Monday, July 14, 2014

The Gospel, Exchanges, and Free Slurpies!

Hello Hello!

This week has been good, nothing to exciting though. I finally got my bike back on Thursday, which didn't help much because we got the car on Wednesday, but it's nice to have my bike!

In District Meeting we talked about how different things can relate to the gospel. Like mailboxes, grass, a chair, etc. It was really fun! Everyone should try it. You have to figure out how the thing (a bike, a sticky note, etc.) relates to the gospel. And then send me your answers so I can see :)

Sister Wood's birthday was this week, so we celebrated with Lemon Bars at District Meeting! They were super good. We also got a Watermelon Cookout shake. If you are ever in a place where's there's a Cookout, you have to try their shakes! They are so good! The watermelon one is interesting though :P

We went on exchanges this week, I stayed in Kernersville with Sister Nelson. All our appointments fell through, but we got to see some less actives I've never met.

As you can tell from my Facebook post yesterday we talked about the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood. It was a really good lesson. And if you don't understand it, I suggest you read it and study it. It's so simple, but so very needed for salvation!

We also talked about The Lord's Law of Health in Sunday school. I remember last year when we got to that lesson. It was not as good as this time. I remember it was the first Sunday I had an investigator at church and we hadn't taught her the Word of Wisdom yet! Also the Elders had 3 investigators who they had not taught the Word of Wisdom yet either! It was...yeah... You can only imagine!

Love y'all!

- Sister Loosle -
  2 Nephi 2:28
Look to the Mediator!

Monday, July 7, 2014

Can you say "More Bike Problems?"

I think I'm prone to bike problems. But that's why I have a trusty companion who knows all about bikes (until it's something she can't fix :P)

So we started this week by handing off Jordan to the Elders. He's great, but he's our age, so we figured it might be better if the Elders taught him.

July started... Gah! We taught Fern, she's fun! We taught her about the Book of Mormon and helped her to see he difference between The Bible. A lot of people here think that the Book of Mormon is just another version of The Bible. But that's what happens when there X amount of versions of The Bible.

So Wednesday we started Bike week... Get ready because this is going to be an adventure! So we give the elders the car and start heading out for the day. Well my bike starts making weird noises when I'm riding it. So I yell to Sister Mouritsen, who's a bike genius, and we pull into a parking lot. She rides round on it and figures its something she can easily fix. We go back tot eh apartment where her tools are. She tells me that my pedals are loose. Okay... That means nothing to me, but I'll watch you and see if I can help. So she starts taking my pedals off. But we can't get one of them off! (Yes I know one of the you have to turn it the opposite way and it still doesn't work!). So we go to the office and ask the Maintenance man if he can help. He tried, but no go. So we have them search for "Bike Shops" in Kernersville and it's right by our next appointment. So we get the address and switch bikes, because I don't want to ride the broken one. And head off.

Well after teaching the Lunceford's a great lesson on the Book of Mormon and incorporating the Plan of Salvation, we head to the Bike Shop. We get there and it's a Bike Shop, but not a Bicycle Shop. It's a Motor Bike Shop. Turns out Kernersville and no bicycle shops. So we call a member who knows bikes and he comes over to see if he can figure out what's wrong and fix it. Well he didn't bring the right tools so he took Tarzan (that's my bikes name) to his house. Well now we only have one bike and appointments we need to get to, so we ask the Elders if we can barrow one of their bikes. The only problem is that they both have huge mountain bikes (like most elders) and we have smaller girl bikes. But Sister Mouritsen loves mountain bikes, so she rides one and I ride her bike.

Zone Meeting on Thursday was great! We learned about how Jurassic Park relates to the gospel. You see at one point in the movie the people are trapped inside a building completely surrounded by velociraptors and there's no way out. Then out of no where the giant T-Rex comes and scares the velociraptors away. The velociraptors are like our fears. They trap us. He T-Rex is our faith, it scatters our fears. Faith and fear cannot co-exist in the same place.

After Zone Meeting Sister Mouritsen got a flat tire on the Elders bike. I am thoroughly convinced that Satan didn't want us to be out doing missionary work this week! But we prevailed!

Oh I got Adam's package! It was cute! :)

Friday - Happy 4th of July! Well I got to see fireworks last 4th but not this one. All the trees block them. I could hear them though! But we stopped by a gas station because I needed a bathroom break, and if you know me, you know I rarely go into a store without buying candy or something. So I was in line to buy some candy. I put my candy on the counter and the man behind me puts his beers on the counter and says "I'm going to pay for theirs." So my candy got paid for with beer. But nonetheless it was a very kind act and I want to do that someday. We gave him a card, but he didn't seem to interested in wanting to know more.

So Saturdays in my mission are designated "Car Fast Days". Which mean we fast from the car. So we had to give the elders back their bike. So we were walking. I DO NOT like walking. At all. As we headed for our first appointment, Sister McNeill passed us and gave us a ride! Miracle! Then Brother Johnson offered (after we got permission from President of course) to drive us and Tarzan to Greensboro to the bike shop. Well we get there and they tell me I wore out my Bottom Brackets. So now I have to spend money :P but Brother Johnson and Bishop have the tools so all I need is the part! Another Miracle! After dinner we go to Heathers, who's not there. But we knock on Garry's door and he is so ready! We talk with him briefly about the Book of Mormon and Restoration and set a time to come back when his daughters are home. So even though is week was crazy, we still were able to see The Lords hand in our lives.

