Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!

I LOVE Sister Lee!
Happy Thanksgiving!

The last exchange of my mission.
Feeding Sister Lee our dinner one night--chicken crackers.
It's been so cold here lately! It even snowed this week. I felt like I was in Utah... scraping off the car in the mornings.


Hello family! 

This was such a great week. Thanksgiving was fun. We had a mission activity in the morning. It was a talent show and very last minute our zone leaders asked me and Sister Lee to sing with them. So we got another set of sisters and they played guitar and we sang "Because I Have Been Given Much." It was fun! It's funny how I've changed. If that had been the beginning of my mission I would not have felt comfortable doing that in front of so many other missionaries. But singing on the streets to absolutely everyone causes you to lose your fear of singing in front of people. That day we watched the Joseph Smith movie with Blake and Bailie and then had dinner with them at their aunt's house. It was a good Thanksgiving. I was grateful that her aunt's house had a lot of people and  children. It was a bit chaotic and felt more like a Thanksgiving at home with all the cousins and family. 

We met a new investigator this week named Sarah. She is awesome! She came to church and we taught her yesterday. She is very prepared. She's had a hard life with addictions and feels that God has helped her through it and wants to gain a closer relationship with him. She is on date for January 3 (I can't believe we're going to be in 2015 soon)! Keep her in your prayers.

I went on my last exchange this week with a set of our sisters. Crazy. I've been on SO many exchanges the last eight months. But it's good. I always learn from the sisters that I get to serve. I am so grateful I've been able to serve as a STL. Heavenly Father knew it would push me and it would be difficult. I've had to do things I didn't think I'd be able to do and I've learned so much. I love how Heavenly Father works that way. He gives us challenging things that sometimes we think we can't handle. But through the Atonement we can achieve so much more. I really do have a testimony of the Atonement. We meet so many people who are agnostic or atheist and it breaks my heart because life is so much more meaningful and happy when we trust in God--when we apply the gift that is our Savior and His Atonement into our lives. 

We got to go to the temple today and it was glorious! I love the temple so much. Be prepared to go lots with me when I get home! I feel like this is a shorter letter, but just know that I am so happy. I love Heavenly Father. I'm so grateful that He knows what's best for us. I'm grateful that I'm serving my last transfer here in the YSA ward with Sister Lee. I love Sister Lee! I love the Book of Mormon. I know that it is true. Read it everyday! Feast upon it! Jacob 3:2. I love you all! 

Love,
Sister Veronica White

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Another Week!

 Sister Salaboa
 Sister Lee
Sister Lee calls this our Asian tourist pose

Hello family! 

This was an eventful week. Lots happened. First off, Blake is on date for baptism! December 20. He seems really sincere. He's a little nervous about it and still has a lot to learn, but he has a lot of faith. More than he realizes. We're spending Thanksgiving with him and Bailie (his sister's), so that'll be so fun! 

Here are two really funny experiences that happened this week. I am sorry that I am not the best story teller... so who knows if they will even be funny to you. But here's my attempt. So on Friday we went to contact a referral, a YSA named David. He's from China but has been living here for about two years. He used to have a host family in Oregon who helped him to believe in God. Anyway, when we contacted him he didn't have that long before he needed to go to class. So we bore our testimony to him about The Book of Mormon and how it can bless him and about church attendance and invited him to come. At the end of the conversation I asked, "Before we leave, can we sing a song for you?" He looked at me and with all seriousness said, "Can I kiss you?" I was in shock. I looked at Sister Morrison (we were on exchanges) and her eyes were so big. I told him, "Oh, we don't do that. We just shake hands." I stuck my hand out for a handshake and he grabbed it and leaned over to kiss it. He was like an inch above my hand. I pulled my hand back so fast but he had a firm grip so he was still holding on to my hand and bending down. It was so awkward! I shifted my hand in his and shook it up and down and told him that is how we shake hands. I had Sister Morrison pray because I knew I would start laughing if I prayed. After the prayer he asked Sister Morrison if he could give us hugs. She told him there were people at church he could hug. hahaha. That was one of the most bizarre experiences of my mission... and I lived in Burien for more than a year of my mission. I've had a lot of bizarre experiences. 

