Behold, I Am a Disciple of Jesus Christ

Well, here's a last email for everyone. There's not really enough words to express how blessed I feel. What a privilege this last year and a half has been. I wouldn't trade it for the world. President Evans has often said as missionaries we were called to this mission to be a lifelong witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I've also heard from the mouth of an Apostle that we should fall to our knees and thank our lucky stars we were called to serve in the shadow of the Hill Cumorah. It's been posted on bulletin boards and in apartments on the walls that we are "Guardians of the Restoration."

Every morning in companionship study I have recited 3 Nephi 5:13 which says, "Behold, I am disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life."  If anything, serving in Palmyra has taught me that Christ lives. That He loves us dearly. That He appeared to the young boy Joseph Smith in a place I got to call home for a time. And that I am, and forever will be, His disciple.

This morning as departing missionaries we got to spend some time in the temple and sitting inside, I began to reflect on the people I've come to know. On those who I've watched change their whole lives around. I am so grateful to them and for all of the experiences I've been able to have.

Though I may not always wear the nametag, I will forever stand a guardian of the Restoration, a lifelong witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and most importantly--a disciple of Jesus Christ.

With all my love,
Hermana Abreu

1. An Investigator gave us a plate of desserts!
2. Up close and personal with some of my favorite people
3. Sister Croxall decided she was strong and could carry her trainer! She survived!4. It looks like I cut my hair but I promise I didn’t!

17,000 Referrals

Hello! (April 9, 2018)

Ok, another week. It's been a great one, that's for sure. We had zone conference at the Peter Whitmer farm, and being there so close to the day the church was organized so many years ago was a very special experience. I've loved being at the Whitmer again these last few weeks, it's quickly become one of my favorite sites again.

For those who've been reading most of my mission might be familiar with the online work we do. Well, there's been some developments there. Last week we discovered the historic sites would no longer be doing online, which came as a huge shock and a blow to all of us. We recovered though and continued to give tours. However, this past week we were called in for a mandatory meeting at the Hill Cumorah with Salt Lake. There we discovered a huge problem. Recently they have re-done the mormon.org online portal, from the missionary's point of view, and vamped up some of the ads for mormon.org in a few different missions. Nothing much was really happening, until a few days ago they stumbled upon a que where 17,000 referrals for Bible and Book of Mormons had been misplaced, for over three months. And now they need our help. So we have been spending a lot of time sifting through these referrals. We're looking to have them all filtered out within fifteen days. If anyone's up for the challenge it's most definitely the Hill Cumorah Visitors' Center. These last few weeks should be a wild ride though.

Speaking of wild ride, surprisingly, it's been quite snowy the past few days. It's an odd snow. One moment it will be freezing cold and winds blowing and snow gathering, and then the next the sun comes out and melts it all, then it comes back, and then it happens again, all within an hours time. The winter is fighting it's way through, but it's just another sign that Spring is coming! Sister Croxall and I have been out, whether in rain or shine, and testifying.

Those we are teaching are doing well, and we continue to help them with their progression. The tours we've taken the past couple of days have been very special, and even if they come in the rain or snow, they have all been grateful to see these sites. The Mom of one group commented that nobody else they know could say they walked through the grove in a blizzard.

I love you all and hope your week is filled with miracles!

With much love,
-Hermana Abreu

1. Being back online, reunited!

2. Our reactions the night after the meeting with Salt Lake 

3. At the Smith Farm in the snow

4. We got stuck in the snow, so we decided to take a picture

The Anniversary of the Book of Mormon and Conference!

 April 2, 2018

Conference was amazing!! What an experience to enjoy on the mission. On Saturday during the solemn assembly we had been called into the Smith Farm because things were going crazy (groups coming in by the twenties, which after a long winter is a lot) but oh what a special experience. I will forever remember sitting in the welcome center of the Smith Farm, watching conference from Elder Thompson (one of the senior Elders) from his laptop, and standing to sustain the prophet Rusell M. Nelson as the Lord's prophet and watchman on the earth today. The Spirit was indescribable. The announcement about the new ministering program is more than exciting, and I am thrilled to really delve into it in the coming months!

