Another one bites the dust

Another One Bites the Dust
Welp, to make a long, sad story short, we dropped Franklin. The adversary most definitely started filling his thoughts with doubts and all he wanted to do was prove the Book of Mormon was not the word of God. We could have sat there all night long and Bible bashed with him (which is what I REALLY want to do all the time cuz we would win), but he was not open to the Spirit and the Spirit is what converts so it would have been no use. Contention is of the devil! Every time we run in to situations such as these it only strengthens my testimony. The Book of Mormon is the word of God, revealed to us through the prophet Joseph Smith. God and his son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith in 1820 and restored the true and everlasting gospel on the earth. With it, they restored the proper priesthood that gives us the authority to baptise by immersion and recieve the sacred gift of the Holy Ghost. Our purpose on this earth is to prepare ourselves to stand before God at judgment day and to have performed our works. I want to stand before the Judgement bar of God and know of his love and appreciation for my righteous choices. I want to look to him and know that I did my part in bringing up His kingdom. I want him to tell me "well done, my true and faithful servant". And that, my friends, is much more powerful than any body who pulls out anti mormon literature, versus of the bible they clearly do not understand, or doubts from Satan. Franklin has been warned, and we have done our part. My joy is that he has a desire to follow God and he has a testimony of the Bible. He is not yet prepared to hear the gospel but one day he will be and we have planted the seed.

Random thought occupying my mind:
We had a missionary conference was eye opening. Elder Evans from the 70 asked which of us had talked with someone on the tube over. Sadly, 5 stood of 250 (it was pday but still no excuse). As I sat in my seat, realizing that I had not talked with anyone on the tube ride over, I felt ashamed and embarrassed. If I had only talked with one person out of the hundreds I could have stood up when Elder Evans asked the questoin! How easy it would have been to open my mouth, even just once. As the meeting continued, I started realizing though that I might be feeling this way for the wrong reasons. Was I ashamed because I wanted to look like a good missionary in front of President and Sister Jordan? Was it because I wanted Elder Evans to be impressed with me? Or was it because I truely felt saddened for the woman who did not have the chance to hear the gospel yesterday and may not for a long time? Was it because I felt ashamed in the eyes of the Lord? While all of these reasons are okay to be true, I believe the latter should be the first thoughts that enter my mind. I want to be the missionary that Heavenly Father would be proud of. I want to be the missionary that I can look back on for the rest of my life and know that I gave it my all. To do this, I need to stroke when I don't want to stroke. Or in my case, I need to knock when the day is almost done and I am exhausted from being rejected and I am hungry and cold. Because those are the times, I believe, that the Lord will bless us the most. As you may know, I am a fitness guru and I know that the times that you are able to strengthen your muscles or your capacity are the times when you think you have done all that you can and then you do just a little more. I believe that these are the times that the Lord will bless you the most. I am going to work hard all day, every day, because that is what I have been called to do. Resting comes between 10:30 at night and 6:29 in the morning. And even then, I am focusing on the people of England. And after these 18 months, I can rest, knowing that I have exhausted myself for a strong and noble purpose.

 

Awkward stories for the week:
Sometimes England is a strange place. Sister Hymas and I meet a whole variety of interesting people. The other night, we were on our way to an apt (that hosed us) and 3 guys in their 20's stopped us and one started talking to us (they were all from Russia) and we slowly started to realize he was probably drunk. We spoke to them for a few mins and tried to get in some words about the church and the gospel but i dont think they could care that we were missionaries. Then, all of a sudden, one comes up to me and puts his arms around my legs and tries to pick me up! luckily i got out of it before he could be he hugged me and i felt gross about it! has he not read the missionary white handbook?? So not allowed! We knew, after that, we had to peace out real quick. Before we could, the guy said to me, "i love you, baby". then, he asked if we had boyfriends and when we could meet up. I think we ended up telling them we did have boyfriends (it was the only way out! im sorry if it was a lie but we had to) and that we had to go. He kept shouting, "i love you, babe!", "babe, I love you!" hahaha reminds me of Hot Rod. "Babe, wait!". Haha so ya, sometimes weird things happen but you just gotta laugh at them.
story number 2: I complimented a girls skirt on the bus to try to get a conversation started with her. She just looked at me a little confused. Then i realized it was not a skirt, they were pants! So i said, "oh, are the pants?" Then she just half smiled, said no, and turned away. I sat back and said to myself: "if theyre not pants or a skirt then what are they and why does this woman not want to talk to me!?! Im only trying to strike some conversation!". 3 minutes after i started laughing as i realized that pants in England are called trousers and if you say pants you are referring to underwear...oops!
3rd story: mom trying to talk to me at your FHE is super funny. Thats just embarrassing for all of us. Could somebody please tell her I left for a mission a month and a half ago?

 

Josh- I take all of your advice to heart. I am trying so hard to be bold. There is no growth in the comfort zone, and no comfort in the growth zone.

