Christmas

Merry Christmas!

"We must never forget what He did for us, for without His Atonement and Resurrection, life would have no meaning. With His Atonement and Resurrection, however, our lives have eternal, divine possibilities." -Elder Christofferson-

 

Such a great quote!

 

Seeing my family on skype was the best present ever! 

Unfortunately after Skyping and breakfast with the Archibald family... 

Boom! our flu symptoms got worse. We barely made it home and practically 

crawled.... into..... bed...... 

Sister Kopetky (the mission nurse told us to call her when our fevers were back down to 99) 

We felt like we woke up a year later and it wasn't even Christmas yet. But the calendar assured us it was. Maybe it was just that talking to our families felt like a dream! 

The families we were suppose to visit were very understanding that we didn't want to give them the gift of the flu for Christmas & one family even offered to send her daughter to drop some Christmas ham and tamales off to us. Wow. We were so grateful. This ward is so kind. 

Sister Hoogstra on Sunday brought groceries for us becuase she knew we were sick. 

I am so touched by the kindess of this ward. 

 

           Another exciting thing happened on Sunday! Can you guess who is in the picture? 

KENDAL!! 

Mom and Bella met her in Provo! Of all the wards she could have stopped in on...it was the Sheboygan ward! She gave me a hug and said, "This is from your family! I just want to thank you for all you are doing, if it weren't for Sisters... I wouldn't be here. And when I was walking around temple square- I just was overwhlemed by the Spirit I felt. The gospel is what's REAL!"

& this is Tyner. 

She is a sweet young woman in the ward who we take "heart attacking" with us. It's such a fun tradition- and it's really good for the 3 of us to talk, share scriptures, and laugh for an hour.

Tyner deals with a lot of challenges in her life but has been a blessing in my life because of her incredible positive attitude! During our ward's Christmas devotional this year (Bishop just started the tradition this Christmas) it was pretty amazing because without talking to one another Sister Prestwich and I thought, "This is the ward's activity, we'll let everyone in the ward who wants to go up first." But then I really felt like I should go! I bore my testimony about reading The Book of Mormon as a mission- marking in red and green. "Even though I am away from my family, and it's really hard.. I can pick up the phone and call my Heavenly Father whenever I need Him. Reading the Book of Mormon has brought me so much closer to Him and my Savior. This is the most Christ-centered Christmas I've ever had and becasue of that it is the most memorable." I was walking back and Sister Prestwich stood up and went too! But there was a reason for all of this. Tyner got up to bear her testimony and said, "Heavenly Father has a sense of humor because I had said to my Mom jokingly, 'If both of the Sister missionaries get up to bear their testimonies.... in a ROW... then I'll go!'... and then THEY DID!!" haha That was a huge stretch for Tyner to bear her testimony! I love being a missionary and noticing how aware our Father is Heaven is of each of His children. I know I am the happiest in life when my testimony is the strongest!  

Steadfast & Immovable in Christ!

Love, 

Sister Osmond

Love is a Verb

"True Christianity is love in action. There is no better way to manifest love for God than to show an unselfish love for your fellow men. This is the spirit of missionary work."

-President David O. McKay-

I spoke at Ashton Holme's baptism! on the Holy Ghost! There were so many non-members there. It was so fun to testify of the restoration of the Priestood. I had no idea how much that meant to me until my mission where I have talked to so many of other faiths. 

 

Sorry this is short but this P-day is a little different because we are going to see Christmas lights tonight. We did an hour of missionary work in the morning instead so we could go at night! :) 

So I wish I could have written more but I get to see everyone in THREE 3, 3, 3 days!!  

May the force be with you all!! I think about you all the time! <3

Steadfast & Immovable in Christ!

Love, 

Sister Osmond

Christmas Cookies

Dear Family, 

THIS WEEK: I am going to make a list of questions we can talk about on Christmas. & You can make a list too!  :) We are going to pack as much as we can into 40 minutes. .

