2-1-17 Game Night

Crazy times happening in Joplin....where does one begin?

So we had this stellar worldwide missionary broadcast. Talked a lot of good stuff about teaching the gospel. Then they made changes to our schedule. Nothing to drastic, we still get up at 6:30 and go to bed at 10:30 but the order of things are different and the missionary chooses more of what they do with their time. it's kinda nice:)

On Thursday my companion got real sick again. so did a lot of deep cleaning again and studies.

Friday we had our very first WARD GAME NIGHT! We played volley ball and board/card games at the church. it's a missionary opportunity so everyone invited to bring someone. But it was the first time so not a lot of nonmembers were there but there were a lot of members there showing their support! It was a success, we decided to do it 1 month until we see more progression in it. it was fun:) my volleyball skills are improving!

So Saturday we saw some less active families in hopes of helping them coming to church the next day. AND IT WORKED. 3 Less actives families came! (2 of which hasn't been in years) you should have seen the look on bishops face! He was shocked, it was really amazing. Since it was the 5th Sunday we focused on missionary work, and our ward mission leader told us to bring 150 copies of the Book of Mormon. after running around collecting all that we can from other missionaries, we finally made it to 150 by Sunday. it was a great lesson got people really excited about missionary work:)

We have this great investigating family. Mom and 2 girls, love them soo much! They were gonna come to church but they forgot to set their alarm and slept in! (church starts at 8:30). I guess this Sunday we will be giving them a wake up call! haha 

Did exchanges on Wednesday.....we biked 11 miles. oooph! We can do that here, because we have 60-70 degree weather:) haha it's beautiful!

In all honesty the big news going on right now is on transfers. 

Sister Bisch, my companion, left for home today for health concerns. I am training again so I will get my new companion tomorrow! As of now I just hang out with Sister Pond again:)

Its been a really a chaotic week with getting things collected with Sister Bisch and her going home. but I think it will be best for her. 

Well Ill tell you more about Joplin next week! Gonna be finding more people to teach!

Love yall!

LIFE IS GOOD!

Sister Pollard

1/23/17 Great Week

HEY YALL! 

Had a good week this week. In fact for some reason I've been in such a good mood that I've been singing the past 48 hours. Just hymns that come into my mind! 

Why was it so good? ill tell you

-Found 3 new investigators.

- Went on exchange with the Sister Training Leader Leader. (they are like the AP SISTERS) and it happened to be SISTER POND, my trainer:) so we had a good ole time together! I love her so much!

-Had a movie night with this part member family. they are warming up to us more. and are more receptive to the gospel so that's really good:)

-On Saturday however, Sis Bisch was sick unexpectedly. so she slept all day and I did more studies and some major deep cleaning on our apartment. Cleaning is a good stress reliever for me so it all worked out. also called a bunch of former investigators in our area book to see if we could teach them again. they said no. but that's okay. there is still a bunch more to call:)

-Sunday we had a great day at church. We went to the young women's this time and that was a blessing in itself. 

-But my favorite was that night. We visited this member and his family. They are going through some changes in their life and we were able to bring them comfort and testify of good things to come. I love this family even more than before. and this morning he texted us saying how grateful they were for us and that we can go to them anytime and for anything. I was touched and felt at home with them:)

-OH! Got a wonderful package from my mom!! thanks so much! came at good timing too! LOVE IT!

Thanks so much yall! I love the Gospel and I love the people here who do everything they can to live the gospel:) 

Have a great week!

Sister Pollard

Pictures:

Sister Pond and I being companions again! love her so much!

Drove past an abandoned house, so of course we pulled over and took pictures:)

1-16-17 Roller Coaster

Hey Yall!

This week has been a roller coaster. ups and downs, and some throwing up. (luckily not on my part).

We were driving to see someone, and we were turning left in an intersection when a car broke down in the middle of the intersection. Luckily they were off to the side, and before we could help we were forced to turn, so we prayed that someone would help her. Well the person we wanted to see wasn't available, so we back through that intersection to visit someone else. The car broken down somehow made its way to an open parking lot. We thought "good! she is safe" then we be like "and she is trapped.......maybe they could use some company!" We made our way through the parking lot to her. offered our help but she reassured us that help is on the way. So we took out a Book of Mormon, explained who we were and gave her the book. She gladly took it, telling us that she has been wanting to learn more about the Mormon Church! that was pretty cool!! 

On Tuesday we were on exchanges. I took a sister and worked in Joplin while my companion worked in another area. We had an amazing time! we talked with so many people. Taught the most lessons we have ever taught in the area. WOO HOO! 

