Greeley Letter #5

At the Mission Christmas Devotional

 

Artwork by Rashauna:

She drew on her missionary handbook (bottom) and now

other missionaries are requesting her artwork on their handbooks.

I'll call the day before Christmas to set up and make an appointment to Skype on Christmas. I GOT MY PRE-CHRISTMAS PKG. Thank you thank you thank you!! I've worn the socks and used the sharpies and worn the shirt and used the stamps and I love it. Thanks for everything. You're the best.

 

We had the opportunity to do exchanges this week. I got to be in Johnstown for a day. Closer to the mountains :) It was a beautiful view. We were able to serve pie to folks at a senior center for part of our voluteer hours. It was so much fun. Going back to our area, we met with a new investigator that the Elders had been working with. She's 8 years old and awesome. We talked about river rafting and adventures before we set up an appointment. Her parents are so cool. I cannot wait to teach her.

 

M, N's Grandma passed away this week. We've been in and out of the hospital, by request of the family. The spirit has been so strong during our prayers there. They are understandably having a hard time, but S (N's son) expressed how well everyone has been doing under the circumstances. He said he knows it's because of us and the things we've been teaching.

 

We met with a 25 year old named C. He hasn't been to church in years. His friend on a mission currently contacted him through facebook and invited him to meet with the missionaries. He accepted and has been doing great. He has already read the Book of Mormon all the way through and is in 2 Nephi for the second time in just 4 days. He came to church on Sunday. It's amazing to see how Heavenly Father gives us strength to do things we otherwise wouldn't be able to do on our own. That is the enabling power of the Atonement working. He has tried to quit chewing tobacco before and has never been able to. Recently, at the beginning of the whole "going back to church" process, he stopped and hasn't touched it since. He shared with us his surprise at how easy it has been this time. I know that Christ is truly helping him and he knows it too.

 

Sister Mangum and Sister Smith were sick on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I detailed our car, hung out with Sister Buss (the member we live with), read Jesus the Christ, address Christmas cards..... anything to stay busy. They are both (thankfully) feeling better now. I was about to go insane. It's so hard sitting at home when you know there are people we need to see. Saturday night we found out that our trio was getting separated. Sister Mangum is going to the Spanish branch. They meet at the same time as us in the relief society room so I'll still get to see her. Sister Smith is being transferred to Fort Collins and both of them will be in spanish speaking areas. I'm excited for them. I'll be staying here and training a new missionary. Round three. I'm nervous, but I'm trying to trust that Heavenly Father knows what He is doing. Everytime I remind myself of this fact, I feel peaceful. Good things are coming :)

 

I'm so excited to be staying. Surprise, surprise I'm completely attached to yet another area. I know I always say this but I love the people here. I think (because I'm training) I'll hopefully get at least 3 more months here.

 

A couple of our less active families are doing really well. More of an update on them next week.

 

Love, Sister Hoer

Greely Letter #4

Check out these sweatshirts!

 

Baptism Day

 

 

Above and Below photos: Habitat for Humanity project

 

 

Ice skating on Preparation Day

 

They call this a Sister Smith Sandwich hug!

 

Well, I had responsibility of driving the car for about 12 hours Saturday night and on to Sunday morning. Driving to a 6:30 am meeting, we slid on some ice and into a fence.... and now the whole front bumper is missing. only 12 hours!! Are you kidding. I was going 15 mph (in a 25 mph area). My goodness. Everybody is fine and the owner of the fence is one of the nicest people I've ever come across, so that was good. Ugh... so inconvenient and I just feel terrible about it. It's a little ridiculous. 12 hours. that's it.... anyway, moving on.

 

OK, Business. We get to skype on Christmas!!! I'm so excited. I wanna cry just thinking about seeing all of you :) And yeah, could you send me Mo's phone number just in case? I'm elated to have a car at this time of year. Serious blessing. Everytime I want to complain about the cold I just smile and say, "we have a car." Perspective is everything and riding/walking around in Laramie snow is still fresh in my mind. 

