St. Patrick's Week

March 16, 2015

Hey Family,

This week has been so much better than last week. We had Zone Conference this past Wednesday and it turned out better than I thought. I have heard a lot of things about Zone Conferences and I was a little scared going into it, but it was a great experience. I was able to hang out with the other missionaries in our zone. I also got to see people who came out with me from the MTC, including Sister Poulson. We gave each other the biggest hug and it was so nice to see her again. Right after the Zone Conference, we went on exchanges. I went with Sister James and we went to the Jackson Zone. It was super fun. I wasn't excited about it at first, but I loved every single minute of it. Thursday was kind of insane, because the GPS took us to the wrong location and we ended up in South Jackson. Which probably isn't the safest place for two young sister missionaries to be in. I'll just say that I have seen the ghetto of Jackson. But we made our way out and we had some laughs about it. 

So the picture that you got last Friday was on Robyn's phone. Robyn is the one we made fried chicken with. She feeds us every week and we love her for it. Robyn actually went to USU a few years ago, so we talk to each other about it. And I just found out that she did Color Guard in High School so we get to talk to each other about that too. She is so nice to us and she watches out for us. 

Oh so yesterday, I went through my first Bible Bash. It was a very different situation. This man was telling Sister Ridge that her feelings about the gospel and the Holy Ghost were false. We tried leaving a couple of times, but he would just keep on asking us questions. He even asked us to attend his church, The Pinelake. A lot of people in this area go to this church. When we were with him, he prayed with us in a prayer circle and asked that our eyes would be open and that we will find our way to him. After about an hour and a half, we finally left and my testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was stronger than when we met him. I just felt Christ's love for this person and hope that he stays strong in his testimony of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

I love you guys so much and am grateful for all of your prayers. I feel the love and protection from them daily. 

Sister O'Connor

 

There are a bunch of lizards out here.

 

They don't believe in sidewalks. 

So it's kind of scary when cars are driving right next to you.

 

Found this house while tracting. 

Didn't get to knock on it. But they had a swimming pool in the 

backyard with a slide and many other toys.

 

Double rainbow that Sister Ridge captured

 

 Sister Ridge and Sister Mo (my nickname)

 

Cool Hindu Temple

 

Spring is Here....Zone Conference 3.11.15

 

Fleet inspection and cleaning/maintenance 

 

Zone Conference with President and Sister Mc Donough 3.11.15

 

This is the picture that Robyn texted to us last Friday.

It made our weekend seeing those happy smiles.

Invitation to Baptism and New Apartment

March 9, 2015

Hey Mom,

Yea this week has sure been crazy. We finished unpacking everything last night, so now we can focus more on the Lord's work. Yea Elder Mobley did play football, we just kid around with each other and we all have fun together. He actually just got accepted to BYU and is going to call the coaches about football when he comes closer to going home. 

Getting our apartment all packed up was a little stressful. We first had to get Sister Todd all moved out on Thursday. We both love her. She got transferred to Clinton, which isn't very far. I am super grateful that the Elders could help us with the move. It took us about 4 hours to load the trailer and unload. So we had a little break in between. The Elders just made themselves at home and all falling asleep. lol! Our new apartment is super nice and big. It is still in Flowood, MS (Pictures will come).

Oh the baptism this past weekend was for two converts, a brother and sister. Their mom was baptized a few weeks ago. It was a really great program. The spirit was there and I was so excited for these two to be able to be a part of this church and to be able to receive the Holy Ghost on Sunday.  

I love Sister Ridge. We get along so well with each other. We have so much fun together and love serving the Lord. She goes home in May which I'm sad about, but we just take one day at a time. Oh and I was wondering if you and her mom went out to dinner yet??? 

I got the two packages but I don't think I got the letter. I will check today. I love getting packages. Thank you mom.

OH, we got to meet with Regina this last week. We talked to her about the Restoration and how everything has impacted her life. I invited her to be baptized and she told us that she would pray about it. I was super happy because that was my first inviting someone to be baptized and I do really hope that Regina does pray and know that what we are teaching her is true. She left for California to visit her son on Saturday, so we won't see her for a while, but I hope she starts to read the Book of Mormon.

Mostly this week has been packing up everything, cleaning and moving. I'm excited to be able to get back to work. This week we have a Zone Conference and also Exchanges. So it will be a busy week, but I'm excited about it. 

