Easter and a New Assignment

What a wonderful Easter it was!!! If you want to know what is new with me the answer is: Everything!! My current area is in Dover, Delaware. The capitol of the first state and they won't let you forget it. Haha. It's a lovely place and all the buildings are beautiful historic brick buildings. It is just adorable. As for my brand new companion her name is Sister Jolley from St. George, Utah. She is quite the little personality and I am excited for her "golden fire". We are in the Dover ward which was just barely made last week. We had stake conference this week so we still haven't met our actual ward yet which is a little strange. We live in a little town house now with two other Sisters. It is so much fun!! I love Dover so much and the road names are the best. Stay tuned for those pictures next week!

Stake conference was amazing because Rafael Pino of the seventy came to speak to us. He was so hilarious and such a great speaker. He talked about hastening the work of salvation and it inspired me to be even better! Something that I loved was he said it's all one work now. Before temple work and missionary work were separate but now they are one and the same. Instead of mission presidents just talking about the ordinance of baptism they are now talking about family history. Heavenly Father is truly hastening His work and I can feel it every day. 

We can all be missionaries whether we have a name tag or not! Invite your friends and never be scared to tell them what you believe. God will always help you do His work.

Today for our grocery shopping we went to this little Amish grocery store and it was amazing! The people with their bonnets and buggies. I love being a missionary :)

My condolences for the DeRoest family. I love you and am so grateful for the plan of Salvation. My prayers are with you. 

Love and pray for you all,

 

Sister Zeller

Blown Away!‏

General Conference blew me away!!!

 

I can't believe how fast it went by. Wow. It was so amazing! ALL of the speakers had such amazing things to say. The one that truly touched my heart was by D. Todd Christofferson. He talked all about Christ and it left me overflowing with the Spirit. We had a long car ride to our dinner appointment in which Sister Reyes and I were silent. I reflected on my service as a missionary  and my plans to change in the next six months. I also loved the "4 minute" one and speaking with grace for the hearers. They were all so well done and enlightening. It sounded like they were preparing us for prosecution and the crazy stuff in the world that is coming up. 

 

God truly knows what he is doing. I also reflected on the missionary age change and all the other changes to the church through media and the youth programs. My theory is that God lowered the missionary age to allow more Elders and Sisters to go on missions because we are going to need stronger families in these last days. Two faithful returned missionaries are sure to create a home based upon the teachings of Jesus Christ. I know that many things I have learned on my mission will bless my future family immensely!

 

I love this work! We made some really good progress with one person who hasn't regularly gone to church in twenty years. She opened up to us and dug deep to find why she was so hesitant to go to church. That "digging" is such a huge step in and of itself. She found an answer and is willing to work on it. We invited her to watch General Conference and we are going to follow up soon. Hey! 

Our solid investigator Juan is getting baptized this next Sunday!!! He is progressing so well and has been very prepared. He watched the Sunday sessions of conference. Our other investigator Mary (who was introduced by a member) will be baptized in May. She came to a members home and we watched conference there. She loved it!! The member and her got along really well. During the talks she kept saying "Mmmmmmm-hm!" and "AMEN!" It was awesome.

Zone training was also great. Elder Kitsell, Elder Hunsaker, and I sang Go Forth with Faith to the tune of Abide with Me 'Tis Eventide. It was scary but brought the spirit and we all loved the arrangement :) We learned about doing family history research and it sparked something in me. One of the elders got us all pretty pumped. I have a lot to learn but with the little family history I've done, I've already experienced a connection and love for my ancestors.

 

I can't believe it is already the last week of the transfer! I love you all and invite you to read through the Christlike attributes section of Preach My Gospel. It is a great resource for being happier ;)

 

Have a good one,

 

 

Sister Zeller

 

 

 

One of the members has a pet skunk!

All ma girls :)

 

 

The Super Sampler!‏

Well this week was quite the week of running around.

We had a ward activity (the Super Sampler), which we along with the Ward mission leader planned. Members and investigators brought food from different countries: both desserts and normal food. Although we didn't get the amount of new investigators that we planned for, a bunch of our current investigators came and it was amazing! They had such a great time. Each of the auxillaries set up a booth about different things like family home evening, provident living, prayer, faith, and the Atonement. It was really cool. Sister Reyes and I made little temple sugar cookies. We barely had enough of the ingredients and did a lot of substituting (sugar and brown sugar are like the same thing, right?) They actually turned out to be a hit! Sister Reyes got some crazy blisters from mixing the frosting. Haha. 

 

One of our investigators is progressing so well. His name is Juan and he is ready for the gospel. He has never had so much fun at church and he fits right in with the YSA. The Super Sampler was so perfect because it allowed him to meet and mingle with all the members. 

The temple President for the Philadelphia temple came and had an awesome booth as well. President and Sister Anderson also got to stay a while. It was so cool to have them there.

