Week 3-- Fire & Flu

Well hello, and a bright and early morning to all of you!

 

Perhaps you are wondering why I am awake at 5:12 a.m. Well, at 4:15 a.m. we woke up to a blaring fire alarm. It took me a few alarm buzzes to realize what was going on. Sister Vande Merwe said apprehensively, "Uh, sisters? What's going on?" I responded, "Fire alarm!" and we all jumped out of bed and grabbed stuff as fast as we could. I was going to head to the evacuation zone, but the gym building is right across the way from our residence, so all the Sisters shuffled in out of the cold. The clock in the gym lied to us and said it was 5:15, so we were all thinking it wasn't so horrible. But it turns out it was 4:15, haha. What a crazy start to a day. Sister Millet says that maybe we should stop singing "The Spirit of God like a fire is burning."

 

The Temple is open! Everyone at the MTC has been dying to go to the temple, and we're so happy it's going to be open today!

 

So, as some of you know, there was a crazy illness last week. At first they thought it was the stomach flu, and it was pretty worrisome because after two nights about 200 people were sick, and like 50 people were in the E.R. It was insane. For the Sunday devotional they wouldn't let us in the devotional hall, so we had to go to our classrooms and watch it on our TVs. Turns out the TV system had never been used before, so almost the whole MTC missed about half of the devotional because we were trying to troubleshoot the problem. The tech guy came to our classroom and was going to have us go out to everyone and relay instructions, but as we were leaving they decided to just go into one of larger broadcasting rooms in the main building. Anyway, back to the mysterious illness, there were people sick everywhere. Lots of people had face masks on, there was no shaking hands (we bumped elbows instead), and there were lots of people throwing up. They even opened the clinic on New Years because so many people were getting sick. No, Mom, I did not get sick. But it turns out that it wasn't the stomach flu, it was basically food poisoning. Turns out my distaste for pecan pie has paid off, because it was a bad batch of nuts.

However, Sister Fengel had been getting worse and worse for almost a week, and her symptoms were definitely not the flu. We were all so worried about her because she just wasn't getting better. After going back to the doctors a few times, it turns out she had an ear infection, pink eye, and most likely Strep throat, plus some other things. As soon as she got medicine, she turned around pretty quickly. The devil must really want our district gone, because since we've gotten into the MTC, Elder Lee got a kidney stone, Sister Fengel got a couple really terrible things, Elder Tarry's heart was close to exploding (that may or may not be an exaggeration), and the rest of us got a cold. I haven't really been able to hear the past few days, but I haven't been so bad.

 

Sounds eventful? The best part is that when we were doing our service assignment and cleaning the main building last week, Sister Vande Merwe was using the archaic dinosaur vacuum and it the cord sponataneously combusted, bursting into flame and burned the carpet. The mark is still there.

 

But despite all that fun stuff and the bitter cold (we heard it's been around -6 F, is that true?), last week was such a great week for learning. Week two was definitely a week full of struggles and doubts, but week three was hope and faith. We had a great lesson by Brother Crandall that he dubbed "The Chocolate Chip Cookie Principle." He put it like this: our Father told us to only accept the perfect chocolate chip cookie. The doctrine of our message is the cookie, and the fundamentals are the chocolate chips. (Fundamentals are ways/tools we can teach our investigators and the ways they can learn for themselves. For example: Revelation through the Book of Mormon. We can help teach by helping them receive revelation in a lesson, but they can also use it for themselves later.) Sometimes we only give a cookie to investigators, sometimes just a plate of chocolate chips. Sometimes we give them a cookie with chocolate chips placed on top (throwing Fundamentals in at the very end with no understanding of why) and sometimes we give chocolate chips with a cookie on top (a lesson focused around prayer, for example, with doctrine thrown in at the end). I realized that we had been teaching our investigators with just chocolate chips.

