Finished the Book of Mormon!

 Things I Learned this Week:

1. When a person begins to see something of eternity in its true perspective, the blessings begin to far outweigh the cost of leaving 'the world' behind.  

I am trying to apply this to my Mission!

2. Prayer is less about changing our circumstances and more about changing us.  It is about seeking His will and asking for His help to do what we need to do.  I am trying to do this each day, and I am realizing how different our purpose becomes when our perspectives shift.  

Food of the Week:

This week some of my favorite dinners were when we had “Homemade” Pizzas, Sushi Bar, Thai Night, Taco Tuesday, and a Potato Bar with Turkey!  Just a little rant about the food.  It's NOT all fried! Hallelujah!  Haha:)

Homemade Pizza

Highlights:

1. Brooke's husband who was deployed in Romania had been given permission to come home for 2 weeks!  His first question was, "Can the Sisters come over?"  And the first thing he asked us was, "Can I get baptized next Saturday?"  He has been investigating for three years and finally felt the push when Brooke, his wife was baptized.  Now they are preparing to go to the temple and be sealed a year after his baptism.  YAY!  Families are GOLD if you can find them:)

2. Next, Mellisa (our recent convert) has told us that she will teach us how to crochet! I am going to make a head band (the ear warmer ones), because I am dumb and either can't find where I packed mine, or totally left them at home.  I am excited!  Then we are going to get really warm fuzzy yarn and make baby hats for the NICU in Wilmington, because they are in need of them! 

3. This week we were able to see a lot of members because of dinner appointments, and going out with them on splits.  We got some recent converts to come along with us to these dinners and worked on fellow-shipping them into the ward even more.  For a fun activity we watched the Joseph Smith Movie about the Restoration, The Emma Smith Story, and The Testaments.  They were all REALLY good!  I hadn't seen them before.  I couldn't believe the trial and hardships some of these people had to endure.  It was a testimony builder to me- they wouldn't have gone through all of that turmoil if the church wasn't true.  No way Jose!  After one of these lessons we went out into the backyard and checked out the chicken coop that was back there.  We ended up leaving her house with free eggs:)  All 18 of them!

4. We taught the lesson out at Camp Johnson this Sunday to the young Marines.  I am glad when they show up because boot camp just drains them and takes everything they have and breaks them down.  There were about 6 that showed up which is way better than usual!  They were all excited that the sisters were teaching...I think it is because they rarely ever see girls.  Haha.  But they were all nice and respectful.  They threw me off though when I challenged them all to commit to something for this week.  They looked at me and said, "Yes mam!" I just laughed haha!  It is the military way.

5. Two of the members in our ward have gotten my companion and I Christmas gifts!  So nice of them!  Transfers are coming up on Dec 2nd and they wanted to make sure we got stuff in case we are leaving.  One of the ladies got us sock slippers, and a hot chocolate care package!  Yay!  It's getting cold.  The other lady got us back massage-rs that vibrate when you push a button!  Oh how heavenly!

Fun Reindeer Slippers!

6.  We had another Zone Training this week.  It was super good this time- considering I've been to two, ha!  I got a lot of revelation and I learned many new things.  Afterwards us sisters all met at the local mexican food place and had lunch together!  It was a blast.  You get rice, a taco, an enchilada and of course the chips and salsa for $5.08!  Such a deal!  And we get to chat and be social for just a little bit.  It's a nice break:)

Zone Training

Having lunch together

Funny of the Week:

So since I'm a Washington girl, I am pretty used to the rain...right?  We go out running at 6:45 on Tuesday morning and see that there is a light drizzle.  My companion looks around and I can tell she in considering going back inside.  I take off and start running so that she has to follow me!  I don't want to be inside more than I have to be!  We get down the street and the rain has picked up a little bit.  We turn the corner and the rain seems to get a little thicker.  I am telling myself we will hit a dry patch where the clouds break...just like back home.  Well, we reach our destination of the area we usually run in and the rain just LETS down!  I am thinking to myself, "Oh Great."  We turn back and start heading to our apartment.  It took us twice as long because we had to keep wiping our eyes so we could SEE where we were going!  Back inside we are drenched, hot, and probably sweaty.  Who knows.  But that showed me that West Coast rain is VERY different from East Coast rain and not to forget it!  Haha.  Then low and behold 15 minutes later it got sunny.  Just my luck.

Soaking Wet!

