Week 33

Hello! I'm a bit short on time, so i'll have to make this quick.

This week was good! I got my hair trimmed again. We had zone training and got to watch Meet the Mormons. It was SO incredible. For those who haven't seen it, go see it now!!! That's an order. It is so good I want to watch it over and over again. That's actually quite impressive because the only movie I can watch over and over is Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (just for the record, I haven't watched Cheaper by the Dozen 2 on my mission. Don't worry, I'm being obedient!). I dished turkey and potatoes for 2 hours straight, this week. We did service at a church downtown and helped them cook and serve food for the community. It was awesome! Today is Canadian Thanksgiving by the way, so Sister Zaugg is going nuts!! This week was also awesome because we were able to testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and that was my favorite part! One of our investigators is trying to keep the Word of Wisdom, so to support her, I'm giving up popping my knuckles. For anyone who knows me, this is a HUGE sacrifice haha. We've been fasting and praying for her success in keeping the Word of Wisdom, so that's been a neat experience :)

Well, that's just a short note, sorry, but I hope everyone is doing well and is happy! 

Always remember to smile :) There are so many more reasons to be happy than sad!

Love, 

Sister Sparks

Week 32

Hello everyone! I've decided to do my weekly update first before everything else in order to have time to include all the details!

Monday: P-day was great like always. For FHE we played human foosball, and our assistant branch mission leader nailed me right in the gut SUPER hard hahaha. He felt so bad, but it turned out to just be a small welt, so I'm okay :) 

Tuesday: We met with one of our investigators that didn't seem at first like he was totally committed to finding out the truth for himself. Here's the good part: when we asked if he had read from the Book of Mormon, he had read ALL OF 1ST NEPHI and loved it!! Cool, huh!? The Book of Mormon is so awesome! We read parts of Alma 32 with him, and he said he would read and pray and ask God if it was true!

Something cool that happened today: 

At the end of the night, I was just feeling sort of down/frustrated/some other crazy emotions, and I couldn't really figure out why I was feeling that way. For fear of my emotions coming off negatively to others, I went into my closet with my scriptures. I knelt and said a prayer, and then opened up to where I left off in Matthew. I read chapters 27 and 28 which is when Jesus is arrested and condemned, crucified, and buried in the tomb but rose three days later. These are some of the most intense scriptures for me: "Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him." In the words of modern-day Apostles and Prophets, "He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary's cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great, vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth." 

This next verse comes into my head, "And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Jesus Christ not only endured physical death by being crucified, but he also bore the burdens of the world.
In Alma 7:11-12 it says, "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." Jesus Christ felt each of our "physicalpains and anguish, our weaknesses and shortcomings, our fears and frustrations, our disappointments and discouragement, our regrets andremorse, our despair and desperation, the injustices and inequities we experience, and the emotional distresses that beset us." 

I pondered these things as I sat in my closet, and a great peace came over me. Even though I had no idea what emotions I was feeling, Jesus Christ did, and He sent me His peace.

Wednesday: 

We had interviews with President today! It was AWESOME! I seriously love President Johnson. He cares so much about each missionary out here, and he works so hard to help us with everyone he's able to! We worked on our family history a little bit today, and it was awesome! I love learning about my family's history! It's such an amazing feeling to be connected with your ancestors. If you haven't already, make an account onfamilysearch.org, and get to work!!!

Thursday: 

We did service at the St. Andrews church downtown this morning. We cut up fruit and put the pies and cakes and plates. Yes, it was tempting. No, I didn't eat any. 

We taught someone about the Restoration today! Our views were a little bit different, but I received a witness during the lesson that God the Father and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are indeed three separate beings. They are one in purpose though--they all work "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." I am so grateful for the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth. The Heavens are not closed! They are far from closed! God continues to reach out to His children by calling prophets and apostles and guiding us though personal revelation.

