Little India ~ Morrisville!

Hey y'all!  So I have been transferred to INDIA!  Not really, but kind of.  I am in a small town called Morrisville, the 'heart of the triangle' is what it is known for.  There is a big area called 'Research Triangle Park' which is made up of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, I think.
But here in Morrisville the majority of the population is made up of Indian people.  They are great and really nice, but it is hard because they are all Hindu and Muslim and are not interested in Christianity.  We have tracted this whole week and had about 20 lessons with them, and none of them accepted what we had to say but thanked us anyways.  We had a few random Southern Baptists in the mix- but they are never too friendly to us.  What is so intimidating about a girl with a skirt on?  Haha.

Some quirks about my area:
We have a car every other week- don't worry, "I will survive!"  Or at least try to. I am pretty excited to try my sweet wheels out, though.  I haven't had the chance to my whole mission!  I just kind of freak out when I realize we don't have access to a car.  We share it with the Apex sisters who aren't too far away from us.
Second, I am having to get used to an apartment again!  There were so many perks to living with a member in my last area! But this will be good for me, I just hope I don't forget how to do my laundry. (Kidding!)

So as for my last few days in Pinehurst last week. That was HARD! I hate goodbyes! but I know they are not permanent.  I did dread all the packing I had to do ... I really don't know where half of my stuff came from...really!  Ha!

My sweet family the Winkley's

 So on Tuesday morning the DAY OF transfers the Spanish Elders text us at 6:15 in the morning and say, "Hey do you want to take an IQ test with us at 7:30?"  We were both like what the heck??  They clarified and said that Bishop Finch was bringing tests for us all to take and we should join.  So against my better judgement we went...sweaty, in work out clothes and all!  Good thing I totally don't care about how I look in front of boys anymore.  Bishop Finch is a Psychologist for the army and got us some professional IQ tests that would be legitimate and can go in our records.  I was super nervous because I feel like I don't know anything besides gospel stuff.  I just hope he doesn't judge me on my score if it is bad...that was fun though!
We hurried home and I finished packing and getting ready.  The Edwards' came to pick me up and the two elders in our district who were transferring as well, and Sister Burdette stayed behind and went to do missionary things with Sister Mizelle.  I felt so naked without a real companion that whole morning/afternoon!
Once at transfers (and saying hello to everyone) we got settled in. There were 20 new missionaries transferred in and 2 of them are from far, far away.  Korea, and Taiwan!  crazy.  I got called and stood, hearing president James say, "Morrisville with Sister Atkinson."  Sister A actually came with my last companion Sister Burdette who I trained.  So, I already knew her in a round about way which was nice.  I rode home with Sister Smith and her daughter with all my stuff...and eventually met my companion.

Sister Atkinson and Sister Smith

 The next few days were rather tough for me.  There weren't any set plans for me to follow- so we tracted a lot.  A lot- a lot.  We hit one white person out of all the hours and days we tracted.  It was crazy.  I feel like I am serving in a foreign mission.  But the Indian people are very cordial and listen to us.  They just aren't interested.  We have had a few people kindly offer us water, and a kind word for our efforts.  But past that we haven't had any success.  And that was hard for me to get my grips on.  In my last area we had SO much to do- granted it was 3x as big with an extra ward attached.  But I am having to re-focus and re-learn how to teach and approach people here.

It is interesting how the Lord takes us and refines us.  He knew that I was confident, strong, and obedient in my last area.  And here, I am in a new world.  I am having to follow up train again, and learn a new area.  I know that we need opposition to grow, but where is the breaking point.  When seekers of truth are hit with hard things, that is the time we fall to our knees.  The Lord lets us struggle at times because He knows we will come to Him in supplication and therefore the relationship we have with Him will grow.

I have learned that I have a very strong, “don't give up” mentality.  And in missionary work that can sometimes exhaust a person.  So what is the answer; where does the balance lie?  I feel like when I am the BEST missionary I have been, and now is the time I am at the peak of my learning and skills, I have been placed in an area where I know NOTHING nor WHERE to go.  I know that we are not given more than we can handle.  This may be a precious time where I will grow closer to my Savior,  or perhaps this will be a time where I am humbled and shown that it is all up to the Lord.  Whatever the reason is for me being here, I will work, I will fight, and I will pray because when we are on the Lord's errand, things always work out.
This I know.

 Love always,
Sister Golden

My Third Transfer!

