Dearest Pratt Family,
I have been so blessed and have felt your sweet prayers that have been on my behalf. You know that peaceful feeling in the temple, Heavenly Father's love? I felt that this week. I have been humbled by mom and dads testimony. It has been awhile since I really listened to each of you and your inspired words and counsel to me. Thank you so much!
As it has been very difficult not thinking about me and just serving our Lord, I have been truly humbled and still am in the process.
Sister Martin and I were in a lesson with C and her mother on Thursday. This family needs the gospel! I don't know really how to help them for this is only the second time meeting with C. Please pray for her and her family!
Blessings do come! And sincere prayers are answered!
On Friday the Parley 2nd Ward has a little dinner thing and we went to it! Guess who I met?!!?! Elder Barkers mom!!!! He was a super sweet Elder I met in the MTC!!!! In passing from meals we always saw each other and his family is in my area!!!! His mom was so excited we took a picture!!! (I have an MTC picture of us on our way from the Provo Temple with Sister Hansen, Walgreen, Hill, Elder Barker and his companion! Look for it!)
Sunday was just like wow! Humbling and the normal tender mercies like usual. Sister Martin and I had PEC and other Bishop and Ward Mission Leader Meetings all morning into the afternoon. We were only able to attend the Parley 5th Ward because we were speaking in Sacrament! We spoke on Prayer! Ha. Funny huh?!!?! We went to dinner and it was a special spirit that the Duane Family had! Brother Duane gave me a blessing. Can I say priesthood blessings are inspired by Heavenly Father?!!?! They are! Also patriarchal blessings too! I read mine this morning and joy and love came to me. I read about the atonement in Mosiah 14 and 15. I just 'turned to it' for personal study!!!! He knows us. Love you all!
Ps. Have an amazing time together as a family!!! Big hugs to you all and Little Liam!!!
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Personal Revelation- Sweet Hour of Prayer
Dearest Pratt Family,
On Wednesday we had Zone Conference and the power of the spirit is so strong. I received two revelations for myself and our area...role playing is so important! Be obedient and go out and serve. Use the atonement. He is there to help us. President Winn came right in front of me and said that all of us missionaries saw this happen too.
This week has been pretty good. Slow but I'm still smiling and getting through my days. I told one of our less actives, A, my mom says when you start to give up say a prayer. He will help. Thanks mom because it's true!
This morning I read Preach My Gospel Chapter 6 Humility and then read Mosiah 4:11 and then the whole chapter! We are weak unworthy creatures!!! So we need to rely on the atonement! He is there! Never far from us! Our prayers were answered with S's mom getting out of the way and have a lesson tonight and hope to put her on date for baptism!!
Please pray for S, G, and C. This week is my goal to hit the Dry SOE (Standard of Excellence) but without a baptism....so it's dry!
0 Baptism
0 Confirmation
3 on date
5 at church
8 lessons with a member present
3 new investigators
I know with prayers, planning right and faith Sister Martin and I can get through this week! I love you all so very much!
Love your daughter and little sister,
Sister Sarah Jane Pratt
On Wednesday we had Zone Conference and the power of the spirit is so strong. I received two revelations for myself and our area...role playing is so important! Be obedient and go out and serve. Use the atonement. He is there to help us. President Winn came right in front of me and said that all of us missionaries saw this happen too.
This week has been pretty good. Slow but I'm still smiling and getting through my days. I told one of our less actives, A, my mom says when you start to give up say a prayer. He will help. Thanks mom because it's true!
This morning I read Preach My Gospel Chapter 6 Humility and then read Mosiah 4:11 and then the whole chapter! We are weak unworthy creatures!!! So we need to rely on the atonement! He is there! Never far from us! Our prayers were answered with S's mom getting out of the way and have a lesson tonight and hope to put her on date for baptism!!
Please pray for S, G, and C. This week is my goal to hit the Dry SOE (Standard of Excellence) but without a baptism....so it's dry!
0 Baptism
0 Confirmation
3 on date
5 at church
8 lessons with a member present
3 new investigators
I know with prayers, planning right and faith Sister Martin and I can get through this week! I love you all so very much!
Love your daughter and little sister,
Sister Sarah Jane Pratt
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Questions to a humble prayer are answered.
Dearest Pratt Family!
I don't know where to start this week. But I know that it has been filled with the spirit! Looking forward to Conference, so so happy! We had a lesson on Thursday with D and it was a tender mercy. He felt the spirit and I thought of Dad and our tender talks about life in the kitchen or outside on a Sunday afternoon. Please pray for him. He is searching and has found it. He is homeless and needs prayers.
Sister Martin and I had Parleys Stake Correlation and I felt at 'home' (I was comfortable with the Ward Mission Leader) and I basically told them.....'umm brethren this is how it should be! I know I'm new to the area but I know (thanks to amazing leadership in Woods Cross) a better way for the members to do missionary work and how we can help this stake', nothing has happened for quite some months and we were able to receive like 14 referrals that day!!! Blessings!
