Scott City‏

Dearest family,

Life here is bliss :) So much lovely work, many miracles, and a constant river of the Love of God. We are busy, anxious, excited :)

I love you all immensely. It's a short one this week, and I feel the need simply to share the following scripture from 2 Nephi 10:20

"And now, my beloved brethren, seeing that our merciful God has given us so great knowledge..let us remember him, and lay aside our sins, and not hang down our heads, for we are not cast off...but we have been led to a better land."

Keep feeding His sheep :)

With love,

Sister Murphy

Now spread your wings, and fly.

Hello hello dear familia!!

I am sorry we could not email yesterday! I guess it's important to honor Presidents and stuff (GO PREZ BELL!!). I have A LOT to share today: three specific epiphanies with three particularly important moments! So bear with me, it's been a week for the books :D

EPIPHANY NUMERO UNO

After zone conference on Tuesday it is tradition that the departing missionaries bear their testimonies. I had been anticipating this all day, and had been resenting it totally and completely. When the AP Elder Budge stood at the podium and announced it time for us to go up and share, my heart sunk deep. I did not want to.

For weeks I have been heavily contemplating my mission, and myself. I have become so caught up in analyzing way too much, and applying doctrine too extremely, and at that very moment I felt the harrowing realization that my heart, was indeed withheld. Many missionaries there were emotional in anticipating their returning home to their families within the week. The details of my concerns were different, selfish,and insignificant. At the moment I approached the mic I lost all train of thought and even the feeling of the Holy Ghost. My words were empty, my face red. All of the great missionaries I've served along and loved watched as I bore fruitless testimony.

The next few days I was in angst wondering why, after so many miraculous changes here in Kansas, that I would just tank in an opportunity to bear witness to the Savior to his beloved missionaries. At long last, after much prayer and conversation, Christ's beckoning words to Peter made it clear what I needed to do to change. "Feed my sheep. Feed my lambs."

EPIPHANY NUMERO DOS 

We arrived at the church to meet some sisters for a mini exchange. I say hello to President Bell, who just finished a conference call with trainers and trainees. He mutters a quick hi and re-engages in his computer work. Minutes later I hear him say, SISTER MURPHY! Will you follow me please?? And he jets out of the classroom. I follow him, smiley and just pleased at how great the day is going. I step into his office, which was really just the quarters in between the exterior and interior weather doors of the church's west wing. It's cold! I thought to myself.

"Well, we want your last transfer to be EXCITING!!" he starts. "So, we are sending you to open a new area to sisters in Scott City, Kansas! It's in the Garden City zone, wayyyyy out west. Good for you! You will be with Sister Deppe, and she's had a rough mission. We know you will do a great job helping the area liven up and loving your new companion. Okay? Sounds great!!"

And the Spirit was like KABOOM into my heart and I just knew, so instantly, that this was going to be the transfer my mission has prepared me for.

EPIPHANY NUMERO TRES

The next day at church we went early and camped out in our car, awaiting Rita and her boyfriend to arrive. They had not responded our calls and we had no idea if they were really planning on coming. Yet, Sister Heger diligently insisted that we go to the early ward just in case. Ten minutes after and nothing. Then, a man, out of the blue, emerges from some parked cars in a bolted run, towards the chapel doors. I point and yell, "WHO IS THAT?!!" Sister Heger turns and yelped "It's Carson!!!"

We leap out of the car and rush after him, beaming :) He came to church!! Rita was not there, but her boyfriend came. As we sat in the pew and he anxiously listened to the speaker, the Spirit began to swarm around us, for the speaker was testifying of the talk on the Plan of Salvation. Our phone gives a small beep, and we see a text from another investigator we have been teaching for months, Chelsea, and her family. She says: "Thank you girls for all you've done for my family but after much thought we've decided to go back to our old church. The Bel Aire ward is great and has so many really wonderful people but the more we learn the less comfortable we are there. I'm so sorry."

