2 Sisters VS The Storm and Spiders

Hi Family and Friends!!!

Feliz Navidad!

This week has been so good!!! 

Here's a few memorable moments: 

The Storm

So we had this pretty intense storm on Saturday. There was a sever thunderstorm warning.There was lightening everywhere and it was really close. It was pretty scary! We had to stay inside for a little bit. Thankfully we were still able to make it to a lesson and to the church to write our report. It was super sketchy for a minute or so though. But, we survived!:) 

Spider Armageddon

Preface here. We live kind of in the country. Gravel driveway and grass everywhere. There's some fields pretty close. That being said, we got home from the church and I was unlocking the door when Sister DeGraw said, "Sister, spider." That is when I used the flight not fight option and jumped out of the way. There was a massive spider right by my foot when I was unlocking the door. That was just the beginning. We got inside and we found 4 more spiders that were all at least the size of a quarter. (I have to tell y'all the truth, Sister DeGraw was the spider slayer, not I.) So after finding the four we scavenged our house for more. We have spider traps. One spider was a little ninja and ran through 3 spider traps!!! WHO DOES THAT!?!? So, Sister Spider Slayer killed him. Then we checked by our front door on the outside (with the spider poison sprayer) and found at least 10 more. It was attack of the spiders. Sisters vs Spiders. Thankfully we won. They were all trying to seek shelter from the storm. They found refuge in heaven. 

Now for the spiritual enlightenment!

Church

We started teaching this lady who was a Book of Mormon self referral. She is so amazing! We brought a member with us and when we got to the lesson they already knew each other!!! It was so crazy! Coincidence, I think not. The member that came with us offered to take the person we're teaching to church. Well, Sunday came around and the lady we're teaching came!!! And, she had a really great experience! She told us she wants to come again next Sunday! She's so amazing! 

Day of Service

December 1st was the National Day of Service and it was so wonderful! We went and volunteered at a rehab center in town. I was able to play my violin and Sister DeGraw sang. It was funny. Sister DeGraw wasn't planning on singing but then this older guy in the back basically gave her no option other than singing. It went really well though. We played songs from the Hymn Book and the Children's Song Book. Everyone enjoyed it. We even had some nurses come in to see what was going on. Some stayed for a few minutes too. It's amazing how you can feel the Spirit by simply playing or singing a few hymns. The people at the rehab center can feel the Spirit when we volunteer. They always say they feel at peace. I love the Spirit! 

That last paragraph brings me to my next challenge. I've learned that music can be a way for others to feel the Spirit. Hymns, Primary songs. You name it. If we are singing praises to our God, the Spirit will be there. I was thinking about how I sing the hymns in church. Am I the one that kind of whisper sings, or mouths the words? (Yeah, I know people do that, because I did at one point.) Or am I the one that sings my testimony?  I realized that hymns are a way we can invite the Spirit into our meetings, homes, and lives. It is an opportunity to sing our gratitude to our Savior. To sing our testimony. Who cares if we don't know all the keys or the words, we can sing with our hearts in a reverent way to help invite the Spirit. I would encourage y'all to sing your testimony. Sing the hymns in church. Share your talents. Help invite the Spirit into your homes and in your church services. I promise that as you remember why we have these hymns and primary songs and the meaning of the words in them, your testimony of the Savior will be strengthened. You will have the Spirit touch your hearts and those around you. 

I love y'all! Stay warm over there! I love this gospel and I know that we have the fullness of it here on the earth today. We are so blessed! Also, don't forget to read your Book of Mormon! January is coming fast! Love y'all!

Love,

Sister Stone

Pictures:

Me with the Book of Mormon

Our Missionary Christmas tree

District Pictures