A Letter from West Richland: Monday, April 29, 2013

Subject: There is sunshine in my soul today!!

My dear wonderful family! My goodness this week been a blessed week! So many things happened that just made my heart sing will joy! We were able to find a new investigator and teach her! So here was the beautiful sunshine, hallmark moment to our week.

 

Sis. Duncan and I tracted into a lady about a month ago named Denise. I don't know if I already told you about her but if so oh well. :) Sis. Duncan and I the night before we met Denise were getting ready to tracted this street. We stopped the car. Read some scripture to help us refocus our minds, said a prayer and got out of the car. We started walking and knocking on some doors. It was dark out and I just kept feeling like we needed to get back into the car and go tract somewhere else. For whatever reason that night, we were not safe or we just weren't suppose to be there. Sis. Duncan and I looked at each other and without even really talking we both knew that we needed to get back into the car and go tract somewhere else. So we all but ran to car and left. We decided that we would go back the next day and tract that street when it was light out. We went back at around 6:00pm. We were walking up to this house when a women came out of her house carrying a laundry basket full of things. We introduced ourselves and started talking to her. She told us that she was looking for a religion and that she was going through some really hard times with her husband and that she needed something to give her hope. We gave her a card with our number on it and told her we would come back the next day to meet with her. Well everytime we went back, she either was home or she couldn't meet with us then. We keep trying and going back and going back. Finally, Sis. Meyers and I go over there one Sunday night at about 8:30 and she answers the door. We set up an appointment to come back and teach her. We were so excited! We go back that Tuesday to teach her and she isn't home and leaves a note on the door telling us she is so sorry that we will have to reschedule. So we keep going back. We were starting to get a little frustrated and think we put her down as someone for missionaries to contacted later. Wednesday, we were driving and chatting and found ourselves over by her house. Sis. Meyers and I both knew that we needed to go and see her. I was terrified. The last thing that I wanted to do was to turn someone away from the church because we were too pushy but when the spirit says go... You better go. So.. We go. haha The whole way up to her house I am just praying and hoping that she lets us come in. We say Hi and chat with her for a minute and then she asks us if we want to come in.. Sis. Meyers and I both could not say yes fast enough! So we get into talk to her and she tells us all about her problems that she is having with her husband and with her kids and how she needs something in her life. She turns to me and says "Sister, when you met me on the street that day, I was going to give up. And then I met you guys." The spirit was so strong! I told her about when Sis. Duncan and I were going to tract her street the night before and how we knew that we needed to meet her and so did the Lord. She told us how everytime we come to see her she is having just the worst day and then we show up on her doorstep. We have a return appointment to teach her about the Restorationa and prayer tonight :)

 

I don't even have words to express how I felt. My heart ached and rejoiced all at the same time. I know with all my heart that the Lord guided us to Denise and that she has been prepared to receive the message that we share. I love this gospel. I love my Savior and know that he is real. That he lives.

 

A calling to be missionary is not just that but it is calling to be a representative of the Lord. To do what he wants done and to say what he wants said. I love this work!! I love you all!! The church is true!!

 

Love Sis. Mecham

A Letter from West Richland: Monday, April 22, 2013

Hi there family!! 

So this week has been a wonderful yet hard week all in one. Sis. Meyers and I are trying really hard to make sure that we are setting goals that are inspired by the Lord and working hard to achieve them. That has been one of our biggest struggles this week as so many people decided to cancel on us. During these times of trial it's sometimes hard to see what the Lord really wants us to learn from them but if there is one thing that I am sure of is that we do learn from them and we are stronger because of them. I have learned this week that through hard work and prayer and scripture study the Lord can speak to our hearts like nothing else can. Through our rough week we also saw a lot of miracles come from it that we didn't expect. The Lord is always willing to grant us those! Man he is good!! Our zone was pushing for each companionship to get 2 new investigators. Sis. Meyers and I had some people that were beautiful prospects to receive the gospel but alas... Satan worked his magic on them and at the end of the week they were still not progressing. BUT! While we were sitting in sacrament meeting we were thinking about a name that we had seen in our area book that sisters previously had been over to teach and give some serves to. We went over there last night and we didn't even have to say one word to her, she opened the door said hello and told us to come in! I think I may have stood there with my mouth open wide. The Lord blessed us to get one new investigator last night! Through us showing our faith in not forgetting about that goal, we were able to at least get one new investigator through our efforts. 
 
We were still able to each some really great lessons this week as we met with Anne, and the Bowman family and Miranda. On Tuesday President and Sister Greer came and did interviews and specialized training. Our specialized training was all on church attendance which is exactly what we needed!! Sis. Meyers and I have been trying really hard to get our investigators to come to church. One of the things they focused on was giving a church tour to our investigators. Sis. Meyers and I looked at each other and new that is exactly what we had to do!! So we set up a time with Miranda that we could go and have a church tour with her. It has so stinkin' amazing!! We took her around the church and showed where everything was and then ended up in the chapel. The spirit was so strong! We each bore our testimony on church attendance and how sacrament meeting is so extremely important. She ended up not coming to church the next day but I know that she felt the spirit. I know that all of us were changed because of that lesson. I am so grateful for the opportunity to go to sacrament meeting every week and partake of the sacrament and feel the comfort that it gives to me. 
 
We went and taught Anne this week. As we were reading the Book of Mormon with her she just kept saying how she had read something like this while she was reading the Bible. Every time was talked about it you could just see a different light in her eyes! That is why I love my mission!! So many little miracles like that along the way. We can't wait to go back and teach her more about the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine of Christ. I just can't say enough how much this work really just makes my like come full circle. I know this gospel is true. I know our Savior lives and loves us. I know through His infinite atonement that all things can be made right. I LOVE it so MUCH!

 

Love you all!! Sister Mecham

A Letter from West Richland: Monday, April 15, 2013

Hello my dear wonderful family!! This has been another really wonderful week here in West Richland. We have had a hard time with people wanting to see us this week and being home but other than that,we have had some really awesome lessons this week and seen how the hand of the Lord is always stretched out toward us. So I need to tell you all about my darling new companion!! She is fantastic! Her name is Sis. Meyers and she is Denver Colorado. She is the 4th of 7 kids and is just so ready to work and get in and get things done. It's been so fun to see the new missionary fire in her and how it helps me to stay focused. I'm so grateful for that! On Wednesday morning she came back to West Richland with me and we got her all unpacked and settled and then off to work we went. We didn't stop untill we got back home that night at 9. Oh man were we tired! It was so great though! I love those days when I go to bed knowing that what I accomplished that day is exactly what the Lord would have had me do. One of the most beautiful feelings ever!

