Week 41- We're sliiiipping, We're sliiiidin'

I hope you sang that title to the tune of "We're Soaring We're Flying" from High School Musical haha. 

As you can probably guess from the title, it's been slick up here but the good news is, that's because it's warmed up! We got a couple inches of slush the other day which makes it really awkward because if you wear even waterproof snow boots they leak and your socks get wet, but If you wear your rain boots then you have zero traction and you hear a little squeal every couple steps because you almost slide into a snow bank. We're making it work though.

Good news is we got in contact with our friend Dale who was ignoring us for a couple weeks after we taught tithing. He has some valid concerns we're going to help him work through while we help him build his faith in Christ. 

We visited a less active member for the first time and she has 15 dogs and 4 cats and a couple birds. Oh my goodness it was exciting.  But for anyone who knows me and my lifelong phobia of dogs will be glad to know I wasn't even phased by it haha. 

We also started teaching a few new people. One of which is a cool guy who actually has a degree in American History, so he is familiar a bit with the history of the church and has actually read parts of the Book of Mormon and believes it to be true! That's exciting to start off with. 

I'd like to end with my testimony of CPR. No, not cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but Church Pray Read. The three building blocks of faith and testimony. I know that as we consistently strive to do these three simple acts and focus on the Savior as we do, that we will be able to strengthen our foundation and find strength and support through the attacks of the adversary. 

Love, Sister Potts 

FUN FACTS:  Mary's Miracle Amid Translation

1. As you can imagine, Mother Mary Whitmer was pretty stressed having 8 kids of her own and three house guests thrown in the mix. She tried hard not to complain, but it was getting tiring.

2. One of her chores was to milk the cows.  As she went out to the barn one day, she saw an old man standing there. 

3. He introduced himself as Moroni and said that she must be pretty tired with all the work she had to do. He said it was requisite that she should have a witness so her faith can be strengthened. 

4. Moroni pulled the golden plates out of his knapsack and showed them to Mary. He flipped the pages and then he left. 

5. While this didn't take away any of her chores, it did give her a boost to endure them with greater ease. It also shows us that God is aware of our trials and our needs whether it's great or small. 

Bonus pictures from last week's Zone Conference:

Week 40--9 Months!

Wow where has the time gone? 

It has been nice and cold here in the north country, and we've gotten a bunch of snow! It's been averaging around 0⁰, and we got 14 inches of snow this week. (P.S. just so you know it's a bad idea to hand-wash your car in these temperatures--the foaming soap just freezes instantly to your car--haha!) But nothing stops the work! We do get lots of really confused people wondering why we are out in the cold though haha. 

So much snow!! Thankful for shoveled walks!

Icicles on our roof!

It's hard to see, but we tried to go running the other morning,
and our eyelashes & eyebrows totally froze!

We had Zone Conference down in Syracuse this week and so we got to road trip down 3 hours each way. We talked about and officially implemented the new handbook which is exciting. We also really emphasized, as we do a lot, discipleship. So many talks from last conference focus on being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Being a disciple is basically being a follower. As we are disciples of Christ at home or on a mission, we are examples to those around us and we are committed to him and what he asks us to do. There is no lukewarmness about it! And we are promised enduring joy in return. I am striving to become a better disciple each day. 

Funny thing of the week, we have been having the HARDEST time getting a hold of our top progressing person, so we left him a note in his door. We go back the next day and HE had put a note for us in HIS door in response.  Basically throwing it back to the stone age with carrier pigeons but hey we did end up seeing him the next day. 

Hope you all have a great week and are staying WARM!

Love, Sister Potts 

FUN FACTS: (Whitmer Farm cont.)

1. The miraculous plowing sure seems like it would impress some people, but David Whitmer was actually MORE impressed by what's to come.

2. On David's way to Pennsylvania to pick up Joseph and Oliver,  without Oliver telling him, Joseph could tell Oliver exactly where David had been, where he stopped for the night, and they were right there to meet him when he got there. That was more of a sign of Joseph's divine calling to David than the field!

