Monte Sano

Hey!!!

I have been transferred to Monte Sanos. It is near Huntsville, and I can hardly even pronounce it, but I think I am going to love it! My companion is Sister Nokes, and she also seems fabulous. 

My address is:

215 B Goldsmith St. SE Huntsville, AL 35801

And you can mail any letters, and tell anyone to send letters to this. Love you all!!!

~Sister Pratt

Conversion, Transfers and Zone Conference

Hey Everyone!!!

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving filled with plenty of food, plenty of football and a bunch of things to be grateful for. :) I am slightly jealous of your pumpkin pie dinner. :) It sounds fabulous, although it makes me feel super healthy with my pancake dinner. 

This week has been an absolutely incredible week in so many ways. I have much to be thankful for, and much to tell you. :) 

On Tuesday and Thursday we taught the Bells the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity, and they both were incredible. Ms. Bell said that she doesn't really like coffee (Mom, I've been waiting for someone like you. I seriously thought you were the only one on the entire planet who didn't have to get over Word of Wisdom issues.), and they hardly ever drink tea (UNHEARD OF in the South… and she is from Georgia!!!), so it wouldn't be a problem. :) I was amazed beyond belief. They threw their tea and coffee creamer out as we walked out the door.

For the Chastity lesson, Ms. Bell was super nervous, and I could tell she was bracing herself for all sorts of awkwardness, but I don't think it was that bad. We told the 7 year old not to kiss and then sent her in the next room. Just was we got started the 14 year old (Kionee) said, "Can I say something?" we looked at each other, braced for awkwardness and said "Sure." She said, "You know. I think some people just should not have kids. You can just tell because they look bad together, they should just not have kids because their kids will be really ugly." It was pretty much the awesomest icebreaker ever, terrible to try to build off of, but it broke the ice really quickly.

It has been really nice to teach someone who is converted. I don't have to worry about saying the wrong thing, or offending them. Ms. Bell was sick on Sunday, so the Elders came over to give her a blessing. After the blessing, I tried to testify about the power of the blessing, and she just said, "I know," and it was 20 times more powerful than anything I could have ever said. A few minutes ago, she didn't even know what a blessing was, now she has a powerful testimony of that. I have no idea what happened to give her that strength, but it truly is beautiful to see someone that converted. 

We had an incredible Zone Conference on Wednesday. Absolutely incredible. I've been focusing on bringing questions to meetings so that I can receive specific revelation. Last week was a rough week, and I ended up just going to the Lord and saying, "Zone Conference is coming up, I need to have a question, but honestly, can you just fix this? Please, just fix it." I wasn't even sure what "it" is, but he fixed it. Every single question and/or problem that I had was addressed. I came to the meeting feeling rather worn, but I left the meeting feeling spiritually rejuvenated and ready to get to work. We ended up teaching 5 lessons in the four hours we had after zone conference, and most of them were not planned. It was just beautiful. 

And finally- I'M GETTING TRANSFERRED!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D Yes. I am a little bit excited, possibly a bit nervous, but mostly thrilled out of my mind. Vestavia has been a great area, I've learned a lot and I've loved a lot. I'll also really really really miss my dear companion, Sister McDougal (who is pretty much the most fantastic person ever), but I was ready for a change last transfer. This transfer I'd pretty much given up on ever getting transferred, and I was sure the Lord was just going to keep me here for eternity (I've been here 1/3 of my mission…), but once I heard I was getting transferred, I got really excited. It should be a great transfer. I'm excited to work in an new area, with new people and hopefully I'll have an absolute blast.

I won't find out where I am going until Wednesday, so I'll probably email you then (unless President has changed that policy), and I'll tell you where you can send anything that you want to send (I'm sure you've gotten the emails on packages and letters during the holiday season). 

So Dad, the Elders were actually planning on doing the same thing this Thanksgiving. We weren't invited to anyone's house, so they just decided to team up with some other missionaries for a nice dinner. When our ward mission leader heard about that, he announced in PEC, Relief Society (and I'm sure Elder's Quorum) that we didn't have a place to eat. Some very generous and kind people quickly offered to have us over, so my companion will have a place to eat. No idea what will happen with me, but hey! It will be an adventure finding out! :)

Well, I love you all. Thank you for everything you do to support me. You are the best family ever :) even if, and perhaps especially because, you eat pumpkin pie for dinner.

Love always,

~Sister Pratt

p.s. Due to recent events, stories we've heard and a concern for our families, Sister McDougal and I have decided not to get involved in any tornadoes, typhoons, illegal activities, hurricanes or any other sort of dangerous or life-threatening activity. Just so you know. :) We're just not going to die. Its officially decided.

