September 11, 2012

Sister Dransfield, my wonderful companion, had to get oral surgery this week and we traveled about 45 min to get there. While we waited though, we talked to this wonderful man. He is in the Army and has a wife and daughter. We were both scared to start a conversation with him and didn't know quite how to do it, but I couldn't handle not listening to the Spirit, so I started with "how are you?". And he was very open and kind. We somehow got to religion. He is Protestant and is so excited about his first daughter. We wrote him a little note and gave him our Article of Faith card.

Anyway, the Song we sang was special because Sister Dransfield invited a man to come listen who has been trying to come back to church and just moved to Nauvoo, and he came! He said it was beautiful and he wanted his daughters to grow up and have the faith that we 12 sisters showed as we sang in dressed in white. :)

Oh, I was so surprised to see Serena, Lex and Lily. The thought crossed my mind that Minn was close enough that they could make the trip, but I didn't think they would because of cost and time. It really meant a lot to me for them to come. Lily is HUGE! And so different, but still her. I could hardly recognize this large kid in Lily's body sitting in the stroller. haha! It was a wonderful surprise.

Well, something new we started last week is called: "Angels in the Outbound". This is to help prepare us for the outbound where we will be teaching lessons. We have one or two appointments set up each night with the Senior Couple missionaries in their home. They take on the pre-selected role of an investigator and we young sisters teach. Last week it was all the Restoration, this week it is the Plan of Salvation, next week is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We are encouraged to teach the lesson, but also teach according to where the Spirit leads us and the need of the investigator. We are to teach people not lessons. I have come to realize how very important it is to have the Spirit with you. This is great practice.

I was teaching with Sister Mitchell, one of my FAVORITE sisters here. She is hard-working, selfless and super obedient. And I was doing the 1st Vision and she stopped me right before I was going to recite Joseph's own words and said, "And Sister Zibetti is going to sign it for ya." I looked at her and said, "As Sister Mitchell recites it." She recited some of the most powerful words in this Gospel as I interpreted the 1st Vision.

Maricela--the missionary who was playing an Investigator--had tears streaming down her face when we finished with "This is my Beloved Son. Hear Him."

It was a wonderful experience and I actually felt useful and like I can kinda follow the Spirit in teaching, because the lesson before, I didn't feel very useful. Sometimes ya just don't know what to say. But when you act, the Spirit directs and helps. He never leaves you without help if you go forth with faith and are worthy of Him.

On Friday I was paired up with one of my old companions Sister Brown. We were both very scared because we were to teach President and Sister Gilliland! I was quite nervous because we all KNOW how much they'd get into character and make it real for us. Well, they did, and it turned out to be a really great experience. In the lesson, I likened the importance of going church to going to the store. If you want pickles, you can't just sit around in your house and expect them to show up without you doing anything about it. What do you have to do? Go to the store. It is the same with going to church. If you want to receive the Spirit and happiness, you've got to go to the Lord's house where he is and come with an open heart and you can receive. So we committed them to going to church with an "open jar of pickles". haha. It worked and they said they'd try.

The President and Matron of the Nauvoo Temple, the Condies, did a sociable, like a fireside, on Sunday. It was amazing. Sister Condie grew up in Germany and lived through World War II. When people ask how old she was, she responds, "I was old enough to remember". She explained and demonstrated to us that although hard and awful things happen to people, God is still and forever will be more powerful than the destroyer.

September 4, 2012

I called this lady at just the right time. She said, "I knew I was going to get a phone call from a missionary today. I have been meeting with the missionaries and one of them asked me to abandon my Jewish family and heritage to join the 'family' of the Church. I didn't take that so well and I was ready to call the Elders and tell them to never to come back. But then you called and you explained that I can take it slow. You helped me realize that I should not get baptized just because I love the Elders or the members, but because I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true." I had just read the following scripture in my studies and shared with her:

2 Ne. 31:14 "But behold my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me saying: After ye have repented of your sins and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me." 

