People Come and People Go

We found so many wonderful people, who just disappear! We find them, teach them, get them interested in our message, set up a return appointment. And then they drop off the face of the earth! Never to be seen or heard from again. Well at least up the this point. It can be frustrating, but they just aren't the elect yet. Maybe down the road they will be.

We taught Sibhan again this week. We haven't been able to get in with her the past month or so. But on Wednesday she was so engaged in our lesson. She had questions about the priesthood and prophets vs apostles. It was a very good lesson.

We found out Wednesday that interviews were on Thursday. So along with weekly planning, we had interviews. Which took up the majority of our day, because we also had coordination. But we did have a lesson with Heidi and Sister Peterson came along and now they are best friends! :) Heidi has a lot on her plate, so she doesn't want to meet right now, but hopefully in the near future we can get back in with her. I know the gospel can help her and bless her life.

Oh and we started exchanges on Thursday. It was a crazy day. Exchanges were good. I went to Guilford. They have 4 sisters in one apartment. It's crazy! We taught a lot of people, which is good.

Michelle fed us dinner on Saturday night :) it was really good. She's so nice! And just a super member! Oh and she told us that Brother Bailey (who lives in her building) wrote the music for Mobsters and Mormons! Crazy! He's been out of town for two weeks. I think he might be in Austin actually :P he does something with music and you know Austin is a great place to be! :)

Church was fantastic as always! Probably because we talked about missionary work and went over my favorite talk from April's General Conference. "Your Four Minutes"

- Sister Miriah Loosle -
      John 3:16-17
   He came to save!

Happy Fall Y'all!

Happy Fall Y'all! :)

Fall is here! And it's just as pretty as last year! The leaves are all changing! And Sister Pulley and I have started collecting them... I put them in my journal :) so everyone will be able to see them :) ...  Maybe...

This week was pretty good. We knocked on this one lady's door and she opened the door. Looked at us and said "Ah! Mormons! Sorry! No!" And shut the door. We were a bit confused, but now we laugh about it. We thought it was a bit rude, but to each their own.

Long story, short... I locked the phone and couldn't get in, so Michelle's mom, who's not a member, took us to the sprint store on Thursday morning. She was so nice! And we got it all fixed without loosing anything! :)

Pam is not committing to anything! It's actually really frustrating. She didn't even commit to really read or pray. So we'll probably drop her this week if she doesn't commit.

We started reading the Book of Mormon with Sister Jessup, but starting in Mosiah. Sister Pulley and I started in Alma this time were reading it through, and found it get interesting to look at the different perspective. So we've decided to start in Mosiah with our Less-Actives.

A missionary gave his homecoming talk yesterday in sacrament meeting. It was a great talk! He posed some great questions to think about not just as missionaries, but as people.

1. Am I the missionary my family expects me to be?
2. Am I the missionary The Lord expects me to be?
3. Am I the person The Lord expects me to be?
4. Am I living up to my potential?

Two members of the stake presidency also spoke. So it was a jam packed sacrament meeting yesterday.

We saw Sister Koch yesterday night and also started reading in Mosiah with her. :)

I sure love all y'all!

- Sister Miriah Loosle -
      John 3:16-17
   He came to save!

What part of Utah are y'all from?

Hello All!

Have y'all seen Meet the Mormons yet?!?

It is a wonderful movie and y'all all need to see it!

Subject explanation! We were tracting on Thursday and this man asked both of us "What part of Utah are y'all from?" Well sir! We actually are not from Utah. Sister Pulley is from Nevada and I'm from Texas. He was a bit surprised that we weren't from Utah. It's always nice to have a companion not from Utah (no offense Utahans) because it breaks the stereotype.

Meet the Mormons came to Greensboro! And although we don't get to see it in theaters, it was still neat to have it in Greensboro. However when we drove past the movie theater on Friday (opening day) it said "Showing Meet the Mormans" .... ..... .... We're not Mormans! Were Mormons! Actually were not even technically Mormons. My name is Sister Miriah Loosle and I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The nickname Mormon comes from the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

Sister Pulley's mom sent me an Elko shirt! :P now I can represent 4 states! :)

Okay, so what you've all been waiting for. Yes transfers are this week. I have the opportunity to .... Continue training Sister Pulley in Summmerfield! We'll see what happens after this, but for now I'm staying. :)

I gave a talk yesterday in Sacrament Meeting about being Spiritually prepared. These are the quotes I used in my talk. They were very inspirational to me, so I thought I'd share!

October 1974 -- "How can one share the blessings that come through visiting the sick? How can one share in the blessings that come from assisting the widow or the fatherless? How can one share a personal testimony? How can one share the blessings of conference attendance? How can one share the lesson of obedience learned in living the principle of tithing? Certainly each must accumulate this kind of oil for himself." - Marvin J. Aston

1972. --"Attendance at sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years. Fasting, family prayer, home [and visiting] teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures--each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store. Deeds of kindness, payment of offerings and tithes, chaste thoughts and actions … --these, too, contribute importantly to the oil with which we can at midnight refuel our exhausted lamps." - President Kimball

Talking about how prayer helps us add oil to our lamps ...

