Miracles

Sister Elizabeth Kelly
DC Mission

Hello Everyone!

I am so glad you had a GREAT time on tour!! You must be exhausted... 

I opened my mailbox this morning to find..... THE QUEEN.  I  love the fun Postcards!!

This week was crazy: We have a certain amount of miles we can drive per month and were running dry with a Packed Schedule! It seemed impossible. So we did everything we could and then turned it over to the Lord! (it ended up being one of the most successful weeks of my mission as well as Sister Zebley's- which just goes to show that if we're willing to work- Heavenly Father will help us succeed!)

Ok: one of the coolest Miracles this week-----

So on Friday we set a goal to give out 5 Books of Mormon.

It was difficult because we didn't have any "in-between appointments" time:

But I knew that we had set the goal in Faith and that people would be placed in our path! 

I was ready to make it happen!!

Fast Forward---We had only given out 1 and it was 8:30 at night! ugh. It was a little frustrating.

I thought,

"But why is this happening? It's a righteous desire! We want to give people copies of the Book of Mormon... Come on!"

Then I had a "lightbulb" moment: "PUSH THROUGH. This is a test of Faith."

So we did. We marched over to the mall parking lot by our apartment. haha

We taught a lady walking to her car-- & she accepted it! Ding Ding Ding. We were so grateful!

We still had 3 to go ...and we were running out of time!

Just that morning I said, "We are going to find the most intimidating person and talk to them today!"

Well, Our wish came true. There was a pack of the 4 most intimidating people right in front of us. haha

Not only that but they had just finished dinner and approaching them was a scary thing... 

HUZZZZZZZZZAAAAAAAHHH! The kingdom of God or nothing! Right??!

So we walked right up to them.

We found out that one of the lady's had been to school in Idaho and had met with missionaries before!

She didn't hesitate to tell us, "It really wasn't for me. Good luck getting ANYONE here in Wisconsin!"

Then proceeded to drill us with questions.

-deep breath- then I somehow transitioned into reading a scripture.

Something amazing happened--- As we shared our testimonies of the Book of Mormon and how it has strengthened our families and brought peace to our lives... the man who didn't want anything to do with it said, "You know what I would like a copy." & then the other 2 friends chimed in- "Can we have one too?" They all took one except the first lady.

(I can't imagine how she felt- good peer pressure. hah!)

Another amazing thing that happened this week: Elizabeth Kelly's farewell!

It was so surreal to be sitting in the chapel listening to her speak! About her decision to serve a mission, her experience at BYU, and how she couldn't believe she was already leaving!

There I was- A missionary of almost 5 months- listening and reflecting on how much I had changed since my farewell.

I gave her the biggest hug! Out of all the places in Wisconsin- I'm serving at her church building in Milwaukee! 

No coincidences! haha It was such a blessing to be there. & Crazy to think she was the one singing at my farewell back in February.  

Sister Kelly will make an amazing missionary in DC! 

IN CLOSING....

"There can be miracles, if you believe!"

(-Whitney Houston, Prince of Egypt soundtrack-) 

Steadfast & Immovable in Christ!

Love, 

Sister Osmond

Come Unto Christ

WE ARE SET UP TO SUCCEED!!

We have so many resources available to us as members of the church.

However, the most important being the knowledge of the enabling power of 
the Atonement of Jesus Christ!!

This has been one of my favorite quotes of the week.

---General Conference Answers Questions---  (found on lds.org)

Q: "Why keep trying when I can't change certain things because it's just the way I am?"

A: "Once any of us conclude... 'That's just the way I am,' we give up our ability to change. We might as well raise the white flag, put down our weapons, concede the battle, and just surrender- any prospect of winning is lost. While some of us may think that does not describe us, perhaps every one of us demonstrates by at least one or two bad habits, 
'That's just the way I am.' ....WHO WE ARE IS NOT WHO WE CAN BECOME...

Christ's Atonement gives every one of us- no matter our weaknesses, our frailties, our additions- the ability to change.

We meet with the hope that our future, no matter our history, can be better.

When we have REAL INTENT to change, the Spirit has full access to our hearts and minds."

This week was incredible!!