 

Zane and everybody else- SOOO GOOOD!! you are being a member missionary and I love it! Your story is exactly what Heavenly Father is asking you to do. He is not asking the members to go out knocking, or finding or even teaching. He has called the missionaries for that. Your duty is simply to invite and look at what happened! For those of you who zane did not tell, here is a copy of his story he sent me (sorry if you didnt want me to send it out but too late now!) :I hometeach a family.  Mike and Haley. They are both close to my age.  Haley comes to church every week but Mike has been inactive for some time.  Its been really hard for me to try help Mike.  Mary and I try to hang out with them on a fairly regular basis, but Mike is quiet and very reserved about his feelings.  I've never even been able to find out why he doesnt come to church.  Mary and I found out a month ago that we were going to be speaking in church and I told him at the time that i wanted him to come hear us speak. The friday night before we were hanging out with them and Mike asked if I would go to cross-fit with him on bring a friend day.  (he loves cross fit and is very good at it) I told him I would go if he came to church and he agreed!!!!!   We went to cross fit the next day (saturday) and he showed up and sat near the front to hear us speak.  Now guess what??? We found out later that the reason he went inactive is because he struggles with the concept of tithing, and our talks were on tithing!!!!  Tender mercy.  I don't know what will come of it, but its a step in the right direction. 
Everybody should follow this example! the Lord will bless you.

Momer- dont worry we have loaded up our fridge for the week so we are goood to go. But i will probably end up using more of personal money hope you dont mind. I promise we are being thrifty but things are expensive here!
Papa Smurf- youre going to China? thats way cool. Im kinda in china, but not really. Not at all actually. But thats cool! also, got your pics in the mail. thanks!
Sarah-cool i was in your dream. Keep dreaming about me, i like that.
Mary-thank you for your email! i read it all and took it all to heart. I remind myself of it everyday.
Kirsten-THANK YOU FOR YOUR PACKAGE!! oh my goooodness it made me so happy:) i even took a picture with it that i will attach. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!
Pokie- i sent you a letter i hope you get it soon!
Jacob- "oh be wise, what can i say more."
Gil-youre cool.
bandit-please stay alive

jett and jane- remember who is your favorite aunt. jett you drew a fantastic picture of me.

pics:
1) i got "kabaptised" with my district last week. they call these kabobs. they are the size of jupiter. i ate the whole thing though cuz i got dared to so i had to.

2) i got to see elder Lingham yesterday! 2 days before he heads home! soo good to see him, we got to talk for a while and he is doin great and you can look forward to seeing him soon!

3) this is the post i got yesterday when we went in to london for the mission wide conference. (thank you to dad and kirsten and krasons!!)

4)got to stop by platform 9 3/4 yesterday cuz it was pday and we were already in london for the conference! (just ignore the girl in the back, i was too cheap to buy the picture they take so i just had an elder take one for me!)

love you all!!!

em

You go Glen Co Co

You go Glen Coco!

 

to my peeps,

 

So thursday night sister H and I were feeling really really really down in the dumps about our numbers. To make a long story short we were both in tears (lots) and trying to figure out what we are doing wrong. We are obedient, we work hard, we try to be diligent. We decided to fast the next day to help us to stay faithful and just put our trust in the Lord. That day we met a girl named Sabrina, in her twenties with two kids, when we were knocking and we called her our "tracting miracle". Her nan passed away two months ago and wants to know more about the plan of salvation. We set an apt to meet with her. THEN, that night we texted her just saying it was nice to meet her and look forward to seeing her soon. GUESS WHAT she texts back "thank you for calling on me todaym i have had time to think about talking to you further and i feel at present although i would like more knowledge about god and his purpose i dont feel comfortable allowing you into my home...i hope you understand" us: "sorry is there something specific you are concerned about?" sabrina the teenage witch: "the concern is i dont like strangers in my house regarless of their faith...i dont wish to be preached to, ill find the information i require from other less personal places...i dont wish to be rude but i dont want you to come into my home". Whaaa?? ok what just happened?? is this real life?? She is a completely different sabrina than the girl we met at the door! i dont even know where to start. this situation  is just messed up on a lot of different levels. i tried so hard to no let it get to me, but it did. it most definitely put me down. why? why does the lord have to take this one away from us too? she was our miracle family! i couldnt wait to teach her the plan of salvation and see the light in her eyes. why did satan have to creep in to her thoughts and give her doubts? though i know its not comparable at all, i felt like joseph smith when he lost yet another child. another one?! i am learning to put my trust in the lord though and that is what is important.

