Finding Tender Mercies

Dear Family & Friends:

There's not a whole lot to report on this week!  But there were many tender mercies throughout the week!

-We stopped in Sheila's work this week.  (Sheila is the one in the golf cart that stopped Sister Stoffers and a week ago Saturday); turns out that she is a member and joined approximately 10 years ago, so we were able to visit with her and will see her again this week.  But as we were talking with her this week, she mentioned that the people in the golf cart in front of her that day, Sheila had told them that they should have the Sisters come and visit with them, but then Sheila's friend said that she was a member as well!  Basically it was a testimony builder that you don't meet people by coincidence!

-Monday we went to Cedar Rapids with one of the members in the branch and we had 10 minutes before we needed to pick up her daughter, so we decided to run into a goodwill store.  None of us found anything, but as we were getting ready to walk out of the door a lady looks at Sister Porter's tag and asks what it says, she then says "two in one day?!  I just ran into the guys at the grocery store." She then proceeded to tell of an experience that her ancestors had when two members of the church gave a Priesthood blessing to an infant.  She then made the comment that she wished that she could get a hold of the Book of Mormon that her mom had lent to someone.  So instead of waiting, we told her that she could have her own copy!  Her face lit up and said "really?!"  We then handed her a copy of the Book of Mormon that she could have!

- We were able to meet with Jeff and he committed to reading the entire Book of Mormon!

With the toad.

-Wednesday night after coordination, we were walking on the side walk up to our apartment, when Sister Porter spotted a frog.  She had never touched a frog, so I filmed her as she caught the frog, but I'm pretty sure it was a Toad.  We took pictures and then as I was holding the frog it jumped out of my hand, I screamed and may have woken up our entire complex. . . . :(

- Something that I love this time of year is the amount of service we are able to render, and how touched people are when we are able to help them out!  So last night there was a huge thunder/lightning storm, with lots of rain that many homes were flooded and all of the homes on the street that our complex is on had flooding, and the dumpsters were turned over and one was swept down a hill.  So this morning when we were running our groceries into our apartment, one of the residents came over and asked us if we knew who drove the Utah licensed car, because they needed it moved.  We didn't know, but then as we were talking he was telling us that this morning they had asked several young men that live in our complex if they could help turn the one dumpster right side up, but they said that they were too busy.  We then said that we would be more than happy to help out in any way, and so tomorrow they are getting a huge dumpster for all of the water damaged stuff, and so we will get to help many of our neighbors!

- We went to drop by a complex where several members live, and there were three individuals sitting in the little pavilion and so we went and began to talk with them.  One couple had been to Nauvoo several times and the other lady, Ruth, is turning 88 on the 11th and is having family members come for the celebration.  The couple (Bruce and Geraldine) were telling Ruth that she needs to take her family down to Nauvoo to see the pageant!  Bruce and Geraldine were very impressed with the sites and how friendly everyone was, Bruce also said that if he didn't have a religion he would join the "Mormons" in a heartbeat. . . . We’ll be dropping by and visiting them ;)

-  I had the privilege to speak in Sacrament meeting yesterday on Elder Ballards April 2014 General Conference talk "Following Up"  and it is really neat because missionary work, service, obedience, basically everything we do is/or should be done because we love Heavenly Father.  And as we act out of love we will feel the Savior's approval!

I love you lots and hope you have a wonderful week and Fourth of July!

Love, 

Sister Call

Iowa Sunset

Transfer Meeting Again

Dear Family & Friends:

Once again we had transfers this past week and you may be wondering what came of transfers.  I have only been in Mt. Vernon and with Sister Stoffers for a transfer, so there was a good chance that we would spend another transfer working together. . . . but you all know my transfer record and how I am almost as consistent as President and Sister Jensen at attending transfer meeting! Good thing it is one of my favorite meetings!  So yes, Monday night we got the call from the Assistant letting us know that Sister Stoffers would be leaving and that I would be staying! What a wonderful week of excitement, anticipation, goodbyes, and welcomes that always comes with transfers.

Monday we had a great day as we were able to take Grandma Judy, who has been a member for about 2 1/2 years and has a thick southern accent, to Tipton, IA with us for several appointments. We were first able to visit Karla who is the only active member in Tipton, and Karla's grandson was visiting so we were able to share a message with them, before we had an appointment with Jeff.  

Now Jeff was a referral from the Iowa City sisters, but we hadn't talked with the sisters to know anything about him.  Regardless we had set up an appointment and he was going to bring a friend as well.  We arrived at his place and sure enough, Jeff's friend happened to be Karla's neighbor "preacher Bill".  It was a really neat experience, because Bill was more interested in the differences between our church and the apostolic church, but Jeff still showed interest despite Bill's presence.  But something that I learned to appreciate was the power that comes with testimony.  That not only does the bearing of testimony bring the Spirit into the lesson, but also people can't argue a testimony.  That even if they don't agree with the doctrine that is being testified of, they can't deny that you believe/know the things that you testify of.  Anyways, with regards to Jeff we are going to meet with him this Wednesday!

Monday night was adventurous, because as we were leaving for Tipton the sky was really dark and so it started raining on our drive, but apparently we were driving the right direction, because we only got some rain, but Lisbon/Mt. Vernon were plastered with hail and crazy winds. Enough that many limbs broke and even two of the trees at the church were broken off. Anyways, we didn't witness very much of the storm, but that evening we were getting ready for bed when we heard the tornado siren go off, and our phone received a tornado alert.  Luckily, Sister Stoffers knows what to do, so we grabbed our lamp, pillows and our journal as we waited in our bathroom till the warning was over in!

Tuesday was spent saying goodbyes to people that Sister Stoffers had come to love in this area. It is always neat to see the influence that individuals can have on others as they truly love one another and desire to serve them.  

Wednesday was a great day as we prepared for transfers the following day.  But there is something about the night before transfers that you don't get any sleep what so ever, because it just wouldn't be transfer meeting if you weren't tired!

I love transfer meeting and being able to see so many missionaries and people that I have served around!  I now have Sister Porter as my companion!  She is from Oregon City, Oregon and has been on her mission for 6 months and has been serving the past 6 months in Macomb, IL.  She is wonderful and I am really excited for this transfer!

We had dinner with the Cyko's who happened to be my very first dinner appointment in Mt.  Vernon, so that was fun, because that Thursday was basically a repeat from my first day here in Mt. Vernon.

Saturday was an exciting day because we were able to help our Branch President with his move into their home!  As well as have district meeting, and help the Griffith's whose son is a member, so they treat the missionaries like family, even though they are not members!

Yesterday was a great Sunday as well, and we were able to have lessons with a member, a recent convert, and with AJ.  The lesson with AJ was kind of sad, because AJ is struggling with the Word of Wisdom and so it is holding him back right now.  So the result of the lesson wasn't as ideal as we were had hoped for, but as we were walking back to the car Sister Porter just starts singing, because she wanted to get me to smile, because she doesn't like not being happy. . . she's a great companion!  

Well, I hope you have a wonderful week!

Love, Sister Call

The history center gave us these ridiculously large candy canes

The Hassell's (Branch Mission Leader and his family)

The tornado warning

bunkering out in the bathroom

Kelbie and I were twins at Church.

Iowa, beautiful Iowa!

Sister Porter and I at our dinner appointment with the Cyko's