Her week started with a nerf war on Monday at the Church building. "So fun", Sister Tanner said. They set up tables and chairs and had a huge game with all of the missionaries! For Family Home Evening that night, Sister Tanner had dinner with a wonderful family from her ward. She had an amazing gospel conversation with them, and committed the entire family to study "Preach My Gospel." This is something she hopes to encourage every member to do!
After the District meeting on Tuesday, Sister Tanner and her companion got stuck in a rainstorm! Luckily, a sweet Sister from their ward came to rescue them! Sister Tanner is so blessed to have such sweet ward members! After the rainstorm died down, the Sisters went out to contact less active members. While they were waiting at the bus stop, they met an amazing girl! "It's nice to know there are people trying to do good in the world and live good lives", Sister Tanner said of her. The bus stop is always a hot spot for meeting new people!
"Wednesday was a miracle day", Sister Tanner said. She had been praying to be able to contact a few potential investigators, and her prayers were answered! A man they had met previously, called them and wanted them to come teach him that same day! "We had an awesome lesson teaching him the Restoration and he's so prepared and looking for truth. Love it", Sister Tanner said. Her prayers were definitely answered that day! After the lesson, Sister Tanner and Sister King looked up Elder Oak's talk from the Priesthood session of General Conference. It definitely helped inspire them as women! "SO GOOD", Sister Tanner said. "It helps us better understand our power in preaching the gospel as Sisters! We don't have the Priesthood, but we have the Priesthood authority to teach the gospel." In Elder Oaks' talk he said the following, "In that notable address, President Smith said again and again that women have been given authority. To the women he said,'You can speak with authority, because the Lord has placed authority upon you.' He also said that the Relief Society 'has been given power and authority to do a great many things. The work which they do is done by divine authority.'" What a powerful message to women! Sister Tanner was so inspired! Later that day, a previous investigator whom Sister Tanner has taught, contacted the Sisters. She told them, "I need to start meeting with you guys again and I need God in my life, because since you stopped coming, everything has fallen apart." Sister Tanner hopes to continue teaching her this time, and that her faith in the gospel will grow! Later that evening, Sister Tanner and Sister King were heading to the library to teach one of their investigators when their stalker found them! "Our stalker found us", Sister Tanner said! "He proposed to Sister King! Haha! He's crazy!" Luckily, he is harmless and the Sisters were able to get a good laugh out of it! Their night ended on a good note, as they were able to visit a less active family whom they have been trying to contact for months. How amazing! "She was so sweet and so willing to meet with us again", Sister Tanner said. What an incredible day!
Thursday was another wonderful day for Sister Tanner. She had a really powerful lesson with one of the less active members she has been teaching. "He's totally changing", Sister Tanner said. "He watched all of conference and loved it! He was quoting stuff to us the whole lesson! He also made us these CTR neon signs! So cool!" It is so special to see how Sister Tanner's influence has changed this man's life! That evening, Sister Tanner was having dinner with a family from the ward, and their son stopped by in the middle of it. "Their son who is not a member randomly stopped by and stayed for our message and everything. This is the second time he's stayed. We had planned a lesson on missionary work and we knew we needed to take the opportunity to do something else if he was there, so we opened up the scriptures and just started teaching. We taught about the Holy Ghost and how we can feel it and the spirit was so strong and he was participating and making comments and stuff, it was really good", Sister Tanner said. She was once again led by the spirit in what she was supposed to teach that night! When they were leaving the home that night, the parents told them that they were prompted to have them over for dinner that night. They had no idea that their son was coming over either! Everyone was prompted in this situation! Their son was obviously meant to hear the message that Sister Tanner and Sister King had to share. "The work is hastening and the Lord is preparing him! I know it! It's really cool to have been able to see the spirit working through them to invite us and the spirit working through us to know what to teach. I love it", Sister Tanner said! What a testimony builder!
"Friday was awesome", Sister Tanner said! It was baptism day! They were able to have dinner with her first and help her get ready! It was so special. "Her baptism was amazing! The spirit was so strong! I will never forget the big breath she took before she went down in the water and the huge smile that was on her face when she came up. Words cannot describe the happiness! Her baptism is the reason why missions are WORTH IT! Every hard day, every door slammed in our faces, every mean person, it's all worth it to see one of God's special daughters enter the gate. My favorite part of the whole night was when she got up to bear her testimony at her baptism! She told her whole story and how her questions were answered at conference. I will never forget the words she said, "I know the Church is true". She talked about how she had to give up family and friendships of those who didn't support her decision but it's okay because she gained so much more. She's amazing! I have no doubt in my mind that she's going to be a strong active member forever. Her testimony is centered on Christ and the Spirit! I love her", Sister Tanner said. What a spiritual day, and an unforgettable one at that.
Saturday morning, the Sisters helped a family in the ward who is moving. After packing, the Sisters had an amazing Mexican lunch at "the best restaurant ever". They had such a good time with a sweet Sister from their ward. "She's the best example of a member Missionary", Sister Tanner said. "I love her!" After lunch, Sister Tanner taught one of her investigators at the library. The Sisters taught him all about the Word of Wisdom. "It went really good", Sister Tanner said. "Afterward, he introduced us to a bunch of his friends at the library. One guy's name was Turtle! He's a new investigator now! He wants to learn more!" How exciting! Sister Tanner is truly "pollinating the world", as Elder M. Russell Ballard has asked us to do.
Sunday was an amazing fast and testimony meeting in West Allis, WI. It was also the confirmation day! "Lots of the members bore their testimonies about the spirit at her baptism", Sister Tanner said. "It was amazing. One testimony even made everyone cry." A less active member attended Church that day, and he was touched! "I love my life", Sister Tanner said.
This week was one that Sister Tanner will never forget. Seeing someone she has grown to love so much, be baptized was the most spiritual experience. She is eternally grateful for this opportunity to be a full time missionary, and to keep teaching others of the gospel!
Sister Tanner's Testimony:
"So grateful for this week we have to celebrate our Savior's Resurrection! I'm so grateful for the knowledge that we have the HE lives! Because of him, we are able to overcome all our trials and we can become better and most importantly, we can return to our Father in heaven again. Please share the #becauseofhim video on mormon.org on your Facebooks. It will help others to know of him. I'm grateful for my mission helping me better understand Jesus Christ and being able to trust in him more. I have a testimony that HE LIVES and that he loves us and that he will come again!"
2 Nephi 25:26
"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."
"I love you all so much! Happy Easter"
love,
Sister Karlie Marie Tanner
Please share this video, and help others understand what Easter is all about! Because of him, all things are possible.
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