 

So, one of the people I was working really closely with in Laramie and I have been keeping in touch via email. Before I had to leave town, I left her with a commitment to watch a conference talk weekly and every Monday I'm elated to see her name in my email inbox and have the opportunity to read about the talk she watched and her thoughts about it. It seriously makes my whole day. I recommend talks when they come to me, but would love for some favorite talk suggestions. What are some of your favorite talks and why are they meaningful to you? I'd love for some more ideas to share with her.

 

The Elder that broke his arm went home and his companion went to Fort Collins, so here we are with our work load and theirs trying to keep our heads above water. I love it. We constantly have something to do and it's helped me to see the power of other people doing the finding. This experience has given me a vision for what missionary work would be like if members were doing more of the finding and missionaries doing more teaching. In addition to all the people we are trying to keep track of, we are regularly doing service. We got to help out at a Habitat for Humanity build on Tuesday. It was so much fun. I really enjoy the service hours we get to do and the opportunities to meet people from the community.

 

I LOVE THE BUSS FAMILY. We live with the most adorable couple. They are so fun to talk to and laugh with. Words aren't sufficient for how much I enjoy their company and how caring they are.

 

S and N received blessings this week. Two Elders that they haven't met before came. S always has the most powerful promises in his. Afterward, N looked at us and asked if we had told the Elders about S. We said no and that they don't know anything about him. She immediately started to cry and said, "So, how does that work?" The blessing was so specific and so characteristic of S, and all of us (except the Elders) recognized it. It strengthened my testimony of the power of the Priesthood as we explained that Priesthood holders are simply instruments for Heavenly Father to deliever messages to us.

 

Saturday morning we were able to get the whole mission together and hear from Elder Christensen. It was phenomenal. He talked about the importance of paying attention to impressions and invited each of us to draw a vertical line down the middle of our page, recording impressions on one side and quotes on the other. He talked about the light of Christ that exists in each individual. He compared it to gravity. A law crucial to our existence and always in effect. Although we cannot see it directly, we are able to see evidence of it everywhere and in everyone. It just made so much sense.

 

J, J, and A (investigators from the Elders) were baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday. It was incredible to be part of that process. We've been going over there almost everyday. I love seeing the changes that the gospel brings so naturally. Change doesn't come all at once, but if we allow Christ in our lives, it comes. B, J's wife, was able to attend with their three kids. She continues to open up more and more to gospel related things. J is such an amazing leader in his family. He does what he knows to be true and brings his kids to church each week even though B doesn't want to come yet. I know that his example is what will lead her to opening her heart.

 

We've been meeting with an amazing woman (and member) who sincerely wants to change and come closer to Christ. She has come to church the last two weeks and has been making amazing progress. It is so refreshing to visit with her and help her make and reach goals. In Relief Society she pulled out her manual and started taking notes. Incredible!! I didn't even have a manual....

 

Life is great. We find out about transfers this Saturday. There are 30+ missionaries coming in so we're all expecting quite a few changes.

 

Love, Sister Hoer

Greeley Letter #3

Running in the 5k Turkey Trot 

Well, we've had some amazing progress this week. I can't even remember what I told you about S and N and their family, but I have never felt the spirit so strong in my life. They are truly ready for the gospel and we have been over there almost every day since we met them. While on exchanges, Sister Mehner and I were able to teach them the Restoration. I love sharing Joseph Smith's experience. After doing so, I asked them how they felt. S described the warmth that the spirit brings. I have never felt the spirit so strongly as I did that night. I felt it so powerfully. We bore testimony of the spirit and what it means and invited them to be baptized. They said yes, that was definitely something that they wanted. This family is so open to the spirit. It's hard to see so many people that don't allow themselves to see or feel God in their lives, but S and N are evidence that Heavenly Father has a plan for everyone. We crossed paths with them because they are ready for the gospel now. The Lord is truly looking out for us, each one of us.

