Happy Halloween

Hi Family,

Wow, what a week it has been. To start off, I am being transferred to the Green Valley YSA ward in Maple Valley. Maybe this is Heavenly Father preparing me for the future... I am really excited though. I will be serving with Sister Curry! 

I am sad to leave Star Lake! I love this area and Sister Taylor so much!! 

This week Kuol and Ariik were bapized! They are the 8 and 11 year old boys I taught in Federal Way. They are so sweet and the spirit was so strong. I love seeing children of our Heavenly Father enter the waters of baptism. 

This week we had a ward Halloween party! It was a chili cook-off and Sister Taylor and I were the judges along with Bishop Kersh and Bishop Meldrum (former Dolloff Lake Bishop). It was so much fun! There were a lot of less actives and non-members there including Jeremy who became a new investigator earlier that day. He is a friend of Bruce who sat in on one of Bruce's lessons a few weeks ago. We taught him the Restoration and he is really interested in learning more. 

One thing we seemed to have really focused on this week was the Book of Mormon. We were in a lesson with a less active couple that is working on going to the temple. During the lesson we read 1 Nephi 8 and President Monson's talk "The Power of the Book of Mormon." As we discussed and read we invited them to read the Book of Mormon everyday together! After the fact, the spirit impressed upon me to read the Book of Mormon everyday with Sister Taylor as companions. I am so grateful for that prompting! I have felt a stronger spirit within our companionship as we read the Book of Mormon every night before we go to bed. I love the blessings President Monson promises to those that read the Book of Mormon each day:

"My dear associates in the work of the Lord, I implore each of us to prayerfully study and  ponder the Book of Mormon each day. As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven's help in our lives. I so testify with all my heart in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

I know that these promises are real because I have felt them in my life. I want to invite everyone to follow President Monson's counsel. Along with reading individually, I invite families, couples, companions,etc. to read the Book of Mormon everyday together! There is so much strength that we will receive if we do this simple act. 

I am again grateful for the time that I had to serve in Star Lake. There is a great love that I have felt for the people on my mission. I am so blessed to be on the Lord's errand. 

Have a great week! 

Much Love,

Sister Wynder

 

Kuol & Ariik's baptism

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Our hub cap came off while we were driving, but miracles happen and we found it."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant the Word

Hi Family,

Well it has been a pretty wet week here. There is nothing like knocking on doors when it is pouring buckets on you... only in Washington! We saw many miracles this week and are continuing to find joy in the work. 

We had Zone Conference this week. It is amazing how faith building every zone conference is. We watched an exclusive MTC Devotional given by Elder Bednar. His address focused on Alma 32 and 1 Nephi 8. I always thought of Alma 32 as a faith chapter...oh boy, was I wrong! In that chapter Alma compares "The Word" unto a seed, not faith. The Word is Jesus Christ and we have to exercise faith to plant The Word into our hearts. As we nourish The Word by faith, diligence, and patience the seed takes root and becomes a tree growing up into Everlasting life. So basically what that last part means is that the tree grows within us and we can become like the Savior. He then focused how the Tree of Life in 1 Nephi 8 is Jesus Christ and as we cling to the rod (The Word of God) we can reach Jesus Christ and partake of the blessings of His Atonement. As I study the scriptures each day I have learned that Jesus Christ is found in every aspect of the gospel. Everything points to Him! 

We also went on an exchange with the Jovita Creek sisters. I was with Sister Riggs! She is a ray of sunshine and loves the work. After having 3 of our 5 lessons cancel we knew that there was someone else we needed to find. We decided to contact a referral we received from the Spanish elders. We knocked on the door and John opened. It was rainy, dark, and his house was right next to a main road. We started teaching John about the Restoration and as we taught we could see his countenance change. I know he felt the spirit as we taught and testified of the Restoration of the Gospel. We invited him to read the Book of Mormon and he accepted our invitation. There is nothing I love more than teaching the Restoration. 

