Guys, being a missionary is awesome!! you get to know so many people!! you Get to Lift, or at least try to lift everyone's burdens that you come in contact with! This week it was a lot! And a lot with just only a few people. As a missionary, yes people do expect you to fix literally everything, but its okay, because you are on the Lords Errand and trust the Lord in EVERYTHING. And yes, I mean ever little thing. It gets kinda insane, but my motto has kinda been, "welp, I will try my best and if I have enough faith and trust in God, anything can happen for the better!"
I love in.. Alma 26:12 "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever. " May we ever trust in a higher power. And everything seems to work out! I had an awesome experience with Sarah's friend Zorah! She is from Iran as well and we taught her about the Book of Mormon and Prophets! We gave her a Persian Book of Mormon and she felt it too her face and closed her eyes and then to her forehead! laid it on her lap and started to pray... I didn't know what was happening! So i just closed my eyes and bowed my head. she then opened her eyes and felt around her and opened the book and started to read it! She couldn't put it down from the time forward! she just kept reading and asking questions! So Spiritual! Have a great week! Love you all! Stay Loving and Trusting, Always! Always Love, Sister Callista Chaffin
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Monday, December 17, 2018
Week 19: Bring it On
Monday, December 10, 2018
Week 18: Unfathomable Tender Mercies
Wow this week!
Doing good and having some fun!! :) I Love these people to death!
I've never been so led by the spirit, with out even knowing!
There is this Girl, Sarah, she is a new person who we are teaching! She called us and asked us to help her friends in Indonesia! She is so service oriented, loving, patient and selfless! All she wants is to be like Jesus Christ!! She has the biggest heart that I have ever seen!
So story time! Tuesday morning I was planning for the day and there is this guy that I wanted to check. I have never met him bit his name stuck out to me. I envisioned this man in my head, I knew we were going to meet him that day! Then we go knock on his door... no answer. Well okay..so we randomly go around this neighborhood, aimlessly... I had no idea what was happening, but we walked around, turned around to go back, and there was this car running, sister Kay and i suddenly stopped and went and talked to this guy in his car. Turns out that he has met with missionaries like years and years ago! This guy is so cool! Plays Pro-kickball! We gave him a Book of Mormon and hopefully teaching him soon!
Then we were in the middle of the Sticks in the Clifton Area, knocking on Mansions of houses and some lady said she was moving and had a few dresser she need to get rid of and if we knew of anyone who needs any... we knew that Sarah, the person we just found and we are teaching, needed one so we were able to move the furniture to her house and give it her. She also needed a Christmas tree and a lady in the ward sent us a text Asking if anyone needed a Christmas tree and said that we did! So we helped decorate it for Sarah and put it up!
We also taught the lesson in Gospel Principles and Sarah came and we taught her the plan of Salvation and she will begetting baptized December 25th!! What a White Christmas!! :)
Have a great week everyone!
Always Love,
Sister Callista Chaffin
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| Sister Kay and I.. She got her hair cut!! :0 |
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| Frost! |
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| Our little Christmas tree and nativity |
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| Our district...before transfers |
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| Miracle Christmas tree we gave Sarah, the new person we are teaching |
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| Sister Royale "died"... she's going home on Tuesday!!! RIP |
Monday, December 3, 2018
Week 17: Can I Get an Amen?!?
Oh my, was this week some fun?!?!
Most of the fun was on Sunday! Haha we had an Interfaith Christmas Concert in the Church building!! I have never heard a Baptist preacher preach especially in our church chapel!! That was something else!! So much fun! Haha He says "CAN I GET AN AMEN?!?!" The audience, "AAAMEN" He was awesome! He pointed out what we have in common!! And really it is that Jesus is the Christ!! That he Bore the Sins of the World and was born of a Virgin Mary!! Try yelling some of that over a pulpit? I couldn't stop smiling!! :) good stuff!
This week we got a new person that we are teaching and she wants to be baptized ASAP! So cool! A few weeks ago we were walking around our apartment complex and handing out cards and she was in a car talking to her sister and we knocked on her window.. giving her a "because he lives" card and just a few days ago, she called us and asked us to come over!! She has already been to a church if ours with a friend! She said that she felt at home! She's from Iran and takes care of her parents at home! Her name is Sarah! She is the sweetest! She has such a big heart and I love every bit of Her! Before we even taught her the restoration she explained it to us, not even knowing that she was explaining it to us. She just knew it was how it was! You will hear a lot more of this woman! 
Love you all!! Happy December!
Always love,
Sister Callista Chaffin
Exchanges this week
Monday, November 26, 2018
Week 16: Thanksgiving Baptism
Hey all!
This week was great!
