going. We also have a brand new car! It's so nice and pretty. They had it for a week before I got here. It's a light blue, Chrysler Sebring. It's gorgeous and it drives really nice!! And the best part is it has a tight turning radius! Which if you are a missionary that is very important so you don't have to get out and back the other person as much. ha ha unfortunately it already has a dent. Someone hit us in our complex parking lot and didn't leave a note or anything. We have been looking for a car that matches the paint and dent but we haven't found it yet.
Oh I should tell you about Sister Merrill. Well she is allergic to cats and chocolate, my two favorite things. It actually works out great, whenever people give us chocolate, I get it. And whenever there are cats I get to pet them and keep them away from her. That would be awful to be allergic to chocolate though. She is from Washington State and she went to BYU-I. Sister Hill wrote me when she first got Sister Merrill and told me that she was so shy and timid and afraid to talk to people. Well Sister Merrill has come a long way, she is a great missionary. She has really worked on it and makes her self talk to people and stuff. She is amazing!!!
So our most promising investigator is Bobbi. She pretty much has a testimony and wants to be baptized, her biggest hold up is she has extreme anxiety because she was attacked and raped a few years ago. Sister Merrill says I haven't even seen the worst of it yet. She doesn't like to be in big crowds, meet new people, be introduced, or shake hands. Whenever they've talked about her going to church she gets ulcers and can't stop moving around and once she started crying. So this last week we took her on a tour of the church and ran her through the game plan so that she can sit at the back, escape to Sunday School and Relief Society and not have to hardly talk to anyone. She said she would do it, because she really wants to come to church, but the whole time she was bouncy around very nervously. She is supposed to come next Sunday, so everyone pray that she will be calm and be able to be there.
We also meet with a lady named Tammi this week. She ordered a Book of Mormon because she feels the need to find comfort and peace. When we went and taught her we found out that she had separated from her husband of 26 years last year, very recently moved here, both her parents had died in the past 3 years and a close uncle, her daughter had gotten pregnant in high school, and some other things. So recently she has developed depression and anxiety. And she WORRIES about everything. When we were there she kept saying about much she was worried about her kids and it was starting to get to the point they were annoyed with her. She cried several times during our lesson especially when she read Moroni 10:4-5. She was one of the saddest people I have ever met. Thankfully our message is one of happiness and if she will accept our message she will find so much peace. We have another appointment this next week.
We had Zone Conference yesterday and it was so totally awesome!!!! I loved it!! My testimony was strengthened so much about the blessings and miracles that will come to us as we are obedient and put our whole trust in the Lord. When we let Him into our lives and hearts, He can do miracles there. Another big focus was on teaching people about the doctrines of Faith and Repentance. These two principles will bless our lives. We also talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon, there is a scripture about the Book of Mormon that says it will hiss forth unto the nations, and another about how it will be like a voice out of the dust. When people read the Book of Mormon it has a familiar Spirit, if they are the Elect than they will know it is true. We need to let the Book of Mormon cut it's own way. Something important I have learned in the last few months is that we cannot convince people of the truth, we must testify of truth and then let them feel the Spirit confirming it is true.
I am so happy to be here in Fairmont. It's been great to have a change and to refocus, I really need it. So far it has been great and I have felt the Spirit so strongly lately. I feel a renewed desire to be obedient and to be an instrument in the Lord's hands. I only have 9 months left, I better give it my all!!!
Love ya, Sister Nicole Polatis
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
I'm Moving!
Dear Family,
Okay for the first big news: I’m being transferred!!! I’m following my ‘mother’ (Sister Hill) and going up to Fairmont, West Virginia to be with my ‘sister’, Sister Merrill. I will be greenie breaking her. And Sister Hill will be going to Lynchburg, Virginia to open a new area to sisters. So far I have served in all the areas that Sister Hill has except for Lynchburg. Crazy how I am just following her around. Sister Arnott will be staying here. I’m a little sad because I did not want to leave this area. We get about 5 new investigators every week (that’s a high number, usually it’s like 2). We do drop about 3 a week too. So right now we have about 22 investigators. Unfortunately none of them are progressing, but some of them have sooo much potential and I am so sad I won’t get to keep teaching them! It’s bittersweet to leave because this area has been really tough and it’s been really hard to get investigators to keep commitments but that doesn’t mean I still don’t love them and want to stay. Anyways, I will be going to Fairmont tomorrow. I have the address but I forgot to bring it with me so I will get it to you next week. For now send mail to the office, it only takes about a day or 2 longer to get to me. It’s 888 Oakwood Rd. Ste 310, Charleston, WV, 25314.
So last week, James and Amanda’s son, Jackson, was diagnosed with leukemia. He is only 3. And they started chemo right away. So we haven’t been able to see them. This last week I kind of had a break down because despite everything we do we can’t get our investigators to progress. Plus I’m going through a mid-mission crisis. I’ve kinda of got stuck in a routine of doing things and teaching and have been forgetting to improve and follow the Spirit. So after I finished having my breakdown I realized that I needed to do something. We have been trying and trying to call or visit our investigators with no luck. And we had been wanting to do something for James and Amanda but hadn’t been able to get a hold of them. So we had a member help us and she made dinner for them and we got a coloring book for Jackson. And we took it over to them, hoping that they would be home. Amanda was there and when she saw that we had brought her food, her face lit up. It was so awesome and it totally made my day! Moral of the story, when you are breaking down and feeling sorry for yourself, go serve someone else who is probably worse off than you.
