Becoming a Baller...

What an awesome week! On Monday, we went to p-day. Of course. And I was reminded, once again, about how bad I am at basketball! I am not terrible, But there is definite need for improvement. However, I didn't really care, cuz like, why do I need to know how to ball? Well, let me tell you!

Sister Loeak and I met with Jimmy on Tuesday and ate some delicious PB&Js and some apple pie! Love picnics. Anyway, we talked a little about 'requirements' for baptism, because he really really wants to be baptized!! Well, we taught the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity. And here was the response... He said "I can give up most of those. I can stop getting tattoos, stop drinking coffee and tea, and I would love to stop swearing. I can keep all those commandments, no problem! But, there is one... Don't take away my cigarettes!" So, we talked about smoking, and eventually, he came up with a solution... He noticed that in every church building, there is a basketball court. And, he LOVES basketball! So, he challenged us to a game! And, if we win, he will stop smoking! Being the competitive people we are, we agreed. But, being smart, we scheduled it for in 2 weeks! (Now about 1 week) One problem though.... WE ARE TERRIBLE AT BASKETBALL!!! So, we need help. Thankfully, God will be on our side haha!!

Sorry I can't write more! Gotta practice! Love y'all!!

Sister Melanie Girvin

P.S. Any letters you may want to send? Hold until November 12th! This is the last full week of the transfer, and I have a feeling that I am getting booted out of the blessed land of Morton!

P.P.S. many people doubt that Morton is actually big into pumpkins, or that Libby's Pumpkin Factory is here, or that there is a Nestle Chocolate Factory here... So, here is the first thing you see as you enter Morton!

NAUVOOOOO!

I love being a missionary! This week I hit 10 months! Crazy!! I go home in just 7 and a half more, which seems like a while, but with how fast it has gone so far, I'll be home next week!

Monday we had our usual p-day! Super fun, as usual!

On Tuesday, we had a busy morning! We were visiting Grandma Jean when we got invited to a BIRTHDAY PARTY!! For a three year old, but still, it was great! We had some cupcakes and because it was so last minute, we had to find a present in our apartment... Luckily, we still had the Barbies from our favorite member, so we packed up a Cinderella one and we are now Aspen's favorite people! It was outside at a park, and it was COLD!! Winter has officially hit the midwest y'all! Bringing out the boots and coats, cuz we are dying!

After the party, we went and saw Barb! She was sad that she wasn't baptized, and we talked a little about doing it next week, but it didn't feel right to us. So, we are still going to wait! Stay tuned!

On Wednesday, we spent the entire day in Morton, which was weird! We don't make it there too often. We met an awesome guy named Chris! His wife, Katelynn is a less active member. Chris has been to church a couple times to bring his step-daughter Skylar, and he loves it! We were a little curious why missionaries never taught him then, so we asked is missionaries had ever offered... He said no! Every time they came, it was just chit chat. He didn't even have his own Book of Mormon! So, we fixed that and he is planning on coming to church this week to watch the Primary Program, and he is super solid! 

We also had another super awkward encounter... We went to visit a less active lady, Sister Thomas. She hasn't come to church in 30 years, and said that no one has ever come! (Like I said, we don't make it to Morton often!) Her daughter Courtney was there too. Sister Thomas was just crying and talking about the state of the world right now, and about good Christians. And then, she started talking about Jehovah's Witnesses, and went off on everything wrong with them. Courtney was like, 'Mom, I told you, I don't want to talk about it!' Sister Thomas said 'That's why I am not talking to you, Courtney!!' Turns out, Courtney is officially joining the J-Dubs this week! So, that was a little awkward! But, missions are filled with awkward experiences! It is just another reason they are so fun!

On Thursday, we got a text from a former person that was taught named Jerry! He had texted us before, but this time he asked that we come over. So, we said a prayer and went! And it was the right decision, let me tell you! He has been getting really sick, and wanted us to pray with him. He has been making bad choices with health and money and wants help fixing them, and wants to come to church. He said that he always felt comfort coming to our church, and really wants that comfort right now. We are excited to work with him more!

On Friday, we had... ZONE CONFERENCE IN NAUVOO! It was so fun! This was my third time going to Nauvoo. It was an amazing experience, as always, and we saw some awesome friends and hear some inspirational trainings about missionary work!!

On Saturday, we got caught up on weekly planning and all that jazz, and then went and had dinner with Barb and a member! Barb loved it! She tells us how she feels more like a member of our church than of any other one she has been to, which is awesome!

On Sunday, Barb and Chris came to church! It was so good! That night, funny story! Sister Loeak and I decided to try dying our hair again, because last time it didn't work. So, I used a dark brown.... AND MY HAIR IS BLACK!! I'm still laughing at myself every time I look in the mirror. It's great. 

-A couple pics I forgot to post from interviews... us with the zone leaders, elder Barney and Elder Judy, and our new district! Add in Hermana Davis and Sister Walker, and Elders Hansen and Gardiner!