Words can not describe how excited I am to see you guys! I'm sorry if my letters have not included my EXTREME excitement.. I've just been really little family-sick. I love you guys more than anything! We have a problem: we are way too close as a family. haha I notice that when I am talking to other missionaries, I just talk about my family like they are my best friends- i know they love their family too but being here has made me realize that i love all of you, your individual quirks and the phrases you say and the memories we have together and the trips we've taken and the jokes galore!! Just saying. :)

Sister Prestwich is so sweet. She has been so kind and I know she is meant to be my companion. We will be friends after this. I've really had to take charge on being punctual and feel like I'm pulling sometimes. She is so humble, last night after I told her that I would really appreciate her help she said, I need to be helping you more, we need to be equally yoked, I know you are tired sometimes and I just want to apologize... wow. I told her that she was so kind and I've learned a lot from her love for God and others.

The advent calendar has been a HUGE LIGHT amidst the difficult times we have face throughout December. I am beyond grateful for such a present and I now know how those Elders felt in Florida when we gave them Christmas presents with attached scriptures. I thought I knew, but I didn't. Now I understand. :)

 

I will cherish this Christmas for the rest of my life because it's been really hard. 

& I've gained an appreciation for the Atonement of Jesus Christ on such a deep level. 

He is my best friend.  

I could not do this if I did not know it is true. 

I absolutley do know that the gospel is true! I know that Christ lives! I want everyone to experience the healing that comes from allowing Him to help you. 

& Anyone who has sacrificed anything for this gospel will say the same thing. 

I know this because of my 1) Desire to know for myself  2) The action I've taken because of it & 3) The fruits, The undeniable experiences I have had, The love, comfort and motivation to press forward I have felt!  -Matthew 7:20-  and this is the pattern that everyone can follow to receive His guidance. 

 

We saw a lot of miracles this week after we faced a lot of opposition. The Mom of a family I really love slammed the door super hard in our face and yelled at us so loud I thought her next door neighbors were going to come out. I had felt really good about going to see her so I didn't regret going, but my heart stung that she would yell at us and tell us to go away because of something she had told other sisters missionaries about that we were unaware of.

Something that shocked me was the way I was able to handle this because I understand the Atonement a lot better now. I was able to have that sting removed from me and replaced with love for her and her hard situation. 

Wow- My heart was transformed. That's the only way I can describe it. 

 

Nicole told us that she doesn't want to learn anymore- with her baptism a week away. :( 

We need to meet with her as soon as we can and resolve her concerns. This seems to happen a lot. The hardest thing is that people DON'T CONNECT THE DOTS BETWEEN the opposition with the good ahead! 

I know I have seen this in my own life too. Something to be aware of. 

Even her daughter Ebony, who we are helping prepare for the temple in January has faced major trials and we told her yesterday... 

"This is because you are preparing for the temple."

She responded, "I did not even think about that."

 

In the Book of Mormon we read during the wars of the people whose opponents gained advantage over them simply because the people "Hadn't supposed they would...[fill in the blank]." interesting, huh? This blew my mind! OPPOSITION is real.

 

I would just like to invite everyone to step back and examine your life from a bird's eye view. :) 

It's amazing the things you will discover. 

Why do you think you are facing opposition? What is that opposition trying to stop you from accomplishing?

 

OK... SO HERE'S A FUN MIRACLE STORY!

Rosa is a hispanic lady who owns a Mexican Bakery in Sheboygan. 

Their family doesn't attend church, but her son Frank has been preparing for a mission and comes to church alone. 

We saw a hispanic lady walking down the street so we grabbed a spanish Book of Mormon and gave her a He is the Gift card and asked her if she had ever heard of El Libro de Mormon. She told us she had to go to work and didn't want to be late. 

So we walked down the street with this Spanish Book of Mormon in my bag. Wouldn't you know it... we walked right past Rosa's bakery. I looked over and...

DING!! This is Rosa's place! I had never met her.. so we walked in and said, "Are you Rosa?" She smiled and said that she was. She didn't know there were "girl missionaries" in Sheboygan. She was a little unimpressed at our ability to speak her language so I whipped out my, "Camaron que se duerme se lo lleva la coriente." and her face lit up! She said, "That's funny!!" 

