Our Area Exploded This Week!

Saturday 22 June 2019

Wow! Well today we went to Misty's for a second time and as we began teaching she said, "Wait! Can I go get my brother? I keep having this feeling that he needs to come join us?" What?! Brother?! of course! She came back and said, "Well, my brother says he is going to join next time, but I got my sister in-law." Sister in-law?! What?! Amen to baptizing converted FAMILIES!

Well her sweet sisters name is Lara and both of them had tears coming throughout the lesson. We watched "Jesus Christ's Church" and then bore sweet testimony of the love Heavenly Father has for these two beautiful daughters. I then had the opportunity to share the story of Joseph Smith and the vision which he had after serious reflection. Amanda has been saying that she doesn't understand how people can say they "know" when they haven't actually seen it. She can absolutely say she believes, but doesn't know if she can ever say she "knows". Of course we explained that believe is a powerful word and that is all our Heavenly Father asks of us is that we believe; we have faith. I am now beginning to understand though why people so often will say "I know"; why I so often say "I know". It is when I have come to believe something so strongly as I have studied and recieved confirmation after confirmation that no matter what someone says would change that belief therefore it has become a fact to me. Hopefully that makes sense. For example, I know that God is my loving Heavenly Father. No one could sway me from having such a strong knowledge of that. I have had proof enough to last an eternity. The fact that I can see Him blessing me even in the midst, ESPECIALLY in the midst, of adversity is sign enough for me.

We also, gave a church tour to Dago and Nestor with the Addiction Recovery missionary couple. They are hoping for their dad to begin coming to their meetings. Their family needs healing.  I think we broke some new ground with the two of them today. They may even be coming to church tomorrow! On our way home from the church tour I had the smallest thought, "You need to ask to sing in church tomorrow." And then I remembered that this morning I had prayed for the ability to notice the smallest of promptings. So first thing I had to do was say it outloud and then it just rolled from there. I specifically felt the prompting to sing, "You Have Nothing To Fear" and it goes along perfectly with what the talks are on tomorrow. I called and asked the speaker about the topics and he said, "the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Specifically about how we have nothing to worry about becasue of Him". And then he said that a few of his non-member friends may be coming! Yes, to the power of everyday missionaries!!! 

I don't know if I mentioned, but Linda, after 10 years of meeting with the missionaries, said she is ready to get baptized! We were bold in asking her and she was bold in responding. Yes! This woman has had a testimony that the Book of Mormon is the word of God for nearly 10 years now. She has had some major health problems and Sister Denning and I feel a great sense of urgency for her to be baptized. She does have to meet with President Catlett because her health keeps her from attending church. We went through the interview questions with her today and she is ready! Tomorrow we are hopefully going to watch the full movie of Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration. She is one of the funniest people to watch church movies/videos with. A sparky old southern black woman who quotes every bible and book of mormon verse with the movie and gives commentary throughout, "Amen Sisters!" and "You got that right! ". Oh, and the funniest thing! As we we're going through the interview questions I come to the commandments and ask, "Linda, do you keep the law of Chastity?" Now just imagine Linda's raspy southern voice, "Are you kidding?! I only sleep with Linda!" Oh, how I love this woman!

The Pinehurst area is moving to a high in the teaching pool area and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it. Thank you Heavenly Father. Thank you for refining me.

Sunday 23 June 2019

This morning was our first coordination meeting with our new mission leader, Brother Eberly. It went fantastic! We feel a greater support from the ward. We mentioned the idea of going to do family history each Saturday at the Farmers Market. The ward jumped on it! They loved the idea! It sounds like we will be there each Saturday as well as Sister Jenuzik (pro family history consultant). Now we need to finish coordinating with Marva Kirk (the kirks have lived here for generations and know EVERYONE. If you want something done you go to Marva. I want to be that kind of woman hahah). This morning was our first coordination meeting with our new mission leader, Brother Eberly. It went fantastic! We feel a greater support from the ward. We mentioned the idea of going to do family history each Saturday at the Farmers Market. The ward jumped on it! They loved the idea! It sounds like we will be there each Saturday as well as Sister Jenuzik (pro family history consultant). Now we need to finish coordinating with Marva Kirk (the kirks have lived here for generations and know EVERYONE. If you want something done you go to Marva. I want to be that kind of woman hahah). 

