Transfer #4

Hi again!

 I'm a trainer! For those that don't know, that means that I have been entrusted with a brand new missionary to show her the ropes of the work. I'm excited to do so, but I would love some advice from my RM family and friends. What are some things that you did, things you wished you had done, things that helped you... I'm going to miss Sister Brunt, but she's going to do well in her next area!

We had a baptism on Sunday! It was Jalynn, the 8 year old we had been teaching. I am so proud of her! She was my first start to finish investigator, so it meant a lot more too. She is going to do so well. She is very fortunate to have a strong support system from her grandparents (recent converts themselves). I just love this little girl!

So far, we still don't have anybody that is progressing. But if we keep pushing and doing our part, the Lord will help us. I remind myself that during the tough times in life God is with me as long as I am righteous and committed to doing my all. 

On Saturday, the branch had a day of service cleaning up some trails. It was a lot of fun! I have missed giving service and being in nature. So it was good on both respects! It was also a good time to meet the members of the branch in circumstances other than church. We did see and snake and encounter ticks, but we are clean and happy! 

I'm not sure if I have explained why we have iPads. I know I told y'all that we have them, but here is the down low. Our mission was chosen to pilot the use of iPads. We are one of 5 missions in the Southeast States that is piloting them. We've had them almost this whole transfer, but the work is being introduced in stages. We have just been getting used to using them to help us study and teach. The church put the pamphlets on an interactive app. It's pretty amazing! The next stage is the area book and planner app. It is all going digital. We have the app now, but won't get the training for another week or so. The final stage will be online proselyting, such as Facebook, Skype, Mormon.org, emailing... We aren't there yet, so I don't know all the details yet. As I learn them, you'll know. :)

Scripture of the week: Moroni 10:23

23  And Christ truly said unto our fathers: ^aIf ye have faith ye can do all things which are expedient unto me.

Love,

Sister Pochop

 Service project painting benches

Jaylyn was baptized!!!

Another busy week!

Hi!

Transfers aren't until next week. I will know by next Monday our fate. Your fave missionary is doing pretty good! The work is going well. I'm staying healthy. My heart is doing good. Hopefully everyone else's hearts are still working like they should! I didn't email the dads- I sent them cards! Hopefully they got them

 Elder Temus's email last week talked about having a week or so left. It would be nice if you went. Send him some good juju. 

I'm missing out on the Bandon adventure?! Sad day. Give the Parks' my love and Aunt Terri a big squeeze!!

Scripture of the Week: D&C 100: 15-16

15  Therefore, let your hearts be comforted; for all things shall work together for good to them that walk uprightly, and to the sanctification of the church.

16  For I will raise up unto myself a pure people, that will serve me in righteousness;

Love,

Sister Pochop

PS: First, Sister Bradshaw and the rest can come over to feed/visit me and my
comp! I asked President the other day, and he said yes. What is her
number again? That way I can arrange a day. If she still wants to.
Second, we had interviews with President Wakolo yesterday. They were
good. I love that man! I am so very fortunate that he is my mission
president.
Third, we are going to have a baptism on Sunday! Her name is Jalynn. I
think I mentioned her last week. She is so excited and ready to be
baptized. We just have to finish up teaching the lessons, but she is
ready.

Life is good, I just miss getting letters and hearing from people.
Mommas, you are the only person that emails me consistently.

June 15th (I'm a week late)