On Sunday, all of our appointments had fallen through and it was pouring rain. We had tried to see a lot of people but no one was home. It was dark and rainy and we had tried to see all of our potentials, investigators, and less actives in the area. Then we drove past this church. Okay so now rewind, to about 2 weeks ago. This pastor and his wife and come around door to door inviting people to their church. (it’s a newer church that they started in the area) and they just happened to catch us when we were home for dinner. They had been super nice so we decided to go and see what they were about. The service was good, he said a lot of good stuff. They were obviously ‘Born Again Christians,’ they believe all you have to do is accept Christ and then you are saved. You just say a prayer or something and ask Christ to come into your heart. And everything else is not necessary for salvation, baptism, going to church, praying, keeping the commandments, none of it is necessary. They believe strictly in grace and no works. This preacher though, stressed that we must have both. It was very different from what we are used to although I am sure it is much more calm than other services around here. The preacher yells his sermon and people in the congregation yell back saying “Amen” “Yes!” “Go Ahead” etc. It’s kinds of crazy. I couldn’t tell the difference between the sermon and the prayer except that he bowed his head and closed his eyes. And then at the end everyone sits and prays while the music is going. We talked with the preacher and his wife afterwards and they were super nice. They invited us to come back and to visit them at their home. It was a good experience and it was a good church, but I am glad that we have the fullness of the Gospel. I don’t think that Christ yelled when he taught the people. And that really makes the difference in feeling the Spirit. Something that our mission president has been stressing is to testify of truth not try and convince them of truth, they will feel the Spirit and know for themselves. And that’s the difference, preachers are good speakers and they do a good job of trying to convince people. But when you look at General Conference, the Apostles and Prophets testify of truth and you can feel the power and spirit as they speak. And that Spirit is in our Sacrament Meetings and every week I love going and feeling that uplifting feeling. People have truth, but the message we have is that there is more!! God has so many more blessing in store for us! He loves us so much.
Last night we went tracting in a neighborhood, and there were lots of kids playing in the streets. And they were like flocking around us and following us (it’s interesting how kids seem to be attracted to us) and a few got brave and asked us some questions (we aren’t really supposed to approach kids). But we gave them some Salt Lake City Temple pass along cards, so they were asking about the temple. We told them that in temples families can be together forever. They really seemed to like that idea. I really like that idea too. I love that families are so central to our Heavenly Father’s plan. Recently I have talked to a few people who don’t believe in a loving God, or who believe in reincarnation and that we don’t need relationships to continue. That makes me so sad, because we are all a part of God’s family and He loves us and wants us all to return to live with Him.
I love you all and am so happy we can be together even after this life!!
Have a good week! Love ya, Sister Nicole Polatis
Okay for the first big news: I’m being transferred!!! I’m following my ‘mother’ (Sister Hill) and going up to Fairmont, West Virginia to be with my ‘sister’, Sister Merrill. I will be greenie breaking her. And Sister Hill will be going to Lynchburg, Virginia to open a new area to sisters. So far I have served in all the areas that Sister Hill has except for Lynchburg. Crazy how I am just following her around. Sister Arnott will be staying here. I’m a little sad because I did not want to leave this area. We get about 5 new investigators every week (that’s a high number, usually it’s like 2). We do drop about 3 a week too. So right now we have about 22 investigators. Unfortunately none of them are progressing, but some of them have sooo much potential and I am so sad I won’t get to keep teaching them! It’s bittersweet to leave because this area has been really tough and it’s been really hard to get investigators to keep commitments but that doesn’t mean I still don’t love them and want to stay. Anyways, I will be going to Fairmont tomorrow. I have the address but I forgot to bring it with me so I will get it to you next week. For now send mail to the office, it only takes about a day or 2 longer to get to me. It’s 888 Oakwood Rd. Ste 310, Charleston, WV, 25314.
So last week, James and Amanda’s son, Jackson, was diagnosed with leukemia. He is only 3. And they started chemo right away. So we haven’t been able to see them. This last week I kind of had a break down because despite everything we do we can’t get our investigators to progress. Plus I’m going through a mid-mission crisis. I’ve kinda of got stuck in a routine of doing things and teaching and have been forgetting to improve and follow the Spirit. So after I finished having my breakdown I realized that I needed to do something. We have been trying and trying to call or visit our investigators with no luck. And we had been wanting to do something for James and Amanda but hadn’t been able to get a hold of them. So we had a member help us and she made dinner for them and we got a coloring book for Jackson. And we took it over to them, hoping that they would be home. Amanda was there and when she saw that we had brought her food, her face lit up. It was so awesome and it totally made my day! Moral of the story, when you are breaking down and feeling sorry for yourself, go serve someone else who is probably worse off than you.
