This week we did so much service!

Monday and Wednesday we helped a family in the ward pack up their house. Tuesday night we got a call from Elders in NY who had helped a lady pack her truck and Wednesday we helped her unload it into a storage unit. Thursday we helped another member prepare for an event. Saturday we helped a returning member to clean some shelves. After a more difficult week, I found myself happier and more at peace this week. President Hinckley said, "The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best medicine for despair is service. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired.". I most definitely have a testimony of that! 

We had a lesson with a woman named Lthis week. She is the relative of a member of the ward that Sister Rowland and I tried forever to meet. Timing just never worked out or she would cancel last minute. This week we finally got in to see her . Her 11-yr old daughter was there, too. We taught them about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Sister Jensen showed the 4-minute video of Joseph Smith's first vision (thank you, technology) and the Spirit filled her home. She finally said, "I need to watch more videos like that one." She has great faith in the Lord and is acutely aware of blessings He sends her way. However, she is very content to remain where she is. She began to explain this to us. . She then asked about the manner by which we are baptized! Her heart is opening. We downloaded The Book of Mormon app on her phone and changed the language to her native tongue - she has been reading.

On Saturday the Pooler Ward had its long-awaited fish fry. So fun. Lots of people came.

I know that Jesus Christ does indeed live! "He is the great King Emmanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come."

Make it a great week!

Yours,

Sister Gore

ps - Oh, yeah. Also we forged railroad spikes into knives at a members house last Tuesday. I have 2 blisters on my hands hahaha. It was so fun.  Pictures enclosed.  Good experience. Brother R needs to grind the blades and then I'll send you a picture. 

Some good things:

- Elder Craig C. Christensen and Jack N. Gerard are touring the Georgia Macon Mission on August 27 and 28. 

-We have found so many new people to teach! Monday night it was raining so hard and we pulled up to the home of a media referral from about a month ago that we had been unable to make contact with. It's probably  8:45 and thundering and the water is above my ankles (not an exaggeration) and we knocked on his door anyways and he and his mom let us right in. The Spirit was so strong as we were with them and taught them about The Book of Mormon and the restoration of the gospel. I felt like I was in a missionary movie, to be honest.

- A family in the ward is moving and gave us all of their food including yogurt covered craisins. New favorite snack.

- These words from the prophet Nephi:

       7 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?

        8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.

       9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.

       10 Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written.

        11 For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.

6. A lady let us in this week, heard our message, told us she wasn't interested, then gave us cold water bottles wrapped in paper towels, chiming "Remember - God loves you and so do I" as she sent us back into the street. The South is amazing. 

- We can do all things in the strength of the Lord.

- Jesus is the Christ. He has borne our griefs. He can soothe our souls and heal our hearts. He invites us always to lay our burdens at his feet. There is a balm in Gilead.

Make good choices.

-Sister Gore

Hey hey hey--

Transfer calls were Saturday. I am staying in Pooler!! I have so much peace about this. I know that there is work here that the Lord needs me to do. I am eager to  serve and teach God's children in any and every way that is pleasing unto Him. 

We celebrated Independence day aka the best day of the year last week!! It was such a good day. Heavenly Father helped us to just have fun and enjoy our holiday and still get stuff done! We actually taught 3 lessons on the 4th! And contacted a lot. Do take time to ponder on the design of our God in liberating this chosen land that His Church and Kingdom may be restored upon its soil and eventually fill the whole Earth. How blessed we are to have religious freedoms. "We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privelege, let them worship how, where, or what they may."

Mwelcomed us into her home again this week. When we arrived she had been reading on mormon.org about the plan of salvation. She had never before learned that we were spirit children of God who dwelt in His presence before coming to this Earth, though it is taught in the Bible (see Jeremiah 1:5,  Hebrews 12:9). Of this new-found truth, Mary described her feeling at first as that of falling from a tall building - then hitting a trampoline and eventually coming to a stillness once again. Mary said, "Learning this grounded me".  As we continued to discuss the "reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on Earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come" her countenance changed. She became so reverent and was awed by the perfect plan God has created for us.

We've had the privelege of teaching J twice since I last wrote. Once to teach her the plan of salvation. She was amazed by the doctrine of the Fall taught clearly in The Book of Mormon. Modern revelation departs drastically from mainstream Christianity, correcting the false notion that Adam and Eve's fall was unintended and should be viewed as a great tragedy. J loved to learn that without Adams transgression, none of the rest of God's children would've had the privelege of coming to this Earth to receive a mortal body and gain experience. I think her words were "Adam and Eve would be exactly as they were then but a kajillion years old!". Pretty much.  We saw her again yesterday with a member of the ward. They connected so well!! And as we talked with this member after the lesson she provided valuable insight into her needs that Sister Jensen and I had not previously considered. I

I have gained a heightened appreciation for the incredible power of prayer.  I know that God knows perfectly each of His children - knows our desires and fears and hopes - wants to help us. I know that Jesus Christ has overcome the world and that by relying on Him and living the principles of His gospel will may find steadiness and constancy and relief. I have felt the love of God in a new way in the past 2 weeks. In a way that is almost constant and keeps me grounded. I feel that my relationship with my Heavenly Father has changed and become stronger. I'm so thankful that "God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever." (Alma 26:37).