The other funny thing that happened was when I was with Sister Salabao. We were on exchanges. At one of the doors we knocked this old couple answered. I told her we were missionaries but she yelled back at me that she was hard of hearing and I needed to speak up. So I yelled into her ear that we were missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and she threw up her arms in a "Go away, I'm repulsed by you" position and said, "I lived in Salt Lake for ten years. You're WAY too conservative for me." After a couple of times of asking if we could sing for her (my voice getting louder with each time) she let us sing. So we basically yelled the words of "I Am a Child of God" to her. After the song her husband said, "That was okay. Not as good as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, though. I admire the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, but it doesn't have anything to do with the truth!" And his wife chimed in (actually, that is too delicate of a word to use here.. screamed might be more accurate) with, "Yeah, you're way too conservative!" and slammed the door. I started laughing so hard. And then to make it even better we hear them yelling at each other inside.The old lady said, "I didn't mean to be so brutal." To which her husband responded with, "Well, you have to be!" hahaha. 

I saw the Davenports on Sunday. That was a surprise. I walked into the chapel for church and Zach Davenport was standing there. And I got to see Sister Davenport, too. I love her! 

We had Zone Conference yesterday with Elder Falabella from the Seventy. It was really great. I learned a lot from the Holy Ghost. I just really love this gospel so much. And I love my mission so much. It has changed me. I had to bear my "departing testimony" yesterday. Really, it's just simple. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that He performed the Atonement for each one of us out of love. I know that because of the Atonement we can become better and happier than we could otherwise. I know that Heavenly Father loves each one of us more than we could ever comprehend. I know that the Book of Mormon is God's word. It changes lives. It's changed my life. I love reading the Book of Mormon because it invites the Spirit into my life. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Jesus Christ's true church. I love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I love my mission. I have developed a deeper love and appreciation for my life, for my family, for this gospel, and for Them because of my mission. Words can never adequately express what my mission means to me. I am so happy.

I love you all and hope you have a great week. Always CTR and read your scriptures. Be happy! The church is true! 
Love,
Sister Veronica White

Monday, November 17, 2014

I love being a Missionary!

Hello family.

This was a good week. It went by so quickly. I can't believe we're done with week 2 of this transfer. I hate how fast time is going by. We had a back-to-back exchange this week with two sets of our sisters. I'm grateful to have this calling. I learn so much from the sisters that I serve. I love the YSA ward and I love Sister Lee! I'm really grateful she's the one killing me off. She is so funny. Our ward has lots of fun activities. Tonight we're having a Thanksgiving Fiesta with Mexican food. It's nice because people invite their friends so there's lots of nonmembers to talk to.

Keep Blake in your prayers. We taught him the first half of the Restoration this week. He has no religious background at all and doesn't really know anything about God or Jesus Christ. It made me really grateful that I was raised knowing that we are children of God and that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I am so blessed. Our Bishopric changed this week. It's not like I really knew them very well, but it's still an adjustment. The ward was sad to see our Bishop leave and is excited for our new bishop. Our ward mission leader, Zach, is the best! We had the Member and Missionary fireside last night in Bothell. We're not allowed to go unless we have an investigator, recent convert, or less active going. We had three people who committed to come and then all three of them cancelled Sunday morning. I knew that Brandon and Sister Nelson were going to be there and this is my last one. Sister Lee and I worked so hard to find someone to come! After Sacrament Meeting we walked up to Zach and told him we needed his help. He said he promised he'd get someone there. As long as we showed up he'd have someone! I was so grateful! 

The Member and Missionary fireside was amazing. After the mission I want to come back up and visit with you guys and we're going to come to one of these. The Spirit was so strong. And the best part was I got to see Sister Nelson! I miss her a lot. I was so happy to see her and I got to talk to Brandon after, too. I couldn't stop smiling all night long. And then the saddest part... I had to say goodbye to them. Sister Nelson is in the other half of the mission so I won't get to see her again before I leave. I just can't believe that this is my last transfer... my last Member and Missionary fireside... my last time seeing Sister Nelson while we're both missionaries. It kind of breaks my heart. Last night was the first time I think it really hit that my mission is coming to an end. I cried myself to sleep last night. haha.

But don't worry, I'm working as hard as I can and having so much fun. I am grateful for each one of you. Thank you Mom and Dad for raising me in the gospel and making God a priority. Thank you, Bruce, for always setting such a great example and for loving your mission so much. It helped me in my decision to come on a mission. Thank you, Savannah, for always being so patient and loving. You're my favorite peace maker! Thank you, Joe, for always being so enthusiastic for life and happy. I love you all so much and I'm so grateful you're my family. I am forever grateful that I have had the chance to be a missionary. I have learned so much. But one of the most important things I've learned is that Jesus Christ is our Savior. The Atonement is real and powerful. I have learned that I have so many faults and weaknesses but as I apply the Atonement to my life I can and do become better. I know that God loves us and is mindful of us. I know that this gospel is true. I know that the Book of Mormon is from God. It testifies of Christ. I love my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ so much. 
Love,
Sister Veronica White

Monday, November 10, 2014

I Love YSA!

