Hilary's Mission

Welcome Home Hermana Vaughan-Schultz!!!

2010-12-28T22:34:00.000-08:00

Feliz Navidad!

2010-12-20T12:22:00.000-08:00

Hola! solomente yo tengo algunos dias mas aqui... estoy triste por eso... pero, yo se que todo va estar bien... estoy contenta con mi mision... yo he estado aqui por casi 18 meses... holy cow!!!

It has been one roller coaster of a week for me, the highest of highest of highs, and, well, not really lows, but just sad to say good bye... I will have been here for 9 months in Fort Myers. It feels like home. We had dinner at the Roman’s house last night, (ward mission leader) and I have gotten so close with them. I literally feel like I am a part of their family. They are all younger than me, and I pick on them, they pick on me. It is fantastic.

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!! Caroling all over again like last year. I love it. We went as a ward last Sunday to a senior home. It was fantastic. I just feel sorry for every ones ears... :-) I have never been a good singer, but I do hope I have improved since I left. We sing every day multiple times. So we'll see.

I feel so blessed. The week before last we had the baptism of Arnaldo from Honduras. We found him during our morning exercises and this last weekend we had three, Adela from Honduras, she is a little old grandma of a member family in Bonita. Also Mambert from Cuba. He is the genius that we found while putting up English class fliers, and Pedro from the Dominican Republic. We found him at 7/11 while we were stopping to use the bathroom!!! Woo hoo! I love gas stations! ;-) We have one more baptism next week right before I come home and many more planned in the next month. It is going to be hard not being here.

Something about the baptism this last weekend is that Satan knew how important it was! They are very special people that will be stalwarts in the gospel, and through the night he was working on the pipes in the church. The font would normally take an hour and a half to fill, but that changed to a good 3 and a half and it was cold water. Even though the baptisms were 2 hours late it was still an amazing experience.

It is amazing to witness baptisms, especially for those people that you have found, but what brings much greater joy is seeing them grow in the Gospel. Heriberto from St. Pete is preparing to enter the temple soon and an inactive family that I have worked with a lot will be sealed in the next year and are coming to church nearly every week. No hay palabras! William just received the priesthood, Arnaldo and Mambert will receive it soon. That is what makes it hard to leave.

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Feliz Navidad!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

Less Than Three Weeks Remain

2010-12-06T17:30:00.000-08:00

Well, it has been an amazing week! One of trials and Joys, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Trial, well, apparently I am VERY allergic to bees... I haven't been stung since I was maybe 8 years old. Well it took one little bee while we were teaching Cruz (my grandpa from Mexico that will be baptized on Christmas Eve) and next I was in the hospital. Now I get the joy of carrying an epi pen with me everywhere I go. Fun stuff!

Joy! We had 8 investigators at church on Sunday and they all have dates set before I come home! Isn’t that FANTASTIC! People we have been working with for a long time now as they have had to overcome some very hard and rough obstacles in their lives.

Joy! Well, I get to work on a car Thursday of one of our investigators and a recent convert.

I do not know where to even start as we have been so blessed in these last weeks. So many miracles happen with the people we are teaching that it is so hard to include it all. I would like to share a little bit more about Mambert. This man is very, very special to me. I have no doubt that before this life we promised each other that we would find each other. Who knew it would be in a little Spanish Tienda putting up English language class fliers. I can't remember how much I have told you about hum, but I will give a quick summary.

He is a black Cuban man, 59 years old, and just a bundle of joy. When I approached him in the store to "contact" him he said, "Yes, I will go to your church if you can find me a job." A little sarcastic needless to say, but I just felt so impressed that I needed to testify that if he did learn from us he would find more joy in his life than any work could ever bring him. I also felt impressed that we should have a prayer with him. As awkward as it was, we followed that prompting (he was sitting in a stool at the front counter). In the prayer I felt prompted that I could promise him that he would find work. Well, one week later, we had a tour set up for the church, but it ended up falling through, but as we approached the church, outside of the locked gate was standing Mambert and our fellowshipper, so we taught him. With a huge smile he just said, "I am here to give thanks. I didn't just get one job, I got TWO! You are my angels!"

As we were sitting in the chapel and started to teach him the restoration, he got a phone call... he answered it, and he got a third job right there! He started to weep and put his head in his hands. He quickly walked outside (he left to catch his breath). We were so full of love and joy and the spirit. We quickly got on our knees and offered a prayer of thanks. I can't describe the joy I felt, and to know that the promise that I felt inspired to give was fulfilled.

