Two Months Old...

HELLO!!!! :)

This week has been interesting. To start off, we had a bird stuck in our wall underneath our kitchen sink! Let me tell you, hearing wings flap and little bird feet talking around in a wall is a very creepy sound. We definitely thought we had a rat in our cupboard. The other creepy thing was that we cleaned out that cupboard the day before, so Sister Craig thought a mouse came back to life over night...yeah that would've been gross if that was true. haha but we called our landlord to come and help us (because we were being girls and were too scared to open the cupboard doors...). Luckily, he was okay with helping us, because birds tend to get stuck in our wall a lot and other missionaries have done the same thing. haha Anyways, trying to catch the bird was pretty funny...I'm pretty bummed we didn't record it, but I took some pictures at least. :)

We met with Mindy this week and could tell something was going on. A few days later she called us and said she didn't want to meet with us anymore. NO!! We had no idea what to do. We talked to her about what was going on and it turned out that she wasn't reading from the Book of Mormon and wasn't understanding it. After we met with her, I gained a stronger testimony on the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and what role it plays in the conversion process. If someone doesn't understand or believe in the Book of Mormon, they are less likely to have a testimony of Joseph Smith, and therefore are less likely to truly know that the gospel has been restored. It's crazy to think how not doing one thing, or not understanding one thing can lead someone to no longer have the desire to learn about the gospel.

It's also interesting to hear how many people end up turning to religion when they are having tough times, but tend to forget about it when times are good. I am so grateful for the gospel and for the peace and comfort it brings in trying times and how it can continue to give us peace and hope when things are going good. The gospel is true!!! :)

Keep P.U.S.H.ing!

Love,

Sister Pierce

The bird is stuck in the wall....how did I get in there? I have no idea.

Proof that the bird was in our apartment :)

Time for the beach! It's been so fun to see the ocean about once a week!

First Transfer is COMPLETE!

Holy cow...can you believe I've already made it through my first transfer? I know I can't! This time is already flying by but that doesn't mean I know what I'm doing. haha Luckily I'm still getting trained this next transfer by Sister Craig! I'm glad that i'm not getting a new companion quite yet, but let me tell you....being with someone 24/7 is really.......difficult. That's all I'll say about that. haha

Anyways, to start off, today is Patriots Day!!! (If you don't know what that is, don't worry, it's only celebrated in New Hampshire and Maine. I'm not even sure I know what they're celebrating today...haha) But, at least the library is open so we can email! That was definitely a blessing! :) Earlier this week, we had Zone Meeting and we learned about being persistent and finding "the one". There are so many people in the world who may want to learn about the gospel, but never get a chance because missionaries (and members) are not persistent with finding the "one" who needs the gospel in their lives. The cool thing about that lesson was that after Zone Meeting, Sister Craig and I put that training to use and went out to find the "one" while we were out finding a referral. He wasn't home, and we didn't have the streets near him on our plans to tract, but we both got the prompting to go and tract on it anyways because we knew we were in the area for a reason. By doing so, we only talked to a few people, but the second person we talked to was interested in our message! The funny thing was that when we saw her on her porch, she went inside her house after realizing who we were. I definitely got a "cold vibe" from her, but it turned out she was super friendly and was interested in us coming back! That was ironic. But I learned from that experience that I should never judge a "book by it's cover"!

Something else that happened this week with following the spirit was with Alex. He has been struggling with smoking again, and we have been struggling with knowing how to best help him conquer this addiction. He wanted us to pray for another "quit date" so that he could try again. We planned on having him quit on Sunday, but during the lesson on Thursday, it changed to having him quit Friday morning. That wasn't our plan, but he kept telling us that he wouldn't like it, but he could stop the next day. I feel like he was able to feel that way because we sang him "Be Still My Soul" and he LOVED it! He is really good at applying things to himself and when we finished singing, that's exactly what he did. He said "I can do this. Jesus is with me and He can help me". Alex loved the hymn so much that he asked if he could record us singing or if there was a "Pocket-Sized Pierce" he could have. hahaha pretty great. I love how much he appreciates us and how he calls us his angels. He is super sweet, and he is going to be such a great member of the church, he just needs to stop smoking dang it! haha but that night I got a HUGE impression to take his pack of cigarettes away so taht he could stop the next day, and he let me! (after leaving him one last one) We dumped it down the sewer when we left, and we were so proud of him! Unfortunately, Friday was a terrible day and Satan threw everything he could at him, and we're back to him smoking...again..........this is ridiculous. Just stop smoking!! Ugh....haha

Anyways, this was a pretty long email. Sorry! I'm just letting you all experience my mission with me! :) haha I love you all!

