Letter Excerpts from December 27th

I love the stories you tell me and take comfort in knowing you are taking pictures for me! I love it and need to be included in family life. And my bad day on Monday-really in all comparison and all reality, it wasn't a bad day...my spirit was just worn out and I lapsed back into old ways... BUT!! So wonderful that all Power is working with you when you are doing the Lords work. That spell passed and I am much better. I would not even have remembered it if Mom and you had not mentioned it. It is incredible how quickly time eats up the things of the past. The healing that the Lord offers is so complete and is intensified when we are serving others and bearing testimony. Sins are forgiven and miracles are wrought. I LOVE MISSION WORK!!!! It is a work of faith! His work of power.

 

I love my family so so so so so so much! I am so grateful that you understand how busy it is out here. I don't have much time to respond  but I know my dedication to the Lord and His work will make me a better sister and daughter for a family who deserves so much. I cannot thank you enough for everything you do and have done in being by family. Always there for me.

 

Which brings me to another thing. My love for the Lord!!! It has grown so  much. I understand how to love him with all of my heart. I think that has come because He has given me more heart to love him with while the old pieces of my untamed natural heart are being chipped off.  A broken heart and contrite spirit are what he requires of us to let Him in. I will praise his name forever and though they are imperfect praises, that does not limit the power He has to Create anew. 

 

This change of heart has been so apparent in Richard*. He is working to get baptized on Sunday. He was raised starving and beaten by his parents. He has had a rough life and was deeply involved in gangs. Now the joy of the gospel and the comfort of the Holy Spirit have enlightened his understanding and humbled his heart. He has shown faith by living the word of wisdom, desire by reading the Book of Mormon, hope by praying to God-hoping he loves, commitment by sneaking out of his house full of visiting relatives and changing in the woods so he could come to church without questions being asked, and humility to listen to Christ's teachings. HE IS AMAZING!!!!

*Names have been changed for privacy

 

There have been so many people accept the gospel in such a short amount of time. My life is only a tiny window in eternity but in that window the Lord has shown me His works. I imagine this is something like what it would be like to be taken to a high mountain and be shown all the creations of God like Moses....something amazing. God is a God of miracles. His power has not ceased among men.

 

We have so much knowledge and clarity in the restored gospel. What a great day we live in. For centuries the world lay in darkness. Still, when we have the truth on earth, there are billions who walk the Lord's creation without knowing the goodness of the gospel teachings. Think what a marvelous heritage it is to be able to learn the principles of the gospel in mortality. To practice those preachings of the prophet. Feel the power of the Holy Ghost in our little frames, burning a deeper conviction and dedication to our loving Father through His Son Jesus Christ.

 

The Book of Mormon was written for our day. I cannot tell you how much this Book means to me and to those I teach. It is a source of living waters. If a man be called of God, he shall testify of Jesus Christ who is the source of all light and life. The Book of Mormon is a pure and simple testimony of the savior. Never think of it as just scripture. It has so much power because God promised those prophets that wrote and sealed it up, that it would come forth to the convincing and converting the people of the Earth that Jesus Christ is the way to Salvation. Our Father promises in power. We are so blessed by those that have gone before to show us the way by example, teach us words of wisdom words of truth, and bless us by the strength of their faith.

 

Do not underestimate the power of your faith to influence others. People have their agency, God is all powerful, but do not let those diminish your faith and hope for blessing for the hand of the Lord. He is waiting to pour out His spirit upon those who will receive it. Keep the commandments. Keep your heart open to his love. I pray these things for you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

I LOVE THIS WORLD!!! I LOVE MY REDEEMER!! family, I LOVE YOU!!!

 

Glance backward

Look heavenward

Reach outward

and Press onward
    ~Thomas Monson

 

Sister Emily Clendening

Christmas Letter from the Mission Field

Dearest family and friends,

Christmas is upon us. What a wonderful holiday season. We all know the familiar carol, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing". It is our privilege to hearken. Angles speak by the power of the Holy Ghost. Wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Let us open our hearts to the message of those angels and hear again that beautiful declaration: "Risen with healing in His wings."

In Gig Harbor Washington, the field is white and being harvested. Light and life to all He brings.
I love my Savior Jesus Christ and His unbounded kindness: Hail the Son of Righteousness!

Love,
Sister Emily Clendening

Pictures from Nov 2010

 The sisters bought matching snow/rain/slush boots--and they love them!

