Flats, Bikes, and Helmets

Yup. The weather got to 89 degrees this week. That means, BIKING! We biked all over the place! My legs are getting stronger and stronger! Which is great because they were getting pretty weak ha-ha. Although the weather has cooled off a bit, it's still pretty warm and the flowers are already starting to blossom :) Spring in Maryland is GREAT! This week we found a new investigator named Lynda while biking :) We stopped to talk to her and she seemed really sad. As we talked, we learned that she had been going to a Catholic church for years; she was raised in that church, but 12 years ago she had three family members die from cancer within 5 months of each other, and she never found answers to her questions in church, so she stopped going. Her faith dwindled and she now struggles to believe that there even is a God. As we talked, we told her we had answers, that, though we're young, we have truth and we wanted to share that with her. She said, "why not?" and invited us back. As we taught her, she asked questions all the time and you could see the Spirit testifying to her heart that this is true. She wants to believe it! And she's willing to change her life around so she can be happy. And it's her willing heart that is going to change her life! I can't wait to see how she progresses! 

This week we had a quick party after District meeting, which included pizza, root beer floats, and games. I love parties with missionaries :) I also hit my 9 month mark this week. Some missionaries do weird things like burn clothing... instead I took a picture of myself with a pregnant belly for my 9 month... either way, missionaries are weird. 

We saw many miracles trying to get in contact with some less-actives this week and we have many appointments set up to teach this next week! I'm excited about those :) 

Sister Larsen's Dad was in D.C. for a business trip and we got permission to go to dinner with him! That made Sister Larsen pretty happy! (Don't get any ideas, Mom). We were treated to Panera's, our favorite :) He's a cool guy :) And while we were there, two people sitting across from us kept looking over at us and commenting about the light that they saw in us. As we were walking out, they stopped and talked to us. People notice our light! It's not just something missionaries have. Everyone who lives the gospel has it! They noticed, a young boy noticed (children notice it a lot; I love it!), some less-actives noticed it, and an older man on the street stopped to ask us why we were always so happy. Whether you think so or not, you are being noticed. Think about the image you send to people. Do they see light? Can they see Christ in your countenance? If they can, that's how you can share the gospel. Think about that. 

Funny quote of the week: "I know I have a bible around here somewhere... I'm not always a sinner..." ha-ha, I love these people out here!

Oh, and guess who came to visit me in Odenton this week! The Haddoxes! Oh how I love them. If you see me tagged in a video eating Octopus on Facebook, ignore it. Nobody needs to see that. ha-ha, I love them. And Brother Haddox helped me realize that I actually like eel now; my Dad would be so proud (but I'll stay away from the Octopus from now on...).

So, this week the church came out with a new Easter video!! Go see it right now! followhim.mormon.org It's amazing! And Share it on social media! Share it like crazy! People need the message we have! Do it :) You'll love it :) Christ rose again the third day. He literally broke the bands of death. Because of Him, death has no sting. We have hope. He will be your Mediator to the Father. He is your partner. And with Him, you will never lose. The church is so true! Don't ever take for granted the knowledge you have. I love you all so much and I'm so grateful to be here right now. Thank you for your examples and your prayers and your love. I feel them. I wouldn't be able to do this work without Divine help, so thank you.

Scripture of the Week: 2 Nephi 31:20

Quote of the Week: "I have discovered that the Lord's 'no's' are merely prelude to an even greater 'yes'" - Patricia Holland

Love, 

Sister Humphrey

P.s. Sister Larsen and I put a Book of Mormon in one of those Free Libraries we found. If you ever see one, do the same! It's the best :) 

Here's To Round Two

Exchange calls came this week, and guess who gets to stay in Odenton with Sister Larsen!!! This Sister! Yup. I'm pretty excited about it. We both get to celebrate big milestones together this transfer. I'll be hitting my 9 month mark this week and she'll be hitting her year mark on the 25th. We'll get to celebrate Easter together, watch General Conference together, and celebrate my birthday together. It's like a match made in heaven ;) Ha-ha. For real, though. This is going to be the best transfer. And our entire district stayed the same and only 3 people in our whole zone are leaving. It's crazy! So that's been neat! 

