Nov 16- MIRACLES HAPPEN

Hello.

FUNNY STORY: We were heart attacking an investigator (putting hearts
on her door). A man walked by and we said, "HEY!" And he said, "What
are you doing?" I said, "Heart attacking someone's door." He freaked
out and said, "Are you witches?" I said, "No, oh my gosh did we give
you a heart attack?" That freaked him out even more. We ended up
having a great conversation with him about the gospel though, it was a
really funny experience.

MIRACLE: Rhonda is getting baptized. She is the one who has come to
church for the past year and refused to be baptized. There are some
things which need to be approved before she can get baptized, but let
me tell about the spirit...

So we have been praying for Rhonda. She came to a members house and
the member shared a message about prayer. The next day Rhonda and a
member Jason were the only ones who came to our gospel discussion
class. (PERFECT: We picked out a talk just for Rhonda.) Afterward, we
talked to Rhonda about why she wouldn't be baptized. We helped her
understand she is living the baptismal covenant right now, so she wont
break her covenant after she is baptized. God is good to us :)

Miracle #2: A couple weeks we tracted into a man named Marco. We had a
wonderful conversation, he took a book of mormon, and at the end he
said, "This conversation went a lot better than expected." We found
out this week he is a RC's husband, which we didn't know... how cool
is that?

I taught at my last ZTM this week. I love being a missionary, and I
know how there is authority and power which comes with the call that
is very real. I am grateful that God can use all of us as his mouth
pieces as we are obedient, live worthy, and head the promptings of the
spirit.

In sacrament meeting, a man spoke and said he served in RIO. I went up
to him after the meeting since he looked about my age.. I said, "Did
you know an Elder Jones?" He said, "Mike Jones?" YES!!! So dad was his
zone leader. (DAD: His name is Scott schultz) He said that dad was a
lot of fun to serve around and that he was a great missionary. How
cool is that? (Also, dad he says hi.)


LOVE YOU ALL!

Sister Jones

Nov 2- Lots of tracting

Hello from Oregon! 

Embarrassing moment of the week: Sunday morning has I was getting ready for church, I stabbed myself in the eyeball with a safety pin. (Don't ask) Granted, I don't know if I got the eyeball or the eyelid.. Either way it hurt pretty bad. I laid on the couch for a half hour because I couldn't open it. We were late to ward council and my eye was red and puffy and watery, and since my eye was watery my nose was running as well. I was pretty embarrassed since we don't know anyone super well yet... But the eyeball is fine now. 

This week was basically full of tracting, which does start to get tedious after a while. We found someone new to teach, but her return appointment fell through. We are fasting and praying for our area. 

Our only investigator is named Rhonda, and the elders gave her to us. She has a complicated story and isn't technically an investigator, but she has been going to church, reading, and praying, for a year. She won't get baptized, and no one is sure why... We will see what God can do :) 

Tuesday we had the ward party, and we got to be the taste testers for the pie and soup contest. That was pretty awesome. 

As I was reading through the Book of Mormon I came across a scripture in Helaman 4:13 which states, "And because of this their great wickedness, and their BOASTINGS IN THEIR OWN STRENGTH, they were LEFT IN THEIR OWN STRENGTH; therefore they did not prosper."

This in turn made me think of a scripture in 2 Nephi 20:15 which says, "Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? As if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were no wood." This scripture talks about how an tools are NOTHING without someone to maneuver them. It doesn't matter if you are the "latest model," or the "sharpest tool in the shed," you are utterly useless without a skilled owner. On that note, we can be in pristine condition, but without God it doesn't really matter. On the flip side, if God is our owner, if we allow Christ to lead us, what can't we accomplish? It doesn't matter if we are old, rusty, bent, or broken. He can accomplish whatever he needs because we are perfect, he is not. 

I have tried to do things my own way often on my mission. From experience, it doesn't turn out very well. God is helping me to rely completely on him while here in Santa Clara. It has been a very humbling experience. I obviously still have things to learn and accomplish! 

I love you all! 

Sister Jones

Oct 26th- Santa Clara 3rd Ward

Familia,

HELLO!!! Santa Clara 3rd ward has treated us well so far.

I was excited to open an area, but I don't think I realized what that really entailed... Basically we have been tracting all day everyday, which can be monotonous. I am really antsy to find people to teach. I am having teaching separation anxiety.

My area: We are sharing a ward with elders. The ward seems nice, but I miss the people in Grants Pass.

My companion: Sister Asregadoo is from California and has been out six months. She has the biggest heart of anyone that I know. She loves the people and is going to be great.

The work: We found a couple solid Potentials when we first when Tracting on Tuesday, but over the curse of the rest of the week we felt like nothing was productive. We were praying a lot to be guided. On Sunday we had a pretty cool experience. Sister Asregadoo and I felt prompted that we should tract a certain street that day, so as we pulled up to the street there was someone walking down the street. We went over and talked to her, and she invited us back to her home. Right after talking with her we felt prompted to go to another street. A couple days prior we had talked to a man named Marco. God told us to walk down the street and Marco would be outside... When we walked down the street, there he was, outside fixing a light bulb. He opened us to us about how he wonders what is the point of life? Why has it been so hard for him? We gave him a Book of Mormon and testified of the Plan of Salvation. After that we went to a name of a member who was sticking out to us on the member list, and they are a PM family and we are going to start teaching their daughter the gospel. Sister Asregadoo and I were in awe- I don't tell you this to boast of ourselves, by any means. I tell you this because I know that God tests our faith, and I also know that we need to follow through with exactness any promptings which come our way.

I have never served in Eugene area my whole mission, and when the new missionaries come into the field we get to sing to them. We sing the EFY medley, "Armies of Helaman" and "Sisters of Zion." I cried. I wished so bad that I was sitting in the place of all those new missionaries, so much time ahead of me to serve in the Lord's vineyard!

I love you all!

Sister Jones

Sister Training Leader Call

20 October 2015

Dear Sister Corinne Jones,

You have been called to serve as a Sister Training Leader, we are pleased with your dedication and faith. The Lord will lift you and the Holy Spirit will guide you in this assignment.

Under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost you will lead your missionaries, teaching and providing the example for obedience, diligence and working by the spirit.  Specifically, you will lead by example in planning, finding, teaching, inviting and baptizing. Help each sister missionary have a vision, to set goals and plan with great devotion. Help them to inspire and teach members. You earn the missionary's respect when you demonstrate effective work in your own area.  As you produce and bring people to Christ, building a successful area, missionaries will want to be like you. You are expected to lead the way with your area; you should lead out in all key indicators.

