Feeling FULL of Gratitude

Hello everyone!

I hope y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Mine was definitely interesting, not to mention jam-packed! Literally.. First, thank you mom for the package! I've started reading the ensign, got my stocking put up, and hid the presents away for Christmas (: And thank you to the Krause's, Williams', Hubert's, Bro Tanner, Sis Reinhard, and Papa George for all of your notes! It's nice to hear from the ward family and I appreciate all of your prayers and support! Also, thanks to Betsy for the letter. Such a cute family pic!

II'm glad everything went well for Thanksgiving and I'm proud of you for putting up the tree! Even if the grandkids won't be there too much, you and dad will still enjoy it (: We're making ornaments with the RS this week, and I think I might just hang them on the window? Haha or maybe my stocking.  I did think about y'all on friday morning, and was glad that I didn't have to get up to do some black friday shopping.  I hope everything goes smooth with peru and vegas for Lys and Manuel. I'm glad to hear that everyone is doing well!

My thanksgiving really was good.  We had so many people invite us over, and it was nice to see that people cared. We ended up picking (just) three families.  First was Pamela, the librarian that we're good friends with.  She had a big family of at least 20 or 30, so that was really nice to feel somewhat like at home.  They say "It's not the holidays without the strays" so I guess it was cool to be the strays for once.  I'm sure that's what it was like at gma Facer's house back in the good old days, and I'm glad that I could experience what it's like to be taken in.  Maybe I'll start doing that. Haha and the grandma sent us home with pocket new testaments. Classic (: By the time we ate there, we were already going to explode. But that was only round 1... 

                                     Pamela (the librarian), her mom, and us after round 1. 

                                               Such a sweet family! And great weather!

Next, we went to the home of a single lady from the ward who lives with a non member lady and her daughter. Haha they are just crack ups! We go to their house occasionally for sunday dinner.  We just had dessert there, but I was still just so full that I was really scared to go to our next appointment for another whole thanksgiving meal. So that was round 2. 

                                (from oldest to youngest) Cassidy, Katie, and Kelsie Carthon. 

                    Cutest girls ever! and Cassidy reminds me of Savanna (: this is after round 3

Round 3 was with the the cutest black family in our ward who got married so they could be baptized a few years ago! They're pretty sensitive about food though, so the sister made it clear that we need to eat at least a good plate.  That was all I could do and more! I was praying between each bite that I would stuff it all in, and by the end I had to run to the bathroom in case I threw up. I never did, but that was the fullest I have ever been in my life. Haha we had to take a break in our car to lay down for a bit before our next lesson. It was a really nice day though.  I was surprised how similar the meals were, except for a few things.  Everyone loves green bean casserole here, and I can tolerate it now.  Sweet potata pie is wonderful (I don't think I've ever bothered to try it because it looks gross) and pecan pie is really big here too! Georgia is famous for their peaches, peanuts, and pecans, and boy, did we have pecans that day. 

                                                 ...how we really felt after round 3

There's this awesome 3ish minute movie out right now called "He is the Gift". There have been some  similar ones in the past but this one is about how we should put our focus on Christ, especially during the Christmas season.  It's a huge deal for the church, becuase they're taking over all of youtube on december 7, and advertising in Time Square. We have pass along cards and have been sharing it with everyone. But y'all should watch it and share it on facebook or whatever! Just go to christmas.mormon.org (:

Now my investigators! I'll just do two quick ones.. So Ashley is still set to be baptized tomorrow! Well, I'm pretty sure.  It's really complicated because she lives in the Jackson ward boundaries, but since we found her at Gordon college, we're in a completely different stake. So we're still trying to work it out with the stake presidents and everything.  At least it should be sometime this week. 

West is still doing awesome! He actually introduced us to his son, Chris, his brother, Willie, and his cousin, David.  Haha Willie is the most Southern Baptist I've ever met.  Everything we said was, oh hallelujah! glory, glory! oh jesus! Haha it was funny at first, but then it was a bit offensive.  But hey, that's just how he was raised.. along with everyone else here haha.  David was really cool to meet; he'd actually never really learned about the bible.  We were talking about 1 Nephi 3:7 and he was super interested in learning about the background and reading more.  So we'll definitely followup!