But the coolest thing happened. Wednesday morning. First off, this sister confessed to me that she knows the church is true, she knows the power in the Book of Mormon but her faith isn't dominant well I gave her my comforting words and council to what I know. But really what she needed is an experience. Blessings of Wednesday morning.....we went to do service, and doing service on a Wednesday was definitely led by the Lord. But we were folding clothes with this woman I've never met, D....... we strike up conversation and of course the church came up. We told her a lot in brief sentence and really took hold of her attention. We then offered her a Book of Mormon. she said she would glad to have one. We gave her one just before we left. We said a prayer with her, and in the prayer the spirit prompted us, "Read Moroni 10:3-5 with her." I'm thinking "I'm hungry, its cold. shes got the book. we will read it next time." but when the prayer was over, the prompting came again "Read Moroni 10:3-5 with her." I couldn't avoid it that time. We read the scripture with her, her eyes filled with tears and she began to cry. We asked her what she thought she said "I've been lost." then we asked her how she felt and she said while holding up the Book of Mormon "BLESSED." she then goes on to say that she has strayed from Gods path and "this" (the book) is her way back. tears filled my eyes and my companions. We talked and hugged with D........a little more. She is beautiful. on our way out my companion turned to me and said "that was so cool. I have never seen anything like that before. I feel the spirit and it is too big for me. its true." The Lords hand was in all of this. and now that special sister has a dominant faith:)

We had some other great experiences. Even with members! Building their faith to share the gospel. One member shared the concern that she doesn't know how to take rejection, and the fact that we are out being rejected everyday is admirable. The thought came to our mind and we shared with her why we could take so much rejection and still push forward "Every morning, at 8 am. We kneel down to pray. Then, EVERY MORNING, we read the Book of Mormon. That Book is a powerful book. and if you read it every day, with a sincere study and pondering, you will not fear or be discouraged by rejection. because you know it is true."  

We did lots of walking this week too! My legs ache a little. We had a couple of ice storms but no damage. and ate good food. 

last thing:

About the picture. In may of 2011 Joplin got hit with a tornado. It did more damage then any other tornado I believe. Even to this day people are still recovering from it. Well while they were rebuilding Joplin they placed these giant metal butterflies all around to symbolize the new birth or Joplin. they are really stunning and bring hope to the people here:)

Love you all soo much! Thank you for the many prayers. I'm learning so much on my mission more than I though I would. I feel very blessed. and humbled. continue to read the Book of Mormon!

Love

Sister Pollard

1-2-17 Happy New Year!

HEY YALL!

I have a lot to say....and wont say it all. 

I'll share a couple and will write a letter home.

1. I dont know if yall remember Sharon and Jason. On my very first day ever in the mission field in good ol Branson Missouri, I knocked on my first door with a message to share with whomever is on the other side. It so happened to be Sharon and Jason. We shared a message, we helped them with their move, we read the Book of Mormon with them, they came to church, then moved to Springfield. We told the Elders about them and put our trust in the Lord that all will go well. 

WELL crazy update:

Remember Sister Hadley-shes my MTC companion. and Sister Martin-shes a previous companion. Well they are companions and they found SHARON AND JASON AND ARE TEACHING THEM!!! I guess the Elders never found them.. but that's okay. i was so happy. plus Sharon and Jason still remember me and Sister Pond. Soo crazy. love them lots. I know God is placing missionaries in Sharon and Jason lives because they are prepared and they need the truth. just like the rest of us. Sharon and Jason are super humble as well. so it works out:)

2. I beat this Elder at chess last p-day. hehehe that was fun! 

3. Okay!! So we were at this recent converts house for dinner, and they have a 9 year old son who is interested int the piano. The father wants him to play sooo bad, during dinner, brother F..... (the dad) asked if any of us could play piano. I said I could, and he said "after dinner I need to pick your brain apart so that my son can play." well I sat down with T........ (the 9 year old boy) and heard him play piano.....not too good. And the book he had was too difficult and confusing, so I taught him the notes. I taught him where the notes are on the piano and I taught him a portion of the basics. T....... is smart and caught on, and could play right! woo woo. it took about 20-30 minutes. His dad was soo astonished! He started pleading me to teach his son piano lessons. Promising me money and food, and clothes and a cannon and a castle (get the reference mom and Jo and Rayna??) Anywho, I reassured him that all those things are unnecessary and inappropriate. But that I  would be happy to do it. I would just need to get permission. So I go about asking my zone leaders, and they said no for certain reasons. I told brother  F....... and at church we saw him and we was so heartbroken, and said that T......... is heartbroken. I felt sooo bad. Then he went talking to the zone leaders and the zone leaders tried to explain but brother F........ is determined. So Zone leaders are asking. But if all else fails, they did say that if I do it on p-day, that would be okay.....I want to do it soo bad. but once I leave the area.....I cant teach T........ anymore. so praying about it. But T......... did call me his Piano Mama. cutest thing ever

4. Gave a talk in church yesterday at the last minute. was suppose to be a 5-10 min on the 1st vision....ya I gave a 20-30 min sermon......hahha it was great! I love speaking too much. 

I'll write a letter home about some  great things:) love yall so much!!

hope you sent some worthy New Year Resolutions! I'll share mine in a letter!

sorry to keep this.....this hahah

Love ya! Love the Lord!

Sister Pollard

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

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!