FAIR WEEK

It was a Many-a-door^step-and-Mexican-TIENDA-lessons kinda week :)

We met a girl named Isabel a few weeks back, and we're able to teach her the restoration this week! It went really well, so spiritual and so much unity :) another appointment tomorrow! She fed us afterwards, [see picture] I LOVE HISPANICS:) 

There's not a ton going on with our investigators, we've had a slow couple weeks trying to find, this past week we have had luck and been blessed to find a couple!:) hopefully this week we'll be able to go back and visit with them, I love finding people! Knocking til my knuckles crack :) being able to share our testimonies on the porch step really brings the spirit, i am really grateful for that. We'll keep workin hard this week, being diligent and faithful in our callings to bring the gospel to all nations!:) 

I've learned how important it is to believe in the lord, whose work this is, but also that we need to believe in ourselves. Yes we see our weaknesses and we're very aware that we're not perfect, but that does not have to stop us, or even slow us down! We need to believe in ourselves, and believe in the power of our Saviors atonement, he can change us and strengthen us in ways we can't do alone. I am so grateful for him, and the strength I receive. If I've learned anything, it's that I Know we have a loving Heavenly Father, and the

At he truly knows us by name, and loves us. Unconditionally. He hears and answers our prayers. I know that to be true. I love love love being a missionary. 

McMinnville is so country. <3 

We have this goal of FEAR NO MAN. Which aka just trying to be like every other good missionary in the world and talk to everyone, no matter if it's awkward or uncomfortable but just being bold and doing it!:) I've taken this goal to the lord, and I KNEW he would give me chances to be tested, of course. 

Which brings us to the fair! We and the elders took turns manning the booth the church has, giving out candies and pamphlets and books and things :) it was really fun! Definitely serving in the south. The fair is so huge here!:) cassadee pope from the voice performed on Thursday, idk who she is but my companion loves her so that was fun! So exciting :) 

LOVE YALLL have a fabulous week!

HIGHLIGHT(s):

Funnel cakes.

Fried cookie dough. 

Fried Oreos.

Friend snickers.

And yes, Fried twinkles. 

#south.

Alooooooooha

Soooo this week. Pues.

It's starting to cool off this weekend :) yay! 

On Tuesday we met with this woman, Patricia, (my favorite kind of person: complete southerner) who a couple weeks ago we had given her a Book of Mormon. She said, I want to return the book, I don't want it. 

And she said that, my heart dropped. I was so sad! 

We sat and talked for a minute, and I wouldn't take the book back.l.hermana Sorensen did, and we continued talking. All I could do was try to give her the Book of Mormon back,I'm just testified boldly and sincerely, and said, Patricia I truly know this book can change your life, because it has changed mine. 

And I mean that. I've always wondered about that, how everyone says the Book of Mormon can changes one's life...it's so real. To think of the person I was two years ago, I am completely changed. Because of the Book of Mormon. I truly do know and understand my savior better, and I am so grateful for the comfort I feel when I read those words :) 

Ps She accepted the book back :) yes!

Wednesday, a less active lady called us, that we had been searching for all last transfer! We were able to meet her on Thursday and wowwwww her story. She is ready to come back! She has 5 kids, all ready to come to church and be taught the lessons, we are so excited, so much hope for her and her family! Please pray for the Lopez family.

Monserrat and her family weren't able to go to church yesterday ):  we invited them to be baptized last Friday! And they have been reading the Book of Mormon :) they are nervous, but said they'll read more and and pray some more about it. We feel so good about them,  they're our transfer miracle! We know it can happen,theyre so prepared :) please keep Monserrat and her family in your prayers as well:) 

Saturday. Oh Saturday....such a hard day.. no tengo palabras.

Here's all I have to say, or better, here's what our dear friend Elder Holland has to say,

"When you struggle, when you are rejected, when you are spit upon and cast out and made a hiss and a byword, you are standing with the best life this world has ever known, the only pure and perfect life ever lived. You have reason to stand tall and be grateful that the Living Son of the Living God knows all about your sorrows and afflictions. The only way to salvation is through Gethsemane and on to Calvary. The only way to eternity is through Him--the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

I am so grateful for my savior Jesus Christ. I know as he was in the garden, he experienced every single moment of my life. I know as he walked to Calvary, he walked in my shoes. He died for me on the cross, so I can be brought back and live with him and our father in heaven once again, with my sweet family. I know as we struggle, and take up his cross, if we turn to him, think about him just a little more, we will be strengthened, and braver, and happier. 