Make it a wonderful week!

Do many good things. 

Have fun. Be safe.

-Sister Gore

Hi! 

This week was a blast.

Sister Jensen and I spent a few hours contacting this week at a new park we found super close to our house!  Awesome place. We have met so many people there! It's always populated.. what a blessing. 

Also! A new version of Preach My Gospel has been released! I've been reading the new version on my phone next to my well-loved paper copy. There are changes everywhere, though small. Usually a word or two or maybe a new paragraph or quote. Some chapters are changed more drastically then others. Nonetheless, super exciting stuff. Included near the beginning of the manual is this pargraph: "Preach My Gospel is as much for Church members as it is for the full-time missionaries of the Church. The principles and doctrine taught in this guide are applicable to all members as they seek to build the Lord’s kingdom. Frequent study of this manual will help members better answer gospel questions, learn and teach the doctrine of Christ’s gospel, fulfill their responsibilities as member missionaries, and foster unity with the full-time missionaries."

Update (or install) the Gospel Library app and make Preach My Gospel part of your study! It can help you to have more meaningful study of the scriptures, learn to recognize and follow the Spirit, share the sacred truths of the gospel in and out of your home, and learn of Jesus Christ!

Interviews with President Grayson were this week. He said "Sister Gore, you buoy me up". Made me so happy. He works so hard! 

We also taught a woman named J this week. She is the lady that we met who watches BYUTV and all that good jazz. She had a lot of questions because of misconceptions about The Book of Mormon and about Joseph Smith. Ultimately, she received the message well and was thrilled to discover that The Book of Mormon has an app! We have another appointment with her this coming week. 

We had District Council on Monday. Our discussion revolved around charity. One missionary asked how it is that God has perfect love for us - who are so fallible and lost and imperfect. As we spoke of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's love I thought of the words of a hymn:

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,

Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.

I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,

That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me

Enough to die for me!

Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

Elder Holland taught, “The greater definition of ‘the pure love of Christ,’ ...is not what we as Christians try but largely fail to demonstrate toward others but rather what Christ totally succeeded in demonstrating toward us. True charity has been known only once. It is shown perfectly and purely in Christ’s unfailing, ultimate, and atoning love for us. It is Christ’s love for us that ‘suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not.’ It is his love for us that is not ‘puffed up … , not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.’ It is Christ’s love for us that ‘beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.’ It is as demonstrated in Christ that ‘charity never faileth.’ It is that charity—his pure love for us—without which we would be nothing, hopeless, of all men and women most miserable. Truly, those found possessed of the blessings of his love at the last day—the Atonement, the Resurrection, eternal life, eternal promise—surely it shall be well with them."

I am ever indebted to Jesus Christ and always grateful for His perfect, unfailing, limitless love for me - for the miracle of His forgiveness, grace, and mercy which is offered as a direct result of His matchless charity. 

I know that God is our Father. I know that He loves each of His precious children. And I know, without a doubt, that our Father in Heaven never gives up on us. He never stops calling us home. He never stops working on us - seeking to refine us, heal us, bless us, encourage us, and ultimately enable us to return and dwell in His presence,with our families,for eternity.

-Sister Emma Gore

Hello hello hello.

Some things from this week:

Tuesday night we had an appointment with a family that lives near the church but.... they weren't home. So instead we walked about 1 mile back down to the church and had planned to do some online work. As we were walking down this busy road that feeds onto the highway, a lady across the street caught my eye. We waved at her and she waved back and when the traffic died down we ran across the street to speak with her. This woman named Joann was standing on the corner because her brother who lives out of town was coming to visit and she wanted to ensure that he found her home. Joann watches BYUTV every other day and is well acquainted with the Joseph Smith Papers, documenting the life and work of the Prophet. She had fair knoweldge about the Church but has never attended or been visited by missionaries! I know we were supposed to meet her. So many things happened just the right way.

Wednesday I went on exchanges with Sister S. She has been in the Georgia Macon Mission for 3 weeks so I was her first exchange! I love new missionaries- so full of passion and enthusiasm and eager to learn. We found two new investigators on Wednesday! 

