Spring or Winter?

Our chapel! It is so Beautiful!!!!

 03/31/2014

Hello Hello My Lovely Family!!!

Eating at Manekin with Sister Young!

I love learning about what you're all doing! Congrats to my Rors on getting into play productions so that she can be the hand in the Adams Family;) Heathie Cat... I'd vote for you... especially because your campaign had to do with Batman and chocolate... The Temple story made me cry. I love my family! I love the temple... good thing they're combined! I can't believe how much I am blessed to be in the family I am! My sweet little brothers are doing so well, I pray that you can all be kept each night. Livi looks so old! And my little Talia was sick:( Mom, I am so proud of you for giving so much. Make sure you take times for yourself, you are a wonderful example! Dad, I love you and am so grateful for your building our family on a sturdy foundation!!!

Best crepes ever!

This week was filled with miracles! Satan is working hard on Poland, and that tells me that there are great things in store. I learned SO much this week!  So as Sister Training Leader we go to Missionary Leadership Council once a month. I went on Wednesday and it was just for me!!! I have been feeling rather drug down lately by all the bad things I see. It has been pretty hard. At this conference we started out by reading from Moses chapter 1. It touched me so deeply. We are children of God, made in the likeness of our Savior and our King. We have the ability through faith in Him to be made whole. To be made complete, and we have the ability to become like Him. I also love how quickly Moses is to deny satan and tell him that he has no power here. " Where is thy glory". So cool! I think one of my favorite parts is where he tell satan that he has other things to ask of God. So powerful. I needed that.

 The week started out well, we met with a lot of less-actives and have been helping them come to church. It was wonderful! On Thursday I was feeling like I could take on the world! We went out and right off the bat met some really cool people. We had a lesson with a lady who is hindu, but she was so open to the message and her husband ended up coming in too( he has left before) and we talked to them. They have the cutest family and we have high hopes for them:) Then on the tramwaj on the way to the chapel for a meeting we met this family from russia! We have a wonderful less-active who served in russia and we were able to talk with this family and set up an appointment and then call this less-active and she was willing to meet with us!!! It was SUCH a miracle!

Anyways... Great week:) Currently we are struggling to find those new investigators. It is coing piece by piece and requires time and patience, but I am determined. Sister Stratton is doing well and we are working hard.Speaking of which, for culture night we went to the Museum of Polish History. It was really beautiful, and I loved to see all the artwork, it made me miss painting SO MUCH! I have thought about studying art, or art history... but I'm not sure yet... anyways... I want to testify with my whole heart that the Savior lives. He is my Joy and my Song. I know that He has power to overcome all things, and He in fact overcame death. I love the knowledge we have of the Character of CHrist. That is why the Book of Mormon is so special to me. The way it testifies of our Lord and Savior and His character is so wonderful! That is my message this week.

Also... I've been talking alot about living prophets! It's really great because President Uchtdorf is coming to Poland in June!!!!!! I can't wait!!! I need to find to have people be able to see this man and hear his words;) But I love it because right in time for general conference the Noe movie comes out! So I just talk about that and it starts into a conversation well:)

I learned alot about Foundations... If our faith is wavering we need to ask ourselves what is our faith in? Is it in outcomes or CHrist? If it is in Christ it cannot fail if we are being obedient and faithful. Lovely. I read Mos. 16:9 and was so touched. He is the Light of the world, never overcome by darkness!

I love it! I am excited for this week and to see the miracles that comes into a Christ centered life! Lots of funny moments, mostly including me getting lost. We were getting to MLC and I was with Sister Blake and I thought I knew how to get to the mission home... lies. I totally got lost and we got there just in the nik of time. Yep... I'm still me:)

I love this work! Can't wait to report on the miracles!

Love, Siostra Hemming!!!

Not so Springy:(

March 24th, 2014

Hello my Lovely Family!

