Happy New Year!

Dearest love ones....

I can not put into words how hard it was for me to push end on that ipad on wednesday. I am so lucky to have such crazy loving and supportive family. christmas was one of the best Christmas's I have ever had. I was VERY aware of the real meaning of christmas.

christmas Eve and Christmas were filled with singing christmas songs and being with the people I love. We spent Christmas Eve at a nonmembers home and saw some hearts being softened because of the spirit of Christmas. We also went to a senior missionary couples home and Christmas caroled and had a white elephant and talent show. We had a totes wicked time.

Christmas we did our usual studies, read about the savior and his birth, sang lots of Christmas hymns and read a lot of scriptures. I will never forget the strong sense of peace that overcame me. Even though i was across the country, away from my family, i felt at home. I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost, our comforter for the feelings of peace and love and warmth I had this Christmas! There are no words to describe the power of peace that comes from the Savior and his messanger, the Holy Ghost. These feelings will be a memory I will reflect on for the rest of my life, that's for sure.

We spent a lot of our time at the Schlossers home, one of my favorite families here. They are so fun. They made us feel like family for sure :) shout out to the SCHLOSSER FAMILY!!

I am too blessed!!

Christmas night I came down with a horrible sickness. It was sooo bad, I was up all night coughing up a lung it felt like. I had to learn a hard lesson on humility this week, I am too prideful to say I am sick, so I kept working and got even more sick. Sister Tarwater helped me to recognize the importance of rest when I'm sick..haven't really learned that still. My mentality is I can rest when I'm home! I only have 6 months left out here!!  Scary.... but multiple missionaries came up and told me I am not being effective, so I took the advice and grudgingly rested. I got better too. Who woulda knowwwwn?!?! Despite these trials, we found 3 new investigators this week, which is a miracle because we had hardly any days to procelyte due to Christmas Eve, Christmas, and my infirmities. I am so excited for the new year. New investigators, added burst of excitement.. this is going to be a great year.

I am so grateful for my Savior. My testimony of Him, our Father in Heaven and this gospel grows immensely every single day. I know that He loves me and is aware of ALL of us. He made me feel at home and happy on Christmas :)

The highlight of this week was definately the Love and peace I felt from the spirit this Christmas week. I hope all of us had these experiences that we reflected on the true reason for the season.

OH! some exciting news! We have an investigator set for baptism!!! Atlantis who is afraid of water! She saw her younger sister get baptized and now she is ready to take this important step. Sister T has been working with this family for 8 months and finally we are seeing the fruits.  Her date is Feb 5, please pray for her! :)

 I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and has a happy New Year. Thank you everyone for all the packages, letters and cards. You have no idea how much they meant to me. I promise I will make you all proud and give the Lord my all this next year. I'll see you all THIS year!! CRAZYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!

xoxox

Sister Snow

ps i have so many pictures to send, but my camera died :( sorry! next week!

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!

Christmas Post, pics, and We got to talk with CHELSEA!!

I don't have much to report on this week.. the holidays are rough around here! All of our return appointments are in January. But all  s well :) This week we had the most member present lessons set up that Great Bridge has ever had.. and guess what? All but 2 cancelled. Brutal. I have been learning a lot of lessons about "Receiving no witness until after the trial of your faith." It was one of those weeks where everything that could have gone right went the opposite. What I have learned so far from my mission experience is how IMPORTANT it is to be optimistic. There is no point in worrying, complaining, or being pessimistic about a situation that you can't control. All we can control in these situations are our attitudes and our willing hearts.  God will take care of it.
The two lessons we had set up with a member were very extreme. One was with two kids about my age, we brought sister Baker with us, the mission presidents wife. These guys are in a bible college and the whole lesson they fought off the spirit. It was so spiritually draining.. I could literally SEE them feeling the spirit, and then shrugging it off and coming up with a new concern about how the Book of Mormon is evil. After bearing sincere testimony, to the point of tears... J looked at me and said... " I agree that a book can change your life. My friend read Meinkopf and it changed him into a bad person." This guy just compared the Book of Mormon to Hitler! Man, it was rough in there. Luckily, Heavenly Father was providing all of us with the peace to not argue, but testify and carry on. I left that lesson feeling so dark inside. It was one of the first times in a loooong time where I didn't feel the spirit. It really shook me up. I never want to live in such a way where I drive the spirit away, it is not a fun feeling.
We had a lesson planned in a members home on Thursday, and our investigator, lets just call him H for privacy purposes... decided not to show up. This is USC guy-the one we met on his roof. I was devastated! Like 6th person in a row to not show up this week for a lesson. We left the members house gloomy, going on to our back up plans and 30 minutes later we get a call from him saying if it's possible for us to still meet! MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!!we taught the plan of salvation and the spirit was so strong!
Last story.... then I have to go!
Last night we went caroling with some members and our district. The member owns a 15 passenger van and at church yesterday he told us he was not going to take us if it was raining. He said the weather forecast said it would rain at 5. Well, around 430 the clouds were coming in. We were praying all day long that the rain would not affect us. So it didn't rain at the time we were supposed to meet, and the whole time we were caroling we didn't see any rain. We got outside to sing to President and Sister Baker, and the ground was super wet. As we thought back, everywhere around us the ground was wet. President told us that it had been pouring rain about 20 minutes ago. It was like there was a bubble around us, protecting us. It was a Christmas Miracle!
Heavenly Father is so kind. He loves us all and wants to bless us.  We just need to be doing our part, and working hard and we will expect miracles. I expect miracles everyday because when you are exactly obedient, you get miracles. :)
So much for being a short email!
Also on Friday we had the missionary Christmas conference and we watched the Muppet Christmas Carol...first movie in almost a year. I felt so guilty the whole time. #missionaryprobs
This is by far the toughest time of the year to be away from family, but I am grateful to be serving the Lord. There is no place I would rather be :)
Merry Christmas Y'ALL
xoxo
sister snow

Buffalo Wild Wings Challenge- guess who won?

