Wednesday, December 28, 2016

12/26/16 Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

That probably should have been in last week email...but today is good too. 

Christmas as a missionary is a very spoiled time of the year for a missionary. At least it was for me. I was so grateful, I got packages from members in previous areas, presents from members in this area and I haven't even met them yet! Satuday and Sunday was all about going from one dinner appointment to the next. Like I woke up this morning still full. 

No snow! The weather was actually beautiful, in the 70s,  got some lightning storms yesterday too. 

Some really cool things tho:

The V.....'s are a family that moved in a month ago, and invited us to make cookies and deliver it to their neighbors so that they can meet their neighbors, I went while my companions went to other appointments, it was so fun,  and they were a great family:) really enjoyed their company and example!

Sacrament was great! We had all 4 wards in the area meet in the stake center, and all the primary kids sang "Picture a Christmas" I laughed rather hard because out of the 4 wards, it made up the primary in my ward in Oakley. haha these wards are small in general though, they did a great job! and looked beautiful. and the spirit was felt. 

We had a zone conference on my birthday! (I'm 20 now!) and everyone semi sang to me. so at the end of the conference I started saying to people "Thanks for coming to my birthday party!" hahhaa they laughed. Elder Nau, and I have served around each other for awhile now, and he got some elders together and did this year beat/clap rhythm thing while Elder Nau danced a happy birthday dance. It was sooo funny, everyone was cracking up. Good way to spend the bday though. 

umm...hung up christmas lights. that was a challenge. 

And ya:) it was a great Christmas and birthday week. But what I loved most....was how often my thought directed me back to the birth of the Savior. to a specific chapter in the Book of Mormon actually.

1 Nephi 11. I invite yall to read that and ponder on the message. 

I love this time of year, its a beautiful time of year, its a time to remember where peace and hope come from, and that's from Christ. What a great way to end a hard year and start a new one. I pray that yall make new year resolutions, and make at least one that is centered on Christ. Perhaps it will be to read the Book of Mormon as a family daily, to do your home and visiting teaching monthly, to develop a Christlike attribute, or so on. 

im fixin on mine and will share with you next week! share with me yours!

Loveya!


Sister Pollard

Monday, December 19, 2016

12/19/16 Joplin

Hey yall!! 

These past few days have been crazy and a rollarcoaster. lets take it day at a time

THURSDAY

I got to my new area! JOPLIN! I've always wanted to see Joplin. It's a mix of city and country I think. I like it, but it is COLD! I thought I was ready for the winter but nope, nope, nope. Plus we are a walking/biking area, luckily there is a trolley! woot woot

Our mission boundaries are changing. We are giving three zones/stakes to the Oklahoma City Mission. Therefore right now we are combining with Carl Junction area and a sister there. Her companion is in Oklahoma showing the OKC missionaries the area,  a bunch of missionaries are doing that, so until the new year we are in a trio, and grateful Carl Junction does have a car! so no walking or trolley just yet:) thank goodness.

We have a bigger Christmas tree then the one in Centerton so that's a plus and we just decorated it the other day. 

FRIDAY
We had our ward christmas party! I was so thankful because I was able to meet many people in the ward, they also asked if any of the sisters could play piano. I said I could. and I played Picture a Christmas for the primary kids:) they said they might need me in primary on Sundays to play. There's not many piano players here, and if they are, they have other callings. Our ward is small. I told them I would be happy to of course:)


SATURDAY!
We had breakfast from our 1st investigator, J...... She is from Bulgaria (Crazy, right Mikee!) and she is so selfless and loves to serve and children. Definitely prepared for the gospel but timing is not now. she loves us but wont read the Book of Mormon because she is scared to. We tried to console her and address her concerns, but she made it very clear that when she is ready to read it, she will call us. so...she dropped us (meaning we will no  longer be teaching her, and now we have no investigators but that's okay! Because a fresh start is always good and we  can focus on the members! 

