Monday, February 15, 2016

Tracting and Knocking but Not Finding and Not Teaching

Well hi.
I am Sister Ginn.
I am a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
I teach about Jesus Christ and help others to come closer to Christ.
Would you like to learn more?
*loud slamming noises of doors*
Fine, no salvation for you, buddy.

Story of my life.

That's basically my week. Nothing of significance happened at all. All our set lessons cancelled on us. Just a normal life in the day of a missionary.

We are having an all day mission temple trip on April 11th, and in preparation for that we are reading the entire Book of Mormon from the beginning as a mission before that. We are supposed to underline all references to the savior and his atonement in it. So far I have really been able to feel the spirit by doing that. I really like knowing that the whole mission is doing it too.

I found out a few days ago that my reputation in the mission is being the "cute sassy short chick with mad piano skills". I approve.

We had zone meeting this week with the whole zone. It was the last zone meeting before transfers. We talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon in our teaching and how it's through the Book of Mormon that people become converted. Cause it's true. When people read the Book of Mormon, they begin to feel the spirit. When they pray about it, the spirit tells them it is true. The Book of Mormon is essential in the conversion of a soul. Remember that when you are reading it for yourself. Reading it every day will truly help you to fight against Satan who is this huge bully of life. It can protect your family from bad things. I know this. I have seen the power that this book has because it is of God. Gods power cannot be matched. I know this book is true. I feel it. When I hold the Book of Mormon I feel like I am holding a friend. That is like my relationship with God right now.
It's amazing what seven months can do to a person who serves a mission.

Friday I got to see an investigator from Citrus Heights. His name is Roy. He was coming to Lincoln and I was soooooo pumped to see him.
It's so weird to see and have all these relationships with people all at one time as a missionary. I still can't comprehend it. I talk to people all day long. I form relationships with people 24/7. What. What even am I doing? I still have no clue. I'm just listening to the spirit and following the lord. He is my light. I love my Heavenly Father and I love my savior.

Sister Morrison and I are staying together by the way. Transfers are this week and we got the email telling us we are staying in Lincoln 3rd and 6th. I'm so excited because this upcoming transfer is going to seven weeks long instead of six. If I was with any other companion for this up coming transfer I would probably want to strangle them and throw their body in a ditch. So I'm glad it's sister Morrison. I love her <3 a="" and="" are="" be="" bored="" by="" change="" changing="" crap="" day.="" different.="" do="" getting="" going="" her="" home="" i="" in="" is="" it="" lincoln="" m="" missionaries="" most="" much="" nbsp="" now.="" of="" out="" p="" re="" really="" s="" scare="" so="" some="" the="" things="" though.="" to="" training="" transferred.="" used="" very="" we="" weird="" when="" whole="" wonderful.="" zone="">

The elders in the mission are amazing. Some of them are like my brothers. I've never had brothers, but they show me what it's like to have that. Especially Elder Forson, the black elder of the CRM. He is one of my best friends. He really helped me out this week with some discouraging thoughts I had. I am so glad he lives in D.C. because everyone else lives in Utah and I will probably never see them again after the mission, but I'll see Elder Forson. East coast man. Gotta love it.

Sunday was an all regional stake conference for the western part of the US. Elder Renlund spoke to us about how we need to respect others beliefs, but at the same time do not be scared to state your belief.
Be bold in what you believe in, but be loving about it. Don't be scared to stand alone. I need to follow that counsel, especially when other missionaries are being idiots and I don't want to be apart of it.

Happy Valentine's Day to all the lovers, and happy Discount on Candy day to all the single people. Eat as much chocolate as possible to fill the void of loneliness. It works, trust me I know what I'm talking about.