Talking with the Family!

Our beautiful Chelsea!

Early Christmas Miracles/Doubt Not

Hellloooo!!
We had transfer calls last night and Sister Tarwater and I are staying together for another transfer here in Great Bridge!!! We are soooooo happy!! we screamed and danced with happiness. We really love each other.
This week we only had 2 exchanges again, well more like 1 and a half. There has been a looooot of things going on with the sisters we are working with, so a lot of the week was spent planning and pondering what we could do to help. One of my favorite sisters was in the hospital this week and actually has to go home early now because of medical issues :( so saddd.
On Tuesday we had the wonderful opportunity to have a mission tour with a visit from Elder Perkins of the Quorum of the Seventy and I learned so much. One thing he taught us that I thought would be nice to share is that we need to think of every "meeting" as a revelatory experience. Come to church, meetings, firesides, camps with questions you need revelation for. For example; I asked how can I develop leadership qualities? And I got my answer within the first 5 minutes. God is so aware of us it is not even funny. Elder Perkins told president Baker he was very impressed with our mission! We had to prepare roll-plays of a lesson teaching the gospel and Sister Tarwater and I had a feeling we were going to be chosen. After Monday when the docter diagnosed me with vertigo, I picked up the prescription prescribed and during dinner I was out of it. I didn't know what was going on.  I was falling asleep... it was BAD. So I had to take the night off and rest. That is the WORST thing in the world being sick as a missionary. So we tried to prepare a lesson that night while I was drugged up and obviously the spirit was not there. The next day when Elder Perkins was looking through the crowd he kept looking at us. I couldn't make eye contact. He chose some other sisters, and it was the weirdest thing because several missionaries came up to us and told us they could have sworn it was us, that he kept looking at us but there seemed to be a shield. God was definitely looking out for me. I didn't even know my name that day.
Luckily after Tuesday the medicine worked and now I am feeling so much better!!! I can walk straight without tilting into the wall! Miracle #1
 Wednesday we finally had our lesson with the S's. They both had read the Book of Mormon and brother S even highlighted and tabbed the verses that stuck out to him!  The spirit was the strongest I have felt in a very long time. It was undeniable that the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon was being felt by both of them. The S's have a daughter that was baptized about a year ago, and they both were pretty anti about it. So it's a miracle in its self that they are meeting with us. Missionaries have been trying for months to make this happen. The S's admitted they felt the spirit and set up another appointment. They didn't accept the invitation to be baptized.. but they will!
I had a really awesome spiritual confirmation this week. Wed morning I was super down. I kept comparing myself to my companion( Satan's fav thing to do!) and convincing myself I was uninspired, and a horrible missionary. During weekly planning the previous week, I had felt the need to share a chapter of the Book of Mormon with a less active man in the ward. It was Mormon 9... We started our studies that morn and while reading the chapter I was thinking "why on earth did this chapter come to mind? this has nothing to do with him. I suck." I pushed the thoughts out and the spirit pointed out some scriptures in the chapter that seemed to relate. Then during comp study sister Tarwater was also very confused. So we decided to push back making lesson plans for Bro N and continue on. Near the end of comp studies we still couldn't think of anything. At this point I had no trust in myself AT all. Everything I did was wrong in my eyes. I doubted every thought that came to mind and just waited for my companion to think of something because she is always inspired. This negative, poisoning thought process kept on until we got into bro N's home and the first thing he bought up was his doubts and how he doesn't come to church because the leadership is horrible. Instantly the scripture from Mormon 9 came to mind and the peace of the spirit entered my heart. I seemed to hear the reassurance " See, you are in tune. You can do this. I love you.   I knew Heavenly Father was aware of me. I knew I needed to learn this lesson... doubt not. I learned to trust the spirit and trust myself!
Thursday we went on exchanges to Norfolk!! Yeeeee my first area! It was crazy. We contacted a member referral and the woman asked us what she needs to do to become Mormon. We walked into her home and she instantly told us that she believes she is already Mormon. She had notes on her whiteboard that said "law of health, eternal marriage, focus on families." her favorite things about the church. We set her for baptism on January 4th then she asked us what do i need to do to prepare? then she asked how she can get to the temple. I've never seen anything like it!!!!  She and her hubs are both preparing for baptism to be a forever family :)MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday a 8 year old we have been teaching, Amanda, got baptized :) First baptism we have seen in Great Bridge in  months!! Sister Tarwater has been working with Amanda and her family for 7 months! Amanda's sister, Atlantis, is 10, and she came up to us on Friday while we were over prepping Amanda and said she wants to be baptized tomorrow. Atlantis is a former investigator who didn't get baptized because she has a fear of water. ironic huh?
She said she's going to have to sit at least 3 feet back so she doesn't just jump in there... hahhaa we told her luckily there is a glass shield there to prevent that.
So we will be having another baptism in a couple weeks!
Sunday we got permission to go back to Nagshead <3 to see KYLE GET BAPTIZED!!!! After 4 months of working with him he did it!! I was so emotional. Kyle!!! I don't remember how specific I was with him, but when we first taught him I said, "We are not teaching him again. He thinks this is a joke and he won't progress."  Of course we did teach him again.. and the spirit changed his life. He lost a girlfriend, friends, and parties for it and he is still going strong.
Patrick baptized him! It was an amazing feeling being back "home" seeing all my family I had to say goodbye to, and watching Patrick, a recent convert, baptize his best friend! I got to give a talk about the holy ghost. It was fun!
Well this essay is finished! my fingers hurt.
I am excited for another transfer here in Great Bridge and the privilege I have to be an instrument in the Lord's hands. There is no greater blessing and miracle!!
I love you all!!
xoox
sister snow


 1. this week i learned dish soup and dish detergent do not do the same thing. ( I swear I taught her that when she was little....must be the medicine:)
 2. Amanda baptism!!!
3.some elders in my district. Elder Crump over on the left carried his suitcase like that for the 30 min walk to the church
4. kylleeeeeees baptism and Patrick on the right!
5.Sister Hymas, me, Kyle his momma

Claim to Fame

Hello Everyone!

