Cedar Falls Week 17 - Feeling 22!

"I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 22!"

(This line is from a Taylor swift song. I wanted to listen to it so bad yesterday). Hahaha

#missioanryproblems

#11monthsandiwilllistentoit

#sorrynotsorry

#lovethemission

WWWOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Feelin' good today! 22 and happy! (It was her birthday Sunday)

hahaha ready for Sister Jordan Murray style letter?

Monday: 

      Farnsworth and I taught a "minority groups" class on UNI campus. so cool. so scary. 22 students...one girl came up after and bible bashed with us. Farnsworth got a little frustrated so I just made friends with the girl. it was kinda intense. Farnsworth is only a month older than me in the mission, so she and I are really trying this week to be better testifiers. we are learning lots as we try to focus on just teaching doctrine instead of beating around the bush. #whoknewamissionwashardwork????

      Also had a SUPER good talk that night about the power of the Atonement and how it helps families. (almost everyone in her family is struggling with their testimony) it was amazing. I love Farnsworth SO MUCH. 

Tuesday: 

    Saw Su---. Long story: basically she said she loves me, but that she doesn't believe any of this. Broke my heart. Her 8 year old daughter Ja--- is my favorite person ever. They invited us to "church swap" with them. we were both  excited to see where the other was "coming from."

    Found new investigator: Ma---. We met her forever ago and she was not interested. Farnsworth felt like we should go and she was totally ready. read half the book of mormon. SOOOO sassy. told us she didn't like that she wanted to get baptized. can't figure her out. she's like in her 60's. Accepted a baptism date for a month from now but wants to "talk to her pastor." ah. crazy old lady! you know this church is true!!!

Wednesday:

cant get a hold of ash---. bad news. something wrong? we don't think so. Satan's just a jerk and likes to be a part of her life. saw Ju--- and Ha---. their testimonies are still strong. YEAH!!!!!

Thursday:

 nothing too crazy. :) had district meeting. love my district leader. he reminds me of Ben (her brother) still. I think he's leaving next week (transfer calls are next monday, transfers thursday the 8th). so sad if he does. 

Friday: 

   FINALLY saw Ce--- (za---'s wife). been a month. MIRACLE. meeting with her again tuesday if she doesn't ditch us. real concern. :P

   did weekly planning on the porch. so nice out. love my life.

   called Sister Monroe because I felt like she needed me to. she is stuggling a little with her new companion. I didn't say anything to help her. I just made her feel loved. I think that's what she needed. love her.

Saturday:

    Su---'s church was AWESOME! Like a freakin' rock concert. cray cray for reals. felt the Spirit super strong. Left SO SAD that these people try so hard and yet don't have the Priesthood. The Atonement changes everything. therefore sacrament is the best thing ever. USE IT! 

      MIRACLE lesson with the Ju--- family. YEARS AND YEARS of work on their family (by bishop, HT, VT) and finally the dad is starting to feel the Spirit again and take slow steps. SO COOL!!!!!!!!!!!

      Another PM family told us he might actually consider praying. MIRACLE.

Sunday:

   woke up and opened presents!!!!! thank you so much mommy. you are the best.

     BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT OF MY LIFE: 2 of our investigators came to church, never happens. freaking out.

       ---had the greatest talk ever with Jaden during sacrament. I didn't even pay attention. she said she prayed about the church and she's not ready. I feel like she's 18 at heart. we will be FRIENDS FOR EVER!!!!! I love her so much. I want their family sealed more than anything in the world right now. #faithinmiracles #praytoknow #churchistrue

Ah! there is never enough time in the day! I always want to say more and do more!

THANK YOU!!!!! For your birthday package. So cute. So thoughtful. Loved the clothes. Wearing them now. You are the best.

….And Sister Farnsworth was sweet and made the cake for me while I journaled. She's so great. 

---Your Sister Missionary, Chloe Michelle

SHOUTOUTS:

Aunt Alisa

Amy Williams

Peers: scarf and note

Danahoos: my favorite candy

Hopkins: park city peace cakes!

Murrays: SUPER cute "sister missionary" sticky notes and a Carl Bloch calendar. SO NEEDED. 

Norm and Karma Rae: note

Grandma & Grandpa Gummy: super nice note and money. so sweet.

Please please tell them thank you from me. I love each of them. 

