did you SIMI in Moorpark?

I went back to my first area this past week. Moorpark 1st ward. I haven't been there since my first transfer. It was somewhat bizarre walking the same streets i used to walk, feeling much more confident sharing the gospel. i saw a hill by a swimming pool in an apartment complex and told sister evans, "That is where i taught my first plan of salvation lesson."

I remembered a door we would knock on to talk to the son. often times the mom would answer and we would ask when he would be home. THIS time we talked to the mom and shared the gospel with her. it felt good to be given an opportunity by the Lord to add to the labor i already gave in that area. as we walked up to the door and she answered her sons name came out of my mouth, "Is Chris here?" I was so surprised i remembered his name as i have not thought about him in over a year!

On my second day in the field (June 18th 2013) we knocked on Jonnys door. She let us in and we talked. well, she talked a lot. we tried to teach her the restoration, and although she loved god she did not feel like she needed anything more than the bible. sis hiatt and i cried as we left her house. We loved her so much and yet, she would not listen to this wonderful message. We went back to her house. we were able to testify (and get a few more words in). She said, "I always knew you'd come back." because we couldn't tell her our first names that summer she called us faith and joy. as she met sister evans she nicknamed her hope. We shared the video he is the gift with her. at first she was reluctant to see it, but we told her she would agree with the video 100% she loved it. It is great to be able to testify about the restored gospel. but also show people that we believe in Jesus Christ. 

We had a great lesson with Kimberly on Wednesday. Our new relief society president came with us. Kimberly is the caretaker of a member named Monica who hasn't been able to come because of health reasons for years (had a stroke). we taught the plan of salvation and she loved it, she said she wanted us to come back and share it with her husband. We went back last night. she had great news to tell us she read TWO pages of the book of Mormon with Monica and new it was true! :) 

She is very spiritual and believes in Christ but never had any formal teaching or church exposure as her parents were non-religious. Her husband was home and asked if we were christian we said yes and gave him a pass along card with Mary and Christ on it. her was happy to hear that. We taught them both the restoration and they both received it so well! he really connected with the idea of the apostasy or man corrupting and misrepresenting truth. kimberly said she felt a connection with joseph smith when we told her about the scripture in james "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God." After we told the story of the first vision and the restoration of the priesthood she turned to her husband and said, "Do you believe this?" "I do." " I do too." 

BEST THING EVER! we told them that baptism is a step to work toward, they were both so happy. their plan is to come to church in the new year (the change of time works best) go for a month to services and then talk about a date to be baptized. We didn’t push it,, because they will get there. Joy was beaming out of their eyes and smiles. it was such a wonderful, sacred experience. and well worth the mistreatment or unkind receptions we get for bearing the message of truth. 

Love you all, Sister Snow

Grateful for the Gospel!

Thanksgiving was great. lots of miracles. we got to go to a less active family’s house and they had some non members and some active member family. we shared a thanksgiving message and talked about the difference between Nephi and Laman in the book of Mormon (hint the former is grateful and the latter is not). They liked it. Afterwards the mom said, "Do you HAVE to go NOW?" because we were getting ready to leave. we stayed a little longer as her sister asked us questions about what we do as missionaries. people are always surprised when we tell them we do not get paid, but pay to support ourselves while we are on missions. 

We also got invited into another less-active members house. her name is sister milks. she was introducing us to her family members and gave us some pie. You learn that if eating pie, is what will make people comfortable to talk to you, then "By all means, Let's eat pie!" 

At all the 5+ houses we went to , there were smiles and family and joy. it is interesting to note. the homes WITH the restored gospel had a FULLER measure of joy. there was something greater about it. We know we can live together forever, and it is assured through our righteous actions. 