This week went by super fast, as usual! Life has been flying by. It is so fun to see everyone in the Christmas spirit, hearing Christmas music all around Chesapeake, and seeing people much happier than usual :) it's the most wonderful time of the year! so cheesy...

This week was a strange one for Sister Tarwater and I because we only had 2 exchanges this week! We didn't have any back to back so we actually got to be companions! Tuesday we exchanged with the sister missionaries in Cape Henry. I went to that area and got to see how other missionaries are doing in their areas. It is always fun to go to other areas and see how the members are around them and such. I really love doing exchanges!  On Wednesday we had a big meeting and I got to see a lot of my best friends! It was amazing. I love President Baker. He is so inspired, so thoughtful and aware of the missionaries and the direction we need to take in our efforts to see miracles out here.

Thursday we had another exchange and we worked sooo hard here in Great Bridge. I am not sure why this has been happening, but we have seen MIRACLES this week. Great Bridge has been pretty slow the past six months, but this week we are having a baptism, and we found a handful of new investigators. Crazy things are happening and we are finally seeing the fruits of our labor! God is good.

I have learned such a huge lesson this week about how REAL the spirit is and how important it is to be in tune. Countless times I have felt prompted to try a certain person and then people are outside or walking to their homes and we go up and talk to them and they are SO prepared. Miracles I'm telling you! at least 6 people whom we have taught this week let us talk to them, spoke to us about the Book of Mormon and excitingly accepted the invitation to read it and to meet with us. Crazy things are happening here. I like it.

On Friday our stake put on a Christmas Program and performed the forgotten carols. It was pretty good. We invited EVERYONE we met to come.

I got to be in a parade! I was onTV!! Highlight of my life. The city puts on a CHRISTMAS parade. Yeah they actually call it a Christmas parade here. People aren't afraid to say Merry CHRISTMAS instead of happy holidays. It is a completely different world here in the "south."  So our ward made a float about the true meaning of Christmas and the youth dressed up for the nativity and the rest of the youth and the missionaries handed out pass along cards and candy canes along the parade. It was SOO fun! Never mind that we were freezing cold and I got super dizzy... it was WORTH it. There were soooo many people there, like the whole city. I felt personally responsible for every ones' souls! So many people, so few pass along cards! We are excited to see the result from our efforts!

We had a few wonderful lessons this week. One especially was SO spiritual. Sista T and I had been planning for this lesson with Brother B a less active individual who was baptized 2 years ago and left the gang he was involved in to join the church and change his life. Sadly he got back into old habits and got out of rehab in the past couple of months. Sense I got here he has been popping in my mind, so we met him while I was on an exchange with sister Savage. We set up an apt with him, and so on Friday we were all ready for this awesome lesson we had planned! We were going to teach him the restoration and he was going to be reminded of the power that comes from the spirit when we learn about the restoration. However, as soon as we got in there, the Spirit told us to teach about repentance and the atonement. We hadn't prepared anything, but I was confident that God was guiding my words. He did. It was one of the best lessons ever, and it was so wonderful to be able to tell someone that it IS possible to feel guilt-free. It is possible to be FORGIVEN. I could tell him this because I have FELT it and know it is REAL. The repentance process is necessary and the atonement of Jesus Christ makes it all possible. It makes no sense to suffer through life carrying burdens of sin and failure... give them to Christ!!!

We also are supper excited about a FAMILY we are teaching!!!! We had a lesson with Sister S and it was soo good. She felt the spirit so strong and we are so excited to see them progress. Keep them in your prayers!

As the holidays are coming up, I am more aware of how we need to remember our Savior every day! Not just at Christmas! I loved the Christmas devotional broadcast... what an amazing opportunity we had to listen to the prophet of God and the general authorities testify of the Savior.

I know that this gospel is true and that our Savior knows us perfectly and loves us.

Choose Christ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

xoxoxoxo

sister snow

 

 

2. went to oceanfront in VA beach on monday to be with some sisters! king Tritan?? Neptune? something like that...

3.i accidentally put my finger in frozen bird poop. i thought it was a sea shell

5.birdsss

6.  chasing birds...

7. some of my fav elders

8. we got lost

9. One of the floats from the parade!!!!

The Trojans are True

The Trojans are true!



