June 23, 2014 - Opposition is never fun, but . . .

Hey, hey, hey!!

First, my epiphany for the week. This week Sister Reese and I had something to work through. We talked a lot and came to understand one another so much better. At the end of that conversation I knew that our companionship on the mission would lead to a life-long and even an eternal friendship. The next day we saw D. and B. They had their own disagreement and D. asked us to come over and help her find some Book of Mormon scriptures to add to her bible verses. As we taught and even shared the experience that we had the previous night, I remember saying, "Opposition is never fun while we go through it, but when we overcome, the victory is sweet." Like, Alma 32:42 kind of sweet. And I realized that I too am grateful for opposition that I overcome. I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and gratitude. What a blessing. What a wonderful blessing.

That being said, transfers have fallen upon us again. I'm officially leaving this wonderful little area. Back to the city I go! I'll be serving in the Lilburn Stake, the Dacula ward. While my heart hurts to leave, I feel a great sense of peace knowing I have fulfilled my assignment here. I'm excited for what the Lord has in store for me! I'm excited to overcome opposition, to find those who are prepared and teach like crazy! I'm not gonna lose any momentum! :)

The work continues to move forward!

Also. If you want a rockin' awesome study, go for the topic 'Armor of God'. While listening to the Seminary song (found on youth.lds.org), Armor of God. If that doesn't get you pumped to do work... I dunno what would! Haha.

Lova y'all!

~Sister Jacobs.

Gotta love the south! :)

Gotta love the South!! :)

June 16, 2014

Quote of the week: "Our son gave him 2 donkeys for Father's Day! Yessss!"

Hello one and all!

Great week! When is it not? :)

We saw B. almost every day this week prepping her for baptism. Luckily she was already living all of the commandments so it was simply making sure that she understood the doctrine. And Sister Reese is a stellar teacher so it was no sweat :P Actually. It was really cool. Last week at church B. made a comment about having to attend church every single week... when we taught her about the sacrament and she stopped us and said, "You know. Now I get it. I can pray at home. I can study at home. But I can't take the sacrament at home and that's why we go to church every single week." Yes ma'am! :) I love when investigators have epiphanies like that. Go Spirit! :) 

This week when we were at D's place, we met her other daughter-in-law, C. She has also seen a change in D. and wants that for herself. She knows that church strengthens marriage, but they haven't been in a while because they kinda fell out of the baptist church that they were going to a few years back. (Cue Vision of the South...) Sooooooooooo we gave her a Book of Mormon and we're fixin' to teach her, too!! The Gospel is for families! :) 

D. and B.'s baptisms were awesome!! Tony came up from Alabama with his wife and it was perfect! It was Tony's first baptism and confirmation and he did great. A. came, too! We usually can't do lessons with him til 3 because he's asleep. He has a LOT of health problems. Don't worry. We're working on the Word of Wisdom with him, haha. But anyway. The baptism was at 11 and he came! And church is at 10 and he came for the confirmations! The whole branch is teasing him about getting baptized, "You know you're next!" "When's your baptism gonna be?" "Yeah. With all of your family as members, you don't stand a chance!" Haha. He told us that baptism is a definite maybe. Silly Al. He'll see the light in D and B (if he hasn't already, because they glow!) and he'll desire that too. We're pretty sure that he wants it, but he's worried about the word of wisdom.

This week our Mission President came to the Elberton Branch! He's only got a few weeks left to finish his mission here in Georgia and it was Father's Day... and he came to the branch! It was so awesome! :) He said that Elberton is leading the mission in baptisms and that he hasn't seen this much excitement in the branch in the 3 years that he's been here :) We got a pic with them and their daughter because it was the last time we'll see them. Luckily we'll get to talk to him next week for transfers :)

Til next week!

~Sister Jacobs

Photo 1: The Wolferts at church! Elder DeGraff, Elder Galvez,
President Wolfert, Sister Wolfert, Tess, Sister Reese, me.

Photo 2: The Baptism! :) Tony, B., Me, D., Sister Reese, Alicia

Photo 3: Mike Schultz, Doctor of Strange. Haha. He's soooo cool! :)

June 9, 2014

Quote of the week: "I always knew you were a country girl at heart!"

