Christmas!

It's not the easiest to be away during the holidays but it's WORTH IT! 

Tuesday was a zone conference Christmas party/talent show in Salem and I got to see sister Mickelson and sister Hart again! (Past companions) It was a fun reunion! The talents were all good! Our district wrote a song called the animals of Christmas showing off our ability to make animal noises (; and sister Erickson sang and played a song she wrote ~ it's SO good! Her and Kari would get along so good writing and playing songs together! After the party it was really kinda hard to get back to doing stuff but that night we had an awesome first lesson with Kristen - she is so open to the gospel and when we invited her to be baptized - it was the most positive yes ever! I'm SO excited for her! I can see this gospel really blessing her and her cute family!

We also did A LOT of Christmas caroling! I LOVED it (:

Christmas Eve and Christmas morning we spent at the Tolmans! We had so much fun and It was the BEST mission Christmas I could have had! (: I also loved having Christmas this year on a Sunday, being able to go to church and see everyone! The spirit of Christmas and celebrating Christ's birth is so powerful! 

SKYPING HOME!! I LOVED it! (: I love my family! They're dorks (; and it was so cool to see the Warburton clan! I love you all!

For dinner we went to the bishop's and his family! They're so awesome! Bishop is the best and really this ward is amazing! We are so spoiled and I feel so loved and cared for (: Sweet Home is the best place I could be during this season! 

I know Christ lives and that he loves us! The joy I feel comes from him! And It's his love and light that gives us hope and strength. He is my Savior! 

I hope you all have a HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

~Sister Warburton(:

 

 Sister Warburton and Sister Erickson

 

Skype



Frozen ❄️

Elsa came and froze Oregon! 

Wednesday and Thursday it rained and even snowed! Then because it got so cold ~ everything froze. Literally EVERYTHING was encased in ice like the movie frozen. We weren't allowed to drive our car because of ice on the roads and the power had even gone out Wednesday night from frozen tree branches breaking onto power lines. It was a crazy ice storm! But SO cool! (Pictures included!) but guess what! We still got to go out and do missionary work! (: 

Christmas is almost here!! I LOVE this Christmas season so much  and the spirit it brings! Christ brings so much happiness into our lives. He is our source of light that we turn to and he truly cares about us! I hope you all have an AMAZING Christmas!

~Sister Warburton(:

 

EVERYTHING covered in ICE



 Christmas caroling!

Christmas packages and stockings are the BEST





SNOW and THE BIG DAY!

If you're going to read any of my updates ever read this one! It's been one amazing, stressful, exciting, long, scary, anxious, laughable, cold, wet, spiritual, exhausting week! I LOVE being a missionary! (: 

First! It SNOWED on Tuesday and it rarely snows here in this part of Oregon! Ah! It was amazing! Then while we were studying that morning we heard a knock, opened the door and ended up in the middle of a snowball fight with the two youngest Tolman boys ~ there's a video online somewhere courtesy of sister Tolman (; that afternoon Steve and Serena had their baptismal interview! It's crazy how fast everything happened! I can't remember what I wrote last week about them but they've both taken the lessons multiple times and want to be baptized but had to wait for some legal technicalities to be married and then baptized. They're amazing! They waited 4 years for this, to be legally married and become official members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Saturday - all their dreams came true! They were married and had their baptism right after and it turned out INCREDIBLE! Even after sister Erickson would keep saying "what could go wrong?" (; 

There was so much support, help, and people! So many prayers and it all went amazing! Sister Mehr, a past missionary who served here and who is my mission great-grandma! (My trainer's trainer trainer) flew from Utah for the wedding and baptism! She's amazing! And it's so cool the little connections we have - she was the first missionary to find Phil from my last area! 