Lead by example - look at the sons of Helaman for an example: "And they were all young men (applies to women), and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold this was not all - they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.  Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him."  Alma 53:20-21

Through your special talents and gifts, God will provide you with heavenly inspiration. Through your faithful obedience and dedication to the work, various blessings and endowments will be poured out upon you. You will be guided in your work; He will inspire you. Be true at all times and remember not only do I trust you, but so does the Lord!  In addition to the above counsel, please see attached specific duties of a Sister Training Leader.

With profound love,

H. Jeffery Russell

Mission President

Oct 12- Another week.... In GP.

Oct 12 at 1:13 PM

HELLO!

This has been the weirdest week of my life. It feels like I was hardly even in my area. Tuesday Sister Holliday and I drove to MLC in Eugene, which was spirit filled as usual. (We were on time as well...) 1/3 of our mission is in training, which means we have a lot of new missionaries. Our Training has been on concepts which are very basic, so the mission can learn how to do them. It has been nice to go back to the beginning's of missionary work. 

Update on the work.

While I was gone, Shadeed's wife kicked the sister's out of the house and said we aren't welcome there. Shadeed still wants us to come back, though.

Tyler is SO CLOSE to setting a date for baptism!

Monika is quitting a drug which is highly addictive. I am really proud of her, but at the same time we aren't teaching her a whole lot. The other sisters had a baptism on Saturday, and we BEGGED and BEGGED her to go... she doesn't have a whole lot of motivation to do anything since her body thinks she is dying without drugs. We finally convinced her to come. I wish I could say it was because she felt the influence of the spirit... but she promised to come if we made waffles. (Not the best way to get someone to do something, but better than nothing right?)

Friday Sister Holliday and I taught at ZTM. #stressful

My entire mission I have said, "I love the church and I know it is true, so I will do anything for it... but sing." To some, that may sound ridiculous. Let me tell you what happened this week...

Saturday we had the adult session of stake conference. The Stake president had the genius idea to make the missionaries sing the EFY medley. We have been practicing for a while, and it is really embarrassing because we only have four sisters, and we split up into parts. None of us can sing. (That is a fact.) However, the sisters were LATE and so they missed our practice, and sister doxey and I had to sing a duet IN FRONT OF EVERYONE. I was so embarrassed. We sang parts, so I was the only one singing one part and she was the only one singing the other part. Officially, I will really do anything for the church now. 

This morning I read a talk by Elder Holland which is called, "The best is yet to come." I have noticed that often people feel their situation is hopeless because they are held hostage by their past and don't think they can change their future. This talk is about Lot's wife, who was told to never look back. We know it wasn't the physical act of looking back but her longing for the past which proved her destruction. There is a quote which says, "God doesn't care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are and, with His help, where you are willing to go." I hope we can all look forward to the future, and the beautiful things which lie ahead. THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

Pray for Monika, Sally (who is going to tell her family she is meeting with us,) Shadeed, and Tyler! I love these people with my whole heart, and I want them to have a better future than they have past. 

I hope that this isn't my last week in Grants Pass, but I will let you all know where I am spending my next six weeks next Monday!

I love you all!

Sister Jones

Oct 5- Harvest Season

Hello!

We went to the zoo today, so I don't have a whole lot of time... But
it was a fantastic week.

Miracle: We were making sandwiches for lunch, just like normal people
do. We decided to toast it so we warmed up the oven and put it inside.
Sister Doxey, after a while, said, "why does the oven smell weird?" I
respond that is normal, we don't use it very often. Shortly after that
our fire alarms go off, so we open the doors and air out the house. We
still hadn't checked on the sandwiches in the oven. Finally I check,
and our sandwiches are literally bursting into flames. ALL IS WELL AND
OUR HOUSE STILL STANDS.

We had a weird week because so much was going on. Tuesday we had
interviews with President.  He gave me some wonderful council, and I
do love that man! We did service for the food bank cutting up squash,
served at the soup kitchen, helped rake leaves at the women's
shelter... I love service! :D it was also interesting because his week
is harvest week. So, in missionary terms, the field is white all ready
to harvest. That usually means baptisms. However, it is marijuana
harvesting season, so everyone is getting antsy. (Since marijuana is
legal and basically everyone grows it.) I do love Oregon.

Sally is doing awesome! Monika wants to be baptized! Shadeed and Nando
are awesome, they just need to get off of parole! We met an
investigator who is golden we are handing off to other missionaries!
Bobby can't quit smoking! Things keep moving along!

Wasn't conference amazing? I have reflected on the amazing words of
our prophet and his chosen apostles. I know they are men acting under
the direction of the spirit! Sister Doxey and I have all ready started
"ponderizing," along with some of the women in our Ward. We watched a
session with Monika, and she cried during Elder Hollands talk. (Who
didn't?) it was absolutely amazing.

I love you all and will give you a more updated email next week!

Sister Jones

Sept 28- OREGONIANS

Hello from your Oregonian!

Time flies when you are having fun!

Here is a list of random facts about Oregonians.
1. They have minimum of one cat and one dog.
2. They are pack rats. (That is a kind way of using the word hoarder.
That is part of their green style of living.)
3. Many people have more tattoos than they do teeth
4. They live with spiders. There seems to be this belief that as long
as the spiders stay about half way up the wall, they can make webs and
do whatever. When they cross the invisible line, they die.
5. The recycling bins are larger than the garbage cans
6. People read books on their roofs. (Hey, I have a blue book that is
a really good read...)
7. They are very friendly and hospitable
8. If you don't grow marijuana, your neighbor grows marijuana for you.
9. They like all natural food, almond milk, are anti GMO'S.
10. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH, AND SO DOES GOD. They are the most amazing
people I have ever met.

Also, I heard University of Utah creamed the Ducks... I was
disappointed. (Some of the little old ladies in the ward always fill
us in on the sporting updates. Patty is my adopted Grandma and she
always says, "Sister missionaries are glazed. They dip them in sugar
water before they come on their missions." How cute is that? We were
invited to a grandma luncheon the other day, and I decided I would
love to hang out with them all any day.)

It has been a pretty good week! Sister Doxey is officially driving
now, which means she is probably going to take over the area... but we
will see. I keep thinking that if I pray hard enough I will get to
stay.

When I was with Sister Petersen we knocked on someone's door and the
lady we were looking for wasn't there, but an old man was. He had just
woken up for a nap so he said to come by later. The next day we were
volunteering at Food and Friends and he pointed at me. I pointed at
him and said, "We knocked on your door..." We became instant friends.
Since then we have seen him EVERYWHERE - and finally we took that as a
sign and went back to his house. He let us right in and we talked a
little about the restoration. He is such a good guy, and is TOTALLY
going to get baptized. (He just is unaware of it yet.) He can't read,
so we are going to see if he can listen to the Book of Mormon.

