OKC - Week 8 Hard Things Only Lead To Miracles!!

Hard Things Only Lead To Miracles!!

Hey Family and Friends!!!!

Rocking the helmet look!

So we had our bike week this week, and oh my goodness was it inspired!! We saw so many miracles from it!  We can do hard things!! 

So first, there's our investigator who has been dealing with cancer. She has a baptism date!!!!!!! We were on exchanges that day, so Sister K was in Mustang, OK, and I stayed here and sister Nicoll was my companion. She is so great!!! Anyways, we were in the lesson and teaching her the Plan of Salvation. First of all she loved the Spirit World, and thought it was so cool that those who never get to hear the gospel can learn and have a chance to accept it. I think this is amazing too. Our Father in Heaven truly does love us enough to give all a chance to come unto Him. The Spirit was so strong in the room, and I was getting this overwhelming feeling to ask her THE "ultimate Question". Well little did I know sister Nicoll was having the same thoughts! So I asked her, and we both explained the importance of following Jesus Christ. She said she wants to come to church a few times first, and then she said YES!!! Her Date is August 26th, and we are so excited for her!!!!! She is a miracle!! 

Sister Nicoll and Sister Walker

Exchanges were a lot of fun last Tuesday, and I got the chance to learn some more incredible missionary tips, and I have, from that one day, grown so much. We walked around this one neighborhood for 4 hours trying to find people, and knocking the doors we were inspired to approach. A few people said they were members at one point, but didn't like going to church anymore, or found another church. That's pretty common out here. We had some awesome discussions with them though! One man as we walked away from the door was trying to keep his dogs in from chasing us. Thank you! The he started yelling, "We Don't Eat The Mormon's, We only Eat The Catholics!" Nothing against Catholics promise:) It was just so abrupt and we started laughing so hard :D 

First time in the car since bike week!
Yes, we're smiling:)
JK I actually like biking and walking more!

We also had a prompting that didn't make sense in the moment, but when we turned around it all came together. We were prompted to go up to this home that clearly no one was even there. Sure enough no one was there, but when we turned around to leave we saw 2 teenage boys walking down the street towards us. They were cousins just coming back from the pool, and they looked a little confused when we stopped them, as do most people.  But we shared about Joseph Smith and they both thought that was a pretty "cool" story. We got their numbers, and names and hopefully we will be able to teach them more!!

This little guy snuck into the apartment and
decided  to make my bike his home.

Yesterday we got to go on some visits with a member, and one of the less actives we saw hadn't been to church in several years. He said that once their son left for college they thought they would just relax, and wanted their Sunday's as a time to spend together.  He told us that when he did attend church his favorite calling was to teach the Sunbeams!! It was so cute!  The sister that was with us happened to be a primary teacher too, so they both had a really good conversation about how special these kids are. She told him that she would be calling him if she ever needed someone to teach her class. He said maybe, but I think this is just the thing to soften his heart, and I think he's more willing than what he sounded to be. Also side note, the Primary Program is coming up and we invited him to come to that too! Every single member we go out with connects so well with the people we visit with! That is The Lord working miracles!

So this week has been quite a week of amazing experiences and miracles, and it took us getting on our bikes and being seen. We talked to so many people, and got a few return appointments! It might've been hot in the moment, but in the long run it was the greatest thing we as missionaries could have done to help bring about the work. 

So your challenge this week or one of the days this week is to put your car keys away, and be outside. Talk to people as you walk or bike places, smile at everyone, and Serve! I promise you will see yourself and others having an awesome day!! In 2 Nephi 3: 24 it talks about how you can be an instrument in the Lords hands in word and deed. With faith he will guide you to the people who need uplifting, and you will be fulfilling this amazing work on the Earth:) I love you all and Thank you so much for your support and prayers!!!!

Sister Walker 

Silhouette Moment!!<3

The sunset last night!!! So beautiful!

OKC - Week 7 Member Missionaries

Hey All You Wonderful People!!

Dinner at members home

This week has been So Great!!! So many things have happened, and Sister K and I have Finally Figured our area out!!! The Lord has been guiding us to this point, and we are so grateful for the Spirit that has helped us so much over the past few weeks! We are excited to keep up the progress!!

We have decided that all of our lessons need to have a member at them. Even Visits! This has been especially great because some of these members have served missions, and having them there brings a special Spirit. The OKC 7th Ward is all about Member Missionary Work! We are trying different ways to get everyone pumped up about it. We had a few dinners this week, and after, we had the sisters come out with us and visit less actives, investigators, and even the sisters they visit teach. I didn't realize how willing these members would be to do this! All we had to do was ask. 

