Horbury

Mummy and Daddy!

Let me tell you a story. Remember how we had a freak heat wave this week. Remember how you could grill an egg on the flagstones one minute and then the next it'd be chucking it down with rainy pellets of ice and death!?!??!?! Remember how we started melting in our woolen coats after a wet spell. Remember how the people were especially "friendly".....by "friendly" I mean "not-so-friendly." :D Truth. The only thing that could make life better was a cone of icy refreshment. Lo and behold what do we hear in the background. Doo Da Doo Doooo Da Dooo Doo Da Dooo Doo Doo Da Doo! ICE CREAM MAN! RUN!!!! So there we were chasing down the ice cream man.....we'd stop people on the street....ask them about God, then ask them if they saw Ice Cream Man!
"Do you know that Ice Cream Man?"
"The Ice Cream Man?"
"The Ice Cream Man!!!!!!!"
To make a long story short, we ran up and down streets, following the little bursts of that happy little song we caught on the wind, seeing glimpses of his blue and yellow van turning corners, asking people right and left..."have you seen the ice cream man?" This guy asked us, "Why don't you just pop down t'shop and buy some ice cream? It'd be easier than chasing him down."
"I'm on a quest....besides....it feels important that we find him."
Well we said a little prayer. "Heavenly Father, please...if it's ok...help us find the Ice Cream man. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen." Immediately after, guess who rolls up next to us!!!!! THE ICE CREAM MAN!!! BAM! MIRACLE!!! We sat there, licking away to our hearts content as we taught John of John's Ices the gospel. On two other occasions we just happened to run into him on crazy side streets. What are the chances!?!??! MIRACLES! We exchanged lessons of peace, happiness and salvation for free ice lollies!!!! :D Now that's my kind of missionary work! :D Now He's our friend! Last night we ran into him again...and he said,
"I have news for you two sisters."
"OOOOH news!!!!! What is it?"
"I've read your little booklets.. like you told me."
"Whoo-Hoo!!!!!! How'd you like them?"
"Haahhah they were good....but that's not all. I've prayed about them...we're talking... knelt down...at the foot of the bed....arms crossed."
"WHAT!?!??! WHOO HOO!!!!! AND!??!?! HOW'D YOU FEEL!?!??!"
"It were good.....I near about came to church this morning!"
"WHOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BAM! MIRACLE!!! NEXT!!!!! As we were hobbling to the bus stop, I remembered a comment I made to Sister DeLucchi during our quest to find John of John's Ices. I said, "I wish prepared people played a little tune like the ice cream man....then we'd at least know when we were getting close." Little did we know....the ice cream man WAS prepared! BAM! MIRACLE! That's why no ordinary shop ice cream would suffice....we had to find John! MIRACLES!!!!!!

In other news
Last P-Day, we hiked as Huddersfield Zone through Melthum....little did we know that we'd also be trekking through fields stinging nettle. I emerged unscathed. :D I had my trousers on and kept my lanky arms fully extended above me.....
Put your arms down, you cheese!
Never!
....Who's laughing now :D
OH! AND One night we clonked down the street, trying to get home on time. We were beat. We'd been on our feet chasing after people all the day long. There I was...ka-cunk ka-cunk..... then I heard ......*Kaddaoiingdskishhhh*.....in my mind flashed," BAD!" I turned around and there was Sister Delucchi...flat on the ground....Big X....Human pancake....poor Sister DeLucchi. Well we rushed her home, doctored her up....now we've got Little Moe with the gimpy leg at our house. Her injury is a great finding tool though. People stop and listen to us, especially when she just "happens" to drop things :D

I LOVE BEING HERE!!!! I am so grateful that my Heavenly Father trusts me enough to let me do this! I feel like the longer I'm out here...the more I don't know...but that's ok. :D What I do know is that He is definitely there. He definitely answers prayers! The gospel is simple! The Book of Mormon is officially amazing! Jesus Christ is my hero! This mission is quite possibly the smartest decision I have ever made in my entire life!!!! IT'S TRUE!!!!

I love you so much! Thank you for letting me be here!!!!

Love always and forever,
Your Sister Stephanie White

Horbury

Mummy and Daddy,

This week we had the Horbury Fayre!!!! Sister Delucchi and I finally ended our quest for Candy Floss (aka Cotton Candy...First time I heard Candy Floss, I thought to myself....self...that explains a lot.) Did you know that they make BUTTER SCOTCH CANDY FLOSS?!"!??!?!?!?! It's changed my whole life.