And for the first time in a very long time, I hung my head down, and cried. Hot tears. I clear my head after a moment and refocus on the inspired talk. It pierced my heart again, the Plan of Salvation... I glance over to see a single man, tall, white, droop his head down low and his daughter leans toward him and begins to comfort him. After a minute he lifts up and he too was in swollen tears. I felt, whether it was true or not I don't know, that his wife had recently passed. Then the Spirit impresses the thought: Chelsea won't be able to be sealed to her deceased husband, her children will not receive the blessings of eternal families.... we failed them, for they do not understand what they truly just gave up.

CONCLUSION

We are being saved by a loving Heavenly Father and His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. When we get caught up in ourselves, like I did, we build walls between us and others, losing trust from the Father that we will look outward and bring souls unto Christ. This plan, the great Plan of Happiness, is the reason WHY we must share the gospel with them. If we do NOT, then these numberless families in pain and anguish from the difficult adversary and his world will not receive the liberty and peace that eternal salvation brings to our lives here. We are responsible, it is us, His children of the promise, blessed with truth and love, that can give it to the world. Never have I seen and understood how intricately the Plan is woven into this work... and I am just SUPER EXCITED to do better at sharing it with the world!!

My new goal: FORGET YOSELF. Hahaha, I think WAY too much about me. This whole shpeal of a plan and a hastening is so not about me, I just get to fight at the forefront, another soldier, so loved equally by a loving Heavenly Father. IT'S AMAZING!!!

There are great, great weeks ahead for all of us. I love you all significantly and endlessly, thank you for keeping in touch!! I invite you to consider the covenants, promises and blessings that our Father has made with us and desires to freely give to us if we act and turn outward. I KNOW it will bring the utmost joy into your heart and into your world.

LOVE YA MILLIONS!! :)

Best,

Sister M

Sister Heger and i :)

The Colsesters :)

Colsen said that ever since we've come and brought the Spirit into their lives they have been so much happier. He's felt compelled to be a better person again, to right wrongs, apologize, forgive. He sticks up for Mormons at work. He put in a request at work to have Sunday off. When he told his boss why, his boss laughed in his face! Colsen says if it would have been anyone else at their door, he would have showed them away right off the bat. He says he only feels the Spirit when we come, and he is so grateful to see the changes in his lovely fiance too. She gleams a smitten grin at him each time he talks about her gentle changes. He says they love us quite a lot.

Colsen said he didn't want to pray about the prophet Joseph Smith and about the church yet. He says 'so much going on in his head, an inner turmoil that wakes up whenever we visit, and because of it he "probably" won't convert to Mormon. But then he said, that Rita will take the lead and get baptized, and soon after he'll see the light and follow.

And he was just SO SINCERE and so sweet and thoughtful and hopeful. We know that deep down in his heart he knows, he knows the truth and it is already setting him free. The key is just helping him line upon line to admit it to himself as the Spirit reminds him everyday :) He was left to read 2 Nephi 4, the Spirit confirmed it for him and we just hoped and prayed that he'll see and remember that the Savior is so at the core of this all!

We are meant to have JOY in the journey. Did you know that?? I haven't! haha.. I've breached a painful level of understanding in which I've been desirous to eliminate personal joy at the expense (I am willing to pay) to further help and sacrifice for other people. Does that make ANY sense to you? Wow how veered off I can get, so apart from the Spirit yet so close to Him too... and then God in His infinite love has been sure to remind EVERYDAY anyways, despite my ignorance and stubborn pride, he has confirmed to me everyday from some new source, be it the scriptures or an angel or simply the Spirit and they tell me "We are meant to have JOY in the journey."