Well, it has been a battle ever since, but we are winning. He has been strongly addicted to cigarettes for 40 years. On the spot we asked him for his cigarettes and he gave them to us as he committed to be baptized. Oh it was so amazing! He has faulted a few times since and has smoked. When that happened he would try to avoid us, but we are stubborn sister missionaries that refuse to let Satan win, so we would chase after him. We have seen an amazing change in him.

The other evening I had the most spiritual experience I have ever had in my life. The spirit was so strong that I felt weak after and couldn't talk, not even to my companions to explain to them what happened. I will not share a lot of it, but I do want to share a few things just to let you know how amazing Mambert is. It was while he began to tell his life story. Mambert is hands down the smartest man I have ever met in my life. In 2 days he read the Book of Mormon. He is sooo brilliant. Since he has read it 4 more times and knows more of the chronological history than I do. He was before a professor of history and philosophy in Cuba, until he was forced to quit teaching because of the influence of Castro. Well, it began with a hard and long journey until he came to America. I cannot share a lot of what he shared, but this is the most special man that I have ever met in my life. I’m sorry, there are not words to express the love I feel for this man... he WILL change the world.

Sorry I do not have much more to write, but I would like to say thank you for the support I received from so many as I have spent this short time in Florida. It really does feel like such a short time. Like a dream or a blink of the eye, but I love you all so much.

Now, all I wonder is if I have really changed since I first put my tag on. I really hope I have started to become the person the Savior would have me be.

‘til we meet,

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

One Month To Go

2010-11-29T11:38:00.000-08:00

Well we have three amazing sisters here in the Rio Vista ward. Hermana Phelps from the Bay Area in California joined us last Tuesday. Double training is great! We make quite the trio!

One month. Just even writing that puts a pretty large lump in my throat. More and more people are talking about me going home. I am a little nervous to say the least, but I received such a tender mercy from the Lord.

On our way to Tampa to pick up Sister Phelps we drove through St. Petersburg. The entire 2 and a half hour drive I sat and reflected on my mission. As I held in my hands pictures of the people that I have found and walked into the waters of baptism. Oh what great joy was I filled with, but also sadness, because I love the people here with ALL of my heart. I was brought to tears and couldn't utter a word. As I saw the first sign that read "St. Petersburg" I got so excited and screamed it, "ST. PETE!!!" All of a sudden I became like a little girl in a candy shop. As we drove down good ol' highway 19 (i could probably count the number of cracks in the side walk from riding my bike on it so much ;-) ) I was like, "Oh! That’s where the Saldivars are, oh, there is where we found Virginia, oh, that’s where I was hit by a red Mini Cooper on my bike, ooohhh, I don't like that street at all, that’s where the evil water tower lady is, oh, that’s where we found Peggy and she painted the picture of the Sacred grove, that’s where..." over and over again. A flood of just wonderful memories came into my mind. That sorrow that I felt was immediately filled with a joy that is only describable in the words of Ammon.

Alma 26:10-12

“And it came to pass that when Ammon had said these words, his brother Aaron rebuked him, saying: Ammon, I fear that thy joy doth carry thee away unto boasting. But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God. 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.”

I feel so content with my mission. I do not feel regret. It was in that moment that I felt the spirit of the Lord confirm to me that the Lord was pleased with me. As I reflected on so many of the miracles that I witnessed that I know it was only by the Grace of the Lord that they were brought about. By His power. I LOVE MY MISSION! More than anything, I love my Savior and my best friend. All I have wanted on my mission is to "become" a missionary. I still have a lot of work to do... ;-)

A little bit of funnies...

I got food poisoning for the first time on my mission. Fun stuff. Thank you sis Quiones for taking care of me. ;-)

We made gingerbread houses with our investigators and our recent converts last night using Helaman 5:12.

Love you,

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

Fort Meyers Week 22

2010-10-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

We had an amazing week!!! We found an amazing family.

Her name is Socorro. We were completely lead by the spirit to find this family in a miraculous way. There are too many details to write, but miracle after miracle. Anyhoo, she is a 90 year old grandma with her husband Juan. We found them while putting up English class flyers. We just "felt" like we should walk down this road and there we found Socorro sitting outside with 3 of her daughters. She has 8 children that all live in the Palm Beach area with her children and their families. They have a HUGE family!!!