Hey Ya'll!!!
Oh my goodness, Thanksgiving was the craziest day.  We ate dinner with an Asian lady from Hong Kong. It was actually a traditional dinner so that was unexpected!
Then 30 minutes later we headed over to another dinner appointment and Sister Tarwater and I had a fun game of sneaking bread and food onto each others plates when nobody was looking.  I have never been so full in my life! The mission president told us that Thanksgiving was a non prosolyting day so Sister Tarwater and I spent the time we had taking Christmas pictures. Hahaha It was hilarious.
We had 4 exchanges again this week... We went to Elizabeth City and Nagshead!! I got to see Sister Hymas and Mr. K and the Kellys again! K passed his baptismal interview!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He should be baptized this coming week! Miracles are happening!! I am praying I will be able to make it. He wants me to sing for it? Not happening.
Anyways... on Friday was our first day in the area to work that entire week. Our key indicators so far were at all zeros. That is not something that makes you feel successful for sure.  We taught a wonderful lesson to a less active sister in the ward and her 14 year old daughter who openly expressed that she doesn't want to live in the celestial kingdom because she wants to settle for average. It was one of the saddest things I have ever heard. It broke my heart to see the lack of faith and desire to be with God again. We were bold and told her the only way we can be happy is if we use our free agency for good. 2 nephi 2:27 in the Book of Mormon.
Saturday we had another exchange. While we were walking back to the car, the sister I was with who is a visa "angel" (instead of visa waiter-she's going to AFRICA) who is from LA, California saw a man on his roof putting up Christmas lights. Guess what he was wearing??? A USC sweatshirt. She loves USC as well...…so we yelled up at him and said, "Nice sweater!" We started talking and taught him about the Savior's gospel that has been restored to the earth again! He is now a new investigator!! Go Trojans! That was one of the most exciting parts of this week.
We had another exchange on Sunday. I got to meet the most prepared family ever. They are all planning on being baptized on January 4th. They came to church on Sunday and Sister R was feeling the spirit so strongly, she was crying all at church, and kept baring her testimony to us that she KNOWS this is the right place, that she has been to so many churches and she has never felt at home. She is going through lots of opposition with her father who doesn't want her to be baptized, but she was strong. Honestly it was one of the best lessons I have ever been in. I could feel the spirit guiding my words as I spoke to them about the importance of recognizing and acting on the spirits promptings.
I have SUCH a strong testimony of the importance of living in the spirit. We need to live our lives worthy so we can have the spirit with us. We need to follow the promptings we receive. The Lord will guide us, we need to listen. From the words of Elder Ballard, "It is impossible to lose when we are on the Lord's errand!"
I am learning more and more the Lords vision for me as a missionary. I got a blessing this past Monday, and it gave me so much strength. I Know that God is real. I also know that Satan is. He wants us to believe that we aren't good enough, that we aren't worthy, that we cannot be the people we have set goals to become. But those are LIES. I have made it a goal (again...repentance is REAL) to ELIMINATE NEGATIVE TALK. We all need to stop letting Satan lie to us. I chose to follow Christ, and I know that will bring me the continued peace and happiness I feel throughout the rest of my life. I also know that when we are focusing on how much we "aren't good enough" we are thinking too much of ourselves. Whenever you are feeling down, sorry for yourself, not good enough, you are thinking to much of yourself. My motto is from president Gordon B Hinkley... "forget yourself and go to work!"
I know this gospel is true, real and powerful!  With Christ, darkness will not succeed. We have the power to choose every day. Chose to be happy. Choose to be diligent. Choose Christ.
xoxo
Sister Snow
ps:  like my bolded words? getting artsyy


1.sneak peak to xmas card 2013
2. more sneak peaks
3.more
4.sister tarwater = aunt Jen... it's so weird
5.this is a wall in great bridge... i don't understand it
6.TURKEY
7.thanks giving meal #1
8. #dank
9. Thanksgiving meal one!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello y'all!!

I have like zero time to email today... i am sorry this will be pretty short.

This week has been hectic. We went on 4 exchanges this week, 2 were back to back. Sister Tarwater and I barely even see each other. It has been crazy seeing other sisters areas and how the work is going for them. I also am learning a lot about relying on the spirit and trusting words to be put into my mouth as i listed to problems people have.

Great Bridge is amazing. I love the ward so much. My bishop is very different from the Nagshead bishop, and the ward mission leader actually meets with us here so that's sooo great!

let me just run you briefly through my week:

Monday-preparation day. Left after teaching a less active to go to meet sisters for an exchange. I was so scared. I was praying the whole way there.

Tuesday- exchange in Kempsville.. ISHEL BRIMHALL I WAS IN YOUR WARD BOUNDARIES!!!! crazy.

Wednesday-  spent the whole day contacting potential investigators and getting rejected! yay!!! sometimes missionary work is like a treasure hunt looking for the prepared. also met this crazy less active guy that was super funny. I wish I could explain that better....

Thursday- exchange with the Hermanas. I went with a Hermana in her area and attempted to be a Hermana for the day. The gift of tongues is REAL. That's all I'm sayin. Found some new investigators by following the spirit!! It is amazing to me STILL how Heavenly Father really will lead us to people.

Also we saw this crazy miracle...we literally got hunted down on the streets of Norfolk on Thursday by this crazy black guy that told us he is ready to go to church and he will be waiting for a ride to pick him up Sunday at 1.... then he gave us a referral to this girl who already has a Book of Mormon and a gospel principles book! what?

Friday-weekly planning

Saturday-  was  an exchange...found new investigator named Solomon... he opened the door dressed very immodestly it was extremely awkie. 

Also called the cops that day. I'll tell you when I'm home :) also I felt prompted to go visit a less active who  hasn't ever come to church...we were super bold to her and commited her like 40 times to come to church.

Sunday- another exchange.... taught Solomon!! It was amazing!! He totes felt the spirit!! alssoooo Sister W came to church!!!!! and Amanda our 9 year old investigator!!!! first time someone has come to church in months here. Work is picking up.

Going on a mission was the best decision of my life. I am so grateful I am where I am. I am grateful for my amazing family and friends who are a constant support to me. I am working hard family!!

I know this church is true!!! I love you all. Sorry this email is so rushed.