It is getting around that I try and eat healthy and haven't been eating desserts that are being offered.  So more families are making salad when we come to eat with them, and less desserts.  HA!  One of the families got us snacks from the Commissary and gave Sister Arave Gluten free protein bars, and then whipped out 'Veggie crisps' and 'nut trail mix' for me!  I died laughing!  It's so cute seeing people try to guess what I will like and what is healthy.  I am not picky!  I’m just trying to be careful so I don't gain any more weight:)  I always appreciate the help and love from the members though:) 

Remember This: 

When we explain a problem and a proposed solution, sometimes Heavenly Father answers yes, and sometimes no.  Often he withholds an answer not for lack of concern, but because he loves us- perfectly.  He wants us to apply truths he has given us.  For us to grow, we need to trust our ability to make correct decisions.  We need to do what we feel is right.  In time he will answer.  He will not fail us.

Consider This:

Our personal prayers are a barometer of our spiritual strength and an indicator of our spiritual well being.  What would listening to your personal prayers reveal about you and your relationship with Heavenly Father?

I love you all and hope you know that you are in my prayers:)

Keep me updated!  I want to hear all about your lives and what's going on in them!

Using my time wisely by "multi-tasking"

  

Love always,

Sister Mallory Golden :)

A Great Week in the Carolinas!

Hello!  It has been another good week here in Jacksonville.  Let me fill you in on some of the highlights of the week:)

Our investigator Mellisa got baptized and confirmed this week!  She was SO happy and it was so obvious that she knew this was where she is meant to be.  I am so proud of her.  She has a rough life, but the church offers EVERYTING that she is searching for.  It's crazy how much good the church gives our lives- it astounds me.  She told us that we were 2 angels sent from God to her and that she would never forget the happiness we have brought to her.  I feel like I have done nothing, but that through the Lord he has used me in so many precious ways.  It is a neat thing to look back at because you don't recognize it DURING the moments, but more in hindsight.

Mellisa

We had another exchange this week!  My companion and I do a 24 hour trade with our Sister Training Leaders for our zone.  They make sure we are doing okay, that the work is going well, and make sure that the companionship is doing what it should be.  It was a fun day and luckily it was a BUSY day.  So I definitely impressed this Sister Training Leader;)  Haha.  We had two lessons, a service activity, dinner with a member, and helped with family history.  BOOM!

Our Exchanges

We ALSO had interviews with President and his wife this week.  I was so nervous because it was my first one and I didn't know what to expect.  They asked us to prepare questions, scriptures, and more plus they would be asking us questions, checking our planners and seeing if we were doing what we should be doing.  I walked in first to see Sister Burnheisel which was probably a good thing, haha.  Because the second she asked me how I was doing, my eyes started filling up with tears, and I couldn't stop them!  I think it was just a moment of emotional weakness, plus she is so much of a mother figure for us missionaries, plus I was still feeling the stress of the weeks that have passed by...so she probably told her husband they better keep an eye on me, HA!  I laughed afterwards because I felt better, but also felt like a dork.  But it ended up helping me!  So that's okay:)

Brooke (a lady who got baptized last week) gave me and my companion a gorgeous bracelet with an infinity symbol on it.  There was a charm dangling off of the bracelet that had my last name initial "G" on one side, and the date of her baptism (11-1-14) on the other side.  She told us that we had changed her life in more ways than we even knew, and she would always be indebted to us.  This was the moment the mission changed for me.  That is exactly the experience I needed to have to make me more consecrated.  I have been living day to day, doing the tasks, teaching the lessons, but not much of a permanent feel had set in yet.  After Brooke told us this I cried.  Because I THEN realized that THIS was my purpose.  I am here, working my butt off, slaving over scriptures, enduring both physical and mental and emotional exhaustion not just for the sake of sacrifice, or because the Lord asked me to, but because there are people, and families out here that need to be brought to the gospel.  They need someone to bring them the blessings of eternal life, a way to receive the gift of the holy ghost and feel like for the first time, they belong here on the earth as a child of God.  This realization hit me so hard- but I was so grateful for it. That feeling comes and goes, but I do know that as I continue to serve and work, I will have rewarding experiences such as this to make it all worth it.

Here are some of the insights I was blessed to gain this week! 

1. We all have struggles, but we all can find an extra minute and a half each day to show love to one of God's children.  It might make all the difference- even to  that one we think we don't have to worry about.