Keep P.U.S.H.ing!

Sister Pierce

Kind of a silly picture, but Sister Craig and I have the same shirt!!!!! I came down the stairs and went right back up to change...haha (after taking a picture first, of course)

Augusta South Zone!

Sis Craig and I decided to go back in time....she looked like she was from the 80's and I looked like I was from the 50's. So fun :)

Hello from the East Coast!

Hello everyone!!! :) 

This week was pretty great. Although it snowed on Thursday, it's been warm and sunny ever since!!!!! We haven't even been wearing coats the past few days! I'm pretty sure Spring is trying to come, but I wouldn't be surprised if it snowed this week...pray that it won't!! I feel like the more it's warmer, the more people are out on the streets and we're able to talk to more people. But they are also not at home as often because it is nice.....dang. I guess snow would be nice every once in a while then...haha. Anyways, on Sunday we had 5 people at church!! Holy cow! Even though only 2 were investigators, it was still awesome!! Hopefully those other 3 will become investigators too, but we'll see. (People at church= Alex & girlfriend, Mindy and her son, and Shiva! the med student we met a couple of weeks ago. We called him up on Saturday and he wanted to come to church the next day! Pretty sweet.)

It's interesting to listen to church with an investigator's perspective in mind. You definitely analyze everything and pray that (especially with it being Fast and Testimony meeting) everything will go well, nothing will be too crazy, and that they will feel the Spirit. If you haven't experienced a Church meeting with an investigator or non-member friend before, I encourage you to (if you can) have that perspective this Sunday. I promise that you will get more out of church, and you will be able to feel the Spirit more because you are looking (and searching) for that truth and trying to see the difference the gospel has. 

I have experienced that difference the gospel brings in both Mindy and Alex's eyes as we meet with them each week. Although Alex picked up smoking again (after 11 days of going strong), he still has that light in his eyes and wants to live the gospel as best he can. He say's he's doing a "mini-quit" right now, so hopefully he'll quit smoking again within this next week, but we'll see. But, we taught him the law of Chastity and he's got that one down! After struggling a little, he's doing well at keeping that law. He lives with his girlfriend and has decided to talk to her about marriage! So great. Maybe we'll have a wedding in the next month?! That would be pretty sweet!! :) He actually brought her to church on Sunday, and we're meeting with her tonight, so let's hope she becomes a new investigator so they can both experience the blessings of this gospel and share that experience together!

Mindy is also doing well. We're taking things slow with her because she's had a rough life, and is still trying to figure out this life, so she can't really comprehend the Plan of Salvation yet. However, she accepted a baptism date and is SO EXCITED to be baptized. That's her dream and can't wait for that to happen. 

I have gained a stronger testimony this week on how each of us has our own challenges and struggles, but they're nothing we can't handle. So many people are at different stages in their life, and have experienced so many different things, but if we put our trust in the Lord and are willing to take those challenges as they come and push through them, we will be able to overcome anything and everything! The Lord is here for us and atoned for our sins so that we may be able to return to live with Him again and have those "second chances" in life. If we are able to have that eternal perspective in mind, and put our faith and trust in the Lord, everything will work out, and we will live a happier and more fulfilling life. 

Keep P.U.S.H.ing!

Love, 

Sister Pierce  

 We went to the beach last Monday! (I kinda went crazy at collecting shells, and my hand almost fell off because it was so cold and I didn't have anything to put my shells in, but it was still a blast!! :))

April 9th....Snow? What the??  (it was 67 degrees 3 days later....what is this weather??)

Exchanges!!

