This transfer, ending December 12, I set a goal to seek to develop the Christlike attribute of virtue. As part of this goal I have been praying daily for strength to do good and withstand temptation. On Wednesday Sister S needed a power nap and that left me some time. My initial thought was to put on music and do the dishes. I did put on music and then quickly became dissatisfied. My Spirit wanted quiet. And so I turned off the music and just listened and thought. And no impressive thoughts or revelations came. But the quiet was nice and my thoughts were elevated and I was thankful that Heavenly Father put that desire in my heart. And that I chose best. 

New sisters have been put in the Harlem Ward. We had lunch with them on Friday. Sister Sshared her conversion story which is basically awesome. Sister W shared her resistance to serving a mission for 2.5 years and how she finally submitted to the will of the Lord. Then she asked me, "Have you just always wanted to serve?" Shrugging, I confirmed her wondering with "Pretty much". And the conversation moved on. Unremarkable. Ordinary. No grand revelation or pivotal instance where I had a grand change of heart. And I thought about that for a moment and the Spirit showed me a new way to look at this: I am living my dream.

All of my desires and hopes to serve a mission have been realized and here I am doing exactly what I always wanted and that's incredible. I'm thankful for the things that Heavenly Father allowed to happen such that I can be here - for the sacrifices of my family - for my health and ability to be here. 

I'm not sure what else happened this week.  We can feel your prayers and good things happening. I know that the Lord has miracles prepared for us here. We just need to be willing to be an instrument in the Lord's hands. 

A is still out of town but has been reading the Book of Mormon.  We had msucadine grapes this week and they were so good. It's threatening to get cold which is awesome. 

 

Follow the Spirit. He's pretty good at these things.

-Sister Gore

Is it November already?

Happy things that happened this week:

1. The Elders have been trying to meet a less-active member of the church for like 6 months. We met him the first time we knocked on his door. He opened the door and said "Hi, Sisters" which is like.. my favorite thing that people say to us aside from "Can I be baptized?". It just warms my heart. How good to be a missionary. Anyways, super awesome guy who joined the church just like 7 years ago. We are going back to meet the rest of his family tonight.

2. We had interviews with President  this week. He took the time to role play the restoration (lesson 1) with each companionship. It was so cool to get to practice teaching him and Sister Grayson.   They gave us some really awesome feedback which we have been using in our contacts. As a direct result of applying their counsel, we got 2 new investigators this week!

3.  We met the K family this week. They are both converts but have not attended church in a long time. They are sweet, genuine people. D shared that he first gained a testimony of Jesus Christ when his brother died. Torn with despair and regret, he read the entire Bible in 2 weeks. He could not put it down, but hungered after the word of God. D explained the incredible healing and strength that came as he threw himself into the scriptures and learned about Jesus Christ. They both have desires to repent and return - we are seeing them Wednesday with some members.

Grovetown put up Christmas lights this week on light poles and such  - no complaints.

Finding is difficult. We talk to people all day and are trying to stretch ourselves and find new ways to contact and really... experiment and follow the Spirit when we talk to people. People just.. don't ever want us to come back. I have a tendency to worry that.. I don't know. I suppose I just always question if I'm doing enough or if maybe I'm missing something or falling short and so the Lord can't bless us with work and people to teach. When I account to the Lord each day I work hard to learn how the Lord feels about me as His servant and about the work we do each day. That brings me peace. I especially love when I hear the Spirit whisper a way I can be better - it is good to be shown how to grow.

We met a lady who recently joined herself with Jehovah's Witnesses this week. She shared with us her understanding of the fall of Adam and Eve - that it was an unforgivable mistake and that Adam and Eve ruined God's plan for us to dwell in a paradise with Him. Sister S and I listened and then shared with her our knowledge about the Fall. As we did so, it became so apparent to me that everything we know about the Fall is taught so plainly in the Book of Mormon. Heavenly Father knew that Adam and Eve would partake of the fruit - He prepared a way to redeem man from sin and death, the effects of the fall - the choices of no man have the power to upset God's work - Adam and Eve gained their knowledge of good and evil after partaking - children could be brought into the world only after the fall - the fall enables us to have joy. I am thankful that Heavenly Father's plan is outlined so clearly in the Book of Mormon. I am thankful for opposition - for weeds and trials and heartache - I am thankful for my agency - I am thankful that Adam and Eve chose to leave the garden that man might be - I am thankful for Jesus Christ, the Savior from the foundation of the world.