Cedar Falls - Week 16

This week Sister Farnsworth and I saw a lot of miracles! We were VERY tired all week, so it's been interesting to turn to the Lord and continue to work on that relationship I have with Him. 

I feel like my head is constantly going 100 mph thinking about all the people here that I love...but my heart is usually very very peaceful and that is a wonderful feeling. I've never been so calm under responsibility. Sister Farnsworth got a blessing this week that was very powerful and reminded me of the lastest blessing I had received, so we both drew a lot of strength from the words of our Father in Heaven.

I told you about As----: she is really progressing now! She has a lot of battles to tackle so we are working with her everyday, trying to find out how we can teach her the doctrine. I love her more than I can tell you. She is battling Satan like nothing I have seen before. I prayed all week that we could just get her to church and she CAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was freaking out.

Not a ton exciting besides that....and I'm out of time....so........ooooooooo except we went on a road trip to Lincoln. Google map it. Smallest town of my entire life. Seriously. We went into this little chapel and talked to this lady and then I looked at the wall: MY FAVORITE GREG OLSEN PAINTING WAS MADE INTO A STAINED GLASS WINDOW. I almost yelped I was so amazed. And then almost punched something as I realized I forgot my camera. hahahahhaahhah I'll take you back someday, ok???

THANK YOU FOR THE EASTER PACKAGE. Last week I literally had the thought: "all I want for Easter is a See's candy bordeaux egg." I LOVE the shoes. And it was all the stuff from easter baskets I remember. felt like home. THANK YOU. saving the other one for my birthday. (Also: I got one from the Danahoos (Aunt and uncle) and I'm saving that for my birthday too so tell her THANK YOU!!!!)   sending my winter coat home soon. 

 

so happy. thank you for your prayers. you are an angel, mom.

 

Thank you for all you do, Sister Sumsion

PS - Chloe's birthday is this Sunday April 27th.  I am sure she would love a letter from you.  :)  Thanks. Her address for at least the next few weeks is: 2207 ThunderRidge Blvd #7B, Cedar Falls IA 50613

Cedar Falls Week 15

Oh my word I missed you so much this week so your email was awesome. I have LISTS of things to share so this week is bullet points.

--Monday: played UNO with the Zone leaders: Elder Schubert and Elder Belliston. Friday we cleaned a horders house together. (Welcome to Iowa. We were laughing so hard and cringing at the same time.) Anyways: I LOVE THOSE ELDERS SO MUCH. They are in the ward with us and I am, like, legitimately sad everytime part because I love them so much. They have taught me so much about the Gospel, and yet the make Farnsworth and I laugh SO HARD which is a great lightening to my heart. Anyway: love them. Friends for eternity?

--Tuesday: Taught S--- the Plan of Salvation. I was so worried going into it because she seriously does not believe us and hasn't found the desire yet to pray to know: so I wanted this lesson to go well. The Spirit was really strong at the end when I bore testimony of how much I loved her and her family and wanted them to be in the Celestial Kingdom as a family. I was crying: she was crying. Nothing changed on the surface...but I pray that her heart is slowly being opened to this Gospel. The lesson didn't end the way we wanted it to..but she invited us over for dinner next week (out of town this week). I love her so much and want her to receive an answer when she prays....we just have to help her believe that she can. We actually fasted today before we saw her because Farnsworth and I both feel like this area needs some change and we are working so hard to find what it is.

--Wednesday: Exchanges with Sisters Hill and Canon. I went with Sister Hill and expected to see some miracles because of fasting. The day was kind of blah...but then they left us with a commitment: teach simple doctrine. Farnsworth and I think this is the answer we need for this area. People need more truth in their lives. Then they feel the Spirit. Then they WANT to change.Because they have hope that the Savior can help them.

--Thursday: met with A---. The elders turned her over to our love because she's a single mom. Her life is an absolute mess because Satan does NOT want her to do good. We bore testimony that the Lord was more powerful than Satan. She needs a lot of help and I feel like I have been preparing for awhile to be able to be here for her at this time to turn her to her Savior so He can bear these burdens. 

--Friday and Saturday: We met with Sl--- and a new investigator named St---. They both need to pray to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet. I have so much faith that if they were to recieve that sure witness, they would be the most solid members EVER. They already have the strongest relationship with God..........however, I don't feel like they really want to know so I am worried they won't be able to get that answer. The Lord works according to our faith and desires. 