Friday we had our apartment checked and the sweet older sister said, 'Oh from the looks I don't even need to look over anything.' Yep we are so super clean! I feel so happy when I have a clean desk, table and room! It's the simple joys when you are on a mission I guess! Ha. We had Zone meeting and that was just what we needed. We need our faith to have miracles happen in the SLC Zone! Please pray that Sister Martin and I may see miracles. We have non one on date for Baptism again this week....there has to be someone out there who is ready for the gospel, right?!!?!
Stopping by less actives and referrals it made Friday a long day and when I received your letters and also the Wilkins I had the energy to continue on! (Plus the chocolate the Woodruff's sent to me!) Thank you for the encouraging words, I need to have the courage! So Sister Martin and I went out and by the time we came back home 9:15ish I went to unlock the door and was like Woe?! Who heart attacked us????!!?!??!!? Then Sister Martin read Liam. SHUT UP!!!!! All I could do was laugh and cry! Jones Family, I love you! It was not just for me but for Sister Martin! She felt your love and I'm grateful you included her! She needed a little extra family love! It was inspired! A long day with blessings and hearts!
Oh Conference, with our mission your last transfer on your mission you get tickets, we didn't even think about this being Sister Martin's!!! We had amazing seats for the first session! My first time to see the Prophet! My heart was and is full! I had to tell myself this is real! It seemed so fake, but I know the spirit doesn't lie! Ha. This is my letter I wrote to President Winn today!
Dear President Winn,
This transfer Sister Martin and I are hoping to have more faith! What a blessing it was to be able to attend General Conference for the first time! As Sister Martin and I were going through the week we did a little packet that was for the primary children....we wrote down our questions we had and then prayed in faith that our questions would be answered at Conference. And they were answered in every talk! I feel so blessed to know that I am loved by a Heavenly Father, I am accepted by Him! How can we come closer to our Heavenly Father? Living the gospel, keeping the commandments, having a Christ centered home! Just come and see! Just having the belief is enough for us to have the faith to endure to the end! As we turn away from ourselves and rely on our Savior we will be able to be the answer to someone's prayers! Have the Faith to baptize. These blessings will come!
I'm grateful for my own family and what they have taught me in a Christ centered home! I have the love of the gospel and now it's my time to share it to our Heavenly Fathers children here in SLC!! I need to love them! Don't judge, they are able to change! They too need to feel loved by someone. I'm excited to be that missionary to help whether it be a less active member, non member or even a member that needs the tender words of this amazing Restored Gospel!
General Conference gave me that extra faith to serve Him more by serving His children! I love this super awesome plan, the Plan of Salvation! As we have the big goal in mind, eternal life, we will one day return to him! So I will continue to face these trials with good cheer, with a bright smile and share the joy that I feel of my Heavenly Father!
Love, Sister Pratt
I learned so much and at the very last session that we went to, when President Monson came in, all I could do was smile! He is called of God and this is His Church! I'm grateful to have it in my life and to be sharing it to others! Being with the two less active sisters in the last session, I told them to think of a question and pray that it will be answered....they thanked me for saying that. The spirit was so strong. I know I'm to be here in SLC. It's still hard to say that, but I know as we work with the members it will come together and this will be home! I love you all so much! I'm happy you were able to go to General Conference! What stood out to you? How can you apply that into your daily life? He will help you, He loves you! Be of good cheer! Blessings will come!
With all my love, your daughter and little sister,
Sister Sarah Jane Pratt
I don't know where to start this week. But I know that it has been filled with the spirit! Looking forward to Conference, so so happy! We had a lesson on Thursday with D and it was a tender mercy. He felt the spirit and I thought of Dad and our tender talks about life in the kitchen or outside on a Sunday afternoon. Please pray for him. He is searching and has found it. He is homeless and needs prayers.
Sister Martin and I had Parleys Stake Correlation and I felt at 'home' (I was comfortable with the Ward Mission Leader) and I basically told them.....'umm brethren this is how it should be! I know I'm new to the area but I know (thanks to amazing leadership in Woods Cross) a better way for the members to do missionary work and how we can help this stake', nothing has happened for quite some months and we were able to receive like 14 referrals that day!!! Blessings!
Friday we had our apartment checked and the sweet older sister said, 'Oh from the looks I don't even need to look over anything.' Yep we are so super clean! I feel so happy when I have a clean desk, table and room! It's the simple joys when you are on a mission I guess! Ha. We had Zone meeting and that was just what we needed. We need our faith to have miracles happen in the SLC Zone! Please pray that Sister Martin and I may see miracles. We have non one on date for Baptism again this week....there has to be someone out there who is ready for the gospel, right?!!?!
Stopping by less actives and referrals it made Friday a long day and when I received your letters and also the Wilkins I had the energy to continue on! (Plus the chocolate the Woodruff's sent to me!) Thank you for the encouraging words, I need to have the courage! So Sister Martin and I went out and by the time we came back home 9:15ish I went to unlock the door and was like Woe?! Who heart attacked us????!!?!??!!? Then Sister Martin read Liam. SHUT UP!!!!! All I could do was laugh and cry! Jones Family, I love you! It was not just for me but for Sister Martin! She felt your love and I'm grateful you included her! She needed a little extra family love! It was inspired! A long day with blessings and hearts!
