Good Morning....

 

How is everyone doing in the beautiful state of Utah? I saw that you all got snow...so jealous! Sister Nanto walked out of the door this morning to cold, rain and fog-it was not the prettiest of days. But nonetheless it is Washington, so it's always beautiful!

 

This week has been an exhausting one, but full of miracles!

 

Bill Perkins was baptized on Saturday! His family was all there to watch and support him and after the baptism his wife said that she knew that it was right for her too! We now get to start teaching there daughter Elizabeth and son Louise and our goal is for there dad to baptize them all :) This family is really great. They have not had the easiest of life. Bill was diagnosed with MS and lost his job and now Meg is back in school so she can help support  there family. When we taught them the law of tithing I shared with them an experience I had with learning how important it was to pay a honest tithe.

 

My Grandpa is one of the greatest people in my life that has never held back his wisdom to us. One night we were on the mountain sitting in his camper, eating salmon jerky (it's really good) and we got on the subject of tithing. He gave me advise that I have never forgotten. He looked into my eyes and said, "If you have to choose between buying a can of food for your family or paying your tithing-you use that money to pay your tithing-the Lord will always provide." 

 

 Bill had an envelope of money and all he had in it was $80 left for the month of Dec. He said they get 350. so they will pay a honest tithe and give 35 of that. I was so touched by this mans faith in the Lord, to know that if he will obey a commandment the Lord will "immediately bless them". It's true "God's work and his glory is to bring to pass the eternal life and immortality of man." ( Moses 1:38) and Our work is to, "Keep his commandments." (D&C 11:20) I know there family will be blessed both physically and temporally because of there great faith they put in Him!

 

And just like prophet Malachi says: "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pours you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." (Malachi 3:10)

 

Spencer Brotherson was baptized on Sunday evening. I don't feel like I could do this day justice by typing it out really quickly. I will have to write it out and send it to y'all. But this day was one of the greatest days in my eyes. I saw a man question, doubt and fear about the decision he was making and at the end of a priesthood blessing me in tears as a little child remembering what he was doing was right. Spencer was raised as a preachers son and he is very well aware that he may be disowned when he tells his family . That shook him a little, as it would anyone.

 

Brother Gamez is one of Spencers good friends in the ward. (inspired fellowship). I sat in a room with the two of these men as they were talking and realized again, that I am but a servant. I have soooooo far to go to gain the wisdom to be able to say the words that were spoken that day. I was very humbled, but in a good way because I felt this great love for Spencer and Brother Gamez and especially my Savior for trusting me in this great work.

 

Spencer took a leap of faith and knows that he will not know everything right now-and that's okay. He felt like he had to compete with his wife, who had 30+ years of knowledge. As long as he keeps it simple and pure, I have no doubt that God will unfold the mysteries of Heaven to him. The baptism was Awesome. At least half the ward came to support and our Mission President even showed up :)

 

My testimony was strengthened in the priesthood that day. Brother Gamez lived his life in a way that he was always ready to act. He didn't know that Spencer would need that powerful witness that day, but he was a man of God and and l I've it! Please live worthy of your priesthood.

 

Love you ,

Sister Phillips

 One of the pics is of sister Baylon and I. She goes home in two weeks so she gave me a FULL bag of her clothes. Oh I was in heaven. When I served with her I would sit in front of her closet and just dream. She loves me!

 

Family,

GUESS WHAT???

Sister Lyles got her mission call to the Japan Fukuoka Mission :D I am sooooooooooo excited for her. She called President Weaver Monday night when she opened it, so they could call and tell me. The cool thing is, is that was the mission that President Weaver opened when he was a missionary. I am so proud of her and this decision she has made. She is 1. going to fit right in and 2. She will be one of the greatest missionaries that they will have. They are so lucky to have Robin Lyles in there mission. I hope she can take something she learned for the WA-TAC to the far away land of Japan! She leaves on Jan 9th-a whole transfer away :)

Well the not so good news is that someone broke into our apt. this week. We were around our apt. building and Sister Nanto needed to use the restroom, so we stopped by the house and we found that the door was unlocked. We were in a hurry so we didn't really think much about it. But when we got home that evening we found our back sliding door wide open :/ We were 99.9% sure that we did not leave it open. We locked up the house, checked every nook and crannie and Sister Nanto slept with this Japanese sword by her bed lol. That morning maintenance came over to put a rod in our door and he found that our whole handle was busted and a flashlight outside by the door that wasn't ours. Who ever broke in pried it open and broke our door. So we had to get a new lock and handle and to be extra cautious they changed our locks too.