On Sunday, all of our appointments had fallen through and it was pouring rain. We had tried to see a lot of people but no one was home. It was dark and rainy and we had tried to see all of our potentials, investigators, and less actives in the area. Then we drove past this church. Okay so now rewind, to about 2 weeks ago. This pastor and his wife and come around door to door inviting people to their church. (it’s a newer church that they started in the area) and they just happened to catch us when we were home for dinner. They had been super nice so we decided to go and see what they were about. The service was good, he said a lot of good stuff. They were obviously ‘Born Again Christians,’ they believe all you have to do is accept Christ and then you are saved. You just say a prayer or something and ask Christ to come into your heart. And everything else is not necessary for salvation, baptism, going to church, praying, keeping the commandments, none of it is necessary. They believe strictly in grace and no works. This preacher though, stressed that we must have both. It was very different from what we are used to although I am sure it is much more calm than other services around here. The preacher yells his sermon and people in the congregation yell back saying “Amen” “Yes!” “Go Ahead” etc. It’s kinds of crazy. I couldn’t tell the difference between the sermon and the prayer except that he bowed his head and closed his eyes. And then at the end everyone sits and prays while the music is going. We talked with the preacher and his wife afterwards and they were super nice. They invited us to come back and to visit them at their home. It was a good experience and it was a good church, but I am glad that we have the fullness of the Gospel. I don’t think that Christ yelled when he taught the people. And that really makes the difference in feeling the Spirit. Something that our mission president has been stressing is to testify of truth not try and convince them of truth, they will feel the Spirit and know for themselves. And that’s the difference, preachers are good speakers and they do a good job of trying to convince people. But when you look at General Conference, the Apostles and Prophets testify of truth and you can feel the power and spirit as they speak. And that Spirit is in our Sacrament Meetings and every week I love going and feeling that uplifting feeling. People have truth, but the message we have is that there is more!! God has so many more blessing in store for us! He loves us so much.
Last night we went tracting in a neighborhood, and there were lots of kids playing in the streets. And they were like flocking around us and following us (it’s interesting how kids seem to be attracted to us) and a few got brave and asked us some questions (we aren’t really supposed to approach kids). But we gave them some Salt Lake City Temple pass along cards, so they were asking about the temple. We told them that in temples families can be together forever. They really seemed to like that idea. I really like that idea too. I love that families are so central to our Heavenly Father’s plan. Recently I have talked to a few people who don’t believe in a loving God, or who believe in reincarnation and that we don’t need relationships to continue. That makes me so sad, because we are all a part of God’s family and He loves us and wants us all to return to live with Him.
I love you all and am so happy we can be together even after this life!!
Have a good week! Love ya, Sister Nicole Polatis
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
A Great Work
This is the bridge we went to last week. It’s the New River Valley Gorge Bridge. It’s the longest single span bridge in the Western Hemisphere, sorry don’t know the measurements, you will have to Google it.
This is Sister Arnott and I we are being triumphant that we made it to this ledge here. It’s actually not hard hike at all, but it’s a cliff and is super high up.
This is our Zone.
Oh yay! It was snowing that day we went to the bridge. This was really the only real snow I saw that stuck the whole time I’ve been here. I loved it. We were going down to the look out point and sliding across the snow. So this is me loving the snow. It’s the closest I’ll get to snowboarding on my mission! Ha ha!
This isn’t a very good picture, but I wanted to include it. You can kind of tell that we are soaking wet. We went puddle jumping one night with the member who had gone out with us that night! It was so fun! It was raining really hard. It rains so much here that the puddles are really awesome.Dear Family,
Hello!! So this last week has been busy, but nothing too super crazy has happened at least not like a few weeks ago.
We did do some marriage counseling, okay not really because we aren’t supposed to counsel people. We went to go see our investigators, James and Amanda, and when we came over they had been fighting. Amanda was upstairs in the bathroom and James was crying and said he had been praying and praying to know what to do. He said he felt like it would be better for everyone if he left and moved out, so then there wouldn’t be anymore fighting and they could just be friends. Then he asked us what we thought he should do! Of course we can’t tell him what we think he should do. So we got Amanda downstairs and we talked with them about the Atonement and how it can heal them. We told them that if they would read their scriptures and pray and go to church together then they would grow closer and it would include God in their relationship. They said they would do it and James said he would do anything. Well they didn’t come to church even though we got them a ride and called them the day before. And when we went for our appointment yesterday, James wasn’t there and Amanda wouldn’t say where he was and she seemed really upset and quiet. It was really awkward. And they hadn’t read their scriptures or prayed together. We will be seeing them later this week so hopefully things will get better. Crazy how people won’t do such simple things that would totally bless them. I mean come on we gave them some of the best advice on what they could do to strengthen their relationship and for free and they didn’t do it.
We also saw the drunken polygamist, but he wasn’t drunk!! It was so much easier to talk with him. He explained to us what the Sioux Indians believe (he is Sioux) and it was really interesting. And he seemed to appreciate that we would listen to what he believed. And he has already read halfway through 1 Nephi.
Easter was good. Sister Casto invited us over. Her daughter and son-in-law, and daughter’s mother-in-law were there from IDAHO! YAY! They live in Sugar Salem and they know the Polatis’s there and the Stokes. We had a huge meal with lots of good food. Then we went tracting for the rest of the day and lots of people were home. We talked to one boy named Jacob and we went back and taught him last night. He was really quiet, but seemed interested in what we had to say.
Ha ha so I have a funny story about Sister Casto. She is so awesome about helping us out and coming with us. Last Thursday she was going to meet us at the Wendy’s at 5:45. Well we were running late and got there at 6:00. She had been late too and got there at 5:55 and thought we had gone on to our appointment so she went to go find us. We waited until 6:15 but then left to go to the appointment. On our way there we passed Sister Casto. So we flipped around to go back to Wendy’s. Well we were waiting at the light and saw her pull out of the Wendy’s parking lot to go home. As soon as the light turned green we hurried to catch her. We finally caught up 2 lights down, right before she got on the freeway. So that is our funny story about chasing a member halfway across Nitro.
