Breaking all records, God answers prayers! 5/26/2014

Yes, the rumors are true! I will now and forever stay in my beloved Apollo Beach!! :D        I will be here for almost 11 months at the end of this transfer- It is so great here, I don't wanna leave!  And I am excited to have a new companion! I have 3 options(from what I know from the conference call- but who really knows, president likes to keep it fresh) and they are awesome sisters so I know this next transfer will be a great one!!

This week was super awesome!!! And insanely long! hahaBUT!WE HAD 31 LESSONS! what? yeah. I know. Its incredible. :)

Here is the low down:Monday- we had Family Home Evening with the Gainers, they live out on a farm and we got to feed an adorable calf that we named Fawn!  She had really long eyelashes and was very sweet!

Tuesday- in all its amazing-ness. are you ready for this? Cause it was miracle-filled and WONDERFUL! I woke up still not feeling 100%, actually I felt exhausted and sick. but I am stubborn and I was already frustrated that I had already been out for days and we were missing opportunities and people that are prepared!  Sometimes I get fed up with circumstances- usually when they are out of my control.. not very healthy, I know. But it is those moments of frustration and discouragement that I can truly appreciate my Saviour and the love He has for me.  Even in those moments- He increases my faith and answers my pleas.I told Him that I only had 13% I could give Him that day. I knew I couldn't ask Sister J. to give that 87% on top of her 100%.. I was praying, pleading more like it, with Heavenly Father. I wanted to work hard, I really did. But I was lacking the capacity.BUT... if there is anything I have learnt on my mission, it is this.. GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS. I promised to give Him 100% of that 13% I had, but I told Him, He had to make up the difference... and He did.  More incredibly than I could have done on my own, I am positive!  We taught TEN lessons!!  And they were all SOLID appointments with investigators, not just something quick in street contacting. Heavenly Father really reached out- the whole day was almost completely without breaks, but I didn't feel flustered or unfocused. God really guided our steps- when a lesson went long, the appointment we would have been late to wanted us to come later anyway.  And when someone cancelled, we needed to see someone else.  The timing of the day was crazy perfect, just lesson after lesson.  We got soooo unified and by the end of the day the awesome things just kept rolling in. Our last 2 lessons were miraculous and we were so in sync- the spirit was palpable! The Lord gave me more energy than I could have imagined. I quite literally worked harder than I ever have, and I collapsed from exhaustion on my bed when 10:30 came around.. but I could not wipe the smile off my face and ever grateful heart!  I love my Eternal Father, and I know that He is so aware of us and our prayers- not only was my frustrated plea answered- but countless others were shown His love because He strengthened me and blessed me with the capacity necessary to accomplish His beautiful will! :)

Sister J. wrote about our lesson later in the week with Brother R, who I have told you about- My commentary to add is that it was amazing and I LOVE the Spirit.

We were meeting with a part-member, part-active family. We started
teaching and the Spirit just was not there, to the point where I knew
if it didn't come soon that we needed to go because we cannot teach
without the Spirit, it simply does not work. I was praying so hard for
what he needed (and I know Sister Ormsby was as well).  The thought
came to my mind to turn course and to go to the picture of Joseph
Smith receiving the Priesthood.  The Spirit started returning.... the
person we were teaching started breaking down his wall.  I was prompted
to speak about how awesome (as in, huge) of a responsibility it is to
have the Priesthood.  I then asked him what he wanted to do because of
that responsibility.  He said, that he couldn't live up it to.  I asked
what it would take for him to come back.  This is a question that we
have thought about many times and had in our plan to ask.  His wife was
crying, because this is something that she wanted so desperately to
know.  He said he didn't know.  Sister Ormsby then was able to come in
and knew exactly what to say from the Spirit. And pointed out that I
didn't ask about what he needed to do, but what he wanted to do, what
he desired. In the scriptures it says, "what desirest thou?" She
explained how we will be judged partly on the desires of our hearts.
Desires are important to God. She then asked "what desirest thou?" He
was able to share questions that he had for God, "Does He love me? Is
this true?"etc. Near the end of the lesson the Spirit was so
incredibly strong. He was able to commit to praying to God and other
commitments, such as family prayer and scripture, and then he said the
closing prayer. His wife and daughter again cried. This is the first
time they have heard him say a prayer in maybe 10 years. It is amazing
that a lesson can turn from one of someone being closed, to him saying
a prayer and his family being in tears. That is the power of teaching
with the Spirit. We were so blessed. None of it was from us.