I read 2 Nephi 32:3 from the Spanish Book of Mormon. She was so surprised that we had one in our bag. I was too because we never do!! 

We invited her to the Relief Society cookie exchange and told her that everyone would be fighting for the galetas she would make because of her baking skills. 

She has not been to church in a very long time so was a little hesitant, but her excitment exceeded it! We told her we could help her make them!! 

So here are the pictures of us with Rosa at her little bakery on 15th street. We laughed, she taught us some Spanish, and she put on some classic Christmas music for all of us to listen too!

Have a wonderful week! & travel safe!! I'm so excited for you all to be in Wales!!

 

Steadfast & Immovable in Christ!

Love, 

Sister Osmond

Rosa

     

Marsha, me, Sister Prestwich, and Brother Klunk

Exchanges

Saturday we had exchanges...

This is Sister Spens from Morgan, Utah- 

she lives on a sheep farm and is right next to HUNTSVILLE.

(I knew you would love that Dad.) I really loved being with her. Miracles always happen on Exchange days. Some of those miracles included investigators being home who are never home, Hannah Carroll (who came Pier contacting with us in the Summer) coming to Nicole Perry's lesson with us, and inviting everyone to the Christmas Devotional! At the end of our exchange we went to a lady's home in their area. There was a picture of her at the Jukebox theatre! 

It wasn't the first time on my mission I had met someone who had been to Branson before. CRAZY. 

Some of these people I met 10 years ago, never did I ever think I would be at their houses for a lesson on my mission.  It's really surreal, but really lucky. I love being in Wisconsin. 

"I knew the church was true just because of your family's example." Something she said while we were there.

 The best testimonies we could ever share with people are the righteous lives we live!

One really amazing thing that our mission is doing is at 3:00 we pray to reach 300 baptisms at the end of the year. 300 people with the strength of the gospel in their lives. Yesterday we ended up at the Pond's house at 3:00 for a lesson with Jared Pollock and asked them if they would like to join us. It's powerful to know that 275 missionaries are praying along with you at 3:00!! Jared's family have been greatly effected by his righteouss example to be baptized. 

He said yesterday, "I just wish everyone could know this!! You just wish you could shake people and say- you'll be so much happier." with the biggest smile on his face. Remember this is coming from an ex-heroine addict. 

 

Another cute thing that happened this week is we went to go visit a Laotian member. She didn't speak any English but gave us sticky rice and we sang her I am a Child of God. The spirit that filled the room was so peaceful.

 

We are also helping Thaina, an exchange student from Brazil, with her paper this week on the Power of Prayer & we are teaching her Japanese exchange student friends! 

They love the fun little Japanese phrases I know. It's a reminder of home.

They are all attending Lakeland college. We taught them all the Plan of Salvation and ordered a Japanese Book of Mormon for Yu. 

We compared coming to Earth life to college. An answered prayer on how to bridge the language barrier! Everyone understood and wanted to learn more. 

 

One thing Nicole Perry said this week over and over again that I love is:

"He's my Father. I know that He is there for me."

I know Heavenly Father Lives!! 

& always has your Best interest in mind. 

Pretty amazing that the most powerful being in the Universe has your best interest in mind. 

Rely on Him for Guidance.

 

Have a wonderful week.

The countdown to Christmas is the countdown to FAMILY TIME!!! Yeah! 

Can't wait to see everyone!!

Steadfast & Immovable in Christ!

Love, 

Sister Osmond

ps: I LOVE CUSTARD!! There. I said it. :)

We ate the best flavor today- Rice Crispy Treat! We told everyone in town about it. 

It was a crazy P-day. Went to Pomp's tire and auto to get the mantinence check up for our car Andy, went to the Sprint store to transfer our contacts because we were eligable for an upgraded phone, bought groceries, went to the landromat, and now we are here at this wonderful peaceful library!! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Breaking the Wishbone!

Thanksgiving was wonderful! 

We made little turkey cards for people with scriptures on them and passed them out. 