Friday: 

We met with one of our investigators today and read 1 Nephi 10: 17-19. "And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God--and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come--I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men. For he is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him. For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore the course of the Lord is one eternal round." Okay, sorry I'm quoting a whole bunch of scriptures, but they're just so dang good! Nephi desired to know if his Father Lehi was preaching a load of junk or if he was really speaking what the Lord would have him speak. Nephi puts forth a really important principle--THE MYSTERIES OF GOD CAN BE REVEALED TO US BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST IF WE DILIGENTLY SEEK. Pretty simple, huh? God lives and loves us!! There is such thing as absolute truth!!! You can know truth! "And by the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know the truth of all things." Whether you want to know if the Book of Mormon is true or if Thomas S. Monson is God's prophet or even an answer to a doctrinal question you have, the pattern is the same. Study it out, diligently seek and pray, and God will answer you by the power of the Holy Ghost. hahah I sound so passionate. It's true!!

Saturday:

I'm not even going to try to tell you what I learned at General Conference because that would just take way too long. All I know is that Thomas S. Monson is God's prophet on the earth today, and the twelve apostles are special witnesses of Christ. The messages they presented were inspired of God, and we should read them as we do the words of prophets of old. I have learned much about what I can do better in my life. I'm so grateful for the Spirit who communicates to each of us what specific things we should take away from each talk. I hope all of you received answers to questions, spiritual witnesses, and new things to work on. I sure did! We had four investigators come to conference!!! It was SO awesome!!! They too received answers to their questions and guidance from the Holy Ghost.

Something funny:

Sister Zaugg was explaining to one of our investigators the Word of Wisdom, and when the topic of caffeine was brought up, she talked about how caffeine isn't explicitly stated in the Word of Wisdom, but we should just steer clear of anything that can become addictive. As she illustrated her point with a story, she said, "Whether or not you drink caffeine is a personal decision. Take *this person* for example. He drinks Bud Light, and that's his choice..........WAIT!!! I meant Red Bull! He drinks Red Bull!" hahahaha I laughed SO hard!  

Sunday:

Awesome Sabbath day. I received some answers to my questions I was pondering. Awesome awesome awesome General Conference. Pretty much the same as Saturday! SUCH a good day!!!

Well, that's it for this week! God be with you 'till we meet again!

Love, 

Sister Sparks

Week 31

Hi! This week has been great!

Monday: So since we went to the Penn State game on Saturday, we only had a couple hours on Monday for P-day. We had a lesson with a fellow from China who wanted a Bible. We were able to bring one of our members from China who translated for us. It was AMAZING. It's just a cool experience to see their eyes light up when they learn about Jesus Christ in their own language. I know I've said this before, but I'm seriously obsessed with Chinese people. They are the sweetest! I've already arranged for two of my Chinese friends to come to my home for Christmas next year! Mom, you better start buying some chopsticks!

Tuesday: The highlight of my day is that we were able to do some family history work. As I created my tree on Family Search, the Spirit of Elijah really entered my heart. I felt an urge to find out as much information as I could about my family. How blessed are we to have temples on earth where we can perform sacred ordinances for ourselves and for those who have passed !? Oh my goodness...please do your family history work! I promise you will feel the Spirit more strong and abundant in your life!

Wednesday: We had district meeting which was good. Oh yeah! I forgot to mention that a Temple Square sister from Taiwan is serving here now! Her and her companion live just two doors down, so we get to spend a lot of time withe them. She is so sweet, and I can tell she just loves talking to as many Chinese people as she can! By the way, she said my Chinese pronunciation is really good! Would ya look at that...I have the gift of tongues, and I didn't even leave the United States. I'm totally joking ps... but I do want to speak Chinese eventually!

Thursday: Thursday was pretty hard for me! Two of our appointments cancelled :( 'Twas okay though! Things worked out how the Lord needed them too! We met with one of our investigators and taught her about temples and eternal marriage. She is from China as well, so it was an amazing experience to testify to her that families really can be together forever. I know for certain the sealing power has been restored to the earth, and inside Holy Temples of God, we can be sealed to our spouses and families for time and all eternity. We can live in the presence of God IN families. How neat is that!?