At the end of the night we went to the shigokas. they are an old couple in our ward and we had at one point taught their adult daughter Michelle. It was her birthday. they are the ones that had the flood a few months ago. all their stuff is boxed up in stored on the main level of the house. they graciously offered us a mismatched dinning chair and a camping chair. they had little but shared what they had. no complaints. just smiles and laughs at their silly situation. i told them there is no place I’d rather be than with them on thanksgiving. they are they most grateful people i know. Here their house floods and they see it as an opportunity to lean on god more to grow and to form closer bonds of friendships with others. a lot of good has come out of that flood, Minka shigoka says, "I wish i would have come sooner." Its brought her daughter to church a few times. 

Friday after dinner we left with a huge bag of leftover turkey. we decided to go give it to a couple we met up the street (Mike and Shauna). They were the ones the horse led us to in bridle path, and when we came back for our appointment mike opened the door before we could knock on it) long tangent. ANYWAY, we STRONGLY felt like we should drop it by. We were a little scared because we didn’t want to bother them. Shauna sister answered who is 33. we started talking to her. she eventually invited us in, we talked about the godhead and taught her to pray. she told us how she knew it was no coincidence we came by that night. she prayed and the spirit was very strong. she is sick now, but we hope to meet with her soon!

Saturday we had a spontaneous Christmas wrapping party! A woman we had talked to before was out in the front with her special needs daughter. we helped her untangle lights and she started asking us questions about the church. after that was done we offered to continue to help. she let us inside (fot the first time, and we have seen her 4+ times) we found out she and Morgan (her daughter) went to the trunk or treat. we talked more about god, and i mostly entertained Morgan as we were wrapping gifts. Julie (the mom) was touched. it was such a great situation to be able to spend time with them. Morgan actually grew up in Nauvoo . A goal i had this past week was to teach simply. God really does give us opportunities to improve when we ask for it. i got to tell Morgan some simple gospel truths. we also taught the 7 yr. old primary class sunday. 

all is goo over here. Pray for Joseph to continue to have the strength to keep the commandments. he is a good man.

For thanksgiving this year i am grateful for my savoir (shich allowed me to listen to Christmas music early... :)

Take a moment at watch "He is the Gift" on the main page of mormon.org also found at mormon.org/Christmas there is a dramatic difference in feeling at the beginning of the clip and at the end. in the beginning they are celebrating Christmas, at the end, they are celebrating Christ.

I know that as we celebrate Christ this season more of his love will come into our hearts. we will feel charity toward others and desire to do good. we will be better able to follow his example. "God be thanked for the matchless gift of his divine son!"

There's Thanksgiving and there's Thanks-Showing

I was in Thousand oaks for the day this past week and had a wonderful experience. I had met a woman named Vicky there 3 months before with sister solorazano. we ran into her at just the right time when she needed comfort (she had just returned from a biopsy procedure) we taught her the plan of salvation and she feed us lunch. So here i am in the same neighborhood 3 months later with two other sisters (sister Williams and sister angimarau) who have never met her. the night before i was trying to remember her name to look up her address. i finally found it on a weekly report and jotted down her address. 

The day was busy with appointments, but we had time to go by Vicky’s, she half smiled seeing us and said she remembered me but now was not a good time. "I just had chemo yesterday and don't feel well." she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.  she said we could come in briefly let us in apologized for the mess. We offered to clean for her. "REALLY?" "Really." she took us to the kitchen opened the fridge and told us we could to go to town (cleaning it). the 3 of us got out rags and cleaner and emptied out the fridge, cleaned the racks in the sink, wiped down the drawers, throw out old food and reorganized the whole outfit.

It was fun actually. i oversaw the different tasks and we were so efficient and quick! Her son came into the kitchen to introduce himself to us. (Which is cool considering most strangers ignore or avoid us.) Vicky was soooooo excited to see the fridge when we were done. she said it looked better than when she first got it. we offered a simple prayer with her had our hugs and were on our way. She told us we brightened her day. and you could she a light in her that was not there before. God let us be instruments to cheer up his daughter who was having a hard day. The sisters also got her contact info and planned a time to go back and clean her pantry.

the lord knows what his children need and will place us in their path IF we listen and IF we are willing. i am so grateful Vicky was willing to let us serve her. it brought joy to my heart to do something helpful for someone else. I've NEVER had so much fun cleaning a fridge.  

