Hungary for the Gospel in Montana: Week 11

Hello my dearest loved ones!!

This second week in Montana has been fantastic! Every single day has felt unique. We have been running around, working on referrals, contacting new people, studying, training, and working with recent converts and returning members. We definitely aren't lacking for work in this area and I love it! We didn't meet our personal goals this week though but that doesn't mean that we can't next week!

I grow more in love and connection with my dear companion, Sister Flake, every single day! It feels as though we have been together a lot longer than a week and a half, and it feels like I've been a missionary for a lot longer too! Sister Flake is amazing at her job as my trainer. She is loving, straight forward, organized, and motivated. I especially appreciate her ability to have joy and fun in every moment with me. I love to be silly and enjoy the little things! I also truly appreciate her big heart. She cares so deeply for those that we work with, and she cares for me! For example, I was not doing so well in the beginning of this week health wise --I had caught some kind of a sinus infection or cold thing. One morning she noticed that I was doing worse than before and sent me back to bed to rest a bit longer. Luckily, by now I am quite well, just a lingering cough, but I am thankful for her awareness, because I would have made myself stay up and exercise, when it would have completely exhausted me before the morning was even through! I made a promise to myself before coming out to the field that I wouldn't let any illness (or tiredness) get in the way of my diligence and attitude if at all possible! I still hold to that promise, but "...it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength..." (Mosiah 4:27). It is so important that while we work diligently to serve the Lord, we also listen to what our bodies need. The last thing I'll mention about my relationship with my companion is our studies. I love hearing her ideas, insights, and perspectives, as well as being able to share mine. It's nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of at any time and have the opportunity to process thoughts and put them into words.

I have had some wonderful spiritual experiences this week. Many of them came from moments where I was bold and let go of my worries. I have sometimes held back because of propriety and fear of not being able to fully express myself or give what others need. I would say that since being in the field, I haven't really had issues with that, just a touch here and there. As I have been praying and studying though, that is one of the biggest things I am focusing on completely overcoming! I need to be bold as a missionary in order to share the gospel and penetrate the hearts of others! Faith and fear cannot coexist. So I have reminded myself that I am representing Christ, NOT myself. I don't need to even think about myself!

The biggest moment from this week, on that topic, was with a potential member named Sophie. We were invited to a lesson by some elders because they felt like they were going in circles with her. As we were reading and discussing with her where she was at in the New Testament, I shared some thoughts along with testimony. In that, I somehow brought up prayer and asked her about her prayers. It turns out that she has been struggling to just open her heart to God in prayer, let alone ask Him if He loves her! That is a big deal, no wonder she is struggling to move forward! God was truly speaking through me in this instance because I didn't know what I was going to say that could help her. She is very closed off and we were all at a loss as to what she needed. My companion is brilliant and closed it all off with a challenge for her to ask God if He loves her every day this week in prayer and record her thoughts and feelings in a journal.

There were many other instances where I felt the Spirit this week. I've truly been able to set apart when the Spirit is testifying of truth to me! There were moments each day where I would feel goosebumps and a wave of overwhelming warmth/energy or emotion. It was when we'd be teaching families after having dinner with them, or when my companion and I discuss and testify during studies, or when I was in sacrament meeting yesterday and our returning member friend cried beside me, or when we taught recent converts and felt their new glow and burning testimonies, and I could go on! It is amazing to think that every time you feel the Spirit, it is cleansing you and making you more holy. WOW!! This makes me eager and excited for more ways to come closer to the Spirit!

CHALLENGE:

I want you all to test out the challenge that Sister Flake has given to Sophie this week. Pray to Heavenly Father each night and ask Him how He feels about you, then write down your thoughts, feelings and impressions as you go.

I testify to you that He will answer you. He will show you how much He loves you, for "all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator" (Alma 30:44) and "God is love" (1 John 4). Because God IS love and all things denote there is a God, ALL THINGS DENOTE GOD'S LOVE FOR YOU.

"He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for He loveth the world, even that He layeth down his own life that He may draw all men unto him. Partake of His salvation and of His goodness, NONE are forbidden." (2 Nephi 24-28)

Some Funny/Fun Moments from the week:

Sister Flake and I were about to get out of the car for a lesson and she bumped the car alarm… we both freaked out and two guys across the street got quite a kick out of it. They said "well now you've got our attention!" and we just kept walking past them into the apartment complex laughing heheh

We contacted an 83 year old man and we brought a girl from our ward. We were chatting with him and he kept interrupting us and hitting on me… he was complimenting my complexion, hair, and teeth and staring at me…. ahhhhh it was so weird!!! Both Sister Flake and the girl we brought bursted into laughter when we left and said "oooh you're quite the looker huh?" This man is crazy and kept telling us where the door was every other second so we could leave, but then kept talking! Yikes!!

I saw my first snow storm yesterday!!! We got out of church and I saw snow going sideways from the sky through the doors! I think I almost passed out I was so excited and amazed heheh! Everyone kept telling me I was in for a surprise when winter really kicks in and that I might not be so enchanted at the sight later on, but I choose to believe I will (: It is so beautiful and magical!!

With all of my love,
Sister Alger

My face after tracting for the 1st time ever! We were out for a few hours and our faces and hands were freezing, but I LOVED IT!! 6 people answered their doors and we talked enough with 3 that we got their names! (Shawn, Charlie, and Barrett)