At Alki beach. We went there our last P day before transfers. 
Our extremely awkward district photo. 


Sister Nelson's mom sent her a package of Halloween stuff and included me. Our pumpkin necklaces light up!


Hello family.
This was a great week. I just really love being a missionary so much. I have never been so happy. Every day I am grateful that the age was lowered and that I'm serving right now. My life has completely changed because of it.

I'm really loving my new area. It's definitely an adjustment. Redmond is way nicer than Burien was. I think I was experiencing culture shock for the first few days... seeing clean, bathed, stylish people on the streets. It was weird. This weekend was stake conference, so I haven't officially had a Sunday in the ward yet, but I have met quite a few members and I already love them. This ward is so fun! There's lots of activities in the YSA ward. Quite a few members from our ward already have careers. A lot of them work at Microsoft. The members are really nice and they make really good food for us, so that's nice.

 We do a lot of contacting at the University of Washington Bothell campus. It is so fun! One of the days we were there last week it was POURING rain and we were completely soaked and I loved every minute of it! We just kept talking to everyone. There are some really interesting people. So many people are either atheist or agnostic, but we've had some really good conversations. One of my very favorite things about missionary work is watching people's hearts soften as they feel the Spirit. That happened a lot this week and so many times I've been overwhelmed with how grateful I am for the Spirit and that He testifies of truth. This gospel is true.

We are teaching someone named Blake. His sister was just baptized in March and he's seen how happy it's made her. He doesn't have any sort of religious background but last week we had a lesson on prayer and it was powerful. Please keep him in your prayers because he works Sunday afternoons. Our ward is at one so he can't come. He came to stake conference this weekend though since it was in the morning. He said he liked it, but was kind of bored. haha. We had Mission Leadership Council on Friday--that's where all the Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders meet with the mission presidency. It's my second to last one. So sad. I'm very grateful Heavenly Father has given me the opportunity to serve as a sister training leader. It's been hard, but I've learned so much as well.

Sister Lee is amazing. She's so cute and fun. She's from Korea, but was attending BYU before her mission. I've learned so much from her. She's so in tune with the Spirit and always asks inspired questions. I'm grateful Heavenly Father let me be her companion.

 Know that I love you all. You're in my prayers. Read your scriptures and study PMG. Heavenly Father has given us so many resources to be happy. To be truly happy we need the Spirit in our lives. And we invite the Spirit into our lives when we keep the commandments. CTR everyday!

 Love you! Love, Sister Veronica White

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

My Last Transfer!

Hello family! Hope you're doing well. This week was very busy. We had a lot of set appointments and almost all of them fell through. One of our new gators dropped us. It was just a trial of our faith. But through it all we were still blessed with lots of miracles. And I was with Sister Nelson, so of course I was happy! She is amazing. I just love her so much! I'm grateful Heavenly Father put us together. One of the sisters that we serve went home early this week for medical reasons so the last four days of this transfer we were in a trio. We were with Sister Leung. She's from Hong Kong. Sadly I don't have any photos with her but it was a lot of fun. We had a lot of laughs. One night we were tracting and this old man told us he was busy. We asked him if we could sing a song for him and he looked at us and said, "Didn't you hear me? I'm busy. B-U-S-Y!" and slammed the door. It was very funny. We had a great lesson about the Sacrament on Saturday with Brandon and he told us how since his baptism last week he's felt so happy. He said he's felt the Holy Ghost helping him with his schoolwork. And then on Sunday he blessed the Sacrament! And then Blanca got up and bore her testimony. It was amazing! She talked about how she's grateful Heavenly Father sent the sisters to her because she's so happy and she loves God. It was so sweet. That really is the gospel--happiness. I love it! We are so blessed to have it in our lives. So transfers happened. I left Burien. I am really sad to leave Burien--the ward, the people I'm working with, Sister Nelson! I will really miss them. I'm grateful for Sister Nelson. We got along so well and worked so hard together and I've learned so much from her. But I'm ready to serve Heavenly Father with all my heart wherever I go. I am in the Redmond stake--way richer and fancier than the Seattle stake. I think I'm going to face culture shock for a little while. Everything is so nice. My companion is Sister Lee. She's from Korea. She's very sweet and I'm excited to be with her. We are both Sister Training Leaders. This is her first transfer as a STL. I was kind of surprised I am still a STL. I thought I would be released. But I'm excited to serve with her and learn from her and to serve wonderful sisters in this mission. We are in a YSA ward so that will be something new. I've never served YSA before. Definitely an adventure! Apparently we cover the Redmond stake and part of Bothell and Kirkland as well. I'm grateful for this opportunity to show Heavenly Father that I love him and I plan on serving as diligently as I can this last six weeks. I love being a missionary. I know that this gospel is true. I know it changes lives. I've seen it change lives, mine included. I know God loves us. Read and study your scriptures everyday. Study PMG! I love you all! Love, Sister Veronica White

Monday, October 27, 2014

Such an Amazing Week!