The wedding was beautiful! It happened in the church and oh my goodness! Steve and Serena looked great! After, everyone moved to the room where the baptismal font is and there were so many people - from the ward, their family - a lot of nonmembers who got to witness their baptism! The room was overflowing! The program went so smoothly and it really was just SO amazing! I'm so happy and excited for them! And so humble and grateful I got to be part of it all (: the reception was right after and we got to talk with people and eat wedding cake (: 

Sunday - they were confirmed official members of the church and received the gift of the Holy Ghost! This experience really got me thinking about all the blessings I've received from being part of this gospel. Since I was little, I've had a growing testimony of a loving Heavenly Father and a Savior who lives. I've grown up with the knowledge of who I am, where I came from and where I'm going. I've been part of primary, young women's, and now relief society where friendships come from. I've received a patriarchal blessing and personal revelations while reading from the scriptures. I know prayers are answered! And miracles happen daily - even when they are not easily found. I have direction in my life and a hope for the future! I have an amazing family who strengthen me and the knowledge that because of temple blessings we are eternal! Oh my goodness his gospel is... there are no words to truly describe the gratitude for the life he's given me. 

~Sister Warburton(:

The beautiful sight we woke up to Tuesday morning!

 Me and Sister Mehr! (My mission great grandma)

 Steve and Serena! They're awesome!

Thanks Tatiana (;



Count Down Has Begun!

Ah! Sweet Home is amazing! I've felt so welcomed into the ward and there are so many good people here (: really! I'm loving it here already! We live in the garage-home of the BEST -the Tolman's- they're amazing! There's no way I'm going to be able to thank them enough for everything they do for us! Especially this Christmas season! They've surprised us with a Christmas tree in our little home and have really taken us in as family (: I feel so blessed to be here! Especially during the holidays (: and sister Erickson is awesome! She's from Colorado and it's just crazy that we were serving by each other before and now we're companions!

Well.. I'm missing Sigrid and Johns baptism this Saturday but I get to help plan for one here! It's crazy how things happen and work out! God's timing is amazing! It'll be Steve and Serena's wedding AND baptism! Everyone is so excited because they've waited a long time for this! There are past missionaries coming and.. oh my goodness it's going to be a crazy week! They're awesome and so ready!

 It'll be good (:

Sweet Home is stunning! One of the reasons I'm so excited about being here is because there are hills and mountains! And they're all green! There's also a little bit of snow at the top of a distant mountain (: I love it so much! The town is a little rougher but it's been really kinda fun to be sharing the new Christmas video - light the world with everyone! If you haven't seen it yet go WATCH It! It focuses on the Savior's life and the amazing example he is of giving. When you give and serve there is a light that comes into your life! And those you are serving (: the world needs more light! It has come up so many times this past week how wicked and dark the world is becoming. It's really frightening. But we have the light of Christ and I'm so grateful for it.

I love the gospel and I love the opportunity I have to serve this Christmas (: 

Love you all!

~Sister Warburton (:

 Home Sweet Home

 "Missionary work and teaching on a doorstep" we were nice and warm (;

Seriously the Tolman's are the COOLEST!

Sweet Home!

I am being transferred!!! This is so crazy, weird, sad, exciting, ah!
Ah! I'm being transferred to Sweet Home and my new companion is sister Erickson!! I know her! She was our third companion back 3 months ago and was serving in the Woodburn ward next to us. Crazy. Events from the past two weeks: Thanksgiving was good! We had two! One on Wednesday and then on Thursday and they were both really good (:
Right before thanksgiving we had exchanges and I was in west Salem
(the third time there!) it was fun! Rained the whole day, no one was
home, but we were laughing just about the whole time (:
Saturday, Sunday, and today have been so weird! We go around and visit people to let them know I'm being transferred and say goodbye and ah...
BUT we got to go to the TEMPLE!!! This morning with John and Sigrid!
They are going to be baptized on December 10th! So excited! They LOVED the temple and the visitor center!
Crazy! I'm going to miss this place - I've loved it so much! The people here and everything I've learned! Wish me luck on this next adventure (:
Here is my new address:
 40529 comfort lane
Sweet Home,
Oregon 97386

~Sister Warburton (:

 

Portland Temple with Oma Sigrid and John

Exchanges (Sisters: West, Bailey, me, McArther)

Sister Erickson-My new companion!