 

I got your Thanksgiving package on Tuesday!! It was so fun :) Wednesday evening S, N and 3 others in their family received powerful priesthood blessings. S's was my favorite. Heavenly Father told him that he needed to read the scriptures and as he did so he would learn things that would bless his entire family. He will also lead his posterity. At the age of 18, this young man has so much responsibility. He takes care of his entire family in one way or another, but I know Heavenly Father is looking out for him. We are his messengers to provide him with the help he needs.

 

We asked a few families in the ward if they would each make a side dish that we could deliver to N's family for Thanksgiving. Everyone was so supportive and after we ran a 5K turkey trot (compliments of the amazing Buss family - the family we live with) we dropped off the meal to them. They were so appreciative and were really touched by the fact that members of the church would help someone they didn't even know. N said, "I'll have to come thank them sometime." Hopefully we'll be able to get them to church soon. The rest of Thanksgiving was great. We played Tuba Ruba and ate dinner at the Adamson's. They are so good to us. They remind me a lot of our family and how we treat the missionaries.

 

We taught N the Plan of Salvation on Friday evening and set her with a baptismal date on Saturday. We asked her to prepare herself to be baptized on the 4th of January. Her face just lit up. She smiled and cried and said yes. The spirit truly teaches people the things they need to know. It's a wonderful experience to be able to be so involved in that process. I learn so much every day.

 

We were asked to teach class on Sunday right before Sacrament Meeting. It went surprisingly well. We are kind of taking over three of the Elder's investigators because one of the elders has a compound fracture. Throwing a football Thanksgiving morning, his humerus completely snapped. I got to see the x-ray and it's one of the cleanest breaks I've ever seen.... and the weirdest thing. A 20-something year old's arm snapping from throwing a football. I didn't believe him until I heard several other witnesses. Crazy stuff. But their three investigators, J, J and A are being baptized this Saturday and contributed some amazing comments to the lesson. Again, I just learn so much from the people we "teach"; sometimes it feels like it's the other way around.

 

We are going ice skating in a little bit and I look forward to sending pictures next week. Love you all!! Missionary work is the best. Members have been helping out a ton!! When is the last time you called the missionaries and asked, "Who are you teaching and how can I help?"

 

Love,

Sister Hoer

Greeley Letter #2

Delivering brownies to a friend recovering from cancer treatment

 

Homemade pizza party!

 

The Trio.

 

 

I am constantly overwhelmed when I come to the library and try to sum up my week. So much has happened. I got permission on Tuesday to call Sister Gregory from a member's phone and wish her a happy birthday. That was really fun to talk to her for a little while :) We also made brownies for a less-active woman who is recovering from cancer/cancer treatments. She loves cows and Oklahoma University. So that's how we decorated them.

 

Wednesday was crazy in such a good way. We were able to teach J, a woman that we ran into. We've been trying new tracting and finding approaches and one that has been particularly successful is just asking a question. No introductions, no anything. We just knock on a door and when they open it say, "Where do our spirits come from?" or "Why are there so many churches today?" Things of that nature. It's been really neat. So we got a lesson with J from that and later that day we were wandering around looking for a less-actives house when a young man got out of his car to ask if we needed help. Always let people help you when they offer. It's an amazing opportunity to meet people and for them to receive blessings. We ended up inviting him and his family to hear a message about Jesus Christ. He said, "absolutely." We have since visited them at least three times. It's incredible to see the Lord's promise come true that people who are prepared to hear the gospel will be lead to you or you will be lead to them. S just walked up to us. Him and his mother have been through a lot, but what's amazing is that the gospel can help and will if they continue to allow it to. The gospel will cover any trial or hardship.

 

We had dinner at the Adamson's on Thursday and they essentially made a vegan feast. They are one of the most incredible families I've met on my mission thus far. They are so much fun to talk to. That's where I'll be spending thanksgiving and I'm really looking forward to it.