 

Later that day in our lesson with Peter, I could feel the Spirit teaching. I was inspired to say things I would've never thought of, and at one point, both Sister Millet and I opened to the same scripture. One of the most powerful moments was when I recounted the First Vision; I can't even describe how amazing it felt. Another powerful moment was when Peter agreed to pray, and he did it in German. I could only understand a little bit, but I could feel the Spirit in the room. Later that night, we taught the investigator that we had a hard time with in the beginning. We took a completely different route than what I was expecting, and once again we felt the Spirit directing the lesson. I ended up sharing a personal story I all but forgot about, and Sister Millet shared a powerful scripture in Ether 12:27. Now, I know these investigators are our teachers acting or actually members, but it was incredible to see the Spirit teaching. It's the most incredible feeling in the world, and I'm so glad that God loves all of his children and uses the Spirit to tell them. I'm incredibly grateful for everything Heavenly Father has blessed me with, and I'm honored to be able to wear Jesus Christ's name by mine.

 

Once again, I'm going to say how grateful I am for my district. When a few people were out sick this week, we all felt incomplete. Being with all these Elders and Sisters has made me all the more grateful for God's infinite love and knowledge. He put us all together to learn and grow from each other, and I absolutely love all of them. Last night we were listening to Elder Johnson's take on us and it was hilarious. He created survival scenarios and decided who would live and why. My favorite was the Lord of the Flies situation. Apparently I would climb up a tree and live, but for some reason no one would ever see me again. And he gave no explanation as to why I would die on the Titanic, but I agreed with his verdict. Don't worry, we actually have great spiritual moments, too. 

Oh, by the way, I got my travel plans. My flight leaves SLC at 7:00 am (whoo!) and we have a layover in Detroit. Next week I'll be in Philadelphia! Can you believe it? The first week and a half felt like a month and a half, but after that time has sped up. I've been here for three weeks?! Crazy.

 

Well, we can finally go back to our residence hall, so I'll send you pictures later today, hopefully. Thanks for the letters and packages, and thanks for everyone's support. I love all of you, and I'm so grateful for everyone in my life. I'm honored and humbled to be serving the Lord. We watched the Joseph Smith movie on Sunday, and it just confirmed to me that our Heavenly Father loves us so much that he restored his full gospel to us so that we can return to Him.

 

Bright and early love,

Sister Singleton

Me, Sister Millet, Brother Nuila, and Brother Holmquist. We switched out our teachers last week, and the only one that's stayed is Brother Nuila.

Elder Rigby photobombing me. This is our temple walk on Sunday. It was super, super cold and I'm pretty sure I have an ear infection because of it. 

(left to right) Sister Vande Merwe, me, and Sister Fengel. Once again, it was super cold outside.

Elder Rigby, Elder Tarry, (zone leaders) and I. Elder Rigby makes convincing bird noises and weird sound effects.

Sarah's Address

Sister Sarah Singleton
MTC Mailbox #100
PA-PHIL 0115
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604

Week 2-- Happy New Year!

So, I totally didn't know it was December 31st until about 9:00 pm last night. The MTC doesn't do anything for the new year, so needless to say it was pretty tame. But this past week definitely wasn't.

This past week was definitely one of highs and lows. Me and Sister Vande Merwe were really struggling on how to feel the Spirit and to teach with the Spirit. We were doing everything we could to invite the Spirit in, but it just wasn't happening. Both of us got the impression yesterday that maybe it was because we didn't have enough faith. I realized that I didn't have a lot of faith in myself and I didn't have a lot of faith that the Spirit would come if needed. So instead of being frustrated about not being able to teach, I've been able to find something to focus on a grow.

Last week was a tough one. The other sisters and myself felt so discouraged at why we just weren't feeling the Spirit. It was so disheartening, because like I said just barely, we were doing everything we could to feel the Spirit. One night we taught a real investigator, and when my companion and I were teaching it was a disaster. We lost control and had no focus, and it was incredibly tough. We walked away from the lesson crying, not sure what had gone so wrong. Sister Vande Merwe and Sister Fengel both had the same problem, and as we were about to leave the class for the night, Elder Lee and Elder Franson came in. Elder Lee bore his testimony and began to talk about the Spirit. It was the first time in a few days I was able to feel it, and it immediately brought a flood of tears to Sister Vande Merwe and I. Elder Lee was an instrument in the Lord's hands and an answer to our frustrations. When the rest of the district came in, our District Leader had us all sit down and talk everything out. We, as a district, realized that we were so focused on others that we had forgotten ourselves. I know what you're thinking: "But Sister Singleton, isn't a mission supposed to be selfless?" Well yes it is! However, we had been starving ourselves spiritually to provide for those who we were teaching. I can't remember who said it, but we must be our first converts. Conversion is a lifelong process, and we must work on bringing ourselves unto Christ before we can help anyone else.