Portland Temple with Oma Sigrid and John

The district  (Elders: Smith, Ashby, Radmall, Allen  Sisters: Lovell, Jensen Bailey, me)



Books of Mormons



We had zone conference Saturday and the theme was the Book of Mormon! It's pretty cool cause this past week at two separate times we met someone who had questions or who was going through some hard trials and we gave them a Book of Mormon - they were both excited and so interested in reading it! The Book of Mormon is SO powerful! I've said it before how much my knowledge, understanding, and testimony has grown because of the Book of Mormon just since being on a mission. (I guess thats what happens when it becomes one of the only books you can read;) but I'm grateful for it (: there was a question asked: if you could ask God anything what would you ask? What is your soul question? Then turn to the scriptures. It is the word of God and it's how he speaks to us! (Really try it!)

This past week we had some really nice weather for November! (Crazy it's November! I've almost been out for six months!) and I can officially say I've been on a mission and have been bitten by a dog - it was actually just a nip by a puppy with good sheep herding blood. Hahah but he got me good and now I have a pretty good bruise! We also gave the lesson in relief society - ah! Oma Sigrid was there! Next week her husband is planning on coming too and we'll get to start teaching him! I'm so excited for them! 

We also had car inspections - there is a competition for the cleanest car and we tried sooo so hard, the Weijlands helped us a ton, and our car looked soooo so good! Even waxed done but did we win? No! Hahah but I don't think I've ever been so excited about having a clean car as I was that night (;

Hope you all have an amazing week! Be safe! Love you all! The Book of Mormon is true!

~Sister Warburton(:

 

 Tree-ception (my tree drawn on a tree inside another tree?) I drew this a few weeks ago and this man went over the pencil marks with fire and is donating it to the clubhouse there!

 My battle bruise from the "ferocious" pup 

 Just for Angie (:

 

 



A little Stronger

It's been a good busy week!

Last week I got to meet one of sister Baileys converts from her first area (right next to ours) and it was so cool! He has this beautiful testimony and love for the scriptures, close to the spirit, and it was just really cool to see someone that sister Bailey helped baptized over a year ago and hear his testimony. That night for Halloween we had to be in early at 6 and we watched the face to face with studio c! I LOVED it! I've missed studio c and to hear them speak about experiences and the spirit was so GOOD! Something I really needed (:

Tuesday, we had lesson after lesson after lesson after lesson! It was awesome! Oma Sigrid is officially on date for baptism in December (I better still be here!) and she came to church! All is good with Oma (: we also started Phil's new member lessons! Hahah even though we didn't get to participate in Halloween we had lots of people share their candy with us! I love the people here!

Let me tell you about brother Rodney (brother Rod Scott and his wife Mike Scott) we've had some of my very favorite lessons with them and this last lesson was on the plan of salvation with help from our ward missionaries, the Weijlands. Rod loves information and just drinks it in! They are understanding and getting the things we teach but still needs work on remembering to pray (; I love them both!

Friday was filled with service! All day! Even when we were out of our service clothes and we were just walking and found a lady who was doing some yard work and offered to help. She told us this is the second time in the past two years that when she really needed help most God sent her two Mormon missionary girls to help her! She was pretty much mind blown and went on and on about this happening! Coincidence? I think not! (; 

This past week I've been able to really feel like a real missionary! I've seen the miracles and tender mercies! Its hard to always see them but looking back, they are there! I've also seen Ether 12:27 "if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." It's true! The Lord had shown me my weakness and I hated it at the time but now I've seen his hand in making me strong. I have a testimony in Christ and a belief in him! There's no way I could be a missionary without his mercy and love. It's still hard and a struggle. Everyday there are different challenges but it's amazing to see the blessings!

Try looking back at challenges in the past week and look for the blessings, even the little good things, that came from it (: I love you! And Christ loves you!