THIS WEEK WAS SUCH A GOOD ONE!
Sister Burdette and I went to town and taught 5 people on our first contact with them, either knocking on doors, or on the street and giving them the message of the restoration in 4 minutes, and were able to give 4 of them Books of Mormon.  One of them accepted a baptismal date upon invitation, and another one wanted to come to church right away!  We also got return appointments with all of them.   I have made it a habit to set a specific goal the night before when I know we will be out tracting. 

Maps of the two areas we serve

So Sister Burdette and I decided to search for and find a single parent who could use the gospel.  One of the doors we knocked on was opened by a nice looking woman who invited us right in and gave us water (so nice of her!). Her poor 19 year old daughter was on the couch with an ice bag on her face...she had just gotten home from getting her wisdom teeth pulled!  We shared a little about our faith and she told us we could come back on her day off the next week.  Later that night I realized she was that single mom we had prayed about and searched for.  The spirit is so great- it truly guides us during the day.

Then at church we ended up having 5 of our less active families, that we have been consistently working with, all come to church.  It was an amazing week of success and blessings.  I feel like I have truly grown into the missionary I have been wanting to become in this area.

These are all the people I have grown to love and will miss dearly!

I have learned to rely on the Lord and the spirit and by doing so have overcome my fear of talking with everyone.  FOR example,  we had to stop at a gas station during our afternoon of tracting (because I drink a lot of water and always have to go to the bathroom).  My eye caught on the guy inside the Fed Ex truck parked just outside...when we came back out he was still there.  I looked at him again.  I sat in the drivers seat with the key in the ignition having an internal battle on whether or not to go and talk to him.  Well, I did.  I got out of the car with Sister Burdette trailing after me probably wondering what was wrong with me, haha.  I introduce myself and start talking with him about normal things- he was sitting there waiting to switch trucks with another guy.  Of course I slip in that I am a missionary and we start talking about religions.  We shared the 4-min restoration lesson with him and gave him a Book of Mormon to take home and read.  He said he sincerely would and would ask God if it was real.  It is such a good feeling when you know that you gave your all that day. 

We know that the Lord doesn't give us anything we can't handle, "for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them" (1 Nephi 3:7). 
I have true gratitude for being a representative of Jesus Christ.  This will not last forever.  I have learned the precious principle of time this week- why it came so late in my mission I don't know. But I am glad it did.  We only have so long to do ANYTHING.  And I have an even shorter time to proclaim what I know to be true and help others find this joy the gospel has to bring.  This Mallory has been refined, buoyed up, and changed by Christ.  And for that I will always profess.

That was probably why it was so devastating for me to get the news....YES, transfer news.  I am being transferred somewhere else tomorrow. 

I was really upset at first.  I felt like I was being taken from this area prematurely.  Things were going SO well- I was more confident in the Lord and my abilities he has helped me gain more than EVER; I loved the people, and the places.  But I know I am needed elsewhere, and I will Go and Do. 

<3 Sister Golden

The Gospel is True!

This one is going to be a little bit shorter.  But I will fill you in on what I have learned this week!  God is Good.  He loves us no matter what.  I am so grateful to be serving Him and coming closer to my Savior.

We are teaching 3 old women right now, a family, and 2 other people on and off.  I have noticed that when I have really good personal study in the morning and feel the spirit, I am a way better teacher.  We went to go see Linda with Sister Anderson and I felt prompted to talk about Family History...totally not what we had planned.  She loved that we had that to offer and when I extended the invitation to be baptized she accepted.  Linda is never quiet, so for her to sit and think and answer a question is huge.  Especially that question!

I was reading a talk by President Uchtdorf and in it he said, "Your personal testimony of light and truth will not only bless you and your posterity here in mortality, but it will also accompany you throughout all eternity."  How true is that?  In our short life we can learn so, so much.  And it will affect us greatly while on the earth and once we are gone.

God cares about you. He will listen, and He will answer your personal questions. The answers to your prayers will come in His own way and in His own time, and therefore, you need to learn to listen to His voice. God wants you to find your way back to Him, and the Savior is the way.   God wants you to learn of His Son, Jesus Christ, and experience the profound peace and joy that come from following the path of divine discipleship.

I love the Lord and I am so grateful for what he has blessed me with in this life.
Love you all!
Sister Golden

Goals and success!