Oh Conference, with our mission your last transfer on your mission you get tickets, we didn't even think about this being Sister Martin's!!! We had amazing seats for the first session! My first time to see the Prophet! My heart was and is full! I had to tell myself this is real! It seemed so fake, but I know the spirit doesn't lie! Ha. This is my letter I wrote to President Winn today!
Dear President Winn,
This transfer Sister Martin and I are hoping to have more faith! What a blessing it was to be able to attend General Conference for the first time! As Sister Martin and I were going through the week we did a little packet that was for the primary children....we wrote down our questions we had and then prayed in faith that our questions would be answered at Conference. And they were answered in every talk! I feel so blessed to know that I am loved by a Heavenly Father, I am accepted by Him! How can we come closer to our Heavenly Father? Living the gospel, keeping the commandments, having a Christ centered home! Just come and see! Just having the belief is enough for us to have the faith to endure to the end! As we turn away from ourselves and rely on our Savior we will be able to be the answer to someone's prayers! Have the Faith to baptize. These blessings will come!
I'm grateful for my own family and what they have taught me in a Christ centered home! I have the love of the gospel and now it's my time to share it to our Heavenly Fathers children here in SLC!! I need to love them! Don't judge, they are able to change! They too need to feel loved by someone. I'm excited to be that missionary to help whether it be a less active member, non member or even a member that needs the tender words of this amazing Restored Gospel!
General Conference gave me that extra faith to serve Him more by serving His children! I love this super awesome plan, the Plan of Salvation! As we have the big goal in mind, eternal life, we will one day return to him! So I will continue to face these trials with good cheer, with a bright smile and share the joy that I feel of my Heavenly Father!
Love, Sister Pratt
I learned so much and at the very last session that we went to, when President Monson came in, all I could do was smile! He is called of God and this is His Church! I'm grateful to have it in my life and to be sharing it to others! Being with the two less active sisters in the last session, I told them to think of a question and pray that it will be answered....they thanked me for saying that. The spirit was so strong. I know I'm to be here in SLC. It's still hard to say that, but I know as we work with the members it will come together and this will be home! I love you all so much! I'm happy you were able to go to General Conference! What stood out to you? How can you apply that into your daily life? He will help you, He loves you! Be of good cheer! Blessings will come!
With all my love, your daughter and little sister,
Sister Sarah Jane Pratt
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Transfers, Salt Lake City, UT - Sister Martin
Dearest Pratt Family,
From the start of last week I knew I would be transferred. Saying goodbyes you know are not easy for me but I know I will be able to keep in touch with the members and the people in Woods Cross. But the memories are so clear in my mind from the first step when I entered into Heather's home with Sister Yates the sweet spirit of a missionary was so real, to the lessons and seeing investigators progress to not keeping commitments to using the atonement of Jesus Christ and being baptized!
I feel so blessed. What more can I say?!!?! Sister Adams was a shock to my system but we worked well together and our District was the best!!!! I will miss all of them, we were such an odd group but we all got along so well! Best Friends! They each helped me stretch more which I didn't like but I know what I can do with faith and the Lords help! Knowing that I have talents and gifts is hard at times to share them. But transfer meeting was just super awesome on Wednesday!
President Winn said, "It will be hard. But growth comes through trials and experience." That has been this week. Sister Martin is a trial missionary....She is out for only three months and so she has only been out for five weeks and I'm finishing up her 12 weeks program that all new missionaries go through. So President Winn I think is prepping me for training.....! NO! She knows the area and I'm driving and traffic is so super crae, crae! But Sister Martin has an amazing conversion story and it's so personal. We are what each other needs right now. I don't know these people here is Salt Lake City. They are for sure the outdoors biking in the mountains, skiing, wealthy..or what I call, Recreational Weekend members BUT, I have met with Leadership and we are going to work with them really well!!! Also I have a feeling we will be working with Less Active members more but I'm still praying for a baptism this transfer! I want Sister Martin to know what it feels like! That warm fuzzy that you get inside seeing someone you helped teach come closer to Jesus Christ, it's a special moment!
Sunday was just tender to my heart knowing that I have felt like Mary when she saw the tomb empty...she felt alone and in need for comfort. Why weepest thou? And yet the whole time it was HIM, our Savior Jesus Christ right behind her talking to her. He is not far from us. Every moment, Every word, Every pain. It was for me! For you! For each of us!!! How grateful I am to be His servant. To learn and grow, to come closer to HIM! Ether 12:27, as we come closer to Him he will show our weaknesses because it is only through trials that we can become better and use the atonement! He loves each of us! I'm excited for conference! And love you each so much! Keep smiling and sharing your love to others!