I love and miss you all and please pray for the people in Mississippi and around the world that their hearts may be softened and that they will let the missionaries into their lives and that they will accept the gospel. This is the true gospel and will help us so that we will be able to return to our Heavenly Father.  

Love,

Sister O’Connor

 McKenna didn't send pictures this week, but Sister Ridge's mom

called me with the name of the apartment complex so we could

see where she is living. These pictures are taken from the

website. I'ts a two bedroom apartment and since

it is so close to the mission home, they will use the extra room

for other sisters that are traveling. It is in a gated community

so it is nice and safe.

License Plate from a 1973 Antique Truck

March 2, 2015

Hey Family,

The weather has been a mess here, super cold and rainy. But this week has been better. This last Saturday, the ward had a Pinewood Derby and us missionaries made a car. Well the elders cut it and we decorated it. It's a SpongeBob car, and it turned out really cute. Almost every week we go and make pizzas at a less-active lady's house, Cindy Roundtree. We don't teach her anything but she feeds the missionaries because her son was a missionary once. This time we visited her, I asked her  I can find license plates, and she went in her back room and pulled me one and gave it to me. It came from her 1973 antique truck and I was so surprised that she gave it to me (It was from her own car). I'll be sending it home sometime so that you can put it with my shrine. 

Last week we found out that Sister Todd will be transferred on Thursday, but we don't know where yet. President will let us know on Tuesday. There has been a lot of ET’s (Emergency Transfers) happening over the weeks. I have heard from Sister Ridge that her mom and you have been talking and maybe are going out to eat. I love Sister Ridge so much. We get along so great and she has given me a nickname, "MO" (for McKenna O’Connor). We're having so much fun serving the Lord. I want a little more info on what Dad did at the combine. Elder Mobley played football at Herriman and is trying to join the BYU football team and he also wants a little information. I love my district so much!  We all get along and have fun with each other. It's sad though because it all changes this week. Elder Clements is getting ET on Tuesday and Elder Jack got his visa so he leaves for Australia at the end of the transfer.

Well for my personal study time, I'm reading the Book of Mormon, New Testament and Preach My Gospel. Sometimes I'll just read one a day or try getting all three. Also I am trying to catch up on my journal writing. Companion Study, we have been doing "How to Begin Teaching", and "Teach People, Not Lessons". Sister Ridge and I have been going over these manuals while she is training me. Training has been going good, Sister Ridge is helping me and I have been learning new things that have made my testimony even stronger. Everyday varies of what we do. But usually we try to do an hour of tracing, then we go meet with potential investigators, less-active members and members so that I can practice teaching lessons by myself. With tracing, it's usually hard because when we meet with people, they just say that they go to church and that they are Christian or Baptist, so they don't want to hear from us. They say that they are happy that we are going around teaching those who need God in their lives, but most of the time they barely open the door and they try really hard to close it. Everyone has their own religion down here so it's kind of hard to tell them that our church it the Restored church and the way to live with our Heavenly Father again. 

Most of our investigators have dropped us or have gone anti against us, but the ones that we have are great. We met with Regina again on Saturday and she even bought us pizza and drinks. We told her about our apartment and she even offered us to stay with her. She is the nicest lady that I have met and she loves talking with us. We showed her videos from LDS.org and also the Gospel Library App. I always feel the spirit with her and better understand the love that Heavenly Father has for all of his children. 

Being here in Mississippi, I can understand why it is called the Bible belt, because everyone has their religion and has their own belief about God. But being down here, I realize how important it is to have the work down here. We all know Heavenly Father is there, but everyone doesn't have the whole gospel in their lives. We are all Heavenly Fathers children and he loves each one of us. I just hope being here in Mississippi, I can help find lost sheep and bring them closer to Christ. Over these last few weeks, my testimony has grown so much. I have a better understanding of why I am here and what my purpose as a missionary is. I have grown to love the people here and the love that I have for this gospel. I would not be who I am today if I didn't have it in my life and also living the gospel.  

Love you all so much and I can't wait to bring you guys back here to see everything and meet everyone. They are all so nice to me. Tammy and Beth love talking with you mom. I love the people her and I have only been here about a month. Love and miss you.

(Oh and I have memorized the First Vision, which I am pretty excited about!!!) 

Sister O'Connor

 Pinewood Derby-Elder SpongeBob

1973 Antique Truck License Plate-Thanks to Cindy Roundtree. I love it!

Beautiful Mississippi Sky

Historical monument school house built in 1860.