I've been in Ruston 'since I was knee high to a grasshopper."

This week has been pretty great! We are busy finding/following up with those we have tracted into.

 

Because of interviews President and Sister McDonough came to the Ruston ward on Sunday. It was really fun to have them there! They are so great! We are teaching an investigator that is a senior at La Tech. We met her at a bible study. We invited her to church on Saturday and she said she is dealing with some family struggles, but that she would try to come to church. SHE CAME! It has been weeks since we have seen an investigator at church! I wanted to cry! She looked beautiful. She said she woke up and just new that if she didn't come she would feel guilty so she opened her closet and an outfit just jumped out to her. She was only able to stay for sacrament meeting, but she said she enjoyed it and said that all the speakers spoke of struggles she is going through. After she left a ton of members came up to us all excited to see who she was they said, "she just had a glow about her." She really does. She is studying the Book of Mormon and praying about the lessons. It's amazing.

 

Jimillah, the lady I told y'all about last week, we saw her yesterday. Her uncle has just passed away. We hadn't given her a copy of the Book of Mormon yet so we explained it to her and then read from Alma 40 and taught her where her uncle is. It brought her a lot of comfort and the spirit was very strong.

 

Anyways, that's all for this week. We're working hard to find the elect here in Ruston, Louisiana. May God ever guide are steps.

 

Love, Sister Hartley

 

Scripture: James 1:27

Southernism: I've been in Ruston 'since I was knee high to a grasshopper."

I don't know enough about football

Well today marks the start of a new transfer! I will be staying in Ruston with Sister Davis and Sister Bender.

 

 So many trees here and ground squirrels. There's trees here, not sure what they're called but they have beautiful white blossoms and they are beautiful! The weather yesterday and today is soooo nice. Yesterday was a service day before transfers. We deep cleaned are apartment and then we went to some members' homes and did service. The sun feels so nice! I've missed it!

 

On Thursday we were out tracting and we knock on a door to this young mother and she was busy, but said we could come back tomorrow. We went back on Friday and she wasn't there, but her husband assured us she would be home soon and to come check back. We did and they were busy with friends, but we told them that we wanted to do a harvest prayer for them and they really wanted it so we sceduled for Sunday. We went back Sunday night and they were waiting for us! They have recently moved to Ruston and when we asked what they wanted mentioned in the prayer the mother says, "a small church family." Well if any church has a small family in Ruston it would be us! We are seeing them again this week and I am so excited!

 

We had a powerful experience this past Saturday. Before we started tracting we said a prayer that we would be able to get into a home and set someone with a baptism date (we've really been pushing this lately...can't triple the baptisms if we don't triple the number of people we invite). We get out of the car and knock on the door and we get invited in right away! First door!  Deondra and Jamillah. We taught them the Restoration and they were a little distant but as soon as Sister Bender recited Joseph Smith's vision they both looked right at her and felt the spirit! We invited them to be baptized on Mar. 29 and Jamillah practically screamed and says, "That's my birthday and I've been praying for a church!" Wow! Miracle miracle!

 

We are going to a state park here in a little bit. I've been wanting to go forever but the weather and timing has been off. We're going today though and I'm super happy!

 

Bishop Huckaby is big into football. We're talking 6'5 BYU Alumni. Anyways he was asking me what standards Canadian colleges and highschools use. Like size of field and stuff. Trying to get his trust so could you please help me with that?! Thanks.

 

Love y'all!

Sweet, Sweet, Sister Love

Saw Sister Giddins

Tracting In The Rain

Elder Larson (AP) He Is Going Home

Elder Thomas (ZL) He Is Going Home

Zone  Conference

This past week flew right on by. We had so much going on. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday we were in Monroe for Zone Conference and then stake conference. Sister Davis's Visa has not come yet; however, three other missionaries in the MJM got theirs. The closing hymn at zone conference was "I'll go where you want me to go." and while we sang it Sister Davis wept and by the end of the song all three of us were crying. I have faith that she will receive it shortly. She needs to. She works so hard.