~Sister Warburton(:

Throwback to leaves still on the trees (:



What Do We Really Know?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

This past week we did a lot with the ward (: Monday night was pumpkin carving! Wednesday night the young men's service activity helping Oma Sigrid and John with their yard. They were so impressed with everyone who came and helped! Hahah it went so good! Then Friday night was a multi-ward trunk-or-treat! The little bit of Halloween we got to experience as missionaries!(:

Yesterday we had this really good talk in church about all the information we have in the world today and how much it changes. This brother in the high council gave specific examples of things we thought were fact but are now being proven to be different. (Check out T-Rex with feathers??!) but he also brought up things about the universe and those deep kind of questions and how can we really know if what we're being taught is right? We know that there is a higher being and a creator of the world! We know there is a Savior and that there is life after death! We know there is light and hope! But How? Because we've asked by faith and received an answer through prayer and the power of the Holy Ghost. When we've received an answer we have to try our best to REMEMBER. It was really good(:

Hope you all have a fun night!

~Sister Warburton

Kinda sorta dressed up as a ladybug missionary!



Phil Got Dunked~

Phil was baptized on Saturday!! And it all went so good! He had tons
of family there and a good number of the ward that came to support him
(: he was smiling the whole time and no panic attack (what he told us
when we first took him to a baptism;) really though, the spirit was
there and it was awesome!
Miracles:
Taking over the area and starting fresh with a new companion was one
of the hardest things ever! BUT I testify God is there for us when we
turn to him in prayer. I've been so stressed and worried to the point
of... Well I was at a pretty low point. And there is work to do but a
few amazing lessons on Wednesday sent me the message that I am not
alone and that Christ is making up for my weaknesses. We read 2 Nephi
31 with Rod and Mike - it went so GOOD! They were understanding and
seeing the seriousness of what we teach! I love those two!
Just this last week, my love for the people here has grown so much. I
can't let them down and I can't let my Heavenly Father down.
The next miracle is one of THOSE missionary stories! We were driving
around and I saw a lady sitting on her porch and had the impression to
talk to her. We park the car a little ways and walked back but she'd
gone inside. I couldn't decide whether or not to knock on her door but
sister Bailey said why not so we did. Talking to her and getting to
know her and her faith, she told us she knows God sent us to her! She
needs help with getting her house prep to move and is interested in
hearing more from us! So many good little things came from talking to
her (:
The next day something similar happened again! We went and talked with
a brother from the ward and he told us that that morning he had a
feeling that we were going to stop by and see him that day.. And here
we were! He told us this awesome story about bringing a friend to
stake conference and feeling the spirit so strongly! That helped
excite and motivate him again!
Thank you for your prayers and support! It means so much! Love you!

~Sister Warburton(:

 

 Phil's baptism

with Sis. Bailey



It's Hard! But Worth It!

Transfers are like waiting for your mission call all over again. AND
THEY ARE HARD! Here's the news: I am staying in North Marion and
sister Mickelson is being transferred to Salem. I am losing an amazing
companion and friend! We've been companions since I've gotten here
(officially 4 months) and have been so incredibly blessed to have her!
But mission life goes on (: It's been amazing though to go visit each
of the people we teach and let them say goodbye to her and hear the
difference we have both made in their lives. I see the good we bring
to people's lives and the blessings from serving! It's so WORTH IT!
My new companion is sister Bailey who has been out for over a year and
I could possibly be her last companion! I'll meet her tomorrow and can't wait to see what happens! (:
I love you all and hope you have an amazing week!

~Sister Warburton

 

Fiesta!  Real Mexican food and apple soda

Our "pets"

Can you see what's wrong in this picture  (;



How does the sky hold so much water?

It's officially fall here in Oregon! Fall in Oregon means: a change of
colors in the leaves, pumpkins, sweaters and raincoats, not much
different from home. And! It RAINS! A constant rain almost like a mist
~ it's calming and wet!(; the way it falls reminds me of how snow
falls in Utah, soft and light. But it's not snow, it's rain and it
just keeps coming! We've asked everyone we see how does the sky hold
so much water? They laugh and tell us it's just the beginning of what
the sky can hold(; I'm loving the rain!(:
It's been a good week! Phil had his baptismal interview and his
baptism is officially planned! Next Saturday! We had lessons with some
of the smartest and funniest kids we teach (Cruz and Alina) and they
asked for questions from the Old Testament stories that we've been
reading with them and hahah! It turned into a funny sock throwing war
between the two and then as we were leaving we saw a rainbow outside
and Alina says "let's go find the big pot of chili at the end!" Hahah!
We love those two(:
We've had some awesome perfect timing this week when visiting
different people! It's awesome being a missionary and seeing
everything the Lord does for us(: In president Nielsons talk from last
week (so good!) he says "For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy!
That is why our missionaries leave their homes to preach His gospel.
Their goal is not to increase the number of Church members. Rather,
our missionaries teach and baptize to bring joy to the people of the
world!" I love it!
We get transfer calls this Saturday! Ah! We will see what happens!
Have an amazing week! And thanks for your prayers(:
~Sister Warburton(:

 Selfies after having a great time in the rain (:

Arctic Circle! with Heather, Amy, and Jake

 I drew a tree on a tree!

With Oma



He First Loved Us!

This past week was a mess! But! There is still something good that
comes out of each week. Oma Sigrid is officially cancer free and is
officially investigating! She watched all sessions of conference and
we even watched the Sunday morning session with her. She really
enjoyed them and is coming to be a golden investigator(:
General conference was amazing! It was our light at the end of a dark
tunnel. So MANY good talks - one phrase that stood out to me that was
said over and over again about the Savior is "we love Him because he
first loved us". I'm learning the first great commandment of all
eternity is to love God, BUT the first and most powerful truth we know
is that He LOVES us! I love it(: Jeffrey R Holland said last
conference "That love is the foundation stone of eternity, and it
should be the foundation stone of our daily life. Indeed it is only
with that reassurance burning in our soul that we can have the
confidence to keep trying to improve, keep seeking forgiveness for our
sins, and keep extending that grace to our neighbor." Let His love be
the motivating drive in our lives. I know it's what gives me strength
each day (: and I'm incredibly grateful for His love!
Last Monday sister Mickelson received news that her grandpa has
cancer, then the next day Phil found out his mom has ALS, another lady
we are teaching has a stepmom going into surgery today, then we had a
crazy Thursday morning with Kat.. BUT we have been surrounded with
love from the ward and other missionaries! The Hermanas heart attacked
us, we received calls and were offered cookie dough from the elders,
sister M got a priesthood blessing that helped her throughout the
week, a member gave us flowers and fresh apple cider, prayers and
really, through others we have been shown of God's LOVE!
I hope you all got something awesome out of general conference!(:
Don't forget to show Love and feel of God's love for you!
Have an awesome week! Love you!
~Sister Warburton(:

 

 

 



Priesthood Power and Rainbows!

It's been a great week! So many good things happened(:

Monday we got priesthood blessings after having such a rough week and
so many good miracles came from it!(:
We had exchanges on Tuesday which was pretty crazy but had cool
experiences! I went to west Salem with sister west and saying a prayer
in my head I found a box of stuff that so many people had tried
looking for! Then we talked to a guy who gave us these walking sticks!
And towards the end of the day there was a grand beautiful full double
rainbow(:
this past week was ZTM and a group of us sister sang "nearer my God to
thee" with a three part harmony - it sounded so good! We also watched
women's conference!! With Kat which she received awesome answers! We
are so excited for general conference!! This will be my first since
coming out(: so excited!
We are planning to watch it with Oma Sigrid on Sunday and ah! Here's
the miracle: we've mostly been serving Sigrid and teaching her little
by little not sure of how we were really helping her progress towards
Christ but! She's had a recent experience with priesthood blessings
and it was brought up that she could have one for healing after just
having her surgery so sunday some awesome brothers from the ward came
and gave her a blessing and she also wanted "clarity" about the
church! It was amazing! She felt peace(: the priesthood power brings
peace and comfort into our lives! It's a true blessing(:
Everyone bore their testimonies yesterday (including my sister I found
out!! Yay Kari!) and we are just on some spiritual highs - it's been
so great! Yesterday we got to answer questions from the cute primary
kids about us and being missionaries! So many great and cute
questions! My favorites were "where did you go on your mission?" And
"can you go to New York City?" And "why are you called sisters" which
is a pretty awesome question and we actually answered that for another
person earlier this week (I'm just now remembering that!) Sunday was
also Heather's year mark since she's gotten baptized!! We are SO
excited for her as she's preparing to go to the temple!
I hope you all have an amazing week! And GENERAL CONFERENCE THIS WEEKEND!!
Love you!