The Beautiful Sister's Serving in Gig Harbor

Pictures of Sister Gandolph and Sister Clendening from October 2010

Letter Excerpts from December 6th

There is so much power in fasting and prayer! Arthur* is 16. He has been going to church for almost a year, attends early morning seminary, faithfully attends Young Men's, and is not a member. His Dad joined the church years ago but when he stoped dating a girl...he never went back to get away from people he didn't want to see. His mom and dad would not give Arthur* permission to get babptized and kept asking him "Why do you go?"

We sensed a change of heart, a softening and acted on the work of the Lord. We fasted with the ward council for Arthur*. And his parents have given permission! That was such a powerful fast and testimony meeting as ward member shared in the missionary spirit. John the woodcarver (confirmed last sunday) bore his testimony, Jonathan* was scheduled for baptism that night, and the whole ward was focused on covenant making/keeping and the power of faith.

*Names have been changed for privacy

I am so happy that I know a little of the situation going on so that I can exercise my faith too. Miracles do happen and as we live worthily, we can call down angels to help us.We have made covenants, therein lies the promise and we have the power of faithfulness. I love my family so much and will do everything I can (while focusing on missionary work) to bless them.

 

Today for P-day we played ultimate frisbee! yay it's been a long time and I didn't get way intense running in the game because...my knees have been acting up. Yucko, but its all good. I am loving loving being Sister Gandolph's companion. We are seeing so much success. President Bowen has taken special notice of the work we are doing here AND as always the Lord has us in His watchful care.

 

There is only so much our little brains can handle and when we have fourteen non members in our sacrament and only two missionaries and like 150 ward members who love us and want to talk to us...AHH!! It's overwhelming and worrisome that we are not getting everything done that the Lord has for us!! But wow D&C 101 is great great great. And the Lord really does bear us up when we have gone to the edge. Being on the edge (in a spiritual capacity sense) is where I find is best to be because it is there that you can KNOW the Lord's hand is with you as things happen and you do things that you couldn't do normally! CRAZY!! The whole principle of the atonement is applied in everyday life, what we CANT do, whether it be pay for our sins or be 10,000 places at once, He has promised to plead our cause and establish His purposes.

Letter Excerpts from November 29

It was weird, the week of transfers kind of fizzled by. OH MY!!!!!!!!!!! yes yes yes yes yes yes yse. I am amazing! Never could I have been better in my life. Even when I went to the temple for the first time and it was like a contant fire all around me- it feels that way now! No wonder I used to wonder about the "constant companionship" of the Holy Ghost...was He really with me? Well though he was, I was not treating Him as my companion. Now it is amazing! Miracles are happening all around and it is by the power of God. I am led to help them come about by the divine companionship of the Holy Ghost. I am strengthened, guided, inspired, and given words from Him! 

Church yesterday was the culmination of a week of miraculous events in the missionary work. I was in simple meetings all day and yet I felt like I was in the temple-the spirit was that strong, the whole time. Why you  might ask? WELL!!! we had 14 non members at church and 7 of them are our investigators. Whoa. Just to put this in perspective for you, the whole transfer with Sister Nybo we saw 3 investigators come to church in a 6 week period. AHHH!!! And plus we got two member referrals this week! They are so prepared!!! And just like a baptism happened with Jake* and the Lord trusted us with him to help him make those covenants, the Lord trusts us with these souls he has prepared. Jake* got confirmed on Sunday! yay!

*Names changed for privacy.

It is such an honor and comfort to know that I am on the Lord's team and that He blesses me with enough strength and power to do His works. Something like bringing a person fully into the grace of the atonement through covenants which make the Savior their own could only be done through his power and wisdom. I love the scriptures and guidance from the Holy Ghost. What could we ever ask for more?

 

Wow! Well ok, I could ask for family. I love you guys so much! I love hearing about what you did, what you're thinking about. What's going on! I miss you. But there is nothing I would rather do that be here serving the Lord. A nice thing we can think about though is that I will only be away for ONE Christmas! So next Christmas I will be home! wa ha ha ha!!!!!!!!!

 

I love the gospel! It is amazing the power of the atonement. Even when I am imperfect and thinking unchristlike things, the Lord still blesses me with his spirit and a stong testimony because I've covenanted that I am willing to become like Him. He asks for a broken heart. He does the glueing back together and in the mean time I just have to trust in Him and continually come to his cross. He is the most amazing person I know.

I don't know the essence of anything. But He is the essence of everything.