Sister Taylor and I had another experience this week where we received a media referral but when we contacted it the person we talked to said "there is no one here by that name." As we paused, a little confused we knew there was someone in that area that was ready to hear the Gospel. We knocked around the neighborhood and the last door we knocked on was the home of a family. We could see there was a little boy looking at us from the top of the stairs. He ran up and down the stairs debating if he should open the door or not. He finally did and we asked if his mom was home. He ran to tell his mom and when she came to the door she was shocked because he never answers the door.  We began to teach the mom part of our message. She was so kind and invited us back. I know the Lord sends His missionaries to find his lost sheep. I love being on the Lord's errand. 

Also Bruce was ordained a priest on Sunday! He is making such great progress. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful week and can have opportunities to share the Gospel. 

Much Love,

Sister Wynder 

Night of Music

Hello Family,

I can't believe it is Monday already. 

To start off I went on two great exchanges with Sister Graff (my redheaded twin) and Sister Nebeker.

Sister Graff is amazing. This is her second transfer but you would never have guessed it. We learned more about the role of the spirit in missionary work and the importance of serving a mission. 

Sister Nebeker is a sweetheart. We had some really powerful lessons with Jelina and Jacob and also Khoa. They were both focused on the Book of Mormon. We studied and did the best we could to prepare for those lessons and the spirit guided them both. It is amazing how different lessons can be when you prepare and role play verses "winging it". The spirit will always guide when we do our part. 

Also this week we had a great lesson with one of our investigators, Keshon. He is Muslim, but as we taught about the Atonement his heart softened and we could see that he was understanding that Christ was more than a prophet. I knew that the spirit touched is heart and that his faith in Christ is growing. 

Saturday night we had a Night of Music. Sister McClellan and Sister Zavala came up with this idea in May and it worked so well the first time that we did it again. So we had about 9 musical numbers.  Sister Taylor and I sang "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul" with 3 of the young women. I am so grateful for everyone who performed - all of the performances brought the spirit. It was a great turnout - we had about 6 non-members, 5 or so less-actives, and the rest members. So that is what I call a success. 

On Sunday Bruce was confirmed! Later that night we had a great lesson with him. At the end of the lesson one of the guys in the house asked us if we were Mormons. We told him "yes" and he continued to tell us that his sister is a member and he has seen how it has changed her life. He also said that he would love to sit in on Bruce's next lesson and learn more about the gospel. Bruce is already a missionary and Heavenly Father is continuing to prepare the hearts of his children. 

I love you all and am grateful for your sacrifices. 

Much Love,

Sister Wynder

 

Exchanges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bryn and Sister Taylor

 

The Power of Not Knowing

Hi Family, 

 

Well it has been another wonderful week in "Warshington" as 1 in 500 Washingtonians say. I am so grateful for the things that I have learned this week. 

 

To start out, district meetings this month are all centered on the Holy Ghost. We discussed how understanding truth only comes by the Spirit as we experience it. One Elder shared an experience where one of his companions said "Elder how do you know when you need to go to the bathroom?" He responded "I just know, I can't really explain it." His companion went on to teach him how that is similar to the way we feel the Holy Ghost...we can't always explain it but it is a feeling of knowing. We then went into role plays where we helped the investigator recognize that they were feeling the Holy Ghost. I learned so much from the role play and Sister Taylor and I really felt the Spirit guiding our role play. It is amazing when you take role plays seriously that the spirit can help resolve concerns for investigators and teach you new insights and ideas. 

 

This week I went on an exchange with Sister McCrae. She is such a great missionary. She is from Idaho but has not been to the Potato Museum. After our exchange she said she is definitely going to go when she returns home. I learned a lot from Sister McCrae including honoring our sacred calling. I could really see that she understood her purpose and knew that she truly is a representative of Jesus Christ by her example. 

 

In Mission Leadership Council we watched an amazing talk by Liz Wiseman called "The Power of Not Knowing." I learned so much! Her talked is focused on leadership. She talks about "The Rookie Zone" and how that is when we are given a job or task that we don't feel qualified for but that is when we learn the most. I could relate because that is basically what a mission is. Everyday I do something that makes me get out of my comfort zone but that is when I grow because I had faith and relied on Heavenly Father. I encourage everyone to watch this talk. 

