"Wonderful Life" - August 15, 2022

 Hey! It's Sister Francis!


First, last night at 3 am our fire alarm went off! WHAT?! I've always been scared about that happening, but it wasn't too bad! We got up, turned it off, made sure it wasn't our CO alarm, heard some scuffleing on the back porch, called dispatch and waited for the policeman to come! We have absolutely no idea why the fire alarm went off! But we think someone may have been smoking outside. Maybe it's a far-fetched idea but we don't know what else it would have been! The police came and checked around our yard and everything. They didn't find anything but it helped Sister Holt and I feel a little safer. We went back to bed but didn't sleep much. What a wonderful life!

We met a really nice lady named Armani on Tuesday! We were knocking some apartments and she was sitting outside. We asked if she would like to hear a message and she said yes! We shared the Restoration message with her and gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon. She was excited to begin reading it! We are going back to see her tomorrow! I'm excited! 

On Wednesday we met with the Holliday family! We met them last Sunday! There's a mom, dad, 12 year old son and a 2 year old daughter! At first I was nervous about being there. Sometimes it can feel a little awkward as a missionary! Random people let you in to their homes! But the message we share is worth so much! So, it's worth it for the awkward moments. When we got there we got to know them a little bit more and then the dad said he had made tacos for all of us! We had a lovely dinner with them and then Alan, the dad, started asking us questions. He was curious about what we do as missionaries! We began to share the Restoration. With each point we touched on, Alan would ask a couple of questions to make sure he understood! The Spirit was so strong as Sister Holt and I testified of Jesus Christ as our Savior, Joseph Smith as a modern day prophet and President Russell M. Nelson as our prophet on the earth today! What an incredible experience! Both the mom and dad excepted copies of the Book of Mormon and said the would begin reading! We invited them to church but they didn't end up coming. We plan to go by again this Wednesday to share another message!

Dinner on Thursday was with the Snuffer family! We met them last Thursday! Denisa, the mom, made some delicious spaghetti! Yum! We got to know them and their story. We shared a scripture thought with them and invited them to come to church! They didn't make it this week but we know the Lord knows who they are and their circumstances. He will continue to lead and guide them! 

Sister Holt and I had the opportunity to give the lesson on Friday at district council. We felt inspired to share it on the Saviors Grace and how it works with our missionary work. We shared scriptures on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how He is with us! This is His work! We talked about how we need Him to help us each and everyday. Sometime we fall short, but that is when His Grace steps in. We aren't perfect. I'm not perfect, especially as a missionary, but that just means that I need to continually rely on Jesus Christ to help me. One of my favorite scriptures in 1 Corinthians 15:22 "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." I love this scripture because it reminds me that I am imperfect, but through Christ I can be made perfect.

President Lindahl is kinda changing how we find out about transfers! They are this Thursday but we won't know anything till Tuesday night! I've served here in Beckley for about 6 months now, so next week I am be somewhere new! It's all up to the Lord and what He sees is best! 

Also, update on our friend Misty. A few weeks ago she messaged and said she didn't want to meet with us anymore. We asked to know why and she said she just doesn't think she can ever change. We told her we know that through Christ all things are possible. She thanked us but said she would rather not meet with us anymore. It was really sad. I love Misty and she has come a long way since I first met her. She does have a choice though and if that is what she wants, we will respect that.

Song of the Week: "Wonderful Life" by Matthew West. I love the chorus to this song. This life is full of opposition. Happiness, sadness, pain, relief, good times, bad times, everything! But through it all we should keep our focus on the goodness that happens! There is always a ray of light somewhere! Sometimes we just need to find the light switch or turn around to see it! I also love how it talks about how this life isn't always wonderful but there is more than just this life! Heavenly Father's plan for all of us to return to live with Him and Jesus Christ again! This life isn't the end! Isn't that wonderful. 

I hope you all have an exciting week! Talk to y'all next Monday!


- Sister Sariah Francis




Pictures!!!


Chicken Crossing




Beautiful waterfalls in West Virginia. We took a mini hike in our skirts and dresses up to one of them.

Sister Holt and I taking a selfie after church while waiting for some ward members so I could take a picture with them, just in case I leave 

The Oak Hill Elders, Elder Barrett and Elder Herzoff, who we share a ward with

Cows we saw while Knocking 



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