Giving service is the quickest way to receive joy. 

as you go about this holiday season, pause to lift someone in need. if you don't see anyone, pray that the Lord will open your eyes and hearts to the pleas of his children around you. you will not regret it. It will deepen your gratitude for the blessings you've been given. it will be a wonderful offering to a Father in Heaven who is tickled pink (like any parent) when their child expresses sincere thanks. 

God Bless,

Sister Snow

Red flowers

-Pretty Cassandra had been feeling down that day. High School can be rough, even on those who look like they have it all together.
-bishop Bateman got a text from missionaries asking for seeds from his flower shop.
-2 sister missionaries were in oxnard at a meeting
-a woman named nancy helped out at her friends mothers memorial service,
-the sisters canceled their dinner with a member family
-bishop bateman picked out red flowers because they reminded him of Christ's sacrifice.
-the sisters got lost in oxnard not able to find a restaurant where other missionaries were
-they drove back to simi in silence.
-sister bateman called them back and RE INVITED THEM
-they said yes
-nancy had left over flowers in all sorts of colors, pink, yellow, blue, orange...she planned to plant in her yard
-the sisters had dinner with the batemans, where the bishop gave them six red flowers
-after dinner cassandra went up stairs realizing she had no homework
-2 blocks away the sisters were in their car, feeling like they needed to go back.
-they called cassandra and asked if she would like to go out and work with them
-they all went to visit a less active member
-she wasn't home.
-they got back in the car,
-"Why do you think God wanted us to come back and get you?"
-Cassandra started crying,
-she told the sisters how she had been feeling that day
-the sisters testified of god’s love for HER
-one missionary kept looking at a house, she was thinking of the woman inside
-the other suggested leaving a flower for her
-Cassandra wrote the note.
-the next day Nancy saw the red flowers on her porch, that match the other flowers she just got
-she called the missionaries to thank them.

I can personally testify that God loves his children and guides them today through his holy spirit. we can all feel his influence if we let him. He knows all the factors, all the parts, and can beautifully link them together if we willingly follow his gentle nudges. I bolded a few lines, because THAT was all the information we had, so much more goes on. God can see the big picture. we are part of it, our choices matter. He wants to use us to strengthen his children and answer their prayers.

He lives my hungry soul to feed
He lives
to bless in time of need.
He lives
and while he lives I’ll sing
He lives, my prophet priest and king

God knew all the parts and pieces, he PERFECTLY ORCHESTRATED for us to get the flowers at the right time and have the batemans sign up on the right day. so his daughters could feel loved. He want's you to feel it as well. the secret is the more we focus on helping others feel this love, that more we find it in ourselves.

Love you all,
Sister Snow

Another great week in paradise.

another great week in paradise. 

the lowest it gets at night has been low 60F, but i still turn on the heat in the car ;)

sister Arndt and i taught the relief society lesson at church yesterday, and it went well. we had lots of participation and good comments. we started with a video that shows how a family does missionary work day to day through simple means/ after the video i felt prompted to ask this question: "What did the spirit teach you as you watched that video?" There were many comments and the spirit was there. Sister Arndt told me after she had been prompted to ask that same question but didn't and let me go first speaking. It is amazing to feel the unity of our companionship as we let the holy ghost teach through us. sister Gilliland came to church and stayed for all three hours (which was a first in years) during the lesson she said "we have remarkable missionaries in this ward, if it wasn't for them, i wouldn't be here."