I am so happy to be a missionary, to struggle, and to work hard, to come to know my savior and to be able to represent him, and share the joyful news of the gospel. I love him. I want everyone to come to know their savior as I know him, and i am going to work hard for that :) 

Here's to a new week! Full of miracles waiting to happen, lives waiting to be changed, prepared people waiting to be found, and the warren county fair waiting to happen :D

Con amor, 

Hermana Eastwood ️

Here's some funny facts:

-"Is yours the religion who is so annoying and knocks on everyone's doors?!"a friend of one of our members...

-catfish is good. Frog legs, however, are not...

 -I've never been honked at so much in my life than here in TN.

-that awkward moment when you find yourself falling asleep more often on your knees than in your bed. #ItsAllGood

Hola from McMinnville!

The spirit you feel when you have a family home evening and the end of the night you pray on your knees..unbeatable.

Monserrat and her family are doing great!:) were planning on asking them to be baptized for October tenth this week! /tonight!:) they came to church yesterday and the week before, the branch LOVES them and they love the church too!:)! 

this week we got transfer calls An investigator decided to invite us to his restaurant to buy us dinner, so we went anddddd it was delicious and only slightly awkward cause he asked who was les I got and we said NO ONE. 

Hermana Sorensen and I are staying together for 6 more weeks here! It'll be fun, we have been thinking about goals and trying to find those who are R E A D Y. We see a lot of potential, but we know what we have to do to help them see their potential.

This week has been a good one, andd a little discouraging at times. This is how I've received yet another confirmation from the spirit that this is the Lords work, and the scriptures are true :) 

We've been working so hard, and we're doing all we can to share the gospel clearly and boldly. We find so many people were so excited about, with so much potential, and then they fall off the face of the earth and were sad and eat Mexican ice cream...[see photo;) ]

But throughout my studies this week, what has stuck out to me has been diligently doing your task. 

I know I am doing my part, I am giving the lord everything I have, and I have to trust that is enough. I am doing what he's called me to do, and the rest is in his hands, and according to the agency of his beloved children. 

Sometimes It's discouraging, but I know our Heavenly Father has a plan for each one of us, and I know he has blessed us with the spirit, the comforter, to strengthen us and inspire us, and to carry us. I am so grateful for my savior, and this time I have to be his representative and preach his Gospel.

Love,
Hermana Eastwood 

Time is going by so fast!

Time is literally going by so fast. 

We've done something cool this week, we began last Sunday and did a full week of Gratitude-Only prayers! It was so cool! A real faith tester and builder, to not ask for anything. But knowing that my Heavenly Father knows the desires of my heart, and he already knows what I need, and he knows better how to help me. So to go for a week without asking anything, I know we truly did his will, completely. It was amazing. Plus with us being so sick this week, he blessed us immensely with the energy and strength we've needed to do his work!

We have been finding some really cool people! 

We have a girl named Monserrat, and her mom-Yolanda, and her mom -rosa, and her mom-....something Hispanicky..#4GENERATIONS. They know two members, Monserrat works with them, and we've started teaching them!:) they walked into church yesterday!!!!! They loved it! And the second lesson we had with them, Yolanda asked about baptism! Oh my gosh earlier that day we were talking and praying about setting a date. We're thinking October 3rd :) never lose the faith that people are prepared by his hand :)

Something I've learned/realized this week is that we need to treat everyone we meet not only as Jesus would, but as we would treat Jesus Christ himself. I've been thinking a lot about that, and His Atonement. I know he suffered and died for me personally, because he loves me. I know his atonement paid for every single one of us, out of his never ending love for us.

Also, I know yall are not tired yet of our never ending adventures with bikes and rain.. Literally biked through a river this week. Life is so good. 

Ps tender mercies: an Hermana from the branch gave us a HUGE jar of peanut butter, (crunchy ;) ) AND NUTELLA. S/o to you sweet girl Hermana Kilgore!;) #GodBlessAmerica

We took our friend Joselyn (baptized last year) out with us on Friday night, and we were running around for 2 hours finding people to teach, she was so sweet though! Says going out with the missionaries makes her excited to serve! She's 16! So sweet:) we ended the night with ice cream, the only reasonable explanation to a very sick week haha. We smart. 

