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!