 At Brandon's baptism.



 Blanca
This pic is for Savannah and Dad. We pulled up into the church one night and there was this dog in the driver's seat looking like he was about to drive away. It was funny.

Hello family! 

So this week was one of the best of my mission. Of my life! So, so many miracles. I don't even understand how Heavenly Father is blessing me so much. I'm very grateful.
 
Okay, where to even start? On Tuesday Brandon had his baptismal interview and passed! It was so awesome. We were talking with him after and guess what?! He started talking about how he wants to serve a mission. Can you believe it? Sister Nelson and I were just dying of happiness. He's such a good kid. I'm very grateful we met him that night. It really was all the Holy Ghost. 

As is the case with the Adversary, he likes to oppose. The day of the baptism was pretty stressful. We got to the church early to fill up the font and had some issues with that. And the Relief Society room was a disaster. I've never seen a room in a church building so trashed. There was garbage everywhere and the chalkboard needed cleaned, none of the chairs were set up. The Seattle stake center is not known for cleanliness, that's for sure. It took us over an hour to get everything cleaned up, etc. But it all turned out well. There was a lot of ward support at the baptism, especially from the youth. It was a beautiful program. Brandon looked so happy. After he was baptized he bore his testimony and talked about how happy he was and how he's grateful he found this church. It was just so simple and honest. The Spirit was so strong. Such a happy day. Then the next day at church he received the gift of the Holy Ghost and was given the Priesthood. He was just beaming. 

Some more miracles... I don't know if I told you about Pratap and Chandra. They're a very sweet little family from Nepal. They speak pretty good English. Pratap (the husband) became Christian about a year ago and has a very basic understanding of Christianity. Sister Nelson and I realized that we needed to take things slowly and simply. So we made these prayer sandwiches. They're so cute! I wish I had taken a picture of them but we've already given them to our investigators. It was a sandwich that we made out of paper... two slices of bread, lettuce, tomato, cheese, mustard, etc. We built the sandwich just like we pray. The first slice says "Dear Heavenly Father." The mustard says "Thank you for", etc. He loved it and he said a prayer out loud for the first time ever in his life. It was so sweet and after the prayer he had the biggest smile on his face and Chandra was overjoyed. She was even clapping. haha. It was just so cute. 

Guess what?! Do you remember Gina? She was that incredible investigator who was progressing and preparing for baptism and then her family and friends filled her with negative things about the church and she was confused. Well this last week we saw her and we're seeing her again next week. I love her so much and I am so happy that we're going to start teaching her. Keep her in your prayers. She is so ready for the gospel! 

And then the last miracle to share! Do you remember last week how we met Jeff and Mayra? Well this weekend we taught their whole family the Restoration. And they are so prepared! They are very humble and willing to listen and have so many wonderful questions. They're looking for a church and something to unify their family but they haven't found anything that fits yet. They have two kids--Angel (boy, 15) and Carla (girl, 14). It was really stormy outside while we were teaching and in the middle of the lesson the power went out! It was crazy. So they got flashlights and candles and then we finished the lesson. Definitely an adventure. I've never taught in the dark before. We have a return appointment for next week. Please keep them in your prayers. I'm so excited. I've been looking for a family to teach my whole mission. 

Ah, mission life just really is the greatest. I love it so much. I am so blessed to be here. Transfers are next week.... My last transfer. I can't believe it. I really hope that I get to stay here in Burien with Sister Nelson. But I will go wherever Heavenly Father wants me to go and I will work as hard as I possibly can to help people come closer to Christ. That truly is the way to happiness. I know that Heavenly Father is real and that He loves us. Jesus Christ is our Savior. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's true church. We are so blessed to be a part of it. Read your scriptures every day. Repent every day. CTR! I love you.
Love,
Sister Veronica White

Monday, October 20, 2014

I Am So HAPPY!


Hello family!