I've realized we only learn as we struggle, we only grow when we fall. This week I had an interesting experience. We were contacting a referral, AWESOME FAMILY from Puerto Rico, we're so excited about them. And we taught them about the restoration, and I was just OFF. I was not feeling like a good missionary or teacher, and I could not understand how I had been doing this for so long...satan was getting to me so strongly. I felt bad, and looked down at my restoration pamphlet and saw the picture of Jesus holding the sheep, and I just felt so much love, and his tender arms around me. After the lesson I expressed how I was feeling, and after I calmed down a little bit, we got to teach a recently baptized family and teach them. It's amazing how bad I was feeling, and once I gave it to the Lord, he helped me so much. He truly carried me that day. 

I love this work, I love growing and learning and struggling and teaching and doing my best. I know when I struggle, I am in his hands, and I know I can't let him down cause I'm doing my best. And I know my weaknesses will not slow down his work, because he is a God of miracles! I am honored to represent his son Jesus Christ, and I know it is him who is working these miracles, not me. I am simply his instrument :)

Hope yall have a happy week (: 

Love,

Hermana Eastwood 

A Stormy Week in McMinnville

All I remember of this week is that I was wet the entire time. Rain and bikes is a really fun, dangerous adventure :) 

On Wednesday I gave a training at District Meeting on prayer. It was really nice be able to reflect on my relationship with my Heavenly Father and to think about how big of a blessing it is that we pray. 

I've definitely strengthened my testimony of prayer so much on my mission. I know our father in heaven truly cares about every single one of us, and that he listens. And more than that, I know he answers us. I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost, the comforter we have been blessed with to get us through the best and hardest times. 

This week specifically I have strengthened/gained my testimony of having s prayer in your heart all the time. For example, When you're biking in a storm, sometimes it gets hard.. But as you pour your heart out to God, thanking him for the many blessings and realize you're communicating with a he sent being, you're filled with the spirit and strength you need :) #GratitudePrayers.

One day the Elders had mercy on us and gave us the car for a few hours. Blessings, Let me tell ya. It's like we're a little McMinnville missionary family-there are 4 elders here and we all live SO CLOSE. It's so fun!

LA CAZONA. so on Friday we had planned on eating dinner with this less active Hermana, and she invited a member too. So we all go over there, anddddd she doesn't feed us so we teach her and ya know be missionaries and do missionary work and what not.. Then we leave and the member is like, do you wanna go eat with me? So we go to La CAZONA where almost every Hispanic in this town works, and we eat dinner :) some delicious chicken with cheesy sauce, and fried ice cream! And the best part was our investigator was our Waiter! It was so awesome!:) 

I just love serving in the south. These southern women, man I'm telling you...so many good memories!:) 

I'm so happy to be serving my mission.

“… It is not enough to serve God with all of our might and strength. He who looks into our hearts and knows our minds demands more than this. In order to stand blameless before God at the last day, we must also serve him with all our heart and mind.

...Service with all of our heart and mind is a high challenge for all of us. Such service must be free of selfish ambition. It must be motivated only by the pure love of Christ”-Dallin H. Oaks.

 

Love yall, have a great week!:) 

Hermana Eastwood 

Temple trip in Tennessee

WE WENT TO THE TEMPLE ON WEDNESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was a double blessing cause we drove through MURFREESBORO!!!!:) ah. My heart just aches for the Boro I love it so much.

The temple was amazing. I love the spirit one feels there, I didn't want to leave. It's so peaceful, I felt so loved. I am so grateful for this gospel.

Friday night we had the FUNNIEST LESSON EVER.

there's this man named Bernardo the hermanas met a few weeks ago I think, he's really cool. We've pursued and feel like he is our transfer miracle!! We went over on Friday to visit him, and his brother Juan came out too....oh my gosh. It was crazy, it was such a good lesson, Bernardo has so much interest!! But it was the funniest lesson and the most crazy as well. Juan was all drunk and being all distracting and weird...Hispanic men sometimes I swear haha but we were able to teach Bernardo a solid lesson about the restoration of the gospel and the Book of Mormon!  It was a hard lesson cause wow lots of distractions (and patience is definitely a virtue), but it was AWESOME because it showed how much Bernardo has :):) 

Saturday-

We helped the branch president (Caten)and his familia clean the church! Then we went to Smithville with his mom to visit a less active named Xochitl -new favorite name. (Zo-cheee).