It was spent with one of my favorite families, the Bertoldo Family. Seriously,
they are why I am here, to help and love people like them! We spent
Thanksgiving with them and some of their family! Then on Saturday, the dad
baptized his son! What a great experience! I am so grateful for them and their
love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Spirit, and the Priesthood! :) One of
the pictures is of them and their family and the older couple that baptized
Brother Bertoldo (the dad in a picture with the whole family).
Wow! I am so grateful
for this ward, and how they have helped and loved this family and others that
we teach! They are awesome!
One of the things I learned, on Sunday, is that we are all imperfect. It is absolutely beautiful and raw! We all should be grateful for everything. If not, we are not going to be happy. We don't always see everything as a blessing. We are here, and that, in itself, is a blessing! We are all growing and learning how to love and serve each other, and trust in Heavenly Father in every step. That is why we are here! I love the Book of Mormon and how much it emphasizes that we have a purpose here! WE ARE SUPPOSED TO GROW AND LOVE IT!
Alma 32:43
"Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your
diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring
forth fruit unto you."Alma 31:30 "O Lord,
wilt thou give me strength, that I may bear with mine infirmities. For I am
infirm, and such wickedness among this people doth pain my soul."
Monday, November 19, 2018
Week 15: Hope & Love Conquers All
Tis the Season of Thanks-giving!!!
Thursday morning we got a little snow..... more like INCHES of snow! This early...that is unheard of in Virginia!
This week I learned a lot about Hope and love and how they cast out all fear. Being grateful is how you start to be positive, to be hopeful and loving! <3
A great Scripture I read this week.. Alma 24:6-10
What are you Thankful for?
Love you all, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
<3 Always Love!
1. Exchanges with the a trio!! And Snow!!
2. Look at that license plate!!
Thursday morning we got a little snow..... more like INCHES of snow! This early...that is unheard of in Virginia!
This week was kind of crazy! 3 days worth of exchanges! so many new people and getting to know them.. and planning a baptism for this Saturday!
William is getting baptized this Saturday and we are so excited!!
This week I learned a lot about Hope and love and how they cast out all fear. Being grateful is how you start to be positive, to be hopeful and loving! <3
A great Scripture I read this week.. Alma 24:6-10
6 " Now there was not one soul among all the people who had been converted unto the Lord that would take up arms against their brethren; nay, they would not even make any preparations for war; yea, and also their king commanded them that they should not.
7 Now, these are the words which he said unto the people concerning the matter: I thank my God, my beloved people, that our great God has in goodness sent these our brethren, the Nephites, unto us to preach unto us, and to convince us of the traditions of our wicked fathers.
8 And behold, I thank my great God that he has given us a portion of his Spirit to soften our hearts, that we have opened correspondence with these brethren, the Nephites.
9 And behold, I also thank my God, that by opening this correspondence we have been convinced of our sins, and of the many murders which we have committed.
10 And I also thank my God, yea, my great God, that he hath granted unto us that we might repent of these things, and also that he hath forgiven us of those our many sins and murders which we have committed, and taken away the guilt from our hearts, through the merits of his Son."
7 Now, these are the words which he said unto the people concerning the matter: I thank my God, my beloved people, that our great God has in goodness sent these our brethren, the Nephites, unto us to preach unto us, and to convince us of the traditions of our wicked fathers.
8 And behold, I thank my great God that he has given us a portion of his Spirit to soften our hearts, that we have opened correspondence with these brethren, the Nephites.
9 And behold, I also thank my God, that by opening this correspondence we have been convinced of our sins, and of the many murders which we have committed.
10 And I also thank my God, yea, my great God, that he hath granted unto us that we might repent of these things, and also that he hath forgiven us of those our many sins and murders which we have committed, and taken away the guilt from our hearts, through the merits of his Son."
What are you Thankful for?
Love you all, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
No worries.. I'll be in the Bertoldo family's house!
<3 Always Love!
Make it Count!
Sister Callista Chaffin
3. SS Chevelle on this beautiful road.. had to take a picture!!
Monday, November 12, 2018
Week 14: Hearts Softened
This week was beautiful!
Sunny, yet chilly! Either I got sun burnt or my face is a little chapped from the freezing wind from the other night... hmm!
I loved this week, it was up and down, with faith trials and challenges to being more BOLD!
Started out with a lesson with Sofia! Sister Kay had me do a few things to lead the lessons and be more like the senior companion. So, at the beginning of the lesson, I said, "Sofia, We had a lesson this past week with Savannah..." and she started blushing!! (She and Savannah are best friends!) I continued saying, "..we invited her to be baptized in about a month and a half, and we were thinking you could be baptized at the same time!" Before I even ended the sentence she was smiling ear to ear and nodding her head! :D She really wants to get baptized, so we asked her to finally ask her mom if she can! Then on Wednesday Sister Kay invited William, Sofia's little brother, to ask his mom when he can be baptized! This Saturday we got a text from Brother Bertoldo saying, "Rosa gives consent for Sofia & William to be baptized!!" Do you know what this means?? It means we have 3 upcoming baptisms, a Christmas miracle!! :D
I know that the Lord's work keep moving forward! This Gospel is the truest thing on this earth! I love the Bertoldo family and all that they and sister Kay have taught me! :)
I feel this scripture really fits:
(This is when Alma is preaching to the people through out his land)
Alma 5:12-14, 26
12 And according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart. Behold I say unto you that this is all true.
13 And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved.
14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts.