The Novicks came to the Sunday morning session of conference and I know a lot of the talks given were inspired for them. Things have been going well, though we might have to push Damian's date back because things have been super busy for them and we haven't been able to meet as often. But the Lord has a plan for them, and I know He will accomplish that plan.

Another highlight of the week was the anniversary of the printing of the Book of Mormon, and so at the Grandin building we again celebrated in good old pioneer style, similar as last year. We borrowed costumes from the Walton family and Sister Croxall and I were fabulous! The crowds brought back memories of Pageant and the joys of testifying to large groups of the truth of the Book of Mormon.

All in all we had a beautiful Easter Sabbath, and we listened to the Lamb of God on our drives (who my lovely companion lets me sing my heart out to) and I am simply grateful for the message of the Risen Christ. I know He lives. I know He loves us. I know His gospel has been restored to the earth.

I love you all! Have a very great week!

1. Making Rice Krispies!
2. Jumping for joy on Easter
3. Fun Picture Sister Croxall took
4. The District at the Anniversary of the Publication of the Book of Mormon
5. Sister Croxall and I having fun with displays 

Training Continues!

 March 26, 2018

Hello everyone! Another week in the life! Sister Croxall continues to be amazing and a joy to serve around. We have a blast together, whether knocking doors or planning lessons. She's the best! Everyone we are teaching continues to move along. We saw the Novicks recently and Damian, as stubborn as he is, is progressing. We've are also working with a woman named Laquana who the past Elders used to be working with, and she is on date for baptism, which is exciting! We had a very exciting trip to a mysterious town called "Ontario" which lied in the Elders area but is now ours, which is where we saw Laquana. What a trip!

We've had a good deal of new sister training at the Hill Cumorah and also the Smith Farm. Taking the new sisters through has been a joy and a sweet experience for me, remembering my first few days and having no idea about what a "frame home" was and who lived there. Sister Croxall is a trooper and is eager to learn all she can about the sites!

A good amount of Sister Croxall's first tours have been Spanish (the joys of having a Spanish companion). We took one from Colombia at the Grandin building and another from Argentina at the Smith Farm. It always touches me to see how far they've come to experience the sites, and it's always a joy to spend time with them.

I love you all and hope your week is fabulous!

1. new Sister Training at the Smith Farm 

2. Saying goodbye to the rowley’s at Site Meeting 

3. In the Sacred grove with Sister Croxall

4. Last week was cold!

First Week of Training!

March 19, 2018

So, lots to be discussed! Wednesday morning we picked up our trainees and I discovered my new companion was Sister Croxall! She's the most amazing person ever. She's from Wisconsin/Pennsylvania (her family moved to Pennsylvania about a year ago, so she's a mix of the two). She has a cute Wisconsin accent, and a very sweet and powerful testimony. Getting the privilege to train her has been the best. She is just so eager to learn and so willing to take on any task thrown at her.

Meanwhile the area has slightly exploded. The Elders who used to be in the Palmyra ward have now been taken out, and so we just have two sets of sisters. We've taken over a piece of the Elders area, and so we are working with a lot of their people now, one woman named Laquana who is on date for baptism! We've recently found a lot of new people in Sister Croxall's first few days. Just to hit a few highlights the Novicks are doing well and we had a lesson with a member who clicked instantly with Wendy, so we're excited for that! We're still meeting with the Castellanos and speaking Spanish has still been a pleasure. Speaking of Spanish, Sister Croxall's first tour at the Smith Farm was in Spanish! A family from Colombia came with the sweetest kids and the strongest testimonies, it was a pleasure to get to know them.
The week has been filled with lots of new sister meetings and new missionary trainings, and as we've attended them I've been hit with flashbacks of what it feels like to be new, to be overwhelmed, but excited and ready for an adventure. And though I may not be in that spot, there's still more adventure ahead which we're very excited to experience.