Yesterday was an AWESOME day!! We meet all of our goals! Which is actually really rare to meet all of our daily goals. Usually at least 2 or 3 appointments fall through a day, but none of them fell through, and we caught some people at home whom we have been trying to see for several weeks. One of those people are Amber and Luke. Luke is less active and Amber has been taught several times before. She wants to be baptized but couldn’t because she couldn’t stop smoking and because she was waiting for Luke to get on board. Well they stopped smoking now, but Luke still doesn’t seem to be on board. And a big part of it is that he feels pressure from his family. His sister reminds him every week that church is at 10. I’ve seen that a lot out here, that when people feel pressure from their family they don’t want to get active, they need to find it for themselves. I’ve also seen people who they feel their family loves them and accepts them for who they are and then they figure out this is a good thing. The principle is to love someone into faith not force them into it. Anyway, so we talked with them last night and asked them to decide if this is something they want to do.
So last week was a little rough between Sister Arnott and I. We really like each other, but we are too much a like and yet very different which causes issues. We both are very strongly opinionated (yes laugh, I know I’m getting what I deserve) but I am very outspoken and do what I want. Sister Arnott is not outspoken and often gets trampled on (and not just by me) which causes her to feel bad about herself and like no one listens to her. Plus she feel strongly about things and so she doesn’t readily accept what others think and do. And she HATES to be told what to do. Needless to say we have had issues compromising. This whole thing has been a real eye opener for me about how I need to be more considerate of other’s opinions and feelings. Funny how almost every morning lately I seemed to read something about humility. It really made a huge difference when I just decided to forgive her and swallow my pride. We got along much better yesterday. It also helped that we had a good day. Although I really think that because we made an effort to get ride of the contention between us, God blessed us for it and we had the Spirit more.
So last week Sister Arnott said something that really made me think. The work we are doing, missionary work, is very important and we are not doing it alone. This is what prophets prophesied would happen, the gathering of the elect. This is the Lord’s work and He is directing it. There are angels sent to prepare people’s hearts (Alma 13:24) and to help us. People before us did missionary work and people after will do missionary work. Missionary work to the dead is being done in temples all over the world. There are 52,000 full time missionaries doing this work. And there are 13 million member missionaries who are in contact everyday with people who need this Gospel and are being prepared. We are not alone, and have such a privilege to be part of this great work. As Joseph Smith said “Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory!” (D&C 128:22) Elder Perry gave a great talk on what our roles are in missionary work. How are your missionary experiences coming? Keep praying for them, you are part of this great work too. Thank you for all your prayers for me and Sister Arnott and our investigators. I love you all.
Sister Nicole Polatis
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Hey Hey
Hey Family,
I don’t have much time to write you because today we went as a Zone to the New River Valley Gorge, it is the longest single span bridge in the Western Hemisphere. It was really fun, but cold. It was snowing today!!! YAY!! I loved it!! Last week was so warm and sunny. On Sunday it was almost 80 and now it is freezing. Crazy Stuff!! We hiked to a look out spot where you could see the bridge and take pictures. I will send them next week when I have more time. It was really pretty. And I bet when the trees all have leaves on them it is even better so maybe I’ll have to go back sometime.
Conference was AMAZING!! Loved it so much. And almost every talk I was like this investigator needs to hear this, but unfortunately they weren’t there. Man, Sister Arnott and I were so excited because so many people told us they would come to conference. And nobody came!!! We were so bummed and we did everything we could to get some people there. So unfortunate.
Okay quick run down of the week. We saw the drunken polygamist again his name is Harry. Haha. And he kissed our hands again it was gross. He has some very different beliefs. I don’t think even he really understands what he believes, it doesn’t match up with any religion, not Christianity, Buddihism, atheism, nothing. If it was just him, we probably wouldn’t go back. But his “wife” (I don’t think they are married) has a lot of potential. (oh and I don’t think he is really a polygamist, he just seems to support it, and he says that “traditionalist” Mormons practice it) Also Sharon, his wife, her son just moved in with them from Georgia and he said that everywhere he goes lately someone wants to talk with him about God. He says it’s probably a sign and he said we could come back. We really need to find a different way to teach them though, because Harry is drunk all the time and he talks a lot and has an opinion about everything, we can’t hardly get through a lesson. So we will see.
One of our investigators that the elders gave us we dropped, because we found out that she really only lets us come over for the company. And she doesn’t really like us anyways and has been avoiding us lately. She was madly in love with one of the Elders though, even though she is like 35. We picked up two other investigators, James and Amanda. We found them because we were looking for a former investigator, but they had moved, but James said we could come back. We went back and taught them and they were really interested. And turns out their family found out we were coming over and told them they shouldn’t meet with us. But they are still interested despite the anti!!! YAY!!! It’s so good to find someone like that because there is so much anti around here.
Conference was a super awesome spiritual boost. I loved the talk about change and how you need to be happy when change comes. Instead of crying or complaining, laugh! So Sister Arnott and I tried something, we wrote down questions we had for conference, and ALL of them were answered. God knows what we need to hear. And He will tell us especially if we are willing to then go and do. All those wonderful things we heard mean nothing if we don’t learn from it and apply it in our lives.
Love you tons. Hope you have a wonderful week!!!!
Love ya, Sister Nicole Polatis
I don’t have much time to write you because today we went as a Zone to the New River Valley Gorge, it is the longest single span bridge in the Western Hemisphere. It was really fun, but cold. It was snowing today!!! YAY!! I loved it!! Last week was so warm and sunny. On Sunday it was almost 80 and now it is freezing. Crazy Stuff!! We hiked to a look out spot where you could see the bridge and take pictures. I will send them next week when I have more time. It was really pretty. And I bet when the trees all have leaves on them it is even better so maybe I’ll have to go back sometime.