We are so privileged to be teaching member referrals!

They are trusting "the missionaries" with their friends!

Missionary work hastens as the missionaries and members work together.

I have such a strong testimony of that now because I have seen it happen!

It can be a lot of pressure, but as we turn it over to the Lord- miracles are happening. I can tell you right now teaching has been such a beautiful experience. As we prepare lesson plans and do our part to study,

the words that we need to say flow into our minds.

I had always heard missionaries say this- but actually experiencing it? Wow.

My heart is just overflowing with gratitude that the Lord trusts me enough to serve in this ward.

There were 4 not-as-active sisters who attended church yesterday!

I have never felt such joy as I did seeing them at church!! 
These really are our brothers and sisters!!
As a missionary you are able to see into these people's lives and realize that everyone has such difficulties to overcome.  As we take the sacrament & Come unto Christ our hearts can be healed, we can have renewed strength and we can become more Christlike! 

I LOVE YOU ALL!
HAVE A HAPPY WEEK!!

Steadfast & Immovable in Christ!

Love,
Sister Osmond

Endurance

ZONE CONFERENCE! 

at the City Branch Building. 

Alma 38:2  This is Alma talking to his son...

"And now, my son, I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God.; for as you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord your God, even so I hope that you will continue in keeping his commandments; for blessed is he that endureth to the end."      

Did you know that Endurance is a Christ-like Attribute? 

It is! Our newsletter from President and Sister Cutler talked all about it.

I thought that was the coolest thing. Eye-opening! 

That endure to the end stuff can sound kind of tiring sometimes... haha

But as we do the simple things consistently... it won't be!

There's a promise that was emphasized in a Zone Conference:

If you read 10 min. in the Book of Mormon everyday... you will never fall away! 

Because- why would you?

You are powering your Liahona! (The Spirit) 

The times when you don't feel like doing it are usually the times when you need

it the most! ...as with anything!! 

We had a great lesson with Bob this week about the Liahona. 

He went through a lot of opposition before his baptism, but he said it was so worth it because of the spiritual strength he received during his knee surgery. 

He said he could feel the spirit comforting him and giving him hope!

Unlike anything he had experienced before. 

It was incredible to hear him say that…  The man who I met my first day out in the mission field, who had given up on everything... was now one of the happiest human beings! Brother Bob- a clean shaved, white shirt wearing, changed man!

Also: Jackie also has a Baptismal Date now! 

She is a 17 year old who has a sister who joined the church and attended BYU with only 6 months of being a member. (talk about culture shock! haha)

Her sister had the best time in Provo and because of this Jackie came to our ward pancake breakfast and said she wanted to learn more about what her sister believed! 

At breakfast they asked her to say the closing prayer. 

She said "Dear Heavenly Father... I know it has been awhile- thank you for coming back into my life and for loving me." The spirit was so strong that everyone was crying as the spirit penetrated our hearts.

She has now switched her work schedule so she can come to church every Sunday! 

Steadfast & Immovable in Christ!

Love, 

Sister Osmond

Press forward with a perfect brightness of hope!  2 Nephi 31:20  

Father's Day

Dear Daddy,

Happy FAB's Day!

I loved hearing the primary kids sing.."I'm so glad when Daddy comes home!" yesterday.       

I love you so much!  CELEBRATE! You deserve it!!

Thank you for being my Hummy #1

I know with all my heart-- you were meant to be my daddy!

You are so thoughtful of those around you....without even trying.

You are the most honest person I know! INTEGRITY!! you are 100% genuine because of it!

You live in the moment & enjoy it!! You have taught me to love life!! 

"Come on!" "Why not!!" "Go for it!"

 {everything will work together for your good if you just allow it to happen.}

I love you for all of those things Dad & more! ...a lot more!!

I am always thinking about you...always.

Love, 

your baby girl
mmmkknnnnn

Lake Michigan is still on Fire!!

SISTER ZELBY!!

I love the missionaries in Wisconsin!!

It is THE BEST PLACE TO SERVE. I'm so grateful.

I am still me…but I have changed so much!

I have such a clearer perspective on life! 

& I am learning the best life skills ever!!