 

We had a miracle this week. The Elders gave us a referral for someone in are area. Her name is Jenette and she is blind (there is blind school here in Ruston, it is super neat!) Anyways we taught her a little bit and gave her the Book of Mormon on cd. She is so sweet. When we invited her to be baptized she spoke of how she had never been baptized before (a rare thing for the south). She said that if she knew it was true she would be baptized! Ya!

 

Many of those whom we are teaching are not progressing. I have so much faith and I see so much potential in all of them, but I can't use their agency for them, though it's tempting. We have been diligent in our tracting, but we have not found the elect here quite yet. After we did numbers last night I just looked at all the low numbers and began to cry. We talked about it as a companionship and I spoke of how I felt we needed more faith and diligence in our finding. We have committed to be diligent at talking to all those whom we come in contact with. There's someone prepared here in Ruston, we just need to faithfully find them.

 

The members down here are so sweet to us. Sweet sweet Sister Love gave us a ride and after we all get in the car she starts handing out chicken salad sandwiches and a Dr. Pepper :) ! She's so sweet. I look around and find that all the cars left in the parking lot are members who drove missionaries and we are all eating from coolers and such. It was just a sweet tender moment! It sounds simple, but it was so sweet to see.

 

Zone Conference was really good. It was good to see President and Sister McDonough for three days in a row. President says, "Sister Hartley I see you don't have as many layers on today." I just laughed and said, "President I hung my coat out in the foyer because I'm trying to be tough today!" Then I checked my email from him and this is what he wrote, "It was also wonderful to be with you at the Monroe Stake Conference. Finally, a meeting without gloves on." :) I have the best mission president!

 

Well that's all for this week. Time is going by fast. Transfers are next Tuesday so I wont be emailing until then. I'm pretty sure I'll be staying put in Ruston. That is what I want. There's still someone I need to teach here.

 

Sister Hartley

Ruston Missionaries

Sunny and 75

Well this week we have seen the sun so I'm feeling good! We had a lot of awesome things happen this week! We were able to to drive to some nearby communities to visit a returning member and referral! I was able to see green grass, cows, horses, fences, and beautiful Louisiana homes. I was in heaven and Sister Bender said, "Look at all the tender mercies the Lord is given you!"

 

Sister Davis has been in the MJM about 11 months and her visa has not come for Brazil. A few days ago she comes into the study room and says, "Sister Hartley, I know what we need to do to have my Visa come. I need a miracle and I need all y'alls help. Obedience brings blessings, but exact obedience brings miracles. This next week we and the Elders have to be exactly obedient. I have never felt so strong about anything in my life, we have to do this." Well what could I say to that, but "I'm here for ya Sister!" So on Saturday night we had the Elders give us blessings and yesterday we had a fast. We need miracles in this area, for Sister Davis, and are investigators, and finding. We have so many who are so close to baptism, but they each have things that are holding them back. We need miracles. I loved my blessing Elder Bradshaw gave me. It was the first one I have had since the MTC. We call our District leaders are dad so when it was my turn to have a blessing they asked who I wanted to give it. I looked at Elder Bradshaw and said, "I need my dad to give it." It was a beautiful blessing and I felt that the words he spoke were the words Dad would have said if he were here. It was beautiful. I love the Elders and the priesthood. Well after that we are all on each others tails and doing everything in our power to be exactly obedient. We went to the Pearcy's after. They are  blind. We try to see them once a week. They are an inspiration to us all and we love them with all our hearts. We prayed in the car that we would be able to serve them in some way. While we knock on the door and before we can say Hi, Sister Pearcy explains that she has bad allegrys and she needed us to go to WalGreens and get some medicine. Boom. Miracle #1. Love Miracles! Love Them!!

 

Well, that's all for this week. Life is good here in the MJM.

 

Sister Hartley

 

Scripture: The last two verses in Enos. Written Beauitfully!

Churches, Rednecks, and Camo = The South

Janice just came from square dance class

Valentine's Dinner

Hello Dear Family!

