December 8, 2014 -- With Hermana Loper in Middlesboro

Ward float in the Middlesboro parade

Hello familia!! 

I had a great last couple of days with Sister Behunin.  Kinda crazy she's gone now, I'll miss her.  She suprised me the last 24 hours by leaving little notes around the house telling me what she liked about me then she gave me a long hug and hung on at transfers.  So she's in Rockwood TN now I think she'll do fine.

Well my nuevacita is Hermana Loper!  From Coos Bay Oregon - she is a very cute ginger, she likes dancing, and just got out of the CCM in Mexico which she really loved.  So that's awesome.  Our first week together has been great.  I was a little nervous how she'd feel about the messy and smoke-filled investigators houses, but she's a champ!  She sees the vision for the work and has a strong desire to work hard and see success, and she's fun too.  So we're having fun together.  

We taught a lesson to Paige Cloud, a woman who's been investigating for a while now, and helped her with what seems to be many trials in her life right now. She promised to come to church on Sunday and we even went to her house to remind her before but didn't show, so we just keep praying for her!  We also taught Chris who is progressing really well.  He called and told us that he really feels the Book of Mormon is true.  So we're going to commit him for baptism this week hopefully and make sure he's solid.  

We've met some great new investigators this week as well.  He is the Gift is our new big push and I think it's been really successful, so I'm excited about it!

On Saturday we went to volunteer for the Middlesboro Parade.  The guy in charge, Isaac, loves us missionaries and is so grateful for our help.  It was really fun, our ward did a float that was so darling - complete with a primary nativity scene, and a little couple standing in front of the temple :).  It was rainy and cold and dark all morning, and the poor kids were shivering in their cute little costumes, however, right when the float arrived to the presentation spot, the sun broke through the clouds for a short amount of time.  The children stood and sung "He sent His Son".  It was beautiful and the Spirit was very strong in the streets of Middlesboro! 

That night, the head of the volunteers insisted that we assist the community sing-along of the Messiah.  I really loved it because I love that type of thing, my companion was a little less in love with that idea, but anyway, after we heard a family speaking in spanish.  We went up to them and they were so happy to hear us speak Spanish!  We talked for a bit and then they invited us right over to their house.  Oh and we also met a cute little lady that works at the Mexican restaurant here that we're teaching now!  So the Lord is placing little miracles in our path!

Isn't hermana Loper cute!?  Elsa and Ana :) Oh by the way I get to see Frozen in a week! We're watching it at our Christmas zone conference!! Can't wait!!

Last night the Christmas devotional was very beautiful and brought the spirit, and then we're excited to hear tomorrow from Elder Renlund of the Seventy.  (Not as excited to wake up at zero-dark-thirty to drive there!) 

OK WELL, LOVE YOU! 

Hermana Collier

December 1, 2014 -- Changes in the Air

Hello family! 

Well Sister Behunin and I had another good week again.  We are great friends and I really love her.  Middlesboro is still Middlesboro, we met some creepy people but it's all good!  

On P-day we found the murals on the side of the business of a member.  He's one of the first members in the area, and when he made his business he decided to do these big book of mormon murals on the side!  I thought they were pretty legit!  The elders were less impressed...

Thanksgiving we participated in a ward tradition: pie for breakfast.  that was the beginning. Then we went to another members home, had the classic feast, and more pie, and then another member called us and made us come visit with them and sent us home with more food!  My cup runneth over!  We also did a little bit of proselyting that day, just dropping by and taking cookies to people and wishing people a Happy Thanksgiving.  It was great, they were a lot more receptive than I expected!

Friday we spent most of the day driving up to Whitley City KY where we had district meeting, for the last one of Sister Hansen.  She returns home this Wednesday and will be missed!

 We had a great meeting.  We learned about the "He is the Gift" Initiative.  This is a big deal!! We as missionaries are making it a big part of proselyting so the Brethren can measure the success of it.  I have seen a difference, people love the message of focusing on Jesus Christ around Christmas time.  So it's exciting and it shows us that His work is truly Hastening! The only thing that'll leave us behind is ourselves.  Share the gift, y'all!