This week we had an amazing opportunity to pick up a GOLDEN investigator! Her name is Sarah and she just asked us questions for the entire hour we were over there! She wanted to know everything about prophets, and why we had them and all about why our church is unique and it was the best! She was really testing us with her questions, but apparently we passed the test (obviously, because it's true) because we get to teach her again on Tuesday and she wants us to teach her fiancé, too. So that was amazing! 

We got to go on exchanges this last week with the Fort Meade sisters, meaning my last companion Sister Brown and Sister Gudmunson, one of the Sisters that came out with me in the MTC! I went to Fort Meade with Sister Gudmunson while Sister Brown went to O-town with Sister Larsen. It was such a good exchange! Sis. Gudmunson is just so awesome :) She's making a timeline of the Book of Mormon, too. She's so smart! We saw exchange miracles as we talked to these two ladies on the street. They'd had a bad day, but as we were talking with them, they just loved what we had to hear! We gave them a Book of Mormon, testified like bosses, then got their number and address so those Sisters can teach them! Boom! The Lord's work is Hastening :) It's so cool to be a part of it, too :) I learn so much from these sisters. I think I say that every time after exchanges, but it's always so true. They teach me more and more each time. 

One thing I've learned as a missionary, is that people recognize you as a missionary, even without seeing the tag. Three separate people at the grocery store this week have stopped to talk to us more about the church, just by seeing and knowing who we were. It was sweet :) 2 of them said they'd come to church, too! 

We also had an amazing MLC (Missionary Leadership Council) this Friday! Elder Perkins came to talk with us and help us out with our mission. And I just found out that I'm apparently (distantly) related to him. But not all that distantly. So that's cool.

One huge take away from that meeting: The Lord's work is TRULY hastening! More and more people are requesting missionary visits than ever before. Our new investigators are increasing each week. More people are getting baptized and the quality of our teaching is improving. Nothing but good things for the Maryland Baltimore Mission (The BEST mission in the world!). Seriously, though. This work is Hastening. And I'm so grateful to be a part of it right now. A fun thing, too, from that meeting; Elder Perkins was interrupted by Elder Holland calling him (I'm totally not complaining) and Elder Holland got to tell us he loves us and is praying for us all! How neat! I feel super special right now :) So that was just awesome.

And that was our week. Our other investigators are still awesome. It's a long process with them, but they all know it's true. It's just a matter of whether or not they'll chose to live it. We're also working with some great less active members who are working on coming back! One of them came to church yesterday and got up and bore her testimony. Her son got baptized on Saturday and later that evening had asked his mom (this woman bearing her testimony) if she was a member of the church. She answered affirmatively, then, without missing a beat, he asked, "Then why don't you go?" BOOM! She said it was like a slap in the face, a huge reality check. Kids can be bold like that and the parents still love them :) So she set her mind to go to church. No matter how much she hurt sometimes (She has a lot of health problems) because she knew she could either hurt at church or hurt at home, nothing would change except for the strength of her spirit. SO she's coming now. All because of her young son's example. There's a reason each and every one of us are in the families we are in. It's to strengthen each other and to help each other. We're all in it together, and it was so cool to see that change of heart.  I LOVE THE GOSPEL! Okay, that's all for now. I love you all and I hope you have a fantastic week! Send me your miracles! 

Quote of the Week: "We learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass." - Thomas S. Monson

Scripture of the Week: Mormon 5:23 (Thanks to Mom for sharing that scripture with me).

 Also, shout out to one of my best friends, ALEXIS WHEELER for getting married (I guess it's not Wheeler anymore...)! Congrats!!! I love you!

Love, 

Sister Humphrey

Pictures at the Naval Academy

2/29/16

That picture of the boat: the boat is hand made out of bones! 

Love, 

Sister Humphrey

A Little Something About Maryland

So, I was told me group email didn't send last week, so here it is again. If you already got it, I'm sorry for the resend, but here it is :) Group pictures to follow this email. 

2/29/16 

I LOVE IT HERE! So there's that. This week hasn't been too busy. We had to stay inside for the majority of the week because of Sister Larsen's procedure, but that's okay! You'll all be happy to know that she's okay :) All is well and the work continues! 