~Sister Warburton(:

 

A picture she sent to Chad.  LOL!!!

 

~HOPE~

I seem to have these on and off weeks. One week will be super great
and I'm feeling good, I feel the work here is going good, the spirit
is super strong and that's when I know Satan is about to do some mean
pushing to knock me down. This was one of those weeks.
Monday night, we got sad news about someone we know taking multiple
bottles of pills putting her in a coma. It was tough, the last memory
I have of her is singing along to the 2016 efy songs and seeing her
calm, even happy (she had serious mental illnesses) but... What do we
do? Pray and put it in the Lords hands.
Tuesday, we had the mission tour with Elder and Sister Schwitzer of
the Seventy and President and Sister Tateoka! It was really super
good! and we got information about some changes happening in the
mission. There is always a reason behind everything!
That night the relief society had a service auction activity (our
investigator Charla went!) and they were gathering items to send to
missionaries from their ward. Well they surprised me and sister
Mickelson with bags of our favorites treats and a letter from home! We
are really blessed to be serving in an awesome ward!
We also did some service for a couple being taught by missionaries in
Salem but were working in our area. It was so great to see the
conversion of this sweet lady as she was sharing the gospel with
another lady and sharing how excited she is to be baptized! This
service was a huge stress mess leading up to but it was worth it
all!(:
This week we've had tons and tons of people cancelling on us. Things
pop up, life gets busy, so many challenges, and a crazy world that we
live in. I'm seeing challenges I've never known or experienced before.
It's frustrating the world we live in and having to deal with it! BUT!
We have the GOSPEL. We have CHRIST. We have FAITH and HOPE! "How is it
that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope?
And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye
shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his
resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your
faith in him according to the promise. Wherefore, if a man have faith
he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope."
(Moroni 7:40-42). One of my favorites - James E Faust said, “Everybody
in this life has challenges and difficulties. That is part of our
mortal test. The reason for some of these trials cannot be readily
understood except on the basis of faith and hope because there is
often a larger purpose which we do not always understand. Peace comes
through hope” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1999, 73; or Ensign, Nov.
1999, 59)." Hope is born of faith and we need faith to have hope! I
can't imagine not having hope, not having the knowledge and the Gospel
in my life! This hope brings peace and comfort. This is why I'm a
Mormon! This is why I'm a missionary!(:
I hope you all continue to grow your faith in Christ! And have an amazing week!
Love you!
~Sister Warburton(:

 

Mom's note: She didn't send any pictures this week, but I did get a picture of her from a member at the Relief Society activity.



All good things

We are back to being the usual crazy missionaries that we normally
are(: whenever someone asks us what we've been up to or what we've
been doing its hard to say everything so our answer has been "all good
things, all good things" (taken from Olaf from Frozen). Tuesday night
we had dinner with Phil and guess what he got for me! Cookies n cream
ice cream! Here's the backstory: the week before we had dinner at some
awesome members home and they had invited Phil and another person over
too. We finished dinner and the chocolate chip cookies and ice cream
was being brought out for desert. Well.. The Tillamook cookies n cream
ice cream came out and I got pretty excited(: it was the first time a
member had cookies n cream and everyone noticed how happy I was so I
became really red. Hahah. So on Tuesday after dinner, Phil brought out
not just Tillamook cookies n cream but THREE different brands of
COOKIES N CREAM ice cream! And a package of OREOS!! How awesome is
he?! I was a very happy missionary(:
We found out that this man-George, we helped him move in about a month
ago and he made BBQ dinner last Friday for all us missionaries who
helped in the move, well after, we had given him a Book of Mormon with
all our testimonies in it. A few days ago we found out he had read all
our testimonies and it touched him so that he's already read fifty
pages of the Book of Mormon! And the sisters in Woodburn are now
teaching him!
It's been a good week(: we also did some arts and crafts with a few
ladies in Aurora who have tons and tons of artsy stuff! My little
child self came out and I got to do some drawing and coloring again!
We also had lessons with some awesome new investigators who are so fun
to be around and are receptive to everything we've taught so far! Oma
Sigrid is doing good! She goes into surgery this Thursday to get the
rest of her cancer taken out but we'll be by her house to help her
throughout the week! Hahah she loves teasing us and we tease her
back(; she's such an amazing lady!
We are just having so much fun and enjoying the work(: I will have
officially been here for 3 months this week! I hope you all have an
amazing week! And don't forget the most important truth we know is
that Heavenly Father loves you. You are loved and there is so much
hope and light to look forward to! I love you!
~Sister Warburton(:

 All the Cookies N Cream ice creams!

Look! It's a star! Its getting darker earlier and earlier(:



Back in a trio! And transfer calls!

It's been the craziest week of my mission so far! So many things happened!
On Monday we had sisters pday where we took pictures at a beautiful
park in Keizer/Salem (pictures included). Tuesday was my last NMT (new
missionary training) I'm officially a trained missionary!(; and it
feels good! Some awesome spiritual words and advice was given to me
and I truly got to know what it feels like to be an investigator in
the "hot seat". Hahah. Really it was a pretty stressful week with
transfers coming up and the thought of me or sister Mickelson leaving.
The pattern of this area is to train right after finishing training
and that was something I was super anxious about all week - I didn't
want anyone to leave and did not feel like I could train someone! Ah!
Maybe sometime later in my mission when I'm a little more seasoned?
I'll get to transfer calls eventually:) but first Wednesday was a good
day! We went over to Sigrid's - she is officially our Oma (grandma in
German - cause she's from Germany and is seriously amazing) she's not
a member but she might as well be! Her saying is "optimism! Sigrid
said so!" We were also able to meet her at the family history center
and get her started on doing that! Next step is going to church
right?(;
Here's where the super craziness begins: we found out one of the
sisters from the Woodburn 1st ward was going home early so we spent
some time with them and found out that we would get sister Erickson
with us for the weekend! It was so sad to see a sister go home but she
felt at peace about it and we had a few good laughs and spiritual
moments all together before she left Saturday morning:) we were
officially in a trio with two areas and teaching different people.
Hahah it's been a fun weekend!(;
Also! District meeting on Friday, we had the zone leaders with us and
president and sister Tateoka show up! Ah! It was a good meeting and
seriously the Tateoka's are the funniest, the sweetest, and the cutest
ever! Oh my goodness I love them! Friday was just a strange day - I
wish I could describe it better with everything that was going on and
everything that happened! As a missionary so many things happen and so
many thoughts and emotions - it's crazy being a missionary and I'm
getting the taste of it! But I still love being a missionary!(;
Saturday night was the night we got transfer calls! WE ARE STAYING!!
Me and sis Mickelson were finally able to breathe again and prayers
were answered! Sister Erickson is getting an awesome new companion on
Tuesday and most of the missionaries in our areas are staying(: there
is one Elder finishing his mission and going home (Elder Watson from
Bountiful - He's actually in the Dixons-Aunt Julie's stake!) and we
are losing Elder Gee:( but the new district leader will be Elder Allen
who came here to Oregon with me, sister Hart, and Elder Gregoriev!
Sunday was great(: it's really been fun being in a trio again! Lots of
laughs(: Testimony meeting was so good and Phil went up again! He's
golden! He's also feeding us on Tuesday! Yay! But yeah! I hope you all
have an amazing week! Don't forget to look for the good things in
life! "But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do
good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth
to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God"
(Moroni 7:13). This is why I love being on a mission so much! I know
I'm doing good and I see good everyday!

Love you all!!

~Sister Warburton(:

 We've been a fun trio;)

 All the Sisters/Hermanas in the Zone!

At the Last District Meeting! 

(Elders Gregoriev, Gee, Bills, Palmer, Combs, Watson, President and Sister Tateoka

Sisters Wilkes, Erickson, Me, Mickelson)



Watch out Oregon! I've started driving!