 

This week we were able to go and teach Anne the Plan of Salvation. It was going really good and then we got to the kingdoms of Glory.... And She was lost. It was in that moment that I knew that I wasn't prepared to teach to her concerns that she had. As of then, I hadn't met anyone on my mission who had a really hard time with that principle. But has I've been studying this week to try and help her understand why Heavenly father has planned it that way, it has just helped my testimony grow in knowing that I as I do all that I can and strengthen myself in the gospel, I will feel comfortable in the Celestrial Kingdom. His plan really is best way. No questions asked.

 

We met with Miranda this last week  and taught her all about the Doctrine of Christ ( faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.) It went really well and we committed her to come to church yesterday. She was so excited and really seemed to be committed to come. She event told us that she would bring her friend with her. We just about jumped out of our seats when she said that. Well Sunday comes and we wait and wait for Miranda. 11:00 hits and church starts and no Miranda... My heart sunk. I just kept thinking about what we could have done to help her in attending church. And if we were listening to the spirit to address her concerns and meet them.. We decided for our companionship study this morning that we would study why church attendance is so important other than the fact that it is a commandment. We were reading in 3 Nephi 18 this morning all about the sacrament. Of course that is why we attend sacrament meeting. We renew our covenants we make at baptism and also in the temple but something different stood out to me this time that I've always known but it was just confirmed to me. In verse 18 it talks about how Satan desires to have us. Desires is a pretty strong word. He doesn't just want it, he DESIERS it! But we are given some beautiful council in verse 25 "But rather that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see.." We need to come unto him. That is the purpose of church. To come unto him and to feel and see and to know that Jesus is the Christ. That desire to follow him will always over power anything else as long as we continue to attend and build up our wall against satan. I know that we will feel renewed and receive peace as we attended church and renew our covenants with the Lord. 

 

I love you all!! I know that this church is true!! 

 

Love Sis. Mecham  

A Letter from West Richland: Monday, April 08, 2013

Subject: Conference....transfer calls and springtime!

These are a few of my favorite things!! Well the first and the last but not so much the middle one. We have transfers coming on Wednesday and well I'm staying in West Richland and... Training a new missionary! Pres. Greer called my yesterday morning at 8:30 as we were driving to conference and asked me to train... I may or may not have wanted to throw the phone out of the moving car window and then tell President that there was a bad connection but I figured I better be obedient and accept the responsibility and opportunity. As we got to conference we sat down and got to hear the last part of Music and the Spoken Word and where Lloyd K. Newell was talking about things that seem beyond us and that can seem over baring and challenging. He talked about just keep pushing and by small and simple means are great things brought to pass. Miracles will happen. I took that as an answer from my loving Heavenly Father to know that even though we may not feel like we are right one of the job, whom the Lord calls, He qualifies. I'm really excited for this new challenge and excited to meet my new little kid on Wednesday morning!

 

One of my very favorite things that happened this week in West is that we got our awesome golden investigator on date!! Miranda will be baptized on May 4th!! We planned to go over and watch Joseph: The Prophet of the Restoration with her and her DVD player ended up on working. Heavenly Fathers plan is always better than our plan. We ended up sharing the Plan of Salvation. I can't remember if last week I told you a little about Miranda but her mom died about a month and a half ago. At the ended of a super sweet lesson, Sister Duncan asked her if she would be baptized on May 4th and she sat there for a second and said... " Yeah, I can totally do that!" I cried. hahah we then bore testimony that we knew that Heavenly Father has been waiting for her to do this for a really long time. And that her Mom is so very proud of her. The spirit in that room was undeniable. It was perfect! To top it all off, we found out that she is a direct descendant of Joseph Smith... UHH Say what?!?! We have been teaching a direct descendant from Joseph Smith!! And she is getting BAPTIZED! I didn't really thinking about it until Sis. Duncan said something to me about it. So cool!!

 

I loved Conference this weekend!! Oh my goodness! It was so fantastic! All the talk about Missionary work and how it is booming! It gave me chills to know that the word of God is getting out, not just getting out there but out there fast and it is being received! People have been prepared and often times we don't know who they are until we open our mouths and say something. One of the favorite talks was Sister Daltons talk. All about returning to Virture. I loved the qoute that she shared "What e're thou art. Act well thy part." We have to stand as witnesses at all times and in all things. As we do so we will be strengthened and remember the covenants that we have made and will make and continue to keep. Act well our part. I'm so grateful for wonderful leaders that lead and guide us and help us grow. I know this church is true and that our Savior lives. I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week!!

 

 

Love, Sister Mecham

A Letter from West Richland: Monday, April 01, 2013

Subject: The field is white, already to harvest!

For the West Richland area that statement is so true!! We have been trying really hard to find the elect. And this week the Lord smiled down on us as we tried to do his will. We had receive a referral about two weeks ago from one of the senior couples that works in the office and told us to go and stop by this ladies house named Miranda. Well we kept going over there and knocking on the door and no one would answer. We talked about it and decided that we would try one more time and if she didn't answer than we were going to mark her has contacted and then try back in a couple of weeks. Well good thing the Lord knows best. We went over there, knocked on the door and again no one answered. We started walking away and just as we were about to open the gate and get back into our car, out comes Miranda from her house. Turns out she has been out of town all week and just came back. She was sick and so she couldn't meet then but we set up a return appointment to go back. I love how the Lord is in charge of this work. If it was my job, there would be so many things that I would miss and so many mistakes that I would make. So we go back and teach her all about the Restoration and she is just down right GOLDEN! She had taken the lessons when she was 14 with her mom who just recently passed away about a month ago. Her mom joined the church but she never did. She seemed to really soak it all in and really grab on to it. In the first 20 mins of sitting there talking with her, I asked her if she came to know that these are true, if she would be baptized. She sat there for a second and then said, "yeah, I would. I'm not against it in anyway." I couldn't stop smiling! Haha the Lord really truly is preparing hearts to recieve the gospel.

