Christmas and Transfers- Dec. 28, 2015

Hey everyone, I hope you all had a great Christmas. We sure did!!!

This week was a bit slow with the Holidays. We weren't able to see Susan or Hunter but we will see them this week. We were able to see Diane and Arlene so that was good. We haven't been able to see them lately. We were able to talk to them about Christmas and Christ. This week we were also able to see a couple less actives. We saw Holly Heikkinen and also Sister Robertson. With Holly we are trying to get her to come to church and to understand the blessings that comes from church. She is hopefully going to come this next week. Sister Robertson is doing good. She is just really busy with work. We read His grace is sufficient with her and she loved it. We talked about grace and the atonement. She really enjoyed it. We also were able to help Peggy with her Christmas Party. We were able to help her set up tables help with the food and then we got to meet some of her family members. It was great.  On Christmas it was great to Skype. It was fun to see everyone and see how they were doing. We also had breakfast at a members house and they bought all the missionaries Nerf Guns so we had a nerf war. it was a blast. Then on Sunday we found out about Transfers. I am staying in Oxford. Sister Parker will be leaving. She will do great. I am also training a new Sister straight from the MTC. It will be lots of fun. Well I hope you all have a great week and have a great New Years!!

Love Sister Alisha Carol Betts

Us at the Bourret house!!

Us at the Christmas Party, making toy trucks for the Nurseries.

Our Christmas PJ's!!

Christmas Day, Opening Presents!!

Us with Peggy and Dick for Christmas party!!!

Me holding a chicken at the Measles home!!

At the Christmas Party with all my old Companions. Me and Sister Fe'ao.

At the Christmas Party with all my old Companions. Me and Sister Cruz.

At the Christmas Party with all my old Companions. me and Sister Woodruff and Sister Cherrington!!

The whole mission at the Christmas Party!

Exchanges to Flint- Dec. 21, 2015

Hey Everyone, I hope you are all enjoying the snow. Michigan has not got any, we just have cold weather and rain.

This week we had exchanges. Sister Parker and Sister Edmonds stayed in Oxford, and I went to Flint with Sister Wood. It was a lot of fun. We went finding and we were able to see a lot of miracles. We met a young lady named Amber that just lost her nephew but was very open to learning more and meeting with us. We talked about God and how he is there and loves each of us. It was a good lesson. Flint was fun. Don't worry we were on the outskirts of flint. In the safe area. It was fun.

         Then on Wednesday, we finished Peggy's fence. It turned out so nice. It was a lot of fun. We also has district meeting and the instructions were on the Book of Mormon and the Gospel of Homework. They were great. They talked about using the Book of Mormon to teach and using direct assignments or readings for our investigators to read. I loved the meeting. Then we met with Bill. We talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the baptismal covenants we made at baptism. it was a great lesson. He is doing great.

        On Friday we met with a potential investigator named Don. We talked about the Restoration and how the Mormon church came about. It was a great lesson. We are hoping to get to teach him more.

         On Saturday we went to Almont. We went and helped Holly with some service. We helped her to wrap some gifts and then we talked about President Monsons talk on Be an example and a light. She really liked this talk. It was great.

        On Sunday we had the Christmas Party. The program was great. They had the choir sing and then the Primary sing. They also had different stories they told of the true meaning of Christmas. It was great.

Well I hope you all have a great Christmas. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Love Sister Alisha Carol Betts

Me painting Peggy's fence!!

Sister Parker and Me painting Peggy's Fence!!

Me and Sister Parker with our 25 days of Christmas chain. Sister Parkers mom sent us. 

Christmas Party Week- Dec. 14, 2015

Hey everyone,

This week we have done a lot of tracting and finding. We are hoping got find some new investigators. Bill is doing great. We have been reading with him and he is teaching us new things. We went over the Plan of Salvation and he really liked it. He knows where he wants to be and how we need to get there. This week we had our Relief Society Christmas party. We had our investigator Susan come with us. She was really nervous but had a great time. She was able to meet several of the sisters and make friendships. We showed the video "He is the Gift". If you haven't seen it. Go watch it. It is about how Christ is the gift to us. We also talked about how God send his only Beloved Son for us as a way for us to return home. This week the weather was in the 60s so we were able to paint Peggy's fence. It was a lot of fun. But we were super sore from it. Peggy is doing great. We love helping her out. We also were able to meet with Arlene. She is an investigator that we teach and serve. We helped her clean her house and then show her the video, " A Savior is Born." She really liked that video and how it shows what Christmas is about. Then on Saturday was our Ward Christmas Party. We had Susan come with us also. We ate cookies and hot chocolate and sang Christmas songs. It was a great party. Then Susan was able to meet with some ward members and were able to ask them questions. It was great. She really wants to learn and understand our religion. at church the speakers talked a lot about missionary work. A couple quotes that stuck out to me were, A thousand Miles begins with a Single Step. We must follow Christ and he will lead us. Another one was If we feel the Spirit, we need to tell others that we feel the spirit. That is my goal this week.  Well that sums up my week. Here are my ponderizing scriptures for the week:

2 Nephi 32:8-9, It talks about how the spirit is there to teach us to pray. We all need to listen to the spirit and follow the promptings.

