Pictures finally! September 25th 2017

What a week! I can't begin to explain what we did, what happened, and what I've learned!

It's been amazing, that's for sure. Tuesday was unexpectedly great, Wednesday and Thursday Sister Hardy and I both had hard days, and we kept trekking through. Then the weekend came and there were so many miracles!

My idea of what a 'miracle' is has definitely changed, of course. I've found that usually they are simple, seemingly insignificant events that I probably glanced never used to notice. Now I see the great significance--in small moments I see God's hand in my life.

I could try to explain them (I actually just tried writing one out as an example) but I think it'd be better to invite you all to look for them yourself :) I can promise that when we pause to help and lift another, we will find strength beyond our own. Things will happen! Writing in my journal the past 8 months has helped me to see that. Every bad day ends, and every good day is around the corner!

General Conference is this weekend, you can watch it on lds.org! 

Love you all. Enjoy all the pictures, haha, its been a while since I could attach them!!

Sister Fluegel 

The Golden Rule! September 18th 2017

Well hello!

I must say (not for the first time) the weeks feel like days and the days feel like weeks! 

We spent Monday and Tuesday last week up in St. Louis, having a "Sister's P-Day" at the zoo (my 4th time there, haha) and then going on exchanges with our STLs in Fenton, MO. It was a ton of fun, and I definitely learned a lot from Sister Knight, who I spent the day with :)

Since then its been a lot of teaching, finding, and sneezing! Sister Hardy got sick last week and then this past week I joined her! It's kind of fun being sick together, haha, we've gone through about 5 rolls of toilet paper just from blowing our noses! It's that time of year, I guess.

I always learn something new every week, which might be my favorite part of being out on a mission. This week I learned how important it is to practice what you preach. Sister Knight and I were going to visit a member and when we knocked, a woman answered who couldn't speak English! But she very warmly communicated to us to come inside, used a Google translate app, and explained her family moved in two monthsago and the person we were looking for must have moved.

I don't know how to explain how KIND this woman was. Definitely the most welcoming, friendly, Christlike stranger I've met in my life--and she wasn't Christian. She and her family are Muslim and came as refugees from Iraq. We had a fun, sometimes confusing conversation with each other over Google Translate (isn't technology amazing?) and she gave us water and an Arabic dessert to try. She said we were welcome to come back whenever we'd like, and hugged us.

In comparison, I think of the many, many people I've met as a missionary who practically shun us because of who we are, and yet call themselves Christians! I think of myself, and how I have thought of or treated other of God's children in the past. I know we can all do better at treating people the way we would want to be treated. As Jesus Christ put so eloquently:

(Matt 7:12) Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you: do ye even so to them.

This world would be a much happier place!

Love you all,

Sister Fluegel 

P.S. I had an authentic Arabian dessert, pig ear (soul food, apparently), and kimchi this week! Being on a mission has got me out of my comfort zone in more ways than one...

My photos won't send!! Sorry everybody :(

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words September 11th 2017

I hope that's true, because I have little to no time to write today. We had Zone Conference, Sister Hardy got sick, I'm now getting sick haha, and we're in St. Louis today for exchanges! 

Short story before I make like a baby and head out:

We picked up a woman I've taught before in June. She hadn't been keeping commitments and kept cancelling appointments. She told us now that since we left she began reading the Book of Mormon and is currently in Jacob! She finds peace in it whenever she's depressed, stressed or angry. It was amazing to hear, and I could even see a difference in her countenance as we taught her this time. 

It was a great reminder that I have little to do with someone's conversion--in the end, its the power of the Holy Spirit that they choose to let into their hearts. My role is so insignificant. And yet, I think of if we had just passed her by back when we first met her, and hadn't invited her to learn more! God trusts me so much, sometimes I think too much considering how many times I've passed someone by! A good reminder to not let that happen.

I love you all, stay awesome--and read the Book of Mormon!

Sister Fluegel 

Pictures 1-2&4: Zone Conference! Saw Sister Bustillos again finally!! She's an STL now

Picture 3: Remember Amanda who was baptized? She and Brady are getting married nest month!!!: 

Walk the Walk :) Monday September 4th 2017

Well, it finally happened, folks. My new companion is from Utah! 