 

I went to our Relief Society President's house for dinner and for the first time in my life I truly enjoyed stuffing!!! yummo! Made with cinnamon bread it looks like? Don't know but Gandolph is going to get me the recipe. AND! whoa, Utah has a bad rap for jello salads? K this was interesting: cherry jello, cream cheese, coconut, cherries, walnuts, and celery! BLAGH!!! hahaha but we had live burning candles on the table. my dream! it was fun. and also for the first time in my life I am appreciating pumpkin pie!

Sister Gandolph and I made Mom's fruit salad for Thanksgiving and took it to a part member family that we're teaching. They liked it. Also I ate this thing that is about 3 inches of rice on the bottom with a cheesy chicken sauce layer on top of it...and it was way good! sounds and looks questionable to me, but it was yum.

WHOO! We were handing out water at the half way mark of the 10K Turkey Trot race. SO funny! I got so excited when I saw the first running coming along. Of course they didn't want to be bothered with any water. well the cones were out but the mad -fast runner went right on, not taking our water. Ak we thought. and so the rest of the runners continued to come and go, some taking water, others not. Eventually they came back after about 200 yards more and then turning around in the cul-de-sac to pass by our water station again. Then about 40 minuntes into the race, the creator of the race Dr (and brother) Holmes runs up and says "WHoa, where is everybody going, this is the half way mark!?"  . .....woops. We let everyone in the race run more than a 10K hahaha, I guess what they don't know can't hurt them right?

 

OH!!! And had a miracle! Monday was this huge storm and yuck and I don't have a coat so we went to target and I found THE ONLY, MEDIUM, CLEARANCE from last season, long warm coat. So I didn't freeze that day, or any since. Oh my. Really I know it was a gift from God. and I'm so thankful for it! And! So thankful for my family who is so faithfully supporting me at home! 

 

Sister Cheeseo Clendening!

More November Pictures from the Mission

Letter to the Family November 22

Family!

 

WHoooohooo!! What could be better than staying with Sister Gandolph in Gig Harbor? NOTHING!!! Seriously every minute of my life here is like on ulta dream mode. I love life! So yes, my address will be the same for the Holidays and we will be able to continue on with the work!

 

So many exciting plans for the transfer. There is a part member family-3 unbaptized children and a single struggling member dad who has been inactive for ages that we are working with. They should be baptized.

Ronald* is 87 years old!! He hopes to be baptized on the 5th of December!! What a glorious thing. Young and Old, strong or weak testimony, the light of the gospel can fill everyones heart.

This one guy Thomas* has got to come to church and get a testimony of the restoration.

Mark* will understand that there is a Savior who loves him and has the Power to take away his suffering.

Sister Clendening will get more patience and develop more Christlike love while serving with patient and loving clhildren of God.

Something amazing I've been able to learn from working with other leaders and missionaries is that positive reinforcement and love, leading by example, is the best way to influence people. If their spirit gets engaged in the work then as a leader you have very little to do! But love and teach truth!

 *Names have been changed for privacy

John the woodcarver was baptized last night. It was so clear the difference between light and darkness iwth him. Before the ordinance he was nervous and scared while after he felt "light and strong."  Satan is angry at this work just as he has been angry all along. Though he tries to thwart the path bath to our Heavenly Father-the only way he can do that is if he come inbetween us and our covenants. Covenants and ordinances of God are our access to his Power. John felt that power immediately and I feel it every time I see the exercise of the Priesthood. WHat a blessing we have!

 

Hmmm I don't know what much to say...oh. Transfer meeting is going on without us. And without a lot of the missionaries. We are getting a lot of snow and the roads are not really prepared for it. I don't know what its like because I'm not the one driving but they aren't great. a Semi jack knifed on the Tacoma Narrows bridge and so we are not crossing to Tacoma. Only those missionaries who have to Transfer really need to go. hmmm...luckily that is not us! hehehehe

 

mmmmm I wish I was at home so that I could clean and organize. hehehe.

 

I am glad you are still remembering the sharing activity! I know that it is scary to share, anytime! Blessings await, for you and the listener!!

 

So needing to get warmer stuff for this weather! Hahaha, but hey, I'm from Utah so this is normal. BUT! I think people in Utah must keep their houses warmer or something. Some places I come in and they are not nice and toasty...its a much better temperature than outside but not the oven that I want to warm me up! Hahaha, but I love Washington. I am growing to love people so much! In a way that I never thought I would before. I am learning to be patient and....its great! I am so glad to pray every day!