 

We met with Anne again this week and were about to help her understand more about the Word of Wisdom and how Jesus is the same as Jehovah. That was a really cool one to study and understand! We just need her to listen a little more and then her questions might just be answered as we go along. ;) She is so fantastic and things are going great with her!

 

We had another really cool experience this week has we were tracting. So last monday night we decided we were going to tract this street over in an area we just started to tract. We park our car, read some scriptures to get us more intune with the spirit and then get out of our car and start. Well as we are tracting, no one is answering their doors and we were just not getting a good feeling about being there. We all but ran to our car and drove away. We decided we would go back on Tuesday to finish when it was lighter outside. Oh how the Lord works in mysterious ways! So go back on Tuesday and after a little while, we are walking down the street and women walks out of this house. I say hi and tell her who we are and what not. She then starts to tell us about how she has been looking for a church to go to so she can help her kids. She is facing a lot of really hard life challenges and needs God in her life. We kept talking with her and set up a time for us to come back. She turns to us and says " Ya know, I know this was inspired. You were suppose to be here today. Look I've got the chills!" Sis. Duncan and I just stood there and all but cried. With our jaws all the way to the ground. We were suppose to meet Denise that day as we were tracting. The Lord will lead us where he needs us if we only listen to him.

 

Well family, I love you!! The church is true!!

 

Love, Sister Mecham

A Letter from West Richland: Monday, March 25, 2013

Subject: The Church is True!!!

Hello my wonderful family!! This week has been a great week!! There are days when I am out here that I look at the clock in the morning and think "for real?! 6:30 already?!" and then we get going and it is like all my days blend into one and before I know it, it's time for bed. haha it is a beautiful thing! On Wednesday we were able to go to the Temple. How it was absolutely beautiful! I was in heaven! After we went to the temple we had our District Meeting which always gets me excited for the rest of the week. Sister Duncan and I had a wonderful day planned and we just hoped and prayed that it all worked out.

 

So after District Meeting and lunch we went to our appointment that we had set up with a potential investigator. The Sisters before us had gone over and done a lot of service for her. She had moved from Idaho where she had previously listened to the missionary lessons, to West Richland awhile ago and one of her friends from a ward near by told her she should pick that back up again and start talking to the Sisters in her area. Well here we are! hah We walk up to the door and I'm just praying that we are able to get in and teach her and be able to know what she needs to hear. The beautiful thing about the Gospel is that it all centers on our Savior Jesus Christ. We get it and sit down and start to get to know her alittle bit better and start to answer some of her questions. We start to teach her about the Restoration and she brings up something about her not being able to let go of something that her ex-husband had done to her. It was one of those lessons where I knew that it wasn't me talking. It was totally the Holy Ghost. We pull about the Atonement and start helping her to understand that the Atonement covers EVERYTHING! We finished teaching her about the Atonement and tied it all back to the Restoration. At the end of it all, she looks at us and says, "I've never had it explained to me that way before." This is when I knew that she had gotten all that she needed to out of that lesson. We set up a return appointment to go back this week and watch the Joseph Smith movie with her. It is going to be wonderful!!

 

We met with Anne this week and answered some more of her questions about the Book of Mormon and the Bible working together. We were also able to get in and meet with an investigator that I had only met once before. Her name is Angela and she is a teenage girl. She has been taught all of the lessons but for her, like most of us, repetition is key. We were able to share the Joseph Smith movie with her and talk about. The minute we hit play on that movie, the spirit was SO incredibily strong. We helped her to see things a little clearer and helped her to understand why we needed a restoration and not a reformation.

 

Well my dear family. I love you all so very much. I miss you and at the same time, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I LOVE being a missionary!

The church is true!

 

Love, Sister Mecham

A Letter from West Richland: Monday, March 18, 2013

Subject: What a FANTASTIC week!!!!!

Hello there!!! This week has been wonderful!! Did I mention how much I love West Richland?! Because I do :) Well this week we started out kind of slow. After Sis. Duncan and I recovered from the stomach flu we hit the ground running. Like I've said in the past couple of emails, we have been trying really hard to make sure that we are in the right place at the right time and doing the right thing. Really trying super hard to listen to the spirit and do what the Lord has asked us to do. We've been trying really hard to get in with members and share Doctrine of Christ messages and ask for referrals. We were able to meet with some awesome Less- Actives and get them to commit to come to church on Sunday! Something that was confirmed to me this week is that obedience really does bring forth the blessings of heaven. As Sis. Duncan and I were trying really hard to be obedient and follow the rules, the Lord blessed us. We went over on Wednesday and set up and return appointment with a potential investigator Anne, the darling lady that I told you about last week. We set up a return appointment for Thursday afternoon!  Well the next day came and went to over to Anne's to share with her the Restoration. As we met with Anne were were able to answer her questions and help her get over somethings. It was then that I was so happy to be apart of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was talking about how she had gone to so many different churches and how they all kind of taught different doctrine. When we explained to her that we believe that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are all separate beings she said to us " Okay you got one things right!" haha She is just the greatest! We challenged her to come to church and at 10:55 a.m who walks into church? Oh just our darling Anne! I could hardly move! I was so stunned to see her there!!! I was so happy!!!!! Hahah I'm sure I kind of freaked her out because I just wouldn't stop smiling. haha

 

That was really one of the biggest highlights of my week! The Lord really truly blesses us when we are trying so very hard to do what is right. Anyway, We have been teaching this Part memeber family in one of the wards and goodness do I love them! The Bowmans are fantastic! Brother Bowman is a less- active member and is the only member in his family. We have been teaching his daughter Lindsey who is a Junior in High school and his son Andrew who is in his 20's. Sis. Duncan and I felt really impressed to talk about the Doctrine of Christ last night as we met with them and focus on baptism... I always get nervous talking about baptism and extending that invitation. After sharing the messages and teaching there was just a long really quite spiritual pause and I felt like that was when we needed to ask Andrew and Lindsey to be baptized. So I just said it. haha I couldn't even control what was coming out of my mouth! haha After I said it, I just sat there and prayed that they would take it well. Turns out it is something that they would love to do but they just don't feel ready yet. They don't know when they will be ready but we challenged them to pray about when they should be baptized and focus on trying to do what the Lord wants them to do. After we left that lesson I was thinking really hard about what part of the gospel do they not understand yet that could be holding them back from making that commitment.  I came to the conclusion that it all comes back to the Atonement. They need to understand what the Savior has done for them so they will be willing to do all that they can for him.