Going backward, on Saturday we had a great time tracking in bridle path. It is a housing development that is residential but has huge backyard lots for horses and stables. one side of the road has a normal sidewalk, the other has a double wide sandy path- the bridle path, where people ride their horses. 

we drove up there to knock on a man's house (his name is bill and the night before we planned to go see him the following day at 2:30) and it became a wild goose chase. not really but it was cool to see the hand of the lord direct us to where we needed to be. We got out of the car and saw a couple in their driveway we tried talking to them and they ignored us, we offered service went up to hand them our card and he yelled at us and walked away. BUT because of the time we spent with them a woman walking her horse passed us and we started talking to her. she is 26 and teaches high school, "I am very impressed with my LDS students, they have such a good honor system." We walked with her for 15 minutes, and when she left, we were FARRRRRRR away from our car. 

we also had the sand/dirt in our shoes from walking on the path for so long. we stopped and emptied out our shoes and ended up talking to another girl in her 20's who was getting her mail, "we promise we aren't stalking you, we are emptying out our shoes. Her husband who was all tattooed up came out with their 1 1/2 yr. old son. He talked about how they want to get baptized as a family. He grew up with god, fell away but found him in prison, and his wife said, "he saved our lives" their son caleb was getting fussy, but they said we could come by next week! The lord literally guided us to their house by a horse, and timed it so far those 10 seconds she was out checking her mail, we would be in front of her house. There are miracles everyday!

As we trekked back to our car, we got the impression to go down a side street. we knocked on a door. no one answered. we look across the street, there is a garage open a a man in the front yard. we walk toward him, "May i help you?" "actually we were seeing if there was anything we could help you with?" he was pleasantly suprised, he told us about his horses and that we can come feed them when he's gone, he took us to the barn and showed them to us, then introduced us to his wife, and even told his friend who walked by, "Theses girls are going to help me with the horses," then he turns to us, "Give her a card." his name is Michael Mayo, which sounds like it could be a name from a movie. By the time we got to our car it was 3 hours later (we talked to a few others) and time to go to dinner. 

moral of the story? follow the promptings of the spirit, it may not take you to the destination you're expecting (bill's house) , but you will be guided to the right destination (the family). 

I just love seeing the Lords timing play out. another cool miracle was yesterday. we went to see a woman named felisa who we met walking her dog 2 months ago. no one answered, so we talked to a few neighbors and walked by Lacey's house and she was outside! Lacey is 13 her mom is very less active and they sometimes let us in to teach lessons. but it had been a really long time, and we had decided we we're only going to try to teach her one more time before focusing our efforts else where. We've had a hard time finding her fellowship because she is a little different and i guess she doesn't get along with a few of the girls her age at church. A week ago sis arndt got the idea (bing! inspiration) to try to get an older girl to fellowship her. Her name is emily. then the other day we decided we should ask lacey if she wants to go pet/feed emilys horse (obviously a bridle path resident). so Lacey was outside she got her mom, and we were invited in. They both liked the idea of "hanging out" with us and emily and the horses. And she actually texted us back yesterday, so there is still hope!!!!

then as we left Lacey's there were ALL these crows out. like HUNDREDS. 30 or so on a few houses, many swirling around in the sky. It reminded me off wizard of oz and the flying monkeys. we were looking at them and then saw Felisa outside looking at them too! we hugged, explained we had to go to dinner, but set up a time to come by after dinner. So we did and we had a lesson with her. 

A halloween miracle!

transfers! and nothing is changing! i get to stay in Simi. i love it here. it's nice to get settled into a ward and see the work move forward as you are there.  

       yesterday was one of the best sundays on my mission. it feels so good to be willing and capable to serve god and be where he needs you to be and say what he wants said. 

       Before church we went to visit a less active we have never met. We'd tried before and met her daughter Audrey. she told us her mom was in the hospital, but from talking with Audrey she started talking the lessons and we handed her off the the YSA elders. so we went by and Audrey let us in to meet her mom who got home. we sat and visited for 40 minutes. Audrey has been reading the scriptures 30 minutes a night and enjoying the lessons with the elders and her mom had a pleasant visit with us. it was crazy as we left because i thought to myself only a little bit before they were a "do not contact" which means they REALLY didn't want anyone coming by. but hearts soften and the lord dos his mighty work. it was great to pray with them. 