 

Friday, Sister Smith and Sister Mangum and I made our own pizzas while we did our weekly planning. We tend to make everything a party and it's great. They are so fun to be around. We also all got some fleece-lined tights which have been pretty incredible. Anyone who hasn't experienced those is missing out. I also got a letter from Paige and Taraleigh/Taven/Cannon/Carsten.... I can't quite express how much those mean to me. Thank you!!

 

We met with a less-active that just moved from California. It was cool to see a 209 area code again (shout out to my girl Taraleigh - and the Duffmyster of course). Her husband is not a member and is now our newest investigator. They are so sweet. All three of us were beaming when we saw them walk into the chapel on Sunday. It was amazing to see them at church. I also gave a talk yesterday during Sacrament meeting. I was asked to introduce myself, which I did, but I ended up mostly talking about becoming more like Christ. That's something I've been really passionate about lately. All three of us Sister Missionaries also were talked into singing with the choir during Sacrament Meeting. It's really nice to be busy though. Last night we were able to go over to S's house with the Elders to give his grandmother a Priesthood blessing. It was an amazing experience. I love feeling the spirit with people.

 

Overall I think it's been one of my favorite weeks on the mission. We are working so hard and have seen so much progress in just one week.

 

Love you!! Invite your friends over when you are feeding the missionaries!!

Sister Hoer

Greeley Letter #1

Rashauna helping clean up a flooded home.

Sister Smith and Rashauna: Attack of the turtlenecks!

Sister Smith, Rashauna & Sister Mangum: All three received letters one day!

 

 

I'm in Greeley, Colorado. We are living with the sweetest couple in the world. He is the Greeley Stake Patriarch and she plays us songs on the piano and always has a buffet of healthy snacks on the table. I love talking to them together and individually. He majored in and taught biology for some years and they both have the best stories. They are some of my new favorite people. They call us their daughters :)

 

It has been a crazy week. There are about 300 less active members in our ward, so we've been doing a lot of those visits. It was a little strange trying to get used to having three of us teaching, but we work well together. We laugh a lot and work hard. Like usual, we've found a good balance. We've met some really wild people haha. Really wild. We've been trying to branch out and find new ways to meet people. We recently tried walking about a big shopping center and talking to people there. We were laughed at and very obviously ignored before running into two women that were interested and another man right afterward that we were able to give a Book of Mormon to. I love bearing my testimony of the Book of Mormon. That Book has a power incomparable to any other. It changes lives. Sometimes our faith is tested before we get to where we need/want to go. If we had quit after having people laugh at us we would have never been able to talk to the three people who were interested in learning more.

 

The families we've had dinner with have been remarkable. This ward is making this transition very easy, which I am grateful for. Every now and again something reminds me of Laramie and pulls on my heart strings. I heard that M, the manager of Salvation Army in Laramie, had her first lesson finally and agreed to be baptized!! Service softens hearts. Check out justserve.org today!!

 

During the week, Sister Loux, Hermana Smith, and I (the Sister Training Leaders in the Greeley and Greeley East Zones) decided to plan a mini Sisters Conference. We planned it on Wednesday and had it on Thursday. Somehow everything came together and it was a real success. After reading the talk by Elder Christofferson, "The Moral Force of Women" (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/the-moral-force-of-women) we decided to incorporate several quotes into the meeting. I spoke about life before a mission and what led each of us up to where we are now. Sister Loux spoke about life on a mission and how much we, as sisters, influence the work. Hermana Smith spoke on life after a mission and focused on who we want to become. We invited Sister Buss (the adorable and amazing woman we live with, who served in the eastern states mission) and Sister Brown to come speak to us as well. The spirit was powerful and several of the Sisters expressed how much they enjoyed and needed that meeting. I still can't believe that we pulled it off, but it was great.

 

We got to help out a family on Saturday that had their home destroyed by the flood. I didn't realize that towns outside of Boulder had been affected as well. It was a really rewarding service project, but it's hard to see people's lives so drastically changed. It's really hard being in what used to be someone's home and have it feel like an empty shell. However, I love seeing the good that comes after a natural disaster. I know that probably sounds crazy, but I love it. People come from everywhere to help. Communities come together regardless of religion, race, or background. It's wonderful. It reminds me of the way things should be. Life becomes more simplified in that small area of the world.