October 2014 -- "No doubt most of [us] have [our] evening prayers, but perhaps many of [us] struggle with the habit of personal morning prayer. ... Which parent in Book of Mormon times would have let their sons march out to the front of battle without a breastplate and shield and sword to protect them against the potentially mortal blows of the enemy? But how many of us let our [selves and our families] march out the front door each morning to the most dangerous of all battlefields, to face Satan and his myriad of temptations, without their spiritual breastplate and shield and sword that come from the protective power of prayer?" - Tad R. Calister

Talking about how family home evening adds oil to our lamps ...

October 2002 -- "If there was a need 87 years ago, that need is certainly much greater today." - Gordon B. Hinckley (talking about family home evening! Can you believe the revelation for FHE was given 99 years ago!)

Follow the council of the leaders of the church. Accept callings to serve. ...

October 2005 -- "My counsel to the members of the Church is to support the President of the Church, the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve, and other General Authorities with our whole hearts and souls. If we do, we will be in a safe harbor.... We also need to support and sustain our local leaders, because they also have been “called and chosen.” Every member of this Church may receive counsel from a bishop or a branch president, a stake or a mission president, and the President of the Church and his associates. None of these brethren asked for his calling. None is perfect. Yet they are the servants of the Lord, called by Him through those entitled to inspiration. Those called, sustained, and set apart are entitled to our sustaining support." - James E. Faust

Following the council ...

April 2000 -- "We--the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve--have taken the position, ... that “the Church discourages tattoos. It also discourages the piercing of the body for other than medical purposes, although it takes no position on the minimal piercing of the ears by women for one pair of earrings.” - President Hinckley

October 2002 -- "Begin in a small way, ... and gradually build toward a reasonable objective. Save a little money regularly, and you will be surprised how it accumulates. Get out of debt and rid yourself of the terrible bondage that debt brings." - President Hinckley

October 2005 -- "However much faith to obey God we now have, we will need to strengthen it continually and keep it refreshed constantly." - Henry B. Eyring

I used some stories from my life and the lives of my parents. Including when my parents had earrings (mom multiple and dad one) and how when President Hinckley said no more, it really was no more. And about my dad getting laid off and how living the Law of Tithing and getting out of debt has helped them and me.

I am grateful for the council of living prophets and apostles. We are so blessed to live in this time.

- Sister Miriah Loosle -
      John 3:16-17
   He came to save!

It's October! Go watch Meet the Mormons!

Hello Everyone!

This week Sherry found us! She's a less-active. We were in an apartment complex and she came up to us and gave us water. She told us she hasn't been to church for a few years, but was thinking about going back. We invited her to conference, but she didn't come :(

Thursday... I was sick :( it was no fun. I got a blessing and stayed in most of the day, except for coordination that night.

We had exchanges this week, which were good. I learned a lot and we got to teach Pam. We found her earlier this week just knocking. She liked the Restoration and is allowing us to come back, so we'll see how it goes.

Friday we had Zone Meeting/Watch Meet the Mormon!

Soooo... Meet the Mormons is a documentary commissioned by the First Presidency. It goes through 6 Mormons lives and how their faith helps them. It doesn't teach doctrine, but it is so good! :) it will be in select theaters on October 10, 2014. Is it near you? Find out and request it at www.meetthemormons.com :)

Wasn't conference Amazing?? Who was your favorite talk? I loved Elder.... I forgot his name, who spoke in Portuguese. I got many answers to my questions!

I love y'all! :)

- Sister Miriah Loosle -
      John 3:16-17
   He came to save!

Cold, Training, Baptism, and Women's Conference

This week got cold, but thank goodness we had the car! :)

 the Elders biked all the way to our side of the area on
Saturday (just to prove a point...) (and the competitive side of me is
coming out!)

On Tuesday we headed down to Charlotte for our trainer/trainee meeting. It was really good. There have been lots of meetings this month! But they are so wonderful! They really boost your spirits as missionaries.

After district meeting on Wednesday, our district went to Chick-Fil-A and I bought everyone something :) I know I'm so nice :P no I really have Eileen to thank for the gift card! I didn't want to use it all on myself, so I shared :) it was great! Our district is small, just us, our elders in Summerfield, and the Spanish Elders. This month we've been learning and talking all about the Book of Mormon and how it's the key to conversion!

Michelle's interview was on Thursday! It took over an hour! We were starting to get worried sitting outside with her kids and Elder Judd. But it was all good! :)

Michelle's baptism

Saturday was just the BEST DAY EVER!!!! Michelle's baptism was in the morning (see picture). And *drum roll* I sang a solo musical number during it. Sister Pulley played the piano. We preformed "Come unto Christ" the 2014 mutual theme. Everyone said it was really good. (Maybe you'll see it on Facebook in the coming week). The service itself was very nice. Members were involved and a good audience attended.