 

I have a feeling that I won't be in Stroudsburg much longer. We had interviews with President in which he basically makes sure we are doing okay. I love him and Sister Anderson! Brian Emmett, did you get the picture? They are so loving and he basically said this was my last transfer. So sad. The Stroudsburg ward has a special place in my heart.

Yesterday, everyone we had planned to see was in New Jersey for some reason. That night made everything worth it though. First off, one of the members made me one of my favorite dishes (because somehow the word got out that I was going to be transferred soon). Mashed potatoes, asparagus, and steak! He even gave us the leftovers. 

 

Secondly, one of the YSA girls, named Melissa, gave us a ride all the way out to a member's house. We planned to stop by one of the investigator families that we hadn't been able to see in a while. They let us in and she was the perfect person to have with us. They loved her! It was a miracle to have her there because she is always so busy with school and work. God knows what he's doing and we just have to  be willing and worthy to follow Him.

 

Thanks for the love! 

 

Have a great week,

 

Sister Zeller

P.S. Mission rules allow us to be friends with immediate family members (only) on facebook. We can't reply or anything. It allows our family to see our progress. 

5 Months!‏

5 months. Say what?!

 

What an amazing week we had :) 

 

First of all, we went on exchanges this week which always makes things crazy. I went with Sister Shaia to Doylestown, PA, for my first actual exchange. I had never been out of my area before so it was really cool to see a different place. Especially one with random castles around!

 

We exchanged back at zone training on Thursday which was equally awesome. We learned about remembering our purpose. Sometimes it's easy to get in the swing of things but when we remember our divine purpose it really puts things into perspective. 

 

I had some firsts this week:

 

Philly cheese steak

 

Pizza with garlic powder (apparently it's normal here)

 

Rita's!!<---- This place is so delicious! It sells all sorts of frozen treats. I got a red swedish fish gelati (custard with italian ice). I'm not sure if they have them on the west coast but they should. 

 

We had some miracles this week which including two baptismal dates :) We went to visit a potential on a familiar street. We were looking for somewhere to park when I remembered a former's house that we had previously thought was deserted. I said we could park there when Sister Reyes pointed out that someone did live there. We went to go see if the guy was home and he was! It was such a miracle. We taught him about the Book of Mormon and he remembered when he saw missionaries in the Dominican Republic. He still had the Book of Mormon in his room. We got to see him again on Saturday and he is now preparing to be baptized on April 13 ~ last Sunday of the transfer. He came to church on Sunday and the YSA were so inviting. 

 

Another lady, whom one of the members invited to meet with us, will be baptized on Easter. She is such a sweet lady and so close to the spirit. People are all around us are ready for the gospel. We just have to invite them :)

 

This week was a great one and I hope everyone is having a lovely St. Patrick's day :)

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARGARETTE!!! I LOVE YOU! 

 

HAPPY 1 YEAR RACH! Time is fly-ing!

 

Love,

 

Sister Zeller

Pictures:

 Sister training leaders. Love em to death!

 Rita's!!! yum!

 5 months!! so tired .... ha ha ha

Pennsylvania: Windy Roads, Pot Holes, and Deer‏

Buenos dias mi amigos!!! (That is the extent of my Espanol)

This week was quite lovely! If I could describe my area and the general idea of Pennsylvania in 3 phrases, they would be Windy roads, pot holes, and deer.

 

Funny but SO true. 

 

The Lord TRULY knows what He's doing. Not sure how many times I am going to learn that but this is surely not the last. Sister Reyes and I thoroughly enjoy Thai food and we had the opportunity to go to a little Thai place for dinner. Whenever we go somewhere we look for someone to give a pass along card to. Two young guys walked in and I was thinking these were the ones we should talk to. In my head I was thinking, "How nice would it be if they just started talking to us for a change"... Five seconds passed and one of them started talking to us! So cool! We talked more and more and found out one of them knows some people in our ward. They committed to come to church and add us on Facebook. One of the YSA we went teaching with said they worked with him when we told her the story. On Sunday (they didn't show up) we talked to the family that Ryan said he knew from the church and they all got super excited. Daniel (the one who was baptized in January) said he even knew Ryan and that they have been friends for a while and he lives down the street! Connections! They are inviting him to the Wednesday activities and this kid has a LOT of potential. Miracles!

 

That's the story of the week and there are many more to come! Love you all and it has been three weeks since I got mail. Don't feel too bad. It turns out that the mail lady couldn't get to our mail box so it's all been going to the post office. Thanks Dave!

Have a great week and watch out for pot holes,

 

Sister Zeller

P.s. I got to go to Scranton (what? the electric city!) for a stake women's conference.

 

The district!

 

One of our investigators sent us this text. Too funny.

 SCRANTON!!!