Well. Crazy week! Who am I kidding, when is it not?! Haha

Our investigator D. is always a rockstar!! We got things all figured out for her baptism on Saturday! Her son is coming up from Alabama and he's way excited to baptize and confirm her! He just barely received the Melchizedek priesthood so she'll be his first confirmation We were going over the interview questions with her and we asked her if she was ready to make the commitment to follow keep the commandments and strive to be faithful to the baptismal covenant throughout her life. "Oh yes. Absolutely." Oh my goodness. It melted my heart. She has been SO prepared. She is SO ready. She is SO faithful. Sis Reese and I thank Father in Heaven every day for allowing us to teach her. She would've accepted the Gospel no matter what missionaries knocked on her door. But we are blessed to be here for her. And she is always there for us. We love our Momma Debbie

Another couple, B & A. are pretty great, too! We taught them and they seemed really touched by the Spirit. She said that after she sees D.'s baptism, she'll make her own decision. Fair enough. We still have a few lessons to teach. The next day D. gave us a ringaling and said, "Hey. Momma (B.) is wondering if she can get baptized when my son comes up on Saturday..." She... what!?!? SO we got her on the phone and talked to her about how she feels about the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith and the other things we've taught. We talked about the Word of Wisdom and she's keeping ALL of those commandments soooo we'll be over there about every day this week to finish up the lessons and she'll get baptized on Saturday, too!! Oh wait. It gets better. A. wants to get baptized too!!!!! It'll take a bit more time because he's got some Word of Wisdom habits to overcome, but hey! We've got ourselves a family! Saturday is indeed going to be a special day

Um. This week we went to girls camp for a day. No big! Sis Wolfert (the mission president's wife) got it all arranged for us and we were able to go with some other sisters in the stake and teach the girls how to casually share the Gospel with their friends. It was sooooo much fun!! It felt so great to be at camp again!! The girls here have such.strong.testimonies!! I admire them for their faith! We went over some common questions they get from friends or classmates and I would've had no idea how to answer them when I was a Young Women. No way. It makes me want to live here forever!

Oh yeah!! We went to sing at a Baptist Church on Saturday! Monday night we got a call from Sister H. Her mom passed away and she wanted us to come sing a couple of songs at the memorial service. The H Family aren't members. They've been going to church for 3 years. They referred their daughter in California to missionaries and SHE got baptized, but they won't. Occasionally Bro. H. will still preach at the Baptist church. Like on Saturday. As he talked about his wife's mom, he referred to her as a goodly parent, "Just like the parents the prophet Nephi had." They know it's true. They just need to get baptized, haha. It was good to be with them at this time. It helped me to think of my baptismal covenants and what it means to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.

Be bold with love. Be the change to see the change. And love like crazy. That's what we all need. We need to serve, love and build those around us.

Well that's all for this week! Remember to consecrate yourselves! What does that mean for you? I dunno. But I'm learning more what it means for me as June is another month of consecration for the Georgia Atalanta North Mission

~Sis Jacobs.

 I love The South. I love Walmart. Put 'em together and.... tah-dah!! 

Rockin Girls Camp with the young women from the branch.
Madisyn and Carolina. Cutest girls in the stake. 

These people have a bear that they decorate for every holiday or month.
This month she's a "June Bride" She ate my Book of Mormon! ...
I don't think that's what Nephi meant when he instructed us to 'feast on the words of Christ!' 

Sister Jacobs - June 2, 2014

Quote of the Week: 'Oh the boogeyman is gonna get you, girl!'

Goooooooooood morning!!

This week has been pretty good! I don't have much to share, because it's been a short week since I wrote last Wednesday :P

On Thursday we had our monthly RS luncheon! There are some members who have a cute little pond on their property and they invited us all to come fishin'!! I think the last time I went fishing was in Activity days... Looooong time ago, haha. It was lots of fun and I love these ladies! I am so grateful that even though the branch is spread thin, they support us and come with us and help us as missionaries.