After we went to Don and Vals house. They have been saving wish bones for 5 years!!

So we all got to make a wish! I won but my wish was for both of us: That Nicole would get baptized. She is so close! She just needs to make church a habit before we can feel comfortable with her making this sacred covenant of baptism! 

We are loving sending our email from our new library!! The Kohler Library is wonderful!  

We were done with the Sheboygan Library... it was really sketchy and we got tired of always feeling like we had to keep our eye on our stuff. So happy we changed!

My training went super well at District Meeting. I fervently prayed for the Spirit to speak to their hearts as it did mine while I was studying obedience. I shared a short Guillian-Barre story and told them that although I have major fatigue I always get up on time! I'm grateful I could testify that obedience brings blessings because I have seen them in my life!! 

A theme that really stuck out to me this week in the scriptures was, 

"Our afflictions can be swallowed up in the joy of Christ!"

I loved this scripture this morning. Alma 33:11

"And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son."

He hears us, no matter where we are spiritually or physically. 

Christ = Hope!

& Happy December! 

In preparation for Christmas Bishop Holmes has invited us to ponder- 

"What shall I give to the child in the manger?" 

Steadfast & Immovable in Christ!

 

Love, 

Sister Osmond

ps: photos of our apartment :)

SERIOUSLY?! ha! We have also seen several Green Bay Packers Houses! Crazy!!

Don & Val

Sister Berg, Marsha, Adam and his girlfriend Ari

 

Tracking

getting pumped for tracting!!

the door of opportunity is open! 

I love our door, it has a picture of Christ on it- that's another thing that makes me feel like a missionary. I love it so much!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Love 

Sophia <3

Gratitude!

Hello!!

Crazy week with Sister Milligan going home. The ward threw a "surprise" farewell for her! 

It's hard to keep anything from each other in a companionship, especially if I am one of those companions. :) 

I like to know about surprises though! haha & she was prepared for it which was nice. 

I have such a strong testimony that one of the most ideal ways to do missionary work is at these type of get togethers where everyone is relaxed. We set up so many appointments and connected with less actives.

I have been praying lately to overcome more of my fear of man and strengthen my fear of God! 

I've been given the strength to ask two part-member families to take the lessons! Both husbands!! 

maybe not in the boldest ways, but asking was still bold! :)  "Ain't nobody got time for [Fear!]" :) 

Having the Priestood in these homes will greatly strengthen their family and their relationship with their wives!

Both are so dedicated to the gospel!! 

I've also been striving to give out at least one Book of Mormon a day 

and always have a pocket full of Mormon.org cards ready to go!! 

I am also learning that it is the small and simple rules are there to protect us. That is why we read 3 pages of the white handbook everyday. Just like in the scriptures, many may not obey with exactness because of the simpleness of the way. but...

"LOOK AND LIVE!!" 

Alma 37:46! 

I am grateful to have been with Sister Milligan, she is such a strong person. 

I have definitely been strengthened through trials. 

My health has been hard to manage, we called the mission nurse Sister Kopetsky last week about my fatigue! 

I'm grateful that I've been able to learn how to be Self-sufficient both spiritually (with my testimony)

and physically (with managing GBS effects). 

Self-Sufficient is my personal theme for November! I have a theme every month. 

Speaking of November.... the package came at the perfect moment!! like it always does. (no need to stress with timing now that I said that, but I just know that as we live right we help more people than we realize! we are at the right time and place without "trying")  Those Brrrrr Essentials are the cutest!! I was looking for twinkle lights when we volunteered at the Bethesda thrift store the day before! (every Wednesday we volunteer there) I really really needed some sunshine on Thursday!! You guys have spoiled me! 

wow. I seriously count my blessings every day. I love that sign you sent that says- there is always something to be grateful for.  Speaking of counting blessings- I've been thinking this week!! It's almost Thanksgiving!! We have great plans with great people! But I am going to send you my journal entry via mail next week so that when you guys get back from Branson you can paste it in the Thanksgiving journal!! YEAH!!! Happy turkey day! Do the turkey trot for me!! 

