I am Staying in Sumner

Yello!

So it looks like I will be staying in the beloved city of Sumner for another six weeks with Sister Pope. I am really happy about it. On Sunday during ward council I had a feeling I was getting transferred and I started to tear up about thinking about it. I really do love the ward and the Sumner area. Looks like I won't have to worry about leaving any time soon. :) 

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! On Thursday half the mission went to a stake center and the other half went to another - we played volleyball, basketball, soccer, and board games from 9-12. It was a blast. Then we had basically 4 dinners in one. We ate at the Conines and the Paynes, Williams, and Berrys came too. It was such a fun time. 

So Sister Hollingsworth (my trainer) went home this week. She went to the Seattle temple with the other departing missionaries on Saturday so her companion Sister Bowman was with us for the majority of the day. I love Sister Bowman she is great - we were in the MTC together. We made a quick stop to Gramma Conines to get some salsa and jam for Sister Hollingsworth to take home. We picked her up at the mission home and it was so weird because I hadn't been there since I first got to Washington. We gave President and Sister Rasmussen a jar of Gramma Conine's salsa and they loved it. On the way back we got a text from Gramma Conine saying she had a prompting to give us something when we were over but didn't and asked if we could come back over. So we did and when we got there she gave Sister Pope, Bowman, and I each a fleece blanket. She said she was shopping a couple days ago and had a prompting to get 3 blankets she thought that is odd because there is only 2 of them. But Sister Bowman was with us for the day so it worked out. Gramma Conine really listens to the spirit and acts on the promptings. Love her so much. 

We had a lot of lessons with members this week to show them Light the World. IF YOU HAVEN"T WATCHED IT YET, DO IT! It is so great - I love it so much. I hope everyone does the challenge that is on mormon.org There is something different each day in December that Christ did and so can we. I love the Christmas Initiative because we aren't just thinking about the Savior this season but we can come to know him more as we do as he did. So I encourage everyone to do the challenge and share the video. 

We had dinner with the Jacobsens on Sunday - I wasn't sure with transfers so I was taking pictures with a few families just in case. I love the Jacobsens! 

Yesterday morning we picked up Sister Hollingsworth and took her the Auburn Stake Center where the office elders were picking up all the departing missionaries. It was so crazy to think my trainer is leaving. I love Sister Hollingsworth so much and we have had some great times together. With that said, that meant we would be a trio with Sister Bowman. I really like trios - when we are out finding it feels like we are a little gospel squad knocking on doors, haha. I love teaching with Sisters Bowman and Pope. We had a lesson with one of our investigators Wesley (looks like he could be related to Brother Whitman) and it went really well - so grateful for team teaching. 

The Whitmans were out of town for the Thanksgiving weekend so we haven't been able to start the new member lessons but we are starting them tomorrow night. 

I am excited for this transfer and CHRISTMAS!!! 

Love you all,

Sister Wynder

There are lots of pictures to post this week - 

The family that Bryn had Thanksgiving dinner with - the Conine's - sent these pictures to us - 

Leftovers and their Elf on the Shelf - until Sister Pope dropped it - 

Pictures with Sister Hollingsworth and Sister Bowman

With Gramma Conine

District Picture

Families in the Sumner Ward - the Walkers and the Jacobsens

Something to Write Home About

Hello,

This week was AWESOME! We literally saw Brother Whitman every day this week.

On Friday Elder Gay visited the mission! The meeting went from 7:30am-3:30pm. It was really great but I was exhausted after. He taught the four principles on teaching repentance:

1. Teach with authority and with understanding (you have been called to be an answer to their prayers)
2. Teach doctrine with understanding (Understand the blessings associated with the commandments)
3. Invite to act with understanding (Invite to repent)
4. Act with obedience and mighty prayer to increase your faith

The last hour was a Q&A some missionaries asked deep doctrine questions...and then some asked one about investigators, helping family back at home, etc. He shared some amazing experiences. He focused a lot on "listening to the spirit that is within you." I loved that. Elder Gay is definitely a spiritual giant.

Saturday we went to the church at noon and started filling the font. Our mission leader Brother Suttle helped so much with the baptism - so grateful for him. The font took about 3 hours to fill. We printed out programs and set up the refreshment room, etc.

 

The layout was really similar to Brooke's baptism where we had it in the chapel and then the primary room for the baptism and back to the chapel. There were so many people there. It was so great and Brother Whitman was glowing after. The baptism went so smooth and there were quite a few non-members and inactives (so that was good). Sisters Hollingsworth, Pope, and I taught the Restoration while Brother Whitman was getting dressed - so happy we could be part of the program. It is such a humbling experience to be a part of someone's conversion. I am so happy for Sister Whitman because in a year they will be able to be sealed in the temple.

Sunday, We saved a spot for the Whitmans at church. We got a text from Sister Whitman saying "guess who was watching Youtube videos on how to tie a tie last night?" We were laughing because Brother Whitman NEVER WEARS TIES!!! So this was a big deal. When they got to church he was in a tie and a suit coat - He looked sharp. After the announcements Brother Whitman was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. What a neat experience. Brother Terry his home teacher and also 1st counselor in the Bishopric confirmed him. Sister Whitman was so happy - I think she is still in shock that he is a member now.

This week I hit my 6 month mark! So crazy. I love serving the Lord and being able to experience so many miracles. I have learned so much the past 6 months and hope to learn much more. The Gospel of Jesus Christ brings true happiness and pure joy. Love you all. Happy Thanksgiving!  We also found out that we are having dinner with the Conines, Paynes, and the Williams all @ the Conines - it is going to be so much fun!

Love,

Sister Wynder

 

If you need a little entertainment, here is a link to Bryn and Sister Pope making a music video/lip syncing to a song about baptism - 

 

 https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4TXaYO_MWeVNjRYWWpnVC1McGc

 

 

Pictures from Brother Whitman's baptism

 

 

 

 

"We had dinner at the Walkers and they have 3 cows!!! The cow got mad when I tried to moo at it...​"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

" These pictures were taken at 5pm - it gets dark so early!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With Sister Hollingsworth and her companion