Week 52 - Heat, Humidity, and Having the Spirit

Hey all y'all Awesome people! 

Get ready to hear about a pretty random week! A good week but so random! 

Sister Walker & Sampson at Foraker Ranch, OK
(This ranch is about 45 mins from their home. They had a lesson
in Shidler, 20 mins. further than the ranch, so they stayed the
night with Elder & Sister Titmus, couple missionaries on the ranch)

We are teaching someone we will call Mark. He had to go to court this last Monday to find out if he could avoid prison or not. He was super nervous and his family wouldn't come because they didn't want to see him handcuffed if that's what the judge decided. So he wanted us to come. Well it was a little crazy. We got in there and sat in the lobby for an hour. Long story short-he couldn't take a test so he is going back for pre-trial. We are praying that the judge gives him another chance. He is such a good guy and is making such an effort to change. Even after the trial, he went to AA knowing that he could go to jail. He won't admit it but he has so much faith. 

So I'm not sure I've talked about Mike yet, but he is the sweetest older man we have been teaching. He was progressing so well and wanted to be baptized, but sadly he dropped us yesterday:( we were praying he would see past the social differences of church and focus on the gospel itself, but he was pretty scared to lose friends from his other church if he left. He has a strong testimony of his Savior, and he is a truth seeker. We hope that one day he will recognize the Spirit and know what truth he was seeking for, and follow it. It's sad, but we know these seeds the Spirit has already planted will flourish one day in his heart:) 

I wish I could ride her.

It's been raining a lot here! But the thing is, that it will pour for an hour, and then there won't be a cloud in the sky and 90 degrees with humidity. And that is about the time we wish the rain was back and it rains again that night "If you don't like the weather In Oklahoma, just wait 5 min". 

We had quite a few lessons this week! We are teaching a previous  member of the R LDS (Community of Christ) church and we have been meeting with him for a few weeks. His name is Terry and he is a funny guy. He likes to give us a hard time, and argue. But he is pretty sincere when he wants to be. He has quite a few friends in the branch that have been inviting him to come to church for a few years now. Cross your fingers he comes this week!! 

So... miracle!!! We left our bikes at the Church the other night because we were late getting back home from a lesson. So we walked to the Church the next day. It's quite the long walk, but it was great because we talked to so many people along the way and visited some people too. We were half way there and our investigators John and Jennifer pull up in their truck. They offered to give us a ride up the hill (actually insisted because apparently we were in a sketch part of the neighborhood-that was the first miracle) we got in and both had an impression to give them a church tour when we got to the Church. They said yes!! It went great and Sister Sampson asked them to come this Sunday 20 times in 15 min! We are pretty sure they are coming:)  We went to go support them in a parade the next day down In Barnsdall. They are part of the Shriners of Oklahoma. They are so service minded and always look for ways to help others. We love them, and are sad they are moving to Missouri, but the missionaries there will love them!

It is so beautiful here!

Our goal this transfer is to get the people of Pawhuska to church! And have the members fellowship. It's just something about church that allows you to feel a sweet Spirit of truth. Especially during the sacrament. We are hoping each Sunday we have at least 1 or more investigators there. 

Being a new transfer, there is a lot of setting goals for our area and ourselves. Sister Sampson and I both have made it a goal to give up small things to help us focus more, and have the spirit with us more. We have already seen it make such a difference in the way we teach together. 

I am so grateful to have the spirit with me at all times. 

Your challenge this week is to find something that you can give up to help you come closer to your Savior. Pray and ponder over what it should be. I can promise you that it will make such a difference in your week, or even month. Let me know how it goes! 

I love y'all so much! And hope you have a great week!! 

Sister Walker 

Week 51 - Tornadoes & Transfers

Well that transfer went by way too fast!! We got transfer calls Saturday and we are both gonna run Pawhuska into the ground for another 6 weeks! We are so pumped!! LET'S GOOO!!

I am so excited to learn so much more from Sister Sampson, and see so many more miracles out here! I feel like the last 6 weeks have been the most adventurous transfer of my mission.

