When the TKM Can't Tract...

Up until now, my Mission President has pushed all of us missionaries to be the "boots on the ground" mission he expects us to be. We have learned to go go go and tract tract tract and teach teach teach teach. And then all of a sudden we can't. We have been asked to isolate. No more knocking on doors, no more in-person lessons, no more member meals! What do we do?! 

Luckily, President Picket is a genius and gave us a list of ways we can still be missionaries from our apartments. The main window to the outside world is through Facebook, and I have LOVED seeing so many hundreds and thousands of stuck-inside missionaries flooding Facebook with scriptures, and questions, and testimonies. It is amazing. Heavenly Father has provided us a way to continue sharing the Gospel with the world, even if it's not actually face-to-face. We have already seen miracles happening within the mission of missionaries who have been able to find, teach, and prepare people for baptism all on Facebook! This is the Lord's work. This is His vineyard, His work won't stop for anything, and He is working right along side us. 

In other news, we had transfer calls on Saturday. I will be leaving this wonderful area of Loudon and head over to the other side of Knoxville into Dandridge Tennessee! I am so excited but so sad at the same time. Loudon has definitely stolen my heart and it will be so hard to say goodbye. But the Lord needs me in other areas of the field, so I will go! 

With this whole isolation thing, we have had the opportunity to have a handful of lessons over the phone, and I think it's been amazing to still be able to recognize and point out the Spirit in those lessons, even if we can't see the other person, and they might be miles away from us. How amazing is the technology that we've been blessed with? How amazing is it that the Lord has prepared us for times exactly like this? How blessed are we to know that there is a living prophet who will continue to guide us through these times? 

I LOVE this work. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Come Follow Me lesson this week on the allegory of the Olive trees. The Lord really does love us. Our progress is His project. I will hit my half way mark this week and it has really been hitting me how quickly time has flown by. It hurts my heart that I have only a few short months left, and I feel like I have so much more to do!! But I will go where the Lord needs me to go, I'll do what He needs me to do, I will say what He needs me to say, and I am working my hardest to be who He needs me to be.

I love you all, I love my mission, and I LOVE THE LORD!

-Sister Shumway

There's No Toilet Paper!

I feel like we are living in a movie. I've never seen contagion, but from what I've heard, I feel like I'm living it! The Coronavirus is making such a BIG impact, it's pretty crazy. On Thursday we found out that all church meetings are temporarily suspended until further notice due to the Coronavirus, and on Friday we all got an email saying we should go to the store and make sure we have provisions to be able to survive in our apartments on the risk we get quarantined. Yikes! So we had to go stock up on food and soap and toilet paper, but literally everyone else in Loudon County was doing the same thing because shelves in the stores were EMPTY. It took us FIVE stores to finally find some toilet paper! (Thank you Loudon Dollar Tree!!) It's been weird to say the least. But I can't even imagine how much crazier it is out West, or even North of us, because down here in Tennessee, 90% of the people believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior and have no fear of what may come. Most of the people we talk to have the faith-filled attitude that the world is in God's hands and that whatever happens, we will be okay because Jesus Christ loves us all. It's amazing to see! 

On the bright side, how absolutely amazing is it that our Heavenly Father has called a doctor to be His prophet during these times? That President Nelson has taught us how to strengthen our testimonies of the gospel at home and not just at church so that we can continue to grow and have "church" at home? We are prepared and we shall not fear because we are led by the prophet of God! 

Sister Christensen and I had the most beautiful experience having the Sacrament in a member's home yesterday. The Spirit was so sweet as he testified to me of the importance of the Sacrament in our lives: wherever we are and whatever the conditions of the world, the Savior suffered and died for us. We have the opportunity to remember that sacrifice and express gratitude for it as we apply it to our lives every single week. How beautiful is that? Remember Him. Be still and know He will always be there for you. 

Other than all the Coronavirus chaos, this week was pretty slow. With it being Spring break, and with the Coronavirus scaring the other 10% of the people down here, we didn't have much success talking with new people about the Gospel that we know to be true. In fact there was one guy who didn't open the door, but yelled at us through his closed window that he was "isolating!" I'm trying to find it funny while I'm not quarantined, but it won't be nearly as funny when I have to say the same thing. . . . 

 I know the Lord lives, I know He loves us, I know that there is a living prophet on the earth today. I love this gospel, I know it's true, and I have felt more fulfilled than I ever have in my life out here in Tennessee serving my God. 

I love y'all! And don't you forget it! 

-Sister Shumway 

Preaching the gospel to ever creature (not featuring the skunk we met this week)

P-day hike (Sister Christensen and Sister Shumway)

"Bless Your Hearts, Y'all Can't Read!"