This week we went on exchanges. That was exciting! It was fun to work with another missionary and see how other Sisters work. I also liked not being treated like a "trainee". haha I feel like I am always on my guard with Sister Craig since she's pretty much teaching me how to be a missionary. It was definitely nice to just relax and not be too stressed about messing up. haha While on exchanges we tracted for 3 hours! That is the most I've tracted in one day since I've been on my mission. Surprisingly, it wasn't too bad! I actually enjoy tracting! Weird, right? haha I'm thinking I liked tracting more because Portland, ME is not as sketchy as  Biddeford, but who knows, haha All I know is that if I ever have to tract all day, I won't be too upset with it...depending on the weather...haha

Other things that happened this week included: being called "a nun" by the old ladies we see every other week (actually that happens about once a week haha. People get really confused with meeting 20-year-old girls named "Sister" haha. They also get confused (mainly the older ladies) when I say my first name is "Sister Pierce". They always say, "oh, that's an interesting name". haha so great.), seeing the Atlantic ocean & Portland Headlight, having 60F weather for a day, and General Conference (and, of course, Easter)!!! What a great week! I love General Conference as a missionary. Since I actually have to stay alert with watching it at the church, I got more out of it! Weird, huh? haha but seriously though. haha I also felt like I was watching conference with a million different perspectives. I watched it with our investigators and less actives in mind, and I was also aware of how an investigator or less active may have received answers from watching a specific talk. That was pretty cool. It's amazing how each speaker is able to relate to someone in one way or another and help answer those questions we each may have.

Missionary work is the best! Although it's exhausting and challenging, it is the best thing, and I am so grateful that I have chosen to serve the Lord. Thank you for all of your support with that decision of mine!! :)

Keep P.U.S.H.ing (pray until something happens)

Love,

Sister Pierce

Exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders (I was with Sister Upton--the one with the crazy curly hair).

Portland Headlight

The Atlantic

Proof that I was there! :)

It was so cold and windy!!! But still super fun!

Sweet Stop sign we found while on exchanges! :)

"Hoppy Easter"! (yes, Sister Main, from our ward, wore those bunny ears all during dinner...you should have seen her house! She LOVES holidays! haha) 

They Say They Have Four Seasons...

Well, it's snowing...again. I don't understand why people say they have four seasons here, the only seasons I've heard about (and seen) are snow season, mud season (what happens after all the snow melts), and humid season. I've also heard that the seasons are cold, colder, and freezing. Both of those descriptions only have 3 seasons. Where's the 4th one? I have no idea....they might think it's Spring, but I'm pretty positive that's non-existent over here.

Anyways, even though it's cold, we're are still sharing the gospel and bringing others unto Christ!! It's been so much fun to receive weird looks from others when we're outside freezing or getting drenched from the rain. They ask us why we're doing that, and we always say that we want to share the message of Jesus Christ with everyone! (even if it involves walking in crazy weather). haha This past week we've also heard from various people that they know who we are even if we're far away. They can just tell. "We walk the walk and talk the talk". It might have something to do with us wearing skirts with big snow boots, and stopping people in the middle of the street, but who knows. haha It's just cool to hear that people are able to recognize us as representatives of the Lord even if we aren't able to talk with them. So cool!

On Thursday, we were able to help Alex start the "Stop Smoking Program"  so that he can prepare for baptism on May 2nd. This program is super cool. It's 15 steps that helps you stop smoking in just 7 days! He's been smoking since he was 14 (he's now 37) and this has been the longest he's gone without smoking, and it's been 4 days! The first thing he said when we saw him on Friday was that his hallway leading to his apartment smells terrible! haha he is so grateful he's getting his senses back and can't wait to deep clean so that it can start smelling better. haha It's been so exciting to see the Light of Christ appear stronger and stronger in his eyes as we continue to teach him. When we are closer to the Spirit and don't do things that dulls it, we are able to have that light more prominent in our countenances, and I am able to see that firsthand with Alex. The gospel is TRUE!!!!! It brings light into our lives and we are able to have the Spirit with us more often!