I can't believe I am halfway done with my mission on the 26th! Halfway can be hard! haha It's like saying- "ONE MORE TIME!" :) But wow has it gone by fast! There is so much more I have to learn. & Mom, that was extremely inspired that you asked me about Joseph Smith- we talked to a very sad man who used to be a strong member of the church but was led away by deceit.  I don't know everything about it- but I know the book of mormon is true and everything stands or falls with this one truth. pretty bold statement to be the one true church!! Everyone can find out for themselves that it is. I'm grateful that my mission has strengthened my testimony of so many things- but if you have a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon and you pray to know- you will know. Just as James 1:5 promises. We testified to this man that this church only brings people closer to Christ and that he felt that when he was first baptized and can not deny that. and that we don't know the details of all things but that the fruits of this gospel are WONDERFUL!! :) 

God is not the author of confusion. He makes things simple so that we can return to live with Him. 

I do not believe in a God who tries to confuse us. I believe in a God of order who loves us!! 

His promises are the only sure things we have in this life. 

The temple is a beautiful place where we can escape this world and REMEMBER who we are. 

I have a list that I've made of Rational thoughts in my journal because people can be so irrational! 

Questions to ask myself like: Do I feel good? Do I see light in this? Does this bring me closer to Christ? Do I feel peace if I make that decision? etc.

It's fun to make a list like that! It strengthens your spirit to discern things as they really are!!

Fun challenge as we are preparing for thanksgiving! Stop and think about what you are grateful for. Literally. 

When you are at a stop sign say a couple things you are grateful for! We had a lesson in relief society yesterday and that was the cute 20 something year old teachers suggestion. She is a convert to the church and said after class. Giving up cappichinos was SO worth it! as she talked about joining the church. There are strong members here. & I am excited for my new companion Sister Prestwhich. we've been riding with her and sister cosgrove (we met her mom at shirley's bakery) up to meetings and I've gotten to know her! She is a hard worker and so gentle and sweet!! This ward is ready for the next level! (Thanks Brother Cook!) We'll be bumping our member present lessons even higher in the coming weeks. 

Great things ahead, always. That's another thing that's sometimes hard to remember but extremely important- our Heavenly Father has our best interest in mind. 

Obedience brings protection and blessings. 

I love you all SO incredibly much!!!!!!!

--

Steadfast & Immovable in Christ!

Love, 

Sister Osmond

BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE!!!  <3

& remember...

HE MADE IT!! JARED IS BAPTIZED!!

Jared and his 8 yr old stepson Derek
Baptized Together! 

Jared's family is seeing GREAT blessings by keeping the commandments and centering their home on Jesus Christ. 

"Yes, it's crazy at times! But we've never had ORDER in our home like we do now!! We prioritize family first."

Jared's Family

 Wow, this week... I tell ya! I love being a missionary. 

First of all, I cannot thank you enough for teaching me about Christ and the restored gospel!

I know that this is probably one of the greatest blessings of the the gospel--Happy Homes!!

I love you all so much.  This week was truly incredible with Jared's baptism!!

We went to visit their family on Friday and he said, 

"When Sister Pond warned me it was going to be a tough week... I have to admit, I laughed a little bit. I couldn't imagine life getting any crazier. But it did!! 

Our electricity went out, our car broke down, I had to work overtime, etc. But you know what? I don't even care! 

My spirits are high!!"

He showed up to the baptism in his blue jeans and a white shirt- ready to go. But extremely exhausted. 

Then- the most beautiful thing happened. After he was baptized, he stood there for a moment with his eyes closed- taking the moment in. 

When he finally came back to his seat he exclaimed- "I feel like I've just had 10 extra hours of sleep!" 

Sister Milligan and I had never seen him SO Happy! What a complete transformation in 6 months! 

He had peace at his core! 

& that happiness only amplified as he was confirmed a member of the church the next day

and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

Our lesson in Gospel Principles class was on the Priestood- He will be a wonderful and worthy Priestood holder 

in just a couple weeks! 