As for our investigators, they are all doing well. Tyler is praying
about a baptismal date. Monika is still having an issue with faith,
but people around her are noticing obvious changes. Her mother told
her, "You seem a lot more balanced." Rob is out of jail. He found a
lot of anti - mormon stuff on youtube, and seems to think it is normal
because youtube is such a wonderful source.. Wade has recovered from
his baseball bat incident, and he said he will be baptized when he
reads through the Book of Mormon for a second time.. Oh brother. Once
should suffice, don't you think?  Lila is 84 and it takes a while for
things to stick, but she seems to be starting to understand. The
ladies in the ward think she is great! Nando (not sure if I have
talked about him) used to be in a gang, but is the kindest soul I have
ever met. He can be baptized as soon as he is off of probation.

"ALL IS WELL, ALL IS WELL!" (Sung to the tune of Come Come Ye Saints)

We also got to go to the temple this week. There were a couple of
questions which I had when I went, and they were all answered. I love
the house of the Lord. The spirit which is felt there is unreal.

I also can hardly wait for conference.. I tell everyone that General
Conference as a missionary is WAY more exciting than Christmas. Easy.
I know that President Monson really is a prophet of God. In the bible
it says, "by their fruits ye shall know them." He has lived his life
the way a prophet should - as have all the prophets proceeding him,
including Joseph Smith.

I LOVE YOU ALL! Mwa!

Sister Jones

Sept 21- One Way Streets

My Beloved Family,

So often when I email I have an entire flurry of emotions I don't know
how to put into words. To avoid trying to put my emotions into words I
tell you an awkward story instead. Today I am going to do the same.

We had dinner at a restaurant with some members and we were hurrying
out because we had a lesson. I pulled out of the parking lot and am
driving down the road when I realize that a car's headlights are
driving right toward me. I thought, "Huh, how weird." Then I realized
that Oregon has a BAZILLION one way streets, and I had made the wrong
turn. I hurried and pulled into some random driveway, and then the WML
texted us and said, "wrong way." How mortifying - if you are going to
do something embarrassing it might as well not be when someone you
know is watching.

This week we had zone conference. It was last Tuesday, which feels so
long ago I can't even remember what happened.

Friday I went on exchanges with Sister Sidhu and she took over her
area for the first time. She did amazing :)

So many things happened that I have drawn a blank and can't even think
about it right now... uh oh.

This morning for exercise Sister Doxey and I hiked up a mountain and
watched the Sun illuminate the entire valley. It was a REALLY hard
hike, and we had to slide down the mountain on our bums the way back
down. It was so worth it, however! It made me think of the creation,
and how wonderful that God is. I have been thinking a lot about
"faith" and people asking for signs. I decided God gives us signs
every single day, but when we ask for a sign we are saying, "God, I
want you to give me a sign on MY conditions and in MY own way." We
have to be willing to notice them. This morning, I noticed. God's
grandeur hit me as I watched Grants Pass fill with light - similar to
the light which will feel the earth as people accept the gospel.

Jacob 4:7-9

I LOVE THE GOSPEL.

Sister Jones

 

Sept 14th- WASTE AND WEAR OUT YOUR LIFE

Hello.

Here is a list of things which happened to some of our investigators. 

One went to jail.

One was in the hospital all week after being attacked by someone with a baseball bat. They also stole all his money.

One lost his house, his kids, and his job. 

One got a nasty sinus infection which has affected his hearing.

Wow. Sister Doxey and I are starting to think we are bad luck. Satan works hard to keep people from the truth. (It is the truth you know. This gospel is true.)

However, I feel that my entire mission has accumulated to this transfer, it is a really amazing feeling. SO MANY people are SO CLOSE to entering into the waters of baptism. Everyone is right on the fence - they either need to take the plunge or walk away. (Everyone, that is, who hasn't gone to jail or been attacked)

*Monika is starting to live the Word of Wisdom - one substance at a time. She has printed off seminary and institute manuals from online and has started her own personal study. She studied the entire Plan of Salvation before we even taught it. She despises going to church because she thinks it is stale, but she keeps coming back every week HAHA! She told us she wants EVERYTHING - all the manuals, a quad, everything. She is hungry for the truth. 

*Tyler - He is my age (weird) and we have been teaching him and his wife who is LA. Tyler bore his testimony to us about how he feels peaceful throughout his day when he reads the scripture. Savannah has been reading and for the first time in her life and said, "This is amazing. Instead of people telling me about what is in the scriptures, I am figuring it out myself." Also, Tyler VOLUNTEERED to pray. That was a huge feet, because he seems to have this anti-praying dilemma. The spirit was so strong.

*Sally is a new investigator. She comes from an anti-mormon family, but the other week she attended a mormon funeral. When the bishop got up to talk about what we believe, she said the whole room went dark and he was light. She immediately tracked down a book of mormon, started reading and praying about it, then called us. When she showed up she had all ready read through our pamphlets. GOLDEN PEOPLE! She is an amazing woman.

*Bobby is working on quitting smoking... still. He is still smoking but doesn't know that we know he is still smoking. 

I have contemplated over and over again throughout my mission why God wanted me in Oregon. Oregon is so random - people will often times ask us, "Why in the world did you choose Oregon?" "Well random civilian, I did not choose Oregon. Oregon chose me." I have come to the conclusion that there is no reason that God needed me specifically in Oregon. However, I have needed each and everyone of the people which I have met. God doesn't care where we serve, as long as we are serving. God loves the people here in Oregon just as much as he does anywhere else. I am forever going to be grateful for this wonderful place. I am homesick for it all ready. 

I came across this scripture the other day... 

D & C 123:12-13

12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it--

13 Therefore, that we should WASTE AND WEAR OUT our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven--

We need to waste and wear out our lives in the service of God! In bringing light to others! In showing people the way towards truth! New theme for my life: Waste and wear out.

This is an insert from a talk e. Holland gave, speaking of the prophet at the time, Gordon B. Hinckley. "Ninety-one years old and [he] is going all day, every day, everywhere, all the time until he drops! ... His only council to [us apostles], and he's willing to do the same, he says, "look, you know, you don't work hard enough, you don't go far enough, you don't do enough," (here we are all dying), he says, "Look, I don't have sympathy for you. If you die, you die." And clearly that's his theory. I mean, that's his position. He just said, "Look, what use are we then, what do we do at our level, at our time in life, with our calls...what else is there? We will just give and give and give until we are taken." 

THE GOSPEL IS TRUE. 

Love,

Sister Jones

Sent from my iPad

Reply, Reply All

Sept 7th- Staying in GP

HOLA!

Mom - I am not going to send out my email to everyone anymore, so if there is anyone else who wants it you can forward it to them!