CHOSE CHRIST

love sister snow

Sister Snowfall meets Great Bridge, VA

Hey Fam Bam!
So it was soooo hard saying goodbye to my family in Nags Head, and to Sister Hymas. We had a lesson with K,  P and the Farrenkopfs before I left, it was super emotional. Seeing the people who have or are starting to accept the gospel and are sill so young in there testimonies is SO hard to just pack up and leave. I know that they will be okay though.  K is still planning to be baptized on November 30 so hopefully that works out!
I am in a wonderful new area! Back in Virginia! It's crazy. Great Bridge is a wealthy community and the area is struggling. They haven't had any baptisms in at least 6 months. That is going to change. There are people here prepared and ready for the gospel and the way we are going to find them is through the members. That is the focus here in Great Bridge, and really with any missionary.
My first full day in Great Bridge our only progressing investigator dropped us. BUT by the end of this weekend we found 6  new investigators, which hasn't happened in FOREVER! One is a couple whose daughter just joined the church. They made her wait until she was 18 to be baptized, and they were pretty anti about the church. So the missionaries have been doing SERVICE for them for the past YEAR.
When we stopped by their house Saturday, the mom, Sister S, let us in and reluctantly let us share a brief overview of what we believe. Then her husband walked in right when the spirit was strong and killed it for a little. hah ha. It's always funny when you are trying to bring the spirit back or bring the subject back after its been lost.... we pretty much said "that's nice.. well this is the BOOK OF MORMON..." in a very polite and kind way of course :)
They truly softened when the POWERFUL words of that book filled the room. They both agreed they would be baptized if they knew it was true. MIRACLE!!
My new companion is AMAZING. I was so nervous to be with her because she is literally PERFECT but she is helping me so much and we are already laughing all the time. We really are so much alike. It is crazy/ a testimony builder to me. Heavenly Father knows all of his children. Through revelation and righteous priesthood stewardship, Sister Tarwater and I were put together. She is perfect for me in this next transfer and we are ready to work our TAILS off and invite EVERYONE to come unto Christ!!!!
A little about Sister Tarwater...AMAZING, from Arizona, been on a mission a transfer longer than me!
Funny story... so I am the most unfortunate person. We were talking to a Less active woman on Sunday and all of a sudden I started to FAINT in the street! Luckily she is a nurse! but really... Of COURSE I randomly faint in the middle of the street in front of this woman who just meets me. I also have been tripping and dropping things in front of the bishop and 1st counselor of the mission. Always a funny time around me I guess..
Sister Snowfall has returned-with a vengeance.
I love you all so much!
I KNOW that this gospel is true and that obedience to blessings leads to happiness!
 Mosiah 2:41    41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and ^ahappy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are ^bblessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out ^cfaithful to the end they are received into ^dheaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

we are PROMISED happiness!
I KNOW GOD LIVES AND LOVES US
Also we have12 exchanges to do in 4 weeks...one of my roles as a sister training leader... first one is tonight! so exciting!!!
xoxoxo
Sister Snow

Transfers-watch out Great Bridge, VA here I come. Week 43

Hey Y'all!!
This week has really been a blur. We had a lot of bailed appointments and lots of flaky people who we thought had potential but ended up dropping. The usual. We had been dropped by Luke last week.. but we got to see him on Friday AND he came to church!! Woohooo.
One amazing thing happened this week.... seriously it was one of those stories you hear return missionaries tell people about the people they taught on "the mish." So K, the kid who I really disliked teaching, the bro, is changing.  I don't mean he's being a nicer person or something like that. He is becoming like Christ. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is literally transforming him before my eyes. K had been majorly struggling with the word of wisdom. He is no alcoholic, but it is really hard for him to not drink when all his friends do and his life revolves around the party scene. He also learned about the law of chastity which he wasn't too found of.  Well.... this weekend was the week where he was going to visit his girlfriend for the weekend. On Thursday we had a really spiritual lesson with him about making sacrifices and about how he feels himself changing. He told us when he first started meeting with us he hated it. Now he actually looks forward to it. He said he feels himself becoming closer to God. This is the whole goal, so of course hearing this was the best thing I could have ever heard in my life!!! music to my ears :) So, I'll try to make this brief and hopefully it will make sense. K left on Friday morning. On Saturday our whole day was not working out. Everyone was cancelling. It was awful. I had this feeling that we should drive by this former investigators house. Of course when we got there she didn't have time to meet with us. So I drove away, and we happened to drive by K's house. We saw his car out front and we were super confused. Then Sister Hymas saw K walk out! Whattt!! So we went on and on with different scenarios that could have happened, like that was his dad wearing his clothes and driving his car.. or that was his neighbor. We tried to shrug it off.. but he would not leave my mind. The thought came.. "what if this is a sign? You need to text K."  So we did. K called us and told us that his girlfriend dumped him and he was home early. He asked if we could meet. Uh oh... so we saw him Saturday night and we were super confused. K came over to Brother Kelly's house and told us that his girlfriend dumped him " because of these meetings, so thanks."
We didn't know what to say at all. Apparently they went out the night before and K stuck to his standards and didn't break the word of wisdom or law of chastity. She told him that he was "too perfect" and he " wasn't the guy she fell in love with." All because he didn't want to break the commandments. He said they got in a huge argument and he drove 6 hours home. I asked Kyle how he felt when he didn't drink. He said he felt good on the inside. Peaceful. He knew God was proud of him. He told us he liked the person he was becoming. We promised him that he would be healed from this. That he would be able to find someone with his same standards.
I got to see first hand how Jesus Christ really changes us. Kyle went from a huge partier to someone who lost the person that meant to most to him because he stood up for his standards. That is conversion. That is love of God. That is why I am here.
I KNOW the gospel of Jesus Christ can cure all of us. The Savior helps me to be better every single day.