This week was a great one for us because we hit the pavement hard with goals in mind.  We had Zone Conference this week and President James really stressed Hard work+obedience+diligence = success.  I agree.  And you know what I like?  I can take that and apply it into my life even after my mission!  We had to perform, for him and his wife in front of every other missionary in the room,  what we had been practicing...giving the Restoration lesson in under 4 minutes with the two scriptures and memorized account from Joseph Smith.  Whooh!  Was I nervous!  But I pretended not to be and acted really excited so that Sister Burdette wouldn't freak out.  She is a total introvert- which is so great because she evens me out.  Her and I are having some fun times together:)
There was a senior missionary couple there who are both Psychologists and help missionaries with their emotional issues.  That day they instructed us on how to cope with a companion who is the opposite of us..or in other words how to deal with extroverts and introverts!  It was great.  I learned that I am a definite extrovert!  Haha.  Go figure.  I love being with other people, teaching, and knocking on doors. 

Knocking on doors!

Another thing that was emphasized was using our sweet members in teaching others about the gospel.  Not only is it more effective, but the members bring a special testimony and spirit there.  Plus they are more permanent than we are...
So Sister Burdette and I went out this week and found people to teach, brought members with us, and found new investigators. I wish missionary work was like this every day!  Haha.  But we have bad days to show us the Lord's tender mercies and to let us know that we really do need to rely on Him for everything. 

I was able to go to Sanford with Sister Richardson this week.  It was a SUPER great exchange and I learned a lot from her.  We were actually in the MTC together. 

Exchanges

Sister Richardson

We had a spiritual moment together before we headed back to meet our real companions.  We were going to go teach their investigator that is working towards baptism, but on the way there Sister R. said she felt like we shouldn't go see her.  So we both decided to go and see a potential investigator that they have been having a hard time hooking up with.  So we go to knock on her door and sadly she isn't home.  Why did Heavenly Father give us the impression to come here if it was just to knock on an empty house.  We saw a lady in the yard at the next house and I said that we should go and ask her if she had known the woman we were searching for.  I didn't want to really because it was an area I didn't know and I didn't want to bother her.  But onward I walked!  We ended up talking to her for a good 5 minutes and then she started asking us questions about what we do and what our church is like.  Over the next 20 minutes 4 kids trickled out one by one, followed by a husband.  We ended up teaching this whole family on the spot and had a prayer with them, all holding hands.  After I said Amen, I looked up and the mom was crying.  She was feeling the spirit and said to us, "I know that Jesus didn't send you here on accident."  This family accepted a return appointment from the sisters for the following week!  Isn't that great?!

Saturday we had a really fun dual-ward pioneer day activity and picnic out on a lake.  I was really sad I couldn't jump in and swim around but I will sacrifice!  Ha.  It was fun.  There was really good BBQ, kids found mini turtles in the water, some investigators came, (yay!) and later that night we got to go see Linda our new investigator. 

I have been studying a little bit about 'Desire' this week.  If we don't have any desire, then why would we want to move forward...or in any direction at all? I think desire is where it all starts.  Your desires determine your agency. And your agency determines who you become. Brother Ridd said, “Ultimately, the choice is yours. You have agency. Each choice takes you closer to or further from what you are meant to become. Always ask yourself, ‘Where will this choice lead?’ Develop the ability to see beyond the moment. Elder Oaks said, "Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. The desires we act on determine our changing, our achieving, and our becoming."

I love you all so much and can't wait to hear from you.  Keep doing what is right, and know I am praying for you :)
<3 Mally Mal

HOT, HUMID, and Pouring RAIN!

So, some crazy stuff has happened this week!  You ready to hear about it? HA.  Last Monday we ate dinner with Sister M. who loves all the missionaries to pieces- sometimes she thinks she is a missionary herself.  Well after dinner she told us she was making a package for the Elder who just went back home from our District.  There were cute mementos, southern knick knacks, some random inside jokes, and then a hair board.  YES.  A board that she had glued a 'lock of hair' onto that belonged to each of her family members.  Now she was requesting US to give a lock of hair.  She said it was for a great cause!  She really loved this elder.  Well we don't really know him because Elder/Sister relationships are super strict in this mission.  But she worked her magic, ended up persuading me, and *BAM* cut a lock of hair right off my head!

Oh it was a nasty looking board, haha.  I wouldn't know what to do if I opened up a package and saw that inside.  HA!  But I guess it makes memories right?  She got all 4 companionships of missionaries to contribute and also got our hand prints on the back.  Very unique gift if I do say so myself.

The next day we started looking through our area book and wrote down a bunch of names of people who had been investigators in the past, but discontinued for different reasons.  Later that day we went out and visited some of our less actives, and had a great lesson on the Restoration with a friend of one of our members.  Our new mission President has asked us to be able to teach the message of the Restoration in under 4 minutes, with two scriptures and a memorized portion and will be checking on that this Thursday at Zone Conference!  He is going to make us role-play it.  Man am I nervous!  But we have been practicing and I feel super good about it.  If I don't succeed with those requirements, at least I know that when I teach real investigators I will know exactly what I am doing.
 