And I explained that she needed a testimony of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and her personal Savior. She was raised never believing in Christ. She said she has one foot in the door and one foot out. I told her she needs to pray and decide what path to take and then jump in with both feet. I said, "You know Christ is real." "I do." She has a testimony but is afraid to act on it. It will take her some time, but eventually she will decide, and make the right choice. Her son just recently died from colon cancer. She felt like her son was a saint and very unique. I felt like he was there with us cheering her on. "Do you feel him here?" I asked. "Yes, I do." "Then this is a good thing and the way you should be going. He wants it for you. He has accepted the Jesus Christ." "Yes. Thank you. If we were in a crowd of people, I would be able to pick you out, I feel that close to you right now." she said. It was a powerful experience.
I KNOW that God lives and that he loves us unconditionally. He never gets angry, frustrated or confused with our choices. Perhaps disappointed or sad, but never mad. He loves us so much. I have been pondering this week WHY God loves us. I still am not sure. The only conclusion I have come to is that it is because He created us. We are His. We are a creation that brings Him joy. His work and His glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Us. His children.
One of my favorite quotes is from a really good friend of mine from when he was on his mission. He said:

"He [God] has promised us all He has, as we give Him all we have to give. That exchange is so imbalanced in our favor that there is no effort too great, no hours too long that we can give in serving Him, His Son and His Children."

Serving our Heavenly Father and representing His Son as a baptized member of Christ's church holds a sacred responsibility. We need to treat every moment and person with respect and honor and holiness. I must give all I have to the Lord and I enjoy doing it. We all must strive to be that way.

Also this week, we have started having teaching appointments! With fake investigators. Our lovely Senior Missionaries are acting as an Investigator and we teach them. It is so wonderful and powerful. Each time I think I get a grasp on a principle, I realize how much I don't know and don't understand. There is so much to learn and so little time. Teaching is one of the best things to do. The Spirit is the teacher, we as missionaries and members of this church are the guides.

 

We are singing this powerful song in church this Sunday. I recited the lyrics in my head as I sat in the Celestial room of the Nauvoo Temple.

"Heaven's light flows through the windows warming even walls of stone. In the refuge of the Temple, I find strength beyond my own. Filled with purpose, filled with power, granted gifts to lift the world. In God's house and in His presence, I find strength beyond my own. I can feel the power of Heaven as I stand on holy ground. And the Spirit whispers what I long to learn. Eyes are touched with understanding, I can see beyond this world. It's the place I reach for heaven and it reaches in return." 

 

Remember those lyrics as you sit in the Celestial room. :) 

 

The Nauvoo Temple

A man and his wife came to do the Temple to do Sealings today for some family names. The Spirit was so strong in there! The husband had tears streaming down his face the whole time because he KNEW what this meant to his great grandfather. He could hardly contain himself. It was very touching. I won't ever forget that.

 

Sister Zibetti

August 28, 2012

Call center. aka. Mira-Call center

Crowds have slowed way down, many missionaries have gone home, but we sisters are using every moment as golden time to study. We call on referrals for 4-6 hours a day. We call from a computer and have a headset. We try to share a message with them according to the Spirit and what the person on the phone talks about.

This week has mostly been calling. We have been calling on all of the referrals for the Pageant CD and missionary referrals. My companion and I's goal for calling last week was 660 and we accomplished 617. Pretty crazy. Most of these people don't answer the phone, but some do and some accept. Some are prepared. Some want missionaries, some, most, refuse. Some people just need to hear a message of uplift. No conversation goes the same. Some are less actives that I try to boldly and lovingly encourage to come back to the Savior.

I miss being on the floor of the VC and talking with people face to face. Looking in their eyes and figuring out what they need spiritually. Being on the phone really causes me to rely on the Savior and the Spirit to tell me what to say and how to say it. Which is good and how it should be. I need to rely on Him more.

On the floor this week I gave a Pastor a mini tour of the Christus statue. It took a while to get her to open up, but soon I got to discuss the Savior and the Book of Mormon. I recited My Missionary Commission which states: "I am called of God. My authority is above that of the kings of the earth. By revelation, I have been selected as a personal representative of the Savior Jesus Christ. He is my master. And He has called me to stand in His place, to say and do what He Himself would say and do if He were personally ministering to the very people to whom He has sent me. My voice is His voice, my acts are His acts, my words are His words and my doctrine, is His doctrine. My commission is to do what He wants done, to say what he wants said, to be a living modern witness in word and in deed of the divinity of this great and marvelous latter-day work. How great is my calling!" -Bruce R. McKonkie

It was powerful. She agreed to read the BoM.

Elder Golden of the 70 recently came to speak to us. When he spoke, it was so reverent and quiet that you could hear a pin drop in the large chapel. The Spirit was so strong there. One thing he said that I thought was prophetic was: "The point is being reached where Satan can no longer stop the church from going forward. It's almost reached the point of no return." Meaning the work will go forward quickly and fully very soon.
After that fireside, Elder Golden came over to President Gilliland's house and talked to us YSM's and YPMs. He said: "We don't study the scriptures to just gain knowledge. We do it so we can be cleansed by the Holy Ghost each time we study we are cleansed. It changes your nature." That's why reading scriptures must be a consistent process.