We got the chance to meet and begin working with Shanda this week.  She is a returning member.  She is amazing!  She joined when she was 19, and became a YW leader, then got with the wrong guy and fell away.  Years later, she has a little 2 year old, Ellie, and realized a month or two ago that her life isnt the way she wants it to be.  Members of the church reached out to her, and now we have the blessing of knowing her.  We got to go over and help clean, and then we shared a lesson about the Atonement.  She understood it immediately, but is having a hard time forgiving herself.  Last night Bishop Hinckley had us over to dinner and we taught the Restoration.  She was crying as we bore our testimonies, a lot of regret was filling her, but I know that she'll make it through just fine.  I am excited to see Shanda return to full activity and, most importantly, raise her daughter in the gospel!

Family is so important.  That's really what the gospel is all about!  It's also a way I was able to really understand Sister Behunin--the more I learned about her family the more I understood about her and it all made sense.  I have seen on my mission how raising your family based around the teachings of Jesus Christ is the most important thing you can do!So Saturday the transfer call came, and I was suprised to be called as a trainer again! I am excited to receive a brand new missionary but I am sad Sister Behunin is leaving.  We came to truly love each other.  I won't forget the things I learned this transfer.  I know we'll be friends forever.  But I definetly trust the Lord needs her somewhere else and that my next companion will teach me invaluable things as well.

I am very excited yet nervous to train again, I would greatly appreciate your prayers!  

Love you all!

Hermana Collier

p.s. I missed you all on Thanksgiving and thought of camp Tracy on friday.  But not too bad.  :)

November 24, 2014 -- Continued Learning

With Jim doing our "serious faces"

Dear Familia!  

This week was really good.  Things really felt better with my companion.  I've had the great chance to spend a lot of time studying this last General Conference, which has been SO amazing! I am so grateful for these inspired talks.  I have learned a lot.

So this week we've had some good success.   We got a few new investigators from a bible referral - people who ask for a bible, and we brought it by and a book of mormon as well.  It is so great to see people read the book of mormon and see the light go off in their minds and begin to really love it.  There is so much power in that book!  

Every p-day in Cumberland Gap, our friend and eter-nigator Jim feeds the missionaries (He loves mormons, missionaries, the church, but doesnt believe he needs to get baptized).  We just have a good time together.  Anyway, somehow we got on the subject last time, and I said, "Is it true that you believe in Jesus Christ Jim?"  And he went on to explain that he does, but he thinks he was just a good guy basically, not the only Begotten Son.  I don't remember how, but it ended up that Sister Behunin, who is often quiet, began to share her experience how she'd come to the knowledge of her testimony.  She tearfully explained about an experience she had with her family, and was very emotional.  You could hear a pin drop after, and Jim was clearly affected.  The Elders have tried to teach him and they said that every time they do, he just retorts with some scientific answer - but he had nothing to say after Sister Behunin powerful shared her witness of Jesus Christ.  It was so cool!

Chris, our catholic friend, was one of the highlights of the week.  We taught him with a sister in the ward who converted from Catholicism.  He came with a list of questions and doubts - we were very nervous - but they ended up just being questions about what to expect if he were to go to church, and some questions about the priesthood and the sacrament.  We were able to answer all of them and satisfy him.  Then we taught the Plan of Salvation - he was kind of blown away!  As we talked about the Spirit world, he said, "I've always believed our spirits would live on, but no one agreed with me."  He went on to say that he felt like he was very led to the message.  He called on Saturday wanting a ride to church, but turns out his aunt passed away Sunday morning so he didn't make it!  He is slowly learning and I think he'll come around fast.

I have really re-committed to the work this week and feel very gun-hoe about going forward and working our hardest.  I love getting lost in the Work of Salvation, although it's one that you can't always see immediately fruits of!

We also went to randomly visit an investigator this weekend unscheduled, and she had friends over - one of whom is a less-active that we've been trying to get in touch with forever!  So that was great. We had a miracle today too!  At Wal-Mart I started talking to a lady, and then a man approached us after and he asked if we're mormons.  Turns out he was baptized as a young boy and would like to return to church, and he wants us to meet his girlfriend too.  So hopefully we can begin teaching them.