Well, we won her heart over the first time we taught her. It was something very special and personal to me. We started by singing a hymn and sharing a few thoughts about the Savior. Socorro's eyes were locked on me and she started to tear up. We taught Socorro yesterday with one of her grandsons that is studying for some position in the Catholic church. She was so excited that we were there. She said, "Sit, sit!" and she told her grandson (22 years old) to sit and listen to "angels." So he did and we had an amazing first lesson. While we shared the first vision, and as I said the words of Joseph Smith, again Socorro’s eyes were locked on mine. I felt a spiritual connection with her that I can't explain, and her grandson felt it was true. He explained that it was like all his worries in life went away. They both know it is true! They couldn't deny it. Oh boy! I was jumping up and down after this lesson. I am so excited to see them on Tuesday!!!

Fort Meyers Week 21

2010-10-04T10:58:00.000-07:00

Talk about an amazing week! General Conference is always a little bittersweet for me. There is so much excitement leading up to it, then it passes, and then it is like, "Oh man, we have to wait another 6 months." But it was GREAT!!!!!! Every Conference I try to come up with 3-4 questions that I have pondered about but seem to have trouble finding the answer too. Well, it never fails that I ALWAYS get my answer as I listen to the Prophets, Seers and Revelators that lead this marvelous work.

Something that has been in the forefront in my mind in the last week is the responsibility of stewardship and the "mantle" that we carry with us in our selective proselyting area. We as missionaries have the ability to receive revelation to find those that are prepared to receive the gospel in our selective area. It is very overwhelming! I have stood in front of the map in our apartment many times and felt a heavy burden come over my shoulders as I look at all of the million and one areas we could search. It is a great realization to me that we cannot have success in this work, we cannot find the elect, unless we humble ourselves in mighty prayer and seek the Lord’s inspiration. And more than anything, we must have the confidence in the calling that we have that we are able to receive this revelation.

During conference I reflected a lot in the last year that I have been in Florida. Conference a year ago was my first weekend in the field. WOW!!! That is scary. I reflected on my time spent serving in St. Petersburg, and to be honest, I have been homesick, but not homesick for Seattle Washington, but homesick for my family in St. Pete.

I can think of so many times where I have literally felt like an instrument in the hands of the Lord in finding someone that is prepared. As I reflected on these moments, tears streamed down my face as I sat in the chapel listening to conference. I felt the dews of heaven pour out abundantly over me and I was filled with a joy that there are no words to describe. I thought, "Why am I so blessed? Why am I blessed to have this opportunity? How could I ever repay the Lord for the countless blessings he has given me?" Well, I never will be able to repay Him. We never will be able to. I feel my time is running short, but I feel like there is so much more to do. The two things that have brought me comfort as I have thought about going home is, the "mantle" and stewardship that we hold. It was a humbling realization that anyone can do this work, and that every missionary that will come after will do just the same thing. They will feel over whelmed and tired, but as they seek the Lord’s inspiration and will this work will not stop. That is what comforts my heart. I feel so happy right now. I never want to leave the "mission field" and I never will. It is so great!

The only thing that made this weekend better is that the AGGEIS beat YBU I mean BYU! ;-). Oh that is soooo amazing!!! I will definitely be living that one up here! Most of the office staff are Aggies so we make sure we let those "baby blue" Provo people know who is on top! This will be braggin’ rights for the next year! Woo hoo!

Ft. Myers Week 19

2010-09-20T04:35:00.000-07:00

I guess I must have learned some Spanish since I’ve been here, I translated for stake conference and it was sweet! I was pretty proud! :-)

Sister Lai and I went to early morning seminary this morning! It was great! I loved it! It made me a little sad to think that I missed the opportunity to attend during high school, but I really hope I get the opportunity to serve as a teacher. That would be SWEET!!!

The work is going so wonderfully well. I honestly don't feel like I deserve it. We are teaching amazing prepared people that are at the edge of their seat to accept the gospel, but we are also teaching some people that have huge obstacles in front of them that they have to overcome. Oh but what joy it is to see them change and start partaking of that fruit that is, oh so divine.