Conference was AMAZING!! Loved it so much. And almost every talk I was like this investigator needs to hear this, but unfortunately they weren’t there. Man, Sister Arnott and I were so excited because so many people told us they would come to conference. And nobody came!!! We were so bummed and we did everything we could to get some people there. So unfortunate.
Okay quick run down of the week. We saw the drunken polygamist again his name is Harry. Haha. And he kissed our hands again it was gross. He has some very different beliefs. I don’t think even he really understands what he believes, it doesn’t match up with any religion, not Christianity, Buddihism, atheism, nothing. If it was just him, we probably wouldn’t go back. But his “wife” (I don’t think they are married) has a lot of potential. (oh and I don’t think he is really a polygamist, he just seems to support it, and he says that “traditionalist” Mormons practice it) Also Sharon, his wife, her son just moved in with them from Georgia and he said that everywhere he goes lately someone wants to talk with him about God. He says it’s probably a sign and he said we could come back. We really need to find a different way to teach them though, because Harry is drunk all the time and he talks a lot and has an opinion about everything, we can’t hardly get through a lesson. So we will see.
One of our investigators that the elders gave us we dropped, because we found out that she really only lets us come over for the company. And she doesn’t really like us anyways and has been avoiding us lately. She was madly in love with one of the Elders though, even though she is like 35. We picked up two other investigators, James and Amanda. We found them because we were looking for a former investigator, but they had moved, but James said we could come back. We went back and taught them and they were really interested. And turns out their family found out we were coming over and told them they shouldn’t meet with us. But they are still interested despite the anti!!! YAY!!! It’s so good to find someone like that because there is so much anti around here.
Conference was a super awesome spiritual boost. I loved the talk about change and how you need to be happy when change comes. Instead of crying or complaining, laugh! So Sister Arnott and I tried something, we wrote down questions we had for conference, and ALL of them were answered. God knows what we need to hear. And He will tell us especially if we are willing to then go and do. All those wonderful things we heard mean nothing if we don’t learn from it and apply it in our lives.
Love you tons. Hope you have a wonderful week!!!!
Love ya, Sister Nicole Polatis
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Drunken Polygamists
Dear Family,
So I have tons to tell you. I’ll start with the bad news first. About a half hour ago we found out that one of our most promising investigators died. Her name is Kay and she lives across from us. She really seemed to believe what we were teaching her, however, she couldn’t come to church because of health problems. She has had cancer for 7 years, she has diabetes, pancritis, and a severe infection. Yesterday the ambulance was there because her blood sugar was like 16. We aren’t sure yet exactly what the cause of death was. Crazy thing though, I’m not really sad. I think that Kay accepted the Gospel, but her physical body was keeping her from coming to church and getting baptized. I know that she’s up the Spirit World and missionaries are up there are finishing up the lessons. We are going to find out her information so then we can make sure her temple work gets done. Now for the good news. We are also teaching someone else in our apartment complex, his name is Jamie. Jamie has 6 kids and another on the way, by 3 different women. He was married to the second one and she was a big drug addict. So he got into drugs really heavily. Oh man, he told us all the stuff he did and I didn’t even know that half of those drugs existed or that you could do that with drugs. He has made a lot changes and doesn’t do it anymore and he is trying to quit smoking! He has been taught by missionaries before and already has a testimony of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. Our first lesson we committed him to be baptized and he said yes! He wanted to do it in the next few weeks, but we have to teach him everything still, he has to quit smoking and get married. So we set a goal for the end of the month. It was an awesome lesson. We took this girl with us named Aimee. She was baptized less than a month ago and she has already decided to go on a mission. She has an amazing testimony and knowledge for someone who was so recently baptized. Her fire and excitement to do missionary work was really fun. We took her tracting with us too. So there is this less active in our ward, her name is Ruth and she has terrible hearing! We have to yell for her to hear us. Also she thinks that she is active. Last week we were teaching her and we asked her to turn to 3 Nephi 11, she asked back “Page 35?” and we yelled, “NO, 3 Nephi 11.” She nodded her head and said, “okay, page 35.” So we didn’t know what to do and just turned to page 35 with her. I quickly scanned the page and found that it was talking about the Liahona and how they had to have faith for it to work. So I decided to talk about faith and use it to get back to our planned lesson on the Atonement. As I started talking though Sister Arnott was laughing under her breathe and that started me laughing. Poor Ruth had no idea what was going on, she couldn’t hear us laughing but she probably wondered what was wrong with our faces because we were trying to hold it in. And then I realized that I would have to explain what the Liahona was and as soon as I started saying it was a ball with spindles, Sister Arnott started cracking up again. It was so awful, we felt so bad. Ruth is kind of crazy though, I don’t think she noticed anything. Saturday was a CRAZY day for us. All the things that happen to missionaries happened to us in one day! We talked to a preacher, who wanted to bash with us. He was the nicest basher I’ve ever meet, however, he wouldn’t let us leave because when we would make to go he would say oh one more point. According to him it wasn’t correct unless it was in the Bible, but he himself showed that there could be several interpretations or misunderstandings of the Bible. He contradicted himself several times. And as our wonderful new investigator, Jamie, put it, “Just because it’s not in the Holy Bible doesn’t mean it can’t be true.” Next we talked to a guy who was completely stoned, the whole apartment smelled strongly of weed. He almost said we could come back, but then I think he realized what he was saying and said no. Then we talked to a crazy, drunk polygamist. Okay so I’m not sure if he’s a polygamist, he said he was, but he was also super drunk. He downed a whole bottle in front of us. When he walked out the door and saw he us, he started yelling about how much he likes Mormons and how we should sue the Texas government for what they did to us. He thinks that FLDS is the same as LDS just a subgroup. He asked us if we were traditionalist Mormons (I think he meant do we practice polygamy). He says that he is Sioux Indian and that’s what his religion is. He is a complete sexist, he told us all girls should wear