 

https://speeches.byu.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdf/Wiseman_Liz_2016-01-26.pdf 

 

It is amazing how the Holy Ghost is truly the teacher. I can only create an environment where the Spirit can be there but I am not the teacher. It is amazing thought how the Spirit works. We had one of Bruce's new member lessons this week and we went over the Restoration. As Sister Taylor recited the First Vision tears filled my eyes and it was another strong witness that I felt from the Spirit that Joseph Smith did in fact see Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I have learned that the Holy Ghost doesn't just carry the message into the hearts of the investigator but also the missionaries. I am so grateful for that important lesson I learned by experience.

 

I am loving my mission more and more everyday. It is amazing to be a part of this work!

 

Much Love, 

 

Sister Wynder

 

Halloween Decorations

 

Mission Leadership Council

Exchanges

Bryn and Sister Taylor watched the Sunday afternoon of conference at their ward mission leader's house with another family in the ward, a new convert, and an investigator and they had dinner after conference. While he was getting dinner ready Bryn found his phone and proceeded to take several "selfies" - he posted this one on the Facebook mission page!

 

Best Weekend Ever

Hi family,

Wow, my heart is so full this week. 

On Friday night Bruce was baptized! Bruce is a character and has been a pleasure to teach. It has been so neat to see the changes he has made and then to see him dressed in white. I felt the tender spirit of the Lord as we gathered together for his baptismal service. Sister Taylor and I gave the Baptism and Holy Ghost talks, and Brother Avila performed the baptism. I am so grateful for the members that helped and made it all possible. Our ward mission leader - Brother Hampton is so on top of things. He even brought extra towels..and good thing to because Brother Avila and Bruce both forgot theirs. Haha! Bruce is the manager of a program that helps men that just come out of prison to get back on their feet. When he got home Friday night one of the guys asked Bruce what he had been up to because he looked different. The was a testimony to me and Sister Taylor of the change that really does occur. Due to General Conference Bruce will be confirmed a member and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost next Sunday. 

This weekend was amazing! I love General Conference so much. We are truly blessed to receive counsel from the chosen servants of the Lord. We watched the first 3 sessions at the stake center and then the last session we went to the Hampton's house. Bruce, Gib, and the Avilas all came. It was so much fun and the first time Bruce and Gib had watched General Conference. We also had dinner afterwards at the Hamptons and had birthday cake for Sister Taylor. 

 

I learned so much from the spirit as I watched General Conference. I received many revelations and was taught from on high. I loved too many of the talks it is hard to choose a favorite. These were the highlights that stuck out to me: 

Always focus on what matters most. 

Continue to LOSE myself in the service of others. 

Raise a family in righteousness. 

Make decisions in the context of helping others. 

Take time to be holy. 

Look through the lens of the Gospel not social media.

Maintain my testimony & read the Book of Mormon everyday. 

The Lord does not do things by coincidence but by divine design. 

Look to God and live. 

I can't control everything, but I can control how I respond.

Put Christ at the center of my life today! 

Fear not to do good.

Always follow prophetic counsel. 

I don't know everything but I know enough. 

I especially love the last quote that was given in Elder Neil L. Andersen's talk. It is so important to remember that we are given knowledge and inspiration line upon line. I also love this quote when thinking about what I know about the gospel. I have come to understand that the more I know, the more I know that I don't know anything! There is so much to learn in this life but we should never let the things we don't know change what the spirit has confirmed to us as truth. I am so grateful for my testimony of the Gospel and a loving family that only strengthens it. 

I hope everyone had a chance to watch ALL of the General Conference sessions. I have the priesthood session downloaded on my USB ready to listen to. General Conference is a blessing that we should never take for granted. 

Much Love,

Sister Wynder

 

Pictures from Bruce's baptism

 

 

 

Click here to watch a music video in honor of Bruce's baptism . . .