Letter_Week 20_Yakima_Sister Karony & Yakima Ward

Solo Sister here!

I cannot tell you even half of the miracles that have happened this week!

This week was full of getting my feet under me. I've already had like a ton of companions. It's like training a new missionary every few hours. The members are already starting to catch the spirit of missionary work and I'm so grateful! 

Sister Dunstan is my companion and she volunteered to coordinate my schedule and the sign up genius for the sisters to come out with me. My ward mission leader Brother Blair and she call up people when I don't have all the slots for the days I need filled. Bishop Black and his wife are 100% behind me and so is the entire Relief Society presidency. I am so grateful for all of them and everyone else in my Ward for stepping up and helping me in following the Lord's will, in seeing the vision that He has for Yakima. 

I have had so many instances of feeling a subtle tug of the spirit and acted upon it and found a new investigator, talked with someone, or started a fellowship between my member companion and a potential investigator. I'm going to make photo copies of my journal entries and mail them to you about this. I don't have enough time to write all the stuff that happened. But I'm listening more to the Holy Ghost, really relying upon Him. I'm not alone in this as I turn to God to direct me in the work and how to help my member companions the most as I serve with them to help them become greater member missionaries and deepen their conversion.

I've felt content and peaceful and triumphant as I've acted more and more on the promptings of the spirit and been able to walk away feeling fulfilled with a knowledge that I am acceptable to the Lord and that He's proud of me.

I'm losing myself in the work and working with the members. I was starting to struggle with getting up in the morning, but God nipped that in the bud by sticking me with the STLs and their awesome examples of obedience and consecration. I strive every day to consecrate myself to the work. I feel my desires changing more every day.

I felt discouraged when none of our investigators came to church this week, but then I realized that they'll be taken care of and that I need to keep going out and scratching, digging, hunting, and clawing to find the elect. President Ware said that he had a vision where he saw the thousands of people who are ready now for the gospel in this mission, just waiting to be found. That's why the mission is splitting, because the Lord can't hasten with only 200 missionaries, he needs 400. The hearts of the people here are ready, so I won't be discouraged as I do my best and heed the spirit and work effectively, study diligently, and have charity, because we will find them! 

I got a blessing last week on Saturday, the day before we got a text from President Ware about an unfolding miracle that he wanted to talk to us about. We called him and that's when all of this went down. I lost my car, then my companion... but the Lord in return, in true compensation, gave me a whole Ward as my companion. In the blessing He said that He was grateful for my willing heart and determination to be out here and that I would be blessed as I continued to seek God's face to know Him better and that I'll be led to find those who are prepared to here the gospel who I have been sent to find. I am so glad I got that blessing because it was the fortification and assurance that I needed to not go hysterical when I was left with out a companion. What's even funnier though, is that whe we were talking to President Ware and learning about all this, he told me that this was how the Lord was going to give me all the blessings that I've been asking for... talk about God having a sense of humor. And talk about a testimony strengthener about the Spirit and Priesthood leadership being totally true! I'm learning a lot about what it means to trust the Lord. I'm also learning a lot about effective planning and time management and training. 

My favorite scripture this week is 1 Nephi 3:7; 4:6-7. in chapter 4 it's all of verse 6 but only until  "Nevertheless I went forth" in verse 7. This is my favorite this week because it defines my situation and the circumstances I'm in. I have to go forth by the Spirit, trusting God will provide a way because I'm doing what He's called and asked me to do and He has and will never let me fail as I follow Him and do His will. 

This week has been full of miracles, even amidst the craziness!

Love,

Sister Karony

Letter_Week 25_Moses Lake_Sister Karony

It was sad to say good bye to Yakima, but I know that it was the Lord's will and for the best! The Elders taking over my area will do awesomely well and I glad to have left my Ward so on fire with the missionary spirit! I now am covering 2 wards in Moses Lake, one that's in town and the other is in the country. Not as large an area as Yakima was, or as many people, but it's still a lot to cover. 

We have a goal of visiting all the households in one of the Wards to build member trust. The members have got to trust us with their neighbors and friends inorder for the work to move forward. We have been championing the member missionary cause since I got here and I've already been able to implement some of the things I learned while being a lone Sister. 

We taught Elder's quorum in our city Ward and we taught from "The Sabbath is a Delight" by Elder, now President Nelson. We had a great discussion and got the brethren to commit to support their wives in coming out with us! Success! We also got to pass around a sign up in Relief Society in our rural Ward and got a few people signed up and will be sending it around Primary and Young Women's for the Sisters there.  

Our Bishops are great, even though I've only met one so far since the other's out of town, but they support the missionaries and that's SPECTACULAR!