 

I just want to all to know that I know the Atonement is real. I know that it is the infinite atonement and all things can be made right through it. I'm so grateful to know that!! I don't know where I would be without it. I can't wait to be able to go back and teach the Bowman family more about the Atonement and help them feel of our Saviors grace and mercy. I love you all!! The gospel is true!!!

 

Love, Sister Mecham

A Letter from West Richland: Monday, March 04, 2013

Oh my dear family!! Can I just tell you that I love this place?!!? I LOVED Vancouver and it treated me really well. I cried when I left. I loved the people so much and I loved the beautiful weather. But this place... Oh gosh. hahha the work is happening!! My companions name is Sister Duncan. I love her to pieces! She is from Alaska. You can hardly tell she has been out for only 6 weeks. She is the bomb!! She has helped me in coming into this area and trying really hard to get to know it as soon as possible so that I can contribute to planning and ect. Good things are happening :)

Subject: Greetings from West Richland!

When I got here on Wednesday, the first thing I heard was that we had a baptism set for Saturday. I might have cried. haha We have been going crazy since the minute I got here. There are so many people and so many things to do. I feel like I can hardly catch my breath! But the baptism went great! The investigator that got baptized name is Rees Harrison. Gosh he is great! Elder Risenmay from the seventy, his older brother, Brother Rees Risenmay gave Rees a Book of Mormon 10 years ago and here we are.. 10  years later Rees gets baptized. Brother Risenmay ended up being able to come to the baptism and it was so powerful!!

We had some great experiences yesterday while we were tracting. One of the stories from yesterday was about a man named David. We knocked on Davids door and we didn't even get to get out who were before he started to shut the door in our faces. He told us he wasn't interested and we said goodbye and left. We kept tracting and ran into a darling girl named Rebecca. We asked her what her relationship was like with her Savior and she sat there for a minute and it got really quite. The spirit was so strong! Sis. Duncan and I each bore testimony of our Savior and the Book of Mormon. She was staying at a friends house and doesn't live in our area. But the good news is, is that she lives in Pasco... We got some great missionaries that serve there so we just pray that the missionaries knock on her door. We left her with a Mormon.org card and a Book of Mormon and went on our merry way. We kept tracting and as we were about to turn up this driveway we see David walking toward us. I started to get a little hestitant wondering what he was doing. After all, it was like 7:45 at night. He came up to us and told us he was sorry for slamming the door in our faces. He said that he had Jehovah Witnesses come to his door and he said it just gave him a bad taste. He then told us he would love to learn more about the church. Say what?!?!?! hahah I got the biggest smile on my face and I'm sure I looked like a freak. I was stumbling over my words and could hardly get out what I wanted to tell him. Luckly that is why the Lord says that he will send us two by two, preaching his word. Sis. Duncan came in and we taught him about the Book of Mormon. It was so awesome! We gave him a BofM and a card with our number on it to call us. We plan to go back and see if we can teach him more later this week.

I love this gospel!!! Doing the word of the Lord is amazing!! He truly is preparing hearts!! I'm so grateful for the gospel and the peace and joy that it brings to my life. Alma 25:26 :)

Love you all!!

Sister Mecham

A Letter from Vancouver: Monday, February 25, 2013

Subject: Transfers??

Hello my dear family!!! Well this last Saturday was transfer calls...... and well... I'm leaving good old Vancouver and heading over to Richland in the Tri-Cities. I will be finishing training a sister over there. Her trainer right now has finished her mission and is heading home. I'm terrified and excited all at the same time!! I know the Lord calls us where he needs us. I'm going to miss this place like crazy. I have loved the people and the weather and BEAUTIFUL scenery! But I hear Richland is just as great. In different ways but just as great!

So we got a lot of really cool news this week! I'm sure you all have heard that Vancouver is going to be it's own mission!! Gosh when I found that out.. I might have cried. haha I cried because I was excited and because the Lord his TRULY hastening his work. The work in Vancouver is great but it's not totally booming. That means that the Lord knows there are people in this area that are waiting and waiting to just receive the truth. What this means for us missionaries in the mission is that our mission will be cut in half. They don't have any specific boundaries for us yet but the new mission won't be in effect until the end of June/ beginning of July. It is so cool!!!! I can't wait. So just because I am going over to Richland doesn't mean that I now am in the Kennewick Mission. I could be transferred back over here or I could stay there. The possibilities are endless!! So exciting!!

As for the work this week, we had another slow week. People canceling on us and not being available to meet. We did have something really neat happen on Saturday though. We had just met with our ward mission leader and remember that there were some people that we had forgotten to plan to go see. We had an appointment right after our meeting with a recent convert. I thought about calling and changing times or whatever we needed to do so that we could go and see these families. We thought about it and decided that we should keep our appointment with Judy and just leave a little bit earlier so we could do both. Well we got to Judy's house and she didn't answer. We took that as a sign that the Lord really did want us out visiting these families. We went to the first family. The Ostermillers. Turns out they are never home on the weekends and were just about ready to leave. We were able to share a message with them and get to know them better. Uhh hello! Haha if that is not the Lords hand than I don't know what is. haha The next family was pretty similar  They weren't as interested as the Ostermillers but the husband who is not a member is not home very often and only has 2 days a week off from driving truck..Friday's and Saturday's. The Lord is mindful of his children. I don't know what that did for either of those families but I know that spirit was there and I know that either way, It was a reminder to them that God loves them. Gosh how I love this work!! It is incredible!! I know the church is true. I know our Father lives. Love you all!! Have a great week!!!

Sister Mecham :)

I know that Sister Mecham would LOVE to hear from all of you!!

Washington Kennewick Mission

8202 West Quinault Ave

Suite D

Kennewick, WA

99336-1017

A Letter from Vancouver: Monday, February 19, 2013

Subject: My dear family!