Love your daughter and little sister,
Sister Sarah Jane Pratt
Ps. I'm writing you all a letter today!!!!!!! I promise!!!! I can't thank you all enough for your love and sweet spirit in your emails, James.....thank you! I needed that along with Anna-Marie's! Carrie, your letter was just perfect! Track will be awesome this year! AP's are just always great with Mom's, tender mercies of the Lord flow to you! Dad's too when he writes! ;)
.BMP)
Sister Pratt & Sister Martin
From the start of last week I knew I would be transferred. Saying goodbyes you know are not easy for me but I know I will be able to keep in touch with the members and the people in Woods Cross. But the memories are so clear in my mind from the first step when I entered into Heather's home with Sister Yates the sweet spirit of a missionary was so real, to the lessons and seeing investigators progress to not keeping commitments to using the atonement of Jesus Christ and being baptized!
I feel so blessed. What more can I say?!!?! Sister Adams was a shock to my system but we worked well together and our District was the best!!!! I will miss all of them, we were such an odd group but we all got along so well! Best Friends! They each helped me stretch more which I didn't like but I know what I can do with faith and the Lords help! Knowing that I have talents and gifts is hard at times to share them. But transfer meeting was just super awesome on Wednesday!
President Winn said, "It will be hard. But growth comes through trials and experience." That has been this week. Sister Martin is a trial missionary....She is out for only three months and so she has only been out for five weeks and I'm finishing up her 12 weeks program that all new missionaries go through. So President Winn I think is prepping me for training.....! NO! She knows the area and I'm driving and traffic is so super crae, crae! But Sister Martin has an amazing conversion story and it's so personal. We are what each other needs right now. I don't know these people here is Salt Lake City. They are for sure the outdoors biking in the mountains, skiing, wealthy..or what I call, Recreational Weekend members BUT, I have met with Leadership and we are going to work with them really well!!! Also I have a feeling we will be working with Less Active members more but I'm still praying for a baptism this transfer! I want Sister Martin to know what it feels like! That warm fuzzy that you get inside seeing someone you helped teach come closer to Jesus Christ, it's a special moment!
Sunday was just tender to my heart knowing that I have felt like Mary when she saw the tomb empty...she felt alone and in need for comfort. Why weepest thou? And yet the whole time it was HIM, our Savior Jesus Christ right behind her talking to her. He is not far from us. Every moment, Every word, Every pain. It was for me! For you! For each of us!!! How grateful I am to be His servant. To learn and grow, to come closer to HIM! Ether 12:27, as we come closer to Him he will show our weaknesses because it is only through trials that we can become better and use the atonement! He loves each of us! I'm excited for conference! And love you each so much! Keep smiling and sharing your love to others!
Love your daughter and little sister,
Sister Sarah Jane Pratt
Ps. I'm writing you all a letter today!!!!!!! I promise!!!! I can't thank you all enough for your love and sweet spirit in your emails, James.....thank you! I needed that along with Anna-Marie's! Carrie, your letter was just perfect! Track will be awesome this year! AP's are just always great with Mom's, tender mercies of the Lord flow to you! Dad's too when he writes! ;)
Sister Pratt & Sister Martin
Monday, March 25, 2013
He answers our Prayers!
Dearest Pratt Family,
I'm so sorry I took so much time telling you about Kiana's Baptism that I didn't even tell you about President Winn's interview! He said just what I needed and I'm trying my best to serve His children here in Woods Cross but I'm pretty sure my time is done....He told me I'll be senior companion and Sister Adams is training. I'm being Transferred. So bitter sweet. But I'm not going to dwell on it. I had an amazing study on Saturday morning and a feeling of, I did what I was to do, I answered the call for those children who were baptized. Helped them come closer to Jesus Christ and now President said that I have grown and now I'm able to really be myself. I went from Sister Yates to Sister Adams and they were totally different but I love them both with all my heart! Now to help a sister and the people in another area on Wednesday. I'm going to need lots of prayers these next few days!
On Saturday it was like I closed a file drawer with Pam's baptism. As I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost I felt her love for our Heavenly Father and all that she taught me! And her testimony of Jesus Christ! The Ellswort family will forever be with me! I mean she is from OHIO! But seeing her and Zach (her grandson) in the water...Plus having my sweet Sister Yates and Sister Adams beside me was like nothing I ever felt before. (Sister Yates was able to come! and it was a blessing) I'll have to tell you more about that on Mother's day or I can just write it all to you!!!
Om Sunday was the Woods Cross Stake Conference. We have a new Stake President. The spirit was so strong and I know the work is moving forward in this area. Grandpa Lingard is now President Lingard! My heart filled with a warmth of joy and aww. The blessing their state will have! Then Pam received the Holy Ghost, she said, 'I feel like you Sister Pratt, all bubbly and excited inside!!!' I wanted to cry but had to stay strong with her around!