We had a pretty darn good week. It seemed like we taught the restoration over and over and over and over which is fantastic because it's my favorite lesson to teach. 

We went tracting in this one neighborhood that had a little 1'×1' sign that was half covered by some big bushes that probably said something like "No trespassing, no soliciting, no skateboarding, . . . " etc. We decided to go knock in all their doors anyways because, legally, they can't tell you not to solicit unless the sign is on the actual house, but we are not soliciting anyways. Well, in the whole neighborhood, only one old lady was even aware of the sign. Maybe she was the one who put it up because when she answered the door, she said "Oh! Bless your hearts, y'all can't read!"  LOL she didn't like us very much. But that's okay, because we found a sweet young mom just down the street who was so excited to have a Book of Mormon. Being called illiterate was worth it!

I have LOVED being outside in the sunshine this week. The trees are all starting to bud and sun has been out and I just love it! I can't wait for spring to be here!!!!

I am learning a lot about faith right now, but sit tight because I haven't completely figured it out yet, so maybe I can share it next week. Just know that I love being a missionary! I know that this is Jesus Christ's church in the earth today, in its fullness, how amazing is that? Let's share it with as many people as we can!!! 

I love the Lord, I love Tennessee, and I love all y'all!!

-Sister Shumway 

Sister Christensen and Sister Shumway (and spring if you look closely at the background!)

"Hey, Jesus People!"

There were these two little girls who started asking us a bunch of questions from the upstairs window, and they started calling us "Jesus people" and it was just so funny! But honestly, I wouldn't want to be considered any other type of person. 

This week was pretty exciting, especially for Sister Christensen! She had a lot of firsts: her first cop called on our car, the first time being called a cult, and her first click day! (Everytime you get a month older, missionaries call it a "click" day, I have no idea why. . . . . ). So much fun.

We had a lesson arranged with a couple who don’t speak any English, but our translator from the ward never showed up and we couldn't get a hold of him, so we marched into the lesson with good ol' google translate! At least the Spirit doesn't care what language we speak, as long as it's truth, he will be there! 

I have been working really hard at following through with promptings that I get from the Spirit, and by acting on every thought, I have come to recognize the Spirit becoming more powerful and recognizable (or I'm just becoming more aware), but either way, miracles are happening and I love recognizing when the Lord is aware of us and guiding us to those in need.  

The weather this week was crazy! It snowed, sunned, clouded, and rained, in that order. With the highs for each day going from 34 and snowing to 65 and sunny enough to burn you literally overnight! At least it's not super humid yet and there aren't any bugs out either! I'll take it! 

Stay tuned for next wee because we have Zone conference, new missionary follow up meeting, interviews, AND powerups ALL IN THE SAME WEEK!

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY 

-Sister Shumway 

Guys. . . . I'm having a Baby! ;)

We had transfer calls on Saturday, and I get to be a mom! (That just means I get to train a new missionary fresh from the MTC). Sadly, that means I'm losing Hermana Hall, but she is going to the only Spanish branch in the whole mission where she can practice her mission language 24/7 and she could not be more excited about it! 

More exciting news: it snowed this week! It was actually pretty funny because the first two days this week were cancelled due to sicknesses for the entire county, and then the kids had one day of school, and then the last two days were cancelled for rain/flooding/snow. Those poor parents! 

Our animals of the week: fat goats!!! (Featured in the pictures below) 

Ya know, I am finally starting to feel more on top of my responsibilities as a missionary, I have just had a wonderful transfer with so many amazing and progressing people to teach, a bomb . com companion who was able to work hard and diligently, and I think Heavenly Father knows I am starting to get comfortable. Y'all already know that there's no growth in the comfort zone, and if our existence is supposed to be about eternally progressing and growing forever, we had better spend as little time in the comfort zone as possible. So I am facing a new challenge: being responsible for a great start to a brand new missionary. I am just now realizing how daunting that is. The rest of her mission could depend on how the next 6 weeks go. . . . Uncomfy to think about but I am SO grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow, and become. That's what this gospel is all about. Becoming. I love this quote from Dallin H. Oaks: "In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something."

I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and I cannot even express the gratitude I have towards my Savior for the life He has given me. Life is hard sometimes. It does push us out of our comfort zones. . . . Sometimes waaaaaaaaaaay out, but it is all an opportunity to become the children of God that our Heavenly Father sees in us. 

I love the Lord, I love my mission, I love Tennessee and it's crazy weather, and I love all y'all!