 

I love you family! Thank you for all your support, prayer sent and mail sent!!!

 

your missionary sister Clendening!!!

 

as a missionary there are two things we want noticed when people see us, the name of Jesus Christ and our family name.

"Companions" extended :)

 As mentioned before, Sister Clendening and Sister Gandolph made great costumes for their Halloween ideas. Even though they didn't use them as first imagined, here is the process in pictures!

And then there were two...

Want S'more?

A Companion Tradition

Sister Gandolph

Sister Bailey

Sister Nybo

Halloween in Gig Harbor

 Even though they were not able to dress up as they wanted, Sister Clendening and Sister Gandolph still were able to hand out candy and pass-a-long cards. They had so much fun!

Package Notification!

To Whom it May Concern:
The Mission Home is hosting a Christmas party for all the missionaries in the area, and would like your Christmas gifts sent to the Mission Home address (see side bar) to surprise the missionaries. The President would like each missionary to be able to open up a present, so please make sure that the package arrives at the mission home by December 3rd.
Thank you for your continued support of Sister Clendening

Random Pictures from July/Aug/Sept

Letter Excerpts from November 15

It is quite different being in Washington. The cold here is really cold sometimes but not so bad other times. Really I think that the Utah cold is way more fun! It's dry and crisp and stings you! This one kind of sloggs you down...but its easier to recover from:) I am staying pretty warm. We got rain boots that look like Santa boots and they are doing great. However my pinky toes have terrible little callouses on them. Most of the time they don't hurt but then randomly we'll be walking and they really start to hurt. Don't know how to explain it...or what to do. I will probably just let it simmer out. Persevere!!! You know I was re-evaluating my service the other day and realized that I am not really strained. I need to make sure that I am working as hard as the Lord expects. AND!!! Whoa he must expect so much. I have had the gospel in my life FOREVER!!!! I learned so much from you and I have such an accuaintance with the spirit and the scriptures that there should be nothing that the Lord cannot do with me. I appreciate Mom and Dad's guidance of me through life to give me such a privilage of serving the Lord with accuracy and efficiancy. It is such a blessing-you must know how you are blessing others through me. I love you so so so so so so so much!~!!

My guess and hope for transfers is that Sister Gandolph and I stay together. It is up to the Lord but I feel it would be a rightous thing and a successful thing for this area if we stayed together. The Lord has worked many miracles since we have been here and it is so humbling and endearing to see that work progress. When we get the chance to be front row to the Lord's dealings with his children, in changing their lives to be closer to their Savior, my heart becomes more focused on the magnitude of His love and the many ways He is reaching out to us. I love Christ so much and want to serve him forever. This desire of mine will never fail because it is fueled by His love and blessings. As I grow and turn to him more he blesses me more. When I pray for more desire to follow him he blesses me with more desire and I am able to move into a higher realm. We're not left to climb the mountain alone. Every step is accompanied by His grace; from my first thoughts of moving higher, to catching me when I fall, to rewarding me for every improvement, He is the author and finisher of my faith.

 

Christmas is coming soon! Whoa! thats crazy. The ward is going to have a christmas party and sister gandolg and I are goign to reuse our haloween costumes (see previous post for picture) and participate in the talent show. We'll dress up and make a medley or something our of Hymn 13 (TOTALLY one of my favorites) and scripture power. Coooool!

Doris is helping me develop patience. It is wonderful to realize that everything doesn't have to match my fast pace and understand that the Lord's Spirit works best to quietly guide me when I'm not getting flustered over things that do no line up with my plans or predictions. I love the Spirit! and I love when people are patient with me! It helps me be more Christlike in return. As people around you show patience and love, it gives you space and a reason to work on repenting and changing yourself to be more like that instead of repelling you into your pride shell. I love life!!

 

And I love that we get to go to a chiropracter here. I love that my nails don't break. I love that I am healthy. I love milk. I am hating these apples I bought. I love popcorn. I love talking to everyone. I love the gospel light. I love following the spirit and saying "that was a Christ like thing to do" to a man who I later found out was a Jehovah Witness (who don't believe in Christ) wow! Small and simple things.

 

I LOVE that Faith is the power. Joseph smith taiught that when a man works by faith it is by his words that he surely works. I said a prayer that the RS pres would know that we love her and are trying to work with her and then she called and was very nice and pleasant (very different from our morning meeting). Words and faith are POWER! How significant is it "And God said let there be light" and there was light. We have so much power on earth. With a body we can think and feel something and then SAY something. Enjoy your physical. It is so wonderful that the lord lets us experience controling the powers of earth to some extent. Don't waste this precious time to control the physical things. As you learn rightous dominion over those things-you will gain greater understanding over more heavenly things.

