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| Sister Fry and her girl scout cookies |
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| Sister Fry and Sister Boehula playing basketball with Zay |
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| Sister Fry in the snow |
Hello family,
Glad to hear that it was a good week for everyone! Alright, I am going to
take this day by day.
Monday - After emailing the roads were really icy so we didn't go out at
all in the evening. While we were at Walmart a guy came up to us and asked Sis.
Boehula if we were LDS missionaries. We said "yes" and he told us
that he and his wife were members and that they live down in Louisiana. Brother
and Sister Barker - so wonderful! As a missionary it is the most exciting thing
in the world when someone comes up to you and says they are a member. They told
us that they were in Greenville for work and after talking to them for a bit
they asked if they could buy our groceries. Huge tender mercy! It was such a
surreal thing because we literally had just met them, they paid for our
groceries, and then we left. There are so many ways that members can help with
the missionary work. Whether it be feeding them, buying their groceries, taking
them out to appointments, letting them go home teaching/visiting teaching with
them, or just being a missionary themselves! Yesterday (sorry I am jumping
ahead) we had Stake Conference in Monroe and President and Sister McDonough
spoke. President spoke on the important role that the members play in
missionary work. He said the only thing members need to know how to do is say
"YES"!
Missionary: Can you take us to an appointment with an investigator?
Member: Yes!
Missionary: Will you feed us dinner?
Member: Yes!
Missionary: Can we go visiting teaching with you?
Member: Yes!
Haha, I really liked how President said that. The members aren't here to
help the missionaries, but rather the missionaries are here to help the
members. Our ward needs a lot of work with reactivation and getting people back
into the church. As missionaries it is our full-time calling to do the work,
but it is the members that will help others stay strong in the gospel.
So since we stayed in Monday night we made pancakes and eggs. It's funny
how with certain people you go through phases of food you eat. With Sis.
Boehula it is pancakes and eggs....we eat a lot of this. :)
Tuesday - We went to St. Vincent's, but no one was there because it was so
icy. So weird! We went out and contacted a lot of people we hadn't seen in a
while. We were able to set up some return appointments which was good. While
trying to contact an investigator, her brother was coming out of the door and
so we talked to him for a minute. He looked at us and said, "Well you two
look like two little drinks." Nice. I won't repeat what else he said. I
had to explain to Sis. Boehula what he meant - it is sad how I feel like I am
becoming more corrupted than ever while being out my mission. People are nuts
and disturbing at the same time!
Wednesday - We went to DDM and during it Greenville became a winter
wonderland! I am not kidding....it was perfect snow! It was heavy and so good
for packing. The Elders started a snowball fight when we went out to the cars
(the ZLs were there so it was basically Sis. Boehula and I against 6 Elders). I
was supposed to have a doctors appointment but that got cancelled because it
started snowing. Y'all are correct - everything shut down here! We went to
lunch and then layered up and went tracting! Sis. Boehula was in heaven because
she had never seen snow before. Even though it was dumping snow, we actually
had a rather successful time because people felt bad for us so they let us come
in and teach them. What's funny is one of the ladies we tracted into actually
works at the Family Medical Center which is where Sis. White and I spent most
of last transfer. As soon as she opened the door I recognized her immediately
and she let us teach her a lesson. Oh the people you meet!
We also taught a lady who has five kids. We met her the day before while
tracting and she said we could come back the next day so we went back. She let
us, gathered her five little kiddies around her, and made all of them listen.
It was awesome! Her name is Jackie and we committed her and her 12 year old son
to baptism. We went back on Saturday for another appointment and they weren't
home and she didn't answer her phone. So we will see where this ends up
going.
At DDM, we analyzed D&C 4 https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/4?lang=eng . We recite this at every DDM and zone
conference. It was really interesting going deeper into what it means to serve
the Lord with all your heart, might, mind, and strength. Read through it and
think about it. :)
Thursday - We were finally able to meet with Sherry! She is doing good. She
has been really struggling but we had a good talk and lesson and we will be
making her a priority to go and visit her. After trying to visit some
investigators we were walking back to our car and I noticed a lady in her
driveway putting stuff in her trunk. In her trunk were boxes and boxes of girl
scout cookies!! Sis. Boehula probably thought I was nuts but I ran up to the
lady and asked if she was selling them. She was, so I bought 3 boxes! Holy cow!
I was so happy! Thanks Mom for being a firm believer in girl scout cookies.
;)
Friday - Slept ALL day. My back has been in a lot of pain all week and I
can feel that the muscle spasms are back. The mission nurse told me to start
taking the muscle relaxers again. Here's the issue: I took them on Friday and
they literally knocked me out ALL day. I positively cannot function when taking
them, but nothing else really helps. So I stopped taking them after Friday and
have just been pushing through the pain.
I don't have time to stay inside and take the muscle relaxers. Not quite
sure what to do. I have decided I am tired of being a grown up. Argh! We have
interviews in a week and a half so I guess I will just talk to President
then.
Saturday - Tracted for about two and a half hours. Funny story - We were
knocking on some doors and across the street there were some boys playing basketball.
One of the boys pointed at us and told us to go over there. He was a little
handicapped so this makes it even better! He was the sweetest kid and he kept
telling us where to stand and when to pass the ball to him so he could shoot.
After a few minutes the other boys were telling him we needed to go but he
would not have it! So we played basketball for a bit in our skirts and with our
bags on. So funny! Afterwards we started talking to some of the other boys and
we gave them a card. Then we walked away and a few minutes later one of the
other boys (who is 20) asked if he could take a picture with us. I nearly died
because I thought it was hilarious, but Sis. Boehula was freaked out!
Sunday - Rode with the Hughes to Stake Conference. It was really good! The
Baton Rouge Temple President and Matron spoke, President and Sister McDonough,
and the Stake Presidency, and two guys who are about to leave on their
missions. One thing that the Temple President said is that we are all
"baby Gods." Just think about it - we are all children of God and our
ultimate goal is to one day be like our Heavenly Father. We had a really good
talk with the Hughes on the way home about how we can reactivate people. One
thing that President McDonough always says: Everyone has a window. You have no
idea when that window will open. That is why we always need to keep trying. It
really helped the Hughes get a better perspective because it is frustrating how
they have been trying to get people to come back for 10 years and they still
won't. Their window hasn't come yet. We can't give up.
Well, that is about all for this week. This morning was hard. Trying my best not to feel discouraged or overwhelmed. I am exhausted from this week and we have another busy one ahead of us. I know Heavenly Father can give me the strength though. I love you all! Keep working hard!
Love, Sister Fry
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