--Saturday and Sunday: Stake conference in Cedar Rapids! We stayed the night with Sisters Hill and Canon at their apartment. Elder Cordon of the 70 come. Very powerful meeting about who the Savior is and how He can help us with anything. We just have to turn to Him. I took so many notes. The Spirit hit me about how grateful I am to be HIS missionary. HE cares about what I do every MINUTE. He has been preparing me each day for things that happen. Being a missionary is the greatest thing I have ever done with my life. It's the greatest thing I have done FOR the rest of my life. It's the greatest thing I ever prepared for. Sam: do everything in your power to get here. You will not regret any sacrifice you take to make it here. Same with heaven. God has more in store for you than you realize. Always always believe that. Anything you sacrifice you make in the Spirit of the Lord is FROM the Lord and He will give you specific blessings for it.

--SO TIRED. All of a sudden I hit this wall where my body wants to fall asleep at any second. I am Dad's child. I don't even feel tired and then BAM! i'm falling asleep during a prayer or studies. Farnsworth and I laugh a lot about it because she does the same thing. I feel guilty, repent, and then keep trying.

Randoms:

(pictures:) SAM IS SO CUTE: love his jersey, hair, and sweet breakfast for mom.

I miss Coral!!!!! Tell her I love her so much! Does she have my address?

missionaries exist in my hometown too? hahah funny!!! we work a lot with our RS pres: so way to go!

Watched a video on Hastening the Work: showed a sweep of missionaries at the MTC: SAW MCKAY QUINN!!! ahahahahah

watched conference with 1. Juarezes 2. church 3. Hannah 4. church. Loved it. sorry, I don't have a ton of notes on it. just felt the spirit.

weather was 82 on friday and I was sweating....today it snowed. #Iowaproblems....

I don't need anything: i am so happy here. THANK YOU FOR THE SPRING CLOTHES.

LOVE YOU SO SO SO MUCH!

Thank you for your prayers. 

-Sister Chloe Sumsion

New Red Coat from Mom
82 yesterday, snowing today!

what happens when Sister Hill and I go on exchanges.... (yes, this is my half of the room) 

PS - Chloe's birthday is April 27th.  I am sure she would love a letter from you.  :)  Thanks.

Cedar Falls, Week 14

Here is what I wrote to sister lloyd today that describes my emotions this week:

• I went to Conference and the first talk was about "gratitude changes everything" and then bednar's was almost cut and paste sections of his "atonement and the journey through mortality" talk--then ended the session with "A child's prayer." {mom: these were main points of her training} I almost cried. It was like your words and God's words intertwined straight into my heart and it felt SO good. I missed you so much this week, Keish: I feel like my mission is steadily getting harder and harder. The more good, the more Satan can twist to bad. I POURED over the email you wrote me a few weeks ago about Satan's inability to create and how he comes after spiritual experiences instead. Three weeks ago today, I got the most spiritual blessing I think I've ever received....and these last three weeks, Satan has been in my mind more than any other time in my mission. I hate it....but I also love it. It's making me turn again and again to my Savior. It's not hard to be here: I love it more than anything and I am happier than I was before the mission........but it's definitely WORK! Remember the Holland quote you left on the back of my little pink book? I recite that in my head almost everyday: Missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. I am getting deeper and deeper into the work of the mission, and I am loving it, despite how tired it's making me. :)  I think the harder I work, the more I feel like you....and the more I want to rely on my Savior. I love you. You changed my life and I hope you know that.      Farnsworth is amazing. She works her butt off so it's EASY to be her companion. 

In Iowa city we were working with 3 people, and now we are working with 14 so I just have a lot going on.....and nothing is really changing. we are working SO hard and I am SO happy....but there is just not a lot to report. please be comforted knowing that I am so so happy to be here.

This week was really good: we had zone training which is SUPER pump-up on missionary work and then two days of conference, plus one day spent painting a member's home. it was SO fun. I love being here. P--- dropped us and Z--- and S--- are not progressing and almost ready to drop us too, but we are holding fast to the hope from Jesus Christ and knowing that this is God's work and we cannot fail where He wants us to. I prayed and fasted for S--- last fast sunday and thought about her in conference. I know Heavenly Father will help us understand what she needs!!!!! but i think a lot of that will come from work on her part because she need to read the BoM and pray about it.

I love you.