Snail Mail Letter from November 9th

Dear Family,

One time I told an Elder he looked like Christan Bale.... that didn't end well. :)

One door we knocked on during 5-7pm was rather typical. (See picture above.) As we walked away Sister Gandolph says "Mexican?" and after a minute of very confused replay of the door scene I just saw, I answered quite honestly "No, I think he was white!" Hahahah!

Another time a man came out of the doo to talk to us, and he had pretzel breath! I called him out on it :) and then had to explain our lovely previous experiences with Marko's pretzel breath. Love you Pokey!

Okay, @ doors: I always seem to be pointing out that people are old! Things like "old ppl like you" and "you're old and have seen a lot." Haha, it's always in confirmation of an old comment they've made (or so I hope to think...) hahah! but it's still not the best. Lol Sister Gandolph points out. :)

One time... actually it was the Monday after Halloween-- we were at a door and I asked the little boy (9-10 yrs old) if I could have a piece of his candy (that was spread out on the coffee table) and he gave Gandi and I both one!

We got matching plaid rain boots to conquer any winter weather we face here. In light of these indestructible beauties I felt compelled to test them out in puddle jumping. But puddle jumping is different in a skirt!

Spreading the gospel is like eating syrup in the morning. The smell is always with you. share the awesome knowledge that we have. I love you family. Thank you for praying for me! I hope you are getting some of the blessings I am!

Love Family Member #5

"Companions"

In a recent letter Emily sent, she included this picture. The inscription on the back reads:
"Yep, we made these costumes for Halloween. We handed out candy in the Harbor, only not in costume. Pres. Bowen wants us to be dignified. :) But the ward now calls us the Scripture Sisters! :)

Letter Excerpt from November 8th

The work in Gig Harbor is amazing!!! Really wonderful things. Did the family get my book of Mormon challenge? I didn't hear back from anyone about it.... and amazing! Just as I was typing it up for you guys, my blue copy of the book of Mormon was sitting next to my computer and the guy sitting next to me asked if he could see it, because he wanted to read some! WHOA!!! The Book has such an amazing power. John the Woodcarver is going to be baptized on the 21st! great great great. He is so excited. He love the book of Mormon. He gets emotional when he talks about it. At a loss for words after describing it as a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day and just what he needs John says "Its a miracle. That's all I can say a miracle." OH JOHN! if only you knew how prophetic those words really are. Its true!!! the Book of Mormon is plain and precious-plain because it is so direct. Precious because it is part of the covenant and promise of the lord for out teaching in these last days. The Lord knew that he would have all nations to convert and hand picked what was recorded and compiled so we would have the best chance at finding our Redeemer. John says he will do whatever it takes to follow that book. I hope we each have that commitment. please share your love of the Book of Mormon!! I love it. I've had 21 years to grow a love for it but when john shares his love for it-my heart burns and expands to an overflowing of joy as my love for the Book grows even more.

 

OH GREAT!

 

What should I write about this week? umm oh! This is interesting. We saw someone beat up on someone at a gas station one night. I was quite shocked and didn't know how to react. Could something so small and simple (compared to the drugs, murders, and horrific things I never see but DO happen) leave me feeling this sad and regretful? Some people wonder 'How could there be a God and such terrible things happen' and now that concern rang in my ears. Why does that happen? It doesn't seem fair. And then, weirdest thing- I started feeling to spirit so strongly. What was I being told to do? Had I been asking for direction? I hadn't really been asking anything (decision making) and I wasn't being prompted to do anything...so what was going on? But then I learned another wonderful thing about the Holy Ghost. He is a comforter. The strong feelings of the spirit will come when we need a direct answer or direction, they come to push us into action, and they come to confirm truth.  But they also come to protect us. As we live worthily, we can have all of the blessings of the Holy Ghost.  He guides our minds and comforts out hearts, helping us see through the mists of darkness in the world today and understand God's true and loving character. The power of the Holy Ghost is real and alive in missionary work. I am so grateful to have the gift of constant companionship.

Letter to the Family Nov 1

Dear Family!