Oh JOY oh JOY!! :) So, this is me, trying and loving and appreciating the joy and happiness and bliss that Heavenly Father always works to grant us if we accept. Joy with gratitude and optimism and hope in the atonement and hope that it will change others as it changes ourselves... And then our love and charity inside just blooms and exudes and then we become one and we unite, all one body we, onward Christian soldiers :)

Hahahaha, I love you all! Missions are hard, but so amazing, so so SO amazing!! There are fruit just waitin for the pickins! Don't let em just fall of the tree and rot now, ya hear?

I love you i love you, thanks for your million prayers and million thoughts :) I think about you too!

Love,

Sister Murphalurph turph.

PS: The key is training yourself to listen and hear and respond to the Spirit. PRAY, my friends. Pray a lot, without ceasing.

Heavenly Father loves you–each of you. That love never changes! -Pres. Monson

Hola familia y amigos!

It was another great week! I don't have much time today to write, but I gotta share just one or two thoughts!

Heavenly Father loves you--each of you. That love never changes. -President Thomas S. Monson

Secondly, the Lord is hastening his work!! It is so real, and so important for us to help him! The adversary is very strong, doing all he can to stop us; make us busy, give us self doubt, excuses, derail the potential investigators, affect the missionaries, create distractions, normalize chaos and immorality, subliminal messages, and it's hurting all of us more than we realize.

The Lord is so aware of what is happening, and He is imploring us to follow Him and trust in Him! The most important tool I have found is learning to hear and respond to the Holy Ghost. Please! I implore you also! Learn how he communicates with you! Strive to learn and hear from him throughout the entire day! Love and appreciate His companionship, be patient when you do not understand Him, endure with hope!

Our investigators took a great hit this past week, many falling out of contact with us, many being hurt and changed negatively. We have found great hope and a renewed sense of love from our Father and Savior as we fast and pray. Sister Heger and I are enduring well, feeling full of faith in this week being an improvement as we endure the trials. The tree of life and love of God are so available to us, perfection and Godliness is available to us, and we are so beyond blessed to be where we are to get there :)

That's all! Love you all a million times :) Thank you for your prayers and support! They make a massive difference in my soul and in our ministry :)

Best,

Sister Murphy

The Woman of Samaria at the Well‏

Good morning family!!! You are really all just my family, so we shall stick with that :)

Wow what a miraculous week :) Rita introduced us to her husband early past week and he was seemingly stubborn, but in more casual conversation about the gospel he began to open up, like a lot! We learned he grew up in a catholic school, and heard a lot of foul things about Mormons. He said, though, that it always sounded extreme and he has always wanted to meet one to see for himself who we really are. It's so funny how many of those kind of people we meet... people are so much more curious about the church of Jesus Christ than we realize I think!

We had SO MUCH FUN teaching them throughout the week. They read from the Book of Mormon, which is just so super exciting! And we went to the Wichita Zoo with them yesterday for Pday! And hopefully this week we will get our act together and discuss baptism more boldly than we have in the past. It's all very exciting :)

Sawyer has come full circle!!! He is not ready to be taught by missionaries right now, but that is because he has major life stuff and inner turmoils to address and work out step by step in order to fully accept the gospel in his life 100%. We feel the Spirit, we know this is the right move, for him to just sort of simmer. He has still been reading and praying, hopes to come to church a couple of times, and then in a few months or so he will reconsider being taught. Not only does this feel right, but last night he told us (for the first time) that he received a major answer to one of his major doubts/questions about the church. It additionally illuminated OUR understanding. I love when we get to all grow together, learning the gospel together, acting and growing in faith together. WOW!!

Apart from the work, Sister Heger and I are doing fantastic, I LOVE the sisters in my zone. they are hilarious, diligent, hard working, consecrating, respectful, and inspired. We just LIFT up each other!!

I'm sort of going through a tough time again, even though so much good is constantly happening. It's funny how we can testify to person after person that Christ gives hope and enables us to change and be happy and feel at peace, but then I get "sick" and have forgotten to accept the exact medicine we invite others to take. I'm working on it though :) Of all places to endure hard things, the mission is the greatest! Sorry all yall, you are missin out ;D

hahahaha, jokes!