Tracting has been very interesting this week. It's been really hard... We've felt a lot of opposition and have had many opportunities to be bold. Something that I've been working on, but every time we come across someone who thinks they know the truth about what we believe, my own testimony is strengthened. I know that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, simply from the peace and love I feel when I pour over its pages. I know that Christ's church has been restored in its fullness and that I have been put in this place at this time to testify of those very things. Everything that He does for us is through love, and he expects us to love those around us just like He does. I know that Father in Heaven has blessed me with the desire and ability to love. I also know that there's so much more I can do with that love. But I have no doubt that He will show me what He expects and how to achieve it.

This week Kristina invited us to dinner. Her 2 sons were there this time. Dylan is 10 and Kaden is 7. We were able to share the Restoration video with her cute boys. When the conversation, "What does it mean to be saved?" "I'd like to know that for myself" played, Dylan spoke up, "Yeah. What does it mean? And how are we saved?" Soooooooo... we finished the video and talked to him a bit more about what being "saved" really means and entails. We gave them each a copy of the Book of Mormon and Dylan held it to his chest and said, "I'm going to cherish this forever!" Cutest boys ever.

Well. I've got about a month left in the best area in the mission, and I'm fixin' to make a world of difference out here! The Lord has a lot in store for this little branch and I am so blessed to be a part of it.
Til next week,
Sister Jacobs. 

Photo 1 - My fish! His name is Chomper.

Photo 2 - Sis Reese and I. We love Georgia 

Photo 3 - Dinner at a member's home

Photo 4 - Relief Society Activity - Fishing! 

May 19, 2014

Quote of the week: 

You know you're a missionary when you say things like:
"After this service project, can we please go straight home and change
into normal clothes?!"  Skirts *are* normal clothes. Don't judge 

Tender mercies are everywhere! Take a look. Once you make a habit of
looking for them, and recording them, you'll see them everywhere!
Talking about our tender mercies is my favorite part of the day 

We spent a lot of time this week in preparation for B.'s big day!
Her brother drove down from Ohio with his sweetheart for
the baptism and confirmation. They really have an awesome story. B. and
her brother were separated when they were fairly young and lost
contact with each other for about 50 years. B. adopted and her brother
ended up going to foster care. Finally they got in touch with
each other! They've been in touch since, but hadn't seen each other
for 2-3 years until the baptism. Cool story, right?!  Also, B. 
a rockstar. We all know that we experience opposition when we take big
strides to do what's right. Her opposition was her leg surgery. She
was supposed to go in Friday, a week before her baptism, but it was
delayed til Monday. She was in a LOT of pain and couldn't put any
pressure on her bad leg for 4 days. Til Friday. Thursday night her leg
wasn't getting any better, but she was determined to get baptized.
Friday morning, it was still really hard for her, but she came and we
helped her in and out of the font. Much like Sister Bray's baptism,
actually. She's a miracle! That's for sure! The longer I'm here the
more obvious it is that Father in Heaven is blessing me with the
opportunity to take part in the joy these people experience. Every
baptism I've been a part of has been handed to me, I feel. Yes, we are
obedient and we work hard. But when these people are ready, they. are.
ready!

B's brother and his wife were so sweet. They took B. out to get some new
dresses, and they're ordering her a large print quad *and* a
subscription to the Ensign! These people are so amazing. B.'s home
situation isn't the best or the easiest, and her brother is seeing that
it improves. And we'll be there every step of the way! 

We invited two of our other investigators, R. & TA to come to the baptism and
they said they'd be there for sure! While we were helping B. get
ready I remember not hearing their voices in the other room and I
thought to myself, "Well. I guess they're just another couple of
investigators that fail to keep their commitments..." When we wheeled
B. into the chapel, there they were! Talking with Elder and Sister
Elder and with big ole smiles on their faces! They really enjoyed it!
TA seems interested and willing to learn about the gospel. 

Momma D.  is still our rock star! She's always watching out for us,
and making sure we're alright. I've never felt more loved and watched
over than in this area. You'd be amazed at how many people tell us
that if anything happens or if we need anything, to go to their home.
And it's not just members either. Complete strangers while we're
tracting will make sure we've got everything we need. I. love. the.
South!  Oookay. Back to D. She's so excited, not only for her
baptism, but for the temple! We'll talk to her more about that this
week  

Another investigator, B., has a soft commitment to get baptized on June 14th as
well. We've taught her the 1st two lessons, and now that she is
learning, her husband wants to, too. Sooooo we're gonna have a big
party lesson this week with a member family, D., B. and her husband & we'll 
review the Restoration with the infamous DVD!