The Bell Family

Hey!!

How are you? It was so good to hear from everyone! Last night I had a dream that the First Presidency changed the mission policy and allowed all of the missionaries to go home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. For some odd reason when I got home, everyone had digressed in age- Miranda was in Jr. High, Jenessa was in elementary school, Steven was a baby, and Julia was back in her "pigtails that Look like Boo and HUGE blue eyes that could melt the stiffest heart" stage. She looked adorable. :) Miranda kept getting after me because I would say "Oh! You are growing up so quickly!" and she said I should say, "Oh! You have grown up so quickly!" I guess my brain just can't quite fathom the idea that you are getting so much older. Miranda was also a fabulous piano player. I had Julia hanging on one arm, and I was holding Steven with the other arm, while Sabrina made cookies and Wesley ran around in circles. :) It was a great dream. I miss you all terribly, and your emails meant a lot to me. Thank you. 

So, Today I would like to brag really quickly about my Grandparents. They are some of the awesomest people ever, and I love them to pieces. This past week I was reading from Elder Ballard's general conference talk "Put your Trust in the Lord," and I read the part where says:

"We are not asking everyone to do everything. We are simply asking all members to pray, knowing that if every member, young and old, will reach out to just “one” between now and Christmas, millions will feel the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. And what a wonderful gift to the Savior."

(Sorry, email won't let me format this correctly... :P My English major is dying. But...)  As I read that I thought, "Oh! I wish everyone in my ward would take this challenge seriously!!" Then I felt slightly guilty and thought, "I wonder if my own family is even trying this..." 

Well. Today I got on my email, and Grandma Pratt had emailed me the awesomest story about her and Grandpa doing missionary work. She said they prayed and asked the Lord what to do, they made friends with people and they shared the gospel. Now I can proudly say that, yes, my Grandparents are following the counsel (/command) of our Apostle! You'll have to ask them for the full story; it was absolutely fabulous. And it made my day. They are kindof the greatest people ever; a true testament to Elder Ballard's promise, and I am so grateful for them. 

This past week was pretty fantastic. Sorry this letter is so long, I guess I had a lot of thoughts. Well, how about a quick, awesome story about the Bell Family. They are a family we've been working with for quite sometime, but now they have a baptismal date!!! In many ways it feels rather surreal. Last month, we really hammered baptism and the importance of reading the Book of Mormon, but they would not commit to baptism, and they never read the Book of Mormon. Finally we decided to switch tactics and start talking about the commandments. We started out with the 10 commandments, and taught from both Exodus and Mosiah. Near the end of the lesson, I told them a brief version of the story of Abinadi. Ms. Bell looked shocked and said, "Really!?!?! I'm gonna have to read this." I was a little worried she was checking to see if it was actually appropriate for her kids to be reading, but I was just happy she agreed to read.

We went back two days later, and she said that she had read. While she read, she said she felt peace, and her daughter agreed to start reading. Two days later, they asked us if they could get baptized, and on Sunday they came to church. During Gospel Principles, we had a neat experience where Ms. Bell testified of the difficulties of joining the church, but concluded by saying, "I'm gonna do it. It might be difficult, but I'm going to go ahead and get baptized." After she finished, a recent convert raised her hand and expressed the difficulties she's had since getting baptized, but then expressed that it was the best decision she's ever made. I don't think even Preach My Gospel could have planned such a perfect moment.

During correlation, our ward mission leaders asked what had made the difference, and we responded in unison, "She actually read the Book of Mormon." Trust the Book of Mormon to make all the difference in an investigator's life. It is the best tool ever.

(p.s. Mom- THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING ME LEARN THE BIBLE AND BOOK OF MORMON STORIES!!! I've been telling stories from the Bible and Book of Mormon a lot lately, and it seems to be a gift that none of my companions seem to have. I know the Bible very well, and they have no idea what the investigator and I are talking about. That knowledge is certainly a blessing. Thank you.) 

This next week should be a pretty interesting week. We have Zone Conference on Wednesday, and transfer calls on Saturday. I have absolutely no idea if I'm staying or going... I've been here for 6 months (which is eons in missionary time) and we are getting another huge batch of missionaries, but after thinking I would get transferred for the last 4 transfers, I'm just not entirely sure. At all. So, we'll see what happens. Also, Fun fact with Zone Conference- I'm supposed to lead the music. Sister Heath (my old piano teacher) always told me to practice the Hymns because when I went on a mission I would have to play the piano. :) This I semi-somewhat diligently did after I got into High School, and I was prepared to play at least a few Hymns. Well, thus far I have used my conducting skills a bunch of times, but I've never played the piano. Every other ward in the mission needs pianists... but ours has a plethora, and I always seem to serve with Elders who know how to play. But no one feels comfortable conducting... Funny tidbit.