This was a really good week. And also one of the hardest of my mission. It's interesting what you said mom about being hammered by satan, I also felt similarly. We have been struggling with seeing alot of him in the world recently, but I have been studying alot about hope and have learned that that is why we must have our Faith! Faith in the Savior and in His Joy! The rest of the world can look pretty dark, but as was said in recent liahona, if He is our Anchor than HOpe is the Anchor of our Souls! What a beautiful expression. That is so true!

We started out the week with a less-active lesson! She was doing so well, reading and praying and feeling so much better, I could see it in her eyes. But then we had another lesson with her and she was really down about the work and about Poland in general and the Lord's influence here. Sister Stratton and I talked about it alot and we see that if you focus on all the bad then of course it looks rather crummy, but if you see the good in people, then suddenly the light enters in. It's so funny how two people can be living in the same world and yet see things completely differently. I think that is based on attitude, focus, and Anchors. As we searched for the good in our week we found SO MUCH! These people are prepared and so good and want to much to be their best. I love Poles!

We are meeting with a woman named Anna who is so wonderful! I know that she is one of the reasons Sister Stratton and I are together right now! We are so blessed and lucky to know her! She is progressing and has a baptismal date! She will be a baptized on May 3rd:) ( the day avengers came out...) We are really excited for her, and have encouraged her to ask the Lord some very specific questions. Her husband died 20 years ago and she was so close to him, I know that as she prays to know his feelings towards this that the Lord will answer with a huge Yes! I love family History! We did a family History whiteboard and so many people were interested in it! It is something the whole world has in common. This desire to know where we come from, and why we are here. I love Love LOve the plan of salvation! We were talking with Anna about mothers being able to raise their children in the eternities and it made such a difference for her. Oh how much joy the gospel brings if lived accordingly. That is another lesson I have learned. The Gospel and the church and all it's teachings are so powerful! They are from God, but they are kind of like paints. If used as meant to be, they can create something beautiful out of our lives, but if we just leave them there they are just paints, or principles, interesting and curious but they won't change us. Faith without works is truly dead. There is a quote from a talk entitled "four missionaries" it is wonderful! It says that "We make out of our lives a smudge, the Lord makes out of us a masterpiece."

I know this is true. I'm sorry today's e-mail will be shorter but I want you all to know how much I love you. I know for a fact that the atonement is real, that we are incontrol of our lives, and that the world is a wonderful beautiful place! Filled with small flecks of gold:) If added up they create an army for good. I love you all so much! Keep on loving the wonderful flecks of gold moments and apply those Gospel Paints. Let the brush be in the Hand of the Lord and strive to be a clean, clear canvas. I truly believe that we are all masterpieces, but we must allow ourselves to become so.

Love,

Siostra Ali Hemming:)

"Oh...she is my dear my darling one"!

March 17th, 2014

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I hope you all watched the Quiet Man. And Darby O'Gill!!! We were going to buy something green... but we didn't;)

Beautiful Warsaw!!

I have had a good week. Kind of crazy becuase one of the sisters in our area has been sick and so she had to come join us while she did some tests!

It started out with a great P-Day! We went and saw the city and it's beautiful!!! We are so lucky:) Then we saw miracle after miracle this week!

We met this crazy wonderful lady from Nigeria!!! She is living alone here in Poland with her daughter and we ended up helping her move from her house to another house here in Warsaw with the elders. It was so funny because they wouldn't let us in her area so we stood outside with the elders while it POURED rain on us! Sister Stratton and I had a relief society activity that day so we showed up with wet hair smelling like wet dog;) I Love it! hahaha! We had a great week! This lady calls us her Sisters, and tells everyone about us and says that we are her sisters!!! I love people from other cultures. There is also this family in our branch whose father is from Mexico and he and his wife me in Mexico. They are the sweetest and most smiley people!!! Anyways... sufficeth it to say that I can't wait to just travel the world serving people( I know... dream big;) But I love all of Heavenly Father's children!

