Hurricane?!...

How Sweet

President and Sister Turner

Sister Belyea, Sister and President Turner

Cute Sisters

Always loves a Holiday

Fry Sauce in South Carolina!!! REALLY????

BFF's 

Aloha from Surfside!

This week went by way too fast. A week ago today, Monday- was the best part though. We had a lesson that night with Ray and his wife, Tracey. Tracey has been a little skeptical about the whole “Mormon” thing- but then again, she’d never really sat down and talked with us.

We got to sit down with the two of them last week- and it was probably the best “member present” lesson without even having a member there. Ray should be baptized already.

We were explaining the first vision to her and then we didn’t say anything after “hear him” and then you see Ray get all excited and (practically) scream at Tracey; “Tracey! Do you know who those two personages are?! It’s God and Jesus! Two SEPARATE beings! SEPARATE! The whole trinity thing? Ya- it was just ALL made up! God and Jesus are separate as Joseph Smith saw them!”

Ridley and I were smiling from ear to ear.

Needless to say, the lesson went really well and at the end of the lesson they both got down on their knees, while holding hands- and prayed to know if what we shared with them was true.

TEAR. JERKER.

By far one of the most beautiful moments of my mission.

The gospel blesses families.

Unfortunately Ray and Tracey didn’t make it to church yesterday.. because Ray had a pretty severe headache. We haven’t been able to see him too much last week, besides that awesome lesson last Monday. Please continue to pray for Ray and Tracey, everybody!

We met a man this past week by the name of Brandon. DRUNK OUT OF HIS MIND. At first he was cat-calling at us.. but by the end we ended up giving him a Book of Mormon. Also- he kissed our hands when we told him he didn’t have to pay for the book or anything. Kinda creepy- but made for a good laugh.

Anybody curious to know if the HURRICANE weather affected me?! Well, from Wednesday to Thursday I was in Florence on an exchange with Sister Doutry. We had taught a lot of people and life was good. When we were driving to the “half way point” to meet up with Sister Ridley and Sister Wood to un-exchange.. it was raining pretty hard. Unknown to us, it was even worse in Surfside, apparently. While the other sisters were driving to where we were- they apparently got a text from the Assistants saying that all missionaries that were serving on the coast needed to be on lockdown until the next day.

:/

Well.. Sister Ridley and Wood didn’t know what to do.. since they were coming to swap back. They called Elder Willie and he was talking to President Turner about it. Turns out- we were asked to go to Florence for the next day. I had my stuff from staying over the night before- but Sister Ridley didn’t have ANYTHING! HAHAHA!

Yup- so it was pretty much a 48 hour exchange.

We worked the night in Florence and taught a LOT of INCREDIBLE lessons. It was better than being on lockdown.. but it would’ve been nice to be able to update our map/area book for once.

Poor Sister Stolworthy and Sister Wellman didn’t have any friends to hang out with! :(

An exchange to remember. That’s for sure.

The day we finally got back to Surfside it was the 4th of July! We just felt tired and gross. I might as well have had slept in the airport the night before.

After a good shower, breakfast and study time- we went to the Albrecht’s for dinner! The Albrecht’s are a senior missionary couple that’s serving in the Myrtle Beach ward. They had received permission from President Turner for all of our District to come over. THE BEST FOOD OF MY LIFE. Grilled chicken.. avocado everything.. watermelon.. Mountain dew (first one since the one I drank in Simpsonville forever ago,) and fun desserts.

The Elders were there and it was WAYY too much fun.

With President Holm we were never able to talk to Elders about anything except for missionary work. I’m guessing that rule still applies- but we sat there and talked with the Elders for about 3 hours. SO MUCH FUN. I’ve become way too good of friends with Elder Lee. Also, Elder Maunwearing is the new Spanish Elder in Myrtle beach- he’s the one that was in the same MTC district as Elder Gerrard- back in Mexico. It’s a smaaaaall world afffftterrr allll.

We had to be home by 7:30 that night. We finally updated our map and stuff for a while- and then by the time that was done, it was 9:20. We heard a lot of fireworks.. but I only saw one. Then again, Sister Stolworthy and I were sitting inside for about 2 hours having a SUPER deep talk.

There were tears. From the two of us. I love that girl. She’s helped my testimony, probably more than ever.

There’s been some stupid spiritual issues I’ve been struggling with lately- and I know they’re totally from Satan. Satan is just making me doubt a couple of things… but then you’ll never understand the spirit that filled the room when Sister Stolworthy asked me to “Share with me what you DO know to be true.”

I love that girl. Wish I could go to the temple and just hang out in the House of the Lord for a little bit.