 

I loved all the pictures, thanks so much for sending them to me! Well a lot of crazy experiences have happened this past week. I cannot count the number of times I have been told that this is the coldest winter Louisiana has had in years. I literally haven't seen the sun for two weeks. It has been overcast and cold cold cold. I've worn thick tights, leggings overtop with socks and I finally decided to wear my hoodie under my coat because I never take my coat off! On Tuesday we heard that an ice storm was rolling in. It got really cold and then it started to rain and then it turned into snow/ice pelts. It was crazy. It was silent and all you could hear was the sound of the ice pelts bouncing off the sidewalk. We went to Janice's for dinner that night and the drive back was very slick. I felt right at home. Well because freak things like this don't happen a lot the entire town shutdown. We woke up Wednesday morning to ice everywhere. On the car, road, roof, grass...it was everywhere. We were cautioned to stay in are apartment so we didn't go out to work until about two. I was going crazy. Then the power went out for a while. My companions wanted to go out and deice the car - they thought it was a hoot. Well the ice eventually melted and now this week is supposed to be nice. No tights, and we can actually dress cute. The grass is starting to get green as well.

 

Our Area has been struggling, we are working hard and increasing are faith in finding the elect here in Ruston.

 

That's all for this week. Love y'all and I'm enjoying my time here in Ruston Louisiana!

 

Sister Hartley

 

Scripture: 1 Nephi 13: 41-42 (we have to work to be saved!)

Ice Storm

Thank you for your prayers

This week we have seen many miracles and tender mercies from the Lord. On Thursday it was soooo cold! We had planned to do two hours of tracting. We were all bundled up and out knocking doors. We were all freezing, but we all knew we needed to do it so we wouldn't get behind. Well we knocked on a couple doors and got some pretty harsh words spoke to us. We were pretty taken back and frustrated that we were so cold and hated. Well we mustered up some faith and knock on the next door. It's a family and they let us in right off the bat and have a great conversation with them. It was amazing, the spirit was really strong. Then the next door we knock on we were able to give a Book of Mormon to a man who was excited to read it (Thank-you for your prayers, they really work!) after that house we knocked on another door and they let us in as well! We were so grateful to the Lord for blessing us. It was a testimony to us all of diligence and persistence. My testimony has really been strengthened from opposition we have had. It is how we grow.

 

On Saturday we had an awesome day! It was a day full of members and missionaries coming together. In the morning we helped Sarah, an investigator, move. It was amazing, us and the elders were there along with the bishop and a few other members from the ward. It was so fun to all come together and help a family out who needed it. In the afternoon we had three member present lessons in a row! It was amazing and really strengthened my testimony of members in lessons. One of them was a church tour. The spirit was so strong as we showed an investigator around the church and had her look at all the paintings. The spirit was powerful. 

 

I have a strong testimony that this work will hasten if the members jump on board.

 

We have a busy week ahead of us, but it's full of service to our Savior and bringing souls unto him. Can't get any better than that.

 

Love y'all and have a joyous experience at the temple!

 

Sister Hartley  

How we stay warm.

Eating at Subway just for Melissa!

We both are twins, and our other twin is serving a mission also.

"Not my pig, not my farm"

 A returning member in our ward took us to get pedicures! It was so great! My toes have a French tip! I was worried about my ticklish problems, but I did pretty good!

I had a great week! Even though we are at the library late, two of are investigators happened to be here so we could set up appointments with them! Yeah!

 'm learning a ton from my two companions. They are awesome and good missionaries.

I watched this video the other day and you all should watch it for family home evening. 

http://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/special-broadcast?lang=eng#media=47537905441776330780-eng

 Love Sister Hartley!

Scripture: Alma 13:10 (the whole chapter is good)

Southernism: Leora, a returning member, said this today in response to something that wasn't her worry, "not my pig, not my farm." haha

We're a tall companionship

Leora, she spoiled us with our pedicures, so nice and thoughtful.

Sister Davis, she has a twin on a mission.

Love Sister Hartley!

Scripture: Alma 13:10 (the whole chapter is good)

Southernism: Leora, a returning member, said this today in response to something that wasn't her worry, "not my pig, not my farm." haha