This week has been a great week. Sister Nanto have been working hard and have been seeing many miracles!

Spencer Brotherson is getting baptized this Sunday. We are so excited for him. It has been great to see him change, to see his heart change and for the confusion and mist of darkness to be lifted from his mind. Spencer and his family are excited from him. They already made a trip to the book store and have more church litterateur that I do!

We had a great lesson with the Perkins family this week. We went over to drop a big book of Mormon off to Bill Tues. morning and they didn't seem like they were having a good day. Then we went to there house to teach them on Saturday and there was a completely different spirit in the home. They were all ready and they just looked happy. I was shocked. Bill said he had been reading the Book of Mormon and praying about baptism and later that day he turned on the TV and a preacher came on and said, "You need to be baptized!" ha ha. I say, God works in mysterious ways! He is being baptized on Saturday. Bill has progressed much faster that his family and they want to watch him do it first before they do. This will be a good chance for Bill to be that shining example to them. Were hoping he can baptize them in the future!

This week was our sister conference. We had so much fun, but mostly Sister Grenfell and I followed each other around and talked the whole time. She really is like my other half here on my mission. She understands me so well and we have a lot of the same views. It was great to see all of my companions too! Sister Brown and Douros said they have been working so hard and I would be so proud-I love them!

We have a lot of great sisters in the WA-TAC and because of the increase in missionaries we will be getting 15+ sister missionaries in January. So that means we will all be training and I will have to train and be dying as well. Not what I really wanted, but it will be fun! Who ever they are, are so lucky to have the chance to serve in the beautiful WA-TAC!!!!

 I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week! Remember to always remember Christ this season and put him in the forefront of your heart. Then like President Monson said, "We will truly feel happiness that comes from Christmas!" Ponder in your heart who Christ is to you? I know that he loves us all

Love you,

Sister Phillips 

We hope that your Christmas season will be one that is filled with the love of our Savior.  We would love to invite you to visit

Mormon.org/Christmas

and share in the special Christmas message given.

How was everyones Thanksgiving???

Mine was great, any holiday on the mission is the Best! We woke up that morning and had breakfast with the Beylers, then we spent most of the day at the Gehrings mom and dads house.(her dad, who's house we were at, is a retired general authority!!) It was really fun, the little kidos put on a little skit for us..so cute! We then went to say hello at the Agors and ended our night at our mission pres. house. ( its nice living close to them:)) We played lots of fun games and sang Christmas songs around their piano. It was a blast!  

We have a family in our ward who is from the Uintah Basin, a.k.a. Roosevelt. They are the Bettes family. We went to there house for dinner the other night and guess what he cooked us????? Deer Meat!!! I haven't eaten anything like that for a good 15 months. ha ha. They are so much fun. Poor sister Nanto just sat there the whole time and had to listen to us talk about how AWESOME Vernal was and all the people we knew, etc ....They are a young family with a little guy, who is so cute. It's really fun to have someone who knows what your talking about. I get a little taste of home when I go there :)  And a shout out to my cute friend Erin Busch...her boyfriend is Brother Bettes Brother, so we talk about her too ;)

This week was a busy week for us!

We finally got over to teach Spencer the plan of salvation. We brought fellowship, brother Gamez, who I aspire to be one day ha ha. jk! Spencer is caught up on the more deep doctrinal side of things. Him and his wife Belaida shredded apart the word of wisdom. They researched and experimented things that I have never even thought of. It was crazy. We stressed to him that he needs to keep it basic. We even through out Moses 5:4-8 which is a great scripture for those who don’t understand the word of wisdom. But the great thing about it is that, we don't need to understand everything...and that is what he is missing. He is a very intelligent man and wants to know it all.

At church on Sunday I was talking to Belinda and she said they almost didn't come. She said last night she was so fed up with him doing all of this and not feeling with his heart that she just wanted to be done with it all. That night Spencer had a dream. He said he had two very dis ting impressions. I don't want to get to much into detail because I believe it is a very personal and sacred thing, but he woke up with peace in his heart that he hasn't felt in a long time. He is now content with learning by "small and simple means" because it is only then that "great things will come to pass! 