Our people...like Joanna......dropped us. BAH! However, we met this amazing man named Keith. The night before we met Keith, I had a similar experience to when I met Rose Cousins. We prayed about what street we needed to go to and I felt a little pin prick when my finger passed over this particular spot on this map. So we went to little old St. Peter's Court the next day...and lo and behold the first house we knocked on...there was Keith. BAM! MIRACLE! He's in his 50's....on his own. He says he makes "deals with God." I felt like I should ask him if he made any deals recently. He seemed caught off guard and admitted that he had. To my surprise I found myself saying, "We are a direct answer to your prayer." He agreed to learn more, so the next time we saw him, we took a ward member that used to be a Church of England Minister. We had such a good lesson with him!!!! We invited him to come to a baptism which he did, and he said, "I'm really very intrigued by this Holy Ghost business...I think that could really help me.... now....I'm not gullible but I like what I see here." Only a matter of time my friends...only a matter of time. BAM! MIRACLE!!!

We've recently been getting grief about the Book of Mormon musical. I can't believe it's won so many awards first of all....that's crazy...but second of all...it just goes to show how true this work really is. I can guarantee that no one's going to make a parody musical about the Qur'an. I know that the Book of Mormon is truly scripture. Anyone who says otherwise obviously haven't read it and definitely haven't prayed about it. I have witnessed it change people's lives and I know that it has changed mine. I really do love it and I can't imagine not having it. It makes me sad to see people being praised for mocking something so important to me....but it's a little satisfying just because the adversary is definitely working overtime...that's saying something. :D I'm so grateful to be here. I'm so grateful I get to defend what I love. I'm so grateful for the things I'm learning out here! Thank you thank you for letting me be here.

I love you!!!! Have the best week of your lives!

Love always and forever,
Your Sister Stephanie White

Horbury

Mummy and Daddy,

This week was jam packed with all sorts of interesting tid-bits. Not only have Sister DeLucchi and I made some silly memories (ranging from composing songs and asking people what their favorite kitchen utensil is, to riding about in fire trucks) we've met some really neat people and felt Heavenly Father's help this week.

Last P-Day we went to Wakefield Cathedral. Not only could you mark off "Weekly Worship" and "Confess Sins" off your to-do list, but you could quench your java craving in their adjoining cafe, AND pick up a commemorative tea cozy in their gift shop. Now that's what I call "handy."

Interesting tidbit: We were in the shop, buying pizookie supplies (Cookie mix and toffee ice cream). A man zeroed in on our badges saying, "You're a long way from home....*flashing the peace sign and walking backwards out the store* Always respect a Mormon.....I'm a Salvationist....BUT........ Always respect a Mormon." uhh........thank you? We made our way to the bus stop and we hear, "HEY! HEY!" oh....no....that's for us. We turn around and lo and behold there is our friend the Salvationist....and what does he have...a bouquet of flowers!!!! He crunches them into my hands and says, "I don't always do this....*flash the peace sign* BUT.....always respect a Mormon." hahahahaha

In the realm of miracles, we met loads of amazing people this week and had powerful lessons with them. One of which was Joanna. Let me tell you about Joanna. We met her on the street, gave her the Plan of Salvation Leaflet and challenged her to read and pray about it. The next day we were out street contacting and felt like we needed to pop by and see how she was. When she saw us, her eyes lit up and she blurted, "I read your leaflet thingy...." WHOO HOO!!! And? How did you like it? "I loved it....." WHOOO HOO "....and.....I prayed about it.....and I feel like I got my answer!" WHOO HOO!!!! "The answer was Yes It's True!!!" WHOO HOO ".....AND.....I think it's the answer to all my other prayers." BAM! MIRACLES!!!!!!!!!! Turns out Joanna has had a really difficult life. She's been in foster care for 14 years. She's 24 and has three kids. We went back to her place for a little lesson. We felt impressed to take Sister Dale to our appointment. It wasn't long after we started the lesson that there was a knock on the door. *Cue the next door neighbors* In walk husband and wife in all their glory....they took one look at us and wheezed, "Who do we have here?"
"We're missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints."
"Oh...I see...Joanna let me have a chat with you."
*they step outdoors*
Perfect
Joanna came back in and we resumed the lesson. Five minutes later guess who saunters in....the neighbor wife-lady......ooooh.......there was an anti-bueno feeling that came with her. She sat down
"Joanna, is it all right if I sit in on your little teach?"
ME: Oh of course that's fine. No problem.
"I didn't ask you."
ooooooooooooooh
We carried on talking about the Plan of Salvation. We've got nothing to hide this is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
"Alright, Well...as I was saying....Adam and Eve---"
"Sister White is it? Let me ask you something." *Cue sting of alcohol in my nose"
Now....this is the part that I don't really remember. All I remember is saying little silent prayers for help to get rid of this awful feeling in the room. All I know is she asked me something, I said something, our member said something. Things got heated, it felt like we were all moving in slow motion. All I remember me saying is, "We are literal representatives the Lord Jesus Christ...." That seemed to shift things. She got nice. It was the strangest thing. The next thing I knew I was raiding Sister Dale's pantry for extra food for Joanna and her little family. I remember standing there, holding a carrier bag thinking....How did we get to this point exactly?