Thursday was interesting. Sister J was having a reaction to something so we spent a chunk of the day in urgent care. And then it rained ridiculously hard and people in South don't like to leave their homes or let anyone come to their homes in a storm. So all our evening plans were cancelled. It's honestly kind of funny. Our investigators think they're doing us a favor by not allowing us to drive to their house in the rain but in reality that leaves us on the street to find! Haha but it all worked out. We met some really amazing and sincere people on Thursday evening and the rain died down. 

Saturday it was so stinking humid. I left my house with a dry dress and came home with a damp dress. We spent all day looking for people to teach. No one was outside. No one answered their door. Nothing happened. For hours. But I knew we had prayed about our plans and felt good about them and I also remembered Alma's promise - "ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and your patience". So we were diligent and patient and tried to be faithful. Eventually we went in for dinner and then went back out at 6pm - more finding - until 9pm. In our very last 30 minutes of finding, and of proselyting time that day as a whole, we knocked on a door. K come outside. And then T came outside. They had previously investigated the church but we had no record of them ever learning from missionaries. They recognized the Book of Mormon and told us about themselves and their faith. Then they invited us back. Miracle. God knows where His children are. He knows what they need. He knows that we spent all day finding and had nothing to show for it at 8:30. And he knew where we needed to be to find them. Good things.

Church was so wonderful on Sunday - Happy father's day! In the afternoon we went to a really nice assisted living center. Residents + families gathered in the main living area and Sister Jensen played the piano and Elder Holzer played the guitar and we all sang and it was so fun. Outside of my comfort zone? Yes. Well worth it? Yes. No one in the center that came that day was LDS. But we sang about how we are children of God, how our families can be together forever, and of the love of Jesus Christ. The Spirit was sweet. 

Monday we had a video lesson. We read from The Book of Mormon. We only read maybe 15 verses from a chapter in 1 Nephi. T's comprehension is growing. She no longer asks questions about what is happening but wants to know WHY things are happening. She is so intrigued by Laman and Lemuel and their.... un-steadfastness (Is there a good word for that?). As we read with her yesterday we learned about a huge hole in T's understanding about Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation. Did it have anything to do with what we were reading in The Book of Mormon? Definitely not. But there is power in that holy volume of scripture that helped us to discover this concern and now we can teach to Terricka's needs. 

I've officially been on my mission for 15 months. Crazy. So grateful for the people here. Grateful for President Grayson and the careful way in which he makes decisions and leads this mission. Grateful for my amazing companions. Grateful for repentance. Grateful for the opportunity to be better each day and to be forgiven and to be clean before the Lord as I am sincere in my efforts to come unto Christ.

I hope this finds you well. 

I think you're awesome.

You are a child of God. Don't forget it.

Love,
Emma

Sister J is incredible. 

Every day I learn something from her about how I can be a better disciple of Christ and minister of His gospel. She is so meek and humble and has helped me to begin to more fully integrate those qualities into my own character. Further, she has the prettiest singing voice. And is a go-getter. I am way thankful for her energy and enthusiasm for the Work!

On Wednesday we saw K with a member of the ward and read the Book of Mormon with her. She is slowly gaining a testimony of the restoration of the gospel. Then we had dinner with a member of the ward who is returning to activity. This individual often comes for Sunday School and Relief Society but has yet to come on time for sacrament meeting. So we focused our message on the importance of participating in that weekly renewal of our promises to God. At the beginning of the lesson, before we said we would be talking about the sacrament, we each wrote down a challenge we are currently facing. Then we discussed how Jesus Christ is able to help us with ALL of our hardships and afflictions. We read from Mark 5 of the woman with an issue of blood who reached out to touch Jesus's clothing, believing that if she did so she would be healed. Just as this woman reached for Christ, we reach for Christ and invite His power into our lives by attending church and partaking of the sacrament, promising to ALWAYS remember Him. It was such a good experience, my own faith in Christ was strengthened tremendously, and this sweet daughter of God attended Sacrament Meeting this past Sunday. 

On Thursday we had a ward social - dessert potluck!Thursday was so different. Instead of worrying about where to be I just was everywhere. There wasn't a person there that I didn't have some kind of meaningful contact with. And it was awesome. Perhaps what I thought was a weakness of mine is something I can turn into a strength. 

Friday was MLC. Such a good meeting! So much of our focus recently has been on technology and how to use it and how to use it safely. Now that the adjustment period is concluding and everyone is more settled, we can spend more time focusing on the doctrine of Christ. In MLC we spent considerable time reading from the scriptures and discussing the infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ and the saving principles and ordinances of His gospel. I felt the Spirit so strong as we read from 2 Nephi 31. I've read that chapter probably more than any other chapter in holy writ. However, Its simple declaration of truth and invitation to follow the Savior never dulls. Nephi's teachings on faith in Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and continued faithfulness to the end of our lives culminates in this powerful verse: "And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God.". I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the way God has decreed by which we may be cleansed from sin and return to live in His presence! I am awed by the power of the Book of Mormon as it teaches these essential truths plainly and decisively, that none can misunderstand and all may obey and be saved. 

