The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning

 I didn't think it was possible, but this week was even faster than last!! It's starting to get scary how fast time is flying! We had exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders and Zone Conference this week. Both of which are ALWAYS good. 

 

I have been feeling so very blessed this week, but I don't really have any particular stories as to why. We have been finding new people to teach and it seems like we are greeted with another miracle every day. 

 

There was a member family who invited us to have dinner with them at a little lookout they have and I didn't realize how much I missed Summer until I was roasting a hot dog over a fire! The view was breathtaking and I am so extremely grateful for the beautiful earth God has created for us. 

 

Another reason I have felt so especially blessed this week is the knowledge of this gospel that we are SO blessed with. For the perfect Plan of Salvation, for the Restoration of Christ's church with its organization and order that make so much possible, for the scriptures that have helped me come to know my Savior more than anything else could have. Most importantly, for the knowledge I have of who Jesus Christ is and what He did for me. I know He lives!! 

 

I love this life so much! I love you all, and I love the Lord.

 

-Sister Shumway 

The Rains Came Down and the Floods Came Up

 We had quite the rainstorm this week! On Thursday morning we woke up to the pouring rain. Which isn't totally abnormal for NC, but it didn't let up for hours. It was probably 6:00PM by the time it finally stopped!! Luckily the flooding wasn't too bad for our little Brevard and everyone has found ways to get around the roads that were underwater.

 

We had another surprise on Thursday too! Interviews with President Graham!! We didn't find that out until Wednesday night! Communication in the mission is sub-par, but we get things figured out! As always, President Graham answered a lot of my questions, but this time was especially significant to me. Just the night before I had offered up the desires and questions of my heart, but didn't feel or hear an answer right then. Well, in interviews the very next day, without knowing about this prayer or the questions I'd asked my Heavenly Father, President Graham very directly and specifically answered them. I know my Heavenly Father is aware of me. I know that He answers prayers. I know that He loves me. He is just as aware and has just as much love for each and every on of you as well! If you haven't talked to Him lately, please do! He wants to hear from you!

 

We are seeing miracles around us every day here in Brevard, and the biggest blessing is how busy we've been! We have put in an extra effort to find people to teach and the Lord has blessed us with opportunities! I've met so many new people this week, and I love them all!!!!!!!!! 

 

I absolutely love being a full-time missionary for the Lord. There is nothing like it! I love the work, I love North Carolina, I love these people, and I love all y'all! And I love the Lord! 

 

-Sister Shumway 

Seniors and White Squirrels!

 Hello from North Carolina! As of Wednesday I am now in the absolutely gorgeous state of NC. It is BEAUTIFUL. It reminds me of the Oregon coast with all the fog and evergreens, but it's way more hilly and, believe it or not, the roads are waaay windier. Brevard is amazing and I love Sister Foster. We have been working hard and having fun! The little branch we are in is mostly older people because this is a retirement community, but they are all so funny and so sweet to us. But it also means church is back to zoom. Thank you for technology!

 

The last day in Lebanon was so sad but so busy and we saw a TON of miracles. I know that the Lord is blessing us all the time. I was feeling especially grateful for technology on Tuesday because we taught so many lessons, and if it weren't for Facebook or zoom, none of them would have been able to happen, even without this whole social distancing thing! 

 

One of our friends here in Brevard that we are teaching is Chris. He is so wonderful and working towards baptism! The only setback is his smoking addiction. On Sunday Chris joined us at a member's home for zoom church and the sacrament, and afterwards received a priesthood blessing to help him with his determination to quit. The Spirit was so strong as we heard such a unique a beautiful promise to Chris from His Heavenly Father. I know that the Priesthood is real!! It has blessed my life in more ways than I could ever imagine. I am GRATEFUL!! 