I learned a lot of great things this week, but what it all boils down to is the Spirit. Without the Spirit, everything else we learn is useless. We must always be doing everything in our power to feel the Spirit, which involves diligently studying the scriptures, praying with real intent, keeping the commandments, being humble, charitable, meek, and coming unto Christ with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. When we do this, the Lord will use us where he wills. 

So, last week I got a calling as Ward Music Coordinator. Basically I just pick the hymns and pick on poor souls to conduct the songs. I'm also in charge of the music in our district, so I get to choose which songs we sing. I've told Elder Tarry that if he complains about one of my songs again, I'll make him sing a solo of "As Sisters in Zion." Sister Huni left today! She's been in the MTC since the middle of October, and she's finally headed out to the Marshall Islands. She is the happiest, most wonderful person I've ever met, and I'm so happy she's able to go out and teach! The Elders going to Tonga sang her a variety of goodbye songs (she's from Tonga), and they were just beautiful. 

Sister Fengel got really sick last week. The doctor office here isn't open until tomorrow, so she's had to wait it out for a few days. We thought it was strep at first, but we don't think it is anymore. It was crazy on Sunday because my companion is the new Coordinating Sister, so I was supposed to be in a trio while my companion went to meetings. However, since they had to stay in the room due to her illness, a bunch of confusing exchanges were made so that we could all eat dinner. I had to go to dinner with Elder Lee and Elder Franson, they had to bring me to the room, and then they took Sister Vande Merwe later. It was confusing and bizarre, but Sister Fengel seems to be doing a little better.

In Preach My Gospel it says that the Book of Mormon, along with the Spirit, can be the most powerful tool in conversion. So I ask you this: is it the most powerful tool in your conversion? I challenge you to read and search the Book of Mormon more, and to gain a stronger testimony of it's truthfulness. And please, please go watch Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's "Safety for the Soul." It made me cry.

I love you all, and I thank you for all your letters and packages.

Oh yeah, and some of you asked about the MTC food. Elder Lee put it best: "It feels like I'm trapped in a Chuck-a-Rama. Like, if I was locked inside, this is how I'd feel."

Love,
Sister Singleton

Elder Scott photobombing our picture...

Our New Years celbration

Elder Scott about to drop Elder Turner.

Double tags!

Christmas letter #2

Merry Christmas!

I get to send a second email today-- huzzah (P-day plus Christmas)! Well, I love you all, friends and family, and just wanted to thank you all for your support.

Today we went to a devotional where Elder Russell M. Nelson spoke to us about missionary work and how to utilize our resources and be the best we could be. He also talked about how Christmas is about Christ's victory over death. Just think about the lyrics of "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing." He said the Lord is hastening His work and we are called to bring peace, hope, love, and joy to the people in a world of lying, deceit, and evil. We are "at risk-- serving in enemy-occupied territory," but if we act in complete obedience, the Lord will protect us. He also warned about rumors in the Church. Apparently there's been a rumor that people get called to serve in one country and are transferred to another not open to missionary work at this time. Those rumors are completely false, and we should always stop the rumors. We are an honest Church and deal with Nations "through the front door. Not the back door; not the alley." It really was a great talk, and I'm so grateful we had an apostle of the Lord speaking to us. His wife, Wendy Nelson, spoke about Spiritual "Gift Cards." I thought it was funny, because she mentioned how people don't spend gift cards and I chuckled to myself. But anyway, she talked about how Christ has paid for our Spiritual gifts already, and all we need to do is pray earnestly to "purchase" or receive those gifts. Are you shy? Pray for the gift of listening and discernment. Easily discouraged? Pray for the gift of persistence and endurance. Do you have a temper? Pray for mildness and understanding. And once you get a gift, ask for more! The Lord has an endless array of Spiritual gifts, and we should always seek more.

Thanks so much for the presents! I saved one for tonight, but I totally missed the whole "open on Christmas Eve package." But I love the pajamas! My roommates were jealous. Christmas today has been quite an experience. We have definitely felt the Spirit, and I look forward to more stuff later today. 