In Sunday school we found out that our ward mission leader hadn't showed up to church and he didn't tell anyone, so we had to teach it. We taught the gathering of Israel and I thought it would be great to hear some testimonies from people since the lesson was mostly on missionary work. While people were sharing there testimonies the spirit testified to all of our hearts. I had the impression to ask Belinda to share hers. I fought it for a while because I knew she would kill me. oh. p.s. she is a less active member, who is taking the lesson with her husband-Spencer. After about 3 times, I did it-I asked her. And of course she gave me the look of death, but she did it!!!! She bore a special, but real testimony of her life and how she sought for other Church's her whole life and always came back. She called it "she would always come home" after the closing prayer she couldn't help but weep in her husbands arms. It was a very tender moment. I know that she needed to realize the testimony she already had and it was still in there. When we learn the gospel even at a young age it never leaves us. It never leaves because it is true and we have the gift of the spirit to bring it back to our remembrance.

I know the gospel is true. And even if were 8 or 50 God still loves us and wants us to come back home!

I love you all, 

Hello!

 

I hope you all are having a great day. I love Mondays! This week has been good as well. The rain hasn't stopped for a good three days straight and It's not just misting is pouring rain all the time. Got to love Washington!

 

This week we went to Anderson Island to meet Jason and Angela. I had been a little nervous all day (don't know why) but I was just so excited to teach someone on the Island. There hasn't been anyone taught there for about a year in a half and before that years. This was a really big deal to the little branch members. Jason and Angela were so welcoming. We started teaching them the restoration and Jason just soaked it all in like a sponge. They had a lot of questions and we used a lot of scripture. I was really fun teaching them. But Jason left his church about a year ago because he was told that animals or nature don't have spirits (typical Washingtonians). That preacher should know better if he wants to keep people! But we explained to him that God created everything spiritually before physically. Concern 1, Resolved!

 

At the end of the lesson when we were teaching the first vision, Angela left the room in tears. She said when we came to her house she had a lot of judgments and that Jason actually made her listen. But when we were teaching she was sent back to when she was a little girl when her grandpa taught her about Jesus Christ, and until now she hadn't heard anyone preach the same doctrine that he did. Her Grandpa was an inspired man! :)

 

They were excited to come to church and on Sunday they came! The branch was so excited to see new people it was so cute. These people are so special. Our branch ward mission leader is in his 80's and he goes over there to DPC them almost every other day,haha. He is so excited to have someone to teach. The field is white and already to harvest, even on Anderson Island!

 

This week I have tried to focus my thoughts on everything I was thankful for. I was humbled and was reminded when I ready Alma 34:38 and Amulek teaches us that we need to have thanksgiving within our hearts EVERYDAY! I am in the war chapters this week in Alma and was so drawn to the humility and thankfulness of the Nephites. These people are fighting with all there strength and might to save there wives and children, but after everything they do weather it be successful or not, they give thanks to God. They taught me that we always need to remember who gave us all we have. God! We have no need not to be grateful this time of year and everyday.

 

Thanks be to God for sending his only begotten Son to die for us. Thanks be to God for sending us families to teach us and help us become the son or daughter we ought to be to return to our Father. Thanks be to God for sending us the gospel to preach and to live by!

 

I am thankful for all of you,

I love you very much

Sister Phillips

 

My purpose!

Hello,

How has every one's week been? I hope great! I saw that it snowed in Vernal....yay! I miss the snow. All we get here is rain, rain and more rain. Yesterday you felt like you were walking in a small pool, the puddles were everywhere.

This has been full of change. Getting a new companion always comes with new adventure! Sister Nanto is actually from North Carolina and is a huge Duke fan. She talks about it a lot and relates everything to duke, but she doesn't like to play basketball??hmm! She did agree to play sat. mornings with us, feew! I am so used to exercising every morning and she hates to exercise. I feel so slumpy(if that's a really word), but I am going to have to do something this week because I don't feel as well.

To all you future missionaries I have a very strong testimony that a healthy missionary=successful missionary!

At transfer meeting we found out that Washington State Legalized Marijuana and gay marriage. From Pres. Weaver and I quote, "Washington's government Sucks" ha ha. It was a sad day, but we know that this only means we have to be even more fervent in our standings with virtue and morals! Just because the worlds point of view changes, God's does not! I am so grateful to know that God is unchanging. If he was, we couldn't fully put our trust in him as a father. I know that as we stick up for what we believe in the power of the adversary will decrees and Satan will have less influence on our families and friends!

This week we worked hard and saw a lot of progress with our investigators. Spencer who we have been teaching for about 6 weeks, committed to baptism the other night. I learned a great lesson of being bold. I am not going to lie, I had been a little nervous of the thought of putting him on date. But that night the spirit spoke true and we did it and he accepted. My jaw almost hit the floor. I was shocked. It reaffirmed to me what my purpose was as a missionary. I am here to Find, Teach, and Baptize. This family is the greatest. I will keep you updated on them. Keep them in your prayers.