Transfer calls, I am going to be staying in Grants Pass with Sister Doxey. I am excited to stay here in Grants Pass - it is an amazing area with an amazing ward. I know that I always say that, but it is true! Sister Doxey and I are ready to work hard, I am probably going to get six week shafted, so we want to baptize everyone this next transfer. (six week shafted is when they put you in a different area for six weeks before you go home.)

On Tuesday I got to go to the coast, and I drove through Coquille! It was really nostalgic - I wanted to stop and say hi to everyone SO BAD. The transfer van didn't have time to stop though! *Sigh* I love that little place. Tears thought about coming to my eyes!

It was a crazy week because then I taught at ZTM on Friday on "inspired questions." I have realized a lot about asking a question and then listening. If you want to teach someone, it is WAY more effective to ask an inspired question than it is to talk to them. Someone said, "The confident ask questions to help others make a connection. The insecure talk and hope something sticks." I liked that. Listening benefits someone a lot more than talking does. 

MIRACLE: Last transfer Sister Petersen and I made a goal to find four new investigators in a day. We worked hard all day and... nothing. At the very end of the night we saw a family playing games in a house window, so we knocked on the door. They were super nice and let us in, but told us they were not interested at all. We appreciated their kindness and left. Last week, a girl named Sarah called, told us she had been reading the book of mormon, and she wants to get together with us. SHE WAS ONE OF THE PEOPLE IN THAT HOUSE. I guess we never know what kind of impact we can make. God is really good to us. 

We also dropped momma Gandy. She isn't willing to live the commandments which are required of us. So sad. WE KNOW THE GOSPEL IS WORTH IT CHRISTINE. 

Here is my spiritual thought of the week... We have an investigator who is going through a lot, and I have been thinking a lot about the purpose of life. Right now we are preparing our souls to see God again. God, in his loving mercy, molds is into who we need to be. "[I] will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as God is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, it is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God." (Zech 13:9) That refining is sometimes a painful and uncomfortable process. Life seems hard, overwhelming, and overbearing at times. We are promised that, "our.. Affliction, WHICH IS BUT FOR A MOMENT, worketh for is a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (2 Cor 4:17) Our affliction is a small moment? AND because of our afflictions we can receive an abundance of glory? I realized that if the test was easy, there would be no accomplishment. There would be no tears of joy when we finished all we were sent here to accomplish. A mission brings so much satisfaction because it is so dang hard, and life is no different. We have the Saviors promise in Isaiah 41:12, "Fear not; I will help thee." (look up that scripture..he even promises he will be holding our hand as we go through trials.)

I testify God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, will always be there to help us. 

Praying for you all!

Love,

Sister Jones

Sent from my iPad

Aug 31st- Hello :)

HELLO!

I know how to say a couple of phrases in Hebrew which Sister Doxey is teaching me... but I don't know how to spell them, or else I would.

Last Monday feels like so long ago, yet at the same time it feels as if the week goes so fast. So much happens in a week. 

Here is a cool miracle: We have been contacting Formers and we met a guy named Fernando, but he goes by Nando. We asked him about his experience with missionaries in the past, and he said that he knows the church is true. He prayed about it and said, "The only way I can describe the feeling is that it felt like someone was in the room with me." How cool is that? God is leading us to the elect. We had a lesson with him yesterday, and he is really great. He has a really rough background, his gauges and tattoos show it, but has a heart of gold. Remember how God looks at a persons heart? Nando has a heart of gold.

We also have been going through our area book and there was a long list of spanish names. Sister Doxey and I have been taking Spanish speaking missionaries with us, and surprisingly a lot of them want to talk with us. We have a new spanish investigator we are going to be speaking this week. How convenient would it be if I could just speak all the languages in the world? Who do I talk to about that? The only phrase that I can really remember from Mandarin in Corvallis is, "I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true." It doesn't seem to be a very useful phrase in Grants Pass, but I will keep on praying :) 

We are still working hard to get the people which we are working with baptized. The most solid members have a lot of obstacles to overcome before they get baptized, so I try and remind myself of that! As long as are faithful tools in the Lord's hands, he is the one who will work many miracles. Things are going really well though, and we are going to keep on keepin' on!

Tomorrow for MLC I get to go to Bandon on the Coast. I had district meeting in Bandon every Friday when I was in Coquille. We should be driving right through Coqille, and I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. I get so homesick for that little town! 

I am trying to think of anything else exciting which happened this week... lots of things of course.

Lately I have been consciously focusing on prayer. Our mission is focusing on it a lot, so I have been focusing on it as well.(Sorry if I have all ready told you this.) Every other night Sister doxey takes a shower (TMI) So every other night I say my nightly prayer out loud. I can not even begin to tell you what a difference this has made in my life! At times I feel so overcome with the Spirit that I start crying, and others it is an indescribable peace. It is a holy thing to pray to our Father in heaven, and I know that he listens.

I love you all! I hope the first couple weeks of school are going great!

Love,

Sister Jones 

P.S. I keep having this feeling that at this October's general conference they are going to allow sister missionaries to stay out for two years. We will see what happens :) 

 

Aug 24th- Random Tidbits of the Week

Hello!

Where to even start...Well, I will start out with a text message from
an investigator. You probably won't think this is funny because you
don't know her, but I think it is hilarious. She is working on not
swearing. "Sooper diddle ee doo sisterz! Way to get to me early with
your confirmation on all ends so that if I try to back out I'm the
donkey. Plus jones dropped the integrity bit on me yesterday, so I
must keep that one going for myself, and all that accountability poop.
Well played yet again there sisters, well played. Hope you noticed my
rated g edits." HAHAHAHA. We take it she is showing up for her lesson
tonight.

I ran into a guy who studies hand writing for a living this week. He
analyzed my handwriting and told me that I have a lot of energy and
that my handwriting says that my life is all over the place.
Interesting. I wanted to tell him every missionaries life is all over
the place, but I just gave him a restoration pamphlet instead.

The Gandy's have reset a baptismal date for the end of September.
Monika is working toward the end of September as well. We also had an
investigator set a date for August 29th... 2016. *sigh* we are going
to have to work on that.

Tuesday we went corn harvesting for a service project. That was a lot
of fun. The corn went to the food bank so they can serve it to people
at the homeless shelter.

I had the most life changing exchange this week. Sister Sidhu is from
Texas, but her family is originally from Malasia. She has the most
amazing conversion story, and shared with me how her and her mom are
the only active members in her family, and her father disowned her
when he found out she was going to serve a mission. The whole exchange
we cried together. How amazing is she? So many lives are going to be
touched because of her decision to serve. In the eternities, the
blessings will be endless! We taught a lesson to an investigator
together and ended up reading over the talk, " saving dad" from this
last ensign. The spirit was SO STRONG. It was a very holy and sacred
experience I am going to cherish forever. Can I just thank my family
for their commitment level to the gospel? I admire anyone who makes
correct choices without the righteous influence of their family. I
couldn't do it without mine.

