Extra Pictures!

Bowling on P-Day!      Dinner with Rock and Coco!

     Saying BYE to Sister Morgan

On the phone writing down our "remember when's" aka funny memories from the transfer with the Elders. and it also happens to be of our Slumber party our last night, as if every-night isn't already a sleepover.. haha! :) 

Hi!

Well isn't that nice.. I had the entire email written.. and we have an updated email thing.. and it accidentally deleted.. poof gone.. so I'll do my best to write what I can before we have to leave. 1,000 miles a minute, here I come!! 

 First CONGRATS JARED AND KRISTI!

First, transfer news: Got a call from President Wolfert this morning, I have been asked to be a Sister Training Leader, which is basically a Zone Leader for Sisters HERE in Roswell! :) Yes indeed I get to stay here in wonderful Johns Creek :) I am so excited! So basically my new comp Sis Nielson and I are going to be going on exchanges 2X a week to help all the Sisters here in the Roswell Zone. I think it will be a great learning experience and I'm excited to do what I can. *President apologized for not being able to keep Sis Beasley and I together but he said the Lord needs her to train and me to do this. He said that President Ernst called him and asked him to not separate us. And because President Ernst has never asked him for a favor he prayed and tried to keep us together but just promised us that this is what the Lord wants. And although I'm sad to have Sis Beasley go, I am excited to work with more Sisters and stay here in Johns Creek. 

This week has been one of the absolute BEST of my mission thus far, can you believe its already been 6 months? I can't! This week Sis Beasley and I really worked our bums off and were blessed to see Miracles. Its amazing how the Lord is involved in His work each day, and when you are willing to go and do and say what He wants you to do He opens up doors for you to do well in the work and blesses you with miracles. 

Before I tell you about the miracles I want to tell you about some of the food/dinner experiences I have had this week. This is for you Paul.. so Listen up :) This week I had some of the best, worst, and most Southern food! No need to go into the worst.. But I would like to proudly report that I have officially eaten Fried Chicken and Waffles in the South! Legit? I think so :) We had dinner at Sis Johnsons, she is the most humble and kindest woman ever. She feeds the missionaries once a month and each time its with a huge feast. The food always tastes even better because we know of the great sacrifices she gives to prepare these huge dinners. While telling us why she made what she did she said "And I thought.. Oh no.. What am I goin' to make them missionaries? Then the light-bulb went off and I thought CHICKEN!!" And indeed she made chicken, 4 different kinds of it too :) She put gravy on the table and Elder Johnson said "What should we eat with the gravy?" She quickly responded "Darlin' it don't matter what you put it on, your in the South! Just eat the gravy" HAHA! 

Let me tell you about 3 miracles from the week: 

1. We had lots of left over Lasagna from dinner that they sent us home with. We had it in the car and were getting gas/using the restroom before going out and knocking on some more doors. While I was waiting for Sister Beasley a kind woman named Willie Mae was talking to me. Before we left she asked us to pray for her because she is having to live in her car right now. We went outside and were pumping gas and I remembered the dinner we had. I told Sis Beasley we had to go and give it to Willie Mae, so we did. With tears in her eyes she gave us both many hugs and thanked us for the food (it was a lot!) she said it would feed her for a couple of days and put it in the cooler in her car. She thanked us for doing what the Savior would do if He were here. That's what my mission is about, I don't care about the number of lessons I teach.. I care about seeing a face light up with love and gratitude as I do what I can, as small as it may be, to help them. 

2. Wednesday we stopped by Betty, she is a member of the church who hasn't been in a long time. The miracle was seeing the change in her from last time to this time. She answered the door by saying "Oh I hoped that it was you! Please come in!" We talked to her a lot and the poor thing has kidney stones right now. I shared with her one of my favorite scriptures. 3 Nephi 17:7. (Look it up! its a great one) I promised her that I know just as the Savior asked the people then who He could heal (both physically and spiritually) that He is doing the same today. Sometimes we go ourselves to be healed, but often times we need someone or something to take us to him. It could be another person or even the Book of Mormon. And then there are times when we bring others along to be healed by him. I know its true, I've seen it in my own life, and I told her that. She told me "Sister Hamilton, I promise you that each time I go to be healed, I'm going to bring you with me. Will you bring me with you when you go?" Of course I promised here that I would, and that's why the Lord sent us here to be missionaries. I really think that is one of the most special things anyone has ever said to me. It truly was a miracle. I want you all to know that I don't know if I am blessing the lives of people here, but I promise that they are blessing mine. 

We went back and saw her on Friday. She told us that she pulled out the Book of Mormon and read 3 Nephi 11 &17 and then some because it was so good she couldn't put it down. We took pictures and just had the most wonderful talks with her. She told us some of the sweetest things about her desires and things she hopes the Lord can help her with. She prayed for Sister Beasley and I and I must say it was one of the most loving prayers I've ever heard. Here's a picture of her. :)

3. We found a woman who nickname is Q. We knocked on their door Thursday, they answered the door and let us in to say the prayer. She had actually been looking up what Mormons believe not to long ago because her boss is one. They asked us to come back Saturday and teach more. So we did, she was excited to report that on Friday she went and drove past the Church :) The lesson was wonderful! Really amazing! We invited her to be baptized and she said "YES!! That's what I want!" She's picked a day in August to work toward for baptism! Its amazing! Please keep her in your prayers. 