The Relief Society lesson yesterday was on the article in this months Ensign called, Becoming Perfect in Christ. It was amazing. And I invite everyone to read it. Here's the link!

Sorry for the monologue! Hope y'all's weeks were amazing! And don't forget to look for The Lords hand in your life! It's there, I promise!


- Sister Loosle -
  2 Nephi 2:28
Look to the Mediator!

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

One Year Down

Well as y'all have guessed and some have already emailed me about it, I hit my year mark. It's crazy that I can say, "A year ago I was a missionary." But it's true!

The wonderful thing was that on Thursday (my year mark) we had Zone Conference! It was fantastic! Sister Craven talked about all the "One Line Sermons" she and President Craven have. I've talked about a few before and will probably talk about some more later in mission, life, etc. President talked about being Purpose Driven instead of Activity Driven. When we're purpose driven we always have our purpose in mind and are consistently trying to help other come closer to Christ, when we're activity driven we are just going through the motions.

Also I went a whole year without being really sick, until Saturday! 1 year and 2 days! Although I was sick and took it easy on Saturday we were still able to see 2 less-actives and go to dinner with a member. Then I went to bed early and I was fine by Sunday! :)

This week we started teaching the whole Lunceford family! :) Sister Lunceford's daughter, Annabelle, is staying with them for a few weeks over the summer. We taught all of them (Sister Lunceford, Brother Lunceford <non-member>, Annabelle, and their 3 other kids) the Plan of Salvation. And they each colored their own. Oh and I created my own Plan of Salvation and Gospel of Jesus Christ, they're not the best, but they'll work til the end of my mission.

So we're at the church right now, but I forgot my camera :( So these are pictures from Sister Mouristen's camera. When we come again, I'll hopefully remember it!

Love,
Sister Loosle

When we biked in the rain and got soaked!

At the park having lunch

"Every area can be a Kingston!" - President Monson

Our giant Cupcakes!

Heart Attack Sister Lunceford

Dinosaurs at an Elementary School 

Leighann's Baptism

 Sister Mouritsen's Minion Cupcakes for her Birthday! (I know you're jealous!) We made them! :)

Monday, June 23, 2014

Birthday Bash!

Hello Family!

This week was Sister Mouritsen's birthday! She turned the big 21! Well we had to celebrate of course, so we got apple cider and ice cream. We also made cupcakes that look like minions for District Meeting! They were so cute! I've decided that you'll just have to wait for pictures until we actually go to the computers, maybe you'll just have to wait until I get home and can show you all of them. :P But her birthday was super fun!

So last week, or two weeks ago, I can't remember, when the power went out, it shocked my iPad battery. So I had to get a new one. Yay :P not really because I had to transfer all my stuff over and that was not fun. But it's all good now.

At the Johansen's we made homemade ice cream!

And I lead the music in sacrament meeting. They asked me like 5 minutes before the meeting started. But it was all good. I've also been thinking a lot about music for a major. Brother Fox, the Ward mission leader, gave a great lesson last Sunday and in it he told his story about how he became a teacher. He teaches 6-8th grade math. And how it's not a job anymore because he loves it. I want to do something I love. Because he also told us about his brothers who are dentists and lawyers and how they don't like their jobs. But that's all beside the point.

This Sunday we talked a lot about our potential and why we are here on earth. If you haven't read my status from yesterday I encourage you too. It really opened my eyes when Elder Lind (new elder in Kernersville) said it. I know that Christ didn't die for all of us as a whole, but He died for each of us as individuals. He knows and loves you personally. If you were the only person on the Earth, He would still die for you.

- Sister Loosle -
 2 Nephi 2:28
Look to the Mediator!

Monday, June 16, 2014

Fatherhood is a Sacred Service

Happy Father's Day Y'all!

So just as there was a storm in Texas with tornados, Sister Mouritsen is convinced that there were tornados here in North Carolina on Tuesday night. I was in that in between phase of sleep, listening to the rain and thunder, when all of the sudden, she whispers really loudly "Sister Loosle are you awake?" No I'm not,  but now I am. Then as I got up to see what she was talking about with the tornadoes, the power went off. So we really get up and go look at our emergency papers. Then the power flashes back on and off for a final time. There's nothing we can do, so I go back to bed. We found out the next day, Walmart went out of power and lost all their meats, produce, and dairy. And our ward mission leaders neighborhood got hit hard with trees being knocked down. Thankfully his house was fine, but some of his neighbors were not.

So Wednesday, President and Sister Baughan (the stake president and his wife) fed us. I don't know if I've told you, but Sister Baughan is cousins with Darrell Loosle's kids. Well she asked us what we wanted to eat and I've been craving goolash for a while. Well she found a recipe! And it was almost as good as dads! But it made me a little home sick.