I am just so happy, words can't even express it. I really think this is the happiest time of my life. So Brandon is officially getting baptized this Saturday. I know we've talked about it a lot, but we had the most amazing lesson on Friday and he told us that in the past there were always little doubts in his mind and deep down he knew he wouldn't make that date. But he feels differently about this one. He said he's confident that he will be prepared for baptism this Saturday. He went to see Meet the Mormons this last week with the youth and he said he feels like that's what really made the difference. He loved the movie. We talked about the priesthood at our Young Mens President's home. It's cool because our YMP was baptized when he was nineteen so he and Brandon can relate a lot. Also Brandon came to the Member and Missionary fireside last night. More on that, later. But the Spirit was so strong! 

This last week we went tracting with Sister Miller (she's in our ward, but she's also part of the Mission Presidency). Sister Nelson and I were a bit intimidated. But it was incredible! We had such a great evening and met lots of new people that we're going to start teaching. There was this one little family from Kenya. Their son, Lyon, was just about the cutest thing ever. He loved when we sang "I Am a Child of God" and he was just so funny. I know that Heavenly Father led us to them. Another cool miracle we had a different night during tracting... we knocked on this door and this lady named Mayra answered and looked so tired. She said she was busy taking care of her husband and didn't have time to talk to us. But then in the background we hear the husband tell her to invite us in so we can say a prayer with them. We found out that he had just been in the ER that morning because of a seizure. They both looked exhausted and broken. We sang and prayed with them and they were so touched. They started visiting with us and they have been so humbled and prepared to accept the gospel. We found out that the husband, Jeff, even has a copy of the Book of Mormon. He had a friend serve a mission. Jeff said that every now and then he'll open up his Book of Mormon and read a few verses. I know that Heavenly Father needed us to meet Jeff and Mayra. I'm grateful we were led by the Holy Ghost to be in that neighborhood to go tracting. We have a return appointment for next week. 

We had dinner with Blanca this Sunday. And her son who's not a member ate with us. He's eighteen or nineteen. He hasn't been interested in taking the lessons. But he stayed for the message that we shared and then Blanca invited him to come to the Member and Missionary fireside. And he came! Those meetings are amazing. New converts bear their testimony about how and why they joined the church. And there's music and President Choi speaks, too. It was so good!

And that brings me to my last miracle I want to share with you guys. The Member and Missionary fireside was in Shoreline (my old area, Carkeek Park!). So I was really hoping to see some people I knew. I got to see Sister Hoopes, whom I love dearly! And guess what? Pat was with her! The gator Sister Salabao and I were working with while we were there. She's the cute old lady that's kind of a recluse. She was there! I couldn't believe it. Sister Salabao came and got me after and took me over to see them. Pat got teary eyed when she saw both of us back together. And Sister Hoopes did too and said she misses us and she's grateful for us. That if it weren't for us Pat wouldn't be there tonight. I know it's not because of us. We were led by the Holy Ghost to meet her and then try her back again even though she had told us she wasn't interested. I love Shoreline! I am so happy I got to see them last night. I love Sister Hoopes so much. Definitely coming back up and visiting them after. I am so grateful to be a missionary and to have met so many wonderful people. I love being a missionary. I love the people of Seattle. I love Sister Nelson! I love this gospel and I love my Savior! I love you all. CTR! 

Love,
Sister Veronica White

Monday, October 13, 2014

Halfway Through This Transfer

Hello family! 

This was a good week. We had Zone Conference. I absolutely love being a missionary. And I am so blessed and happy that I am a missionary in the Washington Seattle mission! I love President Choi. 

Blanca is doing so well. She signed up to feed us next Sunday. That'll be so fun! She is so happy. Being around her I always feel so uplifted. I'm so grateful Heavenly Father let me meet her.  

Brandon is doing well. He has a new date of October 25 for baptism. He is so close! Just a few thing to get over, but all will be well. Please keep him in your prayers. Pray for him that he will be able to recognize answers Heavenly Father is giving him. Pray for him to have the courage to move forward and be baptized. He's such a good kid. 

This last week we went and did the morning schedule (exercise, breakfast, and studies) with a set of our sisters. It was so much fun. We made them breakfast sandwiches on biscuits I made. It was a lot of fun. I'm really grateful to be a sister training leader. It's been really, really hard at times but I've learned so much from my sisters. And I'm so grateful to be with Sister Nelson. I love her so much. She is incredible. I love being in Burien. It's started raining. This last week it rained so hard. We went out tracting in it and it was fun. I'm grateful for the rain, too. Pretty much I just feel very grateful. As my mission gets closer and closer to the end I'm often overwhelmed with gratitude for the blessings I've received. I am so grateful for the last sixteen months. They have changed me as I've become better through the Atonement of my Savior. I am changed forever. I love it. I love you! Have a great week. Study conference. CTR. Fill your life with good things. 