Hello there my dear family! We didn't email yesterday because of the holiday. We actually went down to the Dalles and had an epic game of nerf gun wars! It was so fun!! Needless to say, Sis. Neumayer and I are pretty sore today. haha This week has been a great one. The work is going great and our investigators are really progressing! We were able to go in exchanges this last week. There are 2 sets of Sisters in our Zone. The other sisters are in Goldendale which is about 40 mins outside the Dalles. Sister Neumayer went down to the Dalles and I stayed here in good old Vancouver. We had some really awesome experiences!! I'm telling you, the way to find is through members and through former investigators! I LOVE the area book!! There is wisdom in using the area book. We had been getting a little frustrated because we weren't find anyone... We just weren't looking in the right places. So while Sis. Neumayer was in Goldendale, Sis. Ellingson and I went and contacted a bunch of former investigators. We didn't find anyone that night but the really cool thing happened the next day after we had exchanged back. Sis. Neumayer and I went to go and visit a potential investigator who didn't answer the door, we realized that a former investigator lived on that same street. We had contacted them before but it was later at night and the Mom just wasn't really interested then. We decided to try again.. Well we knock on the door and this darling teenage girl answers and we tell her who we are and asked if we could take just 5 minutes of her time and share with her what we believe. She said we could and right there on her doorstep we taught her a simple version of the Restoration. It was so awesome! She answered questions, she shared little things that she thought were interesting. We asked her if she would like to learn more and she said yes! The Lord really is preparing people to receive the gospel. I knew that we were prompted to go to their home that day and talk to Doreen. We set up a return appointment for when she comes back from vacation. I'm so excited to teach her!!

 

Michael is doing great! He came to the second hour of church on Sunday which is a huge deal for him!! He is keeping commitments and progressing faster than I expected. The Lord really teaches us a lot. We think we understand something and we've got a handle on it. Our idea's may be good but there are not always in line with what our Heavenly Father has planned for us and for our investigators. It has been a really good experience for me to be able to teach Michael and the rest of the Bush family. I love them dearly! Transfer calls are this weekend and I could very well be transfered somewhere else. But good times are ahead!

 

Well my dear family, I love you all. I'm grateful for the things that the Lord is teaching me while I am out here on my mission. I know that this church is true and it is lead by a Prophet of God. Love you all!!

 

Love, Sister Mecham

A Letter from Vancouver: Monday, February 11, 2013

Subject: Well hey there!

So this week has been a great week! Something that I learned... We as a Zone have a goal to get 500 lessons by the end of the month. 500 lessons with members present or other lessons with investigators. Something that we can get caught up in here is less active or recent convert lessons and those could easily fill our day fast. Something that they really are focusing on is us making sure we are seeing our investigators and filling them as much as we can. These people are the elect. We need to be focusing on that. I was little worried and wanted to make sure that we could do our part of this. Each companionship needs to get 5 other lessons during the week. Now that doesn't seem like much and for some areas that's a piece of cake but for us.. it has been challenging. So with last Sunday being fast Sunday  one of the things that I fasted for was to be able to meet our goal of 5 other lessons... My dear friends and family, I want to bear testimony that the Lord hears our prayers!! He hears them and is aware of the strength we need to be able to get through anything. By Friday we already had 4 other lessons and would later meet our goal on Sunday. I am so grateful for the Lord. Although this may seem small, the Lord knows what is important to us and is willing to bless us as we strive to do our VERY best. He knows and loves us.

 

Not only did we get 5 other lessons and accomplish our goal but we were able to get some member referrals and gain some more trust in one of our wards. From missionaries that had served here long ago members had lost some trust and didn't know think that they could trust us with their friends.. That is somethings that is a big deal to me. Having other people trust me and want to give us referrals. The Lord has blessed us this week as we have tried to think of new ways to help the members and new ways to involve them in missionary work.

 

Michael is doing great! This week he told us that all of this sounds appealing and that he has the desire to pray... UHHH! I think I might have started to cry. We shared with him Alma 32:27.. "Experiment on my words and your will receive a desire... " He really seemed to respond to that! It is so cool to see people change and myself change in that way. Gosh I love this Gospel!!! Well my dear family and friends. I love you. I know that this church is true. I know that as we stick to what our Heavenly Father has taught us and work hard, He will bless us more that we can even comprehend.  

 

Love, Sister Mecham

A Letter from Vancouver: Monday, February 04, 2013

Subject: Say what?!

Hello my dear family! So this week is week has been another slow week. We had some awesome things planned and lots of things to get done but as we all know, people have their agency. Darn that agency!! We make appointments and then people totally forget or they cancel and then... We tract :) haha it is all good though! Frustrating at times but it's good. We were low on miles and trying to safe up for a drive that we had to make out ot Washouagal which is about 15 miles away. So therefore, we had to walk everywhere which we weren't used to but it was actually really nice! It made me appreciate the luxury of having a car :) The appointment in Washougal cancelled... We tried really hard to laugh when that happened as we looked at our blisters and swollen feet :) hahhaha it all worked out in the end.

 

This week was like I said really slow but we did have some really great experiences! I keep forgetting to tell you all about Judy and her patriarchal blessing. Oh my goodness!!! How I love her!!  Judy is my girl. haha She is the kindest, sweetest person in the world. And just down right funny. Judy has a hard time understanding things and putting together things about the Gospel but she loves it so she tries really hard. She shared with us her patriarchal blessing and wanted us to tell her what everything means... Sis. Neumayer and I read through it with her and asked her questions about what she thought.. Helping her learn and not us telling her. After all, that's not how it's suppose to go anyway. As we were reading through her blessing, the sweetest feeling was there. If there was anything that I learned from that experience is that God knows us. I just felt this insane power that he knew Judy better than I will ever know Judy and that he loves her. Sis. Neumayer and I bore testimony of his love for her and how we can't interpret that for her. She needs to read it over and over. It was beautiful! I loved every minute of it! We had a lesson with Michael yesterday and Sis. Neumayer pointed out something that I didn't even think about. Michael always has these super deep deep questions about the Gospel and just life in general. We in the past would answer those questions to the best of our ability. What we were missing in those moments though, was the simplicity of the Gospel. He needs to build that foundation and not worry about the deep stuff yet! Gosh! I knew that we needed to get back to the simple stuff but I think I was just lost in how to do it. This is why the Lord sends us two by two. We need companions. We are working with Michael in that core foundation. We will see how this goes. The Lord loves him and will help him. Shada is really keeping her commitments.. we still work with her and pray that her heart is open to an answer from the Lord.