2. The quantity of darkness surrounding us in the world simply does not matter.  Light is eternal and is cast and more powerful than darkness.  (2 Cor 4:6; Mosiah 16:9; D&C 14:9)  If we remain worthy of the Holy Spirit our souls can reflect sufficient light to displace any amount of darkness, and others will be drawn to that light within us.

3.  A quote I found in an Ensign in my apartment that I really liked.  "You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you."  (Ether 12:6) -Harold B. Lee

Okay so the funny moment of this week:

My companion and I were on exchanges with a lovely lady from our ward.  we were visiting some less active sisters that lived on the military base opposite of Camp Lejeune.  I had left my jacket in one woman's home and had jumped out of the car to go grab it. My companion and Sister T. were still in the car watching me (I only had to go across the street).  On my way back to the car I saw a man training his dog in the grass nearby.  The dog saw me and broke free of his owners grasp and started charging towards me.   I recognize that this is a very large dog and that it is actually a Rottweiler.  My first thought wasn't “Oh how cute a dog!” but it also wasn't “I should probably brace myself if he isn't being friendly.”  I just STOOD there smiling at the owner who is sprinting after his dog yelling between puffs of breath, "Don't worry! He's friendly!  Don't worry!"  (First of all, sir, that makes no difference whether or not your Rottweiler is friendly...he is racing towards me full speed.)  Funny thing is I wasn't even scared.  I felt like I should drop my bag and put my arms out as if telling him he should jump into them.  He keeled back at the last second and jumped up so that his paws were on my chest.  I looked at his face and saw that he was smiling and just being playful.  He licked my neck and then went on his merry way down the street to find a fire hydrant or something.  The poor man apologized and continued chasing after him.  My companion and Sister T. just had their mouths gaping open as I climbed into the car.  Haha.  I told them I knew Heavenly Father would protect me and then asked where we were off to next.

I am so grateful for the gospel blessing my life.  I wish I had realized that sooner before I left.  But I know that this mission has given me more understanding and purpose for my own life than I would have gained if I had stayed home.  Thank you so much for all the support, letters, emails, prayers and love.  I feel them and they DO make a difference.  

Love you so much!  

Sister Mallory Golden

Happy Halloween!

Hello!

So this week went well.  It was busy and we did a lot.  

Some Highlights: We were able to go with a member (Sister Tu'ivai) to go pick up her husband that had been out on a MEU for the military.  He was on a ship and gone for about 9 months.  We drove out to the base with her and waited the long 2 hours for the men to get off the ship, unload their gear, come over and greet their families.  It was such an amazing thing to see.  All of the kids and wives running to meet their husbands and dads who had been gone for so long!  Sister Tu'ivai and her son Veni were SO happy, and it made me so happy to see that:)

A fun bit of service we did this week was when we made dinner for our Relief Society President Sister Anderson!  We recruited a lady in the ward to help us shop and prepare the dinner at her house.  We made chicken enchiladas and then some lemon cilantro rice and beans.  It was so good looking.  We dropped it off at her house and left it in her fridge since they were out trick or treating at the school festival.  

The following day we went over to Sister Anderson's house and got to celebrate her son's birthday, carve pumpkins, and eat a super good dinner she made us!  She said she wanted to make sure we had something fun to remember about our halloween:) 

Sister Anderson's House

Making Goodie Bags to Handout

On Halloween we went to a little fast food place called “Cook Out” that everyone always talks about.  supposedly they have really good shakes, so my companion decided we should go there for lunch.  We had Sister Hanson (a girl my age- a young marine wife) come with us since her husband was at work all day.  It was quite fun!  We drove to Walmart and to her house to see her puppy, and then to visit a few less active sisters in the ward.  It was a great social outlet if you ask me! 

Sister Hanson

Saturday was Brooke's baptism!  She has been investigating for 3 years and has finally decided to take the plunge!  No pun intended.  We put together her program and yes, I did end up singing a duet of the song "I Need Thee Every Hour" for it.  It actually went well and everyone told me I should sing more.  We will see if that happens;)

Sister Tu'ivai, Veni, and Brooke

Brooke's daughter is 18 and has decided that she now wants to get baptized.  The only hang up is that she lives with her fiance.  So unless he was to move out, or they chose to get married, she can't get baptized quite as soon as she would like.  Well, she called us and said that she has decided they are getting married on Thursday so she can start preparing for baptism!  That just shows us how willing she is to change her life in order to do what she believes is right!  It's wonderful to see her have such great desires.  Now her fiance is interested in learning more about the church as well:) Domino effect!

