Where do I even begin?
For starters.... All of the emails I've gotten this week of pictures at the temple and miracles they have seen have brought miracles and blessings beyond measure here... I'll write about a few I know were a direct result of your prayers and faith: *We were able to teach 27 lessons in only 7 days! Fort Meade hasn’t seen that in a long time. Each lesson was powerful and filled with the spirit. *We knocked on a door completely unaware of the miracle we were about to see: Tasha. After letting us in, we were able to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Plan of Salvation. Wow. I have never met a person more prepared and where the spirit was SO strong. Teaching the healing power of the atonement, being made whole through Him and our decision to come to earth, was powerful. Seeing her hear that she chose this life, trials and all, because she knew that someday the happiness and glory she would receive was worth it; she would do it ten times over. I was grateful for the opportunity to teach that and see her feel her Savior’s love. No surprise... she practically asked us to baptize her! She wanted the soonest baptismal day possible.... so November 19 it is :) We went back a few days later to teach the restoration! Here's the fun part.... Earlier that day I received a picture of someone at the temple, so I knew something good was going to happen. When we walked in she told us how she had been craving reading the Book of Mormon ever since we left and had been highlighting/marking in it! She asked, "is this allowed? I know how precious it is, but I just wanted to remember the things that stood out to me!" So we showed her our own scriptures and all the markings WE have. We hadn't even taught the Book of Mormon and how to FEAST from them... she's practically teaching herself! Talk about MIRACLE! She came to church and absolutely loved it- participated in lessons and everything! Just goes to show that the Lord has people prepared everywhere, everyday. We are just instruments in His hands- He and the spirit do the rest. *Next miracle... Caitlin! Her dad (Brother Burr) was baptized 10 years ago this week. He is the sweetest man in our ward. Last Sunday she, came to church with him, so we got to meet her! Next thing you know, we have a return appointment. After our first lesson with her she knew she wanted to be baptized. Her faith has already grown so much just in the few lessons we've had this week. In fact... she is currently praying for a baptismal date as we speak! (Or I guess email?) *A blessing we saw in our less-active member’s life was she felt the spirit for the first time in years and years as we taught her this week. It was an emotional and powerful lesson. God knows his children. He knows their weaknesses, but He knows the deep desires of their heart. It was a privilege to witness that moment. The list could go on and on. There was not one day we didn’t physically see the Lord’s hand guiding and preparing his children. I want to tell you all a secret... My mission hasn't always been easy on me. I haven't been happy every day. I haven't had a constant dry pillow. There have been moments, even days, I was pulled down lower than I knew was possible. I had heartaches I didn't know how to fix. But this week.... this week I, for the first time, lost myself in the Lord and His work. I gave every piece to Him. I turned to Him completely. The FULL 360 for the first real time. You want to know what happened? Those burdens were lifted. Those pillows were dried. My shoulders were lifted and my eyes were opened. I-saw-miracles. I was a true representative of the Savior. I can now say that I AM a true missionary now. I KNOW of my Savior. I have FELT His guidance and love. He knows me. I have never been happier or more grateful to be here. *The ultimate miracle was this prayer being answered through this- Alma 58:11, Mosiah 24:14 Love, Sister Montgomery ❤️
0 Comments
Big news....