 

"Everything that is good is on your side," -Seth Hoer (Sorry I hope I don't embarrass you with this, but I loved it)

 

Love, Sister Hoer

Last Letter from Laramie

 Baptism day for A.

 

Signing the card Rashauna and Sister De Voe made for A.

 

P's baptism!

 

Sister De Voe, biking in the snow!

 

 

Hey hey,

 

So I thought I'd get the depressing news over with first. I'm leaving Laramie. I'll be heading to Greeley to be companions with two Spanish-speaking sister missionaries. Not really sure why that's happening, but we have a car for the winter months!!! I'm definitely going to miss my bike on nice days, but not while it's snowing haha. Sister De Voe and I have shown up to far too many appointments with mud all over our legs and backs. The Sherman Hill ward was really sad to see both of us go (Sister De Voe is going to Cheyenne and will be with Sister Gregory). We've made some lifelong friends here. Laramie is truly a special place.

 

On a much lighter note, it has truly been a week of miracles. There were 6 baptisms in Laramie this week!! One on Tuesday, one on Friday, and four on Saturday. The best part is, that even though the baptism program is set up pretty much the same way each time, each new church member chose different people to speak and the details that go into it made each baptism so individual. I loved being able to go to so many and feel the spirit so strongly. A's baptism was incredible. Absolutely incredible. She is so strong. Sister De Voe and I had the opportunity to speak on baptism and be with her right when she came out of the water. While getting changed she just kept saying, "I just feel so happy!" Her husband said that he kept hearing us laughing in the bathroom. It's called the Plan of Happiness for a reason. She was confirmed a member of the church and given the gift of the Holy Ghost on Sunday by her husband . Her blessing emphasized the fact that this was a stepping stone on their way to the temple. I am so excited to keep in touch with them.

 

Everything else this week was just a blur. I kinda knew I was leaving, but it was still hard to hear it on Saturday night. I really don't want to leave, but at the same time I feel very confident that this is a good change. Heavenly Father is definitely helping me stay positive. There is also an amazing girl here, a returned missionary, who has really been a support to me. E J and I have become best friends. She is in one of the student wards but we've been able to share in some amazing spiritual experiences while on exchanges or at Grandma's on Sundays. Grandma was really hard to say goodbye to. Everyone was really hard to say goodbye to. We were able to give T and S a copy of the Book of Mormon in the Amharic language with our testimonies inside the front cover. I start tearing up every time I think of people hearing the gospel in their own language. It's incredible to see how many languages the gospel is being shared in. We are eating with them tonight. They have said multiple times that they consider us part of their family and wanted to feed us a traditional Ethiopian meal before we leave town.

 

We also had the most incredible lesson with a less active, R. I'm not really sure how it happened, but there is a connection that I feel with her. From the moment I met her, I loved her. We talked all about prayer and how powerful it can be. I wish I was better at describing these experiences. The spirit is something I have always struggled to put into words. The feeling in the room that night was incredible. I just love that family and I've only visited with them a few times now. Three...? It's crazy how fast these people get into your heart. That's another thing Heavenly Father helps me with.

 

This is hard. I love the people here so much. However, there will be a total of five missionaries in the new ward I'm going to. Miracles are on the way.

 

Sister Rashauna Hoer

Laramie Letter #16

Rashauna on Halloween as an old lady missionary, ha-ha!

 

Rashauna

 

 

T's lesson went great!! We just talked about faith. Simple, but powerful. She has the most beautiful prayers. They are so genuine and you just know that she is talking to her Father in Heaven. She had to reschedule our meeting for Friday, but she contacted us yesterday and asked when we could meet this week!! Some changes came her way that have really been a catalyst for her progression. It's amazing to see how challenges help us move forward. It's so easy and natural to find a spot where we are comfortable and stay there. Heavenly Father knows this and gives us exactly what we need to keep moving forward. I love seeing His hand not just in the details of my life, but in others. I love helping them recognize how much He truly loves them.