Then I lived my county dream and we worked on a farm!!!! Sister Caten has like 30 cows!!!!

I realized something huge while In a lesson with Onesimo Saturdays night, a man who's been investigating for a while, and reads and comes to church and everything (is unsure about life cause he's already been baptized). I was sharing an experience I'd had on my mission, about how i had obtained my testimony on a certain principle.  

A testimony is something so precious and personal. Your testimony is never shared without all your heart. i give a piece of myself to these people as i testify to them, I feel the spirit working through me to touch their hearts. Never miss a chance to bear your testimony of your savior Jesus Christ :) 

I have never felt more certain that I by myself am nothing, but I am an instrument in the hands of my God, being led and guided through him to help his children find their way back.:) 

I wouldn't want to be doing anything else at this time.

On Sunday during branch council I was told I would be giving a talk. Awesome.. on missionary work and why I am here and how I got here. AWESOME. It was good to reflect on my mission and on my decision to serve, and the difference I've seen in myself and all I've learned. 

I am so grateful for my mission :) for my family and the support I have from them and their examples, I am so grateful for how much I have come to know my savior Jesus Christ, and to wear his name over my heart everyday, and to testify of him in his name. THis has been the best experience I've ever had, I love sharing the message of the restoration,  and helping others come closer to Christ and find purpose in this life. 

Hope you all have an amazing week!!!!:)

Love,

Hermana Eastwood

It's definitely August in TN

What a great week!

On Wednesday we had Exchanges!! The Love of my life Sis Svedin came here to McMinnville with me! (These people are crazy, letting me take over the area after a week....haha. We biked all day, and had fun in the rain too...;) livin that missionary life. I love sister Svedin so MUCH!!!!! We had an awesome day, sip learned so much from her. We lived together for three months in Antioch:) she's an amazing teacher and so happy and sweet. 

On Thursday We had ZONE CONFERENCE. I loved it. I love being around all the missionaries, the spirit just makes me so happy. We learned about obedience, the spirit, faith and prayers and finding. It was an amazing day! 

On Fridays We go and do service for an assisted living center, we push the ladies around in wheelchairs and it's so fun :) 

Saturday.....aka LA MUERTE. But actually such a really good day. Let me explain.

We were SO TIRED. we had been riding our bikes since 10 am and no one was home/if they were they said they were busy..aka taking a Siesta #hispanicprobz so we just were goin and going and we did not have any idea how we were going to live this day. It. was. so. hot! But we ended having two lessons before dinner, 

-with PAUBLO a recent convert, so amazing. He's read the Book of Mormon, the doctrine and covenants and the pearl of great price. And now he's on round two. Also he started Jesus the Christ last week, and is almost done. He reads and reads and reads. I love him though cause he says, always, I'm happy

-And the next lesson was with  Andres and Lucy, Andrés fell off his roof before I got here, and got really injured. But they're a very nice couple, and said they'll be baptized!!!!:)

-After that, we went to the church and had a lesson with Onesimo. We teach him multiple times a week, cause he loves it but it's hard cause he tries to teach us...Pentecostal problems..and he talks SO... MUCH...but we are learning how to try to control it..but he's praying about baptism too! :)

-After that, Alberto another recent convert called and asked if we were busy and he said he was coming to the church with his kids, so we had a lesson with him:) BEST PART WAS: we were waiting inside for him, then grabbed some chairs to bring outside and we LOCKED OURSELVES OUT OF THE CHURCH. Everything, the keys, our iPads, our bags and our phone...so we use Alberto's phone to call the elders, and they come save the day! It was so funny! 

We ended up having a really great day on Saturday, even though it was so hot, we were happy cause we had the spirit with us. 

That's something I say all he time, but i think that's what I've learned the most on my mission, is how important and precious the spirit is, and the difference it can make. I know I was happy before my mission, but I'm just so much happier now. I just want to serve and I want to help every smile person in any way I can. I am so grateful to be a missionary,I love this work :) 

I'll end this letter with a quote and some over random things from Hermana Eastwood. 

"In sunshine and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us." Gordon B. Hinckley.

LOVE YOU ALL:)

Fun facts:

-Yall already know this, but Taco Bell just makes everything better:) 

-Don't take Benadryl at 2 in the afternoon...and then ride your bike. Just don't. But on the plus side, I slept really well that night ;)

-DADDY! I ate grits this week! ...not my favorite..

-I LOVE TENNESSEE.