I stayed and took over Fort Meade! I am so happy to still be here! Mostly because I'm pretty sure nothing bad will happen during elections when you're surrounded by the entire United States Military.... but I guess for the people too ;) President put us in a big bad trio. Super different and definitely an adjustment, but Sister Lemperle and Sister Klaass are so sweet! I can't believe I was reunited so fast after the MTC with Sister Lemperle! This is Sister Klaass' last transfer so we are definitely working some holes into our shoes to have her go home with a bang! Remember the challenge I gave to all of you last week? I only received ONE picture of a temple this week (shout out to mom), but even receiving ONE single picture brought miracles. 9 to be exact! We now have 9 new investigators just as of this week. I've been praying to have this challenge truly bring miracles and blessings- and it has. I knew it would! Please keep having faith and helping me with this challenge. Sorry for the lack of updates/stories, but I did find something in my studies this week that really touched my heart and helped me feel closer to my savior- 2 Nephi 7:1-2 "When I came, there was no man; when I called, yea, there was none to answer." As I read this it hit me.... have I ever put myself in his shoes before when it comes to prayer? We often struggle feeling as though our prayers are never answered; there's no one listening to me. But every single prayer is answered- silent, out loud or simply in the heart. As I read this through the saviors eyes I realized how hard it must be for HIM; when we pray, he answers. Every single time. How heartbreaking it must be for HIM to be the one unheard. How hard it must be for him to literally be embracing us, yet receive nothing in return. HE is the one not being listened to when we immediately claim he isn't listening. HE is the one standing alone when we disregard his embrace. Yet, he never fails to continue answering. He always has and always will. What true love. He hears us. He knows us. He loves us. He lifts us. It's as simple as that. I am grateful for his embrace. Please don't disregard him and his answering to you this week Love always, Sister Montgomery Hi hey yo hello what's up hi
Ok it has been a wild couple of weeks! I'll try and be better and sending an email every week... time just seems to fly by when you're hav(doing)ing fu(missionary work)n! Transfers are Wednesday so Sister Sosa and I are currently in mourning because we know one of us is leaving... I'm going to miss her so much! We find out all the details tonight so stay tuned. I'm hoping I don't leave Fort Meade :( I'll just write a little update on what's been going on: Two weeks ago we had the AMAZING opportunity of having Elder Bennett of The Seventy come to our mission and do an entire day of training. Man, what an experience. The spirit was so evident and strong. The neatest part was he gave me the opportunity to speak to him one on one during and after the training! He gave me special permission to do something that no other missionary got (we'll keep that between me and him). What an answer to a prayer. General authorities truly are chosen, elect and called of God. Keith is leaving to Virginia for two months... I'm gonna miss that guy. Next Sister Sosa and I had a super neat miracle! My first week on the mission while knocking doors, we came across a home in the mobile park I felt really promoted to go to. When the lady answered she started screaming and yelling, telling us "I've been hurt by you before, I'm not seeing missionaries ever again, get off my property!" Etc... so we kindly and quickly walked away. Well... last week we were in that area and both Sister Sosa and I stopped dead in our tracks and said almost in sync, "we need to go to that house again." So we did! Sue answered the door kind as can be and invited us to her back patio/garden area. She told us all about how she was once on date to be baptized until she learned some things that kept her from being able to. She then old us, "but you don't understand- you truly were sent here today from God. You are an answer to my prayers today and I know you were sent here for a reason." By the end we had taught all about God and his love for us and got a return appointment. We have now met with her a few times and started teaching her the lessons again! This past week has been FILLED with mini miracles and spirit filled lessons with Sister Braga. We went over for family home evening and Brother Braga goes, "Do you sisters have a lesson planned?" We said ya and he goes, "ok forget about it and just follow my lead, I invited my neighbor! He's my referral for you guys!" So Ramsey comes on over! Brother Braga taught a great Plan of Salvation. It was weird being like a member present instead of the teacher haha. Ramsey loved it and is now an investigator! We had dinner at the Braga's like four times! One of them turned into a restoration lesson... the first vision was given, me, sister Sosa and brother Braga all bore testimony, and Sister Braga told us all how she "felt her heart palpating". It was really touching to me because that's how I personally feel the spirit. To see her feel it, recognize it and acknowledge it was something I'll never forget. Sunday the Braga's took us to Why I Believe (Ramsey came as well and even brought his mom!) and afterwards we got to walk the temple grounds with all of them. Someday I'll be coming back to watch their sealing... I can't wait ❤️ I love this gospel! I just want to share it with the whole world and everyone in DC! It truly changes lives. So here is my challenge for you all the rest of my mission! -Any time you attend, drive by or walk around the temple I want you to send me a picture! -Anytime you witness the gospel changing lives, whether it be yours or someone else's, send me a picture and tell me your experience -Every picture I receive throughout the week of someone at the temple will turn into a miracle here in DC -Every picture or story I receive of the gospel changing lives will result in a blessing to an investigator here in DC -I will make SURE to follow up and tell you the miracles/blessings :) I HAVE FAITH THIS WILL COME TRUE SO I NEED ALL YOUR HELP. But you all need to have faith as well.... let's see how many miracles and blessings we can get to the people here in DC! With love always, Sister Montgomery ❤️ What a week!