skirts like us and that men CAN wash dishes, but women just do it better. And that women can defend themselves, but men just do it better. He said it in a very undemeaning, very respectful way though. We are going back next week to teach his “might as well call her my wife” (his words). And THEN! we went to shake his hand, and he said he doesn’t shake women’s hands. And HE KISSED my hand!!!! GROSS! He had a sick mustache and he had just smoked. Then he reached for Sister Arnott’s hand and she very, very reluctantly gave it to him. I’m never shaking his hand again. Then we talked to an intellectual who doesn’t believe in Christ. We had a nice talk with him and left him a Book of Mormon, we are going back in a few weeks to pick it up and see what he thought. Then we knocked on a few more doors and one door we saw someone peek through the blinds at us and then instead of answering the door, we could hear them LOCKING the door! Seriously Sister Arnott and I are the most harmless looking people ever. Next we went and saw a former investigator, who at first was not interested, but we started talking with him and he invited us in. He then proceeded to tell us his life story and how he felt something was missing in his life. We cleared up some misconceptions that he thought the Book of Mormon was supposed to be the Bible. By the time we left he was excited to read the Book of Mormon, come to church, and take the lessons again. We left his house completely COVERED with dog hair and reeking like cigarette smoke. We visited two more investigators, dropped one and taught one. Left there smelling even more of smoke. We ended that crazy day, by trying to see another former investigator who we found out had moved, but the people who live there now said we could come back. And also everyone of the appointments we had for that day fell through. I guess the Lord had other places for us to be. We had a wonderful day. I think this is the Lord’s way of giving us tender mercies. Stirring things up a bit to give us a good laugh.I love you all. Have a fabulous week!
Love, Sister Nicole Polatis
So I have tons to tell you. I’ll start with the bad news first. About a half hour ago we found out that one of our most promising investigators died. Her name is Kay and she lives across from us. She really seemed to believe what we were teaching her, however, she couldn’t come to church because of health problems. She has had cancer for 7 years, she has diabetes, pancritis, and a severe infection. Yesterday the ambulance was there because her blood sugar was like 16. We aren’t sure yet exactly what the cause of death was. Crazy thing though, I’m not really sad. I think that Kay accepted the Gospel, but her physical body was keeping her from coming to church and getting baptized. I know that she’s up the Spirit World and missionaries are up there are finishing up the lessons. We are going to find out her information so then we can make sure her temple work gets done. Now for the good news. We are also teaching someone else in our apartment complex, his name is Jamie. Jamie has 6 kids and another on the way, by 3 different women. He was married to the second one and she was a big drug addict. So he got into drugs really heavily. Oh man, he told us all the stuff he did and I didn’t even know that half of those drugs existed or that you could do that with drugs. He has made a lot changes and doesn’t do it anymore and he is trying to quit smoking! He has been taught by missionaries before and already has a testimony of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. Our first lesson we committed him to be baptized and he said yes! He wanted to do it in the next few weeks, but we have to teach him everything still, he has to quit smoking and get married. So we set a goal for the end of the month. It was an awesome lesson. We took this girl with us named Aimee. She was baptized less than a month ago and she has already decided to go on a mission. She has an amazing testimony and knowledge for someone who was so recently baptized. Her fire and excitement to do missionary work was really fun. We took her tracting with us too. So there is this less active in our ward, her name is Ruth and she has terrible hearing! We have to yell for her to hear us. Also she thinks that she is active. Last week we were teaching her and we asked her to turn to 3 Nephi 11, she asked back “Page 35?” and we yelled, “NO, 3 Nephi 11.” She nodded her head and said, “okay, page 35.” So we didn’t know what to do and just turned to page 35 with her. I quickly scanned the page and found that it was talking about the Liahona and how they had to have faith for it to work. So I decided to talk about faith and use it to get back to our planned lesson on the Atonement. As I started talking though Sister Arnott was laughing under her breathe and that started me laughing. Poor Ruth had no idea what was going on, she couldn’t hear us laughing but she probably wondered what was wrong with our faces because we were trying to hold it in. And then I realized that I would have to explain what the Liahona was and as soon as I started saying it was a ball with spindles, Sister Arnott started cracking up again. It was so awful, we felt so bad. Ruth is kind of crazy though, I don’t think she noticed anything. Saturday was a CRAZY day for us. All the things that happen to missionaries happened to us in one day! We talked to a preacher, who wanted to bash with us. He was the nicest basher I’ve ever meet, however, he wouldn’t let us leave because when we would make to go he would say oh one more point. According to him it wasn’t correct unless it was in the Bible, but he himself showed that there could be several interpretations or misunderstandings of the Bible. He contradicted himself several times. And as our wonderful new investigator, Jamie, put it, “Just because it’s not in the Holy Bible doesn’t mean it can’t be true.” Next we talked to a guy who was completely stoned, the whole apartment smelled strongly of weed. He almost said we could come back, but then I think he realized what he was saying and said no. Then we talked to a crazy, drunk polygamist. Okay so I’m not sure if he’s a polygamist, he said he was, but he was also super drunk. He downed a whole bottle in front of us. When he walked out the door and saw he us, he started yelling about how much he likes Mormons and how we should sue the Texas government for what they did to us. He thinks that FLDS is the same as LDS just a subgroup. He asked us if we were traditionalist Mormons (I think he meant do we practice polygamy). He says that he is Sioux Indian and that’s what his religion is. He is a complete sexist, he told us all girls should wear skirts like us and that men CAN wash dishes, but women just do it better. And that women can defend themselves, but men just do it better. He said it in a very undemeaning, very respectful way though. We are going back next week to teach his “might as well call her my wife” (his words). And THEN! we went to shake his hand, and he said he doesn’t shake women’s hands. And HE KISSED my hand!!!! GROSS! He had a sick mustache and he had just smoked. Then he reached for Sister Arnott’s hand and she very, very reluctantly gave it to him. I’m never shaking his hand again. Then we talked to an intellectual who doesn’t believe in Christ. We had a nice talk with him and left him a