 

Birthdays and Sunshine!‏

The sun has actually been out and spring is just around the corner--hooray for warmer weather!!

Downside? BIRDS. EVERYWHERE. :(

This past Sunday was one of the best Sundays I have had on my mission! First of all, Daniel who was baptized in January blessed the Sacrament for the first time today. That was a great moment. Then a former investigator by the name of Ron came in with a friend. I did a double take and then I couldn't stop smiling for the rest of the meeting. We taught him from November to the end of December. He didn't want to follow some commandments even though he knew the church was true. He just decided to show up this Sunday :) That was also another amazing moment. Our ward mission leader texted us right before church and told us he needed someone to teach Gospel Principles class. Of course we said yes and it was so awesome! We had 0 time to prepare and were reading through the lesson for the first time with everyone else. Luckily, Heavenly Father always helps his missionaries. I've learned how to follow the Spirit in teaching and I feel like the Holy Ghost just leads me to what I am supposed to say next. I have worked so hard for that!

I love being a missionary not only because I get to help my brothers and sisters but also because I learn so much from all the people I meet. Yesterday we were talking to a lady on our street for quite a long time. She talked about all her journeys working with the UN and giving us all this advice. She was really kind of hostile towards religion like a lot of people we meet but she loved talking with us. Some people you just know you are supposed to meet.

There is a very special lady in the ward who is the best member missionary I have ever met. She is so amazing and goes teaching with us all the time. She invites everyone she meets to hear more. Her birthday was this Friday and we made her a delicious chocolate cake with grasshoppers (like thin mints) in the center and chocolate frosting. We crushed cocoa pita chips mixed with brown sugar and put it on top. We surprised her and made sure she had the best birthday ever. I love these people. 

There are so many candle places here it's insane! Like one on every corner!

Many more stories but no more time!

 

Have a great one,

 

Sister Zeller

 

P.S. Alex Zeller! Remember that journal you bought me? I am finally using it and it's awesome! I love you! Thanks!

Baking zee cake. So much fun!

Sister Wheelis!!! That cake was so good :)

Random cow at one of the candle shops

Deer and iPads

Aloha Everyone!

I hope you had a lovely week. The work in Stroudsburg is moving
forward and the iPads are helping a ton! Just the other day we stopped
by a former investigators home and instead we started up a
conversation with the neighbor who was outside. We talked about the
weather and asked if she went to church. She was born Catholic and I
felt really prompted to ask what her favorite part of the Catholic
Church was. So I did and instead of telling us her favorite part she told
us what she didn't like. I've been studying to get my PhD in Preach
My Gospel chapter 11 (about extending commitments) and following the
spirit in asking questions. We were able to find out the things she
was missing from the Catholic Church and what she wants to get back going to
church. We weren't able to get a return appointment but before we left
Sister Reyes had the random thought to show her the Mormon message
titled "Until We Meet again" by President Monson. She said she agreed
with everything the video said and we testified of prophets. What a
great tool!

Another miracle happened showing the exact same video. We are teaching
a couple in their 80's who are currently Methodist. They know Joseph
Smith is a prophet and that the Book of Mormon is true but they aren't
understanding priesthood for some reason. The husband Bill is kind of
hesitant in moving forward with the church but we were able to show
this video and it changed everything. He remembers WW2 when he was a
boy, so he felt a connection to the video instantly. He started crying
when we asked him what he thought about the video. We were teaching
the Plan of Salvation and the spirit was so strong when we testified.
We are excited to keep teaching them and we left them a temple
magazine to read. Things are looking good!

This week was great and I learned a lot about asking questions. I have
so many stories I want to tell you all but I would be writing all day
and you have lots of things to do. What a great opportunity it is to
serve a mission and be so close to the spirit everyday. Sister Reyes
and I are getting along great. We both have a lot we need to do to
become what The Lord needs us to be.

We found out Sierra's name is actually spelt Cyara. Anyway, we talked
to her parents today and we will be seeing them either this Saturday
or sometime next week to start preparing her for baptism. Her little
Sister recently turned 8 so that is two baptisms planned for March.
Two on top of all the other investigators we will find and baptize.
Time is flying! Another transfer will be finished by this next Sunday.
How blessed I am to be serving in the Stroudsburg ward. Don't forget
to open your mouths and invite! Heavenly Father will help with
everything else.

Love you all,
Sister Zeller

P.S. We were driving and saw a deer so we stopped. We had some extra nuts
so stuck my hand out the window to see if it would eat them. While I
was calling for the deer 6 other deer came out of no where and started
running at our car. They surrounded our car! And there were a bunch
more that came later. The deer on my side was a wimp and never ate
from my hand but the one on Sister Reyes side ate all the nuts in her
hand and even licked it afterwords. Haha got it all on camera. It was
a hard day and the deer cheered us right up! Hahah tender mercies!!!!