I feel like Sister Adams and I have grown from each other more than we each know. Heavenly Father knows us! And with Easter right around the corner I invite each of you to reach out to have someone come to Conference. It doesn't have to be all sessions but to one of them. Share a clip about it on FB or email! The Lord will bless you as you do so! Have Faith! Don't worry about your friendship, if you do it in love they will feel the power and still be your friend! I promise! ;) I know that as we talk to those around us the spirit will guide us. Don't worry...I have to keep telling myself that. Heather has been amazing with asking about our baptisms we are having! I totally want to be like her when I return home! She is so sweet and willing to help us have fun as we are here serving the Lord! She is my second companion, really!
With all my love, Your daughter and little sister,
Sister Sarah Jane Pratt
Ps. Happy Birthday Carrie!!! Yesterday was a great day and I thought of you lots!!!
I'm so sorry I took so much time telling you about Kiana's Baptism that I didn't even tell you about President Winn's interview! He said just what I needed and I'm trying my best to serve His children here in Woods Cross but I'm pretty sure my time is done....He told me I'll be senior companion and Sister Adams is training. I'm being Transferred. So bitter sweet. But I'm not going to dwell on it. I had an amazing study on Saturday morning and a feeling of, I did what I was to do, I answered the call for those children who were baptized. Helped them come closer to Jesus Christ and now President said that I have grown and now I'm able to really be myself. I went from Sister Yates to Sister Adams and they were totally different but I love them both with all my heart! Now to help a sister and the people in another area on Wednesday. I'm going to need lots of prayers these next few days!
On Saturday it was like I closed a file drawer with Pam's baptism. As I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost I felt her love for our Heavenly Father and all that she taught me! And her testimony of Jesus Christ! The Ellswort family will forever be with me! I mean she is from OHIO! But seeing her and Zach (her grandson) in the water...Plus having my sweet Sister Yates and Sister Adams beside me was like nothing I ever felt before. (Sister Yates was able to come! and it was a blessing) I'll have to tell you more about that on Mother's day or I can just write it all to you!!!
Om Sunday was the Woods Cross Stake Conference. We have a new Stake President. The spirit was so strong and I know the work is moving forward in this area. Grandpa Lingard is now President Lingard! My heart filled with a warmth of joy and aww. The blessing their state will have! Then Pam received the Holy Ghost, she said, 'I feel like you Sister Pratt, all bubbly and excited inside!!!' I wanted to cry but had to stay strong with her around!
I feel like Sister Adams and I have grown from each other more than we each know. Heavenly Father knows us! And with Easter right around the corner I invite each of you to reach out to have someone come to Conference. It doesn't have to be all sessions but to one of them. Share a clip about it on FB or email! The Lord will bless you as you do so! Have Faith! Don't worry about your friendship, if you do it in love they will feel the power and still be your friend! I promise! ;) I know that as we talk to those around us the spirit will guide us. Don't worry...I have to keep telling myself that. Heather has been amazing with asking about our baptisms we are having! I totally want to be like her when I return home! She is so sweet and willing to help us have fun as we are here serving the Lord! She is my second companion, really!
With all my love, Your daughter and little sister,
Sister Sarah Jane Pratt
Ps. Happy Birthday Carrie!!! Yesterday was a great day and I thought of you lots!!!
Monday, March 18, 2013
Kiana Miracle!
Dearest Pratt Family,
I have thought to myself when all is lost and you are about ready to stop, pack your bags and give up, take a nap and have it all go away. I say unto you, NAY! Tears have flown like a rushing river from all the snow that has come and running off the mountains now that spring is somewhat here. But really that is my analogy!
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were just visiting ward members and less actives. We have been looking over the progress records of the different wards and there has been nothing. This past week we didn't have a baptism scheduled and I was kind of bummed because we are to baptize every week, but I told myself that if it comes then be willing to do so. On Thursday we went to help Sister Wade in Elder Chaffin and Elder Webb's area along with Elder Ring and Elder James with gardening, planting flowers and pulling a tree stump! Ha. With the service we had an Emergency District meeting (they usually happen on Friday's) we were like Wow, what is going on?! As we sat outside in the sun after all our hard work, Elder Chaffin had told us that Elder Darker and Elder Ackley received revelation, they are our Zone Leaders. As a Zone we had 10 on date for this weekend, but now only have 2. What happened?! Why did they fall off? Well Elder Ackely had a dream the night before that on the pipe line (names of who we have on date with the companionship's) on the board. The companion ship names were Elder Ring and James, Elder Kuck and Widden, Sister Pratt and Adams that are in our Zone. I knew we weren't planning on having a baptism so why would our name be on the board? Elder Ackely had said that he woke up from his dream and prayed about it. The spirit was present and knew it was from our Heavenly Father. So as they told the District Leaders and then they told us, I knew in my heart that I need to listen to my leaders. As a district we knelt on the grass outside and prayed who is ready to be baptized in our area this weekend, three days! As Sister Adams offered the prayer a girls name came to mind, Michelle Zonga, a potential investigator. When the prayer ended I was like okay, lets go and talk to her! Elder Chaffin had said he was a bit ify but he felt the