Well, I love you all. I hope you have a fantastic week!!

~Sister Pratt

The Lord's Direction and Progressing Investigators

Hey Everyone!!

:) It is great to hear from everyone. Sounds like you are having a busy and fun week.

This week has been an incredible week. We were able to commit 2 1/2 people to baptism, (Our 1/2 has committed to baptism, but not to a date.) and get 6 of our investigators to finally start progressing. Mostly I think Sister McDougal and I got sick of people not progressing, so we got super bold with everyone. Something must have clicked because 6 of our investigators suddenly started progressing.

Saturday we were able to go on exchanges, and it was absolutely fantastic. Sister Isaak is probably one of my favorite people ever, and it was great to spend all day with her. At first it was rather stressful because although our week had been completely full with appointments, we were not able to find any appointments for Saturday. I prayed and prayed that we would be able to find something worthwhile to do during exchanges, and sure enough, the Lord answered my prayers. Appointments just started popping up out of nowhere, and somehow our planner went from completely empty to completely full. It was beautiful.

This week in particular it has been neat to watch the Lord direct our work. We've had several opportunities where we arrived at someone's house just as they needed help. The Lord directed so much of our schedule, and it was beautiful to see that. Last week we were talking with a member about how our schedule, as much as we would like it to be set, is completely unpredictable. She said, "That is because you have signed yourselves up to be tools. Now that you are the Lord's tools, he can do whatever he wants with you, and you have to go and do it." Some weeks it seems like nothing is going well and we aren't receiving any help from Heaven, and some weeks it seems like the Lord decides that it is time to pick us up and direct us. I am so grateful when the Lord gives us weeks where everything goes well, where people start progressing, and where I feel like I am a true tool in his hand.

As for the holidays, I have been given absolutely no advice. I've been here for 4 transfers, so part of me says I'm going somewhere else this next transfer. The rest of me says that I'm going to be here the rest of my mission... I guess I'll just have to email you when I find out, but either way, transfers are the day before Thanksgiving. Super awkward.

I'm not entirely sure where we will go (as far as members homes) for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I'm really not entirely sure who I would ask. Missionary work is ridiculously awkward, especially when it comes to working with members. I always feel like I am asking them to do things that are super out of their way. Either that, or I'm inviting myself over to their house... which is super awkward. *Sigh* Oh well. Our ward mission leader decided on Sunday that he was going to put together a dinner calendar, so hopefully that will help us get into their homes without intruding or inviting ourselves. And hopefully we'll be able to figure something out for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Well, I love you all! Hope you have a fantastic week. :) Enjoy your candy. Stay Steadfast in Christ!

~Sister Pratt

p.s. The following are pictures from Halloween or the evening before. We had a great ward party.

Four Questions

Hey Everyone!!

Sounds like you had a great time on Halloween! :D Was Julia Minnie Mouse? Steven, you are SO lucky!!! Mom and Dad wouldn't let me dress up as anything scary until after I left the house!! I had to be a friendly witch for Halloween, and let me tell you, nothing is more embarrassing to a 13 year old than being a friendly witch rather than a scary witch.

CONGRATS TO THE SALEM HILLS MARCHING BAND!!! :D :D :D That is fantastic. Sabrina, if there is ever proof that it is possible to move out of a pigeon hole, that is proof. (p.s. About that- sorry. That really stinks, and it takes someone of super strong character to be able to deal with sitting on a bench. I'm proud of the soccer player you've become, and given time, you might be able to prove yourself despite previous years. I hope you are able to be a player of great character as well as great moves.)

Jenessa- how was the date!??!! Who did you take? Did you ask, or did they ask? How was the movie? :) I'm pretty sure you were grateful Mom and Dad didn't crash your date as well. That is pretty funny.

Julia- wow, you sound incredible. :) Congrats on the Basketball team, I hope you are able to move practices. You are such a great girl! And Enjoy going to the temple as often as you possibly can. It is a wonderful experience. 

In answer to Dad’s questions. 

How has my week gone? Well… It has been up and down. We had an incredible day on Tuesday, and we were able to teach 9 lessons… that is about ½ of the standard of excellence. We were out for 8 hours (including meal breaks) and we cannot figure out how in the world we taught 8 lessons. One of the people we ran into was a  woman who had been investigating the church for quite some time, but then she moved and was unable to continue the lessons. She knows it is true, and she wants to get baptized, but she is living in Ohio. She just came down for the weekend, but we were able to give her a mormon.org card and tell her how to find the missionaries in her area. It was neat to see how the Lord was aware of her situation, and he was able to send the missionaries back into her life. I really hope the missionaries in Ohio enjoy her.