Later that day we went to Sister Leishman's (lady in the ward) to help her box up her house.  They are moving to Utah while her husband deploys for a year.  They were planning on staying in NC but they found out that their house has been contaminated with black mold and is in NO condition for anyone to be living there right now.  She had gotten pneumonia twice, and each of her kids took turns getting sick as well.  So we put our face masks on and went right to work.  

Service with a Smile!?

We spent a couple hours moving things out of rooms, boxing up stuff and throwing out things that were rotted with mold.  Gross!  After that she took us all out to Red Robin for dinner! Their family is so great- I wish they weren't moving.

Sunday we had a Silent Fireside, or in other words a power point presentation that was all music and pictures and scripture quotes.  It was like an inspirational video.  We asked all the members to invite their friends and use it as a missionary opportunity.  I sang one of the special musical numbers and afterwards a lady came up to me who is a professional singer and asked me how long I've been singing for.  I told her I've never really done it outside of the shower before!  Haha.  She offered to give me a few free singing lessons!  How fun is that!  I really love her- she is so great and served a mission as well.  It's nice to see how blessed she is with a great husband and 2 cute little babies.  One day that may even happen to me!  

We got to eat dinner that night with another member and had planned on teaching a lesson to their friends they had invited over as well.  We taught the Plan of Salvation and talked ALOT about marriage and how family is central to God's plan and how important it is to nourish our relationships.  Come to find out, they told us our message was really uplifting and helpful because they had been having marital issues lately and felt lost.  They agreed to come to church this next Sunday and meet with us again.  The Lord knows what people need to hear, and we just have to be open to listening to Him and teach what we feel is right.

Today!  

Onslow Beach on Camp Lejeune

Sun's Out ~ Guns out!

Today we went with the Sister Missionaries in the Second Ward, and one of their members to the beach on base.  It was really pretty and perfect weather for it.  It was about 60 degrees and the sun was out and it felt SO good.  I miss the beach so much.  We ate lunch out there and played with the little son that came along.  

So this upcoming week we have a baptism to prepare for!  One of our investigators is getting baptized on Saturday.  Then we have 4 more baptisms to get going for the end of November.  The Lord is hastening his work and even though times can get challenging, He leads us to people who are searching for more happiness and the light and truth they are missing.

Funny of the Week:

A member in our ward decided to drop by after they hit up Sam's club one evening this week.  They brought us tubs of lettuce, carrots, broccoli, apples, grapes, and bananas.  This sweet young couple even brought us a bouquet of daises!  They stayed for about half an hour talking with us about things, and by the end of the chat they commented on how cold our apartment was.  We think our thermostat is broken because it is always at 61 even when we set it for 71.  They texted us later that night and told us they were getting us a space heater and more blankets before the winter hits so we don't die!  They are so sweet! Haha:)

This is how I dress to stay warm in our apartment!

My feet get so cold... I have to wear socks with my shoes in our apartment, haha!

So each week we have a District meeting, or in other words, we have the missionaries in this area come together at the church to meet and go over numbers and other business items.  Well, all the missionaries and even the senior couples, have learned how passionate I am about health and exercise.  So!  For the snack they usually bring, they had yogurt with fruit and granola instead of cookies, and then we had a stretch break and a wall sit break!  They then asked me if I would do the 'health thought' for the rest of the meetings since I am the healthiest person they know.  I just laughed, haha.  

Personal Revelation:

This week I have learned that missionary work is always paired with high stress.  Being a perfectionist doesn't help matters much either.  I was looking for ways to let out this stress and praying for things I could do to let it go and not hold it in.  This week my scripture study hasn't been anything extraordinary, but I can tell you that the repetition of being in the Book of Mormon has made the spirit more prevalent than ever before.  I feel so calm and collected when I read for that short half an hour in my personal study time every morning.  I get so sad when I realize it's time to wrap things up and close it.  I know that our Heavenly Father blesses us when we follow his commandments; and through my habits of praying and reading in the scriptures I have deepened my spiritual connection with Christ and God.  This allows me to build up my 'spiritual storehouse' so I can manage my stress better.  I would encourage all of you as well to read for at least 10 minutes a day in the Book of Mormon, always starting and ending with a prayer.  It will drastically change your day, and if you give it time, you WILL see apparent changes.

  

I love you all so much and hope you are doing well.  I miss you and hope you know I pray for you every single day!  Probably every hour to be honest:) 

Stay safe and don't forget me!