I have been really impressed lately with Lehi's dream. It’s interesting that in the very instance that he partook of the fruit, this joy the gospel brought him, his first desire was to share it with the people that he loves. This has been a truth woven through the time I have been serving the Lord. The times where I have felt the atoning influence in my life, are the times where I testified with more vigor, when I would want to run from door to door and pretty much scream from the roof tops the message we bring. It’s the most important message in the entire world. However, a truth that I have also learned, from hard experiences, is that our purpose is to bring the word "unto" the hearts of the people, but it is up to them to allow the word "into" their hearts. This is a gospel truth for the rest of our lives.

As I have seen those that I have helped come to the waters of baptism, and I look at where they are now, I wonder, "What was the difference?" "Why did some stay strong and others not?" "Did they really come unto Christ?" Then I asked myself, how do we come unto Christ? For me, four and a half years ago, I didn't know who Jesus Christ was and as I reflect on how I came to know my Savior, it really isn't all that much different than how I come to know any one of you that are reading this. It is by passing time with a person, by talking to them, by sharing experiences, tears, heartache and joy.

We need to spend time with our Savior one on one. Surely, we can study the scriptures, and learn everything "about" His life and ministry, but I could read all about anyone and their history, but I really won’t get to know them. If we rely too much on our teachers or other people for our spiritual edification, then we will never "come unto our Savior" and really partake of this joy that we could have to REALLY know that He is there.

I know without a single doubt, no less than if the Savior was standing beside me that He lives. That He is my brother and best friend. There is nothing in the world that has more value to me than my journey of coming to know my Savior. I want EVERYONE to feel the peace and security in this. I wish I was the missionary I am now in the beginning of my mission. I might have done things a little differently, but now, my entire focus will be on helping them feel that atoning power and truly come unto Christ and have a personal relationship with him so that they can know with a surety that they can turn to Him even when they feel alone. That is how they will stay strong and that is how we can help them.

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY WITH ALL MY HEART!!!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

Ft. Myers Week 18

2010-09-13T12:10:00.000-07:00

I had the best Sunday I think I ever have had on the mission...

We are teaching a family that is just absolutely amazing! There are not words to describe the love that I have for this family. The mother, Elia is 25 and I feel like we are best friends... she is like a sponge. Whenever we come over the first thing she says is, "Do I need my books?" Oh, I love her so much! She is living with her boyfriend. At first we thought he didn't like us all that much. He is very spiritual and has a lot of knowledge about the Bible. But after a week of teaching Elia she accepted a baptismal date. Well, then he completely opened up, and guess what we found out! He is a MEMBER! He was just keeping his distance so that Elia could make the decision on her own. She didn't even know he was a member. She has 3 children, none with him. They have only been together for about 6 months but they are so in love! He is 18 and he didn't finish school because he had to go to work at the age of 14 to support his family because his mom was dying of cancer. It is just an amazing story of how these two found each other. The lesson that we taught Elia about the law of chastity made me a little nervous because she is living with her boyfriend. Well, it went amazing, in fact right when she realized that she was breaking one of the commandments, she was like "Oh, I need to change." So she prayed about it and she wants to get married. The only problem is that they want to wait awhile, but we are working on that! :-)

So yesterday, we were anxiously waiting for their family to get to church. I was nervous... really nervous because they hadn't called and they were late. So I called her and she said, "We're on our way." When I got off the phone I screamed, “YYYEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!” Then I jumped up off the couch and danced around! The members of the Haitian branch got mad at me and closed the doors to the chapel. I felt bad for maybe a second... Maybe ;-) but oh boy... I couldn't have been any happier!

While we were sitting in the church we filled an entire row with her family. I was sitting next to them and I looked over right in the nick of time and managed to see Aldair, her boyfriend take a ring off of his pinky finger, and put it on her ring finger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh man! HAVE ANY OF YOU EVER HEARD OF THAT!!!!! A PROPOSAL DURING SACRAMENT MEETING???!!! WOOOOOHOOOOOO!!! So we will be having a wedding here soon and a sealing in a year no doubt in my mind!!!!! We know that Satan will bring out the big guns because this is a very special family. I have no doubt they will become very strong leaders in the church. Satan tried this morning. We got a call from Aldair and Elia got pulled over. She had an expired license and well, got arrested. So the ward pulled together and got bail and got everything figured out. BRING IT SATAN! WE WONT GIVE UP! :-) OH I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!