3. Joseph and Oliver went up to Fayette, and Emma joined a couple weeks later.

4. Translation continued, and they worked on the small plates of Nephi, now 1 Nephi - Words of Mormon. 

5. It took about a month there to finish translation. But many exciting events transpired in the meantime..... 

Week 39- Transfers 😱

The Potsdam District before transfers.

Well everyone, this week was transfers............... and Sister Penrod and I are staying in Massena! We were shocked because our mission president rarely keeps companions together that long--this is our 3rd transfer together. But we are excited! No complaints here! Then of course the next day our SIM card in our phone died, and we had no way of communicating to anyone, so we had to spend half the day at Walmart with wifi arranging to get a new one all the way from Syracuse (over 3 hours away)! That was another adventure. We also had another ice storm, and it canceled church yesterday!  So it has been quite a week. 

We started teaching the cutest mom and 8 yo son last week. He has so many questions like,  "Did anyone see Jesus after he rose into heaven? " SO CUTE! and he was so excited to meet with us he could hardly handle it!  He was so excited to download the app on his phone to watch the Book of Mormon videos. 

We have zone conference this week, and they have asked us to read 'Beware of Pride ' by Ezra Taft Benson. It's really good and really humbling. Here's a quote:

"The proud make every man their adversary by pitting their intellects, opinions, works, wealth, talents, or any other worldly measuring device against others. In the words of C. S. Lewis: “Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. … It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition has gone, pride has gone.” " WOW, huh?  And I think it's interesting that the things we are using against others,  wealth, talents, intellect, etc, are the things God has given us! We are essentially turning his gift against him. I'm really going to try and work on the important virtue of humility. 

Have a great week :)

Love,  Sister Potts 

Yes, it's officially COLD outside!

FUN FACTS:  MIRACLES 

1. So the miracle that helped the Whitmer family let Joseph and Oliver come is reffered to as the miraculous plowing. 

2. It was planting season, and the family had a lot of work to get done, so Father Whitmer said maybe if David got the plowing done he'd let the men come. 

3. Well, one morning he went out to finish plowing and found several acres of his field had been plowed miraculously by some unseen hand, with the plow waiting for him to finish the job. 

4. He was also able to finish the job in a shorter amount of time than anticipated. 

5. The family took this as a sign from God that the work the men were doing was from God, and they needed to be a part of it. 

Week 38 - Gotta Love New Yorkers...

Team Massena, NY!

This has been quite the week y'all.  We've had some interesting people we've dealt with and some scary run-ins but we survived! We just tell ourselves that if Satan's working this hard against us that must mean we're doing something right, haha. 

We committed our friend Dale to live the law of tithing this week!  He's getting close and we are hoping and shooting for his baptism this spring. April 1st, he said, which hopefully isn't an April Fool's joke! 

It's a New Year and it's going to be a great one! 2020 is also an exciting year because of the 200th anniversary of the first vision! Probably around this time 200 years ago a young Joseph was diligently studying and seeking his answers through the scriptures and I don't think there's a better way for us to prepare to celebrate the first vision than by doing the same thing ourselves. Take President Nelson's invitation to study the accounts of the first vision and get excited for an awesome general conference. 

Love,  Sister Potts 

Lots of opportunities for service--shoveling walks.

Transfers are this Wednesday--wish us luck!

FUN FACTS: 

1. So to end last week's cliffhanger, the first letter Oliver writes to David Whitmer tells of the work Joseph and Oliver are doing and how Oliver knows that it truly is the work of God. 

2. The second letter was written by Joseph and Oliver and was a plea for help... a place for them to finish the translation of the Book of Mormon. 

3. The persecution in Harmony, Pennsylvania had gotten so intense (much from Emma's own family) that a move was necessary. 

4. David Whitmer and his family got the letter, and it took some time for them to open their home to the two highly controversial men,

5. But through some miracles (to be discussed next week) their hearts were softened, and the men moved to Fayette, NY in June 1929.

Week 37- Christmas!!!🎄🎁

This Christmas was a memorable one!  We were super busy and honestly because of the focus on Christ and service it was one of the best ones yet!  