Love,
Sister Veronica White

Monday, October 6, 2014

Amazing Week!


Hello family!

I know I must say this every week. But this was such an incredible week. Lots of miracles and happiness and spiritual experiences. I love being a missionary! 

This week I went on two exchanges--back to back. I've gotten good at this exchange thing. Heavenly Father really does know us and He's helped me to learn so many things on my mission. One of those being flexibility. 

Jimmy is doing well. He's liking the Book of Mormon. He won't be able to be baptized on the 25th anymore because he hasn't been to church yet. His back causes him a lot of pain and troubles. But he is still progressing and offered such a heartfelt, sincere prayer at our last lesson. I love getting to hear investigators' prayers. They are always so sincere and I feel like I learn a lot from them. 

Blanca is doing so great. She is so happy and loves the gospel! On Friday we had a lesson with her. Then we had a lesson with Brandon right after and our fellowship ended up cancelling. We have to have another girl to meet with him so we asked Blanca if she would come. She did and she was amazing! She hasn't even been a member for a week and she came and taught a lesson with us. And she really did teach. She offered the sweetest opening prayer praying for Brandon to receive an answer. And then at one point Sister Nelson and I had just bore our testimonies and she jumped right in and talked about how she knows Joseph Smith is a prophet and how she knows Brandon can receive an answer if he prays with faith. So cute! 

Pray for Brandon. His baptism is supposed to be happening this weekend. But he still feels like he hasn't received an answer about Joseph Smith. I don't know why it's taking so long. He comes to church, prays, reads everyday. Just really keep him in your prayers please. I know if it's God's will, He can perform a miracle and Brandon can be baptized this weekend. He came to the Sunday morning of General Conference and he really liked it. 

This was just a really incredible weekend. On Friday we had Zone Training and Sister Nelson and I trained and it was so much fun. We were training on love and how God is love and we need to love our comps, gators, etc. We played this game to start it off. The whole meeting was really great. And then after we got to watch Meet the Mormons. It was so good! I loved it. That was the first movie I've seen in 16 months. (Besides the Restoration movie) You all need to go and see it. It was very uplifting. I just love this gospel so much! It helps us in all aspects of our lives. It is for everyone! Then of course we had General Conference which was a spiritual feast. So good! I loved every minute of it and was so sad when it was over. It wasn't long enough. And now we have to wait another six months. Sad. I was also so sad when it was over because this is the last General Conference I'll have as a missionary. I hate how those moments keep coming up... "This is the last ... as a missionary." Lame.

I am so happy. I love this gospel so much. It is for everyone. It brings us happiness. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that we have a loving Heavenly Father. I love you all so much. Pray sincerely everyday!
Love,
Sister Veronica White

Monday, September 29, 2014

BEST Week Ever!

 Here's a bunch of photos. 
Sister White, Sister Nelson, Blanca, Elder Newman, Elder Song

Blanca's baptism!

 Blanca with the Jorgensens.


 Blanca with all of her friends she invited to the baptism. 

 The Elders, the Hermanas, us, and Blanca
 At mutual making the shields


 The ward party



Hello family. 

So this really was one of the best weeks of my entire life. It was so much fun! I'm still just in heaven knowing that Sister Nelson and I have another transfer here in Burien together. So blessed. We had a ward activity that us and the elders helped plan. On Wednesday we went to mutual with the youth and helped them make shields out of tinfoil and cardboard for the activity. It was so much fun. I love the youth in our ward. When I first got here there were only about 3 active young women. But a few more have moved into the ward and the youth is just so strong right now. They're all fellowshipping Brandon and it's just incredible to see how they've come together. 
Friday Sister Nelson and I had Mission Leadership Council with the mission presidency and all the zone leaders and sister training leaders. I'm so grateful for President and Sister Choi. I love them so much and have learned from their humble, Christlike leadership. If you haven't already read President Choi's article in the August Ensign, do it. Yeah, that's my mission president! 

Friday evening was the ward activity. It was so fun! We had two families come that we're working with. We had four stations that us missionaries took the primary kids to in each corner of the gym, helping them to prepare for battle and become a Stripling Warrior. The first one was to get them physically prepared. One of the Young Men led them in jumping jacks and push ups. The next was getting spiritually fit and us missionaries shared the story of the Stripling Warriors with them. The next two was to get them ready to go. They got a streak of face paint on their cheeks, bandannas from construction paper, a balloon sword and the shields we made at mutual. Then they performed their little skit. It turned out even better than we thought it would. The elders, Sister Nelson, and I were just beaming. Everyone loved it. 