D&C 58: 26-27 it talks about how we need to be anxiously engaged in a good cause.

Well I hope you all are having a great week!!!

Love Sister Alisha Carol Betts

Me next to the "D"

A cool Sunset!!!!

One night in Bethlehem- Dec. 7, 2015

Hey everyone, I hope you are all staying warm!!

This week was cold but great. We did a lot of tracting and trying to find new investigators.  Monday: we were able to go teach a couple non members at a dinner at a members house. We showed them the video," A Savior Is Born" They really liked it.

Tuesday: we had Zone Conference. At zone conference we talked a lot about the Ward Council and Members. I also really liked the instruction that was given on asking inspired questions. It was really good. We practiced using and teaching with questions. It was great. After that we went to a less actives house for dinner. We talked about church and we invited her to the Relief Society dinner.

Wednesday: We helped Peggy with some service. It was great. We helped her take down her tables and water the plants. We also got to talk with her about families and Heaven. It was a great lesson. After that we met with Bill. We talked about the Plan of Salvation. He remembered most of it. He taught it to us.

Thursday: We did a lot of finding/tracting. We talked to several people. It was great. Then we went to ward correlation and then we saw Bill. We talked to him about scriptures and we read with him. He really likes when we read with him.

Friday: We did our weekly planning and then we went to Almont to see Holly. We helped her wrap some gifts and then we talked about Being an example and a light. President Monson's talk from Conference. She really liked it. Then we went to One Night In Bethlehem. This is where our stake center puts on a live nativity scene. They had different rooms with the Shepard's, the wise man, the Inn, and then the Stable where Jesus was born. It was so great and spiritual. We took our investigators Susan and Diane. They both loved it. They were touched by the spirit by the music and the scenes.

Saturday: We went contacting at the Christmas Parade in Oxford. We were able to go and talk to several people. It was fun.

Sunday: Was a great Sabbath. We has great lessons in church. We talked about the Holy Ghost, and then in Relief Society we talked about Missionary work. It was great. We then got to go to the Hurst's house and watch the Christmas Devotional. It was great. The talks were wonderful and the spirit of Christmas was brought in.

Well I hope you all have a great week!!

Love, Sister Alisha Carol Betts

Me and Sister Parker with Woody!!! 

Me at the North Pole!!

At the Christmas Parade. got a picture with the Reindeer!!!

Thanksgiving and my 9 Month Mark- Nov. 30, 2015

Hey Everyone, I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, We had a great one.

Monday: We had our P-day, then we went and taught Bill. We talked to him about the Holy Ghost and how it will be a guide to help direct our life's. The lesson went great. We talked about the importance of the Holy Ghost.

Tuesday: We went and helped Peggy with some service. We helped her to get ready for Thanksgiving. We helped her set up her tables and then we helped her clean. It was great. I love helping her. We then went and saw Susan. We read the Book of Mormon with her. It was a powerful lesson. The spirit was so strong. We talked about Laman and Lemuel and the tree of life. She really liked this story.

Wednesday: Was District meeting. We talked about listening to the spirit and relying on the spirit. I gave an instruction on relying on the spirit. It went great. We talked about why we need to listen to the spirit and how we cant teach without the spirit. We also talked about how we need to have the spirit to direct us to the places God wants us to be.

Thursday: Was Thanksgiving. We did our Planning and then had Thanksgiving at Diane's house. She is an investigator. We were able to meet her family and discuss what we do as missionaries and also our beliefs. It was a great opportunity to discuss our beliefs.

Then we went contacting. Not very many people were out but it was good.

Friday: We went finding and then we went and helped Sister Holquiest. We helped her to put her Christmas decorations up. It was fun decorating her house and getting ready for Christmas. It reminded me of home and putting decorations up.

Saturday: We went and helped Peggy get ready for her Thanksgiving Dinner. We helped her cook potatoes, the turkey, stuffing, and other stuff. It was fun cooking for others. We also were able to meet her family and talk with them. It was a great experience.  Then we went finding in Almont. 

Sunday: Was a great Sabbath. Bill was confirmed a member of the Church and he was given the Holy Ghost. It was great. He was so excited. I love seeing the desire and change in others life's and them wanting to become like Christ. In Sacrament the speakers talked about gratitude. Here is a quote I really liked, Gratitude is the Key to Love, it is also the Magic of life, Use Gratitude to love others.

Well I hope you all have a great week!! Also check out the new Christmas initiative at www.mormon.org/christmas  it is a great video.

Love Sister Alisha Carol Betts

Me at the Library, there is this big fish named Winston!!!

Me at the Almont Sign!

Sparkling Cider and Cake for my 9 month!!!

Sparkling Cider and Cake for my 9 month!!!