                                        Only in the south would they have Jesus candy (:

West is doing so good though.  Today is one week from when he last smoked, so hopefully he'll stick it out this week and make it for a baptism on saturday! I can't remember where we were reading, but somewhere it talked about fasting, and he asked us how he could fast because he takes medicine and has to eat and drink.  Sis Watts suggest doing a "doubt" fast, and that worked miracles! All of last week, he was just so happy! He even started doing a "smoking" fast, and so far it's been wonderful.  Haha yes, it's the same thing as quitting smoking, but I think the fact that he's doing it for the Lord has changed his mindset and helped a ton!

                                        random pic after church.. me and Sis Watts, JaLyn 

                                            (is getting married so he can get baptized!) 

                                              E Richardson, Bishop Allred, and E Argyle

Now for the news... Transfers! Oh boy. so Sis Watts is actually leaving, after 9 months! I'm stoked to get a new companion and see how differently she trains, but I'm also really sad! Me and Sis Watts are besties! Also, I'm a little nervous.  I've only been out for 6 weeks, and I'm supposed to know everyone, where they all live, and now I'm in charge of the phone. I don't feel ready at all to be the expert of the area.  Haha but I'm still training so it's a little weird.  In Betsy's letter, she said something about how it's hard being in limbo and not knowing how attached to get to people. I totally agree, but now I wish I would have become more attached.  The first half of the transfer, I was kind of holding back, thinking I'd leave any minute, and the last half I settled in more and established some really good friendships.  I just wish I would have developed better relationships throughout the whole transfer! But it's okay, I'm still here and I'm going to put my whole heart into loving these Barnesville folks until I'm in Taiwan. 

Speaking of Taiwan, I found out that Sis Cardon and Giles (from the MTC) are leaving on tuesday.  And I'm left here... So I'm not sure what that's all about, but it's obvious that I'm needed more here in Barnesville than I am in Taiwan right now. I would like to know if I'll ever be needed over there.. But I'm patiently waiting until another call comes. 

I hope y'all are doing well.  Thanks for all your prayers and love, I really do appreciate them! I can't believe it's December already! Love you!!

Sister Facer

The Simpleness of the Way

                              This road literally went on for miles! ​Pride almost started to set in .

Hey y'all!

First of all, happy anniversary on the 18th to mom and dad, and happy birthday yesterday to mom! I hope it's been a good week for both of you (: Sharon, thank you so much for your letter! That is exactly what I needed. Have you seen the new video, "He is the gift"? We're handing out pass-along cards, but I still haven't seen it! We got to see a preview in the MTC, but that's totally not fair that we don't know what it's about.

Here in Barnesville, it hardly ever snows.  The big thing was an ice storm last year, and everyone freaked out about that.  But all I've had is rain.  Today is almost hot, even! Although I wouldn't mind having a little snow to play in or just look at right now (:

   Thomaston dream team! Elder Richardson, Hanson, Jensen, Argyle, Brother Adams, Sis Watts, me

Well, this week has been pretty exciting! I'll start out with the best part - the baptism! Tia finally got baptized after trying 3 other different times! This time she was so ready though.  She just gets it.  She was so excited to be baptized so she could go to the temple and have eternal life! Haha she's shooting a little far out there and maybe missing a few details along the way, but I'm just glad it all makes sense to her now.  We were talking, and she finally understands why missionaries would sacrifice that much time to come out here.  She totally gets it now, and didn't reject the idea of going on a mission (: She'd be an amazing missionary. 

                        Tia's baptism! With her dad Ron, Sis Watts, Tia, me, her mom Jenny

                                              (recent convert) and little brother Keegen.

West, on the other hand, didn't make it to his baptism.  He had a death in the family the night before and was super busy with that, and then we just couldn't get in touch with him, and after lots of craziness and waiting, we just decided to do it next week.  Dang it.  He's also so ready.  But satan is coming at him, and he's gotta act soon! Keep praying for my old man. 

                            Bro Druce, the oldest man in the ward.  Also known as 'the candy man'

Lucille is great as ever.  It was really sweet, because in her confirmation blessing the bishop blessed her with better hearing and sight (haha she's pretty much deaf and blind) and this week she went to the hearing doctor and got a new hearing aid! I'm not sure if that's what he meant, but hey she’s doing her part! She tells us that she's never going to forget her girls.  Ahh I just love her!