spirit. I knew in my heart I am called to serve and I am to do HIS work and if that means find someone to be baptized this weekend then I'm going to follow that counsel. As we ended our meeting I could tell Sister Adams was worried about who would be ready. Being new in the area she didn't feel anyone come to mind. Driving back to our area my heart and mind were going crazy and so worried, stressed, overwhelmed by the second! We drove into a chapel parking lot and sat there for like 30 minutes (I was working on the progress record for correlation that night). Who, who is ready? Willing and open. As I thought, Sister Adams was totally like naming of people and got nothing. Then Keoni and Tizi, in the Green Lead Apartments.....they need to be married before.....OH MY WORD! Their daughter Kiana! She is eight and has been there for lessons and had already said she wanted to be baptized. (Mind you Sister Adams is worried and unsure. Well me too but with a bit more hope.) We said quite a few prayers on the way! As we arrived to Keoni and Tizi's place they were walking out the door to take Keoni to work. We asked Tizi about Kiana being baptized and she was like yeah she wants to, she talks about it all the time! I'm totally freaking out inside with happiness, in fact I had to look at Sister Adams to ask Kiana because I could not talk! Ha. Kiana said yes, but Keoni had to work all day Saturday so we will do it Sunday. Elder Darker and Ackely have a baptism on Saturday morning at 10 am so we invited her to attend that to see what it will be like, they said yes and they were off! Yes, three hours later we had someone on date for Sunday to be baptized!!! We then contacted most of those in the 8th branch to inform them of this amazing news along with the ZL and DL!!! At correlation boy it went down. The ward mission leader went crazy and I just testified that Sister Adams and I prayed and this is what is going to happen, we need your faith and prayers!
You know when Heavenly Father wants to help you and also help you grow when you know deep in your heart it's going to be the hardest weekend of your mission!!! Short story long, Satan worked over time on Sister Adams and myself, and Kiana. She had a friend over for the weekend and she was not helping her have the spirit. So Friday we fasted, the lesson was hard to stay focused with Kiana's friend still there, and visiting others in the area. Saturday, we prayed every hour for her! We were held up by a train, and didn't know where the chapel was for the elders baptism....Kiana was iffy with doing it, she has stage fright! We talked to her but in all Tizi was more excited for her to do this than she was. We had the last lesson for Kiana with sticky note matching game for the baptismal questions, it was great! By Sunday we were like will this go through....? I don't want to push this on her just so we can say, 'Oh My Word it really happened!' I love her and only want what's best for her so Heavenly Father I'm having 5 times the faith I've had before and I need to know if what we are doing is right. If it's not, stop me! By Sunday He hadn't stopped us even with Satan getting in the way again!
All in all, the spirit filled the room as Kiana went into the water with her family watching this super big step for an 8 year old, parents not married, not members. My heart felt His Love for her! A choice daughter of God! Tears of happiness, joy. Eternal. I know her family will be baptized, we added them and will meet them on Tuesday to start their plan to be baptized! We had the FAITH IN HIM AND HIS WORK!!!! It's so true! I know it with all my heart! Being in the temple today was totally not for me but those I'm to share my light with! I felt so close to Heavenly Father and am grateful for His love for me and His children!
With all my Love, Your daughter and little sister,
Sister Sarah Jane Pratt
I have thought to myself when all is lost and you are about ready to stop, pack your bags and give up, take a nap and have it all go away. I say unto you, NAY! Tears have flown like a rushing river from all the snow that has come and running off the mountains now that spring is somewhat here. But really that is my analogy!
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were just visiting ward members and less actives. We have been looking over the progress records of the different wards and there has been nothing. This past week we didn't have a baptism scheduled and I was kind of bummed because we are to baptize every week, but I told myself that if it comes then be willing to do so. On Thursday we went to help Sister Wade in Elder Chaffin and Elder Webb's area along with Elder Ring and Elder James with gardening, planting flowers and pulling a tree stump! Ha. With the service we had an Emergency District meeting (they usually happen on Friday's) we were like Wow, what is going on?! As we sat outside in the sun after all our hard work, Elder Chaffin had told us that Elder Darker and Elder Ackley received revelation, they are our Zone Leaders. As a Zone we had 10 on date for this weekend, but now only have 2. What happened?! Why did they fall off? Well Elder Ackely had a dream the night before that on the pipe line (names of who we have on date with the companionship's) on the board. The companion ship names were Elder Ring and James, Elder Kuck and Widden, Sister Pratt and Adams that are in our Zone. I knew we weren't planning on having a baptism so why would our name be on the board? Elder Ackely had said that he woke up from his dream and prayed about it. The spirit was present and knew it was from our Heavenly Father. So as they told the District Leaders and then they told us, I knew in my heart that I need to listen to my leaders. As a district we knelt on the grass outside and prayed who is ready to be baptized in our area this weekend, three days! As Sister Adams offered the prayer a girls name came to mind, Michelle Zonga, a potential investigator. When the prayer ended I was like okay, lets go and talk to her! Elder Chaffin had said he was a bit ify but he felt the spirit. I knew in my heart I am called to serve and I am to do HIS work and if that means find someone to be