We then went home real quick and whipped out a new cookie recipe and brought it to Yelsha Labare (nonmember) and her husband (nonmember) and her Mother in-law (inactive). We gave Yelsha a book of Mormon a while ago and she said she would read it. I hope to meet her later in life. My aunt Danielle would love her! She is starting her own baking business as well and has a totally laid back yet energetic and spunky personality! Oh, sidenote! As we were baking our Co2 alarm went off, which means mission protocol we call the firefighters to come check it out. Little did we know that we have a smoke alarm as well as a Co2 dual smoke alarm. So it was all false alarm and we felt a bit embarrassed. Though I could really feel that the firefighters could feel the spirit as they walked into our apartment. Pretty cool. I hope we run into one of them again. 

We then went to church and I was getting a bit nervous to sing. I then remembered my dad telling me, "I used to get nervous, but then I sing to my Savior and it goes away. He accepts all of our efforts and can multiply them. Sing to Him." I did and my fears dispelled.  I can vividly remember the experience of standing at that pulpit. After singing the first 5 words, "You Have Nothing to Fear" peoples eyes were already filled with tears. In that moment the Spirit filled my heart and said, "There were many people that I needed to heal today through music. Thank you." I have yet to find a greater feeling than that of being a part of someones realization of the Saviors complete love and understanding towards them. I especially noticed a woman on the back row of the chapel benches who had begun to sob. After church Sister Dennning and I went to the family history center to record our service hours and gather our wits before heading out when Brother Graves texted (the ward clerk). "Brother Bacalski is teaching a woman about the gospel in the Foyer. If you are nearby you should go talk to her!" We booked it out of the family history center so fast. As we walked up I recognized the same woman who had been sobbing in the first meeting. Her name is Michelle. A woman who Sister Hamner has been introducing to the gospel for a year or so now and Michelle came to church by herself that day. The Spirit confirmed to me that she needed to hear that song to prepare her to say what she was about to, "Sisters! I want to join the church! I NEED to join the church! How do I do that?" We are meeting with her Tuesday. In my life I need to pray everyday for help to follow even the smallest of promptings.

Also, Amanda came with all of her 5/6 of her kiddles to church! She has such a light about her! We are meeting with them on Wednesday. 

Tuesday 25 June 2019

Today's highlight was going to Sanford. I contacted Dora and Karen with Sister Denning, Terry, and Drollinger. Definitely feel like I might be transferred to Sanford next. I hope Sister Denning can come with me! Both of the were really excited when they saw that I could sign. They weren't going to let us in but then saw that I could sign and did. They both are open to being taught via video chat so we will be contacting them tomorrow. That is all for today. I am exhausted. My eyes have been killing me for a week and I have a headache. I'm pretty sure my eyes have gotten much worse. I have an eye doctor appointment tomorrow.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to use sign language. I didn't realize how much I missed it. Oh! I  got to video chat Brother Rick Jensen today to work on teaching the 1st lesson: Restoration of the Gospel. It was SO helpful! It was great to have my ASL refreshed and see a familiar face. Also, I don't know if ever mentioned, but my former Bishop Brinkerhoff, his wife (my former yw president), and their daughter Bailey (one of my good friends) came to the Pinehurst building for church 2 weeks ago. It was so incredible to see them. I totally started crying. It made me realize that my life before this was actually real!

Wednesday 26 June

Exciting news! President Holland announced that his father, Elder Holland, will be coming to the mission conference on Tuesday with all the new missionaries from Virginia as well. I am currently on exchanges with Sister Mikesell. She is a few weeks away from going home. Among many other things we went to Amanda's and gave her, Tony, Jason and Basley their Prayer rocks. 

They loved them! We also introduced her to "Come Follow Me" and she loved it! I then gave her the gift from my mom and she LOVED IT!!!  "Oh! It's so beautiful! I love these colors. How did she know I like short dresses? Can I send her a note?" I gave her my mom's phone number and address so that she could send her something. I have a feeling we are all going to be lifelong friends. I am so excited for my mom to meet the Day family in person some time. Amanda schemed with us today on how to get Tony to take the discussions. :) We decided he just needs the connection from Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon to the bible. So we then moved to planning with Brother Coffin and we are going to warm him up by doing a come follow me study for this week.

