Week 54- Zooooom

Our glamour shot for the new area Facebook page :)

Wow, I think this was the fastest week of my mission! It zoooomed by haha. Though Sunday was pretty long so it made up for a lot haha. Because it flew by I feel like not too much exciting happened but I will try my best to keep this exciting. 

Our cute young woman is still adorable and we introduced the Book of Mormon to her and she's excited to read! Our funny friends Jennifer and Becky are changing their minds daily about baptism but as of yesterday they are wanting to be baptized together next month? Haha, that probably won't be happening for many reasons but we are glad they have the desire!

An exciting update however: our zone is one of two in our mission piloting a new Facebook page for our area. The church has a whole system they've put together for these that you follow for posting and once we get enough followers we will even start purchasing ads for them! Apparently they have seen a lot of success with that across the world. One thing's for sure, my Mission President has said that we have seen so much success since going inside that missionary work will never be the same. We are finding methods that are much more effective than the typical tracting and contacting! Silver lining of COVID-19 I guess.

This week our zone studied temperance which is a favorite topic of mine. Before I studied I honestly had no idea what it even was, but the way I see it, it's self-mastery in all things. We can control our thoughts, our actions, our responses, and everything we do. We have control over our will and our actions! Christ was the perfect example. Even when he was being beaten and spit upon and condemned, he didn't react or say a cruel word--he just bore it with patience. I've been trying to react to frustrating and annoying things more calmly this week.

Hope you have a great week and are staying busy! If you need any good ideas of things to keep you from boredom, let me know! ;)

Love, Sister Potts

FUN FACTS: The moves of Joseph Smith between 1805-1830

(Shoutout to my companion's mom for the idea! I'm starting to run out, so please give me ideas if there's something you want to learn about!)

1. Joseph was born in Sharon, VT in 1805. We know the Smith family moved 7 times between 1802 and 1816, but the only places I can find that Joseph for sure lived after he was born up till 1816 was Sharon, VT; Tunbridge, VT; Royalton, VT; Lebanon, NH; and Norwich, VT. 

2. In 1816 the family moved to Palmyra and lived on Main Street; then in 1818 they moved into the log home where the current Smith family farm is located just outside Palmyra.

3. In Oct 1825 Joseph Smith moved down to Harmony, PA and lived on the property of Isaac Hale for about 3 weeks while he was on a work crew trying to find silver. Then after the project ended he was offered a job by Josiah Stowell and moved to his farm near South Bainbridge, NY. 

4. After Joseph and Emma eloped in January 1827 they moved back to the Smith farm but moved into the frame home where most of the family was now living. (still on the Smith family farm but just up the road a bit).

5. They lived there for about a year and then moved in early Dec 1827 back to Harmony, PA with Emma to begin translation of the Book of Mormon. 

We are up to 10 moves so far! Wow, this is taking a lot longer than I thought.  To be continued next week!

                                                                                                             

P-Day Shopping

                                   

Week 53- 1 YEAR!

What? One year? Thanks for everyone who's been following along for so long! It was a good day and I ate wayyy too much good food and approximately 10 cupcakes. It's mostly been fun to reminisce about what was happening a year ago today and all the good memories and how much I've changed! Missions are the best.

We have seen a lot of miracles this week! Last Monday we got a self-referral for a young woman who is 17 and adorable. She saw a YoutTube ad and said she wanted to learn more about God! We could feel God's love for her so strong from the very first meeting. Then yesterday we find out that a young woman in the branch is one of her good friends! The branch member texted her and then the referral texted us that she got an answer to her prayer that God loves her and my heart was filled with so much joy. It reminds me of this scripture, "And this is the account of Ammon and his brethren, their journeyings in the land of Nephi, their sufferings in the land, their sorrows and their afflictions, and their incomrehensible joy." Alma 28:8

We have also been given a little time each week to work on family history! It has been so exciting and rewarding. It's seriously addictive, the spirit of Elijah is so real! Being able to find lost children and spouses who all need their temple work done you can almost feel their excitement from the other side. 