Okay I love you all!! Got to go. Sorry if I wrote to much, I'm impressed I could write it so fast again. :) 

I love you! Give little Logan a kiss for me! Welcome to the world our newest Hamilton to love! 

Have a great week!

-Sis Hamilton

Work Hard, Play Hard, Laugh ALWAYS, and Cry Sometimes!

Hi Family! & Friends!

 

Its been a ........ week. Full of lots of different experiences, emotions, miracles, and blessings. Most weeks I try to make a note of things that I'd like to include in my email home..  But this week I didn't so excuse my ramblings and be patient with me. I apologize in advanced if things seem a bit scattered, but in reality.. That's exactly how my week appears in my brain.

 

First off.. Paul and Lindsey, I already told you this but thought I'd share.. :) I wore one of the custom T-Shirts they made me this last P-day.  (Has a built in name-tag that says "Aunt" on top). After we emailed we were going to go bowling. I thought the other missionaries would appreciate it as much as I do so I didn't wear a name tag. They LOVED it by the way. Well.. I forgot to put on a tag when I went to the store.. Can you say Classy missionary? :) It gets better.. I forgot a change of shirt for the rest of our day.. So drum roll please.. I wore it to our dinner appointment and then to knock some doors in the evening. NICE huh! :) I got lots of compliments and was one proud auntie sporting that shirt everywhere!

 

Tuesday was a rough day for me as I'm sure it was for many of you reading this email. On a happy note.. I had my first experience of the real south.. Its true what they say in our mission.. The more north you get, the more South you are. I was on exchange in Woodstock and heard more southern accents in that short day than I feel like I have in my mission here in the City. It was good to be there and experience something new and we had some really great lessons.

 

Its still our Month of consecration.. It was a hard week for me to stay consecrated, not going to lie. I had no problem working hard but it was extremely hard to keep my mind here. I hope you all know that I love you and wish I could have been there for the services. But, I know the Lord needed me here and I just pray that you all were blessed for my service, specifically this week.

 

Sister Beasley and I know we have about a week left as being companions. We've known it would come to an end so we've been doing our best to make this transfer specifically the BEST ever! Our Motto, besides "WE GOT THE BEST" is "Work Hard, Play Hard, Laugh ALWAYS, and Cry Sometimes!" We're definitely putting them to heart and having a lot of fun. Some may even say "too much fun" but I say no way! haha

 

I am so thankful for the little funnies and miracles the Lord blessed me with this week to let me know that He's aware and cares enough to make sure I know I'm loved. We had wonderful lessons with those we are teaching, and they are still learning lots and doing well.

 

Let me share a few experiences I had that brought me some joy and laughter:

 

--A woman gave us an umbrella because it started raining so hard the streets were flooding.We then regifted the umbrella to a man walking home in the rain when the storm came again 30 min later. Glad we got a pic with it before we gave it away! :)

--A man gave us free soda and sweets at a gas station. He said "Consider it my good Christian deed of the day, anything you want is on the house!"

  

--While tracting some townhomes we were walking up to one and the door of the one we had knocked previously opened.. Its pretty normal for that to happen. Sis Beasley wants to practice being a "sr. companion" so I did what she asked.. Shut up and stepped back behind a bush. Sis Beasley kind of choked.. and responded to him by saying "We're just going around helping people by giving prayers." As soon as he shut the door I lost it. It was SO funny. We then laughed until we had little tears from our laughter and then did our best to hold it together and continue onward.. 5 min later we got caught in another storm and ended up having to go home because we might as well had been swimming. Oh man good times!! haha!! :)

--The Primary children found  out about Uncle Benny's passing. I was showered with notes from all of the children telling me they love me and sharing their testimonies of Gods plan for His children. My favorite was a drawn picture of me smiling saying "You can do it Sister Hamilton!" What sweet children!

 

Last funny story then I will go.. So you know how Mom and Aunt Megan get the giggles? Not the laughs.. the Giggles?? Ya.. I'm pretty sure I'm more like them than I thought! Those little school girl giggles seem to find their way in me during our meetings and day to day missionary tasks all the time. Sister Beasley and I get the giggles always a the exact wrong moments.. Like during missionary correlation meeting, district meeting, while talking to the Elders, and drum roll please... and on the phone with members. WOOPS! I was calling for our dinner apt tonight and leaving a message then they came on.. Almost like when you are going to be sick unexpectedly.. I just couldn't stop them.. Then I look up and Sister Beasley has them worse than I do. I'm not exactly sure if they even could understand our phone number.. So we had to send them a text which read "So sorry about laughing at the end of the voicemail. Our phone number is..." Just another Classy missionary moment for Sister Hamilton!

