Brithday Week

Hey y'all!

This has been a fun week! First of all, I got my new companion! Her

name is Sister Wright. She is from Mesa, Arizona but doesn't know the

Hinman's or Ross's. I already tried :) She is doing really good so

far. She is a fast learner, which makes it easier for me.

 

Thank you so much for the package and goodies! I love the case- so

cute!! I'll probably get the See's today or tomorrow, so thank you!!!!

I got all the videos- they made me trunky :( I can't believe y'all

bought a cake for me that you couldn't even eat! So silly, but was

just like y'all.

 

It was actually one of my favorite birthdays because it wasn't about

me. We still went out and did work. We harvested an apartment complex

that I have felt prompted to stop by for a week now. We hadn't earlier

because the hectic schedule of transfers and I had the excuse that we

were too busy to stop by. I am so glad that we did though! Our first

door was Sister Wright's choice. He was really nice and still new to

the area. He is looking for a church, and we taught him about the

Restoration and the Book of Mormon and invited him to read. He said he

would, and we are going to see him next week! I can't wait!

 

The other person we met is golden! We had felt as though there was

someone else that needed to hear our message, so we walked upstairs

and I stopped at her apartment. Christine let us in. We started with

the Restoration of Christ's church, but then she told us about her

brother that had passed away. We were able to teach the Plan of

Salvation, and answer her questions of the soul: where did I come

from, why am I here, and where am I going? I was able to bear my

testimony of Jesus Christ's atonement and the knowledge I have that

our families CAN be together forever. I am so grateful that I was able

to give the best gift I could on my birthday. It is definitely an

experience that I will cherish and plan to repeat.

 

Not a whole lot of new stuff, since it's mostly getting Sister Wright

to meet everyone. This week will be more "productive" story wise.

 

May I make a request for pictures? People can email pictures, because

I can save them and it's cheaper for all parties. PLEASE????? This

sister misses seeing people she loves!

 

Scripture of the Week: 2 Kings (story of Elijah and his servant being

surrounded by chariots of Fire. I just can't remember the reference.)

 

Love,

Sister Pochop

 

Training again

Hello again!

Sorry for the confusion, but I wasn't on yesterday because I was at
the temple. So I get to email today.

This is going to be an interesting transfer! No, I'm not leaving
Paragould. I was called as a trainer again! Sister Wood is getting
transferred, and she will have another trainer to finish her 12 week
training. Life just got real interesting! But the Lord knows what He
is doing, even if I don't yet. But I'll have the low down on it next
week when I get her!

The temple was amazing! It has been 6 months since I've been to the
temple, and it was so very welcome. There is a spirit there that you
can't get in any other place. I don't know if I explained last week,
but they way it goes in my mission is that you get to attend the
temple during your birthday month. It's always the Monday of
transfers. All the birthday missionaries and the departing
missionaries get to go one last time. That part was sad because you
get to know these missionaries and serve with them. Then you have to
say good bye. But it was still an amazing experience, and I can't wait
until next year!

We had stake conference this weekend. It was really good. It was
greatly focused on temples and family history work and keeping the
Sabbath day holy. It was fun to realize that as a missionary I teach
those principles often. Any time I have a chance to better understand
a principle or doctrine, I am very appreciative. It helps so much
because it's a new way to explain and over time I've been able to
discover more succinct ways to explain and teach.

We haven't been able to see Renea this week- she was taking her son to
college. But we'll be up and at it teaching her and helping her along
the way for baptism.

Sorry about not responding to it. Service is good- it's just finding
the opportunities here. It's going to happen soon though. I'm so happy
that y'all could do that for the Ronald McDonald house! I didn't know
any of that, but I will most definitely drop some change into the
boxes more often.

Sorry it's kind of short today, but next week will be better. There's
just been a lot of planning and organizing going on. I got my bday
package!!! Thank you!!! The memes have been so fun!

I love you thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis
much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,
Sister Pochop

Pleasant Surprises!

Hey y'all!
>
> Business first: in this mission, we get to go to the temple in our
> birthday month. For me it's this month :) So next week, I will be
> emailing on Tuesday instead of Monday. So don't stress out. I am alive
> and being spiritually uplifted. :)
>
> This week was really good! Our branch had two baptisms! One was a
> member and the other was her dad. It was so good! She got baptized
> Saturday, and him on Sunday morning. Baptisms are amazing. The spirit
> present is so incredibly strong. I am so grateful to have been able to
> witness them. To top that off, his daughter (previous marriage, not a
> member) wants to learn more! Her name is Ashton and is 13. We taught
> the Restoration and the Spirit was powerful. What made it even more
> special was that Tom was there and could bear testimony as well. It
> couldn't have been better! The church is true!
>
> Renea is doing great! We taught her the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That
> is about faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the
> Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. We focused on baptism. She is
> excited and ready! Not sure if I said this before, but her date is for
> August 16. We plan on seeing her tomorrow, so I'll keep y'all updated.
>
> So yes, we had a 40th anniversary reunion for the Arkansas Little Rock
> Mission. Someone had the grand idea to have RMs and past mission
> presidents come back and visit and see the growth. We also got to hear
> from some about how they had been changed. It was a very incredible
> experience. We had a choir of currently serving missionaries,
> including yours truly :). So good! The Spirit is intense! I hope you
> get to see it, because my favorite songs were sung. Called to Serve
> and our mission song. It is truly an incredible anthem.
>
> I think the work here is Paragould is starting to lift off. And it is
> definitely making a difference. I just sent you a letter that goes
> into this more. I don't remember all of it, but it's good! :)
>
> The work is hard, but the work is good. There have been tears and
> heartache and stress and frustration. There have also been tears and
> peace and calmness and joy. We offer salvation, but it comes through
> work. Work on all our parts. Regardless of when we see it, a
> difference is being made. I know I'm here for a reason. I make a
> difference, but it is through the Spirit and the love of my Savior.
>
> Scripture of the Week: Moroni 9:6

6 And now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God.
(Book of Mormon | Moroni 9:6)

>
> Love,
> Sister Pochop

 

 

 

 

Safety for the Soul

Hello world!! 