We had dinner with the Woodhouses today. Hawaiian Haystacks, Oven cooked brocolli, rolls, and coconut popsicles. They were SO good! Probably my comfort meal (alongside chicken divan).

We also went to a lesson with Nestor, Dago, Gonzala, and Brother Matt Hanks also came. It Was Incredible! 75% of the lesson was taught by Brother Hanks in Spanish so that Gonzala could completely open up and understand. At one point Brother Hanks asked the question, "What do you think the purpose of life is?" and Nestor bluntly said, "I don't know". And that's when we as missionaries start getting excited because we know the answer! The Spirit was SO strong. The gospel is true no matter what language you are teaching it in. 

Sunday 30 June 2019 

Well, today we stayed home all day because Sister Denning was quite sick. Michelle came to church again and we are meeting with her on Wednesday at the Hamner's house for dinner and a lesson. And guess what?! Dago and Nestor still came to church even though we weren't there! We felt that it was actually a tender mercy that we would not be at church today. It caused the ward to step up and welcome them. Then more people get to be a part of the conversion process. We called Dago and he gave us a full update on everything that happened. "Yeah, they talked about finance and getting out of debt. Bishop read a letter from the first presidency talking about how everyone needs another reminder, but he said the ward is all in pretty good shape. Oh, and by the way there is a party on July 4th." "Oh, are you guys coming?" "Yeah, we'll be there." "Sounds great! And are you guys up for another lesson?" "That would be fine. Nestor is free Monday through thursday......" Basically Dago is totally elect. He still claims to be aitheist, but is completely open to all of it and each time we meet we are seeing his heart soften more and more as he continues to ponder on the teachings and read the Book of Mormon. I really believe he has claimed to be aitheist because he has been seeking truth and has not been able to find it. I think it would be a great idea to invite Sister Rebecca Williams and her husband to a lesson. Brother Williams is a spanish teacher and Sister Williams is a convert. She shared with us at a recent dinner, "One aspect I love about the gospel is I can never stop learning. I can always learn more and go deeper." I think Dago would really relate with that.  Michelle is so excited to learn more about the gospel. She is such a joy to talk with! I truly do hope and pray that I will get to see Michelle, Dago, and Nestor baptized before I leave, but I understand that Lord may move me to another area and ask that I show Him my faith by more fully trusting them in His hands. I am so grateful to be a part of any part of the conversion of God's children. Every step is a step needed which means I have contributed. Also, I talked with Dora (Deaf woman) and Karen (also Deaf woman this week). We talked a bit to set up lessons and see how they were doing, but I haven't had the opportunity to teach them yet. Bummer! Oh, well! I don't want to waste the Lord's time on them if they are not ready, but first I need to teach Dora about something to be excited for: the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! WWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWW!!!!

Wastlund, Kimball

President Holland I feel as though I couldn't be happier. I felt so inspired by Elder Crews' departing testimony when he said what made all the difference for him was asking Heavenly Father over and over again what his purpose was. I kneeled in prayer and pleaded to know why Heavenly Father needed me in this area with this companion at this time acting with faith that there truly was a reason. Less than 24 hours later the Sanford Sisters asked me to teach the deaf mother of one of the people they are teaching and I then had the opportunity for the Spirit to work through me to heal hearts as I sang one of my favorite songs in sacrament meeting "You Have Nothing To Fear" by Rob Gardner. I know this is long, but I also knew that you would do some more cartwheels upon hearing about my change in perspective.

Thank you for all you do for me and this entire mission!

Sister Kimball Wastlund

P.S. Don't do too many cartwheels. I think that would be rather unwise after your recent surgery ;)
P.P.S. My companion is physically exhausted and spiritually pumped. Our area exploded this week!

30 Jun 2019

President Holland

Cartwheels, jumping jacks, back-flips, sommersaults with a twist. I am doing it all!