Also random side note I found out my companion hates the way I do door approaches; she didn't tell me to my face but she's been telling everyone else. Don't you just love that? Yeah I'm not great but she's not the best at them either (great way to boost my self esteem right?), so what did you people do who served missions? What were some ways you saw that succeeded so I can do a great door approach and mentally tell my companion to stick it? Answer at your leisure. I get tongue tied sometimes because I get nervous to talk to random people, so sometimes there are silences, which is the part she hates. She doesn't really let me do door approaches, and I didn't know why until now.
Forget that, I do what I want because I know it's the best I can do.
Don't let people make you think there's only one way to do things.
There are PLENTY of ways to do stuff. Be yourself and do the best YOU can do.
- Sister Ginn 2k16

I love you all so very much. You are the best people in my life, all of you reading this. If you aren't reading this I still love you, it's ok that you ignore my emails. You'll be held accountable for it one day at judgement though <3 just="" p="" saying.="">

I LOVE YOU GUYS PEACE OUT GIRLSCOUT

love,

Sister Caroline Elizabeth Ginn




Investigator named Roy

She has my heart!

Squishy faces

Beautiful horse

Cool negative

Two Exchanges This Week

So yes I went on two exchanges, and not that they weren't fun or anything, but I'm done with exchanges until next transfer.

This week went by so fast. Where is the time going? The highlight of my week was we had interviews with President Marston. Let me tell you a bit about our interview.

We were supposed to come up with a goal and a scripture to back up that goal that we wanted to accomplish in the next six months. My goal was to be more confident in myself and to have more charity and love to everyone I meet, even if I don't know them. I want to be more bold, but loving at the same time. My scripture was Isaiah 41:10 (go look it up). President Marston told me that as I develop this goal, I will be better prepared to train and be a sister training leader. He told me I was staying in Lincoln for a while, and he hinted that I might train here soon. Sister Morrison and I are staying together another transfer. President likes to tell everyone what is happening next transfer. We also discussed some things I've been struggling with and he told me to "stand tall in the gospel and it'll be fine." I love him so much, he is the greatest man in the universe. I am so grateful to be here with President Marston. We visited for over an hour. He loves talking to the missionaries.

I went on an exchange with Sister Trease, another sister in Loomis which is right next to Lincoln. She is exactly my height except she's cuter. I love her. We had a lot of fun. I got to drive around my area and get to know it better, so I am not as lost anymore. I like Lincoln because it's small. I love small areas.

Ok so here is the best news I've heard my entire mission: When I was in Tempo Park with Sister Hodge, we found this investigator named Dominique. We talked to her several times, and I gave her a Book of Mormon and challenged her to read it. That was the first Book of Mormon I've ever given away. So fast forward 17 weeks from when I left. I went on an exchange with someone named Sister Taylor, who is currently serving in the tempo park ward. We came out together. She tells me that Dominique is meeting and taking the discussions with the sisters AND SHE REMEMBERS ME AND TALKS ABOUT ME ALL THE TIME. WHAT.
THE. FREAK. I almost died I was so happy. She apparently loves what the sisters are teaching her and she is progressing towards getting baptized. I'm gonna cry. I never hear about the fruits of my labors.
Hearing this proves that serving a mission is worth it. Got that? It's worth it people. SISTER HODGE IF YOU ARE READING THIS GUESS WHAT, WE AREN'T FAILURES IN TEMPO PARK.

We had district meeting this week,  and three of the missionaries go home in a week. They talked about their missions and shared their favorite memory with us about their missions. It was interesting to hear their experiences. It made me realize that's gonna be me in less than a year now. I hit my 7 month mark today. 11 to go. So I better make the best of the time I've got left, cause I only got one shot at this 18 months thing and I can't screw it up.

Sister Morrison and I get along swimmingly. We're really sarcastic to each other and we pull pranks on each other all the time. An elder gave me a nerf gun so I shoot it at her all the time. I've made her fear coming out of the bathroom now and it's great.

We've been working with this less active family called the Morrill family who are all so amazing. The moms name is Briyl and she is single and takes care of her six kids all by herself. She was baptized at 8 and knows nothing about the church and only one of her kids is baptized. We had a family home evening with them at a members house and it was a miracle because that is the first church related thing we could get the family to do since Briyl was baptized. Tender mercies exist and always tell the lord how grateful you are for them.

The church is true. I know it is. Reading scriptures every day really puts a new perspective into your life. It's enlightening.

I hope you all have a good week. Make sure to smile at people, cause that really makes a difference.

Also I hate meetings.

Love

Sister Ginn



Caroline and Sister Trease did exchanges this week together

Did exchanges with all of these sisters

Super smily

The district in Lincoln before transfers

Hello my name is Sister Scary!!!!