Tornado weather
(picture posted on Facebook of the storm
 that was headed towards Pawhuska)

By the way we had another tornado come pretty close to us this week We were on our way to an appointment and this all happened on 15th St, which is about a half a mile long uphill. We start biking from the Church and we get a call from our investigator Mike we were about to go see. He said there were severe thunderstorm warnings. Less than a minute later a lady pulls over super concerned. "You need to get to a shelter RIGHT NOW!" Uh so our first thought is Bruce and Sharon we call them up and start heading that way.  The 10 mins it took us to bike there we had 2 other people stop us and tell us there was a Tornado warning.  Oklahoma folks are so nice, not everyone stops and makes sure we are safe! We get to the house and about 10 min after getting inside it was so still , (the calm before the storm) the sirens started going off, and then the sky turned dark gray and it picked up within 5 seconds.  We had 60 mile n' hour winds, rain,  hail and tree branches flying everywhere. We were blessed that Pawhuska just got the storm and no tornado.  It was fascinating to watch, from inside of course:) (Indian legend says that Pawhuska will not have a tornado touch down because 2 rivers converge here. But we still get the storms)

We got to attend the Pawhuska graduation to support someone we are going to teach. Her name is Joselyn, and she is the sweetest young women you will ever meet! It was cool to think that my Sister Emily is Graduating this year too!!! Shout out to her and all of the 2018 graduates!!!!  I'm so excited for you!!!  It's so amazing to start the next chapter in your lives.  Just know that God's Plan for you is great and very personal for you  He Loves you!

Last breakfast at the Pioneer Woman's Mercantile.
Elder & Sister Giaque are headed to Nebraska
to continue their Building, Agriculture, Service Mission.

One thing that I've learned this week is that the spirit will guide you to safety and protect you. This is a smaller town so everyone knows who you are.  But there are those interesting people out there.  We had a sketchy moment one night where the Spirit told us not to go home.  There was a van following us in the distance and we had Bruce and Sharon in mind so we headed up there.  We listened to the spirit in a split second, and we were safe that night.  The Lord defienetly protects his children. 

This week I have also learned a lot about attitude. Our attitude plays a big role in how we handle challenges and life in general. We choose to have a good attitude or not and what we choose will determine how we go thru challenges.  If you think everything stinks, then it will. If your attitude is positive you will grow, and no, it won't be easy, but it will be worth it.  So, my challenge is to have a positive attitude.  

Life is Pawhuska is just so awesome!  We are both so excited to set new goals and see the next week's in the area flourish so much!  I hope y'all have a great week!! 

See Miracles!!!

Love, Sister Walker

Sister Walker
painting the town

Sister Giaque went home to Boise for a week and got to
see Mom & Dad.  It was a great visit to hear more
about Pawhuska and how Sister Walker is doing.

Week 50 - Happy Mother's Day!

Hey Y'all!!

I was so excited to speak with my Family Yesterday! I'm sad it's my last call, but it will be even more special to see them in person

 I even got to talk with the Whole Walker Crew! THAT WAS PRETTY COOL!!

We started talking about how "hick" I'm gonna sound...yeah we'll see I'm definetly not gonna be saying "fixin ta" that is when someone is "going to" do somthing. Like, "my brother's fixin ta turn 10" or "I'm fixin ta go to the store". You will probably never hear that come out of my mouth, but everyone says it here! It's awesome!!

Some super exciting News!!! STORMY GOT BAPTIZED!!!!!!! She is glowing! It was a beautiful baptism, and her grandma gave a great prayer in the beginning that gave us some hope. She said that the branch has been so supportive, and she wants to try and come more often to church. We were so excited about this because this will be awesome support to Stormy, and it will be so good for Barb. She needs so badly to be at church. 

Stormy was confirmed yesterday, and you can tell a sweet difference. She is so excited to have the Holy Ghost:)

One of our investigators Kelly and her husband James, we have been teaching for awhile, found out they are loosing their book store in town:( they are hoping to find a location close. We are just praying something will work out. We know it will:) They are so amazing and are so close to recognizing the truth of this Gospel.

We had interviews this past Thursday, and they were awesome! Our Zone leaders gave an awesome training on why we need to have confidence. Each of our talents and abilities matter out here. And you are given these talents to bless other people. It was a pretty great pep talk.  Of course talking with my mission president was the best! He gives amazing advice, and this interview we talked about growth, and success. For everyone there is so much room to grow each day, we just have to recognize our strengths and weaknesses and grow in them all. I will tell you that achieving goals and growing within yourself is the most rewarding thing when you accomplish it. 

"We crossed that bridge like real sistas!"
Swing Bridge
Sister Walker & Cronin

We went on exchanges last Friday! We split Pawhuska with Sister Lewis and Cronin. I was with Sister Cronin this time. We had a blast!! We saw miracles and I got to know this incredible sister better. She has been out only 5 weeks, and is doing so good! She has a great trainer. But Sister Cronin reminds me alot of myself when I came out. I loved talking to her, she is the sweetest, and really cares a lot about the work

Your Challenge this week is to identify a strength or weakness you have that you can improve and grow in. I promise that the result of growth and achievement will feel incredible! This might take longer than a week, so stay strong and work hard at it. Don't forget to go to your Father in Heaven in Prayer and council with him on what to strengthen and how. He knows your potential, and will help you if you turn to him. 