       Then we went to church and all the classes and testimonies were uplifting a inspiring. We went by after church to see Carol she was happy to see us and let us in. This was good because she had canceled her 2nd appointment (she was sick) and we weren’t sure it her interest had weaned: it hadn’t! we watched because of him off mormon .org. i don't even remember what we said but she kept getting happily surprised saying, "that's what joe(some tv pastor) said this morning" The lord had a message for her, that all things can be made right through Jesus Christ. Then we had dinner with a family in the ward we've never eaten with. it was good to get to know them better and feel the spirit in their home. Brother and sister space are both converts as well as their daughter, husband, and 2 girls. We got to stay for family home evening. It is wonderful to see others embrace the gospel. it truly is the answer for everyone. 

       Then we went to the Argibrites. they are converts of 40+ years. they invited their neighbors over to have a lesson with us. it went well. Their names are bruce and Carmel and they asked sincere questions and heard us out. my favorite part was when the wife kept going off about something being "different " about us, "Do you see what i see?" she turned and asked her husband. This is in no way glorifying myself. We told her that it is the effects of living the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and promised her she could have that too.

A Halloween Miracle:

We went to have dinner with Joesph on Halloween and his neighbor said we could come over and grab some candy. the Mom of the family is less active and her husband is not a member of the church. we talked with her once, and she was cordial, but wanting to get back to work. Sister Arndt wasn't feeling well, but as we left we stopped by. She was soooo excited to see us, she invited us in, gave us some soda, showed us the remodel they did in the house and showed us her coy fish in the back. we were able to talk about gospel principles and she said she will take us up on our offer to come do some service for her.

 Also during dinner Joesph went and picked up with friend he's been sharing the gospel with. his name is Augustine. We had met him a week or so before and he wouldn't let us give him anything. but he sat down across from us and talked to us while eating his dinner. he remembered our names and accepted a copy of the book of mormon. it was cool to see how the lord puts everything together. Augustine and Joseph had been friends for year, joseph just got baptized, we met Augustine, and now here we all were at his house. Another Halloween Miracle!

In the words of Ronald Regan, "As I approach the sunset of my [mission]..." I have gratitude in my heart for the opportunities i have daily to come unto Christ and be healed. i love this work, i love you, until next time, 

-Sister Snow

an unlikely letter

WHAT A WEEK!

i got to go back to ventura 2nd ward for the day. I was on exchanges with sister Harrison, who is a great missionary. she is just so ready and willing to work. the first door of the day we spent an hour at and the woman wanted to learn more invited us in and we had a lesson with her. 

it’s crazy being in an area for so long. i got used to picking up and leaving, but you really see the Lords hand at work and His purposes re manifested in time. sister Gillaland has been coming to church more, and Joesph Heurta just got the arronic priesthood. Sister mason asked him if he could take a few moments and write down his feelings toward those that shared the gospel with him. Her dad would be sharing it in his mission prep class. he wrote his conversion story down and read it to us, here is an expert:

"In the early months of the year 2014, on the early hours of a really beautiful day two very pleasant young female missionaries stopped by my house in simi valley, california. I had a feeling that they carried with them something wonderful." 

Now, i was not one of those 2 sisters. That was sister proctor and sis stolker. But i have been privileged to help along the way. As Paul says to the Corinthians describing this team of missionaries, "I planted, Apollos watered, but god gave the increase"  and OH! what joy fills your heart when you encourage and support someone who accepts the restored gospel. "I am the fruits of your labor that god did through you." Joseph told us. Truly righteousness brings forth good fruit and anything other than that doesn't. I am grateful for the many opportunities god has given me to understand that as i have been on my mission. 

we had a great lesson with Danny (joseph son) and he loved reading the book of mormon. he really digested it and pointed out a lot of principles. 

Well, i love this church, because it is gods kingdom, he has implemented a perfect way for his imperfectly children to minister his blessing to all. The only words that come to mind are from the living Christ " God be thanks for the matchless gift of his divine son!"

until next week, (Love,)

Sister Snow