Then the highlight of all highlights. Saturday morning Blanca was baptized. It was one of the most beautiful baptisms I've ever been to. Sister Nelson and I worked so hard on making the room beautiful (a difficult thing to do in the Seattle stake center!) and the program beautiful. The talks were wonderful. The Spirit was so strong. Blanca bore her testimony at the end. It was so sincere and humble. It was so cute, after she was baptized she changed and then opened the curtain to us and said, "I'm a new person!" She was just glowing. The baptism ordinance is short, but that baptism represents hundreds of prayers offered by missionaries, you guys, herself. It represents hours of being in her home and teaching her and learning from the Spirit together. It represents questions and doubts being overcome as the Holy Ghost confirmed to her that this was the true church. It represents tears and sometimes confusion, seeking the Lord's guidance on her behalf, wanting to help her. It represents complete joy as she finally accepted the invitation to be baptized. But most importantly it represents a new life for her with the fullness of the gospel. And it is all possible because of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Because of him Blanca, and all of us, have the opportunity to repent, be baptized, overcome our faults, weaknesses, and sin, and prepare to return to live with Heavenly Father again. How very blessed we are! 

And then as if this weekend wasn't already so great we got to have the Women's Broadcast. Blanca came and loved it. And all the messages about the temple were just perfect for her. We met with Brandon that night as well and had such a powerful lesson reading Moroni 10 with him. After our lesson the youth were going to a stake dance so we were waiting for the leader to come pick them up and this guy walked up to us in the parking lot and said his name was Josh and he was looking to join a church choir. He is getting ready to go to the Marines in January, but wants something positive to help him fill his time. Well, Josh. We can help you with that! We invited him to church the next day. And he came! He got there twenty minutes early. He was there before most of our ward was. So cool! He loved church too. We'll probably have to refer him to the YSA branch, but such a miracle. God just blesses us immeasurably when we are obedient and do what He asks. 

I know this is Christ's church. I know that we have a living prophet and we are so blessed to be able to listen to him this weekend. I know that Heavenly Father loves all of His children so much. He so badly wants to bless us. We just have to do what He's asked so He can. The Book of Mormon changes lives. Whenever I hear Blanca's testimony about the Book of Mormon I am so touched. She loves it. We should all treat the Book of Mormon with that kind of love. It is the word of God. I am so happy. I just can't even believe how blessed I am. I love this gospel so much! 

Love,
Sister Veronica White

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

I'm Staying!!!

Here come the pictures!



 Right before we dropped Sister McBride off at the airport. 
 Sister Leung, me, and Sister Nelson
Blanca!

Hello dear family!

Well the best news of all, first. I am staying here in Burien with Sister Nelson. I cannot wipe the smile off my face. I am so grateful. Sister McBride (my trainer) went home this morning. I will miss her. I can't believe shes's gone. That freaks me out because when I came to her she was still so new in the mission. I don't know where the last 15 months have gone. 

Where to start? I don't even know? Well this was a pretty hard week, but it doesn't even matter now because I am just so happy that Sister Nelson and I are together. Brandon and Blanca didn't end up getting baptized this weekend. But all is well. Blanca is getting baptized this Saturday and Brandon will be on October 11. I was trying not to think about it, but I was worried I would get transferred. But Heavenly Father must just love me so much because I get to stay with Sister Nelson in Burien. Wow. Sorry, we're only a few sentences into this email and that's pretty much all I've said. I just can't get over how excited I am. This transfer is going to be amazing! We will continue to increase our High Expectations and work even harder. I love it!

This week we had a lesson with Jimmy Boyd (he's a potential) and we were able to teach him the Restoration. He seems very sincere and interested in finding out if this is true. He's on date for October 25!

Blanca had her baptismal interview last night and is good to go. She is so excited. We walked her home from the church after the interview and the whole way back she was just bearing her testimony about how she thought she was close to God before but now she understands so much more about Him and she has a stronger relationship with him. She talked about how God led her here, how she loves the Book of Mormon, the Atonement and the Plan of Salvation, how she's so happy. That is a moment that I will treasure for the rest of my life. She is such a special daughter of God and I am so happy I've been able to work with her. I cannot wait for her baptism on Saturday. And then will be the Women's Broadcast, the next weekend is General Conference, the next week is Brandon's baptism. This'll be the greatest transfer ever! 

Keep Brandon in your prayers. He is an awesome kid. He's doing all that he's supposed to--reading his scriptures and praying everyday, coming to church. But he just hasn't felt like he's received a clear answer from God that Joseph Smith is a prophet. Please pray for him to be able to receive and recognize his answer. We watched the Joseph Smith movie with him and he really loved that. 