 

A quick something funny that happened last week while Sis. Neumayer and I were tracting.. We knocked on this ladies house and she answers the door. We state who were are and our purpose. She then tells us she isn't interested. We tell her thank you for your time and say our goodbye's. Just as she is about to shut the door she opens in back open and says "I believe in womens rights and your church just doesn't support that. Thank you, goodbye." Sis. Neumayer and I just looked at eachother and start to kinda laugh.. As we walk away thats when I really got what she had said to us. That's when I got mad and said something about how she was a mean person and whatever else... Here comes the lesson... As we walked away there on the sidewalk was dog poop. Who doesn't see it? Me. I step right into it. Moral of the story!! We are all God's children. We shoud head to the counsel in Mosiah 4:30. Watching my thoughts and my words.... hahah

 

Well my dear family. I love you!!! The church is true!!

 

Love, Sister Mecham

A Letter from Vancouver: Monday, January 28, 2013

Subject: Because I know....

Oh my dear family!! This week has been one of growth. This week I learned how to ride the "big girl missionary bike"! No more training wheels for this Sister missionary. Sis. Brox left me on Wednesday morning at 8:30 and headed off to the East side to Kennewick. I may or may not have cried most of the way to the transfer site. hahaha I know I'm a big baby. I just realized at that moment that I Sister Mecham would have to take over the wards and the area and I had only been there for just a short time and how the HECK was I suppose to help another Sister get to know the area. But alas, the Lord showed me yet again that he loves me and is mindful of my every need. That is why he sent me Sis. Neumayer. Oh my GOSH! I just love her to pieces. She is from Orange County, California and is a professional opera singer!! I am just the luckiest sister ever! Her favorite color is green and we get along wonderfully! She has some awesome things to bring to this area and is so patient with me as I get us lost every once in a while. ( More often than not haha)

 

This week we have done a lot of planting and not harvesting. There is one thing that I have learned and that has been confirmed to me over and over again as I meet different people and as we teach them. That God lives. Lately, we have been hearing from investigators that they don't believe in God and that this life is just a mindless event and then we are just going to die and that is all. My heart aches for those people. We simply extend commitments to them so that their faith will grow but they won't keep that commitment because they don't have that foundation to build on. As I came out on my mission I thought that I would be teaching people who were just eager to learn about that Gospel and who just need to hear that one thing about the church that would ring true to them and then they would want to get baptized and receive the Holy Ghost and come to church every week! But what I have come to realize is that the Lord has a different plan for me. He wants me to learn that he is there. He lives and loves me. He loves the people that I am teaching and because he loves them and me, I have to learn how to help them create that foundation for them so they can build on it and come to know for themselves the truthfulness of the gospel. It makes me think of the story that Elder Jeffery R. Holland tells in his last conference talk, The First and Great Commandment. The story of Peter and Christ asking him 3 different times, "Do you love me?" after Peter answers " Yea Lord, thou knowest that I love thee." He then tells Peter "Then feed my sheep." That is the commandment that He has given us. To feed his sheep. I'm so grateful for this opportunity! There are a lot of times when it is hard but I love it so much!

 

Well family! That is what I have learned this week. Our investigators are doing great. We have some hurtles that we need to jump and some foundation that needs to be put down. After that, these wonderful people are ready to go! Thank you so very much for your prayers! I feel them all the way over here in good old Vancouver. Love you all loads and loads!

 

Sister Mecham

A Letter from Vancouver: Monday, January 22, 2013

Subject: Transfers...

Hello my dear wonderful family!! So as you can tell this week is transfers week and well.... I'M STAYING IN VANCOUVER! Sister Brox is being transferred to Kennewick and is being doubled in and training at the same time. If there is a sister to do it, it is Sister Brox. I have complete faith in her that she will do exactly what the Lord as asked of her. I will be getting a new companion tomorrow and her name is Sister Neumayer pronounced ( noi-my-er) haha. Sister Dilworth ( Sister Brox's comp. before me) trained this sister and I have heard great things about her! I can't wait! Next time I write to you I will tell you all about her and where she is from.

This week has been a great week. With last P-day starting out with a wonderful session of the temple to the different lessons that we were able to teach this week. We saw lots of people and had some great lessons! I find myself becoming more bold as the lessons happen. Which I am grateful for. I know that Lord is with me in that. There is no way that I could do that without him. I would love to just be the sweet little sister missionary I always thought that I would be but I guess the Lord has different plans for me ;) We had two of our recent converts and less actives get their patriarchal blessings on Sunday. HOLY COW! I love being able to testify that the Lord will help us through our patriarchal blessings. These two women are women who I have come to ABSOLUTLEY love! Judy, is a recent convert. She has had a rough rough life. But Judy is the kindest, sweetest person. I love her! She was one of the first people I met when I came to Vancouver. We spend a lot of time with her and I love it. We will be going there today so Sister Brox can say goodbye and talk about how she felt getting her patriarchal blessing. Sister Puppo is a Less active but is actually more active than not. Went over last night and talked about her experience and how she felt. It is such a beautiful thing! I love it! 

We had a great lesson with another less active. Pasty. She has been working on her family history so we got to go with her to the church this last week in the family history center and help her figure some things out. I didn't think my love for that would play into my serving a mission but it has. I'm grateful that I was able to help Pasty and see how important it is that we are indexing and using that information to help complete work that needs to be done. We had a great lesson with Michael on sunday. I challenged him twice to come to church but he is just not budging! That's okay.. all in the Lords time :)

Well my dear family! I love you. I love this Gospel. I know it is true with all my heart!! Love you loads and loads. :)

Sister Mecham

A Letter from Vancouver: Monday, January 15, 2013

Subject: Step by step

This week has been a great and challenging week. The Lord helps you learn knew things each day and will benefit us in the end... sometimes we don't see that but I know that it's true. This week we had some really awesome lessons! We had a great lesson on Tuesday with Shada! She prayed for the FIRST time out loud while we were there. I know that the Lords hand was in that for sure! Wednesday we had interviews and training from Pres. and Sister Greer. That was sooo good!!! They are working hard to help us understand and know the 42 principles found in Preach My Gospel. They picked a principle and gave us an outline and we went through it step by step and picked out the key main points. It was so good for me!! I learned so much!! I know that Pres. and Sister Greer are so inspired and how they can helps us in working hard to further the kingdom of God.