Later that day we did our volunteer work at the Assisted Living Home and sadly Paula (the manager we work closely with) had her last day working there:(

 We were so sad!  But we took some pictures and gave her a small little gift we had gotten together the day before.  She loved it.

Wednesday was Great!  We went out with Sister D. and had a BLAST!  She is a true “Southern Bell” - born and raised in North Carolina.  We were laughing so hard the whole time with her because she is witty, and tons of fun.  She was also an amazing help during our lessons.  We contacted those people we had found in our area book the day before, and had good contacts with all of them.  The first lady we went to go see let us right in and said she remembered the Elders who had taught her a few years prior.  We got to know each other pretty quick and had a good time.  She is such a spiritual lady and has a very southern spin on all of her beliefs.  But that's okay! It's cultural.  She asked us to come back and visit her again because she really liked us.  Haha.  I like it when people actually enjoy our company...everyone else just doesn't know what they are missing out on. 

For dinner that night we went out with this cute little old lady in our ward, Sister P.  She is a family history missionary here and is loving it- she always shares stories with us when we go out to eat once a month.  This night we went to a place called Dickey's.  It was SUPER yummy BBQ, or maybe I was just really hungry. 

 We had Zone Training today (Yes...we have had to drive to Fayetteville NC for three weeks in a ROW!) and a sweet member drove us there and back to help with our miles.  She said she needed to go to Sam's Club for a food run anyways..but I know that her offering a ride was a DEFINITE answer to our prayers.  We had been praying that someone would be able to take us.  I want to respect the allotted amount of miles we are given each month since this mission is providing the car for us.  So I don't want to ever go over on our miles! Haha. 

Thursday morning we went over to a members home where her husband is currently deployed.  She has been feeling a little down and not on top of things, so we told her to expect us that morning from 9-12 and we helped her deep clean.  She was so appreciative and invited us over for dinner this upcoming week.  I love seeing how giving service orients trust towards us missionaries.  She even said that if we need to invite anyone, whether an investigator, less active, or recent convert as well, she would be totally okay with that.  So this is evidence that when you love someone without any ulterior motives, they will open up and trust you. I love that!

The next day we had another lesson with our investigator Linda whom we found in the area book.  We brought a young lady who is getting her mission papers in the mail soon so she could get some idea as to what to look forward to.  We taught the Restoration of the Church to her, and Sister Burdette and I totally rocked it!  After practicing and studying and more practicing we finally nailed down a great teaching pattern for this!  Thank you President James.
 
Later on that night we had dinner with Sister W. who has fed us every Friday for the last 3 weeks.  We are so grateful for her!  She has really touched my heart!  We have offered to do yard work with her and have found that each time we come over and do service for her, the more she opens up.  Now when we come over she totally chats with us about all her work stuff, family drama, exciting experiences, and asks us for our opinions on things.  Members who put their hearts into helping the missionaries will never TRULY understand how much they touch our lives.  Blessings will come to those who help the missionaries. 

But I did get 23 mosquito bites on my legs from the yard work.  And I was really sweaty.  And my hair got pretty big.  But that's okay!  I love serving and helping people.  I think my mission has taught me the definition of hard work.  I didn't know how to really work, like the nitty-gritty stuff, before.  I am grateful for that.

Although we had one investigator come to church (who really didn't pay attention at all) we DID have an inactive single sister come to church! We are always leaving sticky notes on her door letting her know we love her and miss her.  And then at church I scan the chapel and my eyes lock on her and I was like, "NO WAY!" Reverently ran/walked over to her and hugged her.  It was a great feeling. 
But after church we had a scare because the keys weren't in my purse.  So we spent half an hour frantically running around the church looking for the stupid things.  We even had some members helping us.  Know where they were? In My BAG.  DUMB. Haha.

I know that as you pray and strive to minister to the ONE, Heavenly Father will help them find a way back.

Lots of Love!
Sister Golden :)

Enduring to the End!