Sister Zibetti

August 21, 2012

I went on splits and went with Sister Petricek to an eye appointment. We traveled 40 min away to Burlington, Illinois. While she was in with the doctor (since there was no room for me) I sat in the waiting room. There were three people there and the Spirit kept saying, "talk with everyone, talk with everyone, you're a missionary". Ahh! Okay. I prayed to know which person I should talk to, since there were three. I made a decision and told Heavenly Father who it was. I know it is a right decision when my heart warms up. It is very subtle and I am still learning the language of the Holy Ghost.

I started a conversation by using a technique learned from President Gilliland: use their surroundings. So I said from across the waiting room, "Hey what does your shirt say?" She held it open and it read: 'making a difference in the lives of others.' I said, "So you like to make a difference in the lives of others?" "Yeah, I'm a CNA. Well, I use to be until my accident last october..." And she just opened up. Soon, I asked if she believed in God and if she prayed. She said yes. Eventually, I got to tell her about church and how her kids would be occupied for 2 hours in a different class where they learn about faith in Christ, while she and her husband could go to Sunday School together and then Priesthood and Relief Society, explaining both. She just brightened up at that idea. I got up and moved over to sit by her and gave her a mormon.org card with some missionaries phone number on it. 

She asked about my name tag and I explained that I am a missionary and told her I was called by a Prophet. I explained what a Prophet was and she said. "I feel like we are all prophets sometimes. That we can receive revelation for ourselves and families." I told her that was exactly right. It reminded me of a scripture in the Book of Mormon, so I shared. 2 Ne. 32:3 "Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." The Spirit led me to that scripture, by simply making it a thought in my head. Following that prompting made a world of difference. I started explaining the background of the Book of Mormon and she got really interested. I showed her some of the pictures, talked about Joseph Smith and right as I was talking about Moroni burrying the plates, the nurse came up and called her name. I asked her if she wanted a Book of Mormon and if she would read it. She said yes. That was the only copy I had with me. It is the one I have all marked up. (Not the one I've had since I was 8 Mom) I asked her if she really wanted a marked up copy. She said, "If that's okay with you..!" I could see she wanted it, so I gave it up. It was a huge sacrifice because of all of the markings I've made in it over the past couple of months, but at the same time, I wanted to give her everything she needed so she could find joy, peace and truth.

It's strange to think that a year ago, or even 6-ish months ago, some of my most prized possessions would be my car or my phone, now it is a studied, marked up copy of holy writ; the Book of Mormon.

I have wonderful experiences all the time and very difficult and saddening experiences. Looking on the positive side helps. And having a wonderful, charitable, hilarious companion. A missionary's day is up and down. Mostly up. :)

Your sister in the gospel,

Sister Zibetti

August 14, 2012

So this week to prepare for the outbound, I got to go on splits with the sisters who serve in the city of Carthage. At first, I was very nervous to go in a home and teach a lesson, but I soon realized that missionary work is the exact same wherever you go. Just the setting is different.
 Instead of in the visitor's center, we were sitting in this woman's home and able to more fully teach because of the time allotted and the relationship we had with her. It was really wonderful. I used something in the lesson which I had read that morning for personal study. I love when that happens.

Also this week, we went tracting in Burlington Illinois! That was a great experience. Some people didn't want to hear anything, others wanted to listen. In the morning, Sister Cloward and I met a fellow and at first he was rough and defensive. Soon we got him talking and by the end, he was cracking jokes and laughing with us. We had the Spirit there most of the conversation. He doesn't have any hope in his life. He believes the law is so corrupt and doing good deeds is not worth anything. "You sow what you reap." We told him.
He was in the army for 19 years. So I thought he'd enjoy reading Alma 46, which is about the Title of Liberty and the amazing Captain Moroni. He has read the Book of Mormon before and says he's explored many religions. He still has a copy and committed to read it. So a fun experience.

Yesterday was my last day serving in Carthage Jail. :(. Sad day. Sister Brown said, "Wouldn't it be so great if a Deaf person came today needing interpreting on our last day here?" "Yes!!" And guess who came up the walk a couple hours later?! A SWEET Deaf couple. Some of their signs I could hardly understand, but Sister Brown and I were able to communicate. She and I switched off with interpreting and speaking for the tour in each of the different rooms of the Jail. It was really one of the most powerful tours I'd ever been a part of. The Spirit was so thick you could cut it with a knife. There is a tape we play in the Martyrdom room and as I interpreted it, Robert began to weep. The tears were so much that he couldn't hardly watch me sign. It was all very special.

