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!

Quickaroo

Hey family and frenns! I've got no time today, it's transfers week! Just wanted to let yall know I'm happy as a clam, lovin the new year 2015, and excited for the Kansas Wichita Mission! We are praying to help 58 of the Lord's precious children to be baptized this month of January, and are already seeing miracles in the process. Sweet Hailey was baptized on Saturday. We are excited to keep helping the remainder of her large family progress to baptism as well, including her mother!! Her confirmation on Sunday began a large trend of the ward feeling an incredibly strong spirit and testimonies of missionary work and the Lord's Hastening. It's a great day to be a missionary! And a disciple of Christ!

Love ya loads!!

Sister Meowrphy

Apple Sauce

Okay guys, hi, so I'm sitting here thinking, "okayy Heavenly Father, what am I supposed to write home today? ..hmmm?" and then I thought, "if only you could know the stati (statuses) of your family and friends...for if you knew, then you could estimate at what capacity you could share the week's events, and more importantly, the week's learnings."

It's crazy how fast our mind thinks. Like right now, just as I'm typing you, I'm thinking of like three different things to add after it and woh this is weird and now I'll just finally cut the chase.

Could you all PLEASE please please email me back this week and share the following?:

1. Do you feel promptings from the Holy Ghost? How often?

2. What do those promptings typically feel like?

3. How do you KNOW they are promptings from the Lord, and not from the adversary?

4. How often do you act on them?

5. How often do you look back to see the blessings and goodness verses nothingness that occurs?

6. What miracles have you seen, and how has your testimony grown?

7. How is following promptings of the Spirit helping you with your relationship with Christ and his vision for you and your life (earthly and post-mortum)?

Okay, cool, so once I learn those things, I can share even MORE probably. Well, at least I will be able to understand where you all are at, because it really matters to me. Like a lot :) #WeBeAgents

Hahaha, alright, so now for some temporal world goodstuff!! Christmas was absolutely riveting!! We had a very spiritual experience with many sister missionaries in our zone. Sister Smith (whom we live with) helped us make a large breakfast (similar to the one my grandparents and parents make. YES!), and then we had a renovated nativity scene, focusing primarily on any sort of woman that might have been present at Christ's birth. It was incredible!

THEN we emailed our families (SUPER YES)!! I missed my cousins, but WOW it was amazing to be with you six (and the g-ma-pa). Bear turning 18, blossoming like a large lily. Chlo-bot in such an adorable relationship, painting money-makers. Meken Ben staying busy, loving the dating scene, and pinpointing academia. Parentals, wow, always inspired, creating a most beautiful home and involved in courageous, seriously cool work. MEGA YESSS!

Highlights for the week:

-Kayleigh Wright was baptized! She is nine, but super elect. Her non-member family have also been working toward baptism, we felt prompted to help her be baptized super last minute because, just as her confirmation blessing said, she is to be a shining light on the path to righteousness for her family.

-Caroling Christmas night!! Also, there were some adjustments to the zone's leadership, and some past friends have come in to help us serve. WOW I am excited, and loved caroling with like thirty elders and just us sisters. One sweet family cried a whole bunch, from Mexico, and said they'd never received such a gift. Sometimes I wish Americans were as pleased by simple acts as many other cultures are...haha

-Lavonne screamed for at LEAST a few long seconds when she found out she has a ride to the Salt Lake Temple in April. She will be quitting smoking asap (she is a lesser-active member we get to work with :D)

-Sawyer is still opening up emotionally, removing the mechanic mindset, and considering going to school in Utah as he continues preparing for batpism. Don't know why he would give up admission to Harvard to attend the University of Utah, but I'm certain there's no better place! (i may be JUST a tad biased... haaha)

-Hermana Wheadon and I are the happiest clams on the sea. I have never experienced this level of efficient work and open communication with a companion before. It is blissful and hard working on a totally new, and refining level that i just LOVE.

I hope you all had an AMAZING Christmas! I really do hope to hear from you and your comments on feeling the Holy Ghost. I love you I love you I LOVE YOU! (elf style)

Best,

Sister Murphalurph

Happy Christmas, Harry!

[PREFACE: I was punching this morning, feeling hard core, refining the posture and the punch throws and the step-one-twos, and as I was dancing up and down to "stay alive" my mind unexpectedly paused peacefully, and I tuned in to comprehend. There it was, right inside me, leaping in my heart, it was the Spirit. The world was violent and rambunctious around me, a cacophony of dubstep and yet glowing within was the Holy Ghost.]

The door stretched open and we scrambled inward, toward the sisters sitting attentively as Sawyer spoke. The WSU Engineer Hall was spacious and filled with numberless tables and chairs, his refined English echoing around. We apologized, sat, and I focused on the table's smooth surface and breathed, in, out, in and out, calming my rapid pulse, meditating in preparation for a most meaningful meeting.

He was weary and worn from a 12 hour day of college and work, his eyes flittering exhaustedly. He apologized, and we small talked. Soon we asked, "so why? what changed from yesterday to today? what happened?" He proceeded to explain he had slept a mere 4 hours within the past 48 hours, studying desperately to know if this church is true. His passion was eminent, as was his disappointment. "Do you honestly believe that John Taylor was a prophet? How could you possibly support such a man full of himself?" Sawyer was attacking us. After enduring a dark and harrowing rant we finally interrupted, "We have just one important point to bring to you in answer to your questions and accusations. In all that you have studied and searched of the Book of Mormon and prophetic books have you yet sought for the testament of Christ within their pages?"