Saturday got a huge ice storm, and we were given council to stay inside, so lots of studies that day and getting to know my 2 new companions! Sis Bisch and Sister Stirling. Sister Bisch is my companion for Joplin. Sister Stirling is waiting for her companion.

SUNDAY!
Due to the ice storm Church was canceled. More studies, then when the roads cleared up we went out and saw members! woot woot 

and today is monday. 

So ya, nothing too exciting yet but we had powerful member lessons and I'm looking forward to be serving in this part of the vineyard!!

Christmas is this weekend! 

Keep Christ at the Center!

love

SISTER POLLARD

12/14/16 Transfer week

IT'S TRANSFER WEEK! 
And this days are always chaotic especially when someone is leaving, which is our case

I'm leaving to Joplin Missouri! OOH OOH

I've never cried over leaving an area. But last night I did tear up a little. So today is all about packing, cleaning, shopping, and saying goodbye to people that I love and will dearly miss. R..... will probably be the hardest to say goodbye to, I haven't even told him yet. 

Gonna miss Sis Robison A LOT too, but she is getting a great companion so I'm not too worried. I don't know anything about my new companion. 

But so quick highlights

-Christmas parade:)

-Conference with Elder Gay of the Seventy

Honestly I'm drawing a huge blank. My mind is racing on a whole lot of to lists. so....I did buy stamps I'll just have to send yall a letter:)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

love,

Sister Pollard!

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

12/5/16 Light the World

HEY YALL

We had a good week this week. Some highlights:

We took R.... to the temple on Saturday! (had to get up at 2am to be there by 7:30) he took his mom and dads name and loved every minute in the temple. Super powerful. We then went to Liberty Jail and learned more about the early saints and Joseph Smith. Afterwords R.... said "I feel like I understand Joseph Smith better than before" He loves Joseph Smith and is baffled by his story. We then had lunch at TEDS. I love Ted's. I am having Ted's withdrawals. I love R....... so much! I cant wait for you all to meet him too!

So yesterday Ro...... came to Church again!! Yay! and she was so moved by the spirit that she shared her testimony. oh my goodness it was painful trying to stop the tears from coming. I'll never forget what she said and how humble I feel. 

Some funny things...

Sis Robison did our companion inventory (this is where we tell each other what strengths we see and an improvement the other could make) for my improvement that she gave me, she said, "Maybe you could start using your blinkers when you are making a turn as we are driving." I laughed so hard. but I am now using my blinkers!

Sis Robison and I were washing our car, and we went through an automatic car wash and soap starts piling on and she said "man, I'm gonna pretend we are in a snowstorm!" I laughed so hard again. There is no snow in Arkansas and we really miss it haha. 

But life is good! Christmas is getting close and we have a couple families fighting for us so tha'ts super funny. I just want to testify that God's hand is in the details of our lives, and he cares about our desires. But he does expect us to work. (alma 60:21-23). and this Christmas season, as we are blessed with our needs and wants, He has asked us to do work-to Light the World, and I promise that if you do this, you will have the best Christmas ever:) Go on Mormon.org to learn more, and tell me all about it!

Dec 2. was honor your mother and father.

Dad-I want you to know that from you I have developed the hard working skills that I need. I am quick in my thoughts and words. I am comfortable with people and can speak to anyone. Because of you I have learned the importance of prioritizing and God and the family will always be number 1. thank you for you being that example and teacher:)

Mom-first off, when people see a picture of you they think you are my sister. Second off I'm so grateful for you. You have taught me how to be Christ like. From you I have learned creativity and organizational skills. I have learned the importance of fulfilling a calling to the fullest. Because of you I'm able to love those that are difficult to love or to understand, because you took the time to teach this to me throughout my years. 


Mom and Dad, I love you. I honor you.I respect you. I miss you. and I will see you soon!

Next week is transfer week. so i'll be emailing on Wednesday. and my heart is being tugged on. so I'm not so sure if I'll be staying. But we will know next week! Thanks yall!

Love
Sister Pollard