Tierra's mom is still not budging. We went to her house this week to talk to her and she was very distant and didn't want to talk. I know just like 1 Ne. 3:7 that the Lord will always prepare away!!! I have faith that he will do the same for Tierra. My heart is so full of hope for her and I will try my hardest to do everything I can to help her mom change her heart!

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week. Don't' forget to think about all your thankful for and share it with others!

Love you,

Sister Phillips

Family,

I can't believe that it is November already? That means this month is going to fly by too and then Christmas lights will go up!!! It still feels like October because the leaves are still so bright and colorful here :) This week has been full of Miracles and tender mercies.

First of all...Sister Grenfell is being transferred to Tacoma. We were really sad. We asked to stay together, but I guess the Lord has different plans for us. Thats okay because she will be right next door to me, just in a different zone. Sister Nanto is coming to the blessed land of Steilacoom. She has been serving for about 10 months. She came out with Sister Brown and they were comps. I don't really know her all that well because she has served in the same area her whole mission. I am excited to show her how awesome the central conference is. I do know she is from Virginia and likes to rap :/ haha.

Sister Douros and Sister Brown are companions :) My little babies get to serve together...I thought that was so cool! I think they will really like each other. They will probably kill Gig Harbor with kindness and convert the whole city!

 Oh I also got to talk to Lisa!!! My convert in Tacoma. She got really sick last week and had to be rushed to the hospital. I was so worried for her. Right before she got sick she went on a trip to Carthridge Jail and Nauvoo. I sat on the phone last night listening to a 2 mo. member of the church bearing solid, powerful testimony to me that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God. I felt like Ammon in Alma 26 when he tries to express his happiness and joy he felt from seeing his brothers and sisters receive the gospel. I had so much joy within my heart it could have burst!

Yao Shen Su was baptized last Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did I ever tell you how cool this kid is? He is awesome! The baptism was personalized just for su. People from our ward came wearing ties from China. We were all laughing. Then on Sunday our ward mission leader gave him a tie from china that said, "families are eternal". Su thought it was cool. Brother Checkitts from Anderson Island also came to bear his testimony in mandarin and the spirit was so strong. He is even talking about being transferred to BYU. I am all for that idea since sister grenfell and I will both be close by to keep watch on him.

I know deep down in my heart that Su is going to be a powerful tool in the Lord's work. He will be a strong influence for good for his family back in China and his friends here. There is also a Chinese branch in his hometown in china. So, if he ever goes back there will be saints to welcome him home :) "The gospel is spreading to every nation, kindred, and tongue!"

Sunday morning we went to Anderson Island for church. Of course the meeting was very missionary focused since we were there and they LOVE visitors. You feel so loved there. But I had a prayer in my heart the entire time we were there that we (members or missionaries) could find someone to teach there. Then-while we were waiting for the ferry to go back, we met a man named, Jason. He didn't know we had a branch on the island and was really interested in bringing his family to church next Sunday :D My heart was filled with so much gratitude.

Oh and almost everyone on the ferry knows who we are!!! They are the funnest people. We joke around with them a lot. We are trying to get them to come to church ;)

When we got back to the Steilacoom ward, it was fast and testimony meeting. It was the FASTEST meeting I have ever been in. The spirit sunk deep into my heart and stayed for a long time. Uncle Sam (Samoan) got up and bore his testimony. With his job he drives around the whole state of Washington. He said every time he would drive by a chapel he would feel his self get really excited and have a big smile on his face. He pondered that for a while, "why would I get so excited?"

He bore powerful testimony that it was because church is a place of healing. People come here and many leaved healed, they leave happier, they leave with a greater assurance that they are a child of God

.

Isn't that what the Savior does? The Savior healed thousands while he walked this earth. We can feel those same healing powers as we walk into our dedicated church buildings every Sunday prepared to take the sacrament and be "healed". I know that this healing power is the power of the Atonement. It can change us, it can help us become who we need to be to live with our Father in Heaven once more! I know this to be true, because I have seen those same healing powers change my own heart.

I know I will be starting a new journey this week, but I know with the Lord's help the work will continue! (D&C 35:13)

Never stop being a missionary, the Lord will send prepared people to his prepared servants. Keep on Strong!

I love you all,

Sister Phillips