-I have felt triumphant because I am now driving! I am driving and driving well! Miracles happen! Getting to know the area faster because I'm driving too! 

Also felt triumphant wen we weeded a garden this weekend with six foot tall weed trees! Craziness! It was fun! Got 2 whole rows done! It was a jungle! Also felt triumphant when we learned who all the leadership was in both of our Wards and their presidencies!

I love Braden so much and am so proud of him! Keep forwarding his letters to me! Maybe you can do the same for my letters and forward them to him? He did say he needed stuff to read :)

Favorite scripture this week is one that we are memorizing for this transfer in the spirit of member missionary work: Matt 18:3-5

 

Got to go!

Love,

Sister Karony

Sister Crofts and I! She's taller than me!!! :D

Looks like Thailand! There's a big fire burning up in Chelan, which is North of here.

Letter_Week 24_Yakima/Moses Lake_Sister Karony & Yakima Ward

So it's been announced! I am transferring from Yakima to Moses Lake this Wednesday! I will be covering two wards there! Good bye not-AS-busy-with-meetings Sundays, and hello running-around-like-a-chicken-with-it's-head-cut-off-that-doesn't-get-the-dignity-of-dying! 

After coordinating 35 different member companions and 4 missionary companions these past 6 weeks, this will be a breeze in it's own way! My new companion is Sister Crofts. Sister Lewis, President Lewis' wife, said "it's Kraft's Macaroni and Cheese!" Hahahahaha! I love her! Sister Crofts came out the transfer after I did this second time. She is taller than me, which will be a nice change since I've been the tallest Sister for a while now. We'll definitely be a presence! 

So I'll be the senior companion and the designated driver. 6 months no driving, I'm saying prayers! Luckily my new area is very rural, so a great place to get back in the swing of it! And I'll learn the area faster! YAY! Elder Tiwi and I are totally gonna be besties! I just started knowing Yakima really well, a total clue that it's time to leave. There's no growth in the comfort zone! And I'd be WAY TOO comfortable if I were to stay here after this last crazy transfer.

The Holy Ghost was totally the best Senior companion ever though and who doesn't want a member of the Godhead as their companion? Everyone should, cuz you can't do anything in this work without Him! He's the true teacher!

-I felt triumphant this Sunday our congregation performed an arrangement "Called to Serve" where Returned Missionaries sang lines in their different mission languages and then we all stood up in the congregation to sing it all together. The mix of languages singing brought chills down my spine as I felt the Spirit testify that the work I'd been called to do in this ward had been done and that I had been the instrument to spark the bonfire of member missionary work that I was currently witnessing being set ablaze. 

President and Sister Lewis came to Sacrament meeting yesterday to be there for it. It was a jam-packed spiritual missionary-minded Sunday. Twin brothers leaving for their missions this next week gave their departing testimonies and at the end of that President and Sister Lewis bore their testimonies as well. President Lewis mentioned how much I bragged about the Ward and it was funny to watch how in sync, him and the whole congregation turned to look at me. I just grinned and shrugged. It was hilarious! 

I also feel triumphant as I have two people on date for baptism in August though, and soon there'll be another person on date for hopefully late August. I know I've made a difference, but only because God gave me the strength and guidance to do it and gave me this opportunity to do it. He's the reason I did it, all glory is God's! I am totally with Ammon when he answers his brother Aaron's rebuke for boasting and say, "I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.

Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in His strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise His name forever." 

-The above scripture is also my favorite one for this week, Alma 26:11-12. 

-My testimony grew in the fact that the Lord qualifies those whom He calls. I am living proof!

-Sister Karony-isms galore once again! 

Love,

Sister Karony

​Hermana Johnson couldn't take it anymore and cleaned out my bag for me... :) It's much lighter now! ​

​Such an awesome family who helped me a ton! THIS Sister is the best!​

​My YakiFamily! I'm their last missionary! Lived with them for 4 1/2 months. I'm going to miss them! And yes, they have 2 sets of twins!

Letter_Week 23_Yakima_Sister Karony & Yakima Ward

So.... lots going on! 

We have an investigator on date for baptism. He's super solid! Through my experiences with him and some other investigators I've truly learned that asking God through prayer to know the Book of Mormon is true is CRITICAL for a lasting conversion to take place. You have to pray for that witness, given only by the power of the Holy Ghost, in order to go forward and not be waylaid by opposition that's sure to come. He is stronger than ever and bearing his testimony every time he's been challenged on his beliefs. the things that before would've thrown him for a loop before now roll off his back. 