Also, transfer calls came. I felt it was happening..... I am leaving the Outer Banks after almost 7 months of living here. I am soooo sad. Sister Hymas is staying, thank goodness-so she can take care of the locals, and she is getting a new companion. I will be serving in Great Bridge, VA with Sister Tarwater. I am also going to be a sister training leader. I am freaking out.

I hope you had an amazing bday momma! and uncle mecham, jilene and jennnnn. Hope your bdays are amazing. I love you all! Thank you for all your love and support!
xoxoxo
Sister Snow

Too Blessed to be Stressed Week 42ish

HEllllooooooooo
This week was amazing!!!! I am still carrying that positivity and self-loving attitude with me that I found last week... it's hard to change 20 years of negative comments and trying to change those into a positive outlook is not something that will change overnight, but I am grateful for the gift of repentance and for the love of the Savior and his patience with me.
Sooooooooo on Tuesday we had the privilege of attending "Sisters Conference." The theme was "Too blessed to be stressed"...... hahhaha. Sister Baker, the mission president's wife, is so cute and sweet and innocent. Her idea for this theme was so cheesy but you couldn't help but smile at the thought of Sister Baker chanting this over the pulpit. I got to see my best friends!! It was such a blessing. I got to see Sister Hurley and Sister Caldwell and Sister Wylie. Best Day Ever. I cannot wait for y'all to meet them someday. They have changed my life entirely. Annnnyways, got sidetracked. Sorry I do that a lot. We got instructed by Sister Baker, the Assistants to the President, the 1st Counselor in the mission presidency's wife, and sister Wylie, and President Baker. President Baker took an interesting approach to "de-stress" the sisters. He literally started doing stand up comedy over to pulpit. Funniest thing of my life. I don't have time to go into detail but remind me to tell you some of the jokes.... Aunt Jilene wrote me a couple weeks ago that we are sent to our missions because of the president... I 100% believe that. President Baker has changed my life. At the end of the conference we had the opportunity to have a testimony meeting. I felt SO prompted to get up and share what my experience was last week. I walked up to the pulpit and took a long look at all the sister missionaries in the chapel and I just lost it. The spirit was so strong. I felt like I was in the presence of angels. I get so excited about the gospel, and sharing my testimony, even though I do it 100 times a day, it always means the world to me. It is the most important thing in the world to me, the knowledge that I have worked so hard to have, so sharing it in front of such amazing dedicated missionaries was a privilege. It was one of the strongest spirits I have felt in a good couple of days!


The ward had a trunk or treat on Wednesday, Sister Hymas and I switched name tags for our costume. Living on the edgeeee.

We taught Kyle about tithing afterwards. If any of you get a chance to watch the district 2.. please go watch the segment where the two elders Elder Moreno and Elder Christianson teach Germain the law of chastity and Germain thinks he's not aloud to talk to girls.... well Sister Hymas and I had this experience. Hahahahaha Kyle thought that he wasn't aloud to even flirt with his girlfriend. Epic Fail. I couldn't help  but laugh. I'm still laughing about it.
We taught C this week (the one who said God told her the BOM ((Book of Mormon)) wasn't true) It was a miracle lesson.... The spirit totally took over and she said that she knows that if she really reads the book she will know that it is true. We talked a lot about sacrifices and having an open heart and real intent. Cleared up a lot of interesting concerns with her. I wish I had more time to go into detail, but it was an amazing lesson. It is truly amazing to see how reading from the Book of Mormon softens the hearts of the prepared. The Book of Mormon is so true.


Halloween we were supposed to be in doors by 6:15, so we went to the Farrenkopfs and wanted to pass out candy but nobody came. :( Then we went home and studied.... wooooo!)

The Assistants to the president pulled me and Sis Hymas aside at the end of the sisters conference and asked to look at my planner...They said president told them that my planner was the perfect example. What?!? So apparently they told our zone leaders and the zone leaders called us and asked us to give a training at zone meeting about how to plan. We have been seeing MIRACLE every single day since we have made it our goal to plan effectively and efficiently every night. Literally miracles every day. It has been amazing when you look back at things that happen and can truly see the hand of God in the little details of the day.
Recently one of the member's sons came home from a mission and he had been texting and calling us trying to come out with us and teach. So we had planned to go tracting (door knocking.... Ya!!) for one hour and a half before dinner and bring him a long. We felt very impressed to go see  Miss S, A's mom, a former investigator whom we made cry and run out of the room a good 2 months ago. Hahaha so we walked up to the house and there she and her husband were. Almost waiting for us. At first S was very standoffish, but as we began testifying the spirit touched them both and we ended up having an hour long lesson. So like I said earlier, I have the privilege of baring my testimony all the time. Sometimes, when the spirit is so strong, I will get emotional. Well as we were talking, I had the impression that S was really struggling with forgiving herself, and loving herself. I looked at S in the eye, and told her simply that God loves her. As the words came out, I started crying. I told her that we are so hard on ourselves and look at how many times we have fallen instead of how many times we get back up. She was crying and it was such a sweet moment. We set up a return appointment and her husband who usually ignores us promised that he would read and pray about the Book of Mormon! MIRACLE!!!!
Saturday was our real tracting day. We set high goals for the day and put our faith to the test. Faith requires belief and ACTION. We ended up finding a whole bunch of new investigators which really never happens here. We met a man named T. We knocked on the trailer door with tape used instead of a window... we hear "WHOISIT?" in this super deep voice. Sister Hymas was terrified. Luckily this was the normal response in Norfolk, so I felt at home. I said, "The missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!" in my high pitched girly voice. I'm sure he was confused. We heard these gunshots inside. It took us a second to realize he was playing COD. He opened the door with the video game still blasting and he was playing while we started to talk to him... so weird. He finally turned the game off and invited us in, but then we had to turn him down because there wasn't a third female present. That's always awk to explain. He was very interested in the Book of Mormon! Fingers crossed for Mr. T. We also met another black lady, her name was Chelsea. I met the African American, old, rounder version of myself. That was exciting. As we were walking down the street we saw a short little black man walking towards us. We make it a goal to talk to EVERYONE, so as he approached we could tell he wasn't all there... but we talked to him anyways. He's about 4 ft tall, was wearing a beanie with the top pointed up, and his pants were wayyyy up past his belly button. Higher than I even wear my pants! Hahaha he looked like one of the 7 dwarfs. his voice sounded like the monster in Monsters Inc. That is in charge of the paperwork and she always says" Wasouskie."  His eyes were also bloodshot. Kinda scary.  Sister Hymas said we just met Radio. I've never seen that movie. But it was pretty hilarious. We invited him to church. He didn't come:(