 

So on to a new day. Guess what!? a mirracle happened the other day! We had an investigator show up to an appointment. Of the 3 1/2 weeks that we have been here, white washing in Milton Keynes, that is the first time that has ever happened! His name is Franklin. We met him one week ago. We were just walking and said hi then he stopped and started muttering something about how he was sorry and something came up...It turns out that he had been stopped by the Elders a little while back and had hosed them twice. We asked if he had a few minutes to sit down and we could teach him a little more. We taught him for 40 minutes or so about how he has known for a while that he needs to draw closer to God and be repentent of past sins. Then, two days ago we had an appoinment scheduled and he was there early, before us! We were able to teach him the restoration and thus far he does not have any problems with the Book of Mormon. He says that if it is the word of God then he will read it! He brought up Rev. 22: 18-19 about adding to the Bible. We explained how the Book of Mormon does not add or take away, it compliments; they go hand in hand. He said that when we explain it that way it makes sense! Glory, glory, hallejulah (definitely spelt that one wrong)!! We commited him to reading Mormoni 10, praying, and coming to church. Flash forward the next day to Church. So there I was...(I should say we rather than I), so there we were, Sister H and I, sitting, just waiting in the chapel. Feet tapping, hearts racing, teeth chattering, fingers twiddeling, stomachs growling (thats only because it was fast sunday though), and clock ticiking, and ticking, and the congregation starts to quiet downm with the clock still ticking cuz thats just what they do, and sacrament meeting begins, and no Franklin. Our hearts start to drop a little (not literally cuz thats just impossible). But then, i turn my headm and i see a glimpse of happiness. The church doors swung open and insinctively the confetti fell. The world switched in to slow motion gear and in walks my main man Frank-sizzle. Leather jacket, takes off his Ray Ban shades. The congregation starts to rise from their seats as you hear in the backround, "We are the Champions" playing and the crowd goes wild!! Frank-sizzle struts his stuff down from the hall, through the waiting lounge and in...to...the...Chapel!!! Franklin came to church=we have our first progressing investigator!!! Wasssuppp. So take out the chearing, confetti, and leather jacket and shades and this would probably be a little more like what happened in real life but in my head that is most definitely what was going on. Espesically the song in the backround. Well church was fantasitc. I was really nervous at first but I just put my trust in the Lord, handed it over to him, laid back and enjoyed a great fast and testimony meating. We plan to meet with him again this Tuesday so pray for us!!

 

Also, real quick. A week ago we met an asain named Coco and got her contact details. She has been meeting with some J Wits (jehovah witnesses) and just wants to know more about the Bible. We set an apt with her but she didnt show and I literally called her 10 times cuz I was not giving up! then for the next 3 days i would call her (most definitely creepy stalker status goin on here). Then last night randomly decided to call her again and she answered! You go Glen Coco. We have an apt scheduled again and by goly she will be there!!! 

 

random thoughts:

1)I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE SECOND COMING. I cant wait til i get to see Jesus Christ ascend from Heaven. Whenever i am sad i think about that. Mind BLOWN.

2)Haley Divines husband grew up in the other ward that goes to our church! we met her husbands sister last week at church so that was pretty bomb.

3) we have a Less active whose cousin is RIHANNA. seriously, they are cousins.

 

so the pictures:

1 and 2) sister h and i like to take random pictures with our friend the dinosaur so these are of us with him. we steal each others cameras and takes lots of pics with him on the other persons camera so here are just a couple.#

3)this is when we got to go to london to a mission meeting and we got to pick up mail and i had letters wahoo! special shoutout to Crystalee (sorry i think i spelt that wrong) Beck and Nicole Curtis! You are da bomb. Let us all follow in their example and demonstrate our love for Emily. I am working on writing you back. But seriously, they MADE MY DAY.

4) This picture is right after we met sabrina and we were so happy we could not contain it...

5) this is when we were really bumbed cuz we found one of our pass along cards sitting on a bus. Meaning someone didnt care for it when we gave it to them before. too bad, they dont know what they are missing out on.

 

i love you all,

Sister Curtis (Em)

another one

To all my peeps in the hood,

 

first, thanks for all your emails. I loved them ALLLLL.

 

second, Brookes is going to win the bachelorette and i expect a package in the mail with my trophy and prize for guessing it right from the very first night!

 

third, we had a guy ask us if our church was lesbian the other day

 

fourth, thanks dad for the pics! dropbox is the best way. so thank you! sarah you look beautiful and i hope my kids can have your traits some how

 

fourth, a woman in church was saying the prayer and she paused for 15 seconds then said "i cant remember the word" then a man from the audience shouted it out and she said "oh yes..."hahaha soo funny.

 

Lastly,

attached are some pictures and here are their explanations:

1) this is a note and Book of Mormon that I left for the person who was coming to inspect our flat. They never called but they took it all!! which made me really really happy.

2 and 3) this is me licking the soup can and sister Hymas and i thought it was funny cuz normally its "would you like to lick the brownie bowl?" but instead it was "would you like to lick the soup can?"

 

4)this is sister wuthrich who is a sister trainer who came and trained with us for a day. She is AMAZING. and truely an inspiration. We saw many miracles with her. We were able to have our first solid lesson to an investigator with her and i got to recite the first visoin. WOW. truely powerful words right there i tell ya. My eyes started to water and i almost cried in the womans home but I felt the Spirit so strong and I felt like a missionary for the first time.

 

5 and6) sister hymas and i ran out of money and we had nooo fooodd!! all we had were eggs, butter, salad dressing, and oatmeal. But no worries, we went to the store today and stocked up. But had to use our personal money. We figured it was worth it though cuz we kinda wanted to be able to eat.

 

I love you all,

sorry its short again but i sent more pics so yay!