We also had a Deaf family come to Carthage last Friday. The Lord truly had blessed us with using the language because we study so much, and because He has answered our prayer of sending Deaf people here.

The Carthage Sisters

I've been thinking a lot about rejection this week. With phone calls, tracting, and at other times, I get rejected as a missionary. And it is my responsibility, my calling, to represent the Savior. So I want to react to rejection in the way the Savior would. So I've studied this week a bit of what he did when he was rejected. 3 Nephi 12:10-12 "And blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake; for ye shall have great joy and be exceedingly glad, for great shall be your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you." Then the next few verses down says "let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven." That is one of the ways the Savior took rejection. Being that perfect example of truth and light always. I must never let him down, for has never let me down, nor you, nor anyone else. He is pleased to take that persecution for His Father. He will be satisfied. I love my Savior, brother and friend. His Atonement is what gets me through anything and everything.

By the way! I have a new companion!!!!! I LOVE her! It's Sister Dransfield! She is amazing and wonderful and has the best, most contagious laugh. Her first name is Chelsea, and often reminds me of Chelsea Larsen. All the sisters are back in Nauvoo to serve. The second summer sisters are all going home tomorrow (except for two who decided to stay a couple more weeks) and it is basically just the sisters who are here for their first summer who are still here. It is so weird that they are leaving. It feels surreal and sad. They are a part of me now and will be greatly missed, but it is their time to go. And that is according to God's will, and I must not tamper with that. The YPM's have also left. Crazy! Time to prepare for outbound, but still focus on the here and NOW of Nauvoo.

Sister Zibetti

August 9, 2012

 Some things from this week, the second Summer sisters are leaving quickly. For most of them, this is their last week on the mission. We had a farewell breakfast. It is so weird that they are leaving! The YPM's are also going. We will only have one show going on: Rendezvous. Everything will be so dead and sad when they go. But the light in Nauvoo won't go out. We still have our purpose here and much to testify about; many souls to bring to Christ. I asked President what I could best do to prepare for the outbound since I was/am a bit nervous. He told me to study and practice teaching the Lessons in Chapter 3 of PMG. The Lessons are: The Restoration, The Plan of Salvation, The Gospel of Jesus Christ, and The Commandments. So I am studying them. We will go tracting this Saturday! We're going to a city called Burlington (because we can't in Nauvoo). I'm excited for the new things.

 

As sisters, President Gilliland allowed us to watch pageant again on the last night. Sister Brown and I were asked to interpret for a Deaf man. It was so fun though! It started raining, not hard. It was just one of the craziest things: There I was a missionary, in a spotlight in the middle of the crowd, it's raining and I'm interpreting for this amazing pageant behind me. haha! It was great. I truly felt at times my hands guided by the Spirit with how to sign certain concepts and ideas. I realized this week that if I want to go on an ASL mission for my outbound call, I must be preparing better now, so God can use a prepared missionary, so I am really trying to get in my Language study every day even though it is rarely scheduled.

 

One of my favorite things about this mission is that I'll give a tour to someone in Nauvoo, and later I see them and give them another tour. Or I just greet them at a show and then I later give them a tour at Carthage. That happened a couple times this week. God really does place us in specific spots so we can influence those around us.

 

This week, Sis. Brown and I decided to go to the Jail early and study the Book of Mormon in the Martyrdom room. It was powerful. The Spirit is ever present.

 

I'll tell you of an experience from my journal that happened on Tuesday. Two men: J and B. J was a member of the church his whole life except the last 3 years. "Why is that?" I asked him. "They invited me never to come back because I couldn't quit smoking tobacco." "Oh. I'm sorry." "So I didn't." He walked away. His friend B came up to me and said, "I'm Pentecostal. Is that really true about the Mormons? You can't be a member if you smoke?" I was hesitant on answering because I wasn't sure of the entire situation and what exactly J meant by "they" and "never come back". So I said, "We believe our body is a house of God, a holy place and..." "We believe that too! But although we highly discourage drugs, we don't kick people out who struggle. An addiction is very hard to overcome." "I believe you about that, and agree. We do believe though, that God has set a high standard and we need to follow it otherwise..." I could just feel his disappointment in us as a church. The Carthage movie was beginning, so it was time for them to enter the theatre. I went into the back room and prayed hard, apologizing that I did an awful job in the conversation; I hadn't responded well. I then asked Heavenly Father for another chance to testify. I asked the Senior missionaries for help and advice on the situation. Besides the fact that they all wanted to answer at once haha, they gave me very good, and spirit-directed ideas.

