Sister Tanner enjoyed another fun game day playing "chair soccer" on Monday. It has quickly become her new favorite sport! That evening, she had a lesson with one of the recently baptized converts in her ward. The Bishop's wife even came with them. It was wonderful! The Bishop and his wife are visiting Sacramento this week, since that is where she is from. What a small world!
On Tuesday, Sister Tanner found an awesome new investigator! She is a 16 year old girl who is looking for a Church. "She's super prepared", Sister Tanner said. Tuesday was also District Meeting day! The meeting this week was focused all on finding and expecting miracles. "Just the pump of inspiration we needed for the week", Sister Tanner said. After district meeting, it was time to do exchanges! Sister Tanner was blessed to do exchanges with her former companion, Sister Hancock! She loves her to death! It was fun having her go to Kenosha to serve together for a day. "We had a blast and worked super hard. We were able to make our daily goal of Book of Mormons", Sister Tanner said. One of the Sisters in Sister Tanner's ward, gave her lots of referrals! Two of them are her nonmember Sisters, and another is a close friend. Sister Tanner and Sister Hancock were able to teach all of them! It was amazing!
Wednesday was the 6 month mark until Christmas! Sister Tanner and Sister Hancock celebrated by singing, "Joy To The World"! It was a great day! Sister Tanner found new investigators and new potential investigators! One of her lessons she taught that day, was on the "Plan of Salvation". It went really well! Right after that lesson, she attended Institute which was also focused on the Plan of Salvation! What are the odds? "We definitely needed to learn something from it that day", Sister Tanner said.
To learn more about the Plan of Salvation, visit www.mormon.org
"The Stake President was our institute teacher for the day. He is awesome! I had been feeling stressed out the whole week, so I asked him after class if he could give me a blessing. It was everything I needed! In the blessing it said that I would have peace in my heart and that I'd be able to work hard and follow the spirit at the same time, and that my path would be lightened for decisions in the future. After the blessing, I felt a huge weight just lifted from my shoulders", Sister Tanner said. The power of the Priesthood is remarkable. Sister Tanner was truly comforted from this blessing.
"Thursday was a miracle", Sister Tanner said. The blessing she received the previous day, gave her the faith and determination to see miracles happen in Kenosha! She was able to accomplish her goal of giving out 20 Book of Mormons that day! She also was able to meet so many amazing people because of that goal! "God really does put the people in your path that are prepared as long as we are prepared to talk to them", Sister Tanner said. She had the opportunity to teach one of her investigators that attended Church the previous Sunday. He comes from a rough background and a hard life. "He wants to change his life, and he hasn't been able to stop thinking about Church and how he feels like God wants something different for his life", Sister Tanner said. She can truly see a huge change in his heart and his spirit! What a miracle! That evening, Sister Tanner let her faith take over. She didn't know where to go or who to teach. She decided to trust in Heavenly Father, and have faith that he would lead her to those that she was supposed to teach. That is exactly what happened! "Toward the end of the night, we were driving around aimlessly trying to figure out where Heavenly Father wanted us to be and where we needed to go to reach our goals and to help the people he wanted us to help. Then we saw this lady walking her dog and we both felt that we needed to just pull over and get out and talk to her, so we did and she is soooooo cool. She's going through a divorce, and just lost her job. She talked to us for awhile and accepted a Book of Mormon, and wants to talk to us more. When we were leaving she was like, "I know God put you in my path, thanks for making me happy today". Ah! It makes me so happy when I know we are being tools in God's hands to cheer someone up", Sister Tanner said. What an amazing story! This is what Missionary work is all about! If we can listen to those promptings from our Heavenly Father, he will always lead us to those who are ready to hear the gospel!
On Friday, Sister Tanner was able to volunteer at the Shalom Center! It was a great experience like always! Afterwards, she was able to visit an elderly Sister at her nursing home. "All her friends there want to come to church with her, but we can't seem to find a way to get them all there! Ah! If there is a will, there is a way, right", Sister Tanner said. How wonderful if she can find a way for them to all attend Church! The Sisters ended up running out of Book of Mormons that day! What a great problem to have! Luckily, they were able to meet up with the Elders and get more! That evening, Sister Tanner and Sister Reed helped decorate the gym at Church for a wedding! Then they taught a recently baptized convert. They taught her about Missionary work and helping her family learn about the Church. She then visited one of the Sisters in her ward. She watched "His Grace is Sufficient" with her and her family. "That talk gets me every time", Sister Tanner said. (This talk is featured in the June 16th blog post if you are interested in watching it.)
"Saturday we went to the lake and the farmer's market where there are thousands of people to talk to! We met lots of cool people again and the Lord blessed us", Sister Tanner said of her day. The Sisters also received a referral from the Elders of a girl who was ready to be taught. "We went there, taught the Restoration and she basically told us she already knew the Book of Mormon was true, and we set a baptism date with her. She's totally prepared and loves the gospel already", Sister Tanner said. What an absolute miracle! Sister Tanner is so excited and happy for her! Sister Tanner had a fun evening at the Wedding Reception of a Sister from her ward. It was "Lord of the Rings" themed! We cannot wait to see pictures of this wedding! "It was great", Sister Tanner said! Afterwards, her and Sister Reed were able to spend some time at a part member family in their ward. The husband is not a member. At first he was against the Church, but the Sisters have helped him progress. His heart has slowly softened. "He will totally join the Church soon. The priesthood blessing he received when he was in the hospital, has changed so much for him", Sister Tanner said.
Two investigators attended Church on Sunday! It was amazing! The lessons were mainly centered on "Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy". That night, Sister Tanner had dinner with a wonderful family in her ward. "Such a cool family! Sister "L" is a Death Investigator for the FBI in Chicago, murder capital of the country. So she told us all about her job and the crazy things she deals with! She also looks like a model! Brother "L" is hilarious too", Sister Tanner said. She is blessed to get to meet such amazing families in Wisconsin! That evening, the Sisters finished their day by teaching lessons. It was a great Sunday!
Sister Tanner had a miraculous week! We are so proud of her success in accomplishing her goal of giving out 50 Book of Mormons this week! She will truly be blessed for this! She has already seen the blessings of this, by meeting more investigators and being led to people who are prepared to learn about the gospel.
Sister Tanner's Testimony:
"This week I have been able to reflect on the missionary I was at the beginning of my mission, the missionary I am now and how much I've grown and how much I still want to do to become the missionary I will be. I love the reassurance from the spirit after a long day of working hard when I am absolutely exhausted and the spirit confirms to me that I am doing exactly what Heavenly Father needs me to do. I know that Miracles are possible when you rely on the Lord and your committed to your goals and I know God is in charge!"
Romans 8:38-39
38: For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39: Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
"Nothing can separate us from the Love of God! I love you all so much! Have another amazing week! Happy 4th of July and 4 months until I see you all again!"
love always,
Sister Karlie Marie Tanner
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