So this week went smoothly.  It's just a constant effort though, got to keep on my game.  

HAPPY THANKSGIVING. I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF YOU AND FOR THE GOSPEL IN OUR LIVES!!  

Love, Sister Collier

Cumberland Gap District.  Biggest in the mission!  E: Ruth, Bradshaw, Searle, Edman, Bright, Farnsworth, E& S Funk. Sisters Behunin, me, Rindlisbacher, Hale, Hansen, and Linford.  Love them!

November 17, 2014 -- Weaknesses into Strengths

Before the exchange service project in Middlesboro with some elementary kids.  SO COLD!

Dear Family,

This week has been hard, but I'm realizing it has been kind of refreshing.  Like putting rubbing alcohol on a cut.  I am really experiencing the power of the Atonement and seeing God's hand here.  It has brought out many of my weaknesses. Sister Behunin and I get along good personality-wise.  However, I guess the differences come in our opinions about the work.  So she apparently has been discouraged with the way we work. However, I never knew that she was struggling with these things!  

 We had one awesome experience - we were invited to a catholic mass service by an investigator, trying to do a church-swap.  However we got there and he was a no-show!  Anyway, after the service, all the members of the congregation turned to us missionaries and welcomed us, as we introduced ourselves.  Afterward, a guy named Chris approached us, and asked if he could have a Book of Mormon.  We gave him one, and he said he's a free mason and he's been interested in the LDS religion for a while.  Sister Behunin got to teach him on exchanges and they set a baptismal date for January!  So pray for Chris!! :)

Anyway, then the rest of the week went as usual, but I could tell that Sister Behunin was really struggling.  I asked her over and over what it was and she kept saying that everything was fine.  Friday night I went down to exchange in Oak Ridge.  I was with Sister Parkinson, and two other sisters came up here to be with Sister Behunin.  I love Sister Parkinson and we had a blast together.  Anyway, come Saturday, I was pretty suprised when they called saying that she was having a break-down- about me.  When I found out, I was so emotional, because I felt a bit like a failure.  We prepared to talk together that night.  It was hard to have this at the front of my mind - wondering what my companion was struggling with - as I went throughout my day in Oak Ridge.  But as I went about praying and teaching people about the Book of Mormon and seeing their lives change, I also felt the love of Heavenly Father and my Savior sustaining me through the day.  There was this moment when we prayed in the car before a lesson, and I don't think I've ever felt so trusting in my Father in Heaven or so much power and support from Him.   

So we went up and had a talk.  I told her how I felt- that I really love her and am willing to do whatever to work things out, then I asked her what her concerns are.  She told me some things, but I felt like that wasn't all.  Finally she broke down and said, "It's just been really hard to see all these baptismal dates drop."  

I didn't realize how new of a missionary she is-her faith is so good!  I didn't realize how much faith she had in each of these people.  I didn't realize a lot of things, and I didn't know how deeply she felt about these things.  

I have honestly never felt so exposed and really like I have so much to improve.  I know we're companions for a reason.  I pray that I can be of some kind of help to her in some way.
​

It's painful at times, but I know that we aren't supposed to hide our weaknesses.  In Ether 12:27 he says that he GIVES unto us our weaknesses that we may be humble.  He's GIVEN them to me, I shouldn't feel like I need to hide them.  So this brings a new level of honesty and integrity to our relationship and to the work here.  

The Savior is really there to help us learn and grow and progress.  I know that is true.  I challenge you all to acknowledge your weaknesses and put your faith in God to help you overcome them and see the change in your life.  

There is no comfort in your growth zone and there is no growth in your comfort zone!

Just pray for us!  Love you all!

Monday, November 10, 2014 -- FIrst Week of November

Hey family!

Well not too much to report on this week from Middlesboro. We've had some good experiences, and some not-so good. We had a good lesson with a former investigator named Frances.  We talked about temples, and showed her pictures, and she says she really wants to go into one someday.  I miss the temple a lot!!  

