Week 8 & 9 - The one with all the Thanksgivings!

Hello Friends!!

It's been a hot minute but I am back and ready to share all the craziness called mission life here in Oregon.

Before we get started on my email, I have to tell you about my proud moment from last P-day. So I don't do sports...at all! But 2 weeks ago on Monday, Sister Burton and I went to the church to play volleyball because we have to practice for next time we play with the district.  Instead, we start kind of playing basketball. We were playing Around The World and then we started to see if we could make a basket from the 3 point line. I would like to announce that I made a shot!! Not from the 3 point line but the dotted line right below it so I am basically pro ;) 

Ok now on to the email...

Exchanges!

I had my first exchanges on the 13th.  It was a blast! I went over to the Pumpkin Ridge area with Sister Maynes. Holy smokes talk about being with a bold missionary! She is such an amazing example of not caring about what people might think and just going over and talking to people.  We also got to teach this cute family! The mom is a resent convert to the church. Her 10 year old son hasn't been baptized and has a hard time believing in God. His name is Elliott and he is my favorite person EVER!  He is ten but thinks like a 17 year old.  In the middle of the lesson, Elliott and his sister asked us how we gained our testimonies of Heavenly Father. I told them how I came to know Heavenly Father is there and loves me. The spirit was so strong and I could tell Elliott was very touched by the stories Sister Mayes and I had shared.  He then got really emotional and said "I want to believe in God I just don't want to do all the things to get there. I just want him to tell me."  In my head I was like....dude you can't know for yourself if you don't take action. But we lovingly testified that as he prays daily and reads the scriptures with his family, his faith will be strengthen. We also gave him 2 of our favorite talks to listen to while driving to school! Gosh I love that family!

Hard yet strengthening times:

We have sadly seen some of our people get less interested in learning. One of them was a guy named Corey. We came by his house a few times and gave him the Book of Mormon and promised if he reads it he will see how the Bible and the Book of Mormon go hand and hand. Every time we would come back he said he didn't read it and then to on and on about how the Bible is the word of God. The last day that we taught him it was clear he didn't want to try to see if it was true. When we got home Sister Burton and I just fell on the couch exhausted but I was also sad!! My heart was so broken for Corey and his inability to open his heart and eyes.  I was also Frustrated about some things he said that kind of made me worry. Sister Burton asked me how I was doing. I said I was deeply sad for these people.  The people who decide to choose not to listen. Yes I was crying....a lot. Sister Burton told me I was experiencing Godly sorrow.  Let me tell ya, its the worst thing EVER to feel. But also amazing. I was feeling a small piece of how God feels when we turn away from his love and teachings. After some things Sister Burton said I got this overwhelming feeling of strength and confirmation that I know this church is true. God needs us to be taught correctly so he send his Son to establish his church. Now we have it back! Not only am I being led to do good things but I am making covenants to God. I am showing him that I am all in and committed. We have the Plan of Salvation for a road map back home! I know God loves me and that Christ church is back on the earth. I testified to Sister Burton of what I know to be true. We hugged and then proceeded to have a dance party ;)

I LOVE THIS GOSPEL!

FLORANNA!

We set a baptismal date for Floranna! She basically invited her self to be baptized! When we told her the date we wanted her to work towards she got really nervous and stressed. We gave her a few days to think about it. During that time we felt that we realized that we taught her too much too fast. So we decided to go back and take it step by step. She feels a lot better and is willing to learn and do the things we invite her to do! She still wants to be baptized but not quite yet. 

The Portland Temple!

Last Wednesday Sister Burton and I got to go to the Portland temple! Gosh it is such a beautiful temple inside and out! It felt so good to go and do a session....even though it's been a month since I last went. I left feeling re-energized and ready to take on the week! Love that place!

First Zone Conference!

I love Zone Conference!