Something else that happened when we met with Alex this week (since we've had daily contact with him to keep up on him not smoking) is that I was able to gain a stronger testimony on the power of Prayer. We met with him and shared a few mormon.org videos with him then said a prayer. He asked me to say it, and the only way I was able to say what he needed to hear was through the Spirit. When I was finished with the prayer, he looked up at me and said, "I can do this, can't I? This is really happening. You believe I can do this. This is real. how did I not know about this before?" It is so cool to have those spiritual experiences with investigators and see them make the connection that they can overcome these hard trials through the Atonement, and through the power of prayer.

Prayer is real. It can strengthen us, help us, comfort us, bless us, and help us feel the Love of Christ. I love this gospel. I am so grateful I am a missionary, and am so grateful I have been able to witness how the gospel blesses the lives of others.

I love you all! Keep P.U.S.H.ing (pray until something happens)!  

Sister Pierce

 New missionary training meeting!

Cool picture of fog and the railroad!

Decided to walk since they have limited miles to drive per month. 

They had no idea it was going to rain. 

So drenched, and yet so happy. 

Almost everyone has a white house, but they have a sweet colored door!

Week 4

Man, I can't believe that in two days I will have been on my mission for a month already!! It's crazy how fast time goes by!!

This week was full of miracles. First off, all of our lessons fell through...that's not really a miracle though...but it gets better!! Earlier this week we had Zone Conference, and we were promised that we would find new investigators if we followed 3 simple steps:

1. Be exactly obedient

2. Follow through with our plans 

3. Pray for charity.

Pretty simple, right? Well, we were doing the first two steps pretty well until Sister Craig remembered the last step: pray for charity. Let me tell you, that last step made all the difference! We started to pray for charity on Saturday (I know..that's a little last minute if we wanted to find two new investigators by the end of the week, right?) and we found so many people (okay only like 3 people) who were interested in hearing our message! We also had some pretty good conversations with people on the street. I learned that if people look like they're in a hurry and don't have time to talk, it's a lie (for the most part). haha we talked to this one guy for like 15 min and he was on his way to study for finals. We weren't going to keep him that long, but HE was asking US the questions. Pretty great. After his finals, he wants to talk to us more. When we first started talking to him he looked like he was in a rush and he probably thought we were crazy for walking around Main St in the FREEZING cold talking about Christ. Actually, I'm pretty sure everyone thinks we're crazy for doing that. I think we're crazy for doing that! haha But, I would still do it because it changes people. When we were finished talking to Shiva (the med student) his whole countenance changed. You could tell that he knew we had the truth. We do have the truth!! And I get to share that with everyone each day!!! So great. :)

Then we ran into this other lady (Mindy) and her family.  Her husband said that he wanted nothing to do with the Mormons, but his wife was the complete opposite. We were so surprised when she asked us if she could come to church the following day. Of course we said YES! The best part was that she came!!!!! She obviously didn't know what was going on because we hadn't had a lesson with her yet, but we met with her that night and she wants us to come back twice a week!! She even wants to feed us dinner (since she saw the missionary meal page being passed around in R.S.). She's awesome!

We also had another investigator at church: Alex. Oh my word. I wish all of you could meet him!!! He is so amazing and just loves the gospel!! Every time we teach him, he just makes my day and makes me more and more excited to share the gospel with EVERYONE!! I love how investigators come to learn how the gospel just makes sense. It's true! the gospel DOES make complete sense!! Man, I love this gospel.

Oh, we also tracted into this lady (Ellen) last week who has met with the sisters before, but we're not sure why they stopped teaching her. Anyways, we met with her on Saturday and she wants us to come back! Did you catch that? on Saturday, after we started praying for Charity, we found 1 new investigator, and then we found Mindy who was a potential investigator. But, by the end of the week (seriously though, at like8:30pm last night) we found our 2nd investigator!!!!!! Mindy!! The Lord definitely works in mysterious ways! haha but I'm so grateful that I was able to see how much charity (the Pure love of Christ) TRULY does change things. Christ loved all (and loves all), and we need to do the same. That is the only way we were able to find Ellen and Mindy. With the Pure Love of Christ, we can do all things, and we can bring others into this gospel and into the truth.

I love you all! Keep P.U.S.H.ing! (praying until something happens)

Sister Pierce

Day at the airport (Brittany was the only Sister!)

Sister Pierce and Sister Craig at Zone Conference