 

Thursday we were on exchanges all day. Sis. Ireland ( who I was with in the MTC) came and got to work in my area all day Thursday. We started working and since it was my area I was in charge... Oh boy. I was scared that I was going to mess something up and that I wasn't going to get done that things the Lord needed me to get done that day. Sister Ireland and I headed out and lots of the appointments fell through. I was getting a little discouraged and thinging that I must have not applied myself the way I needed to in my studies that morning or I was listening to the spirit last night when I was planning and so on and so on.. So I'm feeling like a slacker sister missionary and that I let Sis. Ireland down. We started tracting and door after door didn't answer... till.. drum roll please! Someone answered the door! Cute darling little boy answered the door. I asked if his Mom was there and he ran to go get her. She came to the door and kind of looked at us like she knew us. I said who we were and what we were doing and asked her if she had heard of the church before. She went on to tell us that Sisters had some by 2 years ago and never came back and she wanted to learn more. Uhhh.. say what?!?! Alright!! Ya got time now?! She didn't but we got a return appointment for this Friday at 11. The Lord works in mysterious ways. He loves us and is always waiting to see if we will listen and submit to his will. I'm grateful for those tender mercies of that Lord. That moment I knew that He was watching out for me. Telling me how much He loved me.

 

This week was just full of good things but just not enough time to tell it all. Transfers are next Wednesday. We will see what happens! I should know by Monday when I write you next. Love you all!! Thank you for the support that you have gvien to me and continue to give to me. Love you!!!

 

 

Sister Mecham

A Letter from Vancouver: Monday, January 07, 2013

Subject: We got snow!!!!

That's right! We got snow last Monday! We were coming back from hiking Multnomah Falls and it was snowing! The hike was BEAUTIFUL and the snow just made it even better. This week has been a great week. We had lots of lessons and one new investigator! Katie is her name :) We found her tracting and everytime we came back to see her she just seemed like she didn't really want us there. She would always say that she busy or no one would answer the door. So she came to the Portland Ensign Choir and Orchestra concert with us awhile back and we hadn't been able to get in with her untill this last Friday. We had a HUGE lesson on the Restoration and Joseph Smith. It was kind of like Gospel vomit all over the place but just pray that the Lord guides her and that she heard what she needed to hear to give her that added desire to hear the truth. We have an appointment to go back and teach her on Friday. Pray with all your hearts that she keeps the appointment and doesn't cancel on us. haha

Another awesome thing that happened with week was As we were planning on Monday night we felt inspired to go and see a recent convert, Abby, in one of our wards. We put her as a backup and said that if something fell through we would go see her. We didn't get a chance to see her that day but as we came home that night at the end of our day, Sister Combs informed us that Abby had fallen while sledding with her family and had really hurt her knee. Therefore she was confined to her bed and couldn't do much. Sister Brox and I made it a point to put her as a definate plan for the next day. The next day we went Abby's home prepared with a church movie, popcorn, hot chocolate, and some other goodies. As we got there she was upstairs in her room. She told us that she would come down because her room was a mess. Sister Brox and I were not going to let that stop us haha. After some convincing she agreed to stay up in her room and let us come up. We helped her clean her room and things all looking good. We sat down and had hot chocolate and treats and enjoyed the movie. We were talking about that movie after it ended and that different things that we learned from it and she informed us that the day before she had had a horrible day and with her knee hurting and not being able to do all that she wanted to do she was just feeling sorry for herself. She prayed and literally right after she got calls from the sisters in the ward and here we were the next day at her home after being prompted to go to her house. She said that she "got it" haha she got that the Lord was trying to teach her that He loves her and is mindful of her. The Lord really is mindful of our every need. I know that as we follow the promptings of the spirit we will be blessed from following HIS will. We watch the movie Legacy and in the movie Joseph Smith says some thing that I loved. "The Lord chastens us to teach us obedience and faith in Him". I loved that!!! I know that to be true. Rely on him and he will guide. Love you all!! You are all amazing!!

Love Sister Mecham

A Letter from Vancouver: Monday, December 31, 2012

Subject: Happy New Year!!

Holy Cow! I can't believe that Christmas was a week ago and we are getting ready to ring in the new year. So crazy! I've never really thought about the new year and the opportunities that it really brings to our lives. In church yesterday the talks were centered around the new year and how that can help us in our lives. One of the members that spoke said something interesting that I hadn't really thought about until he mentioned it. He talked about how even the Lord at this time of year is pleased when we try to meet and set goals. Our goals for the year can be inspired and help us grow in ways that we didn't really think were possible. I thought about the different goals that we set as missionaries each week and how that helps us in carrying out the Lord work and will. I loved it! I never really thought about that before! Kind of a no duh but it hit me as we sat in Sacrament meeting how that can be a blessing to us.

It was soo good to talk to you all on Christmas! This might be creepy but it was so very good to hear all of your voices! Everyone was looking great!! Our week was a good week! We tracted a lot and made contact with people that we hadn't been able to reach yet. The Lord really is preparing people. That is a testimony to me each time we meet someone new or continue to meet with different people. There is a difference in their eyes. You can just see it. I appreciate so much when people are honest with us about that gospel. Whether they are interested or not. We had a baptism on Saturday night! Sondra ( Mamma S) was baptized!! It didn't count for your numbers considering the fact that she is not in our area but requested Sisters but nonetheless! She was baptized and it was beautiful! Sister Brox and I got to stand at the top of the font and watch her go down into the water and watch her come our and walk up to us. I nearly cried. Seeing her face right after she came out of the water was priceless. It was one of the sweetest moments so far on my mission. She was so ready and excited. Oh gosh I love this work!! We are still working with Michael. He is so stinkin great!! It's a good thing that I have Sister Brox there with me because I would not be able to answer all the questions that he asks. I just testify that through prayer we can know God and through the Atonement and the Doctrine of Christ we can know our Savoir Jesus Christ. We had a powerful lesson with him last night. Things are looking good over here in the wonderful Vancouver Washington. The church is true. God lives and loves us. I love you all!! 