I'm still a Sister Training Leader. I can't believe that at the end of this transfer I will have been in Burien for as long as I was in Samoa. Five transfers. Wow. 

Well this is so disjointed and weird, I'm sorry. Just know that I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live. They love us. They want us to be happy and they've given us the way to be happy. By living in a way that we are worthy of having the Holy Ghost--reading our scriptures and praying everyday, coming to church, counting our blessings, smiling, serving. Do all of these things! I love you and pray for you everyday. I'm so sad I missed Mehmet, but tell him that I love him too. CTR!

Love,
Sister Veronica White

Monday, September 15, 2014

Prayers Please!

Hello family,

Another incredible week. I just don't even understand how everyday is such a good day. Again, I can't even count all the miracles so I'll just share a few. 

First off, Blanca! She is getting baptized on the 20th. This SaturdayTuesday night we went and had a lesson and it was one of the most spiritual lessons ever. She picked the date herself. She has so much faith and courage. She was talking to her Mom on the phone about how she made the decision to be baptized and her mom told her not to, that they were Catholic and that was the true church. But Blanca stood up for herself and shared how happy The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints makes her. She's overcome a lot of opposition to get here. But as we sat in her home Tuesday night my heart was so full as I looked at her. She is so happy and light. It's like a weight has been lifted off her. The Atonement and the gospel does amazing things for people. It changes lives. She bore her testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Plan of Salvation. It really was one of the happiest moments of my mission. I've been working with her for five months. I love her so much and to get to be a part of her making this important step in her life... I am just so humbled. I feel very blessed. Please keep her in your prayers. Satan will really be trying to work on her this week. But I know if we all exercise our faith and prayers on her behalf she will be strengthened. And she has so much faith as well. Prayers can do amazing things. At the end of the lesson we were leaving and Sister Nelson and I told her that we love her. She said she loves us too and that we are "[her] daughters in Christ." It was one of the cutest things ever. 

Also, please pray for Brandon. We weren't able to meet with him during the week because he's so busy with school and everything but we saw him yesterday. He still feels like he hasn't received an answer about the Book of Mormon and he doesn't want to be baptized if he doesn't know for sure. We talked about faith and really tried to follow the Holy Ghost to teach according to his needs. The lesson went well and I know that he can receive an answer about the Book of Mormon because I know the Book of Mormon is true.

I'm so grateful for the Holy Ghost. This work wouldn't be possible without it. I'm learning the balance of wanting improvement out of myself and pushing myself to be better versus being self-critical and thinking I'm a horrible teacher. I tend to lean toward the latter. If one of my gators doesn't make a connection or doesn't want to meet with us anymore I feel like it's all my fault. I immediately start thinking of all the things I should have done better in the lesson, etc. And of course there is always room for improvement... there's always things we could do better because we are imperfect. But last night as I was praying I know without a doubt that Heavenly Father was listening to me and I was comforted by the Holy Ghost as I realized that my gators have to receive opposition. There has to be a bit of struggling. And while I know I need to be better, Heavenly Father is proud of me for what I'm doing and He knows that I'm TRYING so hard. I hope this made sense. It just strengthened my testimony that Heavenly Father is aware of us and He loves us. As we put forth the effort to read our scriptures and offer sincere, heartfelt prayers, we will receive guidance and direction because we are important to Heavenly Father. 
Just a few last miracles. They have to do with timing. Timing is so important in missionary work. One night we had a member with us and we were driving to Pratap's. He's from Nepal. Sister Nelson met him on exchanges and we haven't had contact for a few weeks. Well we pulled up right as he was leaving and were able to have a great lesson outside and set up a return appointment. If we had been a few minutes earlier he would have been getting ready to leave and probably told us he didn't have time to talk. If we had been a few minutes later we would have missed him. Heavenly Father's timing is so perfect!

Another timing miracle. We had just finished tracting with a member and we were on our way to Blanca's, but we had a few extra minutes. We saw this man walking. When we went up to talk to him he was very not interested in talking to us and kept walking. So we walked alongside him. His name is Michael. He told us how he was brought up Catholic and now he's an atheist. We bore our testimony to him about how God loves him and how he can know for himself that God is real. The most amazing thing happened. His heart softened so much. We sang "I am a Child of God" and prayed. His entire countenance changed. And we have a church tour set up for later this week! 

I just feel so blessed to be a missionary. I love it so much. There are no words to describe it. I know that Heavenly Father is aware of each one of us. He knows us has a plan for us. This is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. The Priesthood has been restored. Prayer is powerful. Please keep Brandon and Blanca in your prayers this week! I love you!

Love,
Sister Veronica White