I was able to sing for the opening musical number with another sister, Sister Jun. It felt so good to sing again, but I was SOOO NERVOUS! In the end it went really well and everyone enjoyed it!  At Zone Conference I was able to get back into the grove of things. For a while I was feeling like I dont know how to talk to people!! But with all of the role playing we did I felt good by the Zone conference. 

Side note: Sister Jun actually has a song on the new youth album for the church! It is SO good. It's called, "Listen." I would definitely go listen to it, she is amazing. I'm grateful I was able to sing with her! 

Stake Conference:

We had Stake Conference and it was amazing. The people here in Forest Grove are so inspiring. One of the talks really stuck with me. This guy talked about his story with depression and bipolar 1 disorder. It was amazing. I want to share what I have learned about depression and anxiety since I have been out. 

My companion, Sister Burton, gave me permission to share her story about depression. She has had really bad depression and anxiety lately. She has never been diagnosed but she is pretty sure she has it. Anyway both of their stories inspire me. They truly find joy in Christ through the weakness and trials God has given them. Sister Burton has taught me the real meaning of joy. Joy doesn't mean being happy all the time and everything is always good. No its seeing the way Christ loves you and is constantly praying that you see his light that is in you. Christ always is, he died for you so he knows what to do for you. So to actually see that during those hard times and also seeing it in the good, that is Joy. I have never thought about it that way. I am so grateful for both Sister Burton and the man who spoke up about his story. As I have seen it face to face every day watching my companion giving her all every day which means (getting out of bed or getting ready for the day). You never know what people go through so just love them!  We need to love and serve Fathers children.  God is the only one who truly knows what we are going through.  As his children if we reach out with love to others we can see the way God sees us.  

I am so grateful for everything the mision has taught me so far and it's only been 1 month out here in Oregon. I am so excited to see what each minute brings! 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE! If I had time to email every one who has touched my life in some way I would! Show love and gratitude to your loved ones today and to God! I'm off to two Thanksgiving Dinners - first holiday in the mission field!  Life is good!!

I love you all so much! "Keep loving, keep trying, keep trusting, keep believing, keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow and forever!" -Jeffery R Holland

Love, 

Sister Fillmore

General Conference talks - that's our TV show.

We all know how much I love trail mix ;)

Zone Conference

Temple Trip!

Portland Temple

Yes a family has a chipmunk as a pet. It's so cute!!

I love OREGON!!

Week 7-The one where Sister Fillmore eats all the M&M's in the trail mix...

Friends!!!

This week was a struggle not going to lie. But it has also helped me to see how much God loves me and needs me to learn and grow! But through this crazy week we have seen so much success! We got 2 people to come to church yesterday and I was just SO EXCITED TO SEE THEM!! Their names are Crystal and Brian. Crystal is way more prepared that her husband is but we still have hope! Crystal is going to 3 church's right now, so we are trying to show her this is the true church and the one she needs to go to. I have found out that we can't do that...God needs to show her that. We as missionaries are here to help and Invite. So keep her in your prayers that she will come to realize the importance of this church :)

We had another Lesson with David. We found him 2ish weeks ago. He was a little sketchy in the beginning and we almost gave him over to the elders. But man having fellowshippers there helps SOOOO MUCH! 

I could definitely feel a difference and knew that we could continue teaching him :)

He has an addiction problem he is working through but truly understands the teaching. So he is working through that. But we feel that we could get him on date in a few weeks!! 

We found a couple more people which makes me so happy! Our District has been killing it with our goals!! 

God has helped me understand what he needs me to do while I am learning which is being kind and loving to every one. He has shown me that I am really good at it and I need to focus on that while I am being trained.  I am so grateful for sister burton for showing me that I have come so far and I just need to keep going. 

She told me that there will be ups and downs but we are still progressing! Just because a hill might be bigger than another, doesn't mean we aren't progressing. 

Like my sweet friend Dory says, 

"J U S T  K E E P  S W I M M I N G!!" 

Now the explanation of the Title of my email...