I hope y'all have an Awesome week!!!  LOVE YA!

Sister Walker 

Sister Sampson, Lewis, Cronin, & Walker

I Love these Sisters so much!!!
(You'll never guess what we did after this picture...)

It was a Hot Day!

What I put up with.
LOL I LOVE HER!!!

Michelle grabs Sis. Sampson's bike and
 turns to me, "Let's race!"  She won. 😂

Sister Sampson, Walker & Michelle

We had a pet turtle for a few hours 😮

Week 49 - Service, TORNADO, & Miracles - Crazy Week!

Hey y'all! 

Ree Drummond's Ranch & Lodge
Sis. Giauque, Sampson,  Larrabee,  Titmus, Walker

I don't even know how to tell y'all everything that happened this week! It has been not a normal missionary week! It started out pretty mellow. We had P-day last week and the senior couple sisters took Sister Sampson and I to Ree Drummond's (The Pioneer Woman) ranch and lodge where she films her cooking shows. It was super cool! Her ranch is huge and so gorgeous! You can see for miles of green rolling hills and so many cows! Sometimes I wonder why we are so blessed to see all of God's incredible creations. They are beyond amazing! Even the cows 

So, Sister Sampson got some kind of bug, and so we were in a few days. She's better now though, and doing great! But in the meantime we did what we could, and she still had a great attitude. Man do I look up to her! 

Green rolling hills. So Beautiful!

Every Tuesday we go to "Christ's Cupboard" and bag up food and supplies for those who can't afford a lot. Its truly humbling to see the circumstances some of these people are in. My eyes have been open so much to what it is like to have nothing, and every day we find ourselves just wanting to do as much as we can to help them. It was so great to be able to help them unload their cart into their car and hear a little bit of their story.  It is also pretty cool to work with several different denominations on this project. We have made great relationships with so many people this way. There are so many good and incredible people here in Pawhuska:) 

Saturday we had a service project called "Helping Hands" where the community comes together and helps a family in need. We painted someone's home, and fixed a few things to make it more sturdy for the storms here. It was really cool because we got to work with several other denominations on this too, and so many amazing people. It was really cool to see so many who love Christ, come together and serve. The people here in Pawhuska Oklahoma are truly incredible, and I am so glad I get to work with them side by side in projects like this. 

So the week only started to get crazy Wednesday. We were taking it easy for Sister Sampson, but by the end of the night we were going strong again and had a crazy miracle. We had 10 min till dinner so we decided to knock some doors near by. We had no success until we caught Marilyn putting her lawn mower together. We started talking, and we ended up mowing her lawn. She said she would love to come to church sometime. We both explained what church would be like as we switched off mowing. She was so excited about the idea of church! We can't wait to see her there next week! 

Storms Brewing!😮

So we got bad news on Wednesday. After dinner we got a phone call from one of our investigators Christy. She needed us at the hospital right then. We rushed down there with our Branch President and another member. Something happened to her husband  and he was being rushed to the emergency room. The sister, Christy we have been teaching, was devastated in the situation she found him in. We sadly learned the next day that he didn't make it. It was so hard to see her the way she was. It broke our hearts so much to see her suffer like this. We helped her go back to her home and clean it out, and we felt prompted to remind her of the incredible blessings of the temple and one day being sealed to him for eternity. This brought tears to her eyes and some comfort.  We will miss Henry dearly, but we know he is at peace on the other side. I am so grateful to know that even when tragedies like this happen, we will be able to see them again. I know families are forever, and that brings me the most peace being away from mine right now. I love them so much, and don't know what I would do without them. 

As we were biking home from the Hospital, we saw the storm we heard about rolling in. We were getting ready to crash when we got this unexpected text from our Zone Leaders, and our mission presidents wife saying, "Elders and Sisters you need to get to your storm shelters (tornado shelters!!!) immediately. No need to panic, you have time, but better safe than sorry." So I guess our night wasn't over yet we called a member to pick us up, and we planned to stay the night there. We were all settled and in bed when we heard the sirens go off! Oh and we got a text from our Zone Leaders telling us that Pawhuska was in the direct path of the tornado warnings! So all 4 of us hunkered in the bathroom. (So fun fact, when there are tornado warnings you either get in a shelter, or go to the center of your home with no windows or exterior walls (usually a Bathroom) and then put a mattress over you to protect you from debris.  This is cause the winds get up to 60 mph even before a tornado can even hit.) So we were in the bathroom for 45 min. And to pass the time we took selfies and pictures, cause why not make it memorable. Its a pretty great bonding time Luckily we only got the winds, and only a tiny tornado actually touched down 11 miles from us. So we were alive and well and got some sleep that night. 