He is converted. From Heroine Addict to Everyone's Hero! 

This was one of those experiences that absolutely changed my life. 

I am so grateful to know their family!! His wife Kathryn is a member but hadn't been to church in a long time- as she has been taking the lessons with Jared she said last week, 

"I feel more worthy than I ever have! It is the greatest feeling! 

Rock bottom was the foundation on which I re-built my life."

I learn so much from their inward strength. 

The plan is that they will be sealed in the temple as a family in one year from now! 

The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the greatest gift to all. 

Which way do you face? 

It is not about distance, it's about DIRECTION.

...here are a couple of GREAT quotes from another investigator Nicole- we are hoping she will be baptized this month!

-"When you say, 'I'll leave it in God's hands!' Leave it there!!"

-"You can go wrong with people, but you can't go wrong with God!"

-"If you let God help you make decisions... you'll be fine."

Words to Live by!!

We had Zone Conference on Thursday and I was able to hold an original copy of the Book of Mormon!

Original Book of Mormon

Usually you see them behind glass- but the convert couple that spoke to us have a copy specifically for letting others hold it in their own hands, strengthening testimonies, and teaching the individual of the reality of the Book of Mormon and what it means for them.  

I want to share my special experience with you: 

As I held that red covered copy and ran my fingers through the 200+ year old, crisp, browned pages- a pure voice came into my mind.

"You know it is true!"

My response thought was: Yes, yes I do know it's true. 

And knowing that it's true for myself has brought the greatest comfort and guidance in my life. 

I later reflected on this sacred experience. 

I realized that I had felt the spirit just as clear while reading my blue covered Book of Mormon during the school year or in my missionary apartment during studies. & that I regarded those experiences just as sacred as the one I had this week while holding an 1800s original copy. Wherever you may be and However you read its words- 

you can feel of God's love for you. And know for yourself that this resource of hope and guidance was brought forth today by His power.

It is an additional witness of His divine son- even Jesus Christ. 

Steadfast & Immovable in Christ!

Love, 

Sister Osmond

Zone Conference

Welcome To My Week!!

Bookworm Gardens

Hello Everyone! I hope life is great. 

This week was PACKED with excitement!

...so I have to go day by day...  

MONDAY:

Bookworm Gardens. 

This is one of those things Sheboygan is known for! 

A storybook themed garden! Curious George, Peter Rabbit, Winnie the Pooh, 

Goldilocks and the Three Bears... etc. 

The 3 Bears!

Grass Sofa!

TUESDAY: 

I'm playing the Piano for District Meetings now! 

I volunteered because Elder Stegner, who was playing the piano, is now our District Leader. 

Thank you Mom and Dad!! haha 

WEDNESDAY: 

We volunteer at Bethesda- so we were invited to a Bethesda Volunteer Banquet. 

We were able to stand up and announce that we are missionaries from 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Then at the lunch table, we sat next to the head honchos and asked them what their favorite Bible verses were because we wanted their input for what scripture of the day we were going to send to everyone. We had a wonderful discussion about the scriptures bringing us comfort in hard times. 

Then...A BOOO-tiful package came in the mail! YESSSSS!! 

Best Timing! Wednesday was a pretty crazy day and we were so incredibly grateful to come home to such a thoughtfully put together package. 

We felt so loved with every item we pulled out of that box- one by one. The twine was so cute! & the cartoons were so "PRO!" :) 

THURSDAY:

We had a prompting to go see Kyle, Kayle, and Kadence before we started our planning session. 

Heavenly Father sure loves "Blue Shirt Guy's" family! haha It was perfect timing because Kyle is out of town for work and Kayla was just about to leave her house. 

We invited them to the Trunk-or-Treat this Wednesday! They are coming!! The Spirit always has perfect timing. 

FRIDAY:

Jackie Dean's & Jessie were Baptized!! (more on this to come!)

Jackie Dean & the Cook Family

Bonus... I was able to see Elena!! She told me how much the letter meant to her and she knows that God is so aware of her situation. She is so strong.