Then of course the Women's Conference was Saturday night! :) I loved Sister Marriott's talk and President Uchtdorf's talk. Sister Marriott's maybe because she's has the cutest southern accent! Don't be surprised if that's what I come home sounding like! :) and remember you are always a child of God. No matter what. It doesn't change! :)

Michelle's confirmation on Sunday was also so wonderful! The spirit was just resonating! And fast and testimony meeting was great afterward.

I love you all! And can't wait for conference this weekend! Let me know who was your favorite speaker next week! :)

P.S. Make sure Meet the Mormons comes to your area! And go and watch it! As missionaries we will get to see it :) the only movie I'll get to see on my mission!

- Sister Miriah Loosle -

what Sister Pulley and I did this morning! Gah! :o!
Cut my bangs!

what Sister Pulley and I did this morning! Gah! :o!
Cut my bangs!

  John 3:16-17
He came to save!

15 miles of Biking

Dear Everyone :)

Michelle is doing great! She's getting baptized on Saturday! We're excited for her. She has been prepared to hear the gospel and we are privileged to work with her. Her kids came to church with her yesterday and they enjoyed it very much!

We had a fantastic Zone Conference this week. All about how to be better planners.

Yesterday was the Primary program. It's weird thinking none of my brothers are in that this year. It was so cute!

We're still working with Sibhan, she hasn't prayed for us yet, so hopefully we'll figure out why this week and get that all worked out so she can progress.

We biked 15+ Miles on Saturday. It was fun! And not too hot. It's cooling down here, which is nice :)

Love y'all!

- Sister Miriah Loosle -
      John 3:16-17
   He came to save!

The Book of Mormon is the Key!

This week has just been fantastic family!

I'm just start at the beginning!

Monday -- we taught Michelle the Word of Wisdom. It actually went really well. She committed to live it. And only had a small hurdle to get over, which we got over by Wednesday! :) it is so exciting to see her change and see how the gospel is blessing her life. Even if she doesn't see it right now, I know that her divorce (which she's been trying to finalize for over a year) is finally going through because she is doing the things God has asked her to do.

Tuesday -- we met this cute family, Bontia (mom) and Bri (daughter) and 3 other kids, but we didn't really meet them. The dad is out of town til December. But as we were teaching the restoration, all Bontia could say was wow! And how it just makes sense that there would be a prophet on the earth again. If God always spoke through prophets, why not have one now?

We taught Jenny too, but she not really committing to a return appointment. So we'll see when're it goes with her.

Wednesday -- The Book of Mormon is true! And is the Key to everything! We had a wonderful mission conference with Elder Larry Y. Wilson of the seventy. It literally lasted all day. From 9am to 6 PM. But it was so good! I just can't explain what went on. We mostly talked about how to use the Book of Mormon better. And how we really do need to read WITH our investigators, not just to them. Also (best practice for missionaries and pre-missionaries) we went through the first chapter of Nephi and paralleled it with the Restoration. It was so good! And it's a great follow up lesson to do. (If you want more details on how to, just let me know!).

Another part I really liked was when Sister Wilson talked about how God created us to do His work here on earth. When we are converted to the gospel and are saved from death and sin by the grace of Christ, we are now His workers. We are His hands and fret to do His work on the  earth. That is why people mis-interpret our church for believe so much in works. We do believe in works, because God isn't here to help everyone on earth, but we are!

Then after the meeting, the sisters had a meeting :) we all bore our testimonies on something we've learned from our missions thus far. -- The thing I've learned most from my mission is that God trusts me. If He didn't I wouldn't be here. In the MTC one of my teachers invited all of us to asked God if He trusted us as His servant and workers in the Harvest of Souls. I remember after I prayed, I felt this wonderful feeling of peace. I know that God trusts me. He trusts every missionary and member to help Him in this work.

I got to see all of my old companions in the past two weeks. It's kind of weird, but good. I learned that Sister Lunceford and her family went to church! :)

Thursday -- We taught Sibhan (Shi-vaughn) the Restoration. It went well. We went back the next day applied what we had just learned in the mission conference about the Book of Mormon. We are dinner with the Mitchell's and you know, after being in their Ward for 7 1/2 months, they didn't know I lived in Guam!! Or that I had 4 brothers. Or they just didn't remember :P

Friday --We taught Michelle the Law of Chasity, which actually went really well. It was awkward at all. Although we did have a Young Woman with us. But apparently every time she went out with the sisters, she's taught the Law of Chasity. Maybe she needs to learn something? No, she's a super sweet girl! :)

Saturday -- We met Lou. She was taught by the sisters before I came to Summerfield. And stopped us. We taught the Plan of Salvation, which was really good for her. She's lost a lot of people lately. And it answered a lot of her questions.

Sunday -- Just amazing! Sister Rorrer spoke in sacrament meeting! She talked about her conversion story. It was a great talk. Michelle was sick :( but she read all of 1 Nephi on Sunday while she was home!

I love you lots! And all of y'all are in my prayers! Thank you for all your prayers. They really do help!

Love y'all!

- Sister Miriah Loosle -
      John 3:16-17
   He came to save!