I love you all a whole bunches :) Here is a great scripture I found and loved and want to share:

"..the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. For unto such hath God promised his Spirit. And they who worship him, must worship in spirit and in truth.

"The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

"Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am HE."

[John 4:23-26]

I testify Christ has come. He calls us to worship the Father and through Him be saved and changed. I know we are often blind, we do not see Him and his spirit and his angels all around us, right there, right there next to you, literally. And if we look, we shall live.

I invite and urge you all to PLEASE worship the Father by reforming who you are to become just like His perfect son. Make this WHO YOU ARE. Emulate Christ's light in every fiber of your being, through every action and thought. I love you all, immensely :)

Best,

Sister Murphy

Mid January!

Before the sacrament was blessed I knew distinctly from the Spirit that I needed to bear my testimony. My heart began to beat, like a drum, out of my chest. This was the first time that has ever happened. Like ba boom boom boom, in my chest! I began to tremble exceedingly as I stood at the podium. My eyes, naturally welled up (as usual, haha) as I bore testimony of being a vessel in the hands of the Lord. I testified of the profound connection that can be gained with the Holy Ghost to do the Lords work. It brings such great joy!! When I sat down my body shook with a loud shiver. I looked up the feelings I was having in the Bible and my attention drew to the book of Daniel. I felt the way he did when he was visited by and communicated with angels. Holy cow!

I've got a new companion! YAY! Why does the Lord always send me such incredible Sisters??! So freakin blessed haha. Sister Heger is from St.George UT and is basically a pro volleyball player. She was my STL in Topeka/Lawrence, and it is super strange to be companions now as STLs... but I'm very very grateful I get to learn from her many months of experience! She goes home in February, which means I'm 99% sure to stay in Bel Aire for the remainder of my mission! WOOHOO!! I love it here so dang bad. The members are just on fire wanting to help us with missionary work and fellow-shipping all that come into the fold!

Yesterday was pivotal. We were like, "OKAY it's crunch time!" because our rate of helping souls was low. We made plans to go out with Sister Stopczynski after we had dinner in her family's home. We wanted to contact potential investigators that past missionaries had recorded in our area book. The FIRST door we knocked on opened wide to a spunky black chick with the coolest fro! She is thirteen and super vibrant. She let us right in! She knew who we were, missionaries had visited often with her sister. Her sister has since moved and now Kimmah was like heck yeah come in and talk with me!

After a long and fun conversation about God, religion, school, the dark times, family, (Sister Stopczynski talking like a natural-born missionary, blowing us all away with her constant testimony) Kimmah came out randomly and said that she has really been wanting to find the truth lately. Jaw drop.

Second door, Rita, earthy mother of twin daughters and a little man, met with missionaries six months ago, asked her, "despite not really believing in God, are you seeking for the truth?" YES she said without hesitation. Jaw drop AGAIN.

The jaw droppin just ain't stoppin!!! I don't know if it is Bel Aire or Kansas or the whole stinkin world, it is BRIMMING with low-hanging fruit! If all yall are shying away from missionary work you are just insane!! haha, people are being prepared left and right and there are NO coincidences! I have felt very strongly lately that every single person you see and pass by each day has been placed there, by God, and they are waiting to be told about the truth we hold dear. SO much joy awaits us! haha

Have I become "preachy" yet on my emails? Hahaha, i am just waiting for that day when everyone is like, okay, you just teach us the gospel like the whole time, so boring!! Lemme know?

I LOVE THIS. I love my mission, I love my companions, i love serving the sisters, i love being with members all of the time, I love Jesus and I love His pure and perfect gospel. I love repenting and praying and changing and growing. Life is the BEST!!

Love yall immensely :) 

Sister Murph dawg

Picture at Title boxing, just in our wraps. Brother Howard is SO TALL! We shall miss you Hermana Wheadon!