22 And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end.

23 And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.

24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.

25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

26 And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.

27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

28 And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit;

-Sister Gore

welcome to the south

Looking happy in jackets and sweaters  :)

Hi! I am sure that some really awesome stuff happened this week but I don't remember any of it except Elder Klebingat. So.

Let's see, we went to Macon for conference on Saturday. We wanted to leave at 6. But then neglected to turn on the alarm that we set. So we woke up, luckily, at 6:06. And were in the car by 6:18 (hold the applause) and still managed to get McDonald's for breakfast (now you may applaud).

Anyways, super awesome conference! I'm not even sure how to communicate it all to you. Here are some thoughts that might be valuable to you: 

1. Silence in the face of calamity is sin.

2. Do not be casual - arise and shine forth.

3. It is always better to avoid sin than to resist sin.

4. The pain of discipline weighs ounces; the pain of regret weighs tons.

5. The gates of sin open inwardly.

6. Recognizing the distance between ourselves and the Savior is happy. Grow.

7. DECIDE to love the gospel/Book of Mormon/Savior/etc and then DECIDE to never let that love fade.

8. Be conscientious. Do not sit back and see what happens. Plan. Make goals. Take things to the Lord. Bring about good in your own life.

He talked a ton about the scattering and gathering of Israel which I then studied more on my own. We actually ended up teaching the lesson about it on Sunday in gospel principles! I remember learning about it in seminary but understanding it on a very surface level and not understanding why I needed to know. And now I get it. And I understand more fully why I get out of bed at 630 hundreds of miles away from my family. Because the Lord made covenants. And is keeping them. God's work is the family - His family - and as a minister of the restored gospel I have the unique privilege and responsibility to gather God's children - to give them the knowledge they need to covenant with God and return to Him and receive all of the blessings He desires us to have. I wish I could.. share with you the feelings that I have about all of it. Emails don't cut it - I want you to be able to feel what I feel - but that's okay. 

Pretty much the best weekend ever. 

Also, Sister V went home on Monday and I got to see her at the conference on Saturday! So thankful for her. 

Have the best week ever until next week. 

Love,

Sister Gore

With Sister V before she went home 

Because

What else are you going to do on Halloween?

Guess what everyone? 

Turns out that every week is a good week. 

A came back this week!! For 2 days. He's gone again. But we did get to see him and he's been reading the Book of Mormon and he met good LDS people while he was on his trip (I prayed hard for this). We went and saw him on Sunday night with a couple in the ward,she  is a returned missionary and her husband is a convert whom she taught on her mission. Turns out, A and Brother H have the same religious background (grew up religious and involved before becoming agnostic/atheistic). It was so awesome to see them connect. We taught the Restoration. Great lesson -  lots of questions so it is exciting to see him understand and have those questions answered. Also, he has way more faith than he realized and gives himself credit for. It is rewarding to help him to recognize that. He even said he will pray one time this week! His heart is softening. 

On Sunday night we had parked our car and were walking to go and see someone (it was like 8pm and dark at this point) and we crossed paths with a girl who was just kind of walking home by herself and was pretty nervous about a dog up ahead. We had previously met this St Bernard and knew he was fine and volunteered to walk this girl home. Sweet girl. Lots of ambition and drive, ready to graduate high school in the spring. We shared some of our message with her as we walked mile or so to her home and she said we can go back Friday to share more. I love experiences like that. When it's obvious why we are in a place at a specific time. And so we get to serve God's children. 

Not much else happened this week - we tracted -it rained - Sister S learned that Moroni who wrote the book Moroni is different than Captain Moroni - we had some other good lessons with some new investigators. 

-Sister Gore

He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.

Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price.

2 Nephi 26: 24-25

A's mom - got baptized in Perry

Exchanges and Colgate

Hi so it was a bomb.com week and my heart is super full. :)

On Tuesday we went bowling and I totally creamed our district which is hilarious because I have proven myself an awful bowler in times past. Not complaining. It was fun.