To be honest, there were a lot of hard parts of the week - we dropped a lot of investigators.  One or two dropped us, but the rest we've dropped because of not progressing.  I know that shouldn't be a sad thing because it just means God's preparing more people out there, but it's hard to start from Square 1 sometimes.  

But I do want to share a sweet experience.  Several weeks ago we drove by a house with a girl walking her dogs outside.  I knew we needed to go talk to her, so I parked the car around the corner, but when we arrived, she wasn't there.  Fast forward to this week, the Elders knocked on a door in their valley (Harrogate), and taught a bit to a girl named Ashley, and she said she'd be interested in learning more, but she lives in Middlesboro and just cleans a man's house in Harrogate.  So we received this referral and knocked on her door and talked to Ashley.  She seemed open and receptive and scheduled for us to come back.  It wasn't until walking away that I realized it was the same girl I'd wanted to talk to weeks ago.  I didn't tell her about the earlier experience but I will!  

Saturday we found the local rest home and sang and played music to the patrons.  I love doing this as service hours, it gives me the most warm feeling and positive outlook on life!

We also had our investigator Keller come to church for the last time here on Sunday - he's heading back home to Chattanooga.  He is very innocent and funny and accepting.  You know when you have an investigator sit through a gospel principles class that ends up veering off to gay marriage and other crazy things, and is still positive after that, they're golden!  :)  After he asked some of the brothers from the ward to give him a blessing, and it was such a sweet experience where the Spirit was really strong!  

We got fed every day for the last week and a half.  That has hardly ever happened on my mission, so it's pretty fun. In fact last night we got to this member's home and they said, "Well, we decided to have an early thanksgiving dinner!"  So we had it all, from turkey and stuffing to pie.  Holy cow!

Love,

Hermana Collier

November 3, 2014 -- Happy to be here

Hello Familia!!

Well this week has been great.  I really love this area.  Last p-day we went up and enjoyed the leaves from the Pinnacle where you can stand in Cumb Gap National park and see Virginia Kentucky and Tennessee all from one point.  It was SO gorgeous!  It's super fun to be serving with Elder Bradshaw from Holladay.  He went home for 5 months cause of a broken leg and just recently returned.  We took a picture to honor our alma-mater. 
Go titans :)


We also met a Cherokee man who plays the flute! It was cool.  


Anywho, the work has been going well here.  We have had some cool experiences.  The other day we went to contact a referral, and they didn't live there (turns out I'd put it into my GPS wrong-but it wasnt a coincidence!) At the door was a lady named Judy, and we talked to her for a minute and she explained that she wasn't really looking around at other churches at this time.  But then she started talking about her family-she has a young teenage daughter who's making really bad choices.  We talked with her about how God loves us and He gives us these trials to learn and grow from.  She told us that she's never explained that much detail to anyone cause she doesn't feel comfortable, but she feels comfortable with us  I told her that it wasn't us that made her feel like that, that it's the Holy Ghost - and she can have that feeling more if she'll read and pray.  She said that she's busy but she'll try.  Even if we never see Judy again I'm just glad we had that experience and impacted her life for the better a little bit. 

Things with my companion are going better, I believe.  I really like her to be honest.  She is a good missionary, loving, funny and easy-going.  I tell her that all the time.  Her love for me, though, on the other hand, is not as strong, I believe.  I have a lot to learn from her about patience, so that is what I am working on.  More patience especially with investigators.  We have this one named Shirley who's mentally challenged.  You have to meet her to understand, cause she acts like she believes everything and understands it, then she'll thrown in a comment like "Ya, the Book of Mormon was copied from the Bible." I, being my impatient self, just want to drop her.  But Sister Behunin teaches her slowly, sweetly and with no problems.  I need to learn how to be that patient!

This week we got to have pumpkin-carving fun, and watched Legacy with some members because we had to be indoors after 4.  We had so much fun!  

 There's a sister here from Idaho named Rachel White and she is like my favorite, she made us breakfast this morning, and then we went to a Relief Society exercise class.  Cumberland Gap is the life.  I am very humbled and grateful for all the member love and support.

On the other hand, Middlesboro is still Middlesboro - the other day while running in the morning a bearded man hollered out his car window to me, "I love you!" and I jumped out of my britches! and it startled me so bad!!  My companion was laughing pretty hard at me.  