Umm... We had some other awesome lessons, but I can't figure out which
ones to talk about so I will default to telling you about no other
ones. Plus, there is to much background story which goes into them.
Sorry ;)

I have started the Book of Mormon over again this last week, and I
want to finish it by the end of November. As I read over it I realize
how much I have grown to love that inspired book. IT IS TRUE! It has
brought me so much comfort and guidance. It has brought me close to
the Savior than anything else has. In 1 nephi 11: 22-23 it talks about
the love of God being the most joyous of anything we can seek after...
And we can unlock that love as we read from the Book of Mormon!

I love you all! Have a great week!

Sister Jones
P.s. This is the little cottage which I live in. Is it not the cutest
thing you have ever seen? I always feel like a princess.

Aug. 17th- Deep thoughts from Sister Jones

Hello from Grants Pass!

I don't cry, but throughout the week I felt like randomly bursting into tears.THE HOLY GHOST IS REAL.

One instance was when Bobby gave us his last four cigarettes. Four. How easy would it have been to just smoke the last four cigarettes? WHO DOES THAT? I felt the spirit so strong has he demonstrated his sincere desire to follow the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Another instance was when Monika came to church. My favorite smell in the chapel is the smell of smoke. Someone is trying their best to come closer to the Savior. I know that God notices the little things and the efforts which we make. "A saint is a sinner which keeps on trying." Just because you can't smell my sins doesn't mean they aren't there, but the smell of smoke is the definition of a SAINT. 

One day we finished daily planning and I reflected on our day. I thought about how at the beginning of my mission I might have described the day as, "long, hot, and unproductive." That really wasn't what I thought. I felt so humbled to know that I represented the Savior that day in talking to everyone about the gospel. I wouldn't want to be doing anything else than walking around and sharing our unique message to the world. 

The gospel is true! I love a scripture in Alma 15:16 which says, "And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek, Amulek having forsaken all his gold, and silver, and his precious things, which were in the land of Ammonihah, for the word of God, he being rejected by those who were once his friends and also by his father and his kindred;" Amulek gave up EVERYTHING for the gospel. His worldly wealth, the people who he associated with.. WHY?? BECAUSE IT IS TRUE. None of those things come close to comparing with the joy which comes from understanding the atonement!

I love you all!

Sister Jones

Aug 10th- EVERYONE DO DRUGS!

quotes of the week:

"You are the mob. The good mob. If there was a dark mob and a light mob, you would be the light mob." - Monika

"Some Elders told me we should have two baptisms a month. I responded with, "are you on drugs?" then I realized the drug which they were on was FAITH. " - President Russell

EVERYONE DO DRUGS. 

MIRACLES!!

This was a very humbling week. There is nothing more holy than looking into the eyes of someone who is at ROCK bottom, feeling the love God has for them, and understanding that the atonement is the only thing which can help. I feel so honored that God allows me to see these people the way which he does. 

Friday we met with Monika. Normally we meet with her and her "baby daddy," but we just saw Monika. She was reading from her Book of Mormon when we showed up and it was all highlighted. Monika was in a REALLY humble state, which I had never seen before. (The Book of Mormon will do that to a person. SPIRIT BOMB.) She had read Alma 32, and she loved that it talks about being baptized without stubbornness of heart. We had a very spirit lead lesson with her, and she committed to be baptized on September 26th.

Fast Forward: She also committed her to church, and we stopped by Sunday morning and she didn't answer the door. We stopped by later that day, and she opened her door. She had been through a rough situation, (that is an understatement) and what got her through it was the Book of Mormon and prayer. A week ago Monika was angry at God, and had a very hard heart. I can testify of the power of the spirit and of the atonement. 

Also, Bobby Gandy committed to quit smoking. He has cut his smoking in half, which is remarkable considering he used to smoke two packs a day. Tonight we are going by and taking all of his cigarettes. He agreed to give them to us before, but our member told us we weren't allowed to. HAHAHA we aren't going to bring the member. 

Those were our two main highlights of the week. I also went to MLC on Tuesday, and Sister Holliday came down with me. We left our two new missionaries together for the day (which was probably a bad idea, but we were just following orders.) I came back and Sister Doxey gave me a huge hug and said, "MOMMY!" (slang for trainer). The rest of the day she kept randomly hugging me and saying she was so glad I was here. HAHAHAHA I guess they had some stressful experiences, and I don't blame them only having been out for a week. Friday we taught at ZTM and my companion won an elder in a push-up contest. That is pretty legit.

Here is what I have been thinking a lot about this week:

In Isaiah 61:1-3 Christ says, "He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives.. to comfort all that mourn... to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." God sent Christ in the world to help those who are broken down and dis-hearted. That is all of us at some point of another. To go along with this scripture, I LOVE this quote.

"He's not waiting for us to be perfect. Perfect people don't need a Savior. He came to save His people in their imperfections. He is the Lord of the living, and the living make mistakes. He's not embarrased by us, angry at us, or shocked. He wants us in our brokeness, in our unhappiness, in our guilt and in our grief." -Chieko Okazaki 

God loves us. We are never out of reach of the healing power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. 

I love you all! 

Sister Jones

P.S. I always feel so scatter brained trying to fit everything which happens in a week into an email. If I ever don't make sense, you can just ask questions!

 

Aug 3rd- Sister Doxey

HEY-LO!!!!

My new companion: Sister Doxey, from Roy Utah. Just finished her first year at BYU Provo. 

 

Beacon Hill Weather: SUPER  HOT. Also, there is a forest fire somewhere close by, so there is smoke EVERYWHERE and it is difficult to breath. It makes everything that much more of an adventure.

Companion Status: She has so much faith. I made a conscious effort to not cap her faith when she came into the field. I was excited to get a new companion because new missionaries are always expecting miracles, so then they happen. The number of miracles seen since she came into the field: infinity. She came into the field ready to WORK. She knows her scriptures, is bold and fearless, and isn't going through any of the normal "adjusting to missionary life" negatives. IT IS AMAZING.

My Week: The first couple of the days this week I was with Sister Holliday before Sister Doxey flew in. She came in on Wednesday, but we didn't meet each other until Thursday. Wednesday night I got to stay with SISTER VANCE, my other baby! She has changed SO MUCH, and it was good to talk with her. Someone we gave a Book of Mormon to is now going on a mission from Coquille. Also, Mary-Ann is going through the temple this month. I love hearing these things, it is good to know that your efforts aren't wasted. Mission blessings, God watches out for us. 