 

We saw such an amazing thing happen. John the Woodcarver was in rough shape. His rental house (which was his Mom's) was just trashed by some renters who fled without paying rent. He now faced his water and power being shut off. He was sad and everything bad in his life crept out from where he had pushed it aside. We offered him the Word that heals the wounded soul (Jacob 2:8) John took the Book of Mormon and started to read where we had indicated. Alma 33:6-11 are some beautiful passages about prayer. He struggled very very much, cycling through 4 pairs of broken and scratched reading glasses. He could barely get out the words. Sister Gandolph and I were still. He went on missing most of the points...and then at last he found a magnifying glass. This was like turing on a fire hose. As he could now see, he began to read. The words came with increasing accuracy as he went on. In no time he had finished reading the verses we had chosen but what did that matter!? He continued on with a new heart. The whole feeling in the room changed; it went from bitter to sweet, from helplessness to hope. John stoped and commented "Look at this...its right up my alley..its like you knew." We continued to be still. He flipped the pages and opened to another place, this time a war chapter. He read about Pahoran and defending liberty. He once again commented on the personal application this text had to him. He just ate it up. John felt the goodness of the book. Once he read from its pages, he showed unrestrained eagerness as he held the Book of Mormon and took in its holy words.

 

That book is a book of God. It is His holy scripture, meant to gather in those at this last day. Let him gather you in. Know what is in its pages. It holds the key to happiness and simplicity in gospel learning. Love it and cherish it as you should. If you want to learn about it, Dalin H Oaks gave a wonderful talk about it "Another Testament of Jesus Christ" But if you want to know it and its goodness for yourself, read it. ponder it. and live it.

 

I challenge everyone in the family to say something about their most recent scripture experience to someone else! (outside of church and the family) like :"how is your day going? (your response can go shomething like:) "oh just great, I was reading the scriptures and felt the Lord telling me how to be happier" anything! ehehehhehehe. I will follow up with you all at Thanksgiving time!!! So that's about a month....if you don't want to participate in this challenge that is your choice. But, I better hear a pretty good excuse as to why not. And then, ultimately, it will be the Lord that you tell your excuse to.

 

I love you family!!

Letter excerpts from October 26

Hehehe so a while ago you sent me two stickers of a bat and I have been faithfully saving them these many weeks until the Halloween season approached and I could appropriately place them on an Octobery Fun day. Hahaha-but then I got your package!!!!! Fully off Halloween goodies and plenty of festive stickers to go around. Heheheh it was so much fun to open the packages with Sister Gandolph. We both love you so much and I don't think there is any mistaking that you live in North Carolina and so does she :) We are still planning on get togethers.

The family book was so cute! Very thoughtful and a great memior to that time of my mission! :) and as always it was so good to hear your continual support. You have a way of gathering the family all together. yay! OH! and Benjamins note said that I am his missionary. Sweetest thing ever! I am so happy that I can be an example to him!

Ok so my daily routine!

P-days start at 10 am after our normal morning routine. We go email at the library that is about 15 min away and then get groceries and then I like to come home and journal and have time to write letters or organize my desk or get some extra studying in. Then at 5 we start our tracting (which happens everyday at 5) and go until 7. We invite people to come on church tours and offer any service. No one really takes us up on the service opportunity and when we see miracles! We are able to give an INSTA tour! (meaning they come down to the church building right then) The rest of the evening is spent in teaching appointments with investigators or less active members of the ward. At 9 we hope to be home and plan for our day tomorrow for 30 min...which usually is like 40+ We update records for who we saw that day. Then we can get ready for bed! Unwind! and retire by 10:30.

Tuesday morning! 6:30 we get up and exercise for 30 minutes. Then I shower first and get ready have breakfast. Missionaries are supposed to study from 8-10 but our Zone Mettings on Tuesday cut into this and We have to leave our house by 8 30 to get to the building on time. so then we have 3 hour meeting. then we have lunch with ward members at the building who have met there for service/humanitarian projects. then we continue on our day with teaching appointments, less active stop bys, or preferably church tours! then from 5-7 we tract. At 7 we meet two relief society sisters for spilts. I leave Sister Gandolph :( :( hahaha until the end of the night. and then the normal things happen from 9-10:30.

Wednesday we go to an old folks home for about and hour and a half and help them do group exercises and talk to them (hehehhe I picked out this weekly service and ... it's my favorite!) then we visit, make phone calls (arranging splits, appointments, getting fellowship for investigator lessons) while we drive around all day. we usually have a meal appointment with a member for about an hour, visits, church tours! and home.