 

My heart goes out to my little valley back in Oregon. I want you all to know that my heart has been poured out in prayers for each and every one of those families and individuals who lost their homes. The fire has devastated so much and from the video I saw, those streets that I know so well looked so strange and foreign to me. But my sadness has been overwhelmed by the gratitude I feel for this gospel and for the church's organization that will help us all get back on our feet and for the miracles that saved so many people from physical harm. I know that Heavenly Father was with you all for every single moment. I know that He loves you!! We had the opportunity to listen to a face to face with Elder Rasband yesterday and he asked a question that has really stuck with me. I would like to ask all of you the same question, especially in this moment that seems so devastating. Why do you choose to stay?

 

Take this question however you need to right now. But I've been able to apply it to a few different areas of my life. I choose to stay out here on the mission because I have found joy in the gospel and I want to share it! I choose to stay close to the Lord because I have found the peace and love that the world cannot offer through Him. I choose to stay a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because I know that it is the Lord's church. We are led by the Lord himself through a living Prophet on the earth today. I wouldn't trade the world for that. 

 

I love you all and I will continue to pray for the Rogue valley!! I love Tennessee, I love North Carolina, I love this gospel and I love the Lord. 

 

-Sister Shumway 

SO Much Just Happened!

 We have had so many good lessons this week I don't even know where to start! For the sake of time I will just tell you about a referral we received from the Nashville missionaries: the Elders who are serving over there had been "phone tracting" (calling local numbers from the phone book to find new people to teach) and they called this lady named Gina. Gina normally never answers numbers she doesn't recognize, but she answered when the Elders called and as soon as they introduced themselves she knew that God had sent them to her! She lives in our area so the Elders gave us her number and address and we went over to see her! As we talked she shared some concerns and sadness she has been experiencing with the loss of one of her children. Her son had not been making good choices in his life and he was walking down a dark and sinful path when he passed away. As any missionaries would, Sister Pelky and I began teaching her about the Spirit World and how much opportunity our loving Heavenly Father gives us to repent and return to Him! Through her tears she told us that she had never believed in a God who would condemn so many of His children to a fiery hell to burn for eternity. I felt the Spirit testifying to me that the Plan of Salvation that I have been learning since I was a baby is REAL. God loves us! He wants His children back!! And He has given us the scriptures, temples, our families, and a living prophet on the earth today to help us get back!!! There is so much hope in this life and it is ALL because of the Savior Jesus Christ! 

 

In other news, we had transfer calls on Saturday!!! This Tuesday the TKM will be welcoming 41 new missionaries, and only 4 of them are sisters. With all the Sisters going home, there aren't enough of us to keep all the sister areas open!! Soo Both sister Pelky and I are leaving this beloved Lebanon and being replaced with not one, but TWO sets of Elders, because clearly, they are going to have a hard time keeping up with us! 

 

IM GOING TO NORTH CAROLINA!!!! I will be in the country's largest retirement community: Brevard! Brevard is also famous for their white squirrels. 

 

I really love you all, and I really really love the Lord. 

 

-Sister Shumway

Frank the Turtle

 Hello my wonderful family and friends! This week was a good one! I cannot believe how fast it FLEW by...... I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that it's Monday already. 

 

We had a sad moment this week when one of the part member families we have been working with told us they were all going to be stepping away from the church. Talk about heartbreak! It is SO important that we all continue to participate in church, especially during this Covid season. We cannot afford to miss the Sacrament, we cannot afford to get careless or lazy with our scripture study, or with our personal prayers, or with our ministering opportunities! We cannot afford to lose the Spirit in our homes. One of my favorite talks has a quote that says "if you are complacent with your covenants, you must be complicit with the consequences." 

 

On the brighter side of the week, the other family we have been working with has been making such amazing progress! The last member of the family to be baptized is going to make that covenant with Heavenly Father this week and we are all so happy for them!

 

We also found a turtle named Frank this week. He's pretty funny! 

 

I love you all so much!!!! I love this work, I love Tennessee, and I love the Lord!

 

-Sister Shumway