This week we met a lady who was baptized in  July and the Elders have been working with her but now we are because the ward felt that that would just be better. She has a teenage daughter and a husband who are not members of the church.

A is still out of town on business but he has been reading the Book of Mormon!! Which is awesome. I love that book. 

We met a lady named Sister C this week. She was baptized in Spain when she was 8 but her family was totally inactive. So she now has a daughter who is 24 or so who has also been baptized but neither of them know anything about the gospel. So.. we went over and were trying to understand why they don't come to church and whatnot. And she was saying that all the missionaries in the ward have come over and asked the same questions. And she seemed a little perplexed that this was being repeated. So we slowed down and asked some questions and learned that neither of them know anything about the church or the gospel but want desperately to understand. So that's exciting. We're gonna see them once a week. :)

On Sunday we went to church!! Sister S and I were sitting in the front row of the overflow. Sacrament meeting had just barely started and a little girl, probably 4 or 5, came running into the chapel to where her family was sitting. "Did I miss the sacrament???", she asked. It totally made my Sunday. She understands the why! Young as she is she understands that we come to Church to partake of the sacrament and make promises with Heavenly Father and to remember Jesus Christ. 

On Monday I was on exchanges with Sister P. We are very similar and have the same work ethic so it was way awesome and we saw so many miracles!! We got 2 return appointments with people we met and got a referral from mormon.org (those are incredibly rare in Grovetown) for a lady who was meeting with missionaries in Omaha and just moved here and wants to keep learning! Amazing. Also on exchanges we met a gecko. And named him Colgate. Col for short. Also I had to buy new toothpaste today. Yes, the wonder of missionary work. 

ALSO BACK IN PERRY :C,A's mother, was baptized on Saturday!!! Which makes my heart so full. I love those two. 

-Sister Gore

We finally had a lesson with Alex last week. He is awesome. His highest pursuit is that of truth. Alex has started to read the Book of Mormon, but hesitates to pray because he feels that all the prayers he offered earlier in his life went unanswered. 

Our biggest challenge right now is probably just that the people we meet are incredibly busy. And even if they sincerely want to learn, it's hard to set appointments and what not.

My study time has become.. Just, awesome. It's something that I am guaranteed control over! So I have been focusing on digging into the plain and precious truths of the gospel while the work is slow so that the Lord can draw on my understanding when we do have people to teach. I usually can get ready fast enough to have 1.5 hours of study. A +. This week I studied a ton about how through Jesus Christ we can be cleansed from sin. I studied the relationship between grace and our own works. This doctrine is taught so clearly in the Book of Mormon! I love 2 Nephi which teaches us that "salvation is free" and that "men are free" and given all the knowledge and ability to "choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death". No unclean thing can dwell with God, and our sins and failures and carnal nature certainly makes us unclean. Jesus Christ came and suffered for us so that we can be clean and return to the presence of our Heavenly Father as we CHOOSE to be made clean by living the gospel of Jesus Christ. God calls unto us, saying, "whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest" (Alma 12: 34).

I am thankful that the way is prepared. I am thankful that Heavenly Father expects me to change and grow and learn - that I cannot be saved in complacency. I am thankful that God is not content that we stay how we are, but that we become more like Him and rely on Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ - it it simple, it is true, it is a sure way to have peace in this life and to know we are on the path back to God and eternal joy. I am thankful that God expects us to work - as He surely works, ever on our behalf. I am thankful for Jesus Christ and his abounding and perfect love, by which He atoned for the sins of all mankind. He is the way, the truth, and the life - through Him we can grow closer to our Father in Heaven. I am thankful that God loved us so much that He sent Jesus Christ, His Only Begotten Son, to suffer, bleed, and die. I am thankful that the Savior ever pleads with us: Come, follow me.

We also had stake confernece this weekend in Evans. The Augusta stake is awesome! Super inspired leadership. We talked about how revelation from the Lord comes to the prophet and works its way to area authorities and stake presidencies and bishops and to parents and into the home. And that's the end of the road. And that's where it really matters that we live the gospel. One thing that touched me was said by a man who spoke of his new-found love and appreciation for family history work. He said, "I prayed often that family history would be a spiritual experience for me." I had never thought to do that! I am sure that if I had sought that from the Lord that I would've more diligently searched for my kindred dead. I resolved after that meeting to pray that the Lord would help me to have more spiritual experiences and that I might recognize them and have my testimony strengthened and light brightened.