Love, Sister Mallory Golden

Letter from the Carolina's

First off!  Happy Birthday to little Lukey who is now a teenager!  I can't even believe it!  He is getting so old; I am so sad:( 

Well hello.  Another week has gone by and guess what.  Today marks two months since I have entered the MTC.  I can't believe I was home just this last August, crazy.  So this week went well- there are lots of Halloween activities going on!

We were able to go to the Fall Festival on Friday where we got chosen to judge all the chili, all the cornbread and all the pie.  I had to try EACH thing.  I only took a little, but I was still so full by the end.  I felt like a cow, haha.  Then we had to judge the hallway that was decorated for the kids to trick or treat in and the top costumes of each age group.  It was a fun time and I even got to dress up as well!  I was a rugby player and even got a bruise painted on my face, haha.  Unfortunately we had to walk through Barnes and Noble on the way home with the lady who was giving us a ride and we got a lot of weird looks from everybody inside.  I don't blame them! 

Rugby Players in skirts!?

This week we were able to meet with one of our investigators and plan out her whole baptism! She was so excited.  We went over hymns, talk assignments, prayer assignments, and then out of nowhere she goes, "Sister Golden will do the special musical number..."  And I stop and look at her thinking to myself, "Uh what did she just say?"  She told me that in church she doesn't sing because she just listens to me the whole time and I remind her of Snow White or Rapunzel and she wants me to sing for her baptism.  I never sing solo’s in public!  I told her I would think about it:)  Haha.

During the week my companion got sick because someone fed us dinner that apparently wasn't all gluten free.  So we were able to spend part of the day at a members home to give her time to recuperate.  During this I got to go out and pick eggs...is that the proper way to say it?  Gather eggs from their hen house.  Haha I don't know what it is called.  But I got eggs and we got to keep them!  They are so much better than the ones you buy at the store!  I think maybe one day I will get chickens and eat their eggies ;)  As long as my husband agrees to clean up the pen they stay in...and not kill them for dinner because that is sad.  Anyways!

Homegrown Egg

So Sister McDonald our senior missionary here in NC, got me this special Holistic bug spray that her cousin makes because she heard from some people that I am getting bit no matter where I go.  And this is so true.  Every time we go to knock on some one's door I leave with a new bug bit on my ankle.  I guess I have sweet blood...

She said she doesn't know how well it will work, but it is worth a try.  I just laughed:)  Maybe I will put some on my forehead after getting that huge bite there.

Another piece of good news is that two of our less active families we have been visiting have been coming to church lately.  They only stay for the first meeting and leave, but sill that is progress! The one is married to a man who is not interested in the church at all so she comes by herself with the kids and it is a challenge for her to have no support.  I am so grateful for my strong family that supports one another in our church- going.

It is starting to cool off a little bit.  It's so funny, people from here are saying, "Brace yourselves, the worst winter is afoot!"  I asked what the conditions are like... and they respond and say, weather in the 40's and maybe some snow.  They continue on and say that schools are cancelled, the bread, milk, and eggs are always cleaned out of the grocery stores, and that you don't see people for days because they keep themselves shut inside!  I was thinking to myself, well if I can handle -15 degrees and 12 inches of snow in Rexburg and still go to school and play sports then I think I can handle a winter here in North Carolina;) Although I hate the cold and will say I'm cold if it's under 70, I know I will survive here!

One thing I get nervous about here is how much people joke about the road kill.  They say it makes for a good stew, or a good pot-pie.  I really hope I never run into that... and if someone  cooks it for me, they better not tell me and just let me eat it in peace.  Ha!  So gross.  Although there always is an animal on the side of the road no matter where we are.  Luckily we live in a good city and I don't think the people are into that here.  Further out in the boonies I've heard missionaries say that has happened!  Yikes.

I love you all and hope you are doing well!  Keep the letters and emails coming!  I so appreciate them and need the support! Have such a fun Halloween and watch a fun movie for me!

Love,

Sister Mallory Golden 

Raleigh Temple

So this weekend we were able to go to the Raleigh temple.  It is a beautiful temple, and is rather small, almost like a stake center.  You have to make reservations way in advance to get into a session!  We were accompanied by a wonderful woman in our ward who drove us there and back and got us lunch at Chipotle afterwards.  It was such a fun day!  We left at 7 in the morning and got back at 7 that evening!  How crazy is that!  I loved every second of it though - I wish we could go more often!  I hope you get a chance to attend the temple soon:)  There are so many blessings we can receive if we go.

