Pouring buckets

Hello Family and friends! 

Oh my goodness this. Week. Was. Wow. 

First off the weather. It rained, the kind of rain that is pouring down like buckets, and the kind that surprises you. To where you were just walking along doing your thang and BAM it's comin down, and then you get a text on your phone that says, *warning* flash flood. Well... When you're a missionary ya gotta keep workin! So we got drenched. But I loves it, I was laughing, my companion.... Not so much. Hahaha we got to teach somebody because of it! 

We were standing outside and kind of waiting for it to die down. When there was a guy standing there to we began to talk, about life, restaurants, business.... Then religion! He was in town for a business trip, and to teach people has to be for buisiness. Well we as missionaries could relate to business (We're good salesmen) so we told him what we do, and how it's much more successful because we BELIEVE in what we sell. He says,"You hit it right on the nose!" 

Yes. We. Did. 

Later in the conversation he told us he has a Roman Catholic, and because of the way he was raised. He would be a hard sell. Then went on to say, so how would you sell a hard sell? And we began to teach. The spirit was there, it testified. The restoration is true, it just is, and anyone who is willing to listen, will know. We sold our hard sale, The pouring rain storm died to silence and we left him with a restoration pamphlet and the spirit. 

The thing that struck me was this. He has met and work with many Mormons! He has also lived! In Utah. And no one. Once. Asked him if he would like to learn more. He wish they did, he said, "yeah, I don't know why they never asked me if I wanted a Book of Mormon, I wish they would have." 

I know it's our job to take the message of this gospel to the people around us. It doesn't hurt to ask. 

So yes, we had a baptism this last Saturday! It was at the lake as well, and woohoo! it was so perfect and beautiful. There was a heavy layer of moisture that sat low in the air. He invited three of his non member friends, who left said it was touching, they felt the spirit too :) so yes now Rick is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. And will be a great asset to it. 

We got to meet with a member in the ward, who's husband has left the church. She is so strong and I am so motivated with her. We helped her clean. As we were talking a asked her what has helped her stay strong. And she said her mission! I immediately thanked my father for my mission and my decision to serve. Life's hard, we never know what is going to happen to us but if we allow The Lord to shape us, he will prepare us without us realizing it. 

This week was good, it was full of spirit moments for sure. 

I hope you guys have a great week! It's way cool to serve a mission, if you're thinking about it. Do it. 

It's hard, but it's so worth it. Words can't describe the miracles that The Lord is involved with. 

Love you, keep on keepin on!

<3 Sister Tincher

I love serving a mission

So this week has been really good! It's a lot of fun to get a new companion and learn how to work with each other. 

We got this referral this week from head quarters, so we went by to visit him. He wasn't there so we left a card with our number and a little note haha. Later that night he called us back! And he set up a time to meet with him the up coming day. Turns out he referred himself, and he is a less active of about twenty years! It was really cool to meet him and to start teaching him. It's a good experience when you meet someone who is ready to make the change, having a desire to have that spirit that they used to feel. 

We met with our investigator who will be getting baptized soon... In two weeks!!! At the beach, northerly island beach. It's perfect and he loves it. When we told him to check it out and tell us what he thinks of it he texted us the next day and was like "Hands down! This is the place!" It's exciting to get this going and see the progression and excitement as he gets ready for this. He decided recently to start going to the YSA and he loves it! Everyone loves him there too... And I think that's why he is loving it haha. 

Something prettttty cool, we went to Guatemala! Legit! Enserio. Really we went to the Guatemalan Consulate. But we had a referral that works there. He ordered a Faith in Christ video for his friend who doesn't believe in God and since he has heard of the church and know that great things comes from it, he knew where to go. But we talked to him and invited him to learn more and come to church, it took some talking to, but he wants to come!! We asked him if he wanted to go to the Spanish ward or English and he said he probably should go to the English, because if he goes to the Spanish ward people may recognize him..... So he is a big deal and I didn't even realize this when we were talking to him, but it was great. The spirit was strong and he is legit. 

I know I say this again and again, but I love that serving a mission has helped me be able to see the amazing work that Our Father in Heaven does for people. He is in ever single individual's life. He cheers them up when they are sad, brings the comfort when they are scared and he humbles them when they are proud, and teaches us how to be better. All through experiences and through the brothers and sisters that are around them. It's a big testimony to me that We are all part of a family, and the power that comes when we act in such a way. 

I love this gospel. I love that this is Christ's church again restored back on the earth and because of that the fullness of joy is something we can have while living on earth. There is no need to drift in darkness when they have a cure to bring happiness. 

The church is true, and the book is true. 

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week! Can't wait to hear from you soon :) 

Love, Sister Tincher 

At Navy Pier in the garden

Half Way!

Half Way! Wow. I can't believe it. Time flies that's for sure. I am so thankful for the mission and the things The Lord has taught me while being here so far for these short 9 months. The love and testimony of my Heavenly Father have grown so much. I have learned things that have for ever changed me and will continue on this path. Here is to 9 great months, and 9 more to come!

20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.

(2 Nephi 4:20-21)

He Lives!

In the City

This week has been crazy! I got a new companion, Sis. Black is her name.... And she is white. Everyone around this part of the land... Seems to be stunned when they read her name. It is funny.  Some guy we met as we entered into a school with the last name Black who is black started laughing and had her do a joke where she went into the school office and asked if anyone knew where her husband was and then he came and walked in.... Hahaha.  Why are people so peculiar?  It was funny, peculiar only makes life better to live. 

So this week is my first week taking over the big city, and I'll tell you what, It ain't easy!  But it's sure going to be a fun process.  I love being in the city, as I am sure you all know!  The weather has been SO top notch, I am just l.o.v.i.n.g life. That's all I can say. It makes things go by a lot better. 

So we got to meet with our investigator who is on date and scheduled to be baptized in three weeks with some of the senior missionaries. It was fun!  He cooked salmon for us and his view is very beautiful. I feel like skyscrapers are ugly, but the view is always great. We talked about personal revelation. There is this talk called," In his own time, in his own way." - Dallin. H. Oaks.  I love this talk.  It's so good. In it he says, "Revelation is a reality. It comes in the Lord’s way and according to the Lord’s timetable. (In His Own Time, in His Own Way)"

I love this I think it's so important to remember that The Lord has a plan and there is timing to it! 

I love being a missionary and having the opportunity to live the gospel fully. It's a cool experience, definitely not easy. But I am reminded why I am out here when I am able to teach and find people who want that spirit in their life and the follow the Lords plan that he has for them. 

Later today we will be scoping out the beaches for what ones will be good to have a baptism... Hmm that sounds normal right?  Earlier today we got poured on like flash flood style! It was so crazy. I absolutely loved it! The good thing was we were headed home anyways so I just changed and we were on our way out again! 

I love you and I hope you have a wonderful week coming up, don't get to stressed with everything that life is dealing at you. 

Talk to you in a week :) 

Love, sister. Tincher