Overall I'm so grateful to be a missionary and I can't imagine doing anything else right now. We studied humility as a zone this week and it was so wonderful. We truly are dependent completely on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I also loved a quote that talked about how almost everything we 'give' to God wasn't even ours to give. Our lives, our time, our money, was all his to begin with. But our will is the one thing we actually CAN give him. To put aside our will and do the will of God is something that I've strived to do on my mission, and I encourage everyone to find a way to develop the attribute of Humility!

Love, Sister Potts

FUN FACTS: Birthdays!

1. Joseph Smith Jr : Dec 23, 1805

2. Emma Smith: July 10, 1804

3. Oliver Cowdery: October 3, 1806

4. Joseph Smith Sr: July 12, 1771

5. Lucy Mack Smith: July 8, 1775


Note from Mom:  Emily's Mission President sent this email today to parents.  It shares a little about the success they are having throughout their mission--so good!  According to Emily, their mission is one of the top 3 most successful missions right now.  President Uchtdorf even called her mission president to find out what they're doing so they can share it with other missions!  Emily is so thankful for her mission president having them stick with their normal schedules (just moved online) and keeping them in a total missionary mindset.  They still dress up like missionaries, despite quarantine, and they are missionary focused all day long.  She is thriving and loving her quarantine experience.  I'm sure it doesn't hurt that she's a natural home-body, so she doesn't mind not having to go out and tract.  She's in her element!

COVID-19 Update – New York Syracuse Mission

Monday, April 20, 2020

Current cases inside the boundaries of the New York Syracuse Mission: 7680

The Basics

• All missionaries are healthy, and we have no reports of any missionary with symptoms
• Missionaries continue work from their apartments doing online proselyting
• Governor Cuomo has extended his executive order for staying home until May 16
• We are seeing a significant flattening of the curve over the last week

Gathering Scattered Israel

• Missionaries continue to be fully engaged in the work that they have been called to
• They follow the daily schedule, dress in their proselyting attire and find and teach the elect
• They continue to have success in teaching, finding, and preparing people for baptism
• Many are thriving in this environment as they stay focused on their purpose to bring souls to Christ

What can you do to help them?

• Build their faith in Christ
• Turn them to the Savior for strength and help – he can strengthen them regardless of the circumstances (Mosiah 24:13-15)
• Send them notes of encouragement and support and Aggie ice cream 
• Encourage them to stay focused on their purpose to bring souls to Christ – this helps them to remember the great work they are doing and the sacred nature of their calling
• Remind them that being successful is measured primarily by their “commitment to find, teach, baptize, and confirm people.” (PMG, pg. 11) – Success is not measured by numbers.
• Be positive about this extraordinary time and encourage them choose positivity and optimism (2 Nephi 2:26-28)

We love your missionaries.  They are learning, growing, and becoming.  The spiritual growth they are experiencing is at a faster pace and seems to be coming in powerful ways.  They are feeling things, struggling (in good ways), and learning and gaining the attributes that the Savior wants for them. 

“Sometimes we want to have growth without challenges and to develop strength without any struggle.  But growth cannot come by taking the easy way.  We clearly understand that an athlete who resists rigorous training will never become a world-class athlete.  We must be careful that we don’t resent the very things that help us put on the divine nature.” (More Than Conquerors through Him That Loved Us, Paul V. Johnson, April 2011)

Below, I have listed three examples of this divine growth the missionaries are experiencing.  This is from their weekly letters to me.  (I have received their permission and have removed any identifying information)  This is just a small sampling. 

All our love,

President & Sister Vest

#1

Hey President! This week was absolutely incredible. I have never seen anything like it before.  As a district, we taught 61 lessons. Sixty one lessons! we are just 3 companionships. I love how hard working each member of our district is. I love how focused and dedicated each of them strive to be.  Our companionship in [area] has been doing amazing. We found 6 new friends to start teaching, along with another at least 3 solid potentials. We have never before been this busy.  It truly has been a miracle to have this opportunity to teach as much as we are - and I know for certain that it never would have been possible without the 20 minute lessons. Everything this mission has been doing for the months leading up to this moment have just been too coincidental. I know for certain that we are receiving the inspiration we need to stay one step ahead of the game on it all. I have been doing great mentally as well.