Did I feel the Spirit this week? Yep. I can certainly say I felt it this week. Missionary work is kind of hard because everyone places such a huge emphasis on feeling the Spirit, and how you need to follow it, and everything. And it is super important, but it is also super hard to concentrate on. When you are a missionary, you are almost constantly feeling the Spirit, and constantly being directed, so most of the time you don’t feel like you are, you just are. Often times you realize it afterwards, but usually not in the moment.  If that makes any sense… But, this week I had a moment when there was no question, I was feeling the Spirit.During Relief Society, a sister sang the song, "Walk Tall You're a Daughter of God." It was really a very simple performance, she sings about as well as I do, but it was one of the most powerful musical numbers I have ever experienced. The Spirit completely filled the room. It was like a sweet, warm blanket that descended during the chorus. I completely missed the second and third verse. It  beautiful and very powerful.

Also, Scripture study has been incredible this week.

What was the deepest thought I contemplated? Well… I read the King Follet Sermon this week. :) LoL- I’m not sure if that is cheating, but when you read that puppy, you have no choice to think deeply. It was a fascinating read.

I was reading the Book of Mormon about Lehi’s journey in the wilderness, and I realized just how long they spend in the valley of Lemuel. They travel to the valley of Lemuel, and then Lehi lectures Laman and Lemuel about being righteous, then the Lord speaks to Nephi. After the Lord is done speaking to Nephi, they go back and get the plates from Laban (which is  a pretty substantial journey) and then they read them. They go back to Jerusalem to get their wives, Lehi has a vision of the tree of life, tells his family about it, and then Nephi has a more extended vision, and expounds the things of God to Laman and Lemuel.  Then, after all of this happens, Lehi receives the Liahona and they leave the valley of Lemuel. After about 17 chapters. When I was reading this, I realized just how long Lehi’s family dwelt in that valley, and just how much happened there. Lehi's family must have experienced moments of confusion- they were here to go on a journey, to move away from Jerusalem, travel through the wilderness and enter the promised land, but instead the Lord had them camping out in a valley for a very long time. As I thought about everything that happened in that valley, I realized that it formed the foundation of the rest of their journey. 

Also, as I was reading about Nephi getting the plates, I pondered the part where Nephi talks to the Spirit, "I said in my heart: Never at any time have I shed the blood of man. And I shrunk and would that I might not slay him." He had never shed the blood of any man, this was his first experience with warfare. I'm willing to bet that Nephi and never even thought of killing some one. In his comfortable home in Jerusalem, he probably would have grown up to be a teacher, or a stone mason, or some sort of metal worker, but probably not a warrior. Later on Jacob writes, "The people having loved Nephi exceedingly, he having been a great protector for them, having wielded the sword of Laban in their defence, and having labored in all his days for their welfare—". Although Nephi had never killed anyone, the Lord knew that Nephi needed to have that experience because someday he would need to be a mighty warrior for his people. It was hard, especially on a tender soul, but the Lord was preparing him for greater things than Nephi had ever thought of. I am so grateful for a God who so tenderly teaches us what to do. The Lord could have easily told Nephi, "You need to kill this person because I said so. Can't you  just trust me? Do it." Or Nephi's first experience with warfare could have been the time when the Lamanites were coming to kill his people. Instead, the Lord spends the time early on to teach Nephi when it is appropriate for a man to die, allows Nephi the opportunity to settle it in his own mind, and then helps him to obey the commands of the Spirit. It struck me as quite a tender moment, (although I've always thought it was rather gorey) ,and I am very grateful that the Lord takes the time to teach us and prepare us.

Who did I touch? Misty Beasley. She is a recent convert that we have been working a lot with. She’s been on a roller coaster this entire year, but right now she is on one of her up moments. The other day we were able to talk about  making our weaknesses become strengths  and helping her move from “Old Misty” to “New Misty.” :) On Sunday she came up and told us that she can see the difference that the church has made in her life. It was a tender moment.

Whew! Thank you Dad! :) Those questions really helped out. I had no idea what to write, because this week has just been "same old, same old" and sometimes it feels like nothing is happening, nothing is changing, and there isn't anything to share. Turns out there was. Thank you!

Well, I hope you all have a fantastic week!!! I love you all!

Love,

~Sister Pratt