It's been a pretty good week. On Monday, we were given a referral
about an investigator that moved here from Nashville. We haven't been
able to get a hold of him yet, but hopefully soon!! Then on Tuesday,
we received another referral from a sister in St. Louis. Her friend
lives near the chapel and is elderly and lonely. She wants people to
visit her and reassure her that she has friends and isn't alone. She
is a widow of a year now. So we stopped by and saw her... And ended up
being there for a hour or so helping and talking to her! We helped
trim some bushes and just visited. It was a really good visit. She
really took to us and wants to see us again! I can't wait. Visiting
with her reminded me of Grandma. Not Pat, but I was thinking of
Grandma while she was talking about losing her husband.
Speaking of Grandma, two Sundays ago our branch had the stake
patriarch visit. During third hour, he talked about patriarchal
blessings. It was a very good meeting. Later in the question part,
someone asked about their ancestors blessings. Did you know we can
request them? I couldn't stop thinking about Grandma. So I requested
it, and it came the other day. There is great power in our patriarchal
blessings. They really are from our Heavenly Father. No one else knows
how to speak to us in a way that touches our heart and soul. While
reading hers, I could see how she applied it to herself. I'll send it
to you.
Wednesday was hot! Well, all week has been hot! :) We spent the day in
a neighboring city meeting new people and trying to find less actives.
It was such a tiny town! 2,000 people! But we were able to talk to
some people. Also we were able to visit with some less actives. People
are still new to me, but most are even new for Sister Brunt. So, good
for us both. Every Wednesday night, our branch has a Book of Mormon
reading class. Both sets of missionaries and members and less actives
come. We read and discuss a chapter. Attendance is pretty low. 4
missionaries and 3 active members. But we keep trying! That's an
important aspect of missionary work... Never give up!
Thursday we were able to teach a lady in our complex. She works at the
office, and packages are left there. Not sure why, but I think the box
keys were stolen. Anyway, we had to pick up a package, and she started
asking us questions. We sat down and talked for a while. But she had
to get back to work, and we had appointments so we set up a time to
meet later. We did. And it was good. She said that she isn't looking
to convert, but she likes to research and understand better. What's
better though is that she said that we rekindled her desire to study
the Bible. Either was, we did our job! :)
Friday was fun! We had a General Authority Mission Tour. It was Elder
Kopischke, a member of the Quorum of the Seventy. It was really good.
The fun part was that the whole mission was together again! So all the
sides got to visit so soon! We also took another mission picture, but
I don't have it yet. I will send it when I get it! Mommas! You would
be so proud of me! I was part of a missionary quartet that sang at the
meeting. It was very scary. None of us knew that it was going to be in
front of the whole mission until Tuesday. But we did good.
On to the Mission Tour... The first part was teaching. It was about
the importance of having the Spirit with us when we teach. Otherwise
we are just talking. It can be truth and doctrine, but it won't be
with the full power of Godliness as if we had His Spirit. We receive
powers of godliness as we make and keep essential ordinances. Baptism:
remission of sins. Confirmation: sanctification, protection, comfort.
Priesthood ordination: authority to act in God's name. Endowment:
knowledge of God and know to be like Him. Sealing: eternal families!
That last one is our goal! We don't just baptize and leave them at
that. We know the power from progression and the blessings from making
and keeping our covenants! The second part was questions. It was an
amazing meeting! There was a lot of power in the chapel. Almost 200
missionaries and a General Authority... I can't wait until the next
time a General Authority comes. It's a unique experience and chance to
be uplifted.
Saturday was also good. I had some ideas come to me, after the
meeting, to help the branch. I started to put them into action. The
first was a way to focus more while we spiritually harvest (tract). I
remembered it from an exchange I had gone on before. It was to pray
specifically to find a person to fulfill a calling that is in need in
the unit. For example, our Branch President's first answer was a young
men's leader. (Honestly, we need pretty much all the callings. Most
people are serving in every auxiliary at the same time.) I think I
found him. Of course, he has his agency on whether to listen, but as
long as we do our part it is out our hands. The other idea was a way
to have the sisters be more involved in missionary work. I still don't
know all of them. (There is usually only 4 sisters in Relief Society.)
I shared it with the RS President. She seems to like it. I hope the
sisters are willing. Members are so important to have in lessons.
We have another investigator. Her name is Jalynn. She is the
granddaughter of a recent convert couple. She is 8 years old and very
excited to get baptized. We've taught the Restoration to her. She
actually wants to learn, so that's very exciting. She has questions
and concerns. At 8 she questions Joseph seeing the Father and the Son.
I bore my testimony to her and told her to pray. I think she will. She
has become my favorite person to teach! We see them frequently because
we are teaching her and visiting with her grandparents. She actually
drew me a picture AND spelled my name right! Without looking at my tag,
I should add! :) It's the little things!
Sunday was good as well. It really is so amazing that we have the
opportunity every week to renew our covenants with the Lord. And as a
missionary, that hour of sacrament meeting is precious. That time is
specifically for Sister Pochop. I don't need to think about where my
investigators are in the building. It is my time to ponder and
reflect.

The work is true! I love you all!