We had a killer day on Tuesday. We didn't even have to wear coats! It was sooo warm. Then it has gotten progressively colder until today where it's pretty freeezing! But I really can't complain at all. We have had such a wonderful winter.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Our branch is one of the oldest in Poland. We have the only chapel and I promise to take a picture and send it to you next time, because It is SO beautiful!!! I love to point it out to people. So blessed. This week we saw a video of the relief society in Poland from the 1980's to the end. It was so fun. The work here is growing, but we need to see it grow in Warsaw, as most of the strong members have been members for 20 years. I know the Lord is preparing the way, now we just need to find those who will build His kindgdom!

Sister Stratton.. my companion. She is from Bountiful Utah. Her family is active in the church and she is so awesome! She is funny and clever and really smart. Math people, I hate math;) We get along really well. She is the only sister right now who is training, and so she is the youngest and came with a group of elders;) She loves the members and is so sweet! She has already taught me alot about my weaknesses and also my strengths. That's the cool thing about having so many wonderful companions. We are really focusing on not getting down on the work at all, but on just loving the people and giving our all. On not letting satan get us down! Obedience is key!!!

The good things of Warsaw list... the only chapel! the branch. the members. the buildings. the history. they speak beautiful polish. the colors. the variety of people. the drive for better things. the missionaries.

the bad things... mostly just the fact that there are drunk people on the streets. I really hate alcohol. Like alot.

I can't believe how quickly time flies! This week we are going to work hard and see some really good results. We need to find some new people. I am so glad you could talk to Pres. Jaggard. His family is from America and he served a mision here and he and his wife have lived here for five years. Dedicated people! He is really funny so I think what he said is funny too. I am sad about that... but I think I will just try and find some new face wash and stuff and you don't need to worry about sending me a package;) I am fine and have all I need. Except I really need the family history of James and Elizabeth. And if Dad is still sending me some of his notes on teh Book of MOrmon that would be great!

WARSAW!!!

I learned this week so much about change. And forgiveness. And so much about family and love. I can't believe how blessed I am to be in the family I am in! I am so lucky! I just was overwhelmed by my blessings this week and feel so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who has given us so much. I know that even in our darkest hour He has backups of people, sun rays and beautiful new beginnings. He is All Powerful and All KNowing. He is the Father of our Spirits and He loves us more than we comprehend. This I know. I know He lives. I just keep thinking about how the Book of Mormon is the keystone, because a man can become more like Christ by reading and abiding by it's principles than by any other book. ( said Joseph Smith) I can't wait to share it! Also... I learned that one way God shows His love to His children is by callling prophets. Makes sense!!

Have a Good Week family I love! MOm, rest up, and know how much I love you. YOu have done so much good for me, and even though the package was stolen it meant so much to me that you sent it! And gave me your hat... bummer. But I love you!!! Keep being the wonderful woman you are!

Much love, Siostra Hemming!

Spring, Spring, Spring, (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers)

Evelina!

Um..I may have spilled some nail polish..then stepped on it and made some tracks!!

March 10th, 2014

 

Hello my lovely family:) I LOVE the 5th wheel! I can't wait to go camping, It feels like Spring here! /Don't worry, I'm not a bride, but I feel like every time springtime hits I begin to think of my family and the lovely traditions that are created during Spring! I love the feeling of out with the old and in with the new! I am grateful I can experience that in Warsaw! On the way to church there were birds singing and I just sat and had flashbacks of spending the most wonderful times with our family at Grandma and Grandpa Hemming's house, while we hunted for eggs and laughed and ate a lot of great food and watched conference, basketball and Quigley Down Under;) And of Course Seven Brides for Seven Brothers even though grandpa hates it! He's such a good sport:) hahaha! I am so grateful for going to Grandma and Grandpa Birds and enjoying spiritual discussions about the Savior and the Armour of God( Still remember that one!) stealing cookies from the cookie jar, and being terrible at playing basketball.  have had such a blessed life and I am so grateful.