Last Monday, Sister Larsen and I got to go roller-blading with two of our investigators, Olivia and Destiny! It was a blast! On Tuesday we picked up a new investigator named Chantell! She's a sweet mom of two boys and SO ready for the gospel! I love how ready these people are! 

On Wednesday Sister Larsen had her procedure. All went well and we got to go out for lunch with Sister Christiansen :) She's the best. I love her so much! As we were driving, a huge branch decided to get stuck under our car, so we had to lay on the cold wet gravel to try to move it free... yeah, that didn't happen, so Sister Christiansen told us to just keep driving and hopefully it would wear down enough to break free. And it did! Ha-ha, just my luck, right? 

We also got to go on exchanges with the Kent Island Sisters! I went to Kent Island with Sister Blosch, and it's seriously so beautiful there! We biked all day (It's the first time I've biked in a skirt) and it was freezing, but totally worth it! So much fun :) Sister Blosch is amazing, also, and I'm learning lots from her! She is pretty new to missionary work, but she's already an amazing missionary. 

Yesterday was a miracle day! I love the Sabbath :) Church was amazing, and we had dinner with a great family! So missionary-minded. We also met with two less active families that no one in our ward really knows about. They're both awesome! Totally ready to come back to the church! We had a great lesson with them both, and one family even fed us Oreos and milk. What's better than that?! So, yeah. It was a great week :)

And we just got done touring the US Naval Academy! I just might join the Navy now ha-ha. Pictures will be attached! Maryland is BEAUTIFUL! And it's getting warmer!

I wanted to quickly share an excerpt from an email I received from an amazing member in the Martinsburg ward. She shared with me a story her missionary son shared with her this week and I thought it was completely applicable to my week and my mission. So here goes: 

"Elder, told us this in his email this week.  They went to visit someone who wasn't home so he talked to their teenage neighbor Christopher, 'As we talked, I learned that his father passed away last year, and he hasn't been as motivated since. I also learned that he has a friend who is VERY into the Bible, and a scripture this friend shared at a lecture has stuck in his mind ever since. He asked me for a motivational Bible scripture, but all I could think of to share was the following:

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

I hope we meet him again, because the gospel is exactly what he needs. Isn't it funny how often that occurs? The gospel is exactly what people need, and they just don't realize it. I think that's the case because Jesus Christ's Atonement is so powerful that it can fix literally anything. There is no life so broken that the Savior cannot mend it. There is no wound so deep that the Savior cannot reach it. There is no obstacle that He cannot remove; and if He chooses not to remove one, He will lift us over it instead. What great promises those are!'"

Like he said, the gospel is exactly what people need. It applies to them because it's for them! Every single person you pass by on the street, at work, or at school. They need the gospel. Think about that the next time you get the prompting to share something with them. 

Missionary work is truly the best. I can't believe I've been a missionary as long as I have. Time is flying by; something I never thought I'd be able to say. I love my mission. I love being a missionary. I love this gospel and I LOVE my Savior and Father in Heaven. They've done everything for me. I can't put in to words my feelings for them. The song "I can only imagine" Keeps playing in my head as I think of my Savior and Father. One day I'll see Them again, and I can only imagine what that glorious reunion will be like. 

I hope you know that God loves you. No matter what you're going through, He's there. That is my simplest testimony. 

Keep on Keepin' on!

Quote of the Week: "I make you a promise that God will not forsake you if you will walk in His paths with the guidance of His commandments." - Gordon B. Hinckley

Scripture of the Week: D&C 18:28

Shout out to my Daddy for turning 51 on the 23rd! You're the best! I love you! 

Love, 

Sister Humphrey

The Windows of Heaven Have Opened

   So, basically my companion and I have been very blessed this week. Let's just say, being a missionary is the best thing ever! As we've been studying, we've been thinking a lot about positive thinking, which I think I mentioned in one of my previous emails. Go read Alma 36 and ponder the effects of positive thinking as you read! It's so amazing! If that doesn't show you how much your thoughts affect your life, I don't know what would. 