Sister Paige Pochop

Scripture of the Week: 1 Nephi 3:7

Talofa!

Hi again!

Thank you so much for the card and the packages!! I love them and they made me smile!!!
When we aren't teaching investigators, we do a mix of teaching less actives and spiritual harvesting. Spiritual harvesting is basically tracting, but not door to door. Does that make sense? We knock the doors we feel inspired to knock on.

I'm so sad the Prices are moving :( but I know it'll be good for them and the kids. I hope you gave them a big hug from me! Congrats again to the Bains for baby Brogan!!  That's fun news about the cousins! Hopefully baby Gardner gets a name soon! :)

We haven’t seen Greg in a week. He is currently stuck in Memphis and doesn't have a phone. His neighbor is a member and our contact to him. So we are currently on hold. But hopefully he will be back soon.

My talk went well. I also played the piano in Sacrament meeting Sunday because the normal person was out of town. That went well too :) I enjoy being able to play again. Because I'm also the Relief Society pianist. I hope to learn how to play the organ while I'm here. The piano/ organ we have is electric so it does both. But you need to know how to play some basic organ techniques for that to sound right. I don't know any yet, so I switched to the piano. But I will be asking the organist when he gets back for some tips.

Stake conference sounded AMAZING and INSPIRED!!! I really hope people will listen and apply it to themselves and their families. This branch could use those talks too.

We went on exchanges on Wednesday. They were good. I was actually with the sister I had my first exchange with! So that was fun. It was also good to see how we have both changed and improved.

We got our iPads on Wednesday too! Something President Wakolo said was "Are we excited? Yes. Are we nervous? Of course. Are we afraid? No." I love that because he has such confidence and trust in us. So far we
are using them to get accustomed to showing videos and using the new pamphlets. But later down the road we are going to use Facebook and Skype and other tools that are going to help.

I love you all!!
Sister Pochop

Scripture of the week: D&C 68: 4-6

4  And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the ^aHoly Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the ^bpower of God unto salvation.

5  Behold, this is the promise of the Lord unto you, O ye my servants.

6  Wherefore, be of good ^acheer, and do not ^bfear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I ^cwas, that I am, and that I am to come.

 

 

One advantage of being short....front and center for pictures!

New Area

Hello World!!! :)

I am now serving in Paragould, Arkansas!!! It is just 20 miles from the boot heel of ​Missouri. And for the awesome people in Martin, I am 95 miles southwest-ish from you!!! So that was a fun surprise to see!!

My new address is 913 S. 22nd St #6, Paragould, AR 72450.

Paragould is a branch. This was my first time ever attending a branch... It is so small!!!!! It is going to take some getting used to, but at least I'll be able to meet the members fast! :) And I am now the Branch Relief Society Pianist :)

My new companion is Sister Merita Brunt. Fun fact: she actually came to Arkansas with me. So we are both kind of follow-up training each other, but I am more senior companion. That's only because I know the language. She is actually from Samoa, and she had to learn English. And for only being out here for 3 months, its amazing!!!! I love her so much!! But it was still sad to leave - leaving Hot Springs was soo hard!! Even though it was only 3 months, you still grow attached to the people.

I saw the picture of the car, and it made me laugh! That was the car we had in Hot Springs. It's a good car. In Paragould, we have a silver Toyota Corolla.

This week was interesting. Monday and Tuesday was mostly full of saying good-byes, so not really any work done. Wednesday was transfers in Little Rock, and the drive to my new area is 3 hours away. So we didn't do a whole lot either. Thursday morning, we were in Memphis for a special appointment for Sister Brunt. (No problems, it had been set up before I got here.) But this week has pretty much been me getting to meet our investigators and some of the members. But, Sunday we set a baptismal date!! So that was pretty amazing!! I look forward to teaching him and helping him progress. His name is Greg, if y'all could keep him in your prayers.

I'll have more info next week, I promise!!!

I love y'all!!!

Sister Pochop

Scripture of the Week: 1 Nephi 1:1

 1  I, NEPHI, having been ^aborn of ^bgoodly ^cparents, therefore I was ^dtaught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many ^eafflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a ^frecord of my proceedings in my days.

She knows how much I "love" camo....not!

 

Transfers

May 18, 2015

Hello again!