Sister Walker & Sister K

So This coming week we are doing a bike week! This means that our car is grounded for 7 days (unless where we need to be is 5 miles or more away from us). So we bike! Woo hoo!! Or get rides from the members! I am so excited because this means we get to meet alot of the members of the ward we haven't met yet. I was so surprised when our Ward mission leader posted our challenge on FB. We got so many members willing to help us out! I can't wait!! Last night an RM sister in the ward came out with us. The investigator we had planned to see wasn't home, so we stopped by a less active's home. This guy isn't a member, but his wife is. The missionaries have talked with him before, and all he likes to do is have the missionaries answer his questions. They are mostly small details about Joseph Smith's life, and a few I have never heard before. He wants to know the truth in every detail of the gospel, and a few things that could be considered irrelevant. But we needed this sister with us because she helped us be bold with him. Loving, but confident. She gave us some really good feedback that we will definitely use again! We meet with him again next week, and we are praying is heart will be softened. 

Building trust is key out here. We went to visit a Less active member family. And we met first with the mom and a few of her kids. When her husband got home...well he looked a little annoyed to see us...his exact words, "What do you want!?" We just laughed, and couldn't get anything clever out, cause he proceeded to tell us that he had seen us and met with the elders before, and he wasn't coming back to church. Well we just talked with him. He talked (argued) for a bit, and we listened mostly, but by the end he started warming up to us. He has some issues with the people in the church, and claims his church is fishing. Oh and he'll tell you all about it. He is such a funny dude! By the end Sis. K challenged him to have us come back over, and we do a role play of a lesson. Oh and did he accept! after a bit of convincing. He said that we better be prepared...haha :) That's happening tonight, so wish us luck! 

We did a practice bike day yesterday, and it was 109 degrees!! It was HOT. This whole week was up there in the 3 digits, but boy we got a lot of water bottles from tracting! (see pic below). People out hear might not listen all the time, but they will turn right around and give you water. They are so nice! And sometimes it allows us to talk to them longer, which is always good! 

Turtles are everywhere here.
This is for you Spencer

We went to the Zoo this past P-day. It was a blast!!! Sister K got a picture next to her spirit animal, we saw in action a snake eating it's dinner, and we saw the cutest baby sea lion! Our Zone is hilarious, and I'm sure everyone there was wondering why a bunch of LDS missionaries were at the zoo, haha, we are a crazy group. We even got to teach the gospel! No way! We must be missionaraies or something. This guy asked us a bunch of questions about the church. He lives in Texas, but is willing to read the Book of Mormon Sister Sampson gave him, and find missionaries in his area. We are hoping he follows through! 

One big thing I have learned this week is that when we go up to a door, we can't be scared in the least bit. We have to remember the real reason we are serving this mission. It is all about the Lord, and bringing his children back to him, and unto Christ. We might fear rejection, or the fact that it may be awkward, but we have to get over that, and approach people as representatives of our Savior Jesus Christ. The worst thing they can do is tell us no. 

Your challenge this week is to overcome a fear you have been facing. And do this by asking the Lord to strengthen you. Pray and read the Scriptures! This is the ultimate source to overcoming anything. You've got this! 

Thank you again for your prayers and so much support! I Love you all!! Have a Wonderful week!

Sister Walker 

Hermana Pulsipher!!!!

Oh one more thing.  My cousin, Aubrey Pulsipher, got her mission call to... Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Spanish speaking.  WHAT?!!! The same mission?!!!  AWESOME!!!  I can't wait to see you in OKC, the best mission!

MTC Sisters together again

New Missionary Training Conference

Pres. & Sis. Mansell & Sister Walker

OKC - Week 6 "No Second Thoughts"

Hey Y'all!

You know when you have a few difficult days, the Lord will almost always give you a really amazing day that you will never forget! To be honest, Sister K and I had a few really discouraging days out here. Some people just don't want to listen to you, and it can be hard to take at times. I am so glad the Lord is aware of our struggles! He doesn't want anyone to become discouraged, but sometimes we need days to grow and learn. So I have decided that the hard times at the beginning of the week only made us stronger. The Lord gave us a few incredible and miraculous days that we appreciated more, and realized how much the Lord loves his children. 

First off, the spirit works in mysterious ways. We were in our car praying to know which area we needed to go to next, and the spirit told us to head to "The Grove", well we put the address in the GPS and off we went. 10 seconds later, the direction the GPS took us went right past this house on the corner, and this man was getting out of his truck. The spirit told me to turn around. I ignored it at first, justifying whether or not it was the spirit.  Then I realized that a thought to go share the gospel with someone would be no one but the spirit. Well, I told my companion we were flipping a U.E (not sure how to spell that haha), and we went back to this house. We said a prayer that we would know what he needed to hear, and we knocked on his door. He answered and we got to know him a little bit, introduced ourselves, and asked if he would like to know more about the gospel. He told us his family was always busy, but he agreed to take a pamphlet about the plan of salvation. So the point to this story is that the Lord will put you in peoples paths not just because they are going to accept the gospel at first. The Lord knew what that man needed, and what we as missionaries needed. We walked away feeling positive and good, and hopefully something we said will impact his spirit. No Second Thoughts! 