A cool thing that happened today was that I was super missing my dad, and my companion randomly asked me, "So, what do you love most about your father?" As you can imagine, my teared up, and my heart beat fast as I received a spiritual witness that God knows me. I know the Spirit prompted Sister Zaugg to ask me that question. Everyone, I hope you know God is aware of you! He knows who you are. He loves you and will always take care of you. Seek for Him, and you will find Him!

Friday: We do this thing called forums on Tuesdays and Fridays. I can't remember if I explained this before, but we can't proselyte on campus except for certain times and in certain places. On Friday, we were stationed in our place and began to talk with people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One particular young man came down the steps from the library with ear phones in his ear. His shirt had a couple of words on them--one of them being "truth." Something compelled me to read his shirt. As he was quickly walking past me, I ran after him and asked if I could read his shirt (yes, I'm so awkward). My reading of his shirt obviously started a conversation, and we talked to him about his religious beliefs. He was raised Muslim, but he said he didn't believe in that anymore--he was searching for a religion that was true! We testified to this young man that Christ's church that He set up when he was on the earth was lost for many centuries. We bore testimony to him that God called a prophet just like he has in the past to restore the original truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We continued to tell him of the Restored Gospel, and he said, "Wow. I actually want to go to this church!" He was touched by the Spirit. In fact, we were all touched by the Spirit. My testimony of this church grows each time I share it, and I'm overjoyed to have helped one of my brothers taste of God's truth.

Saturday: We watched the General Women's Meeting, and it was super good! I think they want us to attend the temple...did anyone else get that? I'm so so so super excited to attend the temple when I return home! That is one thing I miss most! As i stated before, the temple is where families are sealed for time and all eternity. I'm looking forward for the day I may be sealed to my spouse in the temple. Because I have eternity as my goal, my whole perspective on life changes. I no longer need worry about the little trials that happen in this life. Yes, they are difficult, but I know they are mean to teach my something that will prepare me for eternity. Our lives are molded for us each individually. In the midst of a trial, think, "What does Heavenly Father want me to learn from this?" or "How can this situation help me become more like the Savior?"

Sunday was awesome too! We went to church and partook of the Sacrament. We had Break the Fast and two lessons afterward. I'm almost out of time, so I have to go, but it was so good to virtually talk to everyone! I hope you all have a marvelous week! 

Love, 

Sister Sparks

Week 30

Hello everyone!! What a fantastic week!!! I honestly can't remember anything we did haha!

This week we received 4 referrals from Church headquarters. Basically, someone went on Mormon.org and requested a Bible, and they live in our area, so we were sent their information to visit them. It turned out all four of those people were Chinese, and they all have families! Unfortunately, we aren't the missionaries who teach families, but it was still SUCH an amazing experience to talk to them. None of them could speak English very well, so we had to speak in very plain words, but the Spirit helped them understand. As we talked about the Bible and the Book of Mormon and how they're the word of God, their eyes lit up as they started to really understand what we were saying! I'm so PUMPED for China to open up to missionaries! I want to serve another mission! Also, I'm just obsessed with Chinese people now. They're the sweetest people ever! 

So I'm actually not being transferred! I thought for sure I was! My situation now has definitely brought struggles, but I feel closer to God because of them. I'm having to rely on Him HEAVILY. Sometimes it feels like I can't possibly keep going, but Heavenly Father comforts me and helps me push through. I'm so so so grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The Lord love us and is so aware of our situations. He has felt everything we have, so he knows exactly how to succor us. I have felt His friendship and support. Even when I feel alone, I know that's not possible! Christ will always be there for us! I just used a ton of cliche sayings, but 'tis true! 

Last week I said I was going to email Saturday because GUESS WHERE WE WENT!??????? A PENN STATE FOOTBALL GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah!! Are you a little bit jealous? I mean, I understand if you are because it was SO awesome. The Beaver stadium is (I hear) the 2nd largest in the nation? Man, that place was PACKED! They played Massachusetts and totally creamed them. It would've been more exciting if it wasn't a total blow out, but it was still fun!!! I seriously can't even believe I went there!!

