Sister Abby Fillmore - Oregon, Salem Mission: 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