Week 47 - May 26, 2015 - Indiana

 Hey,

So not much time.  I got transfered back to the Old Evansville zone and am serving in a huge area in Indiana with an amazing Hermana from Idaho, Hermana Little.  I really don't have much time, but am really happy to be here.  I will miss Hikes a lot!  It really holds my heart, but I know that Hermana Butts, my MTC companion, will take care of it.  We just switched places.  I cried and cried as I was leaving.  Anyway, I hope that you are all enjoying your summers.  I love you all a ton!

 

Hermana Gamett

Week 46 - May 18, 2015 - Louisville, Kentucky

Well, it is another P-day.  I honestly can't believe it.  It is the last week of transfer 5 in Hikes for me.  We will see what the future holds. There is a lot going on here, but life is good. We have been talking with people a lot this week.  It has been fun, interesting, and spiritual.  Life is good!

When Elder Christofferson came, he really stressed the Book of Mormon.  Our mission president has also stressed a lot about the Book of Mormon, lately.  And why not- it is an incredible book. 

 

 "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book."                

 Joseph Smith

 

 So, of course, we use it all the time.  It is pretty incredible to read and to feel of the Love of God, while reading the pages of that amazing book.  This past week we placed a lot of copies of the Book of Mormon.  We had English, Spanish, Arabian, and we have some Nepali on the way.  We talked about it a lot.  We read from it a lot.  We study it, and really are using it more.  

This past week we had a little bit of a miracle story.  A few weeks ago, we were walking around the area and talking with everyone we saw - getting to know them, and about their lives and such.  Then we saw this one man, and decided to talk to him.  He was a pretty cool guy.  I showed him in 3rd Nephi- can't remember the exact verses (guess it was the spirit)- where Jesus is stating the higher law like he does in Matthew.  I don't remember too much, but we then left, and that was that.  Well, a few weeks later we were in the area again, as we are often because we teach there a lot.  I don't know if Hermana Millett said something or if he asked us, but he started talking to us again.  We headed over there, and he asked us about the classes that we gave to someone else.  We explained that we shared what we knew, and he informed us that he would like to hear more.  We left him with the introduction, and he said he would read it. We set up an appointment, and were back over there the next week.  We got back over, and were able to talk with him.  He basically did everything we were supposed to do to start the lesson.  We started talking, and he is really looking for the truth.  He is so knowledgeable about the Bible, but not really in a religion.  We really got to talking- all from the Book of Mormon.  And he just said that it was such a new idea that Jesus came here to the Americas to set up His church here, and bless His "other sheep" here.  It was new, not wrong, but new.  We talked for a long time.  We explained to him that he would have to ask God to know if it was right, and then we read Moroni 10:3-5.  It was incredible to see the true understanding that he already had, but really solidified when he read those verses.  He just said that he really did have to ask God to know.  The spirit was so strong.  Then we felt that we needed to ask him about the Holy Ghost.  He explained that it comes after baptism, so he maybe hasn't felt it.  We explained that it comes to stay after baptism, but can touch our hearts before.  He just took that in.  Honestly, it was incredible! The spirit really led the lesson, and he is incredible.  I can really see the power that is in the Book of Mormon.  It really is the word of God.  And I am learning more and more each day the reason for the Restoration.  One line stood out to me in Preach my Gospel or a pamphlet, that said something to the effect that Prophets and the power of God must be here on the earth to receive and to UNDERSTAND the words of God.  I can see how many religions there are, and that is evidence enough that the Bible can be interpreted many ways. Things here and there can be confusing, and misunderstood, and sometimes we rely on our own knowledge to put the pieces together, but as I am seeing the true fullness of the restored gospel every day and how it does have the missing pieces, I am so thankful for it.  I am so thankful for those prophets that do receive the revelation, and guide us to understand, and I am so thankful for the Holy Ghost that can touch our hearts and tell us that it is from God.  We are so blessed in this time to have a prophet and the restored gospel, but also the way to know that it is true- the Holy Ghost.  Anyway, that is my story, and that was one of my deeper realizations this fine week.  So, take the challenge- see if it is true. Read the Book of Mormon with real intent, and ask God with faith in Christ if it is true.  Then let the spirit touch your heart- then you can truly know that the Lord has a prophet here, today to help us understand, and that Christ's Gospel is restored. God has a path for us, and he has given us tools to walk down it!  Simple, basic gospel truths, but they really are true!  They were lost, and now they are found! And the Book of Mormon is the key to it all!  