Last night the branch and some of our investigators and recent converts got together at the church to watch Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration. It was SO good. I could watch that movie over and over. Why? Well, because it is such a good movie, but also because every time I watch it, I receive a spiritual witness that he was a prophet called of God to restore Christ's church on the earth. I know that since Joseph Smith, there has a been a prophet on the earth. We even have a prophet leading the church today! We also have twelve apostles just as Jesus Christ did. I know these men hold the Priesthood authority of God. Oh how amazing it is to be a part of Christ's church and receive saving ordinances by proper authority. AH! Jesus Christ is so real, and His whole purpose to help us return to Heavenly Father. He is THE way we can return. Abide in Him permanently :) Well, I have to go! Hope you have a good week!!

Love,

Sister Sparks

with the branch last night watching the Joseph Smith movie!

. sister pau'u is leaving

. happy thanksgiving!

last district meeting with all of us!

 boom baby

 waiting for our appointment to show up....she never did lol

  more waiting

in front of beaver stadium!

The Gibbys. we love them!!!

Brother owen! he bought tickets for 15 people at $40 each...and for a tailgating spot and for food....I am in so much debt to him! He just gives and gives and gives. i love brother owen

. it was PACKED

. it was PACKED

the bishop family!!!

Week 29

Limited time again! Sorry about that! This week has been super super busy! We had an open house at the new building, so we were preparing for that almost every day this week! We had awesome posters with information and tours going on, and we made 260 cookies hahaha. Little children were running around with 5 cookies in their hands...their parents loved it! Jokes. The open house was awesome! We had a few people from the community come, and others that we invited came to check it out. Mostly members came to hear the dedication. The dedicatory prayer was offered by the Stake President, and it was awesome! He asked Heavenly Father to protect the building from weather and from those who might try to harm it. The cool part was that he said, "Please protect this building from extreme weather and from those who would try to harm the building. We pray and ask that those people either be restrained by the Spirit to walk away or be converted by the Spirit that is felt here." That was literally word for word, but it was still way cool! 

We had Zone Conference this week! It was fun to see all of those missionaries I've grown to love! It's always such a great experience to meet with President and Sister Johnson. They are the sweetest people ever! We learned a lot about family history. We are now able to spend up to 3 hours working on our family history each week. The idea is that we will eventually be able to help others do their own family history. I'm so sad I didn't take family history seriously when i was at home, but when I return, that will be one of my main focuses! Temple and family history work is SO important. Heavenly Father wants all of his children to return to live with him, so it's the least we can do to take their names to the temple and perform saving ordinances for them. For those who don't know, my grandpa passed away last week, and though sad, I rejoice because I know he still lives! I know he is with his family on the other side of the veil. I also know he is with me while I serve. The Plan of Salvation is soooo real, so I encourage everyone to do all you can to go to the temple and perform those ordinances for those in the Spirit World waiting!  

Well, there's a chance I will be transferred in a few days, so don't send any mail! I'll update my new address if I do leave. I also will be doing my emails on Saturday this week because we will be doing something SO FUN on Saturday. I will keep it a secret until Saturday though :) Hope you all have a good week!

Love, 

Sister Sparks

Zone Conference

Roleplaying hahah

roleplaying with Brother Done

josh and jess!!!! branch mission leader and wife. love them! Jess reminds me sooo much of Whitney it's crazy!

i love sam!!! She reminds me EXACTLY of amy! She's HILARIOUS

sister stocking at zone conference

elder olsen's last zone conference

the lovely bunch

huddled up with a curtain because it was so cold

 president hanscum

. double chins with pres

 Miranda Night

Week 28

Well hello there!! My time is winding down, so I will have to be brief, but OH MAN what a fantastic week!!! We picked up a few new investigators, so that was such a blessing! It's always such an amazing experience when we "run into" someone who is prepared to hear the 

Gospel. I know Heavenly Father knows ALL of His children. My friend Brook reminded me of a scripture I absolutely love. 1 Nephi 11: 17 says, "...I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things." Nephi totally hits the nail on the head with that verse. We don't know everything, and we're never going to know/understand everything while on this earth, but the most important thing we need to know is that GOD LOVES EACH OF US. He loves His children perfectly. When we truly feel the truth of that statement, everything else follows. We don't need to worry about everything we don't know. Just focus on God's love, and He will give you the wisdom you need.