This is also Sister J's. perspective on a story from this week;-ohh, the context is Sister J. is fluent in ASL and she is legit!

At FHE with a couple of families we heard about a deaf lady that used to
take lessons from the missionaries and came to church every Sunday.  We
met her this week.  She came to church.  I interpreted even though I
was only able to help her for a little bit, it was a huge blessing.  I
just pray that another missionary will come through that knows ASL.
But the even cooler part of the experience is next. So, it has been a
loooong time since I have interpreted.  I did a little in Seffner, but
not very much. The night before church I woke up at 3:30 AM and
couldn't go back to sleep, so I was exhausted.  Plus, I didn't drink
much water that morning so I was also pretty dehydrated.  But I knew
that Sister Ormsby was praying for me, and I felt the power from it.
Signing was unusually easier that it should have been.  It was a huge
blessing.  I remembered so many signs.  And then during the Sacrament,
my mind came fully at peace and I knew exactly what to say for the
rest of the first meeting.  I was then blessed to have the energy and
capability to sign for the rest of the meetings.  I think it was pretty
good because our investigator smiled a lot and complimented me.  It was
not me.  Now, here is the even cooler part of the story.  I talked to
Sister Ormsby afterwards.  She said that she was praying non-stop for
me the entire time. The member who gave our investigator a ride to
church even made a comment to Sister Ormsby during the service and
Sister Ormsby mentioned she was praying for me.  The member started as
well, right when the Sacrament started.  Yes, God answers prayers.  I
can guarantee you that God was moving my hands and that I was
experiencing the gift on tongues thanks to Sister Ormsby and a
faithful member who joined her in prayer.  The Spanish missionaries
were translating as well (so Sister Ormsby was praying for them too).
She said, I may not have the gift of tongues, but I have the gift of
prayer.  I know that she does because I have learned to pray more
earnestly because of her.  She certainly has the gift of prayer.

This week was the best week of my mission. If we are ever discouraged, if we are frustrated, if we are scared or unprepared, or even full of courage and strength- "Ask of God, that giveth to ALL MEN LIBERALLY and upbraideth not"  

I LOVE YOU LOTSSS! See you in a week,Sister Ormsby

PS.  We got a new shoe guideline!!! I AM SO EXCITED TO WEAR SANDALS!!! :)

Goals, sickness and amazing blessings 5/19/2014

Thanks for the update! It is sooooo good to hear about the kiddies! I miss them all so much and cant believe how grown up they are!! It will be so nice to babysit and snuggle them in what, a week? :P

Well, Sister J. actually has one week left! Can you believe it? She can't either! haha, but we are pushing through strong! She is so determined to work hard until the bitter end, it is awesome!

This week we resolved to have the best week of our missions.22 lessons, 10 new investigators, 4 baptismal date sets, game night, a better tan, movie marathons, and priesthood miracles. I'd say we just about got there!!!!!!!! :)

Monday night we had an awesome FHE with a few less-actives. One is our neighbor and she is so sweet, she has committed to us teaching her the lessons and when we brought her a mothers day treat she invited us over for Monday night.  We ate delicious chicken and I dyed her hair (Sister L. would be so proud).  We played a game called story cubes. It has 9 dice with random pictures on them and you have to roll them and tell a story using every picture. It was fun! We asked if we could teach a lesson with them, so Sister J. rolled the dice and we were both praying sooooo hard! haha.  AMAZING Dice came up, and we got to teach the plan of salvation!! It was sooooo meant to be and really cool. I rolled later and taught the gospel of Jesus Christ, with some help from another less active that was there! It was really cool! :)