OKC & Stillwater Zone

So Zone Conference was this week! First one, woo woo! But to get there we put the address in the GPS, and we ended up not at the church building. This is not the first time the GPS has led us astray, and we were pretty irritated. We drove all over town trying to reroute and no luck. Finally we were going to be 15 minutes late, and I just started driving without it, hoping we would run into the building. We got more lost. We called the Zone leaders to confirm the address. Come to find out we missed the last number of the address, and it put us 7 miles in the opposite direction. It wasn't the GPS it was us, so we had to stop yelling at it. The point to this story is that the GPS can be related to the Spirit. It tells us where to go, but we have to trust that He will get us where He needs us. The few miles I stopped using it, I got more lost. Do we know how to use the Spirit? When we are doubting He will get us anywhere and if we don't listen, it is like putting the wrong number into the GPS. The spirit can't work unless you do your part, and listen.

Jordan's baptism
Sister K, Jordan, Sister Walker 

Jordan was Baptized Saturday!!!! This was the most incredible experience! We are so proud of her! When she came up out of the water you could see the light of Christ shine even brighter in her eyes. By her following the example of the savior, she has allowed blessings to fill her life. Her family was there, and they are not members. They were a huge part of her decision though. It took faith, and so many prayers on her part and so many others. She has been such an example to them. President Mansell gave an amazing talk, and in there he said something perfect. He told her family that they had prepared Jordan for this day, by teaching her of Christ. He told them that she was not forgetting what they taught her, but allowing the fullness of those truths to add to her testimony. I loved this! As missionaries sometimes we have the opportunity to introduce the fullness of the Gospel to common belief. This is definitely the Lords way of preparing amazing people like Jordan to accept the fullness of the Gospel. 

So how did, "living in the Moment go?" I want to hear all about your experiences!

This weeks Challenge is to have "No Second Thoughts" (continuing my cousins challenge)!

Have an Amazing Week! Thank you for your prayers and support!

I Love you all!!

Sister Walker

OKC - Week 5 You Can't Give Up

Happy Fourth!!!

So P-day was moved to today, I hope no-one got confused.  Happy "America Day"!!! As my companion would say in her try hard western accent;) This is her absolute favorite American Holiday, besides Thanksgiving.  I absolutely love her! 

This week has been absolutely crazy, and lets just say that its impossible to keep our miles down on our car, cause this area is so HUGE! So a few people have asked how many wards I am over, well that would be 1. Yes from one side to the other is about 2 hours, and we cover it all! But its so awesome!!! OKC 7th Ward is the best!!! The Members are so incredible, and they all want so badly to be involved with the work! My mission president told me yesterday that I better enjoy this, because it might not be this way in my other areas. Very true President :) 

One of the big things I have learned this week is that YOU CAN'T GIVE UP, even if its humid, hot, and no-one is answering their doors! Its really easy to think about how nice it will be when you get to your nice cool apartment. In all reality this just slows the work down. When you're in the moment, be in the moment, because if you're not focused, then the Spirit can't direct you. There were times this week that I couldn't hear the Spirit because I wasn't listening. These were hard an long days. I was able to recognize this and miracles happened when I changed my mindset. 

Yesterday we had door after door not answered or closed on us, and it honestly became discouraging. But I remembered something my companion said to me, that even though we had an unsuccessful day, that when we have those successful moments and days, that will make up for it. She is so positive and I love it! 

At the beginning of the week before we were turned away so many times, we met with this investigator. She is battling with stage 4 cancer, and she is the most faithful person I have ever met! We went over with a member to give her some therapeutic items to help her out. When we started talking she had so many questions for us. She has met with the missionaries before, but she was a little hard to get ahold of because she wasn't always home, due to her Chemo. She expressed to us how much she needed to find the truth of the gospel. She reminds me of a young 14 yr old boy that approached God with a Question, and then received such a divine answer. She told us she has been praying and looking for a couple years. She knows that God answers prayers, and she is willing to put all of her trust in him. Yesterday we told her that part of her seeking for truth is reading the Book of Mormon. She agreed to read and pray about it. She also told us yesterday, when we met with her again, that she is willing to give our church a try! We are so excited!! She's coming to church not this week but the next, and It amazes me of how the gospel can really change someone at heart. Prayer is real, and with sincerity and real intent you will know the truth in all things. 

So there were also a few humorous moments this week that I have to share! Along side of being rejected you sometimes have to take it as funny, brush it off, and walk away smiling. So we went to the door of this very southern Baptist Sister, and a few days previous we went to her door and heard someone yelling inside. Well it wasn't yelling... it was prayer! I have never heard a prayer more sincere and more powerful in my life! I think we stood there listening for 3 minutes. Well, she told us, "Can I be honest? I really don't want to listen to you, but thank you for all you do to spread your gospel!" This was when we came back later, and you know we just had to laugh when we got back in the car. We took that prompting to go there as, "maybe we need to make our prayers more sincere...."  Oh what you learn in the Bible belt! Another man just pointed to his "proud to be Catholic sign" and said "well this country needs saving" and then out of the blue started praying with us outside the door, and thanked us for serving. I have to say that there are so many faithful people out here, and they are not afraid to tell you what they think. I love how they just tell ya, even though it might sting a little;)

Well I hope your week has been fabulous! Your challenge is to be in the moment this week, and make sure you're keeping Christ close to your heart, thoughts and actions. I Love You all!!!

Beautiful Sunsets in OKC!

Sister Walker