I have learned so much about allowing the Atonement to work in my life. 

The Lord really does work with imperfect tools... but when I have confidence in Him as I walk into a lesson... the words really do come! It's the most incredible thing. I have never been so close to the spirit! It really does tell you all things that you should do.

This week when Sister Westra left-it was CRAZY!

I had no idea where to start- the spirit was able to guide me and to who we should see and how to keep the Fire of Lake Michigan alive!

I'm done with my 12 weeks of training and am now in charge of this area.

Sister Zebley is SO great! We basically made sure she met everyone in the ward last week. A lot of people to keep track of- but now she knows faces. I wish I had time to tell you about all of the lessons we have been teaching. So many classy and well-educated people!

I absolutely love Sister Zebley. We needed to be companions. We taught really well together right from Day 1!  We had a powerful lesson at Bishop Miller's home last night. We taught the Restoration to a recent convert's father.

He said, "Thank you. You know, I’ve never read the Book of Mormon before!"

So we challenged him to read from the Book of Mormon for 10 min. everyday…

Ok......... THAT NUTRIBULLET ROCKS!!!!

We have a smoothie every single morning- no joke!

I'm also jogging in the mornings and my heath-o-meter has skyrocketed!

Your letters last week were so touching. I printed them out and read them all week. Thank you SO much!

- ahH! This computer is being really difficult! Ugh!! The keyboard is insane-o.

I will have to write a better email to you in 6 days!

HAVE THE BEST ADVENTURE EVER!!!!

Yea!! for REAL fun! 

Love,

Sister Osmond 

PS: I received that package from Dad! Best. Thing. Ever. 

We listened to the cd last night after planning and I love those shoes!!!! :)

i love you more than you will ever know

Your emails are exactly what I needed to hear this week and last. 

Sending hugs and kisses your way.... a very long way! hahaha 

Have fun on your trip & take lots of pictures!

Abi Cook

Seek...

HEY EVERYONE! I GET MY NEW COMPANION ON WEDNESDAY.

SISTER WESTRA AND I HAVE BEEN IN DENIAL. :)

Greatest Trainer Ever!!

This week has been crazy! 

I was feeling the weight and responsibility of "taking over" the area in a few days... 

Then... church was the most uplifting experience!

I just prayed with my whole heart during the sacrament:

*The only way I will be able to do this is if I have the spirit directing me and if I do my best and turn the rest over to the Lord.

From that point on... I was full of strength: mentally and physically. 

At peace with a quick mind of clarity and direction! It was incredible.

& so not what I had been previously experiencing. haha

It was in direct correlation with that one prayer.

[In His strength we really can do all things.]

This is truth. It never changes. 

Sometimes we believe it and sometimes we don't- but regardless of what we think:

it's always True.

But to Know for yourself... You have to experience it for yourself.

WHEN trials come... How will we choose to face them?

WHEN things are hard to understand... Where do we turn for the answers?

1 Nephi 15- This is cool.

Laman and Lemuel: "Behold we cannot understand the words which our Father hath spoken concerning the natural branches of the olive tree, and also concerning the Gentiles?"

[pretty valid questions, right? it was super confusing to them!]

Nephi: "Have ye inquired of the Lord?"

[How's that for a Response! BOOM!!]

WHEN trials come... we can face them with Faith!

WHEN things are hard to understand... We should inquire of the Lord first!

It's a lot faster than trying to figure it out on your own. 

It's amazing to know that each of us can have a personal relationship with our Father in Heaven and that He really does hear our prayers... & answers them in the timing that is best for US. (whether we realize it in the moment or not.) 

Steadfast and Immovable in Christ!

Love,

Sister Osmond

ps. There's a super great video on Mormon.org about the

Drummer for Neon Trees! Elaine Bradley.

We've been using it a lot lately.

pps: cue lego movie...

"everything is awesome! everything is cool when you're on the Lord's team!"

There is power in prayer,

I pray for you guys every night! Thank you for praying for me and for these people!

Miracles are happening here- we tripled every zone's numbers this week! It's not us. It's this area.... Exploding! Bring on a wisconsin temple!

I AM REFRESHED! BRING ON TRANSFER #3!!!!!