     So, this week started with a lot of walking. On Monday our cars were grounded because it started snowing a little bit (seriously, there was barely an inch on the ground). So we walked in freezing rain all night, but we saw more miracles! As we were walking, we felt impressed to go visit one of our investigators Amethyst. She's just awesome and this week has been a crazy one with her. She lived a few miles away from us, though, so we knew it'd be a rough walk in the freezing cold. We said a prayer and kept walking. Shortly before we arrived to her home, a member family drove up to us. They'd seen us walking and offered a ride, then practically demanded that we call them when we're done so they could give us a ride home :) We had a miracle lesson with Amethyst and got to spend more time with her. #PrayerWorks.

On Tuesday we had a wonderful Zone Conference with President and Sister Christiansen. Sister Larsen and I got to "report" on our area and all of the miracles we've seen while focusing on spiritually planning! It was the best :) We've seen so many miracles here in Odenton, and it was amazing to just write it all down and see a glimpse of the work the Lord is doing with us. We are truly instruments in the Lord's hands, and I hope I can keep refining myself to be the best instrument I can be. We also watched a little ABC Lifetime documentary on "Mormon Sister Missionaries"... it was basically the funniest thing of my entire life. People really don't know much about us at all! Just FYI, Sister Missionaries aren't serving just to get the attention of men and manipulate them into believing this is true. That's just not our purpose ha-ha. 

     We also had many miraculous visits with some less-active sisters in our ward. We got to talk to one of them about serving a mission and her heart was totally softened to that idea! She'd be a great missionary :) We also got to teach Amethyst more about being a missionary, and she wants to be one someday! She had a very dramatic week and it's been really rough, but as we've been teaching her the Atonement and repentance, she's been changing. She could influence SO many. She already is. And I hope one day she accepts all of the blessings of Christ's atonement. That would be a glorious day.

     On Friday, I got to go on exchanges with the Hermanas! Hermana Tuttle came with me :) She's so funny! I love being able to learn from these Sisters as a Sister Training Leader. I know the Lord is able to work through me to truly help these sisters and I saw that on exchanges. Hermana Tuttle and I also saw miracles in Odenton! We picked up a new investigator, Crystal. She's a mother of 3 and so totally prepared :) We had an amazing lesson with Amethyst, and got to do some service for a less-active member in the ward who is really really struggling. As we were talking with her, she shared her experience with the Holy Ghost and how He's been able to help her stop smoking! She's been smoke free for a month now!! The light has started to come back into her eyes. After exchanges, Sister Larsen went over there again and even more light filled her countenance. We talked with her and found out she'd just barely forgiven this man who had repeatedly abused her. She'd talked with him and given it all to God. She forgave. And her burden was lifted. She had that light and happiness. It was visible and it was evident. I haven't seen many people change overnight, because change is gradual, but that action she took literally changed her. She's been working on it for a really long time, but she finally let the Atonement work in her life. She came to church yesterday for the first time in a really long time. The light is back in her life. And she's been changed!

     At that visit with the less-active member, we also got to teach her daughter (one of our investigators) the Restoration, and two of her friends were there! The friends LOVED the message and they came to church yesterday, too! We picked up two new investigators in that visit. 

     On Saturday, after exchanges, we had our Social Media Split Saturday, so maybe y'all will see me on Social Media! We also had lunch with a potential investigator, Natasha, and she is amazing! She has been looking for the right church for a while now and she truly wants to find it. She wants to have that personal revelation and guidance in her life. We taught her the Restoration and about the Book of Mormon and she LOVED it! She's been reading and studying it like crazy! She couldn't come to church yesterday, but she's coming next week! #NewInvestigator

That same Saturday, we found another new investigator! At dinner with a member family, a neighbor walked into their home obviously distraught. She's been grieving over the loss of her husband recently, and there was so much pain in her eyes. Over dinner, we and the family taught her about Christ. She was in SO much pain. She had no hope. Nothing. She didn't have the gospel. She didn't know Christ was there for her. She literally had no hope. I can't even imagine what that would feel like. But as we taught her, she kept looking at the picture of Christ this family had in her kitchen. She went from not believing in Christ, to yearning for the truth of His existence. She found a little ember of hope and clung to it. We'll be going back to teach her on Tuesday. 