One thing that stuck out to me this week was when we talked about the purpose of prayer. The whole reason we pray is to align our will with God's. It isn't to ask for stuff we want, it isn't to complain, but it's to humble ourselves before God and ask that our will be like His. So in other words: we need to want what He wants for us. This is the whole idea of having a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Having a broken heart is knowing that without the Father, we can do nothing. Having a contrite spirit is being submissive and willing to do whatever the Lord wants. So when you pray with a contrite heart, no matter what His answer is, you're willing to do it. And when we end our prayers in Jesus' name, it means basically that Jesus would approve of what we are asking. So I challenge all of you to add more meaning to your prayers. We have the ability to talk directly with our Father in Heaven. Isn't that incredible! (Look up Alma 18:15-18, 22-23).

Yesterday we sang an excellent rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." It's Missionary-style.
1. A copy of the Book of Mormon
2. Heavy bags
3. Meals a day
4. Referral calls
5. Golden contacts
6. Bowls of ice cream
7. Sessions planning
8. Teachers teaching
9. Sisters singing
10. Prayers for blessings
11. Elders preaching
12. Apostles speaking

Excellent, eh?

Like I mentioned in my earlier email, I have a fatanbulistic district. Every person in our district has such a strong testimony, and where one is weak, another is strong. Last week I had a hard time because I felt like I just wasn't good at anything. Elder Lee, Elder Scott, and Elder Tarry are super good at reciting scriptures. The others are good at symbolism and analogy. And everyone else seems to have a spiritual talent beside me. But at the end of the day last week, Elder Scott stopped everyone and gave a truly inspired quick testimony about how we all work together and what not. It made me realize that I do have a strength somewhere, and once I find what it is, I'm going to use it to my advantage. I have such a wonderful district, and I'm so glad that we all love each other and work together.

Love you guys!

-Sister Singleton

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Well hello and Merry Christmas, everyone!

This first week has been super interesting. I'm surprised how quickly I've adjusted to the schedule, and even though we're up and about for 16 hours, it still feels like there's not enough time to do anything. Thanks so much for the letters and packages; I haven't opened my presents yet, but I look forward to it today.

The very first day we, as a large group (70 people) taught three different investigators. The first group was really messy and we had no focus; throwing around really deep doctrine like proxies and baptism for the dead. The second investigator we got to know them and found a focus, but there was no Spirit in the conversation. The third one went really well; we definitely had the Spirit in teaching him. It's incredible how much we've all improved within just a few hours.

I have the best District ever! There are eight Elders and four Sisters, and we're either going to Chicago or Philadelphia. I thought that Frodo and Sam or Sherlock and Watson had the best bromances, but now I can definitely say that Elder companionships are by far the best bromances ever. Just to let you know. We spend almost all our time together as a District; we eat all meals together, we're in class together (8-10 hours), and we've all grown together. Every night we've had a chance to bear our testimonies to one another, and the room is always bursting with the Spirit. We had a devotional the other day and the speaker talked about repentance, so afterward we got together and started discussing about what we learned. It quickly turned into one of the most powerful experiences I've ever had, with us bearing our testimonies of why we were serving missions. It's amazing how each different person learned for themself that they were going to serve a mission and the circumstances surrounding their decision (and yes, I spent the better part of an hour crying). I know my District was divinely inspired, and I can honestly say I love each person deeply. I believe it was Elder Lee who said that it feels like we've been friends our whole lives, and I completely agree with him. And of course we've had some great times, like deciding which Disney character each person was. When we got to Elder Johnson, without a pause Sister Vande Merwe said, "Al from the Al's Toy Barn commercial in Toy Story 2!" It was so great.

We've taught a few "investigators" this past week. Our teachers are acting out investigators they found when on their missions. It's been tough learning how to study, plan, and yet rely completely on the Spirit to teach. Because if there's one thing the MTC teaches you, it's that I can't teach, but the Spirit can. The biggest thing we need to remember is that when we're teaching people, our goal is to have them come closer to Jesus Christ. It isn't to have them join the Church, it isn't to get them baptized, it's to have them gain a testimony of Christ and His Atonement and to desire to live with Him once more.