Sunday we miraculously met our goal for member present lessons, we had no idea how it was going to work, but God took care of us and provided us with opportunities to teach! We taught a spanish man named C for the Spanish elders and I made a fool of myself trying to speak spanish and read in spanish.
We were walking down the street before dinner time and we knocked on this one door that had a big 2 on it. We were hoping it was the door of a potential investigator the spanish elders found for us, so Sister Hymas suggested we try it. She is so inspired, because this is how we met R. HE IS GOLDEN!!  Everything he said my jaw dropped. He was touched by the Book of Mormon and said he is truly searching for truth. It was a miracle that we found him. He is going to meet us at the church one Wednesday for a lesson. He said he promised he would read the Book of Mormon and that he knew that this was the only way he would be able to find truth. Whaaaat!
Miracles everywhere.
Transfer calls are next Sunday! I am kinda feeling like I'm leaving.... I really don't want to leave my new family here in the OBX.  I also don't want to leave Sister Hymas. But on the other hand I am ready for a change. We will see!
I love you all, thank you for the support and love I feel from you daily. I couldn't do this without you and without the help of our Savior!!!
Choose Christ!!!!!!!!!!!!
Loveeeee,
Sister Snow

Halloween fun

Sunset on OBX

Uncle Si

My own personal version of 2nd Nephi 4:17-33

Family, Friends and Summer Snow,
This week was life changing. We didn't see any miracles, nobody has gotten baptized, and no new investigators to fill you in on. What happened that was so life changing is actually super selfish, because it was things that I learned and revelation that I have received after 9 months of struggling. I will spare details, but this Wednesday we had interviews with the mission president. Those of you who know me very well know how hard of a time I have with the whole "love yourself" aspect of life. Ever sense I stepped onto the transfer van my first full day on being in the field back in Feb., this darkness had come into my life. Dang, that just sounded super sketch.... More like I felt sooo much dislike for myself and had feelings of inadequacy and stress than I have ever felt before in my life. I kept thinking that I was unworthy to be here. I talked to my trainer about this feeling and she told me that she went through these same things when she first got out into the field as well. She asked me if I felt the spirit working through me. OH YES. Never before had I felt such powerful love for people. Never before had I had thoughts come into my mind, and felt the spirit tell me concerns of people, and never before had I been able to so easily recognize this still small voice. I knew I had the Holy Ghost with me. I was at peace. But these feelings crept back in. I couldn't shake them off. These past couple of weeks they were the worst they have ever been. I was convinced I was a horrible person and that I needed to go home. I was convinced I was unsuccessful and wasting my time. Weellllll I did not hesitate to bring this up to President Baker. I told him everything I was feeling. Everything. He smiled at me and told me that Jesus Christ forgave me of my mistakes a long time ago and that I needed to learn to forgive myself. He promised me that I was worthy. He taught me a lot about how the process of sanctification and becoming purified works. The closer we get to Christ, the more we realize our imperfections. Satan tries to use this against us and make us think the we haven't repented completely, or that we will never be as good as we want to be. He promised me that I was a powerful missionary and told me many times that he commended me and that he wanted to take me around the mission to teach with him. Hahha, of course I just laughed awkwardly and didn't believe him. But the second I walked out of that interview with President Baker, those doubts were gone. Completely. I don't know why exactly I had to talk to him about it, I don't know why I have been letting Satan tell me I am not good enough, but that 30 minute interview changed my life entirely. I didn't realize how much it affected me until Thursday night hit.
I came down with a plague. I was up all night throwing up and such. It was horrible, worse than Lake Powell plagues! I had a lot of time to ponder what Pres Baker talked to me about. As I was praying and pondering, the Holy Ghost began to teach me a lesson that I needed to learn a long time ago.
It went something like this:
We need to stop being so hard on ourselves. When we bag on ourselves, Satan rejoices. We are hindering our progression. I have spent far to much time and energy criticizing myself and analyzing every little thing that is wrong with me, instead of focusing on and being grateful for the gifts, talents, and blessings that I do have. So what if I'm not the smartest, prettiest, funniest.  I am everything to God. Its time that we start seeing our divine potential, and not just seeing it but believing it. So stop being so hard on yourself. Stop hindering your progression. You have weaknesses? Good. That means you are human. Now turn them to God and with Him, they will become strengths.

This moment of divine rebuking was so loving. I was in tears as I sat alone in the living room. I felt so powerfully the love Heavenly Father has for not only me but for all of his children. I felt that he was proud of me. That he was with me this whole time, I just needed to get out of my dark cloud and reach up to Jesus Christ.