Shelter "bath tub" from the storm!
Sister Walker, Sampson & Elder Giauque

The next morning we pulled up to our home and the craziness didn't end. A HUGE tree fell over in the night and barely missed our truck and the power lines! See pictures below for  definition of "huge tree" and "barely missed". 

#miracles that we were not home when that crashed to the ground! and that our truck was ok, and no fire started from the power lines! 

On a lighter note, Stormy is getting baptized Thursday!! We are so excited for her and proud that she has made this decision to follow her Savior. We also are going to be teaching a recent converts granddaughter the gospel, and after each lesson do a short voice lesson. We are going to check on how approved this is first though. But she lit up when she heard she could learn more! She is so sweet and we are excited to teach her!! 

So no doubt we had a lot going on this week, but one thing we have learned from all of this, is that there is a plan, and that plan was presented to us by our Father in Heaven, and we all accepted it, every son and daughter on this earth. We came as children of our Heavenly Father to learn and to grow, and to become better disciples of Christ everyday. We will go through weeks that are unexpected and they might try our faith, but I know that our Savior Jesus Christ has allowed us each day to find peace. We just have to be willing to use his divine gift, the Atonement. I know with my whole heart that this gospel of Jesus Christ is true.

Your Challenge this week is to get a new copy of the Book of Mormon and write your personal testimony in the front. Then mark 5 or more of your favorite scriptures. Mark the pages with bright colored tabs and give it to a friend, co worker, family member, etc. I invite you to pray about who to give this precious book to. They will be blessed personally, and you will be blessed for sharing your testimony with them. 

I love The Book of Mormon so much. I have been able to see it bless my life and strengthen my testimony so that I can help share it's message with others. 

I can't wait to hear your experiences with this! 

I love you all and hope y'all have such a great week!!

Love, Sister Walker 

Week 47 & 48 - Exchanges & Lots of Miracles!

So I feel so bad I haven't had a weekly email in about 3 weeks! Let's just say technology always gives sister Walker issues😜but the last 2 weeks in Pawhuska have been amazing and full of miracles!

Sisters Lewis, Walker, Cronin, Sampson

As a district we have been setting goals for our areas. Our focus right now is getting members out with us. We gave a lesson in 3rd hour in church yesterday about how vital members are to the work. The missionaries will not always be there to fellowship those new members of the Church or those learning about it. The members most likely will be there in years down the road to help them when they need it. You members also have strong testimonies and experiences that can truly influence many people. Members are vital:) Another goal we have is to OYM (open your mouth)  to everyone we see and meet. I am personally working on this, but together Sister Sampson and I have been doing great at talking with everyone. She is so good at it, I am learning a lot from her. 

We have 2 investigators right now participating in the ARP program with the church. It has been so cool to see the change in them as they do the 12 steps to change and recovery. We will be doing this program as a mission in a few months, and I'm excited to see how much growth can come from this. Everyone can do this, and there is even a website that you can watch videos, and read of experiences of those who have struggled and have used this program along with the Atonement of Jesus Christ to be clean, and happier in their life. 

THE Longest Sandwich, and they've
made it 50 ft. before!
Made by Bruce and the scouts!

POW WOW!!!!

The other day we were at dinner with members of the Ward, Bruce and Sharon. We were about to give the dinner message when one of Bruce's scouts, Sammie, walked in the door. He isn't a member, but loves the Church! We had a great conversation about how to feel the spirit in our lives. Sammie expressed to us that he always feels a good spirit when he comes to scouts in the Church, or even when he is around the members. He said he felt a feeling he never felt before. We told him that it was the Spirit, and the Spirit tells us when something is true and that can come from a good feeling. He wants to come to church, but he has to wait 4 yrs till he's 18.  Its amazing though that he had such an experience. Sister Sampson and I predicted he will serve a mission no doubt after he joins the Church. I have never seen someone light up so much about a simple but big feeling he had just being in a church. The Spirit can work in any place at any time, I have a sure testimony of that.  In the meantime he is reading the Book of Mormon, and Bruce is doing great at involving him as much as he can in the youth programs at the Church. Sammie  has such a bright future ahead of him. 