Will ya'll's back home make sure that you're reading the Book of Mormon every day and that you will pray to know the Book of Mormon is true? Even if you already know it, there is a power in keeping your testimony current, like your temple recommend. I'm so excited! 

-I've just felt exhausted and feel like God's talking to me in this scripture, 1 Nephi 20:10. I'm in the refiner's fire alright! But I will NEVER give up! I've discovered out here that it's SO NOT my style! ;) 

-I am here to do and say what Christ Himself  would say and do and to teach as the disciples did in 3 Nephi 19:6-13. I know I'm throwing a lot of scripture in here, but I've had a learning week where I've been called to repentance and I want to share the things that helped me. Another thing I am constantly asking myself is "Was the Holy Ghost the Senior companion today?" I must be patient. I remember as I'm writing this part of what was said to me in a blessing I got in my first few weeks back out here. I was told that I needed to be patient and long-suffering and to hold to the light that I found and continue to follow it down the path throughout my life and I will find joy...... funny... but it is comforting, at least I got a heads up... hahaha... In the last two that I've gotten I've been told that the Lord is pleased with my willingness and desire to be out here and that I am right with him. He's also instructed me to be humble in deed. That's good advice, cuz I can get big-headed fast if I'm not checking myself! I need to get a sign to wear around my neck that says "Eternal work-in progress here!" It's nice to know that in the covenant relationship with Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father we can take hope and motivation from the fact that we need to do our best and leave the rest to Them. repentance is real and it's awesome! 

-Throughout this week I have felt triumphant as I've talked with the people around me and whether or not the result was a pleasant one, (i.e. they're very scary calm and sinister when they answer the door and tell you the person you're looking for isn't there... only time I've truly been scared so far on my mission... gave that house to the Elders! The investigator was YSA anyways.) I have felt the Spirit as I've acted in faith and feel happy and content as I follow the promptings of the Spirit and grow in my understanding of the Gospel and learn how to teach more in the Lord's way. 

Reading the scriptures (and their chapters) I've shared with you already in this letter is teaching me a lot. I'm striving to invite and teach by the Spirit. It's getting better. 

-Sister Karony-isms were all over this letter! Hope you got your fill! 

-Favorite scripture this week is 1 Nephi 14:1-2. 

I love ya'll's! I loved hearing about all the stuff back home! God bless 'merica!

Love,

Sister Karony

Letter_Week 22_Yakima_Sister Karony & Yakima Ward

I had a busy week! I am so tired! Something that you always will remember about your mission is how tired you are all the time, whilst simultaneously being the happiest you've ever been!

-I felt frustrated when teaching sometimes this past week because I've reached for heaven for questions and felt like there was nothing coming to me... I've felt so inadequate and unskilled. My mind has persistently blanked whenever I taught and it was like I hadn't studied anything that day! or ever! I have been striving so much to have the Holy Ghost as my companion. These past 3 weeks have been a trial by fire. I can definitely feel the burn. Work, all I can keep doing is moving forward, even if I feel like the only thing I can do is crawl, then crawl I will. 

We got our car broken into in our apt complex, not broken windows, just Sister Pugh's GPS and CDs are gone and the sunglasses too. My sunglasses weren't taken because they'd somehow ended up under the seat. Typical life of a missionary! It happens to everyone at some point. 

This week I worked harder than ever before, God reminded me to take my lunch breaks and the members have been apparently talking about how much they've loved going out with me. Success! God DOES work miracles, cuz this is proof! 

Doing the best that I can, turning to the Lord all the time because I can't do it without Him. 

Got 4 mins left!

Love you!

More next week!

Love,

Sister Karony

​Sister Pugh and Chloe​

​Backseat buddies!​

​Chloe and me!​

Letter_Week 21_Yakima_Sister Karony & Yakima Ward

As of last Wednesday I am now officially a Washington Yakima Missionary! 

We met President and Sister Lewis the next day and they are AWESOME!!! I got a very strong confirmation that they are the right people for this mission. I miss the Ware's, but I'll see them again! 

The work with the members continues to move forward and onward. The sisters are really beginning to rally.

I did have a mini break down this Saturday evening when the stress of two weeks of being practically on my own and trying to finish and accomplish weekly planning got to be too much. I'm surprised I didn't crack sooner. I was really calm the entire time though, and kept myself under control. I am just overwhelmed. But now that I got it out I'm tons better. The STL's were grateful it was really mild. 

I felt triumphant many times this past week. I have manged to start finding by the Spirit and going where it prompts me. My teaching is still struggling since I'm on my own a lot without another missionary to help share the load; but I'm figuring out how to prep my members better for coming out with me and helping them develop the tools to do their own member missionary work. I'm having them study the Restoration and some scriptures to help them.