baptized this weekend then I'm going to follow that counsel. As we ended our meeting I could tell Sister Adams was worried about who would be ready. Being new in the area she didn't feel anyone come to mind. Driving back to our area my heart and mind were going crazy and so worried, stressed, overwhelmed by the second! We drove into a chapel parking lot and sat there for like 30 minutes (I was working on the progress record for correlation that night). Who, who is ready? Willing and open. As I thought, Sister Adams was totally like naming of people and got nothing. Then Keoni and Tizi, in the Green Lead Apartments.....they need to be married before.....OH MY WORD! Their daughter Kiana! She is eight and has been there for lessons and had already said she wanted to be baptized. (Mind you Sister Adams is worried and unsure. Well me too but with a bit more hope.) We said quite a few prayers on the way! As we arrived to Keoni and Tizi's place they were walking out the door to take Keoni to work. We asked Tizi about Kiana being baptized and she was like yeah she wants to, she talks about it all the time! I'm totally freaking out inside with happiness, in fact I had to look at Sister Adams to ask Kiana because I could not talk! Ha. Kiana said yes, but Keoni had to work all day Saturday so we will do it Sunday. Elder Darker and Ackely have a baptism on Saturday morning at 10 am so we invited her to attend that to see what it will be like, they said yes and they were off! Yes, three hours later we had someone on date for Sunday to be baptized!!! We then contacted most of those in the 8th branch to inform them of this amazing news along with the ZL and DL!!! At correlation boy it went down. The ward mission leader went crazy and I just testified that Sister Adams and I prayed and this is what is going to happen, we need your faith and prayers!
You know when Heavenly Father wants to help you and also help you grow when you know deep in your heart it's going to be the hardest weekend of your mission!!! Short story long, Satan worked over time on Sister Adams and myself, and Kiana. She had a friend over for the weekend and she was not helping her have the spirit. So Friday we fasted, the lesson was hard to stay focused with Kiana's friend still there, and visiting others in the area. Saturday, we prayed every hour for her! We were held up by a train, and didn't know where the chapel was for the elders baptism....Kiana was iffy with doing it, she has stage fright! We talked to her but in all Tizi was more excited for her to do this than she was. We had the last lesson for Kiana with sticky note matching game for the baptismal questions, it was great! By Sunday we were like will this go through....? I don't want to push this on her just so we can say, 'Oh My Word it really happened!' I love her and only want what's best for her so Heavenly Father I'm having 5 times the faith I've had before and I need to know if what we are doing is right. If it's not, stop me! By Sunday He hadn't stopped us even with Satan getting in the way again!
All in all, the spirit filled the room as Kiana went into the water with her family watching this super big step for an 8 year old, parents not married, not members. My heart felt His Love for her! A choice daughter of God! Tears of happiness, joy. Eternal. I know her family will be baptized, we added them and will meet them on Tuesday to start their plan to be baptized! We had the FAITH IN HIM AND HIS WORK!!!! It's so true! I know it with all my heart! Being in the temple today was totally not for me but those I'm to share my light with! I felt so close to Heavenly Father and am grateful for His love for me and His children!
With all my Love, Your daughter and little sister,
Sister Sarah Jane Pratt
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
WOW. It takes time but blessings come!
Dearest Pratt Family,
What an amazing stressful week of yet again no one being home and people canceling appointments. By Thursday and Friday I was ready to give up but knew I couldn't. I wanted to go home and take a nap but I knew there were Heavenly Fathers children who needed to hear about the gospel this week. So I was obedient with Sister Adams and we drove out contacting our referrals and such.
Saturday we had J and A's baptism! WOW. The spirit was totally strong and I wish we told President Winn about it because of the sweet spirit which was felt! They are 11 years old and power flowed through them as you could feel their testimony. I gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and talked about how fish have to be strong in the waves. Listen to the Spirit and you can stay safe in the water and not washed up by the shore. I have them those Swedish fish! ;) L their dad is not a member but I told him, just because we taught your children the lessons doesn't mean you have taught them. The spirit was with me as I talked to him. I planted a seed and one day he will be baptized!
Being obedient means blessings! After the baptism we didn't have dinner because one of the wards just doesn't feed us! So we went out....I felt like we needed to see M. They opened their door and invited us to eat dinner! M had a friend over....one of our potential investigators who we have not meet yet, T!!!! Who knew we would have the opportunity to talk to two potential investigators at dinner which was not even planned?!!?! Do you think He knows me and Sister Adams? Our needs, desires?!!?! A super totally awesome YES!!! Blessings come we just have to wait a bit longer than we want!
Stake Conference in the Woods Cross North Stake. President Hill is just amazing! So loving and great! I loved going and calling the Bishops by their name!!! It's coming together but still not the roads! One day! Haha. The spirit at conference filled my heart! Seeing A sing in the primary choir and sitting by P who will be baptized by her grandson Z on the 23rd! WOW! I felt so blessed to have that experience.....Mother's day remind me to tell you about it! Oh and a couple gave a talk also. Brother and Sister Moody. Didn't think anything of it....then he sang a song.....wait! My heart filled with joy and aww. He knows me and loves me!