It's that time again! And yes, I am getting transferred. It's a weird situation. Hot Springs's sisters are being shut down. We aren't entirely sure why, but the Lord has His reasons. I don't know where I'm going, but I find out on Wednesday, so I'll tell you next week. So my address until further notice is 905 Kierre Dr, North Little Rock, AR 72116. It's the Mission Office, and they will get it to me.

I am safe! It's just a lot of thunderstorms, but we are safe!! Thank you for prepping a package for me!!! I look forward to it!!!

The service opportunities depend on the places. Those places need a scheduled time in which you can come, and we can't do that.

Congrats again to the Keller's!! They all must be so proud and happy!!

Sometimes the Lord works in ways that we don't understand. Remember with my decision to serve, I was ready. But then He told me no. THEN He told me yes! There's something you need to learn and prepare for that will come out for the best.

Exchanges were great!! We met a lot of new people that have a lot of potential!! It was great! Sister Thompson was with me. She actually left today. But she is so sweet! That's the really sad thing about transfers! We found so many people, but we have to leave them. We are going to give them to the elders, and know that they will take good care of them.

We did meet with Gary. We gave him a church tour then taught the restoration to him on Saturday. He is so golden!! I don't want to give up teaching him, but I know that what is going to happen is going to happen for the best.

Love you too!!!!
Sister Pochop

Scripture of the Week: Doctrine and Covenants 4

1  NOW behold, a ^amarvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

2  Therefore, O ye that embark in the ^aservice of God, see that ye ^bserve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand ^cblameless before God at the last day.

3  Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are ^acalled to the work;

4  For behold the ^afield is white already to ^bharvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in ^cstore that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

5  And ^afaith, ^bhope, ^ccharity and ^dlove, with an ^eeye single to the ^fglory of God, ^gqualify him for the work.

6  Remember faith, ^avirtue, knowledge, ^btemperance, ^cpatience, ^dbrotherly ^ekindness, ^fgodliness, charity, ^ghumility, ^hdiligence.

7  ^aAsk, and ye shall receive; ^bknock, and it shall be opened unto you.  Amen.

 

 

Hello World!

May 11, 2015

Yesterday was Mother's Day, so I got to see my family!! It was a lot of fun and just getting to talk was a great experience. I appreciate and value the time we had!!! Love y'all!!!
I can't believe this is the last week of the transfer!! No, I don't know who is leaving. It is all in the Lord's hands. Yes, there is a high chance that Sister Zent will be getting transferred. She has been here for about 7 months. But there was a Sister that was in an area for 15 months. So anything is possible. But next week I'll know, then you'll know! :)
This week was a little slow in the work. On Tuesday, we did service almost all day. It was for a family in the ward who's son had died. They were having family come in and needed their house cleaned up. It took a while, but service is always so good.

Wednesday, we visited with the sweetest lady. She just moved here from the town over. She is a member, but lives in a rehabilitation home and doesn't have a ride. Her comprehension is slower than most, but she has a testimony! A member had donated a simplified, coloring book of the Book of Mormon to the mission, so we gave her one. She loves it! Even though she can't quite grasp the entire concept of the Book of Mormon, she understands bits and pieces and knows its true. It's fun to visit her.

We also taught Ethan again. It's slow going with him. He understands what we are teaching him, but I think he lacks the desire to put in the effort to change. He wants to and makes commitments, but he doesn't keep them all the time. That makes it hard, but as long as we have the Spirit with us when we teach I know that he will change. The Spirit is the most powerful member of our companionship, because he testifies of the truth. When we make Him our senior companion, the person we are teaching knows.

Friday was a long day. We had a meeting in Little Rock, then our ride had to pick someone up at the airport. Then they fed us, but we didn't get back to Hot Springs until 8. So we weren't productive with the work at all. But the meeting was good. We focused on raising the culture and the bar of our mission. Focusing on Exact Obedience. Also on strengthening ourselves and becoming better missionaries, then working on our companionships, the district, zone, then mission. All good things.

This week is going to be good! We have recommitted to being the best missionaries we can be. The work is true!!!

Love,

Sister Pochop

Scripture of the Week: Mosiah 28:3

3  Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not ^abear that any human ^bsoul should ^cperish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure ^dendless torment did cause them to quake and ^etremble.

(Book of Mormon | Mosiah 28:3)