As we check up with the members and their 21 day challenge, they're
beginning to see how they can help! What they can do, and people they
can talk to! They are so amazing! They are such strong members always
willing to do whatever they need to to help out. These people know how
to accept an assignment and put their whole heart into it. I could
learn a thing or two from them 

Oh my heck. I almost forgot about our investigator M.!! Okay. So we were tracting
this kinda country road when all of the sudden we're in Toon Town of
Disneyland! But really though! We see this old fashioned gas station
and another building right next to it. This guy was in the garage
working on his car so we went up to him and met our new best friend,
M.! He was super nice! After a minute of talking, we asked him where
in the world we were and he told us that it's his favorite hobby to
restore things. And now that he's retired, that's what he does all
day! He showed us around his little shop and it was so great. I can't
even begin to tell you! We didn't have our cameras on us, but we're
totally going back to take pics! My favorite thing that he does is
he takes the back of an old car... and turns it into a couch! A
couch!!!! I sat on one. It was cool. You'll die when you see it. Sis
Reese and I seriously felt like we had died and gone to heaven. Or
that we were at Disneyland. Same difference, haha  He told us that
if anyone was mean to us or wouldn't listen to our message, to take
them to him and he'd straighten them out. I almost asked him if he
just wanted to come tracting with us, haha. 

Having fun as a missionary, or in life in general is so important  I like to think
that Father in Heaven sees the funny things we do and has a good
laugh, too.

Preach My Gospel Epiphany- Rely on the Spirit to know what to pray for (pg 94).
When we pray, and truly listen to the Spirit, He guides our prayers
and builds our faith.

A few weeks back we had a super busy Pday. Pdays are always busy and
it's tough to find new investigators and other people to talk to
because we don't do as much tracting on Mondays, especially when it's
dark (thank goodness it's staying lighter longer!). I'd really been
working on this aspect of my prayers and Monday morning I remember
asking for unforeseen opportunities to find people to talk to that
day. We spent some time with Momma D. and she needed to go to
Walmart. So we went with her and she knew the whole place! It was
fantastic. I saw those opportunities as tender mercies, people that
the Lord put in our path because of a prayer in faith. When I pray
like that, I feel like the purpose of prayer is truly fulfilled, not
to "change the will of God but to secure for ourselves blessings that
God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our
asking for them" (BD prayer). It truly aligns our will with His. I
have a lot more to learn about prayer, but I am grateful for the
things that Father in Heaven has taught me thus far 

We're working hard! We're doing our best! And the Lord is blessing us
like crazy!  I sure love it here. So. much. love 

Til next week!
~Sister Jacobs

Momma D. She made us lunch a few Pdays ago 

We went on an adventure this week.

B's baptism. Brother, B., Me and Sister Reese.

"Y'all be sweet, now!" - May 12, 2014

From Ashley's Mom: We had a fantastic Skype session with Sister Jacobs on Mother's Day. It was so great to have all our family gather together (via Skype) for one sacred hour. Ashley's brother Chad is in Phoenix and Tyler and Andrea were in Vernal, UT so it was wonderful to be able to see and talk with Ashley in Georgia. She looks great and is doing extremely well!
______________________________________
Oooookay! Since last week we had all of 15 minutes to email... Y'all are gettin' double this week!

I guess I haven't told y'all about our investigator B.! She's great! We tracted into her beginning of April. We've been teaching her ever since and she's getting baptized on Friday!! Her brother lives in Ohio and has been a member for 20 years! That was news to us! He's actually coming down to perform the baptism

She had a really cool experience with quitting smoking (fun fact. Everyone here smokes. Like everyone) We challenged her to go for 3 days and see how it went. We followed up daily, and she told us that one day the cravings were really bad, so she lit a cigarette, and put it to her mouth and it tasted gross! She said that she's never had a cigarette that tasted like that and she's been clean ever since! Sounds like a story from The District, right?! Haha Apparently Debbie was best friends with Bert's daughter growing up. Seriously. Small towns are the best. Everyone knows e.ve.ry.one.