For starters, Sister Sosa and I basically are the worlds greatest teachers together. Prideful...? Nah! We were asked to instruct and teach district meeting Tuesday which was so cool! Only our district leader teaches, but because of all our inspired comments throughout the weeks he asked us to teach! We got the opportunity to teach one of our favorite topics.... Adam and Eve/The fall, and Life on Earth! When we asked at the beginning to raise their hand if these are their favorite points to teach.... no one did except us and our District Leader! We were stoked that by the end, the spirit was so strong and our message was so relatable that everyone left having it be their new favorite! These "points" are in fact not "points" at all! They are a huge key in relating trials and gods love for us to those we teach. I love teaching with Sister Sosa- she can never leave me!! We got to go on exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders which was fun because they actually are ASL speaking! Before we exchanged, Sister Sosa and I prayed that we would see a miracle whether it be in Fort Meade or Rockville. I left to their area while Sister Sosa stayed in Fort Meade. Sister Ram didn't have any dinner appointment set up so she asked me where I would like to eat. Of course I said, "I mean I'm always down for Chick-Fil-A" and she was like, "Perfect there's one right by where we have an appointment later! So off to dinner we went. On the way there she was telling me how being ASL, they have such a hard time finding people to teach. It is few and far between that they even find deaf people. After we ordered our food she asked where I wanted to sit, and I felt like we should sit somewhere in the middle. The minute we started eating I saw someone to my right doing none other than..... SIGNING TO HIS WIFE. I was like omg Sister Ram you need to go talk to them! So I totally got to watch a 'how to begin teaching' all in sign language. I of course had no idea what was being said, so I just smiled and tried to look pretty. The couple was so sweet, and I could tell from their smiles how genuine their spirits were! I told Sister Ram to tell them what happy smiles I thought they had! They loved it. She was able to get a return appointment and everything! Next thing you know we realize the person sitting next to Sister Ram.... is signing to her kids! She got to talk to her for a bit, and then ANOTHER person walked in signing. We met four deaf people in one sitting which I guess never happens. Sister Ram could not stop thanking me for being inspired to eat there haha. I guess as a missionary even your cravings are inspired! It was super neat being in a lesson completely signing. Even with no words the spirit touches the heart of Heavenly Fathers children. It was such a testimony builder to watch and see that the Lord truly speaks in all forms of communication. The next great thing this week was Conference! Ah! It is such a blessing that twice a year we get to hear direct revelation for what we need right here, right now. Conference is great no matter what, but when you go into it with a question that you sincerely desire to know.... it is ANSWERED. I know I received many answered this weekend, but above all, after hearing almost every talk revolve around missionary work, I know I'm exactly where I need to be. If I ever had doubts before, I have none now. The Lord needed me here in Fort Meade right now, October 2016, to further his work and bring true joy to his children. To be his representative and feed his sheep. I LOVED how everything revolved around missionary work and how greatly important it is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Having a little black name tag is not what makes you a missionary- knowing that you have a loving Heavenly Father who knows you by NAME, who has a plan of eternal and perfect joy is what makes someone a missionary. Knowing that through and because of His son, Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven, clean, perfected and WHOLE. If you have even the slightest knowledge of that truth- YOU ARE QUALIFIED TO BE A MISSIONARY. In case you didn't hear, it's time for us all to step up and share that good news. No matter how big or small; whether by example, deed or word. Strive to strengthen your own knowledge; gain YOUR unshakeable faith! There is nothing greater in this world than knowing, truly knowing, that my Heavenly Father knows me by name. Jesus Christ has given everything, even his life, just so that I can know true joy and eternal happiness. There is NOTHING sweeter, more fulfilling or edifying than watching someone feel the spirit touch their hearts for the very first time. To see someone's eyes when they first hear they are loved unconditionally. It's what has brought me the most joy and brought me closer to my Savior and loving Heavenly Father. You can know that sweetness too :) I hope everyone is well and happy happy happy! I pray for you all always! Know that there is a girl out here in DC who loves and misses you dearly ❤️ With love always, Sister Montgomery ❤️ |