So, basically this week was full of miracles. We found five new investigators, and we are currently teaching 10 prepared people. God is SO good. SO good. 

I love being a missionary and I never want this feeling to end. 

Scripture of the Week: D&C 58: 2-4

Quote of the Week: "Never stop striving for the best that is within you. Never stop hoping for all of the righteous desires of your heart. But don't close your eyes and hearts to the simple and elegant beauties of each day's ordinary moments that make up a rich, well-lived life." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Love, 

Sister Humphrey

P.S. I don't think I ever put my new address in my group email, so if any of y'all want to right me, I'd love to hear from you! Oh, and s'mores with caramel and chocolate are basically the best things ever. And with Reese's. Try it. 

448 Placid Ct. Apt. M

Odenton, MD 21113

The Greatest Act of Charity

I hope you all had an amazing Valentine’s Day yesterday! As I was studying charity and reflecting on the Love our Father in Heaven and Savior have for us, I was thinking a lot about the Atonement. The Atonement allows us to change. It allows us, not only to be saved, but to progress. God wants the best for us, just as any father would want for his child, so He provided a way for us to become our best selves and have eternal happiness. The only way that was possible was through the Atonement. And that sacrifice our Brother, Jesus Christ, made for us, was the greatest act of charity ever performed. He gave his whole life for you. For me. For all you have lived and will yet live on this earth. He not only died for us, but he suffered for us. Just as you and I suffer, He suffered infinitely more. And the only motivation He had for doing that was His love for me and you. There was no reward. No glory. Nothing. Only His love. Imagine that love for a moment. And I hope you smile and reflect in awe as you do so.

So, whether you felt alone this Valentine’s Day or you had someone by your side, remember, you always have your Savior and your Father. And that's a blessing I can't even describe. 

This week I hit my 8 month mark! That's pretty crazy! One of our investigators opened the door and let us in, walked away for a moment, and never came back... she decided then would be a good time to take a shower, I guess ha-ha. Another one of our investigators constantly tells her children when they are misbehaving, "Do you know what time it is? The hospital is...?" And they always reply, "CLOSED!" ha-ha, she has taught them well. I also met NSA retired spies. That's pretty cool ha-ha. I also got to see the Coach from "Meet the Mormons". He's in my Stake. So, basically I'm famous by association, right? 

We saw so many miracles again this week! We picked up a new investigator, a daughter of a less-active sister. She's 10 years old and super crazy, but hilarious. We were over and somehow (because of the Spirit) we were able to teach her about God and get her to open up. Sister Larsen and I knew exactly what to say and whatever she said, I was thinking and vice-versa. That's when you truly know the lesson is being led by the Spirit. The young girl opened up more than ever and asked us to continue to teach her! So we are! She went from being completely uninterested in the church to wanting to know more in one lesson! And she's been so excited to meet with us ever since ;) Miracles, I tell ya! Then we had a great miracle lesson with our investigator Amethyst. She has some things to work through, but she knows this gospel is true. Now she just has to do something about it :) She's awesome. I love her lots and I can't wait to see her progress in the gospel. #miracles - they happen. 

I got to make Tilapia for my companion this week. And she made me a cheeseburger for Valentine’s Day. We ate chocolate and had an indoor picnic to celebrate the holiday. I'd say we're good for each other :) She also said the FUNNIEST THING EVER and I have to quote her. So we were talking about dumb boys we've dated and she said, "The only things that helped me get over him were listening to general conference talks, going to the temple, and Jesus... I mean, Taylor Swift!" My response: "YOU JUST REPLACED JESUS WITH TAYLOR SWIFT!" Ha-ha, it was the funniest thing ever. 

