Tis the Season....

. . . for tours at Kirtland!

The Clement Clan from Austin, TX.  (Tamsin, Wyatt (I think), and Ellie).  Their family is close with Sister Townsend who was basically my mom in Austin!!!  So fun. I took them on tour last week.

We have been busy, busy, busy over there.  And I love it.  Friday we had eleven bus tours plus.  We can't forget all the other families and groups that came in without a bus tour.  The total visitors'?  Over 1000.  It was a lot of fun.  On a normal day the Sisters go to sites after personal and companion studies which end at 10.  Friday we were asked to be there at 8.  So, of course, we were there at 8.  The bus tours started right away.  Most of the day I was separated from my dear companion, Sister Hansen, to accomadate all of the visitors.  It is strange being without her.  In addition to it being strange for me, I am sure the people on tour get so sick of hearing my voice.  Such is life.  (:  The day was filled with youth group tours.  If I had to choose, those tours are probably my favorite.  These youth are INCREDIBLE.  The desire they have to follow Jesus Christ is motivating.  I learn more from them than they do from me.

We are still teaching "C",  and the other family.

Last night, we taught "C" at the JONES house!!  Goooooodness, I love that family.  We were talking about the Book of Mormon and how we can receive answers from God that it is true.  I loved hearing their stories again.  I am excited for "C" to gain his own experiences and hear his stories, too.



Me and my companion



Sister Hansen is perfect.  I love being with her.  Hopefully I have more time with her than just one transfer!  But if not...I know Heavenly Father is SO aware of who I need to be with and when I need to be with them.  Each companion I have teaches me so much (especially YOU, McSister).  

I am so happy...still.

I understand what I need to be doing.

I have a ton to learn.

I love you!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,

Sister Spring

O-HI-O

Sister Missionaries.  Cute.

Sister Everson returned with her family!  They treated us all the the BEST pizza ever.  (We have a sister serving from South Korea.  She always does that peace sign thing...Adorable.)

 

Weekly Report (:

4th of July!  Yum!

Sister Hansen and I at the Kirtland Temple last night.  We had a combined service with the Community of Christ.  It was lovely.

Hi, I love you. It has, of course, been another good week.

Working with members.
That is what we spent doing most of this week.  We only have three people we are teaching fairly consistently right now.  A couple in their early fifties.  And a 19-year-old.  They are all amazing.  And all super busy.  We teach them about once a week.  As you can see, we have a lot of time to fill with finding opportunities. I want to be teaching.  I want to share this message that has brought me so much happiness with everyone.  But, no worries, all is well. 

Both investigator's were introduced to the church through other members in our congregation here.  Sooo...we have decided to focus on meeting with member to encourage them and help them see opportunities to invite people in their paths to this truth.

 The Hunsucker's. This Saturday the two of them will be going to the temple for the first time. I just love seeing this conversion process. It is not an instantaneous thing. It truly is a process that I am still going through every single second. We have to be constantly aware of this process, too. Anyways..love them

One man told us of a co-worker that had randomly started to ask him questions.  We challenged him to give him a copy of the Book of Mormon and explain the importance of it.  So he did.  He explained that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.  We study it and know that, along with the Bible, all of God's teachings are contained in its pages.  This man was so excited to receive this gift.  He even said that he would read all of it within a week.

It is really exciting to help members "catch the vision" of missionary work.  I was introduced to my favorite comparison to missionary work while I was in the Young Womens program.  During church one Sunday, a leader compared sharing the good news of Christ and His restored Church to sharing the excitement of a good movie.  How eager are we to talk with our family, friends, coworkers, strangers about the "really good movie we saw last night."  But what about the things that matter most?  How often do we neglect those in conversation?  Yes, I am aware that I am guilty of such actions.  These past few months I have recognized how easy it is to share what is important to us.  The topic comes up so naturally in any conversation.  Thank goodness this life is about progression and I have an opportunity to change.  We all do.  I hope I continue to learn how to share the important things with those around me.  That is how we learn..from each other.  We all have a role and responsibility in Heavenly Father's plan to help His children learn about Him.  We all have a role to reach out to people and help them.  We truly are our brothers keeper.

Sister Spring had a special message on the board.  I cropped the picture below so you all could see it... Mom

This board is in the kitchen at sites. It has all of the Sisters and Seniors who serve at the Visitors' Center. All my best friends! (:

Mom, Dad.  I learned that from you.  You are constantly offering people hope.  Thank you for surrounding me in an accepting environment.  And creating that environment for so many who are "outcasts."

I am happy.  This is exactly where I need and want to be.  Sister Hansen is amazing.  I am constantly learning from her positive, energetic personality.  She is good for me.

I love you ALL!!!!!!!!!
XOXOXOXOXO
Sister Spring

I love my life! 

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!! We had a breakfast and flag ceremony this morning with all of the Sisters and Seniors. So fun. Of course I thought of Stephen, Grand-pa, Granddad Spring, Uncle Joe, Adam, Parker, Ryan Nugen, etc etc...THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love this holiday so much.

Today has been really good.  This week has been really good.

Sister Hansen and I spent A LOT of time at the Visitors' Center this past week so, obviously, the time in our area was limited.  We were able to see a couple of people though.  Yesterday we met an older couple, The Thomas', while in this beautiful neighborhood in Mentor, OH.  I don't really know why I am telling you about them, but they just came to mind.  It was really interesting talking with them, though.  They have a lot of life behind them.  They were not very interested in learning more.  After some conversation, they warmed up to us.  We are going to go by agan sometime soon to help them around the house.  I am looking forward to that.  Mr. Thomas said to us (in the very beginning of the chat), "You don't need to talk to us.  You need to talk with my son.  He would be interested in this."  So we asked, "Oh...Does he live around here?"...."No...he lives in Austin, Texas."  I told Mr. Thomas I would visit his son upon my arrival back to the ATX next Austin.  My word was given.  My word will be kept.

Walking home from sites on a beautiful Ohio evening!!

I have just a few minutes to email because Sister Hansen and I have some things to take care of before Preparation Day ends in one hour.  My life is really good.  I am very happy.  There are plenty of visitors coming through to see the sites.  One day we had NINE bus tours...1009 guests.  Yes, my life is amazing.  We have given quite a few tours to people who are not members of the Church this last week.  I always like those.  One group was a family who had come down for the day to visit a national park.  They past the sites and decided to come in.  Upon arrival they claimed they wanted to have a strictly historical tour...Well, Sister Hansen and I did our best to honor said request but it is hard to give strictly a historical tour of a place that means so much to you.  We shared the facts.  And backed them up with testimony.  It was a really neat experience.  As we were walking back to the Visitors' Center, the grand-ma of the bunch said (at least four times), "We really enjoyed this.  You really got us thinking...."

Another tour, one of the little boys got sick and threw up in the most sacred room of the tour.  His older siblings exclaimed, "Now we will really never forget Kirtland!!!"

Just a little taste at my life.

All of the Sisters

I love you all!!!!!!!

XOXOXOXOXO

Sister Spring

Shout out to Sister McAlister:  I love you!!! You have a letter on the way. ;)