Love you all! Have a very great week!

1. Sister Lytle (who I used to live with back in full site) found Cheerwine at a store and bought me one because she’s the best person ever!!
2. Sister Croxall and I in the snow
3. Sister Croxall and I with the Book of Mormon

Site Sisters—A.K.A The Neffites

March 13, 2018

What a week of discoveries! Transfers have come around one last time and I'm training! I have been released as a Visitors' Center Trainer and will be welcoming in a brand new missionary to the Macedon area! Very exciting times indeed are ahead of us, and for the area. Today has been filled with packing (I'm moving back to the New White House, across the street from the Old White House, and will be living with Sister Dickey who is also training!) We'll pick up our trainees tomorrow and then we'll find out who gets to be the lucky sister paired with me :)

It's been a transfer, that's for sure. I've had many fond memories of being a Visitors' Center Trainer and the people I've been able to interact with and serve. Amidst all the schedule making and meetings and new site director craziness, it's been an incredible privilege to serve the sisters in this capacity. I've loved every minute. And I’ve also loved Sister Hallows. Her baking and stories will always be remembered.
So lots is happening. In terms of the week things are still going well! We are still working with the Castellanos and the Novicks, and Tim and Ashley, and all are doing well, each progressing in their own ways! We had a very special site meeting this past week at the Grandin building in preparation for March 26th (the anniversary of the publication of the Book of Mormon) where we walked through and basically took a tour from everyone. Different sisters were assigned different spots at the sites and were asked to tell what they told there. Hearing everyone's testimonies of the special events that took place here was very special, and I was again struck with gratitude for the ability to serve here.

The Neffs, being the founders of Neff beanies, later gave out Neff beanies, which all of the sisters now own. What a site we are (pictures featured below).

So there are still six weeks of journeying that await and I couldn't be more excited! I love you all!!

Hermana Abreu 

1. The sisters with Elder Neff

2. In the stairwell with everyone (we thought there’d be better lighting) 

3. All the sisters and senior couples 

New Sisters and Lots of Spanish

 March 7, 2018

Hello everyone! Many apologies for the late Pday! This past month we have been low on sisters at the sites since it’s been so slow, and so we’ve only assigned them at the Hill Cumorah, but since it’s switched over to March this week we’ve needed to schedule them back at the Smith Farm, but since it’s the last week of the transfer, don’t have the new sisters needed to supply those shifts. So we’ve all been working double and we last minute switched our Pday so we could make it work. It somehow always works out in the end. But again, many apologies for the last notice!

This week has been great! We continue to see the Novicks and Damian is coming to know it’s true more and more. He’s never been on date for baptism before, but this week we extended an official date, which he accepted! It was the most intense thing ever. But oh so wonderful! 

Also, the Castellanos came to church again! Also, plot twist! They’re not all Castellanos, and they’re not all from El Salvador, one is from Guatemala. Anyway, the more the merrier! We did the translating for them again, this time being fast and testimony meeting. It’s a rather intense thing, but I love it so much. We’re talking about possibly getting a Spanish Gospel principles class set up. Many thing are ahead! 

Sister Braunberger and I have also spent a good amount of time in meetings preparing for the new sisters coming. There is a lot in the works, and lots of trainings to come, which we’re excited for. We’re just excited for them to arrive!

Things continue to move along well here, I love you all!

Hermana Abreu

1. The temple in the distance

2. For exercise one morning we ran along the rock wall by the temple which the Smiths built 

3. Sister Hallows bike riding last Pday 

3. We send the Castellanos videos and they’ve started to send us some back, one of them being a clip from a Bible Site in Spanish that completely was taken from the Bible videos on LDS.org. It made us chuckle.