So, Thursday Sister Doxey and I came back to our area. She is very intelligent (she studied Hebrew in college to better understand the old testament.) She also doesn't care what people think. At all. So this week we have done some pretty crazy things to find people to teach - we crashed a wedding reception and a large birthday party at a park. HAHA. IT HAS BEEN A BLAST! We met a man we shared a Book of Mormon with who said he has always believed that Jesus came to the Americas. He said, "I guess I have been Mormon my whole life and didn't even know it." YES, actually you have believed all this stuff since the pre-earth life, but we didn't point that out. 

Investigators on Date to be Baptized: The Gandy's are struggling with keeping commitments. Keep praying for them. 

Wrap up/spiritual thought: It has been the best four days of my life. (Everyone is used to me exaggerating by now, right?) Sister Doxey and I are VERY different, but it works well together. I really don't have any complaints. I think time should STOP right now, that would be amazing. 

I love you all! I have thought a lot about what it would be like to see the face of the Savior this week-and I realized that I do see his face, everyday. When I read the scriptures. When I bare testimony. When people see the atonement work in their life. When my companion serves me. When members give of their time and energy to help us out. EVERYDAY IS FULL OF MIRACLES. 

The church is true, I love you all!

Sister Jones

July 27th- Transfer Monday!

My lovely family,

HEY! This week has been packed! I was basically never in my area, but it was such a fun week. 

Monday: SHADEED LOVES THE PLAN OF SALVATION. He gets off of probation in twelve months, so we will just set him on date for baptism then. ;) 

Wednesday and Thursday I spent in another sisters area (sister Petersen was at the temple.) That was a lot of fun, but at the same time stressful because I haven't been able to see any of our investigators this last week. On Thursday night I had a dinner appointment with a part member family and the other set of sisters had a lesson. Sister Holliday went on splits with a member to an appointment and Sister Ward came with me to my dinner appointment. It was really cool how the spirit worked during our dinner message - we taught Joseph Smith's story. I have taught his story A LOT on my mission, but never as a dinner message. On our way out we figured out her non member husband hasn't joined the church because he can't handle Joseph Smith. I COULDN'T DO MISSIONARY WORK WITHOUT THE SPIRIT. Really, I would be nothing! I saw the spirit touch his heart, it showed on his face. However, we were late getting out and the member sister Holliday was with had a date, so Sister Holliday had to third wheel on a date until we got there.. how awkward is that? HAHAHAHA I found it pretty entertaining! 

Friday: We got to go to girls camp! The theme was, "oh the places you will go," so we got to talk to everyone about the opportunity to serve a mission. We had planned a whole presentation, but at the beginning we asked, "What questions do you have?" The girls had SO MANY questions, and it was so fun to answer them all! The spirit was very strong. It was a good time to reflect about how my decision to serve a mission has impacted my life and (i pray) those in Oregon! I can't think about what it would be like to not serve a mission. Afterward, a little girl came up to me and said, "one day, I want to be a sister missionary like you." That melted my heart. I love tender mercies! There is a nonmember girl who went with the Ward who wants to get baptized now, so we are going to start teaching her. 

That night I (Sister Petersen was gone, so I was on splits with a member) taught the Gandy's the word of wisdom. Keep them in your prayers still... They have got a way to go, and momma Gandy was NOT happy. She will be blessed as she makes the sacrifices which are necessary! 

Saturday the stake had a HUGE Pioneer Day celebration, so we spent the majority of the day setting up for and running that. The Gandy's came which was a lot of fun. 

Oh I forgot to mention... Transfer calls came! Sister Petersen left on Sunday afternoon to head up to the mission office. I cried when she left, she has served a valiant mission. Also, I AM TRAINING... AGAIN! Sister Holliday is going to be my STL companion and she is going to be training as well! Sister Holliday is an amazing missionary from Mississippi, and I get to be in her Companion until we get the new missionaries on Thursday! I am really excited :) we are going to work stinking hard! 

Cool miracle.. The Hassell's, a member family from coquille, moved to the fox hollow Ward in mountain green. If you ever run into them, say hi! 

The gospel is true! I love it with all my heart! There is no other way to true and everlasting happiness. Being a missionary is the best thing I have ever done with my life. I love you all! 

Sister Jones 

 

July 20th- After much tribulation

Hhhheeeeeyyyyy!!!!

This week EVERY lesson we had planned fell through. Every single one! It happens :) Haha! After much tribulation comes the blessings, and we had a huge blessing.

The first day of the transfer Sister Petersen and I had found a new investigator named Monika. Earlier this week we stopped by and Monika wasn't home, but her husband was. We invited him to talk with us when we talked to Monika, and he said, "Maybe." On Friday we finally sat down with Monika and Rob. They are both really "tough" looking people. I have never heard more colorful words in my life than what comes out of Monika's mouth, and Rob is equally as intimidating. We got talking, and Monika has investigated almost every religion.. except for mormonism. She doesn't believe in God, but she knows that somehow, somewhere, she will be able to receive the answers which she needs. We had a really powerful lesson on the atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that he can heal us-physically, emotionally, spiritually. He can heal a life which has been torn apart through disobedience to the commandments. THAT is pretty remarkable. Monika and Rob both cried, and I am so grateful that the spirit of the Lord was able to touch their hearts. 

I love each and every one of you! I am almost out of time today, but this next week is Sister Petersen's last week in the mission field, and we are planning on working the hardest we ever have. She has a heart of gold.

Love you all!

Sister Jones

 

Facials with the sisters.

July 13th- GP COME FOLLOW ME

FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND EVERYONE ELSE!

Our baby zone (the smallest in the mission) with our title of liberty flag!

Mt Ashland

Let me tell you some of this weeks highlights. 

1. I got attacked by a cat. I know what you are all thinking, "Sister Jones is so dramatic. A cat probably looked at her and now she is freaking out that she got attacked." I want to clarify that I REALLY got attacked by a cat. 

NOW FOR THE STORY:

Somehow we got roped into cleaning the cat adoption room Thursday mornings. I was going about cleaning all these cat cages doing the normal routine. I got to a cat cage, and they had told us the cat was aggressive so I decided to put it in a crate. I went to put it in the crate and out came ALL THE PAWS. It latched itself onto myself with all fours. I was trying to pull this cat away from the front of myself, but it held on with all of its cat strength. Some lady had to run over and was trying to pull the cat off of me as well. Sister Petersen also grabbed two of its legs. No worries, the cat claws never pierced my skin, it just left little holes in my shirt. 