Thursday from 10-12 we have weekly planning (go over the progress made on our goals, update records, make records) and have companionship inventory to discuss any needs, problems, etc. then the normal routine continues until 7 when we go on spilts with two of the ward missionaries.

Friday is completely normal.

Saturday our study time is interrupted with a Missionary meeting attended by the Bishop and all the ward missionaries at 8 usually at Bishop's home. then things are normal except our 5-7 tracting can be anytime during the day and we try to use saturdays to do outside street contacting (not door to door) its pretty awkward, difficult to make productive, but fun with sister Gandolph beside me helping, and being awesome!

Sunday we leave our house by 7 30 to get to the church for our meeting with Ward Council at 8. then Church at 9. then a meal appt somewhere in the day and tracting for 2 hours somewhere in the day.

That's my week! and the best day is when we give church tours. Chruch tours take precendence over anything else! yay! we do everything we can to have members present at every lesson with investigators. it is such an important thing: to have them have a friend and give us someone else to call on for answers or testimonies etc.

So hilarious thing!!!!!!!!! In Silverdale Gandi and I came up with a great idea to go to the park in a huge book of mormon suit and give away Book of Mormons/invite church tours! We didn't get around to that but now that we're here in the Harbor for HALLOWEEN!!! Perfect time right!

Well. So after telling our meal appointment that we were thinking of dressing up for Haloween as the Bible and the Book of Mormon with a sign saying "Why can't we be friends" (hehehehe) they told us that the harbor does this huge city trick-or-treat thing and thousands of people go around the shops in downtown. Perfect opportunity! Let's go down there an hand out candy/pass along cards in our costumes!

Hahha so...........our plans eventually arrived at getting the approval of our Mission President. So I called him. (aghh!) and asked if we could carry out our plan for outside finding. He told me that didn't seem fitting for the dignified representatives we were. mm ok. so no dress up:( 

But then! Later that night we were calling him to tell him we had found 2 New (investigators) by the end of that week {as he had instructed sister Gandolph in her personal interview at R+R on Friday} -oh r and r is Return and Report...happens every 3 months- and after we told him of the miracles:

1 Chase* the woodcarver- was outside having a really hard time because his German sheperd friend he'd had for 18+ years was dying. He ASKED US TO PRAY before we said anything about God (other than mentioned our names+tags) we set up a church tour with him! He came on the church tour 3 days later and told us on the tour that he recognized that we were sent from God and said he wouldn't have anything against being baptized. He would trust any of us to baptize him.

2 Mary*- we said where we were from and she came right out of the door and said oh! oh! I've been meaning to come to your church for over a year! Her boss is LDS and she promised him that she would. She wants a church where she can ask questions and learn. She came on a church tour and she said she would read the Book of Mormon before coming to church the next day!

YAY! So President was very happy and said "we are celebrating" and then handed the phone to Sister Bowen so we could tell her too. hahha. Then we asked President about our amended Haloween plan: still pass out candy and cards just not dressed up. He approved and said to dress warm and tell him how it goes.

WOOt Woot! hehehe I am so excited. Sister Gandolph and I are still going to dress up for the ward party though. YAY! It's a chili cook-off competition. I love chili and really am craving it. Silly I know and who would have guessed but I really like chili. (well obviously not grease-fest chili with meat oozing out everywhere..but hearty beans..yummo!)

*Names have been changed for privacy

***

We ate with Sarah* and her family on Thursday and she died on Saturday morning. She is the mother of 4 children under the age of 12. Her husband was away, and her son found her. The ward has done so much to step in for comfort and mourn with those that mourn. I have been blessed with fullness to share with those who have an emptiness. 

Eccl 3:1-8

"1 To every thing there is a ^aseason, and a ^btime to every purpose under the heaven:

  2 A ^atime to be born, and a time to ^bdie; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

  3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

  4 A time to weep, and a time to ^alaugh; a time to ^bmourn, and a time to dance;

  5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

  6 A time to ^aget, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

  7 A time to ^arend, and a time to sew; a time to keep ^bsilence, and a time to speak;

  8 A time to love, and a time to ^ahate; a time of war, and a time of peace."

Another miracle: Hannah* is extremely impressionable. We are teaching her and she was going to go ask her preacher about prophets and His authority. So on the day she was supposed to go, we prayed so hard and so much for her. Every prayer asked for something, anything to get in the way of her going to see her preacher. and she got Sick! Yep! and now she is scheduled for baptism on the 17th! She needs the Holy Ghost, for he is the comforter and the director. He speaks truly.