Hermana Lai is amazing! We are having a lot of fun! She is definitely a lot shyer than Sister Baum but it is a great experience working with her. We are exact opposites but definitely united in this great cause to bring the Gospel to EVERYONE! We both want that more than anything!

Love you all!

Hermana Vavughan-Schultz

Ft. Myers Week 17

2010-09-06T11:52:00.000-07:00

Well, I believe I am killing my trainee! Her name is Hermana Lai. She’s a little LITTLE Chinese girl from Vancouver Washington. She’s a little shy and timid but I know we'll have a great time working together. It didn't help that when we arrived back from Tampa that our car had a flat tire. In my head I just said, “Alright bring it Satan!!!” Well, we got the spare on and drove it to Firestone. I had really itchy feet and just wanted to work. The mall was behind the store, so we decided to storefront contact. Oh she looked so scared. :-) but all was well and we found a man named Pedro to teach. We gave him a church tour just two days later. I prayed so hard in the days leading up that we would find someone to teach and baptize the first day we were together, y alli esta! :-)

So, yes I think I’m killing my companion. We were in the heat all morning, so I thought I would treat her to an ice cold Slurpee. Well, on our way out she rolled her ankle in a pot hole and we spent the next three hours in the hospital. Again in my head I’m thinking, “Alright! Is that all you got Satan!?” This work is not going to stop! :-) And yes, I carried her into the hospital.

Kind of funny, but while waiting for her in the waiting room, I talked to the most wonderful family from Guatemala. We just laughed and laughed together. Especially when the dad wouldn't tell me his real name, he just said, “My name is ugly,” and all his kids would laugh so hard. I love the Spanish people so much. I have never been happier than to sit there and just talk to them. When they first walked into the waiting room their mouths dropped open to see some white blonde girl talking Spanish on the phone. They loved it and I have gotten so that I can depict the different dialects from the different countries. It’s so funny! What was really great is that last night while planning we got a call and all I heard is, “Hola, soy ugly!” He called US! Whooo hoooo! His family is coming to English class and we are teaching him the gospel after the English class! It is a testimony to me that the only way to be a disciple of Christ is to love the people. I loved them so much sitting there. I love being a missionary! I love my job and who I work for! :-)

I’ll be sure to keep you all updated on ugly! :-) He has a wife and 5 kids.

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

Ft. Myers Week 13

2010-08-09T09:09:00.000-07:00

Oh my, the things that Sister Baum and I have faced this week! We have been led to amazing people that I know we were led to find, who before felt like they were lost or hadn't attended church in years. They started to find their faith again when they planted the seed of faith and read the Book of Mormon. We would start to see a change in them, they would be happier, they would love being in the church. They would say they knew it was all true. Sister Baum and I would be beaming, and then we would ask them to follow the Savior and be baptized in his church. Dun dun dunnn, they would say, “I don't want to change religions,” or “I can't change religions,” or “I finally feel good going back to my church, but thank you for everything you have done for me.” after they left the church sister Baum and I pretty much put our faces in the pews and screamed! We went from 10 baptismal dates to 1 because of those two things! Grrrrrr!!! But, the work is still rolling. In two days we filled our teaching pool again and now we don't have enough time to teach every one. And get this; between the elders and us we had 20 investigators at church on Sunday!!! That’s amazing! We filled the chapel and we hardly fit in the high council room for gospel doctrine class! That is all for just one ward! It is soooo much fun!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

Ft. Myers Week 12

2010-07-26T11:44:00.000-07:00

Hola!!!!!

Como estan? Estoy super bien aqui en Fort Myers.

Donde debo empezar? Pues, if I just write this in English it will be a lot quicker :-)

Wilson P. was baptized and confirmed!!! Woohooo!!!! He was the man we found in the gas station 15 minutes after he arrived from Miami. He is absolutely amazing. I can't even begin to explain it. He wanted to be baptized for 8 months. I have never seen a bigger smile than his on the day of his baptism. Oh, I’m sooo happy!

I have had the best week on my mission. You want to know something cool? I really have changed. Cherelle, a girl that we take out with us often said something about me that really hit home. So, we were on splits on Tuesday, and Cherell and I were riding bikes in the 99 degree weather, in the sun for 3 hours. We could have been hating life, but I felt on top of the world. We were putting up English class flyers in restaurants and other shops. We stopped at this Peruvian shop and as I talked, the lady stopped me and