I know now, more powerfully than ever before that God is our loving Heavenly Father. That the gospel was given to us to learn how to come back to live with him again.
I have not had any more depressing thoughts, desires to quit, or even thoughts about the mistakes I made. They are completely washed away. I know that repentance is real. It is a gift. I am grateful for the chance and miracle it is to repent every single day!  And the opportunity I have to call others to repentance!

Speaking of which... we had an awesome lesson with our frat boy K about the law of chastity.  It was one of the most powerful lessons I have ever been in!

Also, L is really struggling right now. He didn't make his date and Sister Hymas and I are really bummed about it. He has a lot of doubts that he won't talk with us about, so we are relying completely on God to get L the strength he needs to starve his doubts.

I am grateful to be a missionary. I am grateful that after 20 years of low self-confidence, with the help of my savior, my biggest weakness is finally becoming a strength.
Have an amazing week!!
xoxox
Sister Snow

PS: We got yelled at by a woman that looked like Paula Dean. It was fun.

Pictures

Road kill at our front door

ward member made these Moccasins for me

Chelsea enjoying view from Kittyhawk Memorial

Elders at Kittyhawk

helping hands

!!

By your willingness to be obedient, to serve God, to follow and trust the spirit, and to LOVE His children-This is being a successful missionary

The Nasty

My view on our screen door every morning minus the screen

HI

We are now twins- we dress alike

Waiting for the Elders to unlock the building (personally, I think she looks a little mischievous?)

A lovely sister made me moccasins, Cherokee style.

Another week gone! I cannot believe I am half way done.... What???? How did that even happen??!
Time really flies by when you are having fun and serving the Lord

Umm. I am getting more and more technologically challenged every single day. So sad. I don't know how I accidentally just sent that email but anyways..... This week went great! On Tuesday we got a phone call from the assistants to the president...  Sister H and I were freeeeeaking out. We looked over the calendar and saw that no big meetings were coming up so they MUST not be calling to ask us to give a training.. so we answered. Hahaha ,turns out they were looking at our key indicators from last week and called us to tell us they were so shocked and asked us for advise so they could tell the mission on how to get more member presents and how to find more investigators. I  was shocked the entire time. So that was a day brightener!  Of course the rest of the next couple of days consisted of the slowest, longest days so far:  people not showing up for appointments, cancellations, and rejection. But there must be opposition in all things!

We got to teach a less active family the restoration this week, and the father and I were in tears as we taught the first vision. Every SINGLE time I have taught the message of the restoration, the spirit fills the room and I have no doubts that Joseph saw what he saw. There is such power in this.  God loves all of his children and He is not going to let us live in darkness. I have learned very personally how important it is for our investigators to have a testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of  Mormon. For if the Book of Mormon is true, then Joseph Smith really was a prophet, and if he was a prophet, then the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the one true church on the earth, with the full priesthood authority of God. It's that simple.  Of course that is one of the hardest things I have ever done.. helping people to get that testimony for them selves. K for example, We fasted and prayed so hard last week that he would be strong and live the word of wisdom. But at his girlfriend's sorority formal this weekend she wouldn't not drink with him so he gave into temptation. killller!!!!!!!! I was heartbroken. I don't know how Heavenly Father does it. I am just teaching a small little grain of sand in the beach of all of Gods children ( getting artsy with my analogies I know) and I get so sad and devastated when they fall into sin. God watches all of us do it, and He won't do anything to control us! Agency is the hardest thing to accept!!!! The more I serve the Lord the more I love him. I have not even a fraction of love for these people than he does, and here I am getting so sad when they stumble. My thoughts are directed towards my Father in Heaven and I remember how many times he has had patience for me, and I am sufficiently humbled and filled with energy to keep pushing myself. When I even have the thought "this is hard" cross into my mind I shake it off and remember what I have learned about what our Savior has done for all of us. Then I realize this is nothing in comparison. I can keep pushing harder. I can keep getting better.

Sorry for that tangent... So yes, K is struggling hard core. We realized that if he doesn't believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet, why would he believe that God would, through him, reveal the word or wisdom? We watched the restoration DVD with him on Saturday and he had so many concerns about Joseph Smith that we realized he had a lot of work to do! I am confident that once he gets that answer from God that the book of Mormon is true, then every other concern will disintegrate

We saw a less active woman who was smoking a cigarette in my face and then started seizing as we taught about honoring your baptismal covenants... that was fun.

We saw so much opposition this week. Really it was a tough one... L has a date for the 26 of October but told us on Friday that he is not ready because he doesn't want to get baptized "half-heartedly." He told us he doesn't want to make a covenant with God while he still has the desire to break the word of wisdom. He wants to be perfect, he doesn't want to fall away after making such a big life changing commitment. We told him that he needs to keep praying about it and that Satan wants us to feel like we aren't ready, that we aren't worthy, that we aren't good enough. We went over repentance and the gift of the atonement. We have been doing everything we can to help him reach his date. We have seen or talked to him every single day this past week... We've talked to our district about it, the bishop, and we all feel L is ready. He has been living the word of wisdom for 2 weeks now!!!!!! this is huge for him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! please keep him in your prayers this week. Satan is really after him. He has been coming to church more regularly than a lot of the active members!! L is golden!! He just doesn't see it!
So lesson learned this week... be humble. Even though you might be having a lot of "success,"  there must be an opposition in all things. You are not measured by the number of lessons you teach, but by your heart. By your willingness to be obedient, to serve God, to follow and trust the spirit and the LOVE his children. This is being a successful missionary. Not having the highest numbers in the mission.
I love this gospel so much. I know that this is the best and most important work we all could be engaged in. Work through the tough times and God will bless you with peace, satisfaction, and miracles!!!!
He is waiting with his arms stretched forth for us to come unto Him
Have an amazing week!!!
xoxoxo
sister snow