Tuesday we had a GREAT lesson with Quinton! He hadn't been reading or praying :( and everything had gotten a lot harder for him. [I have a testimony that everything is harder without Jesus Christ, not because it gets easier with Him, but because we get stronger with Him.]  We were able to testify of that to him, and Christian came which was awesome.  He could really feel the spirit and that is what made the difference and made him excited to feel the same joy he felt with us, when he was struggling. That lasting and true joy only comes through Jesus Christ, prayer and scripture study- which Quinton committed to! :)
Wednesday Sister Jenkins and I gave a training in District Meeting on Baptism Invites. We have a district goal for baptisms this month which means we are all gonna have to work a lot harder and pray to find those ready for the blessings God has in store.  I now (this will sound silly because it is something I wish I would have done for the last 9+ months..) testify of the specific blessings I have because I was baptized and have the gift of the Holy Ghost and testify that those blessings are something I WANT for them to have and then we invite!
It is soooooo amazing! sometimes a first lesson with a baptism invite tacked on the end seems so insincere.. BUT when you know something and share it- the Spirit is able to rush in and touch hearts already prepared.  It is basically my favorite thing ever to talk about why I am eternally grateful that I was baptized, by my big brother who holds God's authority, the same power that Christ was baptized with.  And with that power my faithful father laid his hands on my head and gave me the gift of the Spirit as a constant companion.  Because of these precious covenants I have made, I KNOW what it is to be joyful. Not just happy, but full of my Heavenly Father's perfect love and pure joy.

Thursday night we taught another lesson to Brother R and his family and it was kind of a tough day, but I was praying for the spirit and the courage to invite boldy. I was able to testify very boldly of the sacrament and why it is so important to come to church, again relating the blessings I have because of the cleansing power of the sacrament that I need every week!
Friday another super lesson with Quinton- he committed to living the word of wisdom, and is looking forward to his baptism on May 25th!
Saturday I was feeling a little sick so I rested for a bit in the afternoon, but after a nap I felt well enough to visit some people! We had a great lesson with another less-active Delia. She is so sweet and she was able to open up to us about her concerns with coming to church. There is such a power from testifying- when the Spirit is what testifies! She came to church!!!

Here is the sad news! but don't let it get you down, it has a happy ending.
I was throwing up all Saturday night! Everything hurt and I couldn't really sleep, but my sweet nurse J. looked after me. We moved the couch and laid on there with blankets and watched 'The Testaments' in ASL(the only language available.. lucky she could translate) at 2 in the morning. When it finished, it began to play in English... classic. After round two, we watched 'Finding Faith in Christ' and basically broke everything up with more throwing up and erratic naps.
Sunday morning broke and I still was in pretty bad shape. I was pretty bummed because Sunday Christian was going to ordain Phillip into the priesthood and they were going to bless the sacrament together! Best thing ever, right?!?!
Well, turns out I could barely make it to the kitchen, wasn't gonna make it to church. Sister J. was ever patient and kind. Serving me so sweetly! She organized so much for our expected investigators at church. The Elders Quorum President asked if I would like a blessing, and when they came- so did Phillip!  Three men came, and gave us the sacrament!  Phillip even blessed it!  It was sooooo amazing!!!!!  I felt so blessed, then another brother gave me a beautiful blessing.  After that I was able to rest a lot! oh, and we watched 'Legacy' haha
Long story short, Sister J. was able to go on splits with our sister training leaders so we could teach some more lessons and I finished the movie marathon off with Hermana R. as we watched 'Mountain of the Lord'. 
I got a bad fever last night, but slept most of the night through! I was very dehydrated, so I have just been taking it easy.
SO MANY BLESSINGS :)
I love you all soooooo much!See you in a week,
Sister Ormsby

Story Cubes - plan of salvation edition

Dying hair adventures

  

Squirrel.....

Teagan being incredibly adorable

 

Florida rain storms

Has this every happened to you when you try to peel a banana?

We wanna be friends with this guy!

We went to a member's soccer game Saturday morning

Fancy stuffed scallops

Nurse J's sneaky picture of her patient

A few awesome bites! 5/12/2014

Yes, It's true. This week I had my 9 month mark! 

I am officially half-way, but we don't need to talk about it
 because I might freak out..

MOTHER! I LOVE YOU!