Book of Mormon, we are going back in a few weeks to pick it up and see what he thought. Then we knocked on a few more doors and one door we saw someone peek through the blinds at us and then instead of answering the door, we could hear them LOCKING the door! Seriously Sister Arnott and I are the most harmless looking people ever. Next we went and saw a former investigator, who at first was not interested, but we started talking with him and he invited us in. He then proceeded to tell us his life story and how he felt something was missing in his life. We cleared up some misconceptions that he thought the Book of Mormon was supposed to be the Bible. By the time we left he was excited to read the Book of Mormon, come to church, and take the lessons again. We left his house completely COVERED with dog hair and reeking like cigarette smoke. We visited two more investigators, dropped one and taught one. Left there smelling even more of smoke. We ended that crazy day, by trying to see another former investigator who we found out had moved, but the people who live there now said we could come back. And also everyone of the appointments we had for that day fell through. I guess the Lord had other places for us to be. We had a wonderful day. I think this is the Lord’s way of giving us tender mercies. Stirring things up a bit to give us a good laugh.I love you all. Have a fabulous week!
Love, Sister Nicole Polatis
West Virginia, Wild And Wonderful
Dear Family,
So this week was not much better than last week, but I felt better about it. We only taught one of our investigators last week, the rest either stood us up or cancelled. However, good news we got 4 new investigators! They were all from tracting. Interesting story, so we went tracting and we talked to this one lady named Debbie and we taught her a first lesson. She seemed pretty interested and open and said we could come back. So we set an appointment for about 4 days later. When we came at the scheduled time, she didn’t answer the door. (nothing new there, happens to us all the time) Later she called us and said that she decided not to be rude and told us she wasn’t interested, it just wasn’t for her. We knew immediately that she had been antied. Its really weird, this happens a lot, as soon as we start talking to someone they get told some crazy story, like we have horns, believe in more than one God, etc. The funny thing is that it is pretty close the truth but they say it in a way that makes it sound bad or they talk one little element of truth out. For example, one lady said we didn’t believe in the same Christ, found out that she thinks that because she says we believe that Christ and Satan are brothers. Well we explained that we are all children of God so that makes us brothers and sisters, turns out she believes the same thing. Haha. Anyways tangent, back to Debbie. We decided to go see her and yep she got antied. But I think there is still hope for her, because she said she liked the Book of Mormon and if we left it with her she would still read it. We are trying to think of a good plan of how to go back and befriend her without being pushy. One of the investigators we got last week, her name is Amber, is married to a less active. She has taken the lessons before, but never got baptized. I think the biggest hold up has been not smoking and the other that they just weren’t ready to give up their lifestyle. In January they both quit smoking. They said it was for their health and because they want to have kids. We talked to them a little bit about the church and they really would like to raise their kids in a church. Just listening to them I can see how much the Gospel would bless them and how they are being prepared to receive it!! Luke, her husband, less active, doesn’t seem as excited about it as she does. But if she gets into it, I’m sure he will too. They are awesome, I love them already. And they have pet ferrets! They are really fun and actually really cute. They climb all over everything and smell everything. So funny thing. One of the areas we cover is called Poca. And you will never guess what their mascot is! It’s the Dots! The Poca Dots!!! How ridiculous is that !! Another area we cover is Nitro. And a lady in the ward was telling us that Nitro was settled back during World War I, and an ammunition factory was built nearby and lots of houses were built to support the factory workers. Nitro actually has a grid system, and the houses are all really close together and really close to the road. So there are hundreds of houses in a really small area, with hardly any tress or yard space. It’s kind of a dingy little town, but the people are super nice. So last week Sister Arnott and I were trying to visit some former investigators and less actives. And we discovered it’s pretty near impossible to find someone with just an address. For example, we were looking for someone who lives on Route 1 in 11-F. Well turns out Route 1 is a route not a road, it covers several roads. And the numbers don’t seem to have any order or semblance. We found 65-A, so we went farther and the numbers went down to 64-A. From there we just got confused, there was a 65-AA and a 65-CC and a 64-H, in no apparent order. Then we found a 69-CCC and were completely confused. We stopped and asked for directions and they had no clue, they just knew what number they were. How in the world are the numbers assigned and what do the letters mean? The Post Office isn’t even sure how it all works. There are a lot of people on the ward directory that say they can’t find and it’s no wonder. The roads are a mess out here! What we need to do is find some local mountain man who understands the road lingo here. Which reminds me. Have you ever heard of a “farsee”? Well turns out it’s a unit of measurement here. You go 5 ‘farsees’ down the road which means you go down the road as far as you can see 5 times!! We had Zone Conference on Friday, it was sooo wonderful like always. One thing I learned was to stop trying to convince people of the truth. Simply bear testimony and truth will cut it’s own way. We do not convince people of the truth, the Spirit converts. I am really learning to have faith on my mission. To have faith in the power of the Holy Ghost and in the truthfulness of the message we have.So one day this last week, I was writing my letter to President, and asking for help about how I struggle to get up in the mornings and how I’m so out of it in the mornings that I don’t have good studies. And how it doesn’t seem to get easier, it just is getting harder. I’ve tried everything (did I tell you I put a thumbtack on my alarm clock?) Well right after I finished that letter, I was reading in the March Ensign (there are two articles on scripture reading) and Preach My Gospel Ch 2 and I found the answers I needed to make my studies better in the mornings. To make them more interesting and more structured to keep me awake. One of the ways was to ask a question I am struggling with and then look for the answer in the scriptures. And since I have started applying that I have found so many answers in the scriptures. And I have really got more involved in the stories I am reading. God really answers our prayers if we will search it out. So read your scriptures, they have the answers you are looking for! I love you all. Hope you have a wonderful week. Thank you for all of your prayers.