Sister Hardy grew up in Ephraim, UT and was also in the MTC with me! She loves sports and books :) We've had a crazy-packed week full of teaching, finding and moving her in! I must say it's been a busier week in Sikeston than it has been in a while, and the busier we are the happier I am!

One lesson we had was with a woman who requested a Book of Mormon off of a Facebook ad! She was super sweet, her husband though was little crazy, haha. He asked us to call a family member that was struggling and pray for her, which we promised to do, but he couldn't wait! So right in the middle of us teaching he handed me his phone which was already dialing! Haha so we stopped for a moment and prayed over the phone with his daughter-in-law, who was a little confused too. Good times.

I've been reading a Conference talk daily, and this past week there were a lot of similar themes. One, called "Whatsoever He Saith Unto You, Do It" by Elder Clayton talks about the first miracle Jesus ever performed: turning water into wine. He compares us to the servants, who Jesus commanded to fill waterpots with water and pass to others. Elder Clayton points out: Did the obedience of the servants fix the lack of wine at the party? No!

A zone leader in my last district made a similar remark about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Though he had all power, he directed his servants to "remove the stone" before he performed his miracle, "Lazarus, come forth!" 

Did the servants removing the stone raise Lazarus from the dead? No! 

We as followers of Jesus Christ often forget his vital role. Yes, I'm out teaching people how to come unto Christ and be perfected in Him, but I can't *make* them "come forth," much less "raise them from the dead" as Jesus can. My role is to fill the waterpot, or remove the stone. Simple but diligent acts of obedience that give others access to Christ's miraculous love. 

 As Nephi puts it:

"And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. Nevertheless I went forth"

The Lord promises to direct our paths, but for him to do that, we have to walk!

Love you all <3

Sister Fluegel 

Picture 1: Sister Hardy and I!

Picture 2: driving through The Middle of Nowhere, MO <3

 

 

 

Walk With Him, Monday August 28th 2017

Hello Everybody!

Another great week in Sikeston, and last night Sister Mayne and I found out we will at last be parted! She's headed for who knows where, I'm staying here in Sikeston with a new companion to join me tomorrow :) I'm really excited new experiences and adventure! Something about a new transfer makes the work pick up speed!

This week we've made a lot of good strides and gotten back in contact with a lot of investigators we used to teach and are still interested! We also got to go on exchanges (see pictures below) and learn from our two wonderful STL's. 

On my own, I've been reading a General Conference talk once a day from this past April, and I read one that really struck my heart. President Eyring in it talks about how we are called to walk with the Savior, which means to do what he does and serve the way he serves. 

I've been pondering for a while the last sentence of Moroni 7, which says, "Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ...that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.."

When I see my Savior again, will I be like Him enough to recognize Him for who He truly is? How do I best follow Him, to be filled with His love and recognize Him?

President Eyring supplied the following scripture that I'm sure I've read many a time, but never hit me the way it did this time:

(Mosiah 5:12-13) 

"I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you.

For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?"

We come to know Him by serving with Him. And, while connecting these two principles together, I felt a warm feeling along with a stronger testimony as to why I'm out here doing what I'm doing. One of the reasons the Lord inspired me to go on a mission was to show me the way to know Him.

I know He lives, that He's there for me, and has perfect love for us all.

<3

Sister Fluegel

Pictures:

1-2: Exchanges!!

 

 

 

We Choose Ourselves! August 22nd 2017

Well hello family and friends!

It's been another great week in the Sikeston area. We've been very blessed to keep finding more and more people who are willing to hear our message. Coming from an area where that was rarely the case, I won't forget what a privilege it is to practice my teaching skills, help others learn more about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and feel the Spirit testify of the truth I say. Teaching is something I've enjoyed even more than I expected, although it can be hard or nerve-wracking at times!

We got to stop for a second and watch the Solar Eclipse! It was pretty close to a full eclipse in Sikeston, though not quite. The crickets and tree frogs freaked out though, haha! Sister Mayne and I had no idea where to get the glasses we needed for it, they were out at the library and we couldn't find any at Walmart. Then suddenly a couple on their way up stopped us where we were weekly planning in McDonald's, and gave us glasses! The woman said, "We know who you are," and talked about how they live down in Texas and had a daughter who went on a mission. They paid for our lunch and thanked us for what we do.