Another great thing from this week is that one of our investigators, Brooke, who has been taking lessons for 2 years asked to be baptized November 1st!  She is making so much progress and now her 18 year old daughter wants to take lessons as well.  Her husband wants them to be a part of the ward when he gets back from deployment in February so he can just jump right in. 

Second, our new investigator Mellisa came to church for the second time since we found her two weeks ago!  This Sunday she surprised us and brought her 2 step sons, their little friend, and her husbands cousin!  Amber, her husbands cousin, says she wants to come back because this is the best she has felt in any church!  How amazing! :)  How we welcome and make a point to say hello to new people at church drastically changes their views and makes them more prone to come back again!

In one of our lessons we were able to watch the Joseph Smith movie with Gabby and Erin who have been taking lessons for about a month.  Her mom who is a devoted Catholic came out and ended up watching the WHOLE movie with us.  At the end she was very impressed and said she had learned a lot!  By small and simple things, great things are brought to pass, right?? ;) Maybe this is the beginning of her conversion story!

This last week I participated in my first missionary exchange!  The sister training leaders in our zone come and switch with one of us to see how we are doing in our area.  I was super nervous because I am still training and didn't know if I could lead out the whole 24 hours we were together!  But it ended up going well and we had a really powerful lesson with a less active woman who ended up coming to Sacrament meeting yesterday:)

I also was able to see my first banana spider this week.  It was quite horrid and I would be quite alright if I were to never see one again.  It was huge.  Literally could eat a banana.  So gross, haha.  There was also a cockroach in our room that we had to chase around and kill!  Those little buggars are fast, let me tell you!

The weather is starting to get cooler!  I don't like it...it is supposed to be the worst winter that NC will have seen.  Just my luck.  I come from Rexburg’s worst winter straight to NC’s worst winter.  Good thing I have a large fluffy coat ;)

Halloween is coming soon!  I hope you all have fun but safe plans! Eat some chili for me and some candy!  I love you all and pray for you every day!

Lots of Love,

Sister Mallory Golden

Fun P-day!

Alright I'm going to have to keep this one short!  We spent all day in Wilmington touring around the USS North Carolina Battleship with the Anderson family!  So fun!  It is a huge boat and we spent a good 2 hours walking around it watching films and looking at the different parts and going up and down 9 flights of decks!  It was a great day.  We even stopped for frozen yogurt afterwards which I haven't had in forever!  So good :)

                                                                                 Anderson Family

USS North Carolina Battleship

Sleeping Quarters

Frozen Yogurt

So this last week, are you ready?
Highlights:
We found a new investigator!  She let us right in her door and after a very powerful 20 minute lesson on the Plan of Salvation we invited her to be baptized and have a clean slate and forget all of her past mistakes she had been hanging onto.  She immediately accepted and came to church with us the very next Sunday!  She is grasping everything quite well- it is neat to see how the Lord prepares people for us to meet and teach!  

Second, we went out to Mexican food (yummy) with one of our investigators and a girl from the YSA in our ward to get some fellowship going on.  They are both so cute and we had a great time with them.  We taught a little lesson over dinner and then drove the young lady home who had accompanied us to meet the investigator.  She told us that we were the kind of missionaries she had always wanted to meet and that she really looked up to us because we were always happy and shone when we walked into a room.  She confided in us about the challenges in her life and said the lesson we taught really helped her.  We don't always know it, but our examples and kind words can really make a difference in someones day.  I didn't expect me, as my goofy self, to touch this girl who is struggling right now and say things she needed to hear because it wasn't in a formal lesson.  But what we do and say all the time has the ability to effect someone else.  Are we all living in a way that will bring others up?  Or down?

Think about that this week!

Funny of the Week!