This week we spent a ton of time up in Atlanta listening to Elder Kopischke of the 70! We had a multi-zone conference, and another day we had a fireside for everyone.  That was amazing! He talked a lot about faith, and how there's a cycle.  desire, give it some room, do not cast out, swelling, enlarge/enlight, increase in faith - all from Alma 32: 27-29.  But once we get to the 'do not cast out' stage, that's where Heavenly Father takes over and the rest is up to him to give you  the swelling and increase of faith.  Haha okay so it sounds better when he said it, but you get the main idea.  

(To the ward also:)

One thing that Elder Kopischke talked about really stuck out to me.  We spent a solid hour talking about how to get investigators to church not just by inviting them, but using power in your invitation.  Yeah, we go to church to renew our baptismal covenants, but they haven't made any yet! But church is also a place where we can receive revelation.  We're supposed to invite them to come to church with a question and treat it more like an experiment than anything.  So we tried it out with Ashley (Bro. Adam's teacher aide).  What an inspired move.  We invited her to come to church with a question, and also reminded her that she has to come to church twice before she can get baptized.  She hasn't been yet because of the distance, but she was so willing to come this time! She even moved her baptismal date up to December 2nd, which is the earliest she can get baptized, and still have both me and Sister Watts be there! Ashley came to church (early, even) and brought her mom! Aww, what a stud! She is so solid.  Also, as I was reading in personal study this week, I came across 1 Nephi 17:41 - because of the simpleness of the way, there were many who perished. (talking about Moses when he held up the rod with the snake)  It amazes me how many people will stop doing those primary answers - go to church, read scriptures, say prayers - especially in the hard times; because those are the most important! That's the time that you have to cling to those simple things! You're getting divorced? COME TO CHURCH! You have a question? PRAY! Your life is crazy and hectic? READ THE SCRIPTURES! It's that simple.  Don't be the one who doesn't look at the serpent because it seems too easy. 

Alright, back to investigators.  Okay, so continuing with Ashley haha.  She's amazing! And she was my very first lesson that I taught when I got here.  What a miracle that I get to see her get baptized! 

Ooh so Amy and Cory! They're the family that we found when we got a flat tire and had to use their bathroom.  We invited them to come to a ward Thanksgiving dinner last thursday and they came! They fit in perfectly with the ward, and it was just so awesome to see them there! They're totally going to get baptized.  Also, Sis Blocker facebook stalked Amy and found her post about us! So precious.  Anyway, I'm just super stoked about getting them started on the lessons! And they said they'll come to church next week too! I was thinking about it though, and I'll probably be gone by the time they're baptized :( I almost wish I could just stay and help them get there.  Haha but Amy did say she wants to keep in touch with us so we're good (: 

 

Yesterday was interesting haha.  We were at a member's house, when this random voice informed us about a tornado warning.  Apparently throughout the whole city ,they have speakers just for tornadoes and such.  I felt like I was in the hunger games or something! Anyway, we hurried home in the pouring rain and obviously had no idea what to do.  Here, let me tell y'all just in case you're ever in a tornado! Hide in the bathroom with no windows, and put a mattress over you.  Who would have thought? Haha I was almost hoping something cool would happen just so I would have a good story, but no.  I don't know if it's because I'm a missionary or what, but I wasn't even scared. I know that Heavenly Father is protecting us, and I know because of my patriarchal blessing that I'll make it past my mission.  Speaking of, I had a mini opportunity to teach music.. OKAY. So I taught Sister Goggins about repeat signs.  Haha it's a start, right? Hopefully I'll have more opportunities to teach music like my blessing says, but for now, I just play the piano in about every meeting. 

                        Hiding in the bathroom with our mattress for the tornado warning! 

At our zone meeting, I talked to President Harding and he said that there is a possibility of me leaving the 4th, but still not positive.   One of the AP's told us we should be getting info this week.  Honestly, I've been thinking about it a lot (just at night.. it's not bothering my daily work I promise!) If I stay, I am totally okay with that.  I can't wait to keep helping the people we're working with right now! But if I go, then I know that the people in Taiwan are ready for me, and I can put my zhongwen to good use.  But I will labor wherever the Lord calls me. For now, I'm here in Barnesville and happier than ever (:

Sister Facer