- Sister Henderson, "This is my flirtatious face."

-Awkward selfie of the week! Sister Walker!!

- Peoria Zone!!!

Pics from Nauvoo! Featuring Elders Anderson and Hunsaker, who we ran into there!

Facebook Posts Catch-up

Melanie Girvin

May 9, 2018

Hey everyone! I am still on my mission in the Iowa Des Moines Mission, but my mission has been authorized to use Facebook in our proselyting efforts! You can comment and share, but i can't reply back. My main way of contact will still be through email. But I will love seeing all of your smiling faces! I love it here in the amazing, green hills of Iowa! The church is true, and the Book is blue!!

Melanie Girvin

August 5, 2018

#Guidance
#oneWORDtheWORD

Melanie Girvin

September 7 , 2018

 "I like to look for rainbows, whenever there is rain!

And ponder on the beauty of an Earth made clean again"
I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be a missionary in the IDMM! I get to witness miracles all day, every day, and I can testify that God loves each and every one of His children!

Melanie Girvin

September 10, 2018

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints because I know that it is Christ's Church on the Earth today. Everything about it brings the Spirit and all the answers to questions long asked are within reach! I have read the Book of Mormon and put the promise it contains to the test! It says "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true. And if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, He will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:4-5) I have read the scriptures, I have prayed for truth, and I have received the undeniable witness that this is true! #whylatterdaysaint

Melanie Girvin is with Alyssa Blake in Washington, Illinois.

September 25, 2018

No matter the times in which we live, we will always need the help and guidance of our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ! Whether we are in 600 BC with the Liahona, or in the world today with the Book of Mormon and the Bible, we can always listen to the influence of the Holy Spirit!!

Melanie Girvin

September 28, 2018

One of the most asked questions to missionaries is, why do you choose to leave your family for so long to go awkwardly knock on doors?! I know, it seems crazy! But the answer is simple-because this church is the true Church! The key word of that question is CHOOSE. Jesus Christ chose to come to Earth, and to suffer and die for each one of us so that we could return to our Father in Heaven. I chose to come on a mission to be the Lord's Hand! To help others grow their Faith and Knowledge in the Son of God! #whythebadge

October 19, 2018

Melanie Girvin updated her profile picture.

October 20, 2018

Today marks 10 months of me being on a mission! I second what every missionary has said- it has flown by! This has been the hardest 10 months, but the best. As a missionary, I get the unique privilege of watching others gain a testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. But, most importantly, I have gained a stronger testimony of Him than I ever thought possible! I know He lives! He came to Earth to for each of us, He lived for each of us, died for each of us, and lives now, For Us!! I feel an overwhelming sense of peace and joy knowing that if I were the only person on Earth, He would still have gone through the Atonement, because of His matchless love for me, and for each of us! I know that this is His work!

Crazy Mission Stories

So, I jinxed it last week! I mentioned that there were no injuries, and then we went to pday... And Sister Walker got elbowed in the nose... Wasn't super pretty, but she is okay now! 

Tuesday we stayed inside because Sister Loeak was sick.

On Wednesday, we got up early and went to Peoria for exchanges with the Sisters there! I was with Sister Walker, and she is just the sweetest! We went finding, and had a party! We talked to one guy who was taking a walk through the trailer park, and it wasn't long before we realized that he was not all the way there! But, the Gospel is for everyone, so we continued talking to him! And then, we set up a return appointment for next Tuesday. So, this guy is like 60ish years old, and he started hardcore flirting! All like, I like your dress, I wish I had one like that! And doing a dance, and then complimenting my hair and such. Then, I handed him the sticky note with the return appointment day on it, and he was like, 'Thanks babe' and I was uber creeped out! So we started walking away, and he started following us. So we walked faster, and he continued following us. As soon as we rounded the corner, we sprinted to our car! Thinking we were safe, we sat there and talked for a bit about crazy mission stories like this one... And then Sister Walker yelled, GOGOGOGOGOGOOOO!! I look up, and THE CREEPY DUDE IS APPROACHING OUR CAR!!! So I zoomed away and now we have a funny story!

We stayed in Peoria until early Thursday morning, and then we went back to Morton to go finding there. We met a guy named Ken, who was obviously all about the bash life! But, we weren't about to have that! So, before turning to leave, I testified hardcore about the Book of Mormon! And then, Sister Loeak added her testimony about how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true! We went to walk away, and Ken said, can I have a Book? So, that was lit. Then, we went to go to our appointment with Ruth, and she was not yet home. So, we talked to her daughter for a bit, and now we are teaching Haley! She is so cute. 

On Friday, we had interviews with President and Sister badger!! Love getting to see them. We had ours at 8 in the morning, and we ended up getting home at about 2. Then, we started weekly planning. But, we were messaging someone we are teaching, Paul, and he said we could come to his cross country meet and see him there! So we went. And IT STARTED SNOWING!! It was hot last week, and here we are now. Snow. So, we had on our big jackets and hoodies and leggings and watching these high schoolers run in short shorts. LOL.