#2

What a week it has been. I am constantly being humbled and continuing to grow. My relationship with the Savior is skyrocketing and I'm so excited to continue to work to keep it that way and to grow it more each day. This week had a bit of a rocky start. Being in isolation, I noticed that I had started to get a little irritable at little things that [my companion] might do. I didn't really notice that I was doing it until I could tell that something I was doing was affecting her. After realizing that, I just dropped to my knees and prayed. I didn't know what to do, so I just myself to the Savior and quickly aligned my will with His…I just felt the love that Heavenly Father has for her and the Savior has for her as well. It was overwhelming and it brought me to tears. We are all human--Isolation and being with a companion 24/7 in that scenery is hard, but I have had such a change of heart and I have felt the Savior work within me more than I ever have before these past couple days. The power of the Atonement is so so real. It is beautiful and it is making us both so happy, and truly enjoying the work that is being accomplished here inside…I want to be able to make sure the Sisters are excited and staying diligent as well. They are all so so amazing and I love them so much. Their examples of discipleship to me are so sweet. Looking outward during this time is so crucial, especially as a servant of Him. That is something that I am recognizing each day. To continually be positive, encouraging, urgent, and exact in our obedience.

   #3

Another amazing miracle of many was yesterday. Sister and I were running out of ideas because we had already called everyone in area Book 2 or 3 times. So, we decided to take our concern to the Lord. After we knelt in fervent prayer, asking to be guided to a miracle and know who to reach out to, we found Sandra!! She had not been contacted by missionaries for a year and was really surprised we still had her contact info. She told us she would love to hear more of our message about Jesus Christ and at the end of our call expressed how grateful she was to us for reaching out. I was ECSTATIC and in awe of how willing Heavenly Father was to bless us as we relied on Him in faith. I can testify that as we trust and place our confidence in the Lord, miracles are brought to pass. I love this gospel and feel so fortunate to be a missionary. It truly is the biggest blessing to gather Israel.  I have heard of many struggling missionaries from my mom who feel that they have no purpose because they're spending hours on end watching church movies. This breaks my heart, but has also filled my heart with gratitude for our mission…I have seen an outpour of blessings that come from being exactly obedient during this uncertain time.

Week 52 - The Weeks are Flying!

Easter 2020

Ready for Spring!

Mom knows me well--sent us flower pots & seeds.
Nothing happier than planting flowers & watching them grow!

Hello everyone!  Another week in isolation has come and gone. Today is day 28!  I'm honestly still enjoying it too, and we will be in until at least April 29.  This week is also my 1-year mark for my mission on Friday, April 17. Time is flying!

Interesting update- the area next to ours closed with this transfer, so they asked us to take over their teaching pool! So we added 11 people which is great. We have met a few online, and they are pretty cool. 

We had a crazy miracle! Somehow a piece of mail intended for an inactive branch member got into our mailbox by mistake. (coincidence? I think NOT!) So we were able to reach out on facebook and arrange to get it to him, and in the process was able to set up an Easter lesson for him and his two little girls! It was super fun and a testament that God is in the details. 

Easter of course was this week, and it's weird to think that it was my second one as a missionary! My first Sunday at the MTC was also Easter! It's the best holiday as a missionary. We got to testify to so many people about Jesus Christ and all that he has done for us. It was a super powerful couple of days! We also did a mission-wide study of the last week of Christ's life, and it was super touching to think about what happened THAT DAY in history. I know that my Redeemer Lives! I am so grateful that he was willing to endure unspeakable pain for me and my mistakes and weaknesses. I know he did it for us because he loves us and doesn't want us to go through this life alone. This gift is there for all of us, so let's use it! The price has already been paid. I LOVE JESUS! I invite you all to watch Finding Faith in Christ. I watched it for the first time yesterday and it was phenomenal. A great use of 30 minutes and it's on the church website!

Love, Sister Potts

Face coverings are now required
 any time we go shopping or do laundry.

Mom made us masks, too!