Yes! I've started driving in my area this week and it makes me so happy!(: I've missed it so much and it feels a little more normal to be driving again - I just need to work on getting my driving skills back(;

It's been a super busy week! We had zone conference in Salem on Thursday And it was really awesome! I love president and sister Tateoka - after lunch and between meetings (which were super good!) they had us play badminton to wake us up and then used it to connect to working with our companions and the spirit in missionary work. It was silly and fun! and spiritual!

We also had exchanges this week and I took over the area! It went pretty good and we watched "on the Lords Errand" with Phil that day! I love Thomas S Monson so much! And know he is a Prophet of God! So excited for conference - 1 more month!!

Also guess what! I had to give a talk in church yesterday. Hahah (still not my favorite;) We were asked on Thursday and that night I had a little mini freak out for Sister Mickelson but I wrote it out the next morning - about developing a testimony in the Book of Mormon and on Sunday it went pretty good!

Hope you all have a good week! Keep praying! I love you!

Ps. We have transfer calls this Saturday!

 

Don't worry mom we were parked when we took the pictures(: 

 The day I started driving!

Exchanges with the cutest STL's



"So what do I need to do for baptism?" The best question you could ask a missionary!

Phil is pretty much planning his own baptism! Ah! October 26th! We're
so excited for him! Life as a missionary would be so easy if everyone
we taught were to ask the simple little question "so what do I need to
do for baptism?" (;
Well this week has been so hot! It's gotten past the 100's and it just
sucks the energy right out of us. Thank thank goodness we have an
apartment with a good working fan and a car with awesome AC (update -
I spoke way too soon! But our car is alright:) I am incredibly blessed
with both! Again, this week has been filled with service and staying
busy! Last Monday we had dinner with a less active family which one of
the daughters is not baptized yet but we're teaching her and hoping
that also working with her dad on getting the priesthood, he could
baptize her! After eating dinner with them we some how got on the topic of cookies and ended up baking some delicious snicker doodles
for them because they rarely get cookies and Thomas (the dad) was so
excited - just like a little boy. It was great! I love the things we
do as missionaries(;
So with school starting again (good luck to all starting school this
week!!) someone in church talked about how our lives is compared to
taking a test - part of our purpose here is to be tested and the
scriptures are the instructions. It's like a open book test, but not
only that it's a group test! We are given families and our church
families and friends to help us in life! How great is this plan that
Heavenly Father created for us! We have Jesus Christ, who is the great
example of how we should live but also through him even after we've
done everything we can to pass this "test", through the atonement we
can make up for the mistakes we've made. We can get that A+ also
called eternal life! All the struggles will be worth it. This past
week I read a talk titled "The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope" by James
E Faust and absolutely loved it! It's from the October 2001 general
conference and if you are selfish (like me;) and want to learn more
about the Atonement I would like to invite you to read it(: "The free
gift of His great atoning sacrifice for each of us is the only way we
can be exalted enough to stand before Him and see Him face-to-face.
The overwhelming message of the Atonement is the perfect love the
Savior has for each and all of us."
Cool story: last night for dinner we went to the Hammonds - who has
family that used to live in Saratoga Springs 3 yrs ago just down the
street from where we live! (Ps I heard that they went by last Monday
and talked to you mom?;) [She did stop by and I loved it!!!] and there were other families from the ward  at dinner and even a past missionary who had served in this area 2 yrs
ago came! Funny missionary thing is we have missionary "moms/dads"
which are just our trainers - so sister Mickelson is my "mom" and her
trainer is my "grandma" in mission terms. This missionary who came to
visit is my great great great grandma - so she trained someone who
trained this person who trained this person, down the line to sister
Mickelson then me. Cool stuff(:
Today we had zone pday - beach volleyball!! It was so fun! I've missed
playing volleyball since playing at the MTC. Our district went and
bought Hawaiian shirts from goodwill to all match - pictures will be
included!
I hope you all have a good week! Good luck with school and enjoying
the last little bit of summer!! Email or write me and let me know how
you're doing(: love you all!

~Sister Warburton(:

 

 me and sister Mickelson in 109 degrees!

our matching Hawaiian shirt district! "the marionberries" (;