I was happy to see a letter from dad in the little package you sent with the family's letters! Loved! I was going to write to him this week! Dad has been on my mind and then to see the Moody's! Tender mercy with 5,000 warm fuzzies!!!!!!!!!!
How blessed am I! I truly love this gospel and know without a doubt it is true!
With all my love, your daughter and little sister,
Sister Sarah Jane Pratt
Ps. Monday we played bowling with our Zone and guess who won the second game?!!?! Haha. I'm so good! But I felt bad for the Elders....! Oops!
**Please Note: Brother and Sister Moody are our relatives. Brother Michael Finlinson Moody's mother and our father's mother are first cousins and were also great friends. Brother Michael Finlinson Moody writes music and has written a number of songs. Some include "Faith" which is in the LDS children's songbook, "This is the Christ" and "He sent His Son" which are in the LDS church hymnal and of course many more. Here is a link to his biography if you are interested in reading it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_F._Moody.**
What an amazing stressful week of yet again no one being home and people canceling appointments. By Thursday and Friday I was ready to give up but knew I couldn't. I wanted to go home and take a nap but I knew there were Heavenly Fathers children who needed to hear about the gospel this week. So I was obedient with Sister Adams and we drove out contacting our referrals and such.
Saturday we had J and A's baptism! WOW. The spirit was totally strong and I wish we told President Winn about it because of the sweet spirit which was felt! They are 11 years old and power flowed through them as you could feel their testimony. I gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and talked about how fish have to be strong in the waves. Listen to the Spirit and you can stay safe in the water and not washed up by the shore. I have them those Swedish fish! ;) L their dad is not a member but I told him, just because we taught your children the lessons doesn't mean you have taught them. The spirit was with me as I talked to him. I planted a seed and one day he will be baptized!
Being obedient means blessings! After the baptism we didn't have dinner because one of the wards just doesn't feed us! So we went out....I felt like we needed to see M. They opened their door and invited us to eat dinner! M had a friend over....one of our potential investigators who we have not meet yet, T!!!! Who knew we would have the opportunity to talk to two potential investigators at dinner which was not even planned?!!?! Do you think He knows me and Sister Adams? Our needs, desires?!!?! A super totally awesome YES!!! Blessings come we just have to wait a bit longer than we want!
Stake Conference in the Woods Cross North Stake. President Hill is just amazing! So loving and great! I loved going and calling the Bishops by their name!!! It's coming together but still not the roads! One day! Haha. The spirit at conference filled my heart! Seeing A sing in the primary choir and sitting by P who will be baptized by her grandson Z on the 23rd! WOW! I felt so blessed to have that experience.....Mother's day remind me to tell you about it! Oh and a couple gave a talk also. Brother and Sister Moody. Didn't think anything of it....then he sang a song.....wait! My heart filled with joy and aww. He knows me and loves me!
I was happy to see a letter from dad in the little package you sent with the family's letters! Loved! I was going to write to him this week! Dad has been on my mind and then to see the Moody's! Tender mercy with 5,000 warm fuzzies!!!!!!!!!!
How blessed am I! I truly love this gospel and know without a doubt it is true!
With all my love, your daughter and little sister,
Sister Sarah Jane Pratt
Ps. Monday we played bowling with our Zone and guess who won the second game?!!?! Haha. I'm so good! But I felt bad for the Elders....! Oops!
Brother and Sister Moody
**Please Note: Brother and Sister Moody are our relatives. Brother Michael Finlinson Moody's mother and our father's mother are first cousins and were also great friends. Brother Michael Finlinson Moody writes music and has written a number of songs. Some include "Faith" which is in the LDS children's songbook, "This is the Christ" and "He sent His Son" which are in the LDS church hymnal and of course many more. Here is a link to his biography if you are interested in reading it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_F._Moody.**
“Faith,” Children’s Songbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 96–97
With conviction
1. Faith is knowing the sun will rise, lighting each new day.
Faith is knowing the Lord will hear my prayers each time I pray.
Faith is like a little seed:
If planted, it will grow.
Faith is a swelling within my heart.
When I do right, I know.
Faith is knowing the Lord will hear my prayers each time I pray.
Faith is like a little seed:
If planted, it will grow.
Faith is a swelling within my heart.
When I do right, I know.
2. Faith is knowing I lived with God before my mortal birth.
Faith is knowing I can return when my life ends on earth.
Faith is trust in God above;
In Christ, who showed the way.
Faith is strengthened; I feel it grow
Whenever I obey.
Faith is knowing I can return when my life ends on earth.
Faith is trust in God above;
In Christ, who showed the way.
Faith is strengthened; I feel it grow
Whenever I obey.
Words: Beatrice Goff Jackson, b. 1943. © 1978 IRI
Music: Michael Finlinson Moody, b. 1941. © 1978 IRI
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