On Saturday a member drove us and our investigator T to the church building so we could give T a church tour! T has grown so much since we first started teaching her but has still never attended church. It's way outside of her comfort zone. So we wanted to show her the building to help her feel more comfortable coming to a service. I have had few experieneces as powerful as this church tour was. Peace and calm washed over us as soon as we walked through the front doors of the church. Immediately across from the doors is a painting of Jesus Christ- a wonderful reminder that He is the center of all we do. T recognized the Spirit immediately and commented on it then and through out the tour. We showed T the Primary room where children are taught that they are children of God! We showed her where Sunday School and Relief Society take place, and the baptismal font. We used the beautiful paintings of Bible and Book of Mormon stories to teach T about faith and baptism and the importance of church attendance. Finally, we arrived at the chapel. We all moved inside and sat in the pews quietly. Here we taught T about the Lord's commandment to keep the Sabbath Day holy. Sister H, who came with us, bore her witness of the importance of honoring the Lord's Day. The Holy Spirit was so present in those sacred walls. T prayed as we sat in the chapel. I love when she prays - always humble and sincere. Unfortunately, T had a family emergency and was unable to come but she has a strong desire to come this next Sunday. Please pray that T will have the faith to come and that the Lord will prepare a way for her.

Sunday we had dinner with the P family. Brother P hunts alligators and has some seriously crazy stories. He also owns a taxidermy business, which is on their huge property. Also they fed us pheasant and quail for dinner which their son had shot and killed and it was so good. 

Good news! B got baptized in Aiken, SC last weekend and J will get baptized in Aiken next weekend! So very proud of them and so blessed to have been able to teach them the restored gospel. A and C are doing really really well in Perry. 

I love my mission. I love the people here. I love the Lord. I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of us all, that His Church and His priesthood have been restored to the Earth. I am grateful for a knowledge that because of Jesus our regrets, fears, pains, and sorrows can be taken from us. 

Make it a wonderful week.

-Sister Emma Gore

Dear readers,

Sister Rowland got the call Saturday night and reported to her new assignment in Hilton Head, SC aka the second best place for her to be besides as my companion. She stayed in the Savanah stake! I'm not the STL for that half of the stake anymore so we won't go on exchanges but we'll see each other at meetings and interviews and MLC. Love that girl. Perhaps the most profound lesson she taught me, though inadvertently, is that of faith and hope. Sister Rowland moves forward with a "PERFECT brightness of hope". She is undismayed, sees setbacks as happy opportunities, and is a solution-seeker. She trusts her Heavenly Father and her Savior and it is evident in her attitudes and actions.

My new companion is Sister Jensen from Utah. She has been on her mission for just about 1 year. I am excited to serve with her! The Pooler Spanish Elders were also white-washed. We got two new elders, English speaking. They are Elder Holzer and Elder Hooley. So.. Lots of change in our district. Which is energizing and makes me feel like a new missionary in really good ways and not awkward ways.

It was a great week here in Pooler, GA!

K is doing really great - we taught her the word of wisdom and she committed to live it.. actually, she already is living it! We also taught T who has opened up to us a ton recently. I finally feel like we are able to help her progress and she is getting to a place where she is comfortable meeting ward members and that's great because having good fellowship is crucial to her progression!

I read a talk from April 2018 conference earlier this week and I've been thinking about it ever since. Given by Bishop Gérald Caussé, the talk is about the body of the church. He poses a question which I have pondered frequently in moments which are alloted mine.

Asked he, "My dear brothers and sisters, are we active in the gospel, or are we merely busy in the Church?"

He continues by inviting us to consider what the Savior would do if we were to attend church with us next Sunday. Far from concerned about straightening chairs or locating visual aids, the Savior would seek out individuals whom He could strengthen and bless. Such should be our focus! - the individual. Bishop Caussé continues, "I promise you that as you strive to be on the Lord’s agenda, nothing will become more important than finding those people you can help and bless."

I challenge you this week to rise to this new level of activity. Pray to know, each day, who you can serve and help that day. Remember that, as Elder Ballard taught, "What matters most is what lasts the longest". And what matters most is Gods precious children. Focus on people and their needs. Be the instrument by which another receives comfort and aid. Help someone along the narrow path leading to salvation. 

Also shout out to Amelia for graduating from high school.... made it by the skin of her teeth. 

Yours,

Sister Gore