I love Warsaw. I am a city girl!!!! I love to see the big buildings and all of the culture here and experience the beauty of it all. I especially love the branch! This week was so good and also pretty hard. It started off well and we saw some miracles as we're teaching this wonderful former who lost her husband but is so prepared for the gospel! It was Women's day on Thursday but she said her husband told her that anyone who is smart knows that Every day is Women's Day:) I like him! I can just picture him prepared on the other side, and begging her to take that next step!

We had Zone Conference which was wonderful and filled with the Spirit. They showed us the relation between 1 Nephi 1 and the Joseph Smith Story, and really any story of the calling of any prophet. I encourage you all to do that if you haven't! I never had and it was so beautiful how Heavenly Father from the beginning of time has shown us a sure pattern of Love among His children by calling prophets! I love it!

Ali with her sweet Karina!!

 

Wonderful family!!

We then had a really interesting experience on Wednesday. Without going into to much detail on of our new converts came to meet with us and ended up praying in some wierd tongues and just doing some rather odd things. Sister Stratton and I didn't know what to do but we felt the Spirit leave really quickly. So I offered to pray and then we went out and grabbed the A.P.'s and asked them to give her a blessing. After that alot was  better, and we were so excited to see her in church on Sunday! Unfortunately, the package you sent me was in one of the rooms with missionary supplies and during sacrament meeting she got up and stole it and then ran away. yep. that's a first:) So... I tried to call her and tell her that it was okay, that I wasn't mad but would really just like the letters at least, becuase I miss my family, but she kept saying that she didn't have it and that she only had a package from her aunt. Sister Stratton saw her with it in her bag, and so we came to the conclusion that she might have a slight mental disorder. I admit I was a little bit frustrated, mostly because I love those letters from my family, but I read a talk by President Uchtdorf this morning about Love. Love of God and all men, and I know that her salvation is SO much more important than my package, so I hope that everything works out well for her. But anyways... I know that Heavenly Father will provide for her especially if it's something in the mind. All I keep thinking is what would my mom do.. and I think usually I just picture you laughing and saying .. OKay! Let's keep going;)

So I did... and we had some crazy awesome miracles!

After Church we were talking about the work in Poland and how it is ready, and the Lord is preparing people. I have made a promise that I will keep the faith in the work here.. and I admit that yesterday was a bit hard. But, we ate a good lunch, forgot ourselves and went to work. Good thing I didn't have too long of a pity party because on the tramwaj there was a lady standing next to us. It was crazy crowded but I had a distinct impression to talk to her. So I told her about the Book of Mormon, and she said she wasn't interested. I just counted it down as one of the " are you going to follow this prompting" promptings... but then after the ride she tapped me on the shoulder and asked if we could talk. We ended up taking her to the office and having a lesson right there! She said she's having a really hard time in her life and saw something in me. She said she knew that she needed to talk to me and that I could help her!!!!! We told her it was the light of Christ, that God loved her and that He could help her.I LOVE my LIfe:) It is so good. We taught her that we are all children of God, and the Spirit was strong:) Then... we were contacting in Old Town and I saw this girl looking pretty grumpy.... so I went upto talk to her. She said she doesn't speak POlish, and I said..." Oh, that's good! Me either:)" And She just started crying. Right then and there. She said she was lost, she's from Ireland and was just with her husband but got seperated and had no map, no money and no phone. She said she'd been trying to find someone who spoke english. I was SO grateful to help! We got her to her husband and wished her well, and along the way shared a bit about why we're here and gave her our card. I am so grateful to have been an answer to two prayers! Also, to have served someone.

Anyways. I l've learned alot this week about pondering the eternities. Every night I lay in bed by a huge window and look up at the stars and try and contemplate a little more what I'm doing and Whose work I'm doing. I am so grateful for this opportunity to be a missionary. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father allowed me to come to Poland and that He can work through imperfect things like me to serve His children. I am so grateful to be created in His image. The blessings I had before my mission overwhelm me, and the blessings I have now just awe me. I truly do Stand All Amazed. Life is so good.