Sister Mecham  

A Letter from Vancouver: Monday, December 24, 2012

So I'm a little behind on posting Sister Mecham's letters! Forgive me! But here are her letters for the last few weeks. We should be getting another one today!

Subject: Love you all!!

Can't wait to talk to you all tomorrow! You are all so amazing! Thank you for the pictures and the letters. They mean the world to me. Thank you for all that you have done for me in supporting me here on my mission! Being able to be a representative at this time of the year is so very special. The Lord is truly preparing his children to receive the gospel. This will be just a quick little letter since I will be talking and seeing you all tomorrow :) Sondra is doing amazing! She is prepared for baptism and is looking forward to it on Saturday. She is just soooo amazing!! I can't even get over it! Well I love you all and I am so excited to talk to you all tomorrow :) Love you so very very much. Thank you for your sacrifice and helping me while I'm here. Love you! 

Sister Mecham

A Letter from Vancouver: Monday, December 17, 2012

Subject: I love this time of year!

Oh my goodness!! I love this time of year! Everything about it is absolutely amazing! We have some pretty awesome people around us here in Vancouver that are helping us feel the Christmas spirit more and more each and every day. We had an awesome week this week! Sister Brox as been sick with this really super bad and nasty cold and we just pray that she starts to feel better so we can get some more things done. Last we was awesome but this week is going to be even better. We have some really great goals in sight and we are on our way to reaching them. Last week was transfers week and the news is ...I get to.... Stay here in VANCOUVER! Yahoo! I get 6 more awesome weeks with Sister Brox! She can impart all her wisdom on me so that I will know what to do once she leaves me.

This week we had so many wonderful things happen. We had an awesome lesson on Tuesday with an awesome lady that we have been teaching since I got here a month and half ago.. CRAZY! Angie is so awesome. She was raised catholic and has been investigating the church for a long time now. She is really diligent in learning all that she can. We had a great lesson on Tuesday about modern revelation and how we can read the words of the Prophet today as we listen to conference and read and reread those talks. Angie has a real thurst for knowledge and the Gospel. On Wednesday we had a lesson with S&S. It went for a good 3 hours! They have so many questions! It is so wonderful! Toward the end of our lesson Mama S started asking some more questions on baptism. We answered her questions and then ask her if this is something that she would want to do. She said for a minute and said that she would love to be baptized and she has been thinking about it for sometime. Sister Brox and I just got so excited for her! She is so absolutley amazing!! I love her to death! Daughter S is working things out and is taking it so seriously and for that I am truly grateful. I have learned a little something from her in that fact that this gospel really isn't something to think lightly of. It brings us light and direction but it is something that will change our course forever once we accept it.

Saturday night we had the opportunity to go out of our area to a Christmas concert that one of the members in the Lacamas Creek ward got us! He sings in the choir, got us tickets as well as a potential investigator that lives across the street from him and his family. We rode with his wife and daughter the conference and the whole time we were kind of freaking out that the investigator wouldn't show up. The only way that we were able to go to this concert was because we would have an investigator. We sit down in our seats and we were right on the front row, dead center. Awesome seats! The opening song starts and no investigator... We are getting worried. We were trying to figure out what to do and there really wasn't much that we could do. As soon as we thought that, lo and behold, our investigator and her son walk down the isle and wave at us. The Lord had us in mind and was watching out for. He knew of our struggle and was so quick to help us. Our desire to be there for the right reason made it possible for him to inspire Katie and her son to come to the concert. I firmly believe and know that he answers our prayers and is always willing to answer them and long as we have faith in his will.

Well family of mine, I love you much! I will be skyping home next Tuesday!! I'll be calling 1pm my time, so 2pm your time. Sister Combs will be emailing you with the skype name so we can find each other on there!! Love you and can't wait to see your smiling faces in Tuesday!!!

Love Sister Mecham

Just because so many of you have asked, here's Whit's address again:

Washington Kennewick Mission

8202 West Quinault Ave

Suite D

Kennewick, WA

99336-1017

A Letter from Vancouver: Monday, December 10, 2012

Subject: Sweetness to my soul!!

The highlight of my week this week was when Lucas was baptized. Nothing can compare to that feeling! Seeing someone that you have grown to know and love enter the waters of baptism. It is so ABSOLUTLEY amazing! There are no words to describe it! The baptism went great! We had some little bumps in the road but as to be expected when someone is about to make a covenant with God, the dirty devil likes to creep his way in. But we didn't let him get too far. :) Can I just say that there are some stinkin awesome people over here in Vancouver?? We have one of the best wards ever! They are all so supportive and willing to help. People are so missionary minded and they really help us in our efforts to find. Harmony ward is Lucas' ward and they are amazing. The young mens Leaders and ward missionaries have made a big difference. I never understood it before the mission how vital the Ward is to missionary work. I am so very grateful to them!

 

Our week this last week felt like it was all sorts of crazy goodness! We had some greats times tracting in the rain and people getting mad and slamming the door in our faces :) Oh gosh... is it bad that that is one of my favorites things? haha I find it to be oddly wonderful. They say it takes 7 different contacts from the church before some people will let you in the door and accept your message. I like to think that when they open the door and we are there just smiling away that we planted one of the 7 seeds for them to accept the Gospel. It makes it all worth in the end :) We had a Doctine of Christ training on Wednesday with President and Sister Greer. They are so stinkin amazing! We "unpacked" 2 Nephi 31 and they helped me see that chapter in a different light. It is the Doctrine of Christ chapter and it's right before Nephi dies. He says right in verse 2 that he is to say one more thing and that he MUST speak of the Doctrine of Christ. He MUST. He is about to die and this is what he wants to talk about?! Got to be pretty important. And it is! He is the way we get back to our Father in Heaven! The Doctrine of Christ is, faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, repentance, baptism, recieving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. "There is no other way where man can be saved..." Beauty! Read it! It is beautiful.

 

Well my dear family, I love you! I miss you terribly but I'm so happy to be here!

 

Love Sister Mecham