Christmas eve we had district council and then we had a lesson with our top progressing friend about the word of wisdom, and it turns out that HE'S ALREADY LIVING IT. Whaaaaaat? Turns out he has been prepared for almost 40 years to receive the gospel: he quit drinking in the 80's, quit smoking in 2005, and stopped drinking coffee in 2013. His only concern was whether or not he could still drink hot chocolate Haha.  Yay! Plus he said the words WHEN I am baptized instead of IF so we were really excited. We also took gifts to all our friends and had a couple lessons. 

Christmas day we had brunch with our recent convert from last week, and she invited all her family to meet us (that little mini missionary).  We couldn't stay very long, but apparently afterwards they were asking questions about us and expressed interest, so that's cool! I of course got to call home, and we went caroling at the nursing home, and the best part of the whole day? We took candy canes to people who were working on Christmas at gas stations and drug stores. They were so excited and said how much they appreciated the thought and we felt so good Haha. 

As far as the weather you would think being as far north as the United States goes we would have a white Christmas but NOPE. It's been like 40⁰ all week! But last night we got freezing rain and had to scrape over 1/4 inch of solid ice off our car which was exciting. This week I'm thankful for 4 wheel drive. 

This is  new version of "frosted window panes" I haven't experienced before--
freezing rain!  Usually these windows are clear. 

It took a long time to chip away at the ice before we could drive anywhere.
See the video below ;)  

We both gave talks in sacrament meeting Sunday about goals, and I gave mine on setting a goal this year that will help us become more like the Savior. Preach My Gospel lists 9 Christ-like attributes: faith, hope, charity and love, humility, diligence, patience, obedience, virtue, knowledge. I encourage each of you to pick one to work on this year! I know as we do that we can find peace and joy and come closer to Jesus Christ. Have a great week! 

Love, Sister Potts 

FUN FACTS: 

1. So last week I told you about the Whitmers!  Now, how in the world did they get acquainted with Joseph Smith? The answer to that is... Oliver Cowdery. 

2. A son of the Whitmers,  David, was on business in Palmyra and became friends with Oliver, who was living with the Smith family. 

3. They began talking about Joseph Smith, and David didn't think much of it, but Oliver felt there was more. They promised to keep in touch. 

4. After the school year was over, Oliver went to Harmony,  Pennsylvania, to meet Joseph and stopped to see David on the way. 

5. He promised to write David what he found out about Joseph Smith, and he would end up sending 2 letters....

CLIFFHANGER until next week! 

Week 36 - A Christmas Miracle Baptism!

Well folks it has been quite the week here in Massena! Rita, who has had many roadblocks keeping her from baptism for about 6 months now finally decided it's been long enough and wanted to be baptized ASAP.  Well, the only problem is that she worked in Utica until 10 Saturday night, and Elder Spear, who she wanted to baptize and confirm her, was being transferred on Monday.  Sooo.... 7 am Sunday morning it is!  After many phone calls and much anxiety and planning she was baptized and confirmed on Dec 22, 2019. Woohoo! Way worth getting up at 5 am for. And, I got to be a witness! That was an amazing opportunity too.  I might have teared up haha. In the dressing room afterwards she said, "I feel different!" It's amazing! And now she's told us she's ready for a calling to whip things into shape haha.

Sister Penrod & me with Rita at her baptism!

Definitely finding Joy in Massena--
especially with Rita's baptism!

The Spears are also leaving which is really sad, but we know that they are going to do so much good in Buffalo! We had a final dinner with them and are saying goodbye today :(. 

Goodbye dinner at VinoVidi Vici Restaurant with Bro & Sis Spear.

The other crazy thing of the week was the temperature! Wow it snowed a ton which was gorgeous then it decided to get COLD. One morning we went out to walk and the phone said feels like -23⁰! I can now say I've had my nostrils freeze haha. But then yesterday it got to 40⁰ and most of the snow melted! What in the world? And I thought Utah weather was crazy. 