We had Stake conference this weekend where I got to hear from many people including President and Sister Christiansen on Saturday (they're seriously the best). The topic for both days was making the Sabbath a delight, and it's been a pretty hot topic throughout my entire mission. As I was pondering why that would be so important (and it really is important) I was thinking about how Heavenly Father prepares His children. Well, I'm here to tell you, He's preparing us. The time we live in is rough. And it's just getting worse. But God gives us SO many promises and blessings as we dedicate the Sabbath to Him. He's asking us to keep that day holy, so He can protect us and strengthen us throughout the week. Everything He asks us to do is for our own benefit. He wants us Sin-resistant, and He knows that keeping the Sabbath day holy (AND delighting in it! You get to rest from your own labors, for goodness-sake) is an essential part of that. His counsel is perfect. And the leaders of this church, although human, have received Divine inspiration and revelation on what we need right now. Heed their counsel. They know what they're talking about. 

I hope you all have a great week! Stay strong and keep going. Remember, you are loved. 

Scripture of the Week: Alma 26:27

Quote of the Week: "I testify that bad days come to an end, that faith always triumphs, and that heavenly promises are always kept." - Jeffrey R. Holland

Love, 

Sister Humphrey

P.S. No pictures to send this week because my camera decided to have a low battery. I'll send some next week! 

O-town is the Best Town

So, this week was AMAZING! And full of miracles. My companion has been a little sick, so we had to stay in a bit this week, but God provides miracles for us when we go out and work! We had the amazing opportunity of finding FOUR new investigators this week! AND three of them are praying about being baptized in March! How cool is that? Unfortunately we haven't been able to meet with Amethyst, one of our investigators, this week, but hopefully next week. We're praying for her and we know she's ready to change and be baptized, but it might take some time. 

Sister Larsen and I have basically planned our future together as best friends. She's still trying to convince me go to school at BYUI. Still not sure if that would ever happen, but she is hoping! 

Oh, and we got to go to the Temple this week! That has been the HIGHLIGHT of my entire week. There's so much to learn there and I just want to learn it all! But there's also so much peace. And I love to see the temple. I'm grateful for the opportunity I have to go. There is strength and there is power within those walls. I encourage you all to go soon, even if you just sit on the temple grounds. There is peace.

We also have so many less-active who are progressing in the Gospel! They're starting to come back to church and we get to see their lives change! It's the best. Sister Larsen and I have been talking a lot about positive thinking, and about believing in God and we've had such enlightening conversations about it. Positive thinking can bring (some) people out of depression. I've seen it in my own life as well as the lives of others (no that does not mean all people should just talk positively. Some help may be necessary). But by changing our mindset, we can change our lives. It all starts with our thoughts. That's why living the Law of Chastity is about so much more than just staying physically clean. It's about thinking positively and keeping virtuous thoughts in your mind. And there are SO many blessings that come from that! As we've been talking about believing in God, we've discussed many atheist views that we've seen in our own lives and in the scriptures. I don't want to speak too much about this, but as we've studied the scriptures, every single person who tried to persuade others that there was no Christ or God has always admitted that they "always knew there was a God" (take Alma 30:30-52 for example). People get hurt. Life is hard. But there is SO MUCH EVIDENCE of there being a God. Why else would we be on this Earth? His plan is so perfect. And we can see Him everywhere. Unfortunately, some people are hurt so much that it can be hard to see clearly. Many tell me I follow a blind belief, but I know that I see more because I know there is a God; and I know there is a Savior. And that's where true happiness is found. 

If you haven't yet read "Believing Christ" I would encourage you to do so now. Gaining a testimony and letting wounds heal all starts with prayer. Try it out. There's no harm in asking, and I can promise you you'll get an answer. God is just waiting to let you know that He is there. It's no surprise that "ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you" is repeated in the scriptures so many times. It's an invitation to act. And as we act on that invitation, we receive way more than we could ever ask for. 

There is hope. There is light. There is life. And it's all possible through our Heavenly Father's perfect plan and our Savior's great Atoning sacrifice. This life is amazing, and I hope each and every one of you can feel that love and enjoy those blessings our Father wants to give you. 

I love you all and I pray for you often. I know the greatest happiness can only be found in this Gospel. And I hope you all find that more and more each day.

Quote of the Week: "Have the courage to be a light for others to follow." -President Monson

Scripture of the Week: Matthew 5:16

Stay strong. God is with you. 

Love, 

Sister Humphrey

Oh, and the last two pictures: sister Larsen and I have been obsessed with funny birthday cards. This one was one of our favorites...