   Sorry for the different text.  Good Luck with school everyone.  I hope that it all goes well.  Have a great start of summer, and I will talk to you next week during your summer break! 

 

Love ya,

Hermana Gamett     

P.S.  Saw this really cool water snake in the river this week.  I hope you like that Lafe.  It was really cool.  I didn't dare pick it up, but man did I want to. :)

CURRENT ADDRESS:

Hermana Heather Gamett
2308 Hikes Lane Apt. G-52
Louisville, KY 40218

 

 

Week 45 - May 11, 2015 - Louisville, Kentucky

 

I saw my family yesterday, but here is a weekly update.  This last week we had our exchanges.  I headed up to Shelbyville, Indiana, for only the second time in my mission.  That was really amazing!  We taught a lady in English.  Wow- did my world flip upside down.  I was a horrible teacher in English.  Yep!  We also talked to a lot of amazing people there.  I really got to talk with one of the Sister Training Leader's and she really helped me out with some things.  It is odd.  She is one of the oldest and only 2 transfers ahead of me.  Let's just say that was a little bit of an eye opener.  It was good to leave my area for a day, so that I could really look at it with fresh eyes, and see what was required of us.   We headed home and all was well.  We went back to work on Thursday.  We talked to quite a few people.  It was a regular week of teaching and finding.  We talked to this really cool guy from Iraq that really had a knowledge of Christianity.  He said that he really found Jesus 10 years ago  ( I think while he was living in Baghdad)  and he said after that he was like us, out in the streets teaching about Him.  Pretty cool guy.  Told us to keep looking, and gave us pointers on some things.  He said that we have to really teach people that Christ comes again, and that He lives.  What an amazing guy!  He asked us why we didn't wear the cross, and he asked about our prophets, and what happens when one dies.  We had to explain a few times that we listen to the spirit to know the truth, but he really was an amazing guy.  So, that was pretty cool.  

 

We also talked to this family who is from Owensboro.  That is extremely exciting! Another guy pulled up, and started talking to us.  He said that he was going to go home and grab his bike and come out riding with us.  He said that we were doing some of the tougher work.  He was a pretty cool guy.  I was glad that I got to meet him.  

 

So, who knows which days were which, but Saturday, we rode bikes all day.  I got a sun/tan line on my feet and a really interesting sunburn on my arms.  Kentucky is changing me!  It certainly is a little different here.  The sun doesn't pelt your skin like it does in Idaho.  You just feel warm, and then you realize that you are burned.  Anyway, that night we went to help the branch with the mother's day party. It was pretty fun!  I am a pro- party- setter- upper now.  I am also I pro- tortilla flipper.  It was super great!  

 Then, Sunday, we got up and did some studies and went to go find some people to get them to church.  They went to church- and loved everything there!  Then I headed to say hello to my amazing family! --  Who were really hard to say good-bye to.  Love you all!  It also helped me realize that I still have so much work here to do.  I am still not where I need to be.  Good thing I still have a while!

Well, I hope that you are all doing well, and that you are enjoying your lovely spring in Idaho.  I hope that Galieth and Meadow are behaving, and that everyone will have a fantastic week!

Love you all,

Hermana Gamett    

P.S.  I keep forgetting to ask you all- do I have an accent of any sort?  At least, in Spanish? - is there something different or do I sound like a totally want-to-be Spanish Speaker? 

Here are some pictures of our trip to Elizabeth Town.  I keep forgetting to tell Dad that I am in the Hell Shaking zone.  Anyway, there ya go!  I didn't realize that I was doing this, but I guess that I take pictures of the hills.  Guess I maybe do miss the mountains.  Anyway, that is about as close as I get unless I am by the skyscrapers in Louisville.

O ya!  And I totally saw some Amish people.  It was really cool!