Mom I really loved the Camel!! Thanks!!!

Me and Sister Parker on Thanksgiving!!!

Snow Snow Snow and Bill's Baptism- Nov. 23, 2015

Hey everyone sorry it is so late, the computers at the library were down due to the snow!!!

I hope you have had a great week. Yes we finally got snow. We have about 6-10 inches right now and it just started to snow again.

Monday: We did our normal things. Then we went and met with Bill. We talked about studying the scriptures and to always pray. It was the last couple things we talked about before his baptism.

Tuesday: We went and helped Peggy with some service. We helped her put some tables together and then we helped her to get her stuff ready for thanksgiving. After that we went tracting and then we had an appointment with Susan. She is one of our investigators. We read the Book of Mormon with her and she is doing great. She is understanding it and realizing that it can help her in her life. Then we went and had dinner at a members house. It was great.

Wednesday: We had Zone Meeting. That was great. I love meetings. We talked about having members to help us move the missionary work forward. It was great. We leaned how to better ourselves and how to teach more effectively. It was a great meeting. After that we had our last meeting with Bill before his baptism. We talked about eternal marriage. It was good. We were at a members house so we talked about their marriage and how we can all be with our families forever.

Thursday: We did our weekly planning. We planned for week 2. It is crazy how time flies. after that we went and met with Arlene. We talked about service and about prayer. She is slowly coming around. We also helped her move some stuff upstairs. It was great.

Friday: We went and helped Sister Holmquiest. We helped her to bring her groceries in and then clean her house. It was great. After that we went to Peggy's house and helped her with putting her lights up and decorating her tree. It was great. It is beginning to look like Christmas. After that we went finding and contacting. It was great.

Saturday: It snowed and snowed and snowed. We went to Almont to see Holly. We talked to her about the commandments. It was a great lesson. We talked about why there are commandments and how we should think of them as blessing to protect us. Then we went and saw Sister Robertson. We talked to her about church and why we have a church. We also read the conference talk "Why the Church" It was great.

Sunday: Church was cancelled due to the weather. I have never had church cancelled so that was fun. We did a lot of studding. Then we had Bills Baptism. It went great. We had a lot of people from the ward come and support him. The service went great. He was so happy to be able to get baptized.

Well This week Sister Parker and I are each Ponderizing 2 scriptures. Mine are D&C 25:12 which talks about how the song of the Righteous is a prayer unto God and 2 Nephi 32:3 which talks about feasting upon the scriptures. I encourage everyone to do it. It is a great experience.

Well I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!!!

Love Sister Alisha Carol Betts 

The Crazy Snow!!

Me in the Snow!!!

Us in the Snow!!!!

Bill's Baptism!!!

Transfers……Nov. 16, 2015

Hey everyone, This week has been great. Well I am not getting transferred. I am staying with Sister Parker in Oxford MI. We are excited.

Monday: We had our preparation day and rested. Then we went and taught Bill. He is doing great. We talked to him about scripture study and the importance of receiving a Testimony. It was a great lesson. I love reading the scriptures and looking for the answers for my prayers. We also went and saw Susan. She is a new investigator that we have been seeing this last couple weeks. We talked to her about the Book of Mormon and she loves it. She is reading it and understanding what it happening.

Tuesday: We went and helped Peggy with some service. We helped her to clean her house and we got to talk to her about our purpose as missionaries. It was great. Service is key. After that we did a lot of finding and contacting. We were able to talk to someone at the door step about the restoration. it was great.

Wednesday: Was Specialized Training. It was great. President Gerber gave instructions on being chosen not being called. We are all called and few are chosen we must become those chosen. It was great. We also leaning how to become better missionaries and to be more effective. After that we went and saw Bill. We talked to him about the 10 commandments and preparing for his baptism. It was great. He is getting closer and closer to next week. We are excited for him.

Thursday: We Went finding for a while and then we had ward correlation. After that we went and saw Arlene. She is doing great. We talked to her about prayer and reading the book of Mormon. We really hope she starts to read it because it can change our life's.

Friday: We did our weekly planning and then we went on exchanges. Sister Parker went to Flint and I stayed in Oxford. It was great. I was with Sister Edmonds my MTC companion. It was great. We went and saw Flora. She is our new investigator. We taught her about the Book of Mormon and she was excited to start reading and also understanding it. 

Saturday: We first went and saw Diane. We talked to her about Joseph Smith and then showed her the Restoration Video. She loved it. The spirit was so strong. After that we went and did some service for Holly. We helped her wrap some presents and talked about the talk" If Ye Love Me Keep My Commandments" from conference it is a great talk. I encourage everyone to read it.

Sunday: We went to church and it was the Primary Program. It was great. The theme was I know that my Redeemer Lives. The children did a great. Job. It made me miss home but it was great. After that we went finding and walking on trails. It was fun. We talked to some people.

Well I hope you all have a great week. Love you!!

Sister Alisha Carol Betts

Helping put tables together!!!