I challenge you to do the same! Identify an area in your worship or.. daily life in which you are bored or less enthused about. Perhaps it is mutual or presidency meeting or council meetings or family dinners or your own personal study. family home evening. family council. Anything! Pray that the Lord will show you how to make it a spiritual experience. Act upon the impressions you receive. Be open to the influence of the Holy Ghost, who knoweth all things and inviteth and enticeth to do good continually. 

-Sister Emma Gore

Week 2 in Grovetown. 

I've never been so tired in my life. We spent all our time walking. In the sun. I sleep like a rock. It's amazing.

Grovetown is interesting because it doesn't feel like GA. It's a military community so.. no one is even really from here. Also it was cold this week so that was odd. Who knew that happened in GA? 

This week we met our ward mission leader. He is from AZ and sells.. something to do with trash. Anyways, he's super awesome and has a lot of energy for missionary work. We had ward coordination at his house with the Elders the other day,he taught Sister S and I so much and we've been using it as we tract and people are way more open to us and to talking and it's awesome. . 

General Conference was this weekend! It's basically Christmas as a missionary. So good. I loved President Nelson's pondering of the Book of Momon:

How precious is the Book of Mormon to me?

What would my life be like without the Book of Mormon? what would I not know? what would I not have? 

When I think of the Book of Mormon I think of ____.

I've been pondering the answers to those questions yesterday and today. I took about 30 minutes of my study this morning to reflect on what the Book of Mormon really is and why that has matters in my life. To share a few thoughts:

The Book of Mormon taught me to fully repent and change.

The Book of Mormon is my first source of knowledge and understanding in regard to the infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Mormon confirms the reality of a life after death.

The Book of Mormon shows us how to withstand temptation.

The Book of Mormon brings light into my life - light that can only emanate from that which is true and good and testifies of Christ - light that leads to repent and reach for a better way. The Book of Mormon leads us home to a loving and merciful Father in Heaven, eager to grant us eternal joy and progression according to our deeds and intents here upon the Earth. 

I also loved Elder Arden's words. He encouraged us to be patient disciples, waiting upon the Lord, holding to the things we do know and feel and understand while waiting for further knowledge. He encouraged us to "pay the price" for gospel knowledge. Are we willing to do so? Do we trust Heavenly Father?

Keep being awesome. 

"Shall we not go on in so great a cause?"

Love,

Sister Gore

Growin in Grovetown

Hi!

Today makes day 6 in Grovetown,  It is tiny and just about a purely residential town. Tons of new homes and lots of construction and the families are typically young and with children,and move around a lot. The demographic is totally different from Perry, GA.  Right before we got to the ward they actually had to split the boundary and create a new ward because this are is growing so fast. Our area is tiny! And I love it.

I am here with Sister S. She has been out about 5 months and was baptized last year. She's from Iowa, plays trumpet and did so at Iowa State, so that is fun.

There are Elders already serving in the Grovetown Ward and President Grayson just added us as the Grovetown Ward Sisters. So we are re-opening/white washing here. Which is insane. We got our assignment and were just... left to ourselves! It was a huge blessing that Sister S had a GPS. We made it! White washing is so weird because no one tells you how to do it. There's no instructions. You just go to your area and figure it out.

It's been an absolute blast. So fun. And I love not having a companion who's been in the area because I didn't step out the door of the apartment to work with any pre-conceived notions about what the people/area were like. We've just been figuring stuff out on our own.

Missionaries already pray a ton but I'm pretty sure my praying has like.. tripled since getting here. I am just so desperate to be led and instructed by the Spirit. We have seen miracles this week. Primarily, we have been led to some amazing people who seem really sincere and ready to learn the gospel.

Thursday we also had dinner with Bishop B and his family. They are awesome! Bishop B's push with his ward this year is that each person has daily accountability to the Lord. He loaded us up with  families to visit. It was clear that he had very high expectations for us as the missionaries serving in his ward and that was super exciting to see. 

Make it a great week. Focus on Jesus Christ. 

Sister Gore

Goodbye to Sister O

Hello to Sister S