 

CURRENT ADDRESS:

Hermana Heather Gamett
2308 Hikes Lane Apt. G-52
Louisville, KY 40218

 

Week 44 - May 4, 2015 - Louisville, Kentucky

So, life is good.  This week just flew by.  Lots of calls about the car.  We had a really good Zone Conference, as well.  Lots of learning, studying, and everything. 

 

Thank you for the package!  I will use it well.  It is needed.  Did you know that I was affected by pollen?  Nope- me neither.  The past 4-5 days have been really rough.  I honestly can never breath-which is a problem.  I am faithful about taking my medicine right now.  Gee!  Sometimes,I have to remind myself, "You already took it." So, thank you for the medicine.  I need it.  There are days that I don't realize that I can't breath until I try to talk and can barely get a sentence out.  My goodness- the struggle.

 

Spiritual stories this week:

 

We were out this week and decided to walk around and talk to people.  We walked over into a neighborhood with the hopes that a member would be home, but happened to see these amazing two people sitting in a doorway, instead.  We went over and just started talking.  They were amazing!  They were Baptist and he really knew the Bible.  We talked for a really long time.  We talked about Jesus and Prophets and how the world is hard to live in, but we have amazing guidance through ancient prophets. We ended up giving them a Book of Mormon, and showed them Moroni 10:3-5.  We explained that the answer comes from God, after we search and want to know.  He just looked at us and started crying.  He said that it just reminded him about how Mary pondered everything that Jesus taught.  That is very true, but I think that something in those verses rang true to him.  We invited them to meet with the Elders in the area and they said sure.  He even talked over whether they should talk to them there or at his home.  He was an amazing man really seeking for truth.

 

We also went to visit a really nice lady we teach.  She had friends over, but she invited us in.  Well, we talked for a minute, and tried to get to know her friend.  Well, soon, another friend came in who was a pastor from another church.  She introduced us, and all was good.  He started off a little fierce towards us.  Of course we want to talk religion, but not to put each other down.  Then, he turned to the other woman there, and they started talking religion.  She disagreed with some of what he said, so they would discuss it.  I just remember sitting there praying that I could understand the super fast cuban spanish- and that we could somehow come in and be neutral or share what we believed in an unhostile environment.  Anyway, I don't know what exactly happened, but I was talking.  I think it was something on baptism.  I started talking with confidence in the Lord.  You know that the spirit is there when you make sense in another language.  Anyway, the next thing I knew, the preacher looked at me and said, "Amen."   Ok.  Then, I explained some more about how we know that Jesus established his church when he was on the earth and did things through that power and his apostles.  I said some more things and then I hear another amen.  Ok!  I was a little shocked, as I think that he was.  All the crazy things in the world and confusion and understanding of man, cannot trump the intentions of God.  He soon left, and went outside to talk about religion with someone else, but her other friend really started asking questions.  I think she was interested.  I am so thankful that we didn't want contention, and that we didn't bible bash- we shared the truth and what we knew- and as we all know, the truth will set you free.

 

Anyway, I will see you all soon.  I hope that I didn't forget anything, and I love you all a ton.   

 

Love ya,

Hermana Gamett 

Week 43 - April 27, 2015 - Louisville, Kentucky

Talk about a weak! (Yep! I meant that misspelling)

So this week has been interesting.  There are the normal struggles, and the amazing miracles.  There are a lot of things I am learning, a lot of things that I am still bad at, and some things that I am actually getting better at!

 

A few weeks ago we met a family from Iraq.  They didn't speak much English, but Hermana Millett really wanted to go back to help them.  So we got an Arabian Pamphlet and gave it to them, and ordered in a Book of Mormon.  So we went back to explain that the book was on the way.  Keep in mind, some of this had to be over a translator or translated by her husband.  We taught them how to pray- and they both prayed quietly to themselves.  Then we said a prayer out loud for them- in English, of course.  The Spirit really entered the room.  After the prayer, she looked up at us and you could tell how good she felt.  She wrote in her phone to translate that she felt really good.  Then she wrote-can I go to church?  Well, of course!  That was really cool!  The language of this gospel isn't in Spanish or Arabic or English- it is the language of the spirit and it works for everyone.