-Sister Shumway 

When it'sMonday and I Still Don't Know Who Played in the Super Bowl

That's missionary life for ya. I didn't even realize the Super Bowl was on Sunday until Saturday night when our dinner appointment asked who we thought would win, and I had to ask who was even playing. . . . . 

This week was wonderful, but nothing super spectacular. Sorry. 

We went to go visit a lady that we had briefly shared the restoration of Jesus Christ's church with, and as we were talking to her and asking if she had any questions and were about to ask if we could set up a time to start teaching her more lessons, she interrupted and pointed at the Book of Mormon I was holding and said "Can I have the book? I want to read it." Oh my gosh it was amazing! I feel silly for not having offered it to her first! We rarely get it the other way around. 

One of the people we are teaching (his name is Jeffrey) has been making so much progress in his testimony of the Book of Mormon and the prophet Joseph Smith. As I listened to him share his earnest, heartfelt, and simple testimony that he knew the Book of Mormon was the word of God and that it was Divinely translated and brought forth for our day, I felt the Spirit once again confirm that truth to me as well. It has been truly amazing to see Jeffrey's countenance light up when we study from the Book of Mormon together.

We had another opportunity to follow up with a lady we met last week and when we talked with her, she was very open and asked us questions about Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and the Church's stance on drugs like marijuana. We taught her a brief word of wisdom lesson and she drank it all in! I am in awe at how hungry for the gospel so many of these people are! It feels like we can't keep up with the number of people we find who are waiting to learn more about the Restoration!

We also finally got Matthew to come to church this week! We showed up at his door and asked him to come because he can't say no to our faces to save his life haha and to put the cherry on top, church was amazing this week! And Matthew loved the Come Follow me lesson in the Book of Mormon. 

Most of what made this week so amazing was the progress the people around us are making. I don't think anything has made me happier than seeing the faith and testimonies of these people grow as they take steps closer and closer to their Savior. Alma 26:36-37 has been on my mind a lot this week. I will always always love that scripture and Ammon so accurately describes the joy I have experienced thus far. 

I love you all! Thank you for so much love and support!

-Sister Shumway 

The donkeys were probably the most exciting part of the week HaHa 

I Know the Scriptures are True!

Sorry, the subject line doesn't really have much to do with this week, I just had the song stuck in my head and couldn't think of anything else to write. . . . . :)

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY. I don't think I can say it enough to express just how much joy I have being here in Tennessee serving the Lord and sharing what I love the MOST with so many other people and watching it change their lives! AAAHAHAHAAAAAHHHHH! I just LOVE it!!!!! 

We had such a fantastic week! I am so grateful for the companionship of the Holy Ghost and I know that the only reason we have had such successful and powerful lessons this week is because of the Holy Ghost. 

But as we have been seeing so much success, we have also been seeing more criticism. One lady came to the door and told us that we were a cult and that we were going to die in our sins if we didn't learn the true nature of the gospel. Ouch. I definitely didn't feel the Spirit testifying of truth to that statement. . . . I am just SO grateful for the Plan of Salvation that has been made known unto us because our Heavenly Father loves us. And we will ALL get that opportunity to learn the gospel, whether it's in this life or the Spirit world, we won't be condemned to Hell for not understanding. Wouldn't that just be so sad if that were the case? 

Okay.. . . I'll lighten up. Here's some funny things that happened this week :) 

- We were tracting and we met someone whose grandkids live in Hermana Hall's super tiny, middle-of-nowhere town of Hotchkiss Colorado! So Hermana Hall totally knew who all of their grandkids were! Ha! What a small world.

- A very drunk guy kept offering us scotch while we were trying to teach his girlfriend about the restoration and book of Mormon 

- I used the phrase "Thanks for answering your doorbell!" . . . . And it was weird because it was an appropriate, accurate statement. . . . We live in a crazy world. 

- My favorite quote from this week: "First Baptist? I thought it was first faith, then repentance, THEN baptism!" HAHAHAHA!! I think of it every time someone tells us they go to the local first Baptist church. 

-We were greeting people at the Branch before church started on Sunday, and Elder Boris, who was standing by the door, looks over at the rest of us with his eyes really big and he says, "President Pickett." We were all . . . "Noooooo. . . " and then President and Sister Pickett walked in! Surprise! Hahaha!!! I loved getting a little extra dose of the Picketts. It was such a fun surprise! 

I just love this work! I know I probably say it too much, but I really really do love it with my entire soul! I love my mission, I love my family, I love the support and the letters and I love the Lord! 

-Sister Shumway 

Hermana Hall and Sister Shumway

Celebrating 7 months

Tennessee in January