I had a lady tell me I was going to hell yesterday for believing in the Book of Mormon. She said I needed to throw it away. I didn't argue with her and just testified that I knew that it was true and that Jospeh Smith truly was a prophet. She got so worked up, but I stayed calm and just kept testifying as she told me I was wasting my life and going to be damned to burn in hell fire.  I ended the conversation soon after that as she was so determined to debate and argue and I wasn't about to do that. The Sister who was with me said after we left that the woman had obviously made up her mind long ago about the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that this was the first time she'd ever been told she was going to hell. She was not deterred though and will be coming out with me again. I'm so grateful for my Ward Sister companions! 

I've felt content and peaceful after each time I acted immediately upon the promptings of the Spirit. I will still have to photo copy those journal entries, I'm writing down all the times I can remember acting upon the direction of the Spirit. We were driving to go see some potentials in my area of Union Gap when we passed this guy smoking on his door step. I felt the Holy Ghost tug at me and called for Sister Pugh to stop the car so we could go talk to him. We're putting him in contact with the YSA Elders. He was totally open to learning and said he wants to know God's purpose for him. Miracles follow acts of faith, though often not as instantly as this event. I've found myself having the car pull over randomly a lot these past few days to knock on doors or talk to people. 

The Holy Ghost and the entire Godhead is my companion along with the Yakima Ward. I feel a growing peace as I give my best each day and a little improvement too. I know as I keep seeking my Father's face,  I'll always be right with Him. That gives me peace and I feel content and spiritually satisfied. 

My favorite scripture this week is the one we're memorizing as a trio: D&C 50:21-22 Teach by the Spirit of Truth! 

This week Sister Pugh got attacked by a bird! It was hilarious! We think it was because of her shiny blonde hair. The bird wanted to decorate it's nest, but freaked when it learned it's desired decor was attached to a human. It didn't hit her thank goodness though. That was the end of our proselyting time on the 4th. HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Got to go! Love ya'll's!

Love,

Sister Karony

​Yakima Zone! Still the tallest Sister!​

​Was attacked by ketchup. I looked like I need the ER! Bwahahahaha!​

​President and Sister Lewis are so adorable in aprons! Love them!​

Letter from Washington Kennewick Mission President to Elders & Sisters in the new Washington Yakima Mission

Beloved Elders and Sisters, 

How do we adequately express “Thank You” with all the depth of our tender feelings and gratitude to each of you? You are the Servants of the Lord. You are the mighty Stripling Warriors of the Washington Kennewick Mission! You are the Hope of Israel! You are striving to become disciples of Jesus Christ. We will always love you, admire you, and desire to be a small part of your lives! You have blessed our life SO much! We have great confidence in each one of you to fulfill your purpose in Jesus Christ! 

o   God, Our Loving Heavenly Father, Lives!

o   Faith in Jesus Christ is the Power!

o   Focused on your Purpose is the Means!

o   Striving for exact obedience is the Price!

o   Living The Doctrine of Christ daily is The Only Way!

o   Love for Jesus Christ and others Must be your Motive!

o   Being on Fire in The Spirit is the Key!

o   Jesus Christ is the Reason we serve with all our heart, might, mind and strength that we might be the means of bringing souls unto Christ!

A glorious week is dawning over Eastern Washington! President and Sister Lewis arrive on Wednesday and the WA Yakima Mission is born to work side by side with the WA Kennewick Mission.  Jesus Christ is hastening the pace of His hastening of the work of salvation to find, teach and bring our brothers and sisters to Christ in the covenant of baptism.

Heaven is pouring down blessings and miracles upon your investigators because of their faith and your faith in Jesus Christ! 6 of our brothers and sisters joined with Christ in the waters of baptism this week, 42 during June on our prayerful goal of 70, and 7 are preparing this week and another 133 are on date and preparing for the weeks ahead in July. WE MUST DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO HELP THEM PROGRSS SPIRITUALLY!

Honestly, 239 new investigators last week is good, however, there are more waiting. Let exert great faith and be led by the Spirit to hunt, and dig and scratch in the holes of the rocks and find 300 this week, as we have done before! Many are preparing and waiting for you!

As to the question of writing a letter or email to companions who will now be in the other mission, policy (in your tri-fold) states “Occasionally write an email or letter on P-day to missionaries serving in other missions.”

In the face of challenge and obstacles let us always remember Christ and “Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and all men. Feasting upon the word of Christ.”

Sustain those who hold priesthood keys! Work hard, give your very best, achieve your goals, and sleep well!   In Christ you can do all things He needs you to do for Him!

With much love, President and Sister Ware