It doesn't end there.  We went back to give her the Book of Mormon and had her read the first page.  Remember it is right to left and characters.  So she read it- we didn't understand!  Then we asked her to pray.  She prayed and at the end of the prayer she burst into tears.   It was an amazing experience!  She is really prepared.  Let's just say, I don't really want to let the Elders teach her.  I always want to visit her, but she is amazing!  Let's just hope that the IPADs get here soon, so she can be taught!

More of my week!  I can't remember everything, but a member took us out to an amazing Cuban restaurant and the next day we had amazing Cuban food again.  Then, that night we ate it again.  A miracle?  I think yes!

 

We also got a call this week from someone who lived in downtown.  O boy- here we go!  So we headed out-complete faith in the Lord, and, of course, got lost.  And no - not only is it turn around if you get off on the wrong street, it is all one way streets.  So you have to take another street all the way back and then turn back onto the street, only to get lost again!  Yep- that was my life for a while.  At least I know how to get to the Hospital now! It really was a struggle.  Finally, we got there!  It was really cool.  The guy was from Cuba and a member, but can't come to church because he has to work.  His family got here, though, and he wants them to be taught!  In the middle of the lesson, he even went over to get his neighbor to listen. 

 

So, there I was- still lost and on the 15th floor-never been that high before.  But, we had met this nice guy- in downtown Louisville.  Alright!  So, then thinking that I could get out all right, but forgetting the one ways, we headed to a lunch appointment!  Yep!  Good, good times!  Well, did it look familiar?  Nope! I started seeing bridges and knew I was going the wrong way- but where to turn around?  So, we kept going!  Finally, we got to a part of town that I recognized, and we decided to turn around.  I got into another lane to get turned around and the next thing I know, I am on a bridge to Indiana! - Almost flipped a U-turn right there, but decided it would be better to cross the bridge rather than get killed by a car!  Anyway, got that all taken care of, got to our appointment, and the amazing Nora (cooks for us each week) made me feel all better!  So, that adventure ended. 

 

Ok.  So my companion needed some supplies for her diabetes- so sometime this week  (don't ask me when) we went to get all the supplies, but apparently when the doctor sent in the prescription he didn't send in for those other supplies. Ok.  So keep going.  We get in contact with the Endocrinologist office here, and make sure that everything is in progress.  They say that they need medical records.  So, we go to get all of that done.  I have never done this before, so my brain is scattered mush.  Anyway, we keep working to get it all taken care of.  We finally get the information, and on Friday we have a meeting near the mission office so we decide to fax it from there.  So we take care of that, and hopefully, they send everything quickly, so that she can get in.  So we spent more time there, getting help and everything.  We walk back out to the car, and the other designated driver asked me if I wanted to drive.  Realizing the car would not be ours for much longer, I decided to drive.  So, we were driving along oh- so- nicely.  We stopped at a nice red light, and the next thing I know someone has rear ended me in a church car.  It didn't do much damage, but we still have to report it.  So, make some calls-back to the mission office - finally back on the road. I have decided that the Lord has called me to do paperwork!

 

All is good, though.  It has been amazing to me how much help I have received.  I know these things all seem so minor, and they are, but after a while it can be interesting.  I don't like trying to handle things I don't know anything about, but I guess that is not my calling right now. Cause I don't know anything!

 

Amazingly, I have not been as stressed as I would think.  I am getting exhausted.  I am tired from other things in addition to all of this.  Daily life can be rough, but it has reminded me how much I rely on the Lord.  Every time I think about it, I am reminded of the strength He is giving me, and I am so thankful for every ounce.  I felt that so strongly on the car ride home from the mission office and another day this week.  Just when I am about to lose my cool or completely fall apart, I am reminded of the help of the Lord.  I can feel completely His strength working to keep me going.  I can honestly say that big events are hard, but it is the daily small events that are the hardest, but right now as I am honestly- giving all that I have to the Lord ( good and bad) I am feeling the happiest!  Don't get me wrong there is a lot to work on, but I know He is in my life!

 

Well, I love you all a ton, and I hope that you have a great day!  "As to my strength I am weak, but in the strength on the Lord I can do all things"- name that scripture!

 

Love,

Hermana Gamett