With Christmas approaching we have been showing people the He is the Gift video. It's very good highly recommend! Also with the Spirit of Christmas video they talk about gifts we can give Christ this year, and we have been inviting people to do the same. Could we clean up the kitchen for our mom? Spend a day without road rage? Stop rolling your eyes and sighing? There's something we all can do that would make Him very happy:)  What gift are YOU going to give him this year?

Love, Sister Potts 

FUN FACTS: (I think I'm going to switch to the WHITMER FARM! possibly my favorite! )

1.  The Whitmers are of German descent from a group known as Pennsylvania Dutch.

2. They moved to the Fayette, NY area around 1807 with their 8 children.

3. They purchased a 100 acre farm (same as the Smiths), but theirs was a working farm so they didn't have to clear the land. 

4. The Whitmers were very involved in the community and highly respected. They were school trustees, constables, and members of the local militia.

5. The Whitmers were God-fearing people and worshiped in the local German reformed church. 

Bonus from Mom Potts:  Brother Spear sent this special video of Emily rehearsing a special violin/piano number with one of the young women in the branch for the Christmas program.  What a blessing that someone found a violin for her to play!  This makes my Christmas complete and my momma heart so happy! :)

https://youtu.be/ROukibodDqM

Week 35 - Fruitcake hot potato

December Zone Conference

Hello y'all! Tuesday we got to go to Utica, New York, for a zone conference which is a 3 1/2 hour drive each way! Elder Bennett was our visiting general authority and also our area president, and he talked a lot about keeping our attitudes positive in this winter season (with the cold and all)! He said if we don't we are shutting the doors of heaven from which blessings flow. Yikes! So we've tried to be better and honestly things have been more enjoyable!

Funny thing of the week, we were visiting a sick member and we got into the elevator and this man was there holding a box. He asks us where we're from and we said yeah and he said oh, well Merry Christmas! And handed us this box. We look down and it's this nasty looking boxed fruitcakes stuff. So we said thanks! And got out and laughed how random that was and didn't know what to do with it. When we get back in the elevator another man gets in and we say hello and then...... Merry Christmas! Hand him the fruitcake and run to our car. Haha.  I wonder how many times that had been passed around!

Good news of the week, we have Rita on date to be baptized New Year's eve! If you remember, she's the one who was scheduled to be baptized a while ago but fell through, so pray for her and that everything will work out smoothly. Our little branch could use her leadership (she's on the city council and a go-getter).  What better way to start 2020? 

Have a great Christmas!

Love,  Sister Potts 

My Mommy must love me!
 12 Days of Christmas has started!

Watching the large commercial cargo ships go through the Eisenhower Lock
on the St. Lawrence River is pretty cool!

FUN FACTS:  My favorite part of each site!

1. Smith Rarm - too hard to choose, but I do love the upstairs of the log home where angel Moroni appeared. 

2. Whitmer Farm - the 4 minute video at the end about the growth of the church since it was founded there!

3. Grandin Print Bldg - you can't beat the printing press, even if the original is in Salt Lake City!  Love the smell of books, too!

4. Hill Cumorah - the beautiful view from the top of the hill!

Sorry those aren't better-I ran out of time haha.

Note from Mom:  The Spears who have been the senior couple assigned to Massena for the past year are being transferred to Buffalo, New York, next Monday!  This is such sad news for this little branch since there most likely won't be another senior couple to take their place in Massena for a while.  The Spears have been the backbone of this little branch since there are only 3 Melchizedek Priesthood holders, and one actual family in the branch.  All the others are singles, and most don't even have a car to get places.  The Spears have so generously offered to transport people to church and activities and to go support them in whatever way is needed--from home fix-it projects to cheering at swim meets & choir concerts to giving piano lessons and taking care of those who are sick.  They will be missed so much.  Emily and her companion will now get to host the Christmas Dinner for all the singles in the branch who don't have a place to go for Christmas.  There is lots of change and transition coming up, and the Massena Branch needs lots of prayers to be strengthened, and that people will be able to step up to the roles they need filled.   There are some fun pictures & videos of Emily & her companion on the Spear's blog if you want some fun.  The week of Thanksgiving had an awesome whip cream challenge game that was video'd of them :)   https://spearmissionblog.com/