We went to the Library to check on FB (we are a Facebook mission and use the social media to proselyte) and people kept coming up to me asking me questions on where they could find certain books!  I just assumed they thought I was cute and approachable and sought out my assistance because they saw me first when they walked in.  Well I was wrong.  The last lady asked me how long I had been working at the library since I looked so young, and I told her I didn't work there!  She looked confused and told me she thought the name tag meant I worked there!  Haha.  I then explained to her what it was.  It was quite humorous :)

Things in the South:

This weekend being Columbus Day and what not meant that there was a parade in the little town we are living in!  Then afterwards there was a Festival!  It is called the Mullet Festival.  So here I am thinking there are going to be people walking around with mullets or wigs and I am trying not to judge or be weirded out.  I was then told by our lovely senior missionary couple that the festival has to do with the Mullet Fish... this is usually served down in this area. Ha!  I felt silly.  They came and picked us up at our apartment and we jumped on a trolley that was transporting people down to the water front.  It reminded me of Gig Harbor and the parade and fun things that happen during the summer each year.  We had fried fish and hush puppies straight from the south and then toured around the street for a little while looking at all the vendors and things that they were selling.  It made me miss home!  Being right there on the waterfront and all.  It was a great day!

Gratitude time:  

I have come to realize that I grew up in such a great home with loving parents, fun siblings, and good resources.  Here I have met a lot of broken families, financially unstable couples, people who don't have hope or purpose for their future.  We try and teach them things that will bring light and love into their lives, such as the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His plan for us to live with Him again.  But we still see the effects of agency and being human and the consequences wrong decisions can have on people.  As I reflect over what has had the biggest impact in my life, I realize that this church really is the foundation of my family.  I was so blessed to have parents who are strong in their faith and raised me to not only rely on God, but try and become better than I was yesterday.  I cannot pray enough to thank Heavenly Father for the things he has blessed me with.

I have also come to realize that I can do hard things.  Coming out on a mission IS the hardest thing I have ever done in my 20 years of life.  But sometimes good things require sacrifice.  I don't believe Heavenly Father would ask us to go on missions and endure the hardships if it wasn't for an extremely important purpose.  I know that I would not have developed AS firm of a testimony in the Book of Mormon, or have the same opportunities to rely solely on my Savior since my family is so far away.  I know that I will be able to use this experience as a wife and a mother because I have become truly converted in the gospel.  I know that my Savior is there for me, and that prayer is a powerful tool we so often over look.  In a period of 6 weeks I have grown and can't even imagine what 17 more months will do for me.

In closing, I only have 16 more fast Sunday's to go!

502 Days, 2 Christmases, and one summer to get through before I am home ;)  

What a daunting Idea.  I love you all and pray for you each and every day.  Thank you for your support and encouragement- it really does make a huge difference in my life!  I am so thankful for that :)

Love,

Sister Golden

Zone Training and General Conference ~ all in the same week!

Hello to all!  I am missing you so much:)  Can you feel October in the air?  You sure can here.  In the mornings it is SO crisp outside, haha.  Not as warm anymore.  It is forecast-ed that this winter will be N.C.'s worst... just my luck -_-

Highlights:  So this last week was another good one.  We had a really good lesson with two of our investigators that have been friends for about 8 years.  They are helping each other progress without them even knowing it, ha!  We showed them a Bible video on the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  They both had NEVER heard of the Atonement before...crazy.  So we turned off the lights, started the video, and 6 minutes later their eyes were wide and they said they couldn't believe someone 'went through all of that'.  We explained why it had to be done and what that means for us if we use the gift Christ gave us through that act.  The day before I challenged myself to let the spirit guide the lessons more than I was.  I have a problem with there being too much silence, so I try and talk to keep things going.  Well today I let the spirit talk more, and that was a phenomenal experience. We let the holy ghost touch their hearts and at the end of the very simple and quiet lesson we extended the baptismal invitation to both of them for November 1st.  They looked at us, and said, "Okay."  It was such a great feeling!  They even wanted to tell their families about it!  We are going to try and meet with them this week and keep things going:)  I know that when we move out of the way, and let the holy ghost guide us, better things will come from it, because it is what Heavenly Father wants to be happening. 

Second, I had my first Zone Training meeting this last week!  I was super nervous because it went from 8-4 pm and we had to sit the whole time and do role plays and listen to all the higher ups speak and what not.  But it ended up going okay and we learned about missionary work...again.

                                                                       Study Materials

BUT,  at the end of it they let us watch the movie "Meet the Mormons" which is coming out soon!  It was really good and I encourage you to go and see it!  We couldn't go to the movies to see it  (or anywhere near a movie theater we were told) so they got us a pre-screening of it.  YAY!  

