Finished Training

So this week finished up my in field training.  It was a crazy week because Monday night we got a call from the Mission President saying my companion was going to be emergency transferred Wednesday.  But we had an exchange on Tuesday.  She we rushed to start packing and say goodbye to some people.  Then Tuesday night she packed more all to get another call from President to say that he changed his mind and to stop packing.....

So this was the last week of the transfer and with that they were staring us right in the face....  But we went about the week and had a great week with plenty of lessons!   Then come Sunday night (transfer calls).  We waited and waited and then there was no call so we went to bed thinking either we were forgotten or are staying.  Come 10:45 we get the call my companion is headed to Nogalas with my companion from the MTC  and I am getting a sister from our Zone and get to break her into Spanish!   So it was pretty much insane.

Also with the transfers we looked at if we were successful and I was feeling like we hadn’t been just cuz my view of missionary work was converts and teaching nonmembers and helping them come to know the truth and be baptized.   But I saw then during the week just how it is also in helping the members, especially those who have lost touch with the truth.    

First story comes from a man that when we first started teaching him he was kind of less active in the church.  So we have been seeing him every week and he has been coming to church and this week he got a calling!   He is now fully active in the church and he said that it was all thanks to us and how we visit him.  I was so amazed that I was able to help him and have seen such a great change in him - I just cried.      

Another story is of a recent convert in the branch and he is amazing!   He has had a lot of bad things come his way that would usually make someone leave the church or turn away from God but he just keeps going and comes closer to Him.   He told us just how much he loves all missionaries but how we have helped him in everything and the best thing ever is that he promised that he is always our friend and always our bro.   He is just so sweet and I can see him just turning more and more to Christ.

So the work here is moving forward in ways I didn’t expect!  I know it’s all for God and I know that all of these people are his children!

Much love

Hermana Grove

Are you a Mormon?

So this week I used the most awesome contact approach.  We have this idea in our mission for contacting with "Hey, are you a Mormon?" and I did it yesterday!  I was so scared.  I think my heart raced at like 5000 beats in a minute, but I did it and had a nice contact - they were Catholic and didn't want anything from us, but still I did it and they didn't hate me!  I also was given this awesome quote that takes some fear out of the work. "Heavenly Father Loves his children to much to make me their only chance at salvation".  It really comforted me when I didn't know if I was doing a good enough job contacting people.

I have been doing pretty well this week health wise. (FINALLY!)   With teaching people, we are doing awesome at getting member help which is the biggest blessing ever but sad news is that our miracle church goer didn't come this Sunday, but we plan on trying to see him today!

This Sunday will be transfer calls, so next Tuesday will be the report of if I’m staying or going to a new area or getting a new companion.  It’s crazy how fast time has gone and yet how slow it feels!

Much Love to All

Hermana Grove

Miracles and Menudo

So this week we saw the most amazing miracle.  We showed up to church early yesterday to find one of our members practically running to us telling us there is someone here we had to meet.  A man had come who had received a Book of Mormon many years ago from some Sister missionaries.  He had just read some of the book and showed up to church wanting to know more!  He had even done extra research online to try and find out more.  It’s really true that the Book of Mormon is what does all the work and converts people.   Then we also had one of our investigators show up to church which is the first time we have had an investigator at church in about 2 months and he came with his less active family!

Also this week I got to try Menudo for the first time.  It’s a popular Sonoran dish that they usually make for Christmas.   So what Menudo is is a soup made with the stomach lining of a cow.  It doesn't really have a flavor but its hard to get past the thought of what you are eating.   Basically it’s chunks of tough fatty meat that you have to chew through.    Some people like it, but for me ehh it’s not something I would request to eat again but I know I will have to.

Also this week I got to go to the Chiropractor again for my rib which is doing a ton better!   I’m honestly super happy I'm serving in the states where I know I can go to a chiropractor if I need it.

Much Love to all

Hermana Grove

Week who knows what number....

So this week has been another slow week.  We set our first baptismal date in a month which promptly fell through because he didn’t go to church.  It’s sad when people don’t go to church because we know just how important it is.  Just this Sunday was fast Sunday and we had a mission wide fast for what our specific areas needed and I was able to receive revelation for some great stuff.  I also love being able to take the Sacrament and remember and renew those promises I made when I was baptized.  I wish there was a way to just show everyone how amazing church can be but I guess it’s hard at times for others to see the blessings that they can't even think of themselves.  We even got to spend the morning trying to round up people to come to church and visited about 6 people in 2 hours just trying to get people to remember church but no one came :(    

One thing I have learned through all this is just how much my testimony stands on its own and how I need to make sure it keeps staying strong.   One scripture I found that I love is in Alma 57:27.  It's about the Stripling Warriors and how they were all young but were firm in mind and kept faith in God.  It really is exactly what a missionary is and we are as the Army of Helaman!

Hermana Grove

A note from her mom:

She is having a hard time with a rib popping out and went to a chiropractor today and has to go back next week.  Some encouraging letters or emails would be wonderful.

Address:   

Sister Suzanne Grove

Arizona Tucson Mission

939 W. Chapala Drive

Tucson, AZ 85704

email:     suzanne.grove@myldsmail.net