 

It's been incredible how much the gospel is being shared here. The ward is extending invitations. We have been getting referrals. Everyone can feel the blessings that come from it. I love it. I love the Sherman Hill ward!! Missionary work doesn't come anywhere close to it's full potential without the help of members. A is doing wonderful. She has her baptismal interview today in preparation for her baptism this weekend. Her faith and confidence is inspiring.

 

Sister De Voe and I dressed up as much as we could to make Halloween a little more exciting :) See pictures. They describe our outfits better than I could with words.

 

We got to attend B's baptism on Saturday. He has been coming to our ward the last few weeks, but was taught by another set of sisters. It was an incredible service. He had the biggest smile on his face and you could just feel the spirit in the room. He was the happiest I've ever seen him. At church the next day, he was confirmed a member of the church and bore his testimony. Sister De Voe and I had the opportunity of teaching the gospel principles class on Sunday. It was a spur of the moment thing, but those lessons are sometimes the best. I was grateful for the time we spend studying each morning that prepared us to teach by the spirit.

 

Sister McCracken ordered both Sister De Voe and I our own copy of "The power of everyday Missionaries" by Clayton Christensen!! What a pleasant surprise. Relief society was wonderful. The president led a discussion based on two talks, one called "The Way" and the other, "The Atonement" by Elder Bednar (I don't remember who wrote the first one) but they were both very eye-opening. After the lesson, I asked if I could write down the titles and authors so I could look them up myself, and she just gave me the copies she had printed out that day. I read them again this morning. I highly recommend both of them. I have a renewed testimony of the Savior and of what the Atonement means to me personally. Everybody needs to read these talks.

 

(Note: Rashauna included the link to the talk about the Atonement, and I added the link to the talk titled "The Way" ~ Carolyn)

 

An amazing new family moved into our ward. Both returned missionaries and sooooo thoughtful. Every now and then she'll text us and ask what she can do for us that day. Sunday she saw we didn't have a dinner and instead of asking if we'd like to come over, she simply said, "pancakes and hashbrowns or spaghetti?" I love them so much. Leaving their house Sunday night they also told us that they never lock their house and to, "feel free to just come in and get some lunch or use the bathroom whenever you want." They are incredible. We no sooner started biking to our next appointment when it began to snow. Sister De Voe and I continued on without any success that night. Trying house after house after house with no answer. Luckily with all the member's help, this situation hasn't been happening nearly as often. We got some good pictures though that look like we're in a snow globe, haha.

 

Yesterday, we left early to drive to Cheyenne. We met the north half of the mission there to meet and listen to Elder Gay of the seventy. It was a phenomenal conference. I always love seeing friends (like Sister Gregory!!) but more importantly, it was so uplifting and motivational. We talked a lot about faith, about how important personal revelation is and how each one of us is entitled to receiving it. How important members are to hastening the work. The gospel is true, we need to open our mouths and confidently share the facts. We need to teach according to people's individual needs. We need to testify of God's love for them. I just kept thinking, everything being said wasn't just for missionaries, but for everyone. I kept thinking how can I implement this after my mission? How can I be more of a help to those closest to me, to my family, friends, and companion? We need to strengthen ourselves, each other and then all those around us. The best part about this is, that sharing the gospel with those around us strengthens our own testimony. Feeling inadequate is no excuse, being busy is no excuse. Sharing the gospel will bless you and those you love the most.

 

"No one can receive exaltation without sharing the gospel," -President George Albert Smith. That was one line that really stuck out to me.

 

Love you all. I'm sick of the snow already, haha, yikes! I've been trying to think of San Diego right before I go to bed so I can dream about the fantastic weather there.

 

Sister Rashauna Hoer

The talks: http://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/04/the-atonement-and-the-journey-of-mortality
and http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/the-way