It is sooo good to hear that your Mothers Day was lovely! I am glad Nate and Jenn took care of you! :)HOLY COW! Carter is the cutest thing of MA LYF! I can't handle how huge he is! But it made me INCREDIBLY happy that he wanted to keep chatting with me!! :) :)The skype time seriously disappeared though! I feel like we didn't even talk about anything! hahaha

This week has been quite wondrous and has flown by!!!!!!!!Here are some of the few awesome bites!Georgine! We stopped by to see her this week and we came at the perfect time! She kept asking us how we knew when she needed us/the Spirit! We keep answering her prayers and it seems like every time her faith is fading, we show up! How cool is that?! 

I LOVE being the answer to someones prayer! I was able to testify of the Holy Ghost and so many other things. It was really great, she wants to be baptized and she knows that we are representing Jesus Christ! 

Other miracle!We had a super-spiritually high and powerful lesson with Brother R this week! [He is Tara's father.. I think I might have told you about her?  She is a super awesome RM that comes out with us and I love her dearly!]  ANYWAYS, he hasn't been active for a long time, and we had planned out this awesome lesson, but then the Spirit had an even MORE AWESOME lesson planned!  We talked a lot about how the gospel has blessed our families, and how we can strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ to gain even greater blessings. Whats even better... He came to Nina's Baptism! And to Church!! It was kind of a miracle and really amazing!!!!!!!!!

Victor! He is 17 and hasn't seemed really interested EXCEPT we taught him The Restoration! And when he read about the first vision he got a strong confirmation through the spirit which was sooo cool to see! He started getting more excited and listened more intently to our lesson. We took him a Book of Mormon the next day and it was so easy to feel his excitement! He wants to be baptized and he has gotten sooooo happy from the first time we met him!

I LOVE the way the spirit can change and touch lives! It is such a blessing in my life! I love this work!I love you all so much!See you in a week,Sister Ormsby

This was Saturday at Nina's baptism

Nina's family at the baptism

This was from last our zone p-day, i just forgot my camera last time. 

But! we got sweeeet Apollo Beach t-shirts! 

Pukana!

Sometimes I get scary..... 

with Elder and Sister Keyes at our combined district meeting this week

Ralph the Raccoon right next to our apartment door, the adventures never cease!

we are fancy cooks! this was bbq chicken with plantains!

5K Saturday morning with the Zone.

We volunteered because we had to back in Apollo Beach before the Baptism.

with Victoria

with Lynn

Short Email, but lots of Pictures! 5/5/2014

Our favorite corn in a cup from our favorite churro truck in Ruskin. This stuff is a staple!

This week has flown by like many before it! Here are some highlights!-We KEEP meeting people that are prepared for the gospel! I don't even do anything!! These people keep dropping from heaven and, yep, I love it.We met, prayed with, taught, and now have a baptismal date with Quinton! He is so awesomely prepared! He has been out of church for a while, but has a desire to follow the Lord. He is willing to make a change and he has really loved our messages! Keep him in your prayers! His date is set for May 24th(Sister J's last Saturday as a missionary.) -ALSO! We had an awesome lesson with Mary. She was a Seventh-day Adventist and she didn't quite understand the restoration while we taught. She says it is so confusing with all of the different religions and she doesn't know where the truth is. She wanted to know why it is important for her to know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. BUT THEN she gave a wonderfully pure and mind blowingly beautiful prayer asking for direction and to know that he was a prophet and that it is true! It was pretty fantastic! We are so excited! She has such a desire to follow the Lord too!!

My email time is like gone and that is messed up! I am so sorry! 

LOVE YOU!I WILL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!Sister Ormsby

Look Mum! Look Dad! I WENT TO THE TEMPLE!!!!

We went to Sun City Center to play shuffleboard today because its awesome and random, and why not! Well... turns out you have to be a resident of Sun City to use any of the facilities!! You can't live in this town unless you are 55 or older... the lovely lady told us we couldn't use anything, but we were welcome to 'sit on the benches outside' and 'come back anytime!'

Last P.day we had a 'zone development day'.It was basically a big party and a lot of fun. We each had to do a talent.. Sister J. and I did a song in sign language and then the Haka.. it was pretty much awesome.