-cocobean

(Sister Sumsion)

Cedar Falls Week 13 - new companion Sis. Farnsworth

Oh my word. I love my mission. I am in Cedar Falls still but I have a new companion, Sister Farnsworth. I LOVE HER SO MUCH ALREADY!!!! She is an answer to the hope I had in my heart for another great companion. She works SO HARD and is ready to follow the Spirit. We have had the best studies together. And seen miracles already. Sister Monroe is now in Davenport and I will miss her.  I am grateful to have Sister Farnsworth now. Gosh: can't get over it: she's so great. the beginning of this week I was getting really anxious to "pass on" the area to her. To make sure I knew enough about how to get around and all the info about this place and the people we are working with. Her energy for the work and her confidence in teaching and feeling the Spirit is a perfect breath of fresh air to my heart that was beginning to be worried that I didn't know enough. Plus, the weather turned officially springtime and everyone is SOOOO happy!

We are currently working actively with 13 people. It's CRAZY! I think in Iowa City we had like 5. It is a challenge, but I love each of them so much that it's literally fun to be here.  (she told us about all 13! – edited out)

……

(Sister Farnsworth..) She is a champion. She has no sheets on her bed (we are buying them right after this emailing) but that shows you how dedicated she is to WORK. We have been tryign to plan a road trip to the outlying towns around CF for 3 months now and it kept not working out. We decided today was the day and just WENT. It was so cool. Our area expands like 2 hours East of CF (out to Ackley if you want to Google map it) and we always end up staying here because we have so much to do here. But we went with a list of less-actives to find that bishop gave us, with the idea to find people along the way, so we just headed out.

Coolest part of the day: We get out of the car in the little town of New Hartford with literally a dozen streets in town. we meet a guy outside and talk to him and leave him with a mormon.org card and leave feeling like we had TOTALLY fulfilled our purpose. We ate lunch on the TINY highschool's bleachers and had the best talk EVER about how we had become something truly great because of our past experiences in this world. We drove to a street and looked for this one house: #522. There was a 520, 521, 530. We asked a guy on the street and he didn't know. We lingered for a second, threw our hands in the area and kept driving. For 3 minutes I had a conversation in my head about what I was feeling. I didn't feel right about it. I was trying to understand if the Spirit was trying to speak to me. finally I figured "if it is the Spirit, why not?" I told Farnsworth we needed to go back. We come back to the street, got out. We tried one more house...and then we were able to talk to the random guy on the street again: but this time about the gospel!!!!! And then we turned around: HOUSE 522!!!!!!! It was completely out of order from the rest of the street. I thought to myself: this is what I pictured myself doing in Iowa. This was complete bliss. I felt SO light as we drove through sunlight and cornfields with the windows down. I LOVE being here.  I love the TEENY small towns and the miracles we had there. God is truly directing this work. I know that. With my whole heart.

Love,

Sister Chloe Sumsion

Cedar Falls Week 12

Fortunately for my testimony, sometimes God gives us knowledge and then allows us the opportunity to use it. Saturday was a rough day and it reminded me that missionary work means I'll need to WORK! With our district leader we listened to a really really amazing talk by Elder Holland about how it's SUPPOSED to be hard because Salvation is not a cheap experience and that we can't have this life be easy if we want to be along Jesus Christ in whom life was NEVER easy for. 

I think i've told you about H---, but not really. Here's her brief story:

My companion and I followed some promptings and wound up talking to this desk receptionist on one of my first weeks in Cedar Falls. She is 23 and left the church when she was a teenager. We taught her, she prayed and had an amazing experience, and she is now fully active and we went with her yesterday to receive her Patriarchal Blessing. It was a sweet, sweet experience.I think she and I will be friends for a long time. We each bore testimony on the way home that we were here in this place at this time for this exact reason. It was very powerful.

The Patriarch told us that our blessing is "our personal KEY to receive revelation" I think that means it shows us HOW to. As all things in life, prayerfully study yours today!

Also, a girl named J--- that I found in Iowa City set a baptism date for April 18 and I am SO EXCITED!

Love, 
Sister Sumsion

She gave us her companion's blog this week and we able to read a lot of what Chloe doesn't tell us... :-)  I think one of them will be transferred tomorrow but Sister Monroe has lots of pictures and experiences of the last 12 weeks together...

ofcornfieldsandconversions.blogspot.com