2. If you have enough faith, you can go a long time without gas.

We had MLC this week in Ashland, and for part of MLC we hiked Mt. Ashland. It was about forty miles away from the church. We got on the freeway to go from the church to Mt. Ashland and the low gas light came on. (let me clarify that our gas tank is never supposed to go under 1/4 of a tank. However, I am unable to see the gas odometer from the passenger seat.) We sort of started freaking out in our car full of sisters because we were in a LONG line of cars headed to the mountian. (Plus, you never want to be THOSE sisters that everyone is frustrated with) So our group of sisters prayed, and somehow we made it a lot farther than we should have. YOU JUST GOTTA HAVE FAITH!  AND PRAY! (really though, I know that God answers prayers, and cares about the details in our lives.)

Tuesday we had MLC, friday Sister Petersen and I taught at ZTM. I will send you the pics. 

As for this week, SAME OLD SAME OLD! God is at the head of this missionary work. In this area I have the largest teaching pool I have had on my mission of the most solid people. Also, it rained this week, so it hasn't been consistently 110 degrees everyday, which has been a HUGE blessing.

I feel extremely blessed to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord. Shadee came to church for the first time and he LOVED it. The ward loved him as well! Today we are gong to figure out when he is off of parole so that we can get him BAPTIZED! Lila is the sweetest little old lady who comes to church on her own, without us even asking. We found a little cute family, the dad is tyler and he graduated in 2013 (with me) and the mom just got out of high school a year ago! THEY ARE SO SWEET and we taught them the restoration. We are going to continue working with them :)

This week I had one of those "wrestle before God" kind of prayers, the ones where you REALLY need an answer and pour out your soul! Prayer is such a simple concept in the gospel, but I know that it is an essential part of our progression. Over the next couple of days God opened my eyes to the things which he still needs me to learn. It is funny, because I thought that after (almost) 14 months I would have everything all figured out. NOPE. I still am nothing before God and need his help every single day! There are still things which he needs me to become and accomplish.

God told me three specific things after this prayer, and I want to share one of them with you. We need to be looking at every single individual like they are God's child. No matter how different of a lifestyle they have than us, no matter where they are at in terms of the gospel, God is working in their life and he loves them immensely. It is something that we can't even comprehend. I know that God is aware of us, from an empty gas tank to giving us the answers we need in our lives on a more profound level. GOD LOVES US AND EVERYONE AROUND US, so we need to love ourselves and everyone around us as well.

I love you all! 

Sister Jones

 

 

July 6th- HAPPY FOURTH!

P-Day Selfie. HELLO FROM OREGON!

Oregon Fun Fact of the Week:

On July 1, 2015, marijuana was officially legalized.

This week was great, we are seeing a lot of success in this area. God has prepared the hearts of so many people. I can't remember who I have talked about, but we are working with the greatest people.

Fourth of July was great! We had three dinners that day (I have never eaten so much in my life.) We had a dinner with a lady we do service with at the soup kitchen. We love her to pieces, and she loves us! She brought a friend, and we found out that they both have members of their family that go to our church. That was pretty cool! One of our dinners was also with another family in the ward. Celeste is the mom and she is HILARIOUS. She invited her neighbors, and as she was calling people she would say. "Come have delicious food. The sister missionaries are also here from our church, and we want you to come so we can convert you." HAHA, she cracks me up! She doesn't beat around the bush that is for sure. 

TEACHING HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK:

The Gandy family came to church finally! WOOT WOOT! We had a really spiritual lesson with them on building our foundation on Jesus Christ. Keep them in your prayers!

Shadee agreed to be baptized this last week and is inviting his whole family to our lesson with him later tonight. He is on probation since he just got out of jail six months ago... BUT miracles happen.

How do you spell Mufasa (like from the lion king)? Well, the other week we found a new investigator who is a huge man with a super gnarly chain tattoo around his bicep. For a living he is a glass blower and he makes drug paraphernalia. He is a pretty cool guy mom, so don't worry. I am amazed at his honesty and integrity. We taught him the plan of salvation this last week and we love working with him. 

LOTS OF GREAT THINGS, MIRACLES GALORE, GOD IS GOOD, SAME OLD SAME OLD :) 

A reoccurring spiritual theme of the week seems to be darkness vs. light.  A lot of people are upset the world seems to be turning towards darkness. I always share this scripture with people who see this way, "(Mosiah 16:9) He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless that there can be no more death." It doesn't matter how dark things get in our world, our families, or our lives, the light of Christ will NEVER fail us. In this last conference Elder Quentin L. Cook said, "If the grim realities you are facing at this time seem dark and heavy and almost unbearable, remember that in the soul-wrenching darkness of Gethsemane and the incomprehensible torture and pain of Calvary, the Savior accomplished the Atonement, which resolves the most terrible burdens that can occur in this life. He did it for you, and He did it for me. He did it because He loves us and because He obeys and loves His Father. We will be rescued from death-even from the depths of the sea."

Jesus Christ really is the light and the life of my life! Without Him I wouldn't be able to put on foot in front of the other day after STINKING HOT day. He is the reason I keep knocking doors even when no one wants to listen. He is the reason that I am HAPPY amidst the trials and tribulations in my life! He is the reason I can face opposition with a grin! I love His gospel, and I feel so privileged I have the opportunity to share is LIGHT with the people of Oregon!

Love you all, have a great week!

Sister Jones

June 29-GP

Temple Trip:

I love this place :)

So on Monday I had dinner with Sister Sill (from Mtn. Green) and her friend from the ward. They asked me my deepest darkest secret and I couldn't think of one other than I always wet my pants (which I have only done once on my mission). So guess what they do? Text mom and ask. Mom told them about the time I got a ticket for weaving in and out of construction cones. Darn it. She also told them about the gold fish story at college... If you haven't heard that story, ask me after my mission. Way to build member trust right? ;) 

Tender mercy of the week: we were on our way to an appointment and there was a grandma and her kids going on a walk. As we drove by the Spirit said, "Stop and talk to them." Silly spirit, we are late for an appointment. Our appointment fell through and so we were driving back and the family was still walking. The Spirit said, " Really, talk to them." This time I obliged; we pulled over and I talked to them. Guess what? The grandma was less than enthused I had stopped her. She was REALLY not interested, but one of the grand daughters was named Bekah, and the other went by Gabbi. That was pretty cool. I didn't think anything of it and we drove away. 

 

Later in the week we received a member referral and as I knocked on the door guess who answered? Bekah! I was super confused, and her mom came to the door and she said, "Bekah told me about a missionary who had sisters named Bekah and Gabbi! Come on in!" So we came in and talked to the mom and Bekah. Long story short, I adopted Bekah as my younger sister, the mom Holly cried, and they want us to come back. The Lord works in marvelous ways! Moral of the story: I should listen to the Spirit the first time around! 

 

Another tender mercy. During sacrament meeting, Lilly, our 9 year old going on 20 investigator, leaned over, gave me a hug and whispered, "Thanks for teaching me about my loving Father in Heaven." I wanted to start crying. If that isn't joy, I don't know what is. 