Letter excerpts from October 18

SISTER GANDOLPH!!!!!!!!!!!!! When I first heard this on the telephone...I couldn't understand. What? REally?? ummm ok!?? WHOA, why?!! I'm so happy!! I know that sister Gandolph and I are to work wonders in Gig Harbor. We are here to baptize and harvest souls for  Jesus. I am grateful for the trust that he places in me and sister Gandolph. I will work so hard to bring about the wonderful situation the Lord has created for us. Where much is given much is required and that IS the case here. It seems that every moment I understand and can see that yes the Lord put us together so that we could do this, and be here, and help this happen. So much goodness reigns from above. I know the Lord cares about his children and will always do what he sees best for them. It may seem odd that sister Gandolph and I are together again but that won't stop inspiration from reaching and being executed through President Bowen. It won't stop the spirit from witnessing to us (me and gandolph) that there is an eternal purpose that we are together again. I KNOW the Lord is behind this work. It is truly His. On His errand I am entitled (and daily receive) His help.

*  *  *

That reminds me! I've been meaning to mention to you for two transfers now! ....  Do you know the Graventstein apple? Well I had some in Washington and I guess they are an older apple and hard to find in the stores (I've never seen them before and you know I know the store apples) SO! They are delicious and firm and flavorful! so tasty. I think they top the Jonathans I love (if that tells you anything) .

 

It's so nice to hear that Beaver Ward has put out so many missionaries. It really was such a blessing to grow up there. I know the Lord put our family there on purpose and I am grateful for the things I learned there. I am proud to say I am from Beaver Dam! The people there are so genuine and loving; it truly is a community centered on the principles of the gospel! Tell the ward hi for me and that the Lord is working miracles today! Tell them to remember the significant role the gospel plays in their life and don't be afraid to share the best news with everyone!

 

Can you believe how wonderful it is that I am serving with sister Gandolph again!? Wow! The Lord truly inspires events!!! We have already started to play miracles for the Lord. We are his instruments as we strive to be obedient and work hard together. It is so much fun laughing together and comforting each other.

 

Faith is so powerful! It is truly a principle of power. The creation was wrought By Faith!! Surely we can each exhibit a little more faith in our own lives to overcome challenges that face us and work wonders. My faith excercising (and thus building) experience of the week was so great: We wanted to give an insta-tour (invite someone to come and tour the church building RIGHT THEN) this was our saturday goal. Every prayer we said included this desire in it. Our minds were continually thinking about it and planning for it. Saturday closed without seeing a church tour. Sunday came and I didn't fill in the totals for the week on church tours given because...hmmm I hope we get one today! AND THEN WE DID! We were being obedient and faithful, talking to everyone in our path - even when it meant stopping the car in the middle of the road to talk to two people walking in the opposite direction. The timing worked itself perfectly due to our following the spirit the 2 hours leading up to our meeting DJ. He and his friend came out of his house, we chatted, the friend left, and we invited DJ to come. He came. The tour was one of the best we've ever given. A ward was still meeting in the building and things might have seemed distracting and busy but the spirit was testifying to his heart the whole time. He accepted the Book of Mormon and the sacred revelation that it is and agreed to learn more about being baptized. We will meet with him on Tuesday with his member neighbor friend who came on the tour with us (insta fellowship!) ohhhh jolly! What a blessing it is to be worthy and ready for the Lord to bless us with a miracle. Miracle in the Bible Dictionary is defined and a manifestation of God's power. I used to think it was something more than that but truly that contains everything!!!!!!!! Gods hand is all around us. It lifts us up and guides us. Isaiah 41:10+13 With Him leading the way we can baptize people! He is the good shepherd and already knows where His lost sheep are and does lead us to them. He leads us over obstacles and ravines that lie in our path. He is triumphant over all and we are called in His Holy name.

 

I bear you my testimony that Jesus is The Christ. He knows everything about you, about me, and about his other children. He stands ready and waiting to give us the victory that He so valiantly won. We can accomplish nothing without His sustaining power. I leave these things with you, as the Spirit of God has taught them to me, in His name even Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Love you so much!

Sister Clendening

about her transfer....

Sister Clendening wasn't transfered this week, and will be staying in her current area for at least 6 more weeks. More information to follow. She is currently with Sister Gandolph again (a previous companion) and is excited about the work. She sends her love to everyone, and hopes to have time to write this coming week!

Sister Gandolph was Emily's trainer. This picture of of them from their first transfer together!