He stopped. He pondered. He set his hand on the book of Mormon as it sat on the table, pensive. Minutes of silence passed by, and he uttered, passionately, "No. You have pointed out my flaw, you have called me out perfectly. Let us put everything that has happened in the past until now aside. I will start as if it were the first time we ever met and I will listen to exactly what YOU want to teach. Teach me more. I will be baptized in January, and I will do whatever you ask of me. We will try this now, a new, and better way."

My heart leaped, and the Spirit swarmed surrounding.

Later that week after a couple more visits he later texted to Sister Wheadon and I, "Thank you for your lessons...I feel the Spirit speaking thru u...I have no words to describe your love. It's so genuine and it overwhelmingly fills my soul."

Keep in mind, my dear friends, that the things I share now with you are very sacred, very precious to me. Normally these are the experiences I refrain from sharing with you all in a letter such as this, and I do not seek for my own approval and accolades. However, I feel a push and a need to share these things with you, I feel the Spirit now as I type, an assurance that one of you out there, just maybe one of you reading, this message is for YOU.

Please do not spoil nor trod on the things I have shared. Sawyer has an eloquent mind and a tender heart, he is truly broken and contrite thanks to the rebuke and comfort of the Spirit of the Lord, our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. This is so real, so inexplicably real. Becoming a vessel in His hands has been.... words cannot describe..

Christmas is coming. The light of the Savior is filling every doorway stand and glowing grass figurines. The baby Jesus is everywhere, an God-inspired action to the world to remind us constantly that He Is The Gift. And this gospel, the glorious truth that sets us free, it too is The Gift. Discover it. Embrace it. Share it. That you might do this is my cry and plea to the Father, sincerely, for the joy it gives me, that it fills in every fiber of my and my companion's beings as we anxiously engage in His Hastening work, is the greatest gift of all.

I love you all, wow I love you. I am sorry I have no time to send or write much to you.... but please know, that Christ loves you. He loves you so much. He is mindful of everything you do, and desires your salvation as he beckons you to follow Him.

This is my testimony and desire, knowing completely that Christ is our Savior.

I love you I love you, Happy Christmas :)

Sister Murphy

Alma 36:3 (texted to us from Sawyer)

SNAPAROO: Hermana Wheadon, Sister Haren, Sister Barlocker, Sister Murphatron, ugly sweater zone specialized training party and recording a beautiful song (I played piano... obriously..)

Damos damos damos!‏

Hola amigos, hows it going?? Just a painfully rigid morning in Wichitarr today! Got up, threw a few punches and crunchitized my tummy fat, turned up the Boye and threw on a large sweater, and shouted IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME!!!

Hahaha, that last part may have been a lie, but wow I really wish I WOULD have shouted that. Doin it doin it everyday now, starting NOW!

IT'S CHRISTMAAAAAS!! I'm just really enjoying the holiday cheer :) Did I ever tell you of that one doorstep approach to this one cute brunette girl and not only did she listen to the whole first lesson in the doorway but she also gave us each a fresh hot coacoa? See now THAT is a Christmas spirit :) I want to be like that, and like "Buddy the elf, what's your favorite color?" "What's a Christmas gram, I want one!!!" to everyone we meet!

Last night we had soup at the Bishops house, and he picked up one of our new investigators Sushrutha (sushi for short) from India. Well NO, he didn't like fly out to India to pick him up, you silly! He is just at WSU here and wanted to learn more about our doctrine! He says ever since some particularly traumatizing and interesting home life stories he converted from Islam to believing in Christ. Since then he has researched and attended dozens of churches to learn which was right. We got so excited, last night Bishop testified that he doesn't really need to look further, because he found it. He found the priesthood. It reminds me of something Elder Covey said some years back, "Anyone who is keeping the commandments, regardless of what denomination or belief system they are one, will eventually be led to the covenant gospel." And we get to be the lucky missionaries to help him at his monumental turning point :)

Sue was baptized on Saturday!! She has had it so rough the past couple of weeks, it was such a gift to see her eyes wet with tears from the powerful bright Holy Ghost that entered her heart this weekend. She's all a-glow now, truly on fire!! Also, a particular fam we were led to and have been working with includes four gorgeous girls ranging from 9-16. All of them are desperate to be baptized. In fact, just as we were explaining the Priesthood they said of their own accord, "so when can WE get baptized??" despite having been baptized into another church, they just KNEW this is all true and right and they must be a part of it! Sorry I have so many run-on sentences today... hahaha. The family is just a goldmine of referrals, a boyfriend and soon their have accepted a baptismal date also. The other family we have been working with is finally being passed to the right church ward today, and we are happy they too are greatly anticipating baptism on the 24th this month.

Basically Bel Aire ward is on fire. Our zone sisters also are on fire, the zone training was exceptionally revelatory, and the work is hastening!!

I've got the Pine Minister brightly beaming now, and like an Airwick plugin he shoots clouds of wintergreen smell near our noses during our morning studies. I'm grateful my mother (and father, and Heavenly Father), have taught me to thoroughly enjoy the little things :) The holidays are just chock-full of small happy notes!!

I hope, of course, that you are all merrily dashing through the season, and giving at every opportunity!! These miracles I KNOW are because of the Savior, and wow what a great month of constant giving and giving back.

Love you all dearly!!

Best,

Hermana Murphatron