 

Other highlights: Shadee, (pronounced Shawtie in a gangster voice) is super golden and remembered the whole restoration. 

Bobby, the father of the Gandy family, is reading the Book of Mormon like crazy. The rest of his family isn't as into it. Keep them in your prayers! 

Good things are happening in Beacon Hill! Remember how I said I am never leaving Corvallis? Well, now I am never leaving Beacon Hill. I need to learn to trust God. You think I would have it figured out by now don't you? 

 

Miracle: did I mention last week our house had an ant problem? When we showed up, no one had lived in our apartment for three weeks. There were dirty dishes in the sink... And ants everywhere. Not like an ant here or there... Our counters are black so you could t actually see the ants, you could just see our counter top moving. Ha ha! We finally got rid of all the ants this week :) Hallelujah! 

Also, I am still alive even though this week it hit 113 degrees. No joke. I am some wicked awesome tan lines though! Walking around in that kind of weather builds character :) 

Good things are happening in Oregon! 

I love you all! The gospel is true! 

Sister Jones 

June 22- Borderline

Nia Hao!

Grants Pass, Oregon

Speaking of mandarin, this week I ALMOST got to use my mandarin on an Asian looking man. I ran down the street to talk to him, but he had disappeared. It is going to come in handy one of these days!

Our zone has decided that our theme for this transfer is "borderline." We need to be doing things as a missionary that are "borderline" of our comfort zone, and the more we do those things the more our comfort zone expands and we can be tools in the Lord's hands! Sister Petersen and I put this into practice this week and did a lot of things that were "borderline" our comfort zone. For example, there was a thug basketball game going on, and we stopped them and shared the gospel. Half said they would listen if we played them in a game to 21, and the other half stopped to listen. (We had five minutes before we had to go in or else I so would have played.) Later we were tracting and there was a number on the front door of a house of an old man who wasn't answering. We called him and told him to come to the door. HAHAHA the sweet old man took a pamphlet. It keeps things fun and entertaining! Sister Petersen is bold and fearless, it is going to be a great transfer!

Things are going great, my companion and I were double transferred in (meaning that neither of us have been in this ward until now.) It has been an exciting week of trying to figure out the area, the ward, the investigators, as well as adjusting to a new companion's style of teaching! Oddly enough it hasn't been too stressful. We also get to do a lot of street contacting which I am excited about, most areas in the mission are in the country so the houses are far apart. I love serving in city-like areas. 

The area: Tiny. We walk everywhere. I am so excited to get my sister missionary foot tan back. This next week it should get up to 106 degrees. Bring on the sunscreen and the tan!

The ward: SO missionary minded! Every prayer in church they prayed for missionary opportunities. They are giving us referrals left and right. I think it is hands down the best ward in the entire mission. 

The investigators: There is a wonderful family, The Gandy's, who are on date for August 23rd. From the sound of it the father really wants this move for their family, but the mom has never had religion so she isn't as enthused as he is. We got to meet and teach them yesterday. The way this lesson turned out was a MIRACLE, and as we look back God had been preparing us for this lesson all week long. We brought a member whose son had recently passed away. Originally we were planning on teaching them about receiving answers to prayers, but we ended up talking about eternal families. The member talked about how she gets to be with her family forever, and momma gandy started bawling. I think that is the first time she has ever really felt the spirit. We testified that the gospel blesses our family in the eternities, as well as blessing them right now.

My companion: From Erta, Utah. She went to Stansbury high school. She is staying pretty focused, and we are going to work hard!! 

MIRACLE OF THE WEEK: I was in relief society and someone said, "you must be Corinne!" (What?? I haven't heard someone call me that in 18 months.) I turned to see a smiling face, and Sister Still is supposedly from my home ward in Mtn. Green! She told me all about my cute family and how everyone is doing great. It was such a tender mercy to get to talk with her! She used to live here in Grant's Pass, but two years ago moved to Mtn. Green! 

OH and hey, Happy Fathers Day! 

Sometimes in church we sing, "I'll go where you want me to go,  dear Lord." Throughout my mission I have started to notice at times that I will add on my own ending to the song...,"I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, [as long as it is where I want to go and what I want to do]." This is a selfish attitude which I have had to repent of many times. I asked my President during interviews one time, "I have a desire to turn my will over to the Lord but HOW do I do it?" He responded with, "who is someone you know in your life which has turned their will over to the Lord?" I immediately responded, "My father." We then listed all the attributes which my father had which qualified him to be a servant of the Lord. Some of them on the list were obedience, humility, selflessness, and charity. (All attributes which I am trying to encompass) I am so grateful for the example my father has given me for what it looks like to be a disciple of Christ, as well as teaching me what qualities are important to encompass.

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Sister Jones 

On Wednesday's, we walk Dogs... This is Gracie the Great Dane! (I don't HATE large dogs like I used to..)

There are these drinks called phosphates that are $.50. We have a goal to drink ALL of the phosphates this transfer!

Jun 15- TRANSFER to Grants Pass

Ni Hao!

I don't have a whole lot of time.. I GOT TRANSFERRED. I had an inkling
of a feeling that I was leaving, and I thought I was mentally
prepped... I wasn't. It made the move a lot easier since school was
over and everyone was leaving for the summer. Corvallis changed my
entire mission. I love the YSA. I also have grown to love the Asian
people in corvallis! I am forever going to miss them! Anyone want to
go with me to China after my mission?

It is a bummer to move, but if I had to move I said it would have to
be grants pass. Guess who got her wish? THIS GIRL. I am in an area
which is four miles by four miles, but it is going to be the best area
in the mission. We will still get to do a lot of street contacting
which I am really excited about. My companion is sister Petersen (not
to be confused with sister Peterson) and reminds me SO MUCH of our
beloved Mikkel rock. She is hilarious, I love her all ready. This is
her last transfer, so I a, going to be killing a companion for the
first time. (Is is the term we use when your companion goes home after
you are their companion)

First off, a couple of items of business.. A little old couple from my
first area moved to good ol mountain green! Anyone heard of the
hassell's? Also, if they don't remember me... They are old. But I do
love them! Also, anyone heard of Van and Meghan Wallace? They also
live in mountain green. (It was our dentists friends, I told him I
would ask.)

Sorry it is transfer day, so I don't have a whole lot of time. But
this last week was pretty crazy. We had zone conference, and sister
Yeung had been having really bad intense pain in her mouth, so we
spent some time in the dentist. That is a miracle for another day.

Most of my week was spent prepping people for the summer! The YSA is
going to be teaching a lot of people over Skype which is pretty
cool... That is about all that I can really remember.

I love you all and will give you a more detailed update next week!

I LOVE THE GOSPEL.

Sister Jones