Working on a Farm

My week wasn't that good.  In fact, it was probably a little harder than my average week goes.  We had appointments set up with members to go out on visits and some of them forgot or cancelled.  Investigators we went to go see either weren't home or said it actually wasn't a good time.  People cancelled right before we were supposed to see them.  3 people who said they would be at church were no shows.  One investigator who came said it was nice...but she would be returning to her church.  And on top of all of this it is hot, humid and my hair is unruly.
So I was pretty down as you can imagine.  I was reflecting in sacrament meeting as to why we have to go through these tough times even when we work so hard for a good outcome.  I had been praying so hard for this lesson with an investigator and she cold turkey discontinued our meetings. I had been studying so diligently for a lady who had a few questions on a certain topic and when we went to go teach her she said to come back later.  I was pretty frustrated!  But then I read a talk by Dieter F. Uchtdorf and in it I found a gem of a quote.  Something I needed, "We acknowledge that your path will at times be difficult.  But I give you this promise in the name of the Lord: rise up and follow in the footsteps of our Redeemer and Savior, and one day you will look back and be filled with eternal gratitude that you chose to trust the Atonement and its power to lift you up and give you strength."  POWERFUL.

"Enduring to the end is a hallmark of true discipleship and is essential to eternal life.  But when trials and challenges come our way, we are often told to simply 'hang in there'.  Let me be clear, to 'hang in there' is not a principle of the gospel.  Enduring to the end means constantly coming unto Christ and being perfected in Him.  If enduring to the end is essential to eternal life, why do we struggle to be faithful? We struggle when we are caught between competing priorities.  Casual obedience and lukewarm commitment weaken faith.  Enduring to the end requires total commitments to the Savior and to our covenants."  (See 2 Nephi 31:20)  I loved this by Elder Pearson.  Just like Christ's original apostles, sacrifice, hard work, and dedication was required of them.  The disciples realized that their service to Christ was their all.  Whole soul.  And Christ knew that their faith could best be gauged by obedience and untiring service.  As a missionary, these two things apply to me as well.

One of the 'fruits of our labors' we have seen come to pass is building wonderful relationships with a few of our inactive and less-active families and sisters.  It has been GREAT!  The work we do also covers bringing back lost sheep, not just going out and finding new ones.  So one family of just a mom and two girls has learned to love us and is always so excited when we come over.  They have such a special place in my heart! I have so many quotes from that sister- she is so funny and SO southern.  One thing I am grateful for that has come from my mission is learning to love everyone.  I have made friends with so many people I wouldn't have back home because they weren't in my usual 'friend group' (so dumb but true).  The Savior really does have love for everyone...and when we learn to love him, we love others around us.  It is amazing.

Something I have noticed- the Lord speaks to me through Hymns.  When I pray I usually have a random line of a hymn run through my head.  It is so neat!!!
I was having a hard time with the change that is going on back home with friends, loved ones, etc, and was praying really hard for help to be okay with that.  Then suddenly the lyrics, "All is well, All is well..." start going through my brain.  I think I need to start studying hymns, because that is one way the Savior answers me!

I know that as we go through challenging times, we grow and learn.  The Savior never said it would be easy.  He only said it would be worth it.
And that is my testimony.

The Smiths

My little buddy that we're teaching

HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!!!
<3 Sister Golden :)

Happy 4th of July!!!

Here is a summary of what we did for the 4th of July. The Winkley’s (the family we live with) have a breakfast every year and they invited us to come and join them. It was at the church this year so we rode with them and helped them set up and prepare everything. About 100 people showed up for the breakfast; it was a lot of fun! They are such a great family:) I really love them.

The Winkley's

After studying and teaching that afternoon, we were picked up by a lady in our ward, Sister M. She was so excited about getting us for the evening! She also picked up another lady in our ward who she visit teaches. Sister M went all out for us because she wanted the evening to be special. We walked into her home with soft music playing, christmas lights strung across the ceiling, and sheets draped over the windows. The table was set for a fancy candle-lit dinner, and at the foot of all the places on the couch was a white basin with pedicure stuff. Taped to the wall were posters she made with scripture references on them with the word “feet” in the reference. She then announced, “welcome to the spa!” It was so sweet!! Here she chose to serve us instead of relaxing while her children were all away.

She sat us down and said we deserved a break and that we needed to rest our feet. It felt so good to just sit and relax! We drank homemade watermelon lemonade and ate a really yummy dinner of chicken and peppers with mushrooms over brown rice and a side of stir fried vegetables. After dinner she gave us a foot massage and pedicures. It was the whole shabang! It felt so good. Afterwards we ate gelato and sat and visited.

On our way home we drove by Aberdeen lake so we could see the firework show. It made my night since the 4th is one of my favorite holidays; it was a great way to cap off the evening.

I hope you all had a fantastic 4th of July! I miss you...
Love, Sister Mallory Golden