Sister Sampson and I went to a POWWOW the other night! It was so cool!! We are serving on the Osage reservation, and these people are amazing! Sister Sampson being native herself explained so much about the symbolism of their chants and dances. Its beautiful and powerful! You can easily tie back their beliefs to our beliefs in the Church. They know that a "White God" will come again and rule the earth. They are stalwart believers in their faith. 

So sister Sampson went to a leadership training meeting and I got to go missionary in Owasso with Sister Baker! We are in the same district again, and i am so excited! She is awesome and my Idaho buddy:) 

Don't mind the Eyebrows...but yeah...never let your contacts
 soak in allergy relief solution overnight and think
that it will work like contact solution...cause this will happen.
No worries, I'm fine now 😂😂

The first day we got up a little early to drive the sisters to the Church. I quickly put my contacts in so we could get there in time. We got to the Church and Sister Baker looked at me funny and very concerned. "Uh, why is one pupil bigger than the other??" Sure enough my left eye was completely dialated, and my other one was super tiny. I figured out that when I forgot my solution the night before I thought it was fine to just put it in this allergy relief solution as a substitute. Yeah no, super bad idea haha! I spent the whole day with sunglasses on and getting super weird looks in Wal-Mart. It was funny while it lasted. But it went away the next day. Miracles even happened from it! A member saw Sister Baker in Wal-Mart while I was getting real contact solution...and she got her number which helped them fellowship an investigator who is progressing really well! 

Sister Walker & Lewis
The MERC is soooooo good!

We also got to go on 2 day exchanges with the Bartlesville sisters this past week! Sister Sampson went to Bartlesville with Sister Cronen. She just got to the mission and she is so sweet! Sister Lewis came to Pawhuska with me, and man was it quite the adventure! 

WE LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON!
and our investigator Savannah:D

The first day we had back to back appointments, and were biking all over Pawhuska! We met Father Donavon, the Catholic preacher, we talked with lots of tourists down by the Merchantile, and pointed them in the right directions. We also had a lesson with one of our investigator's Mom and Dad (Kellie and John) at their Book shop in town. That was a miracle because  Sister Lewis forgot her bike helmet, so we called Bruce and he had 2 for us, so we met him at the book shop. We are helping Kellie know that there is absolute truth out there. Bruce walks in and felt prompted to show this paper cross object lesson. It was AMAZING and just what Kellie needed to hear! Oh we also got to wear these bomb Helmets. Spiderman and Green Lantern! #letsgo!  Dinner at the Merc that night was also pretty good. Like way good! 

What a day!

We forgot our helmets so Spidy &
Green Lantern will have to do. LOL

So when they say that "if you don't like the weather in Oklahoma, just wait 5 minutes" it's not a joke. Tuesday we had beautiful weather for biking, and Wednesday was a wet mess! It rained all day! It felt pretty nice actually due to the fact that we kept going back and forth from one side of town to the other each appointment we had. Yeah we did some really bad planning. We were also fasting that day for someone going into surgery. Needless to say we were physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted and were grateful for BBQ with the wheelers at the end of the day:) but it was such a great exchange and is going in the record books for the craziest

Back with the "Storming' Normans"
(Can you spot lil' Sis Williams)

Miss the ward and people in Noble,
but Love Pawhuska too

We had Zone conference the next day and I am so grateful for our mission President and his council to us missionaries. He is inspired and directed by the Lord.  He talked about how we could just hand out copies of the Book of Mormon and those we give them to will flip through them and not know what to do with it. He said why don't we make it more personal and write our testimonies in each of them, and highlight at least 5 of our favorite scriptures and mark them with bright colored tabs. This will help anyone see that there is something for them to read or even start reading. And it is promised that by reading this incredible book the Spirit can manifest it's truth unto us. 

Your Challenge is to do just this. Write your testimony in the front of the Book of Mormon and highlight your favorite scriptures and put in tabs. I challenge you to think of someone to give it to.  It will change their life and even yours:) As each person reads the the Book of Mormon they will find that it is personally for them. I love this book and it has changed my life. 

I hope you all have such a great week! Love Y'all!
Sister Walker

With transfers and a new area,
I forgot it was my birthday.
Thanks family for the package
and reminding me:)

Loved the balloons. Can you see Sister Sampson?

I'm officially not a teen anymore! 

Hair Cuts! Lets GOOOO!!