Yesterday Bishop spoke on Fathers and his role as a common judge in Israel. It was a fantastic talk. He used a talk from President Benson about fatherhood. I haven't looked it up yet, but I will and let y'all know what it's called.

This week I've been studying more on Gifts and Talents of the Spirit. The greatest thing I've learned thus far is that Charity is a gift of the spirit, but we all need to posses it. Because with it, we are nothing. Pray for charity. Pray for people. Whether or not you like them. That is one of the greatest lessons I've learned thus far on my mission. You can have charity for people you don't know, don't like, or whatever, when you pray for it and really what it.

I love y'all!

- Sister Miriah Loosle -
"Live today like others won't, so you can live tomorrow like others can't."

Monday, June 9, 2014

Carport Sales

Family and Friends - you know you're in the south when you see "Carport Sale" signs on Saturday mornings instead of "Garage or Yard Sales". Just sayin'

Last Monday! Was the best PDay ever! We went to the ZOO!!!!!! :) it's in Ashboro which is about 40 mins south east of me. It was fun! We saw baby gorillas and elephants, baboons, lions, and lemurs. The giraffes weren't out :( and we only got to half the zoo because of time. But I am coming back and going to spend the entire day there! When we get to a computer I'll see about sending pictures.

So on Tuesday Sister Mouritsen made pancakes shaped like giraffes and monkeys! It was cute! We met Brother Ogburn today as well. He is so prepared! We went back and taught his wife and him on Friday.

So I almost made it a whole year without replacing anything on my bike! Actually from the time we bought it I think it was a year, but anyway! On Wednesday we started our bike week and went out before lunch, came home to eat, I thought my tire was a little flat, so we pumped it up, to the right PSI, because I had thought it was suppose to be 35 when it really was 65. Anyway! We go out and stop in an area to work. After talking to a member for a bit we get back to our bikes, unlock and move them off the grass. Well my bike was not right. The front tire was completely flat! That's when it was "Sister Mouritsen to the rescue!" She has everything! I'm convicted her bag is like Mary Poppins! Anyway she had a spare tire and some CO2 cartridges. But then they exploded because it was so hot! So we went back to the member to ask for a pump. We got it fixed and we went on our way! It was a fun experience.

Friday was Zone Meeting! And I got moms package! It was cute! Thanks!

Saturday - Transfer calls - well after going to dinner with some members, we check the phone to find a missed call from President! So we get home, my stomach is on the floor, my heart is pounding, my thoughts are running, and I can't sit still, but I can't stand because my head is light. We call him back and he says, "Sisters it's good to hear from you. It's always nerve recking when you get a call from your mission president the Saturday before Tuesday transfers, but can I tell your I pocket dialed you?" I was so relieved! He then proceeded to tell us that we were both staying! It was interesting.

Sunday -  the best day and the worst day ever. The started off as normal, wake up 6:30 am get ready, eat breakfast, etc. Start studies at 8 am. Then it got interesting, at 8:10 we get a phone call from bishop. I answer the phone and he asks if I'd be willing to be the youth speaker, because they just called him saying they were sick. Sure why not? So I hang up and Sister Mouritsen gives me this big grin. What? "Remember who's speaking today?" No I don't. "Elder Parker of the Seventy". What?!?! Gah!!!! I'm speaking with an general authority! But I did it. In 40 mins or less I wrote a talk. Everyone said it was good, so that's good. I talked about Teaching with the Spirit. Then Brother Baughan, who's leaving for his mission in 3 days, talked about the Plan of Salvation. And Elder Parker spoke about the sacrament and how we are all family.

I love you all!

- Sister Miriah Loosle -
2 Nephi 2:8 -- it is our duty to share the Gospel! So Share it! :)

Monday, June 2, 2014

Happy June!

Gah! It's June! I cannot believe it! I'm wondering where 2014 is going? I've also realized I do this a lot lately, wonder where a month or year has gone. Does this happen to everyone as they get older?

This week went by so fast. Maybe because PDay was on Tuesday. But still!

We started teaching some members foster daughters, who they are going to adopt. They are 11, 8, and 6. And they all want to be baptized, so we're teaching the 11 and 8 year old to prepare them. :)

We also met Kasey, he's met with missionaries before and seems really interested in learning.

Sooooo.... I have seen fairies! :) no really they exist! I'm convinced of it! We were knocking in an area and these things were flying around. They looked like dresses with wings, fairies! So we tried to catch one. Finally we did and it looked really weird, so we tried to take a picture, but could never get a focused picture, so I'm convinced that it was a fairy and it camouflaged itself so we couldn't tell. It looked like a small black and white bee with cotton attached to it.

Yesterday at church was amazing! In Relief Society we talked about Rising to our callings. But not just church callings, but callings we got before we came to earth. Mother, daughter, sister, wife, etc. and sometimes we have to magnify those, actually we should always be magnifying those.

I love you all!

- Sister Miriah Loosle -
2 Nephi 2:8 -- it is our duty to share the Gospel! So Share it! :)