Elena

& just when you think this day couldn't get any better... I had a Pudgey Pie for the first time with our neighbors Don and Val when we got home. 

They are a Wisconsin Specialty. Two pieces of bread with whatever you want inside- cooked over a fire! Yumola. I have heard about them my whole mission! 

I am definitely buying one before I leave WI.  

TACO, PIZZA, PIE FILLING, PUDDING, YOU NAME IT!
They don't call them "Pudgy Pies" for nothing!! :)

SATURDAY:

Sophie Adam's was Baptized! 

Sophie!!

Savannah Pond played the Harp!
We LOVE the Pond Family!!

SUNDAY:

JARED PASSED HIS BAPTISMAL INTERVIEW!!! 

Do you know what that means? He's officially getting baptized this Saturday!! 

WHOOT WHOOT!! 

Also... we met a miniature pony named- Apple....seriously.... best week ever!! 

Apple

I know that Jesus Christ Lives. 

I know that no effort of kindness is wasted in the cause of truth!

I know that I'm weak but He's strong... Let's do this thing!! 

Talk to you next week! 

Love, 

Sister Osmond

Jackie Dean was BAPTIZED!!

THIS IS A MAJOR HIGHLIGHT. 

This is sincerely one of the BEST days of my mission!

I got to go home to Lake Michigan for Jackie's Baptism!! 

(I'm so grateful for Sister Ross in the ward that was able to take us!)

I've never been so emotional at a baptism.

It was such a happy reunion seeing The Cooks ("My cousins"- the ward mission leader's family), my Lake Michigan friends, & Sister Zebley again!! Jackie had requested that Sister Zebley and I sing at the Baptism- It was so fun to instantly reconnect with Sister Zebley and to look down and see Jackie and Jessie crying. Their Mom and Step-Dad were there- Jessie (who didn't have any support at her baptism) has been such a strong young woman, her talk and testimony of baptism and what it has meant to her in her life was so powerful. & to watch Jackie be baptized! It was all one of the most spiritual experiences of my mission!!  It felt like a dream. Although I had pictured being at her baptism while teaching my sweet friend, I never pictured being lucky enough to attend after leaving the Lake Michigan ward. AH! Why does Heavenly Father love His children SO much?!

"Graham Canyon." :)  

Steadfast & Immovable in Christ!

Love, 

Sister Osmond

Cook Family

Abbi 

"Baby"-- it's COLD outside!

Hello!! Sheboygan is great! 
& It's getting a little chilly here! :) 

The picture: Kohler (the toilet company) has the coolest art museum here in Sheboygan!

This baby is supposedly the artist's childhood doll and she made a life size version of it to place in spots that made an impact on her life! HAHA!! 

                                          If you zoom up on the art bus picture- Sister Milligan has a 2-D baby! 

                                                                  You are suppose to take it with you and #. 

                                                           She is taking it back home with her to California! 

There is also a town owned by Mr. Kohler about 10 minutes from here! That's where the toilet museum is- I can't wait to go soon! It will be so much fun visiting Shebogan with you guys!

Funny Wisconsin Fun Fact: They call Gnats- "No-see-ems"!!!

I feel like I am on a different planet sometimes. in a good way. everything is so exciting in Wisconsin. I never imagined. 

MEET THE MORMONS WAS AMAZING... I can't believe you all went to see it together! 

& I can't believe I got to see it on my mission. It was so motivating! I have had an extra boost of missionary spirit this week because of it! Along with all of the Sheboygan Ward. 

Apparently is a Box Office #9 across the United States this week! 

UPDATE!!: I got a surprise phone call from the Lake Michigan ward last night- it was Sister Zebley! 

She told me that Jackie Dean is officially getting baptized this Friday and wants Team OZ to sing at it!! 

We just have to find a member to drive us. 

Jackie's parents must have given her the OK to be baptized.

She plans on going to BYU and finally trying Graham Canyon BYU creamery ice cream- everyone talks about it! 

It was a funny inside joke to randomly say "Graham Canyon!" when we were teaching her. 

I can't wait to find out all of the details. 