I love trail mix! Just not the raisins. So I eat the M&Ms...and the peanuts. Don't worry silly gooses ;)

On Friday when I was eating my version of trail mix I looked in the bag and there was no more M&Ms....Sister burton wasn't to happy with me when I showed her. Luckily we are going to the store today so we will remember to buy extra M&Ms and put it in the bag. 

Again I would love to show my love and gratitude towards my Companion!! She has helped me in so many ways! Including have dance parties, yes missionaries have dance parties too!!! If you have Hilary weeks song "Living Proof" then your set! 

I love you all!

Have the best week, you are amazing remember that. God knows who you can become so use the tools he has given you to do so! C P R ;)

Love,

Sister Fillmore 

Service Day

Oops...did I eat all the MnM's?

Week 6- The one where you can't just be comfortable.

Friends!!!!

Man oh man oh man! This week was awesome!

Tuesday was so much fun. Sister Burton and I were thinking of ways we could spread God's love and light. So we grabbed our coats, sidewalk chalk and walk down to the park! We wrote this long but awesome quote all the way down the sidewalk. The quote is "The creator of the sea, sands and endless stars is reaching out to YOU this very day! He is offering the GRAND recipe for happiness, peace and eternal  life!" -Dieter F. Uchtdorf 

We were getting waves from those driving next to us on the road and texts from members saying "you have been caught doing graffiti on the side walk....it better be good!" Haha. Don't worry it is ;) We were frozen but it was worth it!! Our ward did trunk or treat was on Tuesday as well so Sister Burton and I passed out candy and pass along cards! The kids faces when they saw the card was priceless, haha.

       

We talked to a lot of sweet people this week. We found 2 new people to talk to. So we will see how that progresses. We are teaching this one sweet girl named Kim. Oh my heck I LOVE HER! She is so sweet and is wanting to be better and just happier! I testified to her that the Book of Mormon and the truthfulness of it and how we need to read it daily to obtain that testimony. Personally, I know my testimony is growing stronger every single day by reading the scriptures. 

SIDE NOTE:  I can not stress enough of how important it is to read the scriptures daily! It is a road map to endless happiness. Read it, ponder it, pray about it! When you do this each day your days will be happier and you will be filled with peace. 

Ok back to our week:  We helped with the farmers market for the last time this Wednesday :( I'm going to miss that market. It's been so fun to meet people and to help. When I come back you betcha I'll be at the farmers market and getting all the food and pies they are selling! Anyone want to join me? :)

Funny Story:

I got attacked by a thorn branch this week. Meaning I was walking and waving to cars (as all missionaries do ;)) wasn't looking to see what was on the sidewalk and a branch caught my tights and latched on to my leg. It hurt so bad!! But after some tug and pull I was free! Don't worry to bad injuries. My leg just looks like a cat attacked me. But we are good! 

Like I said earlier this week we have been able to meet so many sweet people. The thing that makes me sad though was when they say, "no thank you, we are comfortable with our church." It makes me sad because if you are comfortable then you ARE NOT growing. Sister Burton would always say to me after they would close the door, "Aww comfort, the enemy of progress." Its so true. (Side note: quote is from Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman. Hugh knows what he is talking about :)  It's so true though with anything in life!

Brothers and Sisters this week I have learned that in order to receive all of Gods blessings we need to strengthen our relationship with Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father by doing CPR (church, prayer and reading our scriptures).  By doing this we will feel enriched and excited to take on the day. 

President Monson said, "It is not even enough for us to be convinced of the gospel; we must act and think so that we are converted by it."

I invite you to become converted each day. Do those small things. Those small things are the foundation to your testimony and the way you can strengthen your relationship with God and Christ. 

I love you all! God loves you and wants you to talk to him. So talk to him. It will make His day and it will make your day, I promise ;)

Have such an amazing week! 

Love,

Sister Fillmore

AHH...so cute!

Trunk-or-Treat!

Thanks Mom!

Mirror Selfie!!

Spreading God's love to all that walk by!