We met two hispanics, hope we can contact them again.  I feel a bit like a stalker cause I talk to everyone I see that even kind of LOOKS hispanic.  One time, at a stoplight, I rolled down the window and talked to the guy next to me and then I asked him if he knows spanish and he was like way offended, he said, "Uh, no, I'm from Chicago and I am not even Hispanic."  It was a good thing the light turned green right after, I drove right off!

So I am still learning how to listen, love, lift, and be patient.  Pray for me.

Hermana Collier

October 27, 2014 -- From Middlesboro Kentucky

Dear Familia,

Leaving Sevierville was hard and sad as I mentioned last week.  The last couple of days were spent saying goodbye and extensive cleaning of the good ol' house. If you are one to be bored with details then I wouldn't suggest reading this!

At transfer meeting one of the departing Sisters, Sister Peck -- who I replaced -- came up to me, hands me the keys, and says, "Your beds have bedbugs, but that's ok!"  Then I was "cast out of my garden of eden" and left all the missionaries and members that I love and know so well and got into the car of the members that took us, and we drove all the way up along the Cumberland mountain range, passed our church building (which is really nice), drove through the Cumberland gap tunnel (which was really cool the first time, it felt like Disneyland!), and finally arrived in Middlesboro Kentucky.  

Mi companera is Sister Behunin.  She is 21, from Bountiful, has never moved away from home before her mission, really loves animals. We have some things that are not in common. She is very quiet, in fact she doesn't enjoy talking to people.  She also does not like walking quickly -- at all.   But she also is very smart, and has a strong testimony.  I'm not going to say that it's all perfect in our companionship -- it'll take some work and patience.  But I am excited to work with her and try to help her get out of her shell a little.  I can also see that I will have to exercise love and patience and grow in those ways.  Please please pray for me to be able to love and be patient!

We live in the heart of this little town.  Our apartment is in the upstairs of some window shops.  It's actually very spacious -- I realized this is the first time I've ever had my own bathroom!  Cool!  And I haven't noticed any bed-bugs yet.  It is so nice to have our own SPACE though, I feel like I can breathe!  OK so walk out of the doors and you see Middlesboro -- old, poverty-stricken, about as hick-town as it gets -- with drugs and crime mixed in.  (There are no hispanics that I have heard of - except some Spanish restaurants that apparently exist so I have plans to go visit!)  Anywho, the people are poor and very humble! We have many to teach.  After my first day of teaching people, I had this moment of awe -- many of these people don't know how to READ!  I don't realize how blessed I am.  It breaks my heart.  But there is plenty of work to do and the field is very white.  We have an investigator named Keller who is 22, and so ready.  He has some issues to work through, but has already started reading the Book of Mormon and he loves church.  

That leads me to another upside, the ward! We go to the Cumberland Gap ward, about 10 minutes away from us down the road in Cumberland Gap, TN.  It is a wonderful ward.  The church here began with 2 families, and has grown and grown until the local university, Lincoln Memorial University added a Medical School.  That attracted all the westerners, and thus the Mormons!  So we have an unusually big and strong ward of about 200 people attending each week!  It's probably about 2/3 students and 1/3 locals.  I enjoy it a lot.  The mix of westerners and southerners makes a great diverse ward. They are also willing to help us out.  

"LDS Doom" ride at the ward party.  how we do here!

We had a ward party when I first got here, chili cook-off.  It was super fun!  On Saturday Keller came to see a baptism of a young girl in the ward, (that's where the brother took my pic and sent it to you) and then he came to church on Sunday.

Well I have to go but that's the gist of what I wanted to tell you about Middlesboro.  Basically some of these people are crazy!  And then the members here just make me feel like I'm at home, so it's really an odd mix.

Anywho, I've wasted my time with details.  But my spiritual growth even just in the last couple of days has been great. I have reviewed Pres Eyring's talk from Priesthood and Elder Holland's talks from GC and I have learned a lot about love.  I really am committed to look at the positive side of all these situations and make the best of it! Love you!

Love Hermana Collier