Joanna came to church, and during the Sacrament talks (that were all centered around Heavenly Father's love for us individually) Joanna leaned to us and asked, "Who do I talk to about getting baptized?" WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!? Are you kidding me right now?! Miracles!

I know this church is true! I know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ. I find it VERY interesting that this is the only church that bears the full name of Jesus Christ. Coincidence? I think not! I cannot deny the Spirit that I feel within myself when I teach the gospel and testify of it. I cannot deny the change I see within the faces of those that are touched by that same Spirit. This is true. I'm so grateful I was willing to find out for myself that it is! Thank you so much for letting me be here! I can't think of any other place I would rather be.

Love always and forever,

Your Sister Stephanie White

Horbury

Mummy and Daddy,

We had the big transfer this week. I went around and said many a tearful good bye to the people of Wharfe Valley. I swear, I blub more on this mission of mine than I ever have in my whole life! I can't even handle myself anymore Hahahaha. We went to transfer meeting, and I received Sister DeLucchi! It's official....we seriously have WAY TOO MUCH FUN! When we're not laughing at random things (Jazzies, pizza ads, and door knockers), we're running after buses. When we're not running after buses, we're sitting next to oldies, chatting about the gospel. When we're not chatting to oldsters on the buses, we're running after posh people in the streets. When we're not charging people down in the streets, we're witnessing miracles happen. Honestly, we've witnesses many a miracle already, and it's what...only the first week?!

We met this man named Kevin my first night in Horbury. We set up an appointment, which he cancelled because he had a bad day at work. We went knocking on another street and we both felt, "Go see Kevin." So we did. We basically barged our way into his home so we could sing him a song and say a prayer with him. Let me paint the scene. Dogs barking like mad in the other room. Kevin saying, "Listen, I'm going to bed. I'm stressed from work. I'm tired. I'll call you some other time...." Cars honking in the street, Neighbors yelling. Then we said, " Ok ok, we'll just do this last thing and we'll leave." Immediately we started singing, I Believe in Christ." All went still. I watched Kevin's face change...I'm not sure how to describe it. At the end Kevin said, "Wow....that really chilled me out......even my dogs are quiet." We talked to him more about the Spirit, and baptism and scheduled him to be baptized!!!! Bam! Miracle!

We had an appointment with someone named Jonny we met in the street. He gave us a phony address, but when we called his phone his girlfriend invited us over to her place. So we took a member with us out to a seedy part of town to see these people. On the way, we got a prank call of this girl croaking, "I'm the devil's daughter." I laughed. The member got scared and told me to put the phone down. I felt like I should be nice, tell her she was just the person I wanted the share the gospel with. She hung up. We found the door, knocked and this sketchy character invited us in. I felt calm, so we went in. We peered through the haze and saw four people. Jonny, his girlfriend and his two other friends, Kyle and Sammy. Sammy we learned was the "devil's daughter." We started our lesson, and talked about the Plan of Salvation. Sammy and Kyle were saying all sorts of choice comments. Kyle kept saying, "I'm a total atheist, me" As we talked some more, they all started asking questions.
Kyle asked, "So will I see people that have died again?"
Jonny: I thought you were a total atheist, remember?
Kyle: Well we're talking about it.......I'm thinking about it ok!
...five minutes later.....
Kyle: I don't think I'm an atheist anymore.....
.....five minutes later.......
Me: I want to testify to you that I KNOW this is our Heavenly Father's plan for us---
Kyle (looking methodical): I think deep down everyone knows it's true. BAM! MIRACLE!!! They all told us how they've lost people they want to see again and they'd do ANYTHING to hug them again. We scheduled them ALL to be baptized!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BAM!!!!! MIRACLE!!!! Even though there were people swinging axes around in the street outside, the Spirit was so strong and touched each of their hearts in a way that they KNEW it was true!!!.....wow.

Some of our other miracles:
We had someone invite us off the street to talk to them. Miracle!!!!!!!

We had someone follow us to the chapel for a chapel tour, and we scheduled them to be baptized!!! Miracle!

Met an eternal investigator, taught him the importance of the Book of Mormon which he finally understood!!!!!! He wanted to make Jesus Christ happy and get baptized with his power!!!!! Miracle!
All because of the Spirit. We felt the Spirit in abundance!!! It truly is amazing the effect it has on people. I know this is true! I know there is no way I could have taught, persuaded or explained anything to these people to make them want to believe....it was only the Spirit they felt! This is so true!!! I just wished more people would open their hearts to the wonderful truth that comes from the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ!!!!......wow....I am just so humbled and so grateful for it in my life...

In other news, I learned to juggle...sort of. :D

I love you so much! I really can't thank you enough for letting me be out here!!!! Thank you!

Love Always and Forever,
Your Sister Stephanie White