I'm so glad to be serving a mission. It feels like I've been here for a month; that's how long our days are. Oh, and by the way, I'm expected to leave the MTC on January 15. It was supposed to be three weeks, but because of Christmas, everyone's staying an extra week. What's incredible is that the week I came was the first official week that the new age changes came in. There is a 19-year-old sister (Sister Vande Merwe) and one 18-year-old Elder in our District (Elder Lee), but at a devotional we had them all stand up. And boy, was it incredible how many there were. President Monson was truly inspired, and the Lord is hastening His work upon the earth. I'm incredibly grateful the Lord has let me be a part of it.

I've learned so much I can't even tell you all. But I just wanted to let you know that the Church is true and I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that his faith and enduring to the end is why we are able to have the fulness of the gospel today. And family, no I don't miss you yet, but I love you very much (what?! I'm sorry, you know me-- it's only been a week).

Yesterday we had a Christmas Eve fireside with the story of Christ's birth acted and and full of music. Afterwards we watched "A Christmas Carol" and got huge bags of kettle corn. Today a General Authority is coming (I'M SO EXCITED!), and we're having a full schedule of special Christmas stuff.

I love you guys, and I know that the Lord loves all of you and will bless you if you're faithful and obedient. The greatest gift and sacrifice is to give the Lord a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

Love,

Sister Sarah Singleton

Our awesome district on a Temple walk

Friday.

As my brother pointed out, this is my last weekend before I leave. And yet I am sick and have a talk to write... wo is me! Just kidding.

This week's been busy, if you can imagine, but also really excellent. My last day of work was last Thursday, so on Wednesday some of my coworkers and I went to Tucanos and had a great lunch. It's been a blessing and a blast to work with such awesome coworkers, and I will definitely miss them. Brandon even told me that when I leave, Utah will cry with lots of snow (which was his way of saying he'll miss me). Except I was so full from Tucanos that I'm pretty sure I didn't eat until the next morning.

I've been trying to get those last minute bits and pieces together. I still have not found a bag for my mission, but I decided I'll find a substitute until I get to Pennsylvania and hopefully find one there (because apparently all the stores in Utah hate me?). But this week was slightly anxiety-inducing, because people keep asking me one question:

"Are you ready?"

My first response is "Yeah, I've got all my clothes and stuff, just need to pack it all up..." However, my second response is more realistic, "I feel like I should know more." Those of you who have been on missions, I'm assuming every missionary feels this way. Like I should've studied harder, practiced more, and memorized scriptures. Earlier this week I was worried about how inadequate I felt, but while preparing for my talk I came across this:

In June of 1837 in the Kirtland Temple, the Prophet Joseph Smith whispered to Heber C. Kimball that the Spirit of the Lord had spoken that Heber should “go to England and proclaim [the] Gospel, and open the door of salvation to that nation.” 

At the time, Heber C. Kimball was 36 years old. He had been a member of the Church for five years and an Apostle for two years. He had a wife and small children. He was the first missionary called to serve outside of North America. A financial panic had swept over the country and the Church in 1837. It was not an auspicious time for Joseph or Heber to commence such a project. But, as Joseph said, the Spirit of the Lord had directed the action.

Heber recorded his reaction: “O, Lord, I am a man of stammering tongue, and altogether unfit for such a work; how can I go to preach in that land?”

Almost everyone who attempts missionary work feels inadequate in some way. The idea of such a mission was almost more than Heber could bear, but his faith and obedience prevailed. He stated: “However, all these considerations did not deter me from the path of duty; the moment I understood the will of my Heavenly Father, I felt a determination to go at all hazards, believing that He would support me by His almighty power, and endow me with every qualification that I needed; … I felt that the cause of truth, the Gospel of Christ, outweighed every other consideration.” 

Think of the challenge of being a missionary and opening a new country without members, Church buildings, a mission home, or any funds! Despite these feelings of inadequacy, Elder Kimball worked hard and was humble. He and his companions were very successful. ("Be a Missionary All Your Life," Quentin L. Cook, Sept 2008 Ensign)

And boom! My worries were gone. If we work hard and keep an "eye single to his glory," (D&C 8:15) our inadequacies can be strengthened in Him. So even though I tell people to infuse knowledge into my brain when they ask what they can help me with, I know I'll be okay.