Grateful For:

So this weekend was General Conference!  Oh my goodness how amazing was that!?  I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.  It is a different experience when you are watching it as a missionary- I don't know why, but it is more deep and held more personal revelation than it ever has before.  My companion and I watched the first Saturday session in the church building and the evening session at Sister Anderson's house on base with her family.  It was nice to be with a family during conference because it reminded me of home!  I went into conference with 12 questions written down, and by the end of that day, 10 of them had been answered and talked about quite a few times!  I couldn't believe it.  After conference we had dinner which is a southern tradition I guess.  We ate 'Carolina Pork' which is pulled pork in the crockpot, but they use vinegar and a little bit of balsamic to marinate it instead of BBQ sauce.  It was super good!  They made me put coleslaw on my burger because supposedly that's the only right way to do it in the South :)

                                                               Sister Anderson's House

Sunday session went just as well.  We watched it at the church and had lunch that was provided by the two senior missionary couples.  I seriously love them to death.  We went over to a members home for dinner after the last session and had eggplant lasagna (that's a new one!)  This family is really big into missionary work and is so, so fun to be around.  They are energetic and ALWAYS looking out for us sisters.  I love them.  We had a great gospel discussion and then they had us take one item off the table and relate it to a gospel topic.  The parents try and get their kids prepared to share the gospel in any way they can.  So by practicing like this, they will be able to share more with people around them in situations they may not have known could relate to the gospel! 

Lastly, I am so grateful for the work out cards my mom has sent me!  It has rained a few days this week and it is swampy in our area so we aren't able to work out outside.  Well, no need to fear.  The workouts and resistance band my mom gave me took care of that.  I was actually sore the next day from it- wow.  I am out of shape!

                                                                  Laminated Workouts

Funny of the Week: 

So this week we met with a couple who don't have children, but a wide variety of pets.  We introduced ourselves and they immediately started talking to us like old friends!  One of the first things they shared with us was that they were parrot whisperers... I had to contain a laugh because I wasn't expecting that.  But they have 5 parrots they talk to and are teaching things to.  Along with their  3 cats and 2 dogs and fish.  To each their own!  Haha.  But what got me was when they introduced themselves.  The wife went first and then her husband followed suit.  He reached out to shake my hand and said, "Possum" and I looked behind me and asked, "where?" .  He responded by saying, "No, that's my name."  I of course had to ask, "Is that your real name??"  I probably should have just said it was nice to meet him but I thought it was funny and wanted to know who names their kid that.  He says it is a childhood nickname that stuck and everyone calls him that now.  

Second!  We went to a house that has lots of bushes and trees around it, and since it has been raining, there was a manifestation of mosquitoes that were living there as well.  They literally ATTACKED.  I'm standing there SWATTING and RUNNING in little circles as the bugs bounce off of me only to return and attack once again.  The woman came outside and looked at me for a second and said, "Hon are you okay?"  I just laughed and fast walked into the house.  After the lesson we get into the car and my forehead is itchy- low and behold I have a HUGE bite on the middle of my forehead.  I don't even have bangs to hide it!  It literally looks like a bulbous bouffant is on my face (haha the kids will enjoy that joke).  We had a dinner appointment with a member after that.  She was kind enough to pretend she couldn't see Mt. Everest on my forehead.  Bless her. 

                                                                     Mosquito Bite

More about the South:

So I think either people are very festive in the south, or they are obsessed with Halloween.  Everywhere we have gone we have seen full blown decorations.  Wendy's is decked out, peoples homes, both inside and out.  Restaurants and lawns.  One neighborhood we were making some contacts in had this house that had a full size boat in the front yard with skeletons on deck.  Then a little dingy with more skeletons.  I was impressed and a little freaked out. 

Halloween is about the candy right?  Haha.  Live and Learn! The Trunk-or-Treat here at the church is also a big event I've heard.  The families actually have competitions against each other to have the best car and room decorations.  A whole family will dress up (ie: Wizard of Oz characters or something like that) and try and out-do the family down the hall from them.  It is going to be fun to see!

                                                                  Getting in a Festive Mood

Second,  maybe it's just me and I'm too proper, but people here aren't bothered with sharing their bodily noises in public.  There is lots of burping and passing gas as we chat with people or friends.  The first time this happened at a members home for dinner and the daughter passed gas really loud and no one said anything!  By the end of the night I knew which sound came from which family member.  I need to try and find humor in these funny life moments, but I was more shocked than anything.  Haha.  

I hope everything is going well for you.  I love getting emails and mail so keep it coming:)  

I have been privileged to learn that Heavenly Father answers me personally through the BOM and through other people.  I challenge you this week to try and see how Heavenly Father answers your prayers.  

Lots of love, 

Sister Mallory Golden