I’m needing it.

President and Sister Turner are great! We got to meet them on Wednesday morning before the exchange with the Florence Sisters.

We were the first missionaries they’ve met besides the Assistants. When he walked into the room, everybody could feel an instant love for him. He’s short- just like President Holm. He got up in the front of the room- and you could tell that he was COMPLETELY overwhelmed with emotions. He’d been waiting for months to meet his missionaries- and there we were.

He has no idea what’s in store for him and His cute wife for the next 3 years!

Sister Turner is VERY different from Sister Holm- and she was apologizing for not having any baked goods for us. President Turner has one of the greatest loves for the scriptures and he knows the call he holds in extremely important.

At the end of them speaking to us for about 2 hours- they had time set aside to have a Q&A. Pretty much nobody had any questions. He said for now- all of the same rules and policies apply like when President Holm was here.

We’re meeting with him again on Wednesday and we’re having interviews with him. :) Wish me luck!

Cierra. We haven’t been able to meet with her all week. However, on Saturday, Sister Ridley and I want to do something nice for Sister Stolworthy, (it was her 3 year mark of a special triumph for her.)

We decided to go get her 3 York patties, (her favorite.) We were driving.. and for some reason I didn’t feel like pulling into a gas station or into any of the Dollar Generals to buy them.

Then there was a Piggly Wiggly- so I decided to pull into there. We walked in, and Cierra was standing there working! We were able to talk to her for just a second- and she got emotional. We set up a time to see her later that evening- but then she texted us a little later and said she had to cancel.

:(

Still- a pretty cool spiritual experience just to know that God wanted us in Piggly Wiggly for a second.

There’s NO such thing as coincidences!

Sister Brown, the one that’d gone with us last week when we’d taught Cierra, got up yesterday and shared the great experience to the congregation about what had happened during that incredible lesson. It brought the spirit super strong- and I hope it got other members excited to come out and teach with us! I love Sister Brown.

In Ward coordination yesterday, Brother Liljenquist (our WML) asked us about “Cierra.” He said, “You know.. that’s a beautiful name.” Instantly I got red… and Elder Lee and Sister Ridley started laughing.

I then told him that she spells it pretty cool too.. except there’s an extra “r.” :)

I love my first name.

We were visiting with a less active/returning member this past week, Brother Hastings. He’s the closest thing to redneck Gaston that we have in this area. Anyways, he shared with us some great goals that he has for the next couple of months. He’s working on getting his Patriarchal Blessing and getting the (higher.. can’t spell it) Priesthood. Yay for goals!

We only had a less active, Brother Matson (the one who’d cooked us Possum/frog legs) come to church yesterday. Ray/ The Little family didn’t make it. We haven’t seen the Little’s for a long time now.. please keep them in your prayers. They’re M.I.A. and we know they’re going through a lot of family drama. :(

J.R. called us this past week! On Friday night, actually. He’s moving out to Conway… but he’s going through a tough time with his alcoholism and such. We don’t know what’s going on.. but there’s a lot of drama with him, as well.

Sister Ridley and I taught Relief Society yesterday! We just talked about member missionary work/Preach My Gospel. We didn’t get to teach much because everybody was making a ton of comments, but the spirit was there, nonetheless.

Nobody on date, here in Surfside. It’s hard to see the people that you love and that know this gospel is true- not accept or act on it. Sister Ridley’s been struggling because of not seeing a baptism so far on her mission. Makes my heart break for her. I love her so much and I know she’s one of the hardest working missionaries I’ve ever seen!

On another note- Bryson Bailey was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a year ago today! I haven’t heard from him lately.. but I’m wondering if he’s planning on going through the temple anytime soon!? Mom- would you mind going on my facebook and emailing him? Make sure he knows it’s you! I just want to make sure I’m there!! I’ve been waiting a year for this moment!

Also- I watched one of the funniest mormonchannel videos this past week. Please take the time to enjoy this;

http://www.mormonchannel.org/more-videos?v=1571558644001

(I feel like A&A/ Bridger will enjoy this more than anybody.)

Thank you all for your continual love and support. I’m so grateful to be in the Lord’s service full time and to be serving under President and Sister Turner. I know that God is aware of Me and that I’m his daughter. I’m grateful for the spirit- and I know that it is the only teacher. I’m grateful for my family and for the love and support I’m able to feel from them each day! Thank you for all of your kind words and support.

I LOVE EACH OF YOU!

Go out and be sure to have a great week of summer!

Be safe/happy and healthy.

D&C 121:36


XOXOXO,

Sister “ExcitementafterBel”