FUN FACTS: Joseph Smith and Jesus Christ

1. The first appearance of Jesus Christ to Joseph Smith was of course in 1820 during the first vision. Joseph Records in different accounts what Christ said:

2. "I was enwrapped in a heavenly vision and saw two glorious personages who exactly resembled each other in features and likeness, surrounded with a brilliant light which eclipsed the sun at noonday. They told me that all religious denominations were believing in incorrect doctrines and that none of them was acknowledged of God as his church and kingdom." (1842)

3. "a pillar of light above the brightness of the sun at noonday came down from above and rested upon me. I was filled with the spirit of God, and the Lord opened the heavens upon me and I saw the Lord. And he spake unto me, saying, “Joseph, my son, thy sins are forgiven thee. Go thy way, walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments. Behold, I am the Lord of glory. I was crucified for the world, that all those who believe on my name may have eternal life." (1832)

All accounts refer to the glory and majesty of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father's perfect resurrected bodies. 

4.  On Feb 16, 1832 Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon had a miraculous vision which is now recorded in Doctrine and Covenants section 76:

19 And while we meditated upon these things, the Lord touched the eyes of our understandings and they were opened, and the glory of the Lord shone round about.

20 And we beheld the glory of the Son, on the right hand of the Father, and received of his fullness;

21 And saw the holy angels, and them who are sanctified before his throne, worshiping God, and the Lamb, who worship him forever and ever.

22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father--

24 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.

5. On April 3, 1836, Jesus Christ again appeared to Joseph Smith in the newly dedicated Kirtland temple. From this we get the most detailed description of the resurrected Lord:

 “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters.” 

Week 51- Conference!!!

I'm pretty sure that's every missionary's title to their weekly this week, but that's because it's basically like Christmas for us haha. Nearly 10 HOURS of uninterrupted bliss. What more could I ask for? It was so good, I'll share something that stood out to me at the end.

Meet my new companion, Sister Johnson!

This week has been relatively uneventful besides transfers! I drove Sister Mayer down to Syracuse, and she got on a plane back to SLC, then I picked up Sister Johnson and came back to Massena!  They timed people's arrivals & departures at our designated transfer spot so that we just drove up, let out one companion & their belongings, the new companion hopped in with their belongings, and we drove off!  Social distancing for transfers!  I had a nice 3 hour drive back to Massena to get to know my new companion, Sister Johnson, who has been out about 5 months and is from Pocatello, Idaho (shout out to my Mom's hometown!)  Our teaching has slowed down a bit because it's getting harder and harder to get in contact with people. Unfortunately, we've discovered it's pretty easy to avoid our calls with Caller ID haha. 

Taking Sister Mayer back to Syracuse to fly back to SLC--
it's been great, Sister Mayer!

Back at the apartment with my new companion,
Sister Johnson.

Going on 3 weeks of self-isolation!

Day 20!  Thank goodness for daily walks!

So back to Conference! First of all I'm so excited I can finally tell people that President Nelson was in Palmyra months ago when I was there! We didn't get to meet him (in fact, they closed down the sites for a few hours for a "special visitor," and adjusted our schedules so hardly any one was there).  But I was assigned to give tours in the log home right after he had left, and even though we hadn't been told who had been there, as soon as we walked into the log home, we knew right away it had been the prophet because the spirit was SO strong in the room (and then we got to hear about it from some of the senior couples and people who had been close by.)  Throughout this conference it was so special to hear all about Palmyra and the events that are so close to my heart! 

We also had a special visit from Elder Christofferson mid-September in Palmyra. 

I also loved all the talks, but really appreciated Elder Christofferson's on sharing the gospel. He emphasized sharing the gospel through Love, our example, and the Book of Mormon! So powerful and yet so simple. I also loved when he said that "everyone is worthy of an invitation." If we truly love those around us we can love them enough to simply invite them. What's the worst that could happen? They say no? But what's the best that could happen. They find eternal joy. May we all have the courage to invite, and we succeed when we invite.

Love, Sister Potts

#comeuntochrist.org  #HearHim

FUN FACTS:

1. Since we have just finished General Conference, why don't we talk about the very first general conferences of the church?

2. The first three general conferences were held at the Whitmer farm in Fayette, NY.

3. The first one was held on June 9,1830. They read the 'Church Articles and Covenants' (now Doctrine and Covenants section 20), and accepted it by unanimous vote. Several men were also ordained to offices in the priesthood.

4. The second was September 26, 1830. not much is known besides the fact that a lot of church business took place and the Holy Ghost was very strong.

5. The third, January 1 & 2, 1831, where the commandment was given to "go to the Ohio" which many Saints would obey.