It's me again! This is our walk week, but the weather has actually been better this week!! Funny how a little more clouds or a few degrees can make such a difference.

This week has been better. After the advice and counsel from my amazing friends and family and prayer, I talked to Sister Wood and we came up with a new focus along with finding. As our branch is very small and not very strong, we decided that we were going to ask the priesthood and auxiliary leaders what families and individuals we could focus on this week. We were able to get a few names and will talk to them this week and help them re-find that desire to come back. Hopefully we'll be able to see progress.

I love priesthood blessings! I was able to strengthen my testimony of them this week. I had asked for one earlier for comfort and strength to know that I am doing something here. And yesterday our branch president gave all of us a blessing. None of the four currently serving there had received one from him yet. It is something that President Wakolo had asked us to get when we first got into our new areas. I didn't get one in my last area- I'm not really sure why. Anyway, I was the last to receive one, so I was able to listen to the words used and the theme of the other three. They were specifically about setting apart for the work and how we all work together for the success and goodness for the branch. The first words of my actual blessing were that it was a blessing of comfort. I hadn't said anything to him, and it was just going to be a regular setting apart like the other three. But I know that the Father knows me and that I needed to know that He is always there for me. --I am doing fine, so no worries! :)

This week we were able to set a baptismal date! Her name is Renea, and she committed for August 16th! Not the best day ever, but pretty close :) She is very sweet and ready to learn and join. She heard about the church, and was actually referred to us, by her friend who is coming back to the church. We had a very good lesson with her, and the Spirit was so strong! I am excited to meet with her again this week. We are also slowly working with a few other families and people, but there isn't a whole lot of progress yet. I do know that our efforts aren't in vain. Something is showing from it- we just might not be the ones to see it though.

Thought of the Week: "Safety for the Soul" Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Safety For Your Soul

Love you all!! Please don't forget about me!!

Sister Pochop

 

Growth!

July 20, 2015

Oh my goodness! You always know just what meme to send don't you? :) it made me laugh real hard again. Thank you for the box mommy. Thanks also for the snackie snacks and pictures and the love. It always helps to finally not see an empty mailbox. :) Also, thank you for the socks and piano paper.  Thank you for the emails during the week. Thank you to the CTR 6B class for the letters and pictures!! Y'all made my day! Love and miss you!

This week was fun and full of new/exciting stuff! On Tuesday we had exchanges. It was Sister Wood's first one. I was fortunate enough to be with a sister I had not yet worked with or gotten to know very well. She was in my zone back in Little Rock, but she transferred to the Searcy Zone this past transfer and became one of our STLs. Her name is Sister Aase. She is a sweetheart! I love exchanges for many reasons. One, I have a chance to learn from another missionaries example. Two, I get to meet another missionary. Three, it's for a whole 24-hour period! It's one-on-one guidance with a leader for a whole day! It helps a lot. I think it helped Sister Wood too. It gives you a chance to look at the work with fresh eyes.

Wednesday was our specialized training. It took all day plus 2 and a half hour drive time both ways but it was good. We were officially trained on using the area book planner app. It didn't make a whole lot of sense in the beginning, but now that it's been a couple days I understand it. It helps with the work a lot! It actually makes everything more concise and accurate.

The rest of the week has been filled with adjusting to the new tools and putting all the information from our book into the iPads. I'm so thankful we have two to get twice the work done! We haven't been able to get it with Max or Amie again. He works crazy hours, and she isn't always home. But we are going to keep pushing. We had taught the restoration to them and it went really well. I know that our message and the Gospel will help them and change their lives. That's something he had said after we taught them. He knew we weren't going to give up.

Guess what?! My little girl gave her first talk yesterday! Actually, both of them did. Sister Wood gave her first as a missionary, and Jalynn gave her very first. I am so proud of them. I knew Sister Wood would do great. Jalynn was nervous, but she did amazing! It was about prayer. It's a great feeling to see someone you've grown to love continue to find success in the church and the gospel. Even though she is still 8, I've been able to see that change.

Some of my studies this week have been on faith and hope, 2 Christ-like attributes. They are so important and connect each other too. I think Alma 32:21 sums it up nicely "And now as I said concerning faith--faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true."

You need to have that hope to have faith. You need to have faith in order to hope. And hope is an anchor that we can rely on always for our souls. BUT, it needs to be hope in Christ just like Helaman 5:12 says.

12  And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

Thanks again for the love and support. Love you all!

Scripture of the Week: Alma 23:5-6
And thousands were brought to the knowledge of the Lord, yea, thousands were brought to believe in the traditions of the Nephites; and they were taught the records and prophecies which were handed down even to the present time.

6  And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away.

Love,

Love,

Love,
Sister Pochop

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.