 

Sorry that this email is so long and scattered. It was so good to hear all of  your voices. I'm so thankful that President Wolfert allowed me to call home, it was definitely another tender mercy. I want you all to know that I'm doing fine. Just got a few tears because I got to hear all of your wonderful voices. I really am doing well, the Savior comforts and blesses His missionaries and there really is no other place I'd rather be. I love you all!!

 

I know that the Savior is aware of all of our circumstances and needs. God the Father lives, He loves us all and has a plan for us. He blesses us in the exact ways we need to be blessed so we know that He is there for us. I know that more this week than any other week in my life. I love this Gospel. I know eternal families are and can be a reality to us all through obedience to God's laws and temple ordinances. I'm sorry to see Uncle Benny pass through this life but feel blessed and priveledged to welcome him as a wonderful Angel by my side who I know will keep me safe and help me keep going when times are tough.

 

I love you all!

 

Love,

Sister Hamilton

Happy Happy Joy JOY

Hello Everyone! 

How are you all doing? I hope you are all doing wonderful! Make sure you do something great to celebrate the 4th of July. I'm not exactly sure what our plans are except to share and teach the gospel.. No shocker there.. haha We surprisingly have a few appointments already for the day so that will be nice. Besides that we'll probably walk downtown Duluth (which is adorable! completely quaint and picturesque) talking to everyone we can and visit some members. 

Today is a big day in Georgia. Don't know why? I'll tell you. Yesterday, many missionaries in MY mission went to sleep, and today they woke up in the Georgia Atlanta Mission. Another many were shipped off to the Georgia Macon Mission. Today Georgia now has 3 missions! CRAZY! 

This week has been AMAZING. Sister Beasley and I worked our butts off. July is a month of Consecration for the Georgia Atlanta North Mission. To consecrate is to make holy or set apart. Its giving more of our heart minds and strength to the Lord, His work, and His will. It means as a mission we are going to be more exactly obedient in the month of July. Sister Beasley and I decided to start it a little early so we could be ready to hit the ground running today. Already she and I have seem so many miracles and felt so much joy. I'd love to tell you about some of the ones we saw this week. 

President Wolfert came to our district for interviews this week.  It was great! He gave great advice with the area and it was good to hear that he thinks Sister Beasley and I are doing great work. He says he admires how much fun I have with opening an area. Last time I saw him he said it would bless me my whole mission.. He said it again.. YIKES! I hope that he wasn't implying anything! :) Overall I had a great interview with him and loved having a chance to learn from him. Mom, thanks for praying for me to get the best mission president. I just want you to know.. I got it! :) 

And random fact of the day.. A total of 18 Sisters are entering our mission in a few weeks.. Where are they going to go!? 

President gave us permission to go to Rock and Coco's baptism which was such a blessing! I attached a picture from it. Their baptism was absolutely wonderful. They were so happy and Coco especially was just radiating. We talked to her after and she said (in her very broken English) "I feel different. The time I went down (showed us with her hands) and came up. I feel different. I feel good!" How sweet is that?! I know that its because she was feeling clean, and feeling the love and comfort from the Lord as she followed His example by being baptized. 

Remember that sweet woman.. Ms Hamilton I told you about last week? The one that we knocked on her door? Well she is just the best. She radiates so much love, joy, and light! She even came to the baptism and said she loved it so much! I loved over hearing sisters in the ward say "Are you coming to church tomorrow?" And her saying.."Ya.. YA! I think I will!" This ward is the BEST at fellow-shipping. She came to church yesterday and again loved it. She said "The Spirit of the Lord is here, and you guys just know how to preach the word. Each time they read a scripture it makes me want to cry its so powerful." She was brave enough to introduce herself in Relief Society and even told everyone that I won her over with my name. See! I wasn't lying! :)

Caitlin is still meeting with us twice a week and asks great questions! She's still not comfortable coming to church but she'll read whatever we leave her to and keeps her commitments. I sure love her! Sister Beasley and I are learning to ask her to read more and more of the Book of Mormon each time, because she'll always read all we ask her to. She even says "Its such a good book, I want to read more." But I think she's afraid to go on.. :) She is just wonderful! What a miracle it was to just have her husband come up to us and ask us to teach her. 

We have a few more people that we are teaching who were introduced to us by members of the church. Its so exciting to see the work progress so much and see this area just start to bloom :) So amazing! I love being here! I can't believe time goes so fast. Its crazy! 

Well I hope you are all doing well! I think of you and keep you in my prayers! 

Love,

Sister Hamilton

P.S. The picture with the GPS. Sometimes, you have to leave the mission to drive to other areas. I wasn't really paying attention.. Just following the GPS to get us home from Paper Mill for P-Day and Sister Beasley says "Uh.. Sister hamilton.. Where are we?" To which I responded without question, jokingly.. "Out of the mission." I then looked around and saw MARTA.. We were indeed out of the mission.. WOOPS! :)