26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?"
Another thing that happened this week is that we have 3 new people being taught and they are pretty cool people! I am excited to see where we go with them! :0 Marchello & Bob and Krista! Also, a recent convert came to church, the one that we have been giving the sacrament to at a members house!
Biggest lesson from this week is that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is saving people's souls. Why aren't we bold about it and devastated when others don't keep commitments like read the Book of Mormon?
I love you all and pray that we can all find the Love of God and share it with others! <3
Always Love & Make it Count,
<3 Sister Callista Chaffin
Sunny, yet chilly! Either I got sun burnt or my face is a little chapped from the freezing wind from the other night... hmm!
I loved this week, it was up and down, with faith trials and challenges to being more BOLD!
Started out with a lesson with Sofia! Sister Kay had me do a few things to lead the lessons and be more like the senior companion. So, at the beginning of the lesson, I said, "Sofia, We had a lesson this past week with Savannah..." and she started blushing!! (She and Savannah are best friends!) I continued saying, "..we invited her to be baptized in about a month and a half, and we were thinking you could be baptized at the same time!" Before I even ended the sentence she was smiling ear to ear and nodding her head! :D She really wants to get baptized, so we asked her to finally ask her mom if she can! Then on Wednesday Sister Kay invited William, Sofia's little brother, to ask his mom when he can be baptized! This Saturday we got a text from Brother Bertoldo saying, "Rosa gives consent for Sofia & William to be baptized!!" Do you know what this means?? It means we have 3 upcoming baptisms, a Christmas miracle!! :D
I know that the Lord's work keep moving forward! This Gospel is the truest thing on this earth! I love the Bertoldo family and all that they and sister Kay have taught me! :)
I feel this scripture really fits:
(This is when Alma is preaching to the people through out his land)
Alma 5:12-14, 26
12 And according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart. Behold I say unto you that this is all true.
13 And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved.
14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts.
26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?"
Another thing that happened this week is that we have 3 new people being taught and they are pretty cool people! I am excited to see where we go with them! :0 Marchello & Bob and Krista! Also, a recent convert came to church, the one that we have been giving the sacrament to at a members house!
Biggest lesson from this week is that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is saving people's souls. Why aren't we bold about it and devastated when others don't keep commitments like read the Book of Mormon?
I love you all and pray that we can all find the Love of God and share it with others! <3
Always Love & Make it Count,
<3 Sister Callista Chaffin
1.Jumping for joy that we can baptize Sofia and William
2.Planes are always passing by! Beautiful sky!!
3.Sunset
Monday, November 5, 2018
Week 13: More Holiness Give Me
There comes a time that God sees our sacrifices, and blesses us for them!!
The things that we go through now, prepare us for something greater that God has in store for us in the future!
Remember the recent convert that I talked about last week, who received the sacrament for the very first time as a member? Well, we had another sacrament meeting this Sunday for her at a members house! Her parents have forbidden her to come to the church. She bore her testimony about partaking the Sacrament and it was absolutely beautiful! It pierced my heart. She said that she is able to have patience and comfort and hope all through the week, unlike she has had before! She knows without a doubt that this Church is true and it is real because it has changed her life immensely, and, that the Savior is aware of her and her situation!
After this little Sacrament meeting, she got in trouble from her parents. We got scared for her, but in our ward's Sacrament meeting we ended with the song "More Holiness Give Me" and from 11:45-2:00pm I COULD NOT stop thinking about her. I was worried and there wasn't anything I could do. The fact that I was fasting and going to church helped me worry less, but my thoughts were consumed by hoping she wasn't in too much trouble. We ended with this song and it says,
"More purity give me,
More strength to o’ercome,
More freedom from earth-stains,
More longing for home.
More fit for the kingdom,
More use would I be,
More blessed and holy—
More, Savior, like thee."
Our recent convert's experience is only making her stronger. God is making her fit for something even better! I know that the things that are hard or trials or weaknesses are for our own good!! And God will make us something more than we could ever imagine!
2 Nephi 26:24 "He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him."
Mosiah 18:30
"...in Mormon, yea, by the waters of Mormon, the forest of Mormon, how beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer; yea, and how blessed are they, for they shall sing to his praise forever."
Remember who is always thinking of you!
Always love,
Sister Callista Chaffin
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