On Saturday, we got a referral for a lady named Mary! Go to the address... and it's a huge apartment building! So we knocked that and met some... interesting people! We weren't hit on or proposed to, but we now know a thing or two about some interesting disorders! Also on Saturday, we started preparing Barb for her baptismal interview! She was nervous, even though we told her not to be. We got to the topic of tithing... and that brought up some questions. So, long story short, Barb won't be baptized quite yet! We are working with her to resolve the conflicts!

So all in all, a pretty good week! Love y'all!

- us with Barb after church

-me and Sister Walker in a creepy apartment complex!

-a beautiful selfie of sister loeak :)

Our little Mountain

Hey everyone! This week was full of the fun of a missionary, as usual!

On Monday, we had pday! And for once, there were no outstanding injuries! Yay!

Tuesday is always pretty busy for us... we went and saw Grandma Jean in the morning, and then a recent concert named Sister Davis, and had some lunch. She is a vegan, and she made some interesting vegan chili... we get to try some weird new things LOL!

Then we went and saw Barb! As I mentioned last week, she agreed to move her date up! And on Tuesday, we talked to her about personal revelation! Then we demonstrated by reading some of the Book of Mormon, and then praying. After we said the prayer, we asked her what she felt. Her answer was, 'I think we should move my baptism up more!' We were ecstatic! We talked for a while, and decided to keep it the 20th, and we told her to continue to read and pray. 

On Wednesday, we had our last district council in the Pontiac District! Yes, it is only the beginning of the transfer, but President Badger realized that we had to drive 45 minutes to get to our meeting, while there was one 15 minutes away, so he made the switch! It was a lot of fun. 

On Thursday, we did the classic missionary work, and we found Ruth! She is so sweet! She usually fosters about 5-10 kids at a time, and is very over stressed. We are excited to work with her more!

On Friday, we found... A MOUNTAIN! Okay, not really a mountain, but pretty close! So we hiked up it and had a party!!

And this weekend was General Conference! My favorite talk was by Shayne Bowen, who talked about missionary work! It was anticipated that a lot of changes were going to be made regarding missionary work, and maybe it will still happen! Its exciting! I love watching the work move forward!

Love y'all!

Where is the corn?!?

Ladies and gents, something unreal happened!

I was right in my transfer guess!!

I am still in Morton, and I am with sister Loeak!! Its so fun! And Sister Blake is off to Ames, Iowa!

So, Monday and Tuesday were spent packing and cleaning and Sister Blake saying goodbye. Then, Wednesday was Super Pday!!!

And also her birthday! So we, as a zone, surprised her with a party! And then we played some games before heading to dinner with some of our favorite people, the Sluders! And they basically adopted us by giving us their family shirts!

Then, another members bought us... BARBIES!! And Sister Blake's dad sent face masks, so we did those too XD

Last pics with the Peoria Zone Sisters...

On Thursday, I went on exchanges with Hermana Davis while we waited for our new comps to get to Peoria. We had lunch with the elders that were waiting, and then we were told that the new people were going to be 2 hours late! So, we went knocking,  and found Debbie! She wasn't too interested at first, but then we shared a scripture from the book of Mormon and she changed her mind! We have a second appointment with her this next week!

Then, I got to meet Sister Loeak! She's so cute! 

We went and unpacked for basically the rest of the day. But something funny... We were driving home and she said, it's weird that Illinois doesn't have corn! I was confused, because Illinois has a lot of corn! That's when I realized... All the corn had been harvested! It's gone!

Friday, we weekly planned. Also, we found someone last week that I forgot to mention! Her name is Ashley, and she is pretty cool... she's also a witch! She showed us these candles that she puts the faces of her family on, and does like spells so they don't die... kinda creepy! But she's good, and she believes in Jesus Christ, so we will continue working with her!

On Saturday,  we had District Counsel with our new district, which was a party! We played some games and went to lunch. Afterwards, Sister Loeak and I decided to try by a referral who lived in Deer Creek, which is just too far away to get to very often. The address however,  took us to some storage units! We were very confused, but we decided to knock on them just in case! And we met Micah! Yes, he lives in a storage unit! It was pretty funny. We are excited to work with him more in the future! 

On Sunday, Barb came to church! And miracle right here! So, it was fast and testimony meeting, and the Spirit was so strong! And Barb commented on how she could feel God there! I explained to her that that was the Spirit, and that it testified that what the people were saying was true. Barb then said how she was glad that she came. I asked her if she knew that this church was true. She told us that she thought she did, and how she could never go back to any of the other churches she went to before. I asked her then, if you know its true, don't you feel that you should be baptized? And she said yes! So, we prayed right there for a new date, and we decided on October 20th! I asked her how she felt about that, and she said that it felt good. Sister Loeak instructed her to continue praying about that date every day, and she said she would! We are so excited for her!!