It was such a tender mercy, and reminded me: I'm not alone! One of the many, many things I love about this gospel is that almost wherever you live, you can be part of it. We are a worldwide church, and the same thing that was taught in Sikeston at church this week was taught in Switzerland! 

Another thing that stuck out to me from this week was a scripture we talked about in District Meeting. Often in the scriptures we hear the phrase "Many are called, but few are chosen." We receive the call to act--to go to church, to be baptized, to go on a mission, to read our scriptures--but not everyone is "chosen." I don't think I entirely understood why until I studied this:

D&C 121

33 How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints.

34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—

36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

We choose ourselves! When we act on the call, and act in righteousness, we are chosen. I know that's true--I know anything is possible as we follow and trust in God. 

I love you all! I didn't take any pictures like a dummy, I'll do better next week!

Sister Fluegel 

Monday August 14th 2017

Hello folks!

I'm having a grand old time down here in Sikeston MO. August decided to be merciful to us for some reason, so it's been breezy 80s for the past few weeks along with some warm rain. I'm sure you were all wondering about the weather here, haha.

The work here is going . . . but not always in one direction, haha. At times there are a few huge leaps forward, and then other times many little steps backward when it comes to finding, teaching, and helping people change their lives. This week we've had many awesome days, and many not-awesome days. 

One of the best parts of the week was meeting with Hailey, who is 17 and was baptized last November. We've been teaching her mother Joelle, and since Hailey returned home she's ran into us a couple times and this week agreed to meet with us! it's been many months since she went to church. We talked, laughed, ate ice cream, and she opened up about everything. We're teaching her later today as well! Sister Mayne and I are really hopeful that we can help them progress--and be a happy family together. Its possible, even in the worst of circumstances, when we live the gospel!

Thanks to everyone who sends me emails, letters, and well-wishes. I've been very blessed <3

Sister Fluegel 

Picture 1 Can't beat the Midwest!

Pictures 2-3 Our favorite family, the Greers, made us a blue pie!!

 

 

 

Bondage and Deliverance ;) Monday August 7th

It's been a long, good week over here in Sikeston, MO. Sister Mayne and I are seeing the work move forward in unexpected ways! There's a lot of people here searching for truth, and as I've come closer and closer to my Savior Jesus Christ, I want even more to help others to find Him. 

How we find Jesus Christ depends on the person. As Amanda Lucas (soon to be Amanda Johnson!!) once said, we all come to a knowledge of the truth according to our choices and the Lord's timing. I add my own testimony, that everyone has been given unique circumstances and trials through which to live according to 1) their choices and 2) God's plan for them. 

We learned this week that for Andrew, a man we've talked to over the phone for a while now but never met, that means the trial of a disapproving family. He opened up to us about growing up a Jehovah's Witness but since searching for something more--which his family is currently shunning him for. If he chooses to follow the truth he's learned through reading the Book of Mormon--that it's the word of God, and God's church is again on the earth!--they will permanently shut him out.

Trials such as his, weaknesses, burdens, addictions, and so on are in some way part of all our lives. That's not on accident. They can make life seem too hard, or unconquerable--and they would be, without Jesus Christ. 

Mosiah 7:33 teaches: "But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage."

In both the Bible and the Book of Mormon the people of God fall into bondage, sometimes because of their bad choices and sometimes simply because God allowed it. Trusting in an average human's "will and pleasure" to help us wouldn't be a very comforting idea. But upon reading this verse recently I remembered what my Father in Heaven's "will and pleasure" is: "To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

When we place our trust in God, we will still face challenges and all forms of "bondage"--but we will have the comfort of knowing His purposes. And that's to bring about our lasting growth and happiness.

What an amazing, comforting message to be sharing every day! I'm truly blessed.

LOVE YOU!!

Sister Fluegel 

Picture #1: At the farmer's market!

Picture #2: The Sikeston area's vehicle got upgraded

Picture #3: Sister Mayne's lovely mother sent us custom-made mission T-shirts!!! So cute!

Picture #4: These guys are everywhere right now--apparently because this coming week is "Rodeo Week" here in Sikeston. Supposed to be crazy!