Love, Sister Nicole Polatis
So this week was not much better than last week, but I felt better about it. We only taught one of our investigators last week, the rest either stood us up or cancelled. However, good news we got 4 new investigators! They were all from tracting. Interesting story, so we went tracting and we talked to this one lady named Debbie and we taught her a first lesson. She seemed pretty interested and open and said we could come back. So we set an appointment for about 4 days later. When we came at the scheduled time, she didn’t answer the door. (nothing new there, happens to us all the time) Later she called us and said that she decided not to be rude and told us she wasn’t interested, it just wasn’t for her. We knew immediately that she had been antied. Its really weird, this happens a lot, as soon as we start talking to someone they get told some crazy story, like we have horns, believe in more than one God, etc. The funny thing is that it is pretty close the truth but they say it in a way that makes it sound bad or they talk one little element of truth out. For example, one lady said we didn’t believe in the same Christ, found out that she thinks that because she says we believe that Christ and Satan are brothers. Well we explained that we are all children of God so that makes us brothers and sisters, turns out she believes the same thing. Haha. Anyways tangent, back to Debbie. We decided to go see her and yep she got antied. But I think there is still hope for her, because she said she liked the Book of Mormon and if we left it with her she would still read it. We are trying to think of a good plan of how to go back and befriend her without being pushy. One of the investigators we got last week, her name is Amber, is married to a less active. She has taken the lessons before, but never got baptized. I think the biggest hold up has been not smoking and the other that they just weren’t ready to give up their lifestyle. In January they both quit smoking. They said it was for their health and because they want to have kids. We talked to them a little bit about the church and they really would like to raise their kids in a church. Just listening to them I can see how much the Gospel would bless them and how they are being prepared to receive it!! Luke, her husband, less active, doesn’t seem as excited about it as she does. But if she gets into it, I’m sure he will too. They are awesome, I love them already. And they have pet ferrets! They are really fun and actually really cute. They climb all over everything and smell everything. So funny thing. One of the areas we cover is called Poca. And you will never guess what their mascot is! It’s the Dots! The Poca Dots!!! How ridiculous is that !! Another area we cover is Nitro. And a lady in the ward was telling us that Nitro was settled back during World War I, and an ammunition factory was built nearby and lots of houses were built to support the factory workers. Nitro actually has a grid system, and the houses are all really close together and really close to the road. So there are hundreds of houses in a really small area, with hardly any tress or yard space. It’s kind of a dingy little town, but the people are super nice. So last week Sister Arnott and I were trying to visit some former investigators and less actives. And we discovered it’s pretty near impossible to find someone with just an address. For example, we were looking for someone who lives on Route 1 in 11-F. Well turns out Route 1 is a route not a road, it covers several roads. And the numbers don’t seem to have any order or semblance. We found 65-A, so we went farther and the numbers went down to 64-A. From there we just got confused, there was a 65-AA and a 65-CC and a 64-H, in no apparent order. Then we found a 69-CCC and were completely confused. We stopped and asked for directions and they had no clue, they just knew what number they were. How in the world are the numbers assigned and what do the letters mean? The Post Office isn’t even sure how it all works. There are a lot of people on the ward directory that say they can’t find and it’s no wonder. The roads are a mess out here! What we need to do is find some local mountain man who understands the road lingo here. Which reminds me. Have you ever heard of a “farsee”? Well turns out it’s a unit of measurement here. You go 5 ‘farsees’ down the road which means you go down the road as far as you can see 5 times!! We had Zone Conference on Friday, it was sooo wonderful like always. One thing I learned was to stop trying to convince people of the truth. Simply bear testimony and truth will cut it’s own way. We do not convince people of the truth, the Spirit converts. I am really learning to have faith on my mission. To have faith in the power of the Holy Ghost and in the truthfulness of the message we have.So one day this last week, I was writing my letter to President, and asking for help about how I struggle to get up in the mornings and how I’m so out of it in the mornings that I don’t have good studies. And how it doesn’t seem to get easier, it just is getting harder. I’ve tried everything (did I tell you I put a thumbtack on my alarm clock?) Well right after I finished that letter, I was reading in the March Ensign (there are two articles on scripture reading) and Preach My Gospel Ch 2 and I found the answers I needed to make my studies better in the mornings. To make them more interesting and more structured to keep me awake. One of the ways was to ask a question I am struggling with and then look for the answer in the scriptures. And since I have started applying that I have found so many answers in the scriptures. And I have really got more involved in the stories I am reading. God really answers our prayers if we will search it out. So read your scriptures, they have the answers you are looking for! I love you all. Hope you have a wonderful week. Thank you for all of your prayers.
Love, Sister Nicole Polatis
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