In the Martyrdom room, I testified how we must follow Christ, and I read 2 Ne. 31:12. "The Savior said, "follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do." That is our goal. No one is perfect, but we all try to live that truth. Joseph tried. Hyrum also. Joseph wasn't perfect, but I know he, and we, can be made perfect IN Christ". The Spirit filled the room even more and B was smiling; a new understanding had come upon him. J had a face of longing to be a part of the truth again, but perhaps guilt was stopping him, I'm not sure.

With all the courage God gave me, I stopped B and said, "To answer your question from earlier, he is always invited back and I hope he does come back." "Me too. I understand that one is not perfect and some might hold grudges." Later B came back into the VC and said, "Wonderful tour. I've got a lot to think about."

 

It was a wonderful experience.

 

Well I must be off! I love you!

 

-Sister Zibetti

August 2, 2012

I saw the Allphins! It all worked out perfectly! I was in Carthage yesterday morning and I saw Mark (the younger) and his family. I wasn't up next for the tour, so they went with another missionary.

When the rest of the Allphin family arrived, Chris and his family from St. Louis, Kara and Brother and Sister Allphin, I was up for the Tour! So they were able to hop on and I gave them the tour of Carthage. Mark rejoined. It was wonderful! They really are such a great family. We talked about missionary work and how the ward and stake are doing back home. It really rejuvinated my motive to work harder and be more diligent and urgent about the work.

 

This week, a Deaf couple and their hearing daughter (who are from Minnesota) came to Nauvoo. The dad taught at the MTC and his wife taught ASL too. We first saw them in Sacrament meeting. They noticed that we had interpeters and they came to watch. I discovered that while interpreting, it is more important to love the people than it is to make sure you get every word or concept translated. Making sure the person feels God's love. We later went around with them to a couple of sites.

 

Today I am going to sign a Birthday Card for President Monson from the Nauvoo Mission! I'm excited!

 

Well, here's an experience I had while calling on our Referrals. A nice woman answered the phone and I introduced myself and told her that her sister-in-law was visiting Nauvoo and thought of her (and referred her to the missionary program). I asked how familiar she was with the church. Her response, "I've been around the church for 45 years because my sister-in-law. I love her, but have no interest in that church." I got up the courage to ask, "Can I ask why that is?" "I believe the Bible is the only word of God, and nothing should be added to it. I'm a born-again Christian. So no thank you ma'am." "Okay..well keep your heart open." "Okay." "thanks bye." Well after the phone call I felt like I didn't do my duty as a missionary and give her a way to come unto Christ. I didn't give her the options to have agency in the situation. I should have asked her more about the Book of Mormon, and told her that it is the word of God. I realized that the thing that I DIDN'T want to do, was exactly what I was supposed to do. Elder Bednar said something similar, paraphrased "When you pray about something and the answer is usually something you don't want to do, then that means it is from the Spirit." Our natural reaction as humans is 'carnal' and 'of man'. I needed to yield to the enticings of the holy spirit and do the hard thing. So I decided I'd call her back and just ask if she's read it. "Hi, this is Amber (we use our first name with non-members), we were just on the phone." "Yes?" "I'm just wondering, have you ever read the Book of Mormon?" "I've been to the New York Pageant and learned things from it." "Oh that's good! But have you read the Book of Mormon?" "I've read books about the Book of Mormon." She was avoiding my question like the plague. "Okay, but have you read the Book of Mormon?" "No. I haven't and I never plan to." "Alright, well, can I ask one question?...If you have never read it, how can you KNOW it is not the word of God?" "...well, I just know..." Yeah. That was the end of our conversation.

 

I'm just glad I learned how better to recognize the Spirit.

 

Here is something from my journal:

 

I played the Piano this morning at Carthage when all was quiet. Elder Morgan (one of the Senior missionaries) came up to me and said with emotion in his voice and red-rimmed eyelids, "Thank you for playing the piano. It reminds me of my daughters. On Sundays I'd sit and they would play while I listened." It was sweet. He has twins and one died from cancer about 5 years ago, so it was a sweet little experience.

Pageant is done this weekend! I can't believe it!!!! It has flown by. Sister Brown and I got to practice interpreting it last night again and tonight someone will need it for real.

 

-Sister Zibetti