I love you all so much. I hope you know that I pray for you nightly and plead for your well being. Rori, you look beautiful, and happy. Livi and Talia look the Same! I'm so grateful for that;) As always I have the most wonderful parents in the whole world! Thank you for all you do!

Love Love Love

Siostra Hemming

The Big City Girl:)

March 3rd, 2014

Hello my lovely family!

This week was crazy! Saying goodbye to my little Kielce and embarking on a trip to a new big city! Crazy:) I cried alot. Poor Sister Owen, I just love these people and I felt very overwhelmed with leaving them all! But... They will be safe and well. I got to Warsaw and LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT! I got off the train and saw all of the missionaries and all of the people and I was done;) I think that it has reawakened myself as a missionary. I think for sometime as a missionary I was trained to do things this way or think that way or whatever, and I have finally felt that I am able to take all of those things and also take the traits of myself and put them into the work.. does this make sense? I can explain. I love cultures and language and I love being here in Poland, but I think I forgot where I was until I landed in Warsaw again and saw all of the history and the fun of Europe. It has helped me understand and love them so much more.

Sister Stratton is my new companion and I love her! SHe is a little funny spitfire and reminds me of Rori a bit. Who is 17! I think I'm still 17 so this isn't really making alot of sense to me;) I Miss my Rors and so it's been so fun! She was trained Completely Differently than I work as a missionary, and so we've been figuring that out, but we are doing it well. I have worked on  the streets alot this week. Normally in Kielce we hit a point where we had enough lessons that we usually went from lesson to lesson or something like that, but here it is a bit tougher right now. But I am grateful for that... I feel like a better missionary when I'm really sacrificing things out there on the streets. At first it was a bit tricky because the people are harder to catch, but I'm working on that and loving it! We have met some super cool people and the best part is... THERE'S A REAL LIFE CHAPEL here! It is beautiful! I love to get off the tramwaj and tell everyone I'm talking to that we have a chapel right there!! Oh it is so cool.

The branch here is great, and I love them. They seem to be  a little more closed off than Kielce probably because they've been here for so long. I met them and they were wonderful and so helpful and I can't wait to help them all feel the love of missionary work! We found some new investigators this week, but for now haven't met with them yet. I think I'll share my little e-mail to president because I think it outlines how I feel:)

Drogi Prezydencie,
I am so grateful that I am called to be here in Warsaw. I LOVE it:) IT is a wonderful place filled with hope and intelligence and people searching for greater purpose. I was nervous of all expected of me... but upon arriving I realized that the Lord's expectations of me are the same... Obedience, Faith, Love. I was so grateful for that revelation and immediately got to work. We were on the streets a lot this week, but it helped me feel more obedient and dedicated and I loved it! I can't lie... it has been harder for me to find people here than normal, to get them to stop... but I know that the Lord is teaching me and I am trying to learn more effective ways to contact here.
Sister Stratton is wonderful! She simpy does what she knows is right and doesn't put up pretenses, I love it:) She and I get along really well and I think she is ready to learn from me and I am learning from her. I can't lie..going to church was a miracle! THere's a CHapel!!! THe people are wonderful and need a boost, and I am dedicated to search and find those to build the kingdom!
I have pondered alot on my desires and my purpose. On what I can become better at this transfer. I can't wait for Zone Conference to help show me the way. To put things to action, trust in the Savior and put my doubts and sins aside! As Sister training leader I really would like to be a wonderful example of joy in the work! Of Faith in Success and Love of the Savior. Of finding people because I love them, not because I want to be on a list. Of Having lessons to help the people and build them up, to come to a knowledge of the Savior instead of just so that I don't have to be out. THis is my goal:) It's going to be a great week!
Love you all! Have a great week!

Love, Siostra Hemming