Look!! Don & Val and Karen took us out to dinner this week!! 

Karen that we got those cute flowers from that I put in the blender when I first came to Sheboygan. 

& Don and Val that tell us about Storm warnings and take care of us! 

They are all great people!!

It was really fun because Randall's, where we went to dinner, was bought out by a Christian family and so they play K-love there!!! Dream come true.

They bought me that pink scarf I'm wearing for my birthday this was my month late birthday dinner- they are so kind! 

This is one of my favorite moments of the week! 

We went into Dairy Queen for a pit stop after a lesson on Tuesday... 

& Look what I found!! 

I threw the change I had in the bin and as I was getting my picture taken with it I told the cute girl behind the counter to come and be in the picture with me!

She said, "OK!!!" 

I told her that my Grandma started the Children's Miracle Network and she was amazed. 

She excitedly said, "We raise a lot of money for the charity every year!"

I said Thank you and as I was leaving, I looked her in the eyes and said- "Expect Miracles Today!!" :) 

Our district color was Blue this time! some other missionaries joined in for the picture!

I told Sister Cutler to come in because she was wearing blue! haha 

I had to send this picture because I love my district and her! 

Our Bishop started a Runner's club every Saturday! So we support him in this! It's really fun! It brings the ward together!!

Sister Milligan and I named it the "Funny Runner's club" when we went the first week! 

We wear Christmas sweaters!! haha

Here are the original members. 

This is Sister Hoogstra in the ward's husband!! MR. JAY! (jay-jay the jet plane) He is not a member! They took us to a fancy dinner and we taught him the Plan of Salvation over Calamari! it was terrifying. haha But the Spirit was the teacher- we did our part and opened our mouths and the Spirit fill it with words. 

He came to church the next day! 

Sister Hoogstra is so nice to us.... she is the very first member I ate dinner with here in Sheboygan!

DID YOU KNOW SHE USED TO WORK AT THE OSMOND STUDIO?! So amazing!!!!!

"As a pilot I have touched the skies.  As a church member I have felt heaven's embrace." President Uchtdorf

Steadfast & Immovable in Christ!

Love, 

Sister Osmond

The Fruit of our Labor

We picked grapes in "Sister Bender's vineyard" this week!"...The fruit of our labor!

So, I had a really strong impression during General Conference last week to write my friend in the Lake Michigan Ward who has been trying to come back to church. It was so strong that I knew it had to be done as soon as possible. I had her letter ready to send, addressed to her whole family. President Cutler called that night! My stomach dropped thinking something had happened in my own family or that I was being transferred. He never calls. He informed me that my friend's husband had died. I learned to always follow the Spirit... always. I am so grateful I listened. My letter was inspired...
The Spirit is the quickest messenger. 

I've been trying to think about the missionary experiences that have shaped my life and I can vividly recall one lesson the missionaries taught to our family in when I was growing up in Missouri... I can remember it because everyone was throwing waded up paper at me!! With a shield though- THE SCRIPTURES- it was a lot easier to deflect...

"The Fiery Darts of the Adversary!" 

1 Nephi 15:24- 

"...it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction."

I've been wanting to teach this lesson to everyone every since I remembered this! 

If I can remember it 10 years later than it must be a memorable! 

So that's been our go-to lesson!

I don't think those Elders ever thought I would be teaching their lesson on my mission! haha But I am. 

The kids love it, just like I did!! 

& I don't even know who those missionaries were, but they made an impact on my life. 

Just imagine what an impact you make on the people who DO know you!

I've had to remind myself of that all week- 

You make a greater impact than you think. 

Strive to make an impact for good!

Be the epicenter of something wonderful.

HAVE A MORE THAN GOOD WEEK.....

HAVE A GRRRREAT WEEK!

(Frosted Flakes, all rights reserved) 

Steadfast & Immovable in Christ!

Love, 

Sister Osmond

Danielle's Baptism!!

She is such a beautiful person!!

Lucky Sister Westra was home in UT and able to go!!

Danielle was Baptisted the day before my Birthday!!

Best present EVER!!