More details on singing at the Lutheran church! It was awesome! Every time we went over to the R. Family's to practice, we talked a little bit more about the Book of Mormon which she is really loving. She is fascinated with Christ visiting the Americas. That's my favorite part, too   Sister Reese said it was interesting to feel the spirit come and go throughout the meeting. I sang 2 primary songs and the Spirit was there for that! That's my favorite part about singing. I'm not here to show off. I'm not here to be a good singer. I'm here to be an instrument in the Lord's hands. To bring the Spirit into people's lives, help them recognize it, invite them to experience more, and then rejoice in their agency. Sometimes it's easy. Sometimes it's not. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed me with the ability and love for singing. I'm not good with words and the longer I'm in this area, the less eloquent my words become, haha, but I'm learning that He really wants me to use *all* of my talents in this area and he's giving me another transfer to experiment with it. What a blessing

After the service, we went out to eat with the R. Family and their friends, too. Sister R. told the pastor she'd been reading the Book of Mormon and rather enjoying herself. I was proud of her for being strong in her feelings toward the Book of Mormon. Sometimes pastors can be intimidating, haha, but hey, they invited us back again so Sister Reese can play along with me and perhaps we'll do a duet with Sister R.! She sings, too

Last week we had an awesome lesson with our investigator D. and then had lunch with her. We've officially deemed her Momma D. She's doing great! She finally picked a day to be baptized! June 14th. It's kinda far out, but that's when her son will be able to make it here to baptize her. And we're all praying and hoping that her mom will be ready to get baptized then, too! She sat in on a couple of lessons and made it to church yesterday. It was great!! She's really opening up! And D. is a rockstar! She recognizes the adversity in her life and she knows that it's because she's making right choices and satan doesn't want her to. The Gospel doesn't erase our problems, but it gives us strength to solve them. She understands that well

The Branch started the 21 day challenge. I'd never heard of it before coming here, so 'Imma explain it to y'all.' Basically Elder Ballard has promised that if we make a list of less-active/nonmember friends and pray for them individually every morning and night for 21 consecutive days without missing a prayer, one of the people on that list, or perhaps someone else will accept an invite to listen to the missionary lessons. You might could google the actual quote. I'm not sure when he gave it. Aaaanyway. It works! And the branch is loving it! We started it the beginning of May, so I'll let you know what the results are in a few weeks

On Thursday we got a very interesting phone call from President Rownd. He told us that Elder Elder called Pres Wolfert (mission president) and told him he'd be crazy to transfer us apart. So did President Rownd and then the Stake President called him and asked him to keep this "Dynamic Duo" together! Pres Wolfert said he'd have to seriously consider it... and hey! All of our prayers worked and I'm staying til the end of June! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

Church yesterday was fantastic! We had a record of 84 people at church! The little room was packed! Three of our investigators came to church, and a bunch of other unexpected investigators came, too! They had to get 3 men to pass the sacrament, instead of the normal 2! Elberton is well on it's way to becoming a ward! At least, that's what we're working for! Well. It was so good to "see" the family yesterday! Thanks for being great! I love y'all!

Be the change to see the change!
~Sister "Hartwell for life!" Jacobs

Everyone!! May 5, 2014

I feel like I just got here (on the computer), and now I'm being kicked off! Ah!

Okay. Good week. Our investigator D. is solid.

Singing at the Lutheran church was cool. We met lots of people. Our investigator T. told the pastor she's reading the Book of Mormon and learning a lot from it. The pastor's girlfriend got our number to help her with service at a local nursing home. Dunno how that pastor feels about us... haha. But it was a cool experience :) I like our church though. That's why I'm here, right?! :)

The branch is doing an awesome 21 day challenge that will help with member missionary work! They love it!

I love it here! Talk to y'all on Sunday at 2:30-3ish my time! (We get to talk to her for Mother's Day! So excited!!)

Love ya!

~Sis Jacobs.

Rockin' the Sister Missionary tan line! And it's barely May!