Soooooo here's the thing...I have to go. I hope everyone has such a fantastic week! I know I will! Be positive and ask yourself in every situation, "How can I be more like the Savior?" Thoughts will come :) Love you all!

Love, 

Sister Sparks

Week 27

Hello everyone! I have no idea why I've totally gotten out of the grove of sending updates! Hopefully this one will be a bit better! 

The biggest highlight of the week is that TWO PEOPLE WERE BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY!!! It was an AMAZING experience. Adrian  (our investigator who just got baptized) asked me to give the baptism talk, and I was so glad he did because I think I understood further the importance of baptism. There is a straight and narrow path that leads back to Heavenly Father. It's not a scary path but one that is BEAUTIFUL! I like to picture a bunch of trees and pretty flowers on this path. There's a gate we enter to get onto this path, and that gate is baptism. When performed by Priesthood authority, we make sacred covenants with God that put us on this beautiful path. Baptism and confirmation seal our repentance and give us the strength and help we need (namely, the Gift of the Holy Ghost) to continue to follow Christ. Sorry if that made little sense! The baptismal service was very nice! Adrian just GLOWED when he came up out of the water. He had a huge smile on his face! AH! I know Heavenly Father is so proud of him. 

His confirmation was also a neat experience. He will be a shining example to his family and those around him. He's such a special son of God!

A lot of awesome stuff happened this week, but I want to share just two more highlights!

I think it was Wednesday that we were downtown waiting for our ride to pick us up for dinner, and we waved to this guy walking past. He stopped and pulled out his earphones and talked to us for a while. It turns out he had really been thinking about his relationship with God lately. WHAT!? Okay MIRACLE! We met with him a few days later, and the Spirit just totally worked with him. When we talked to him about Joseph Smith and how God continues to call prophets, he looked at us and said, "Wow." He is now reading the Book of Mormon, and we are excited to see him again and tell him about the perfect plan Heavenly Father has for us--the Plan of Salvation! Amazing, huh?? That was a blessing from straight from Father!

Another miracle happened just before we came to email! We were on the bus, and this girl sat behind us, and I noticed she had the exact same bag as me! Of course, having a missionary mind, my thoughts were, "Okay perfect way to start a conversation!" As we talked, she looked at our name tags, and she asked about what we do. We bore testimony to her about how God loves all of His children, including her, and how we can gain a relationship with Him. She looked at us for a second and said, "You know what? I was thinking yesterday about how I'm not happy and how I need to go to church. I'm not even a religious person, and I felt like I needed to go to church. Now I REALLY feel like I need to go." GOD IS PREPARING PEOPLE EVERY DAY TO HEAR ABOUT THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST! I PROMISE YOU THAT! We will be meeting with her in a few days, and I'm so excited to tell my sister about God's love for her even further!

I'm so so so so grateful to be out here, and I just can't contain my happiness right now! When we feel God's love, it changes us. I truly have come to know that happiness comes from closeness to God. I used to think it came from other sources, but it doesn't. I'm not saying that nothing else makes us happy (trust me, clothes make me happy), but I'm saying LASTING, ETERNAL happiness comes from following God. I know that to be true, and I hope everyone can feel that! I hope you all have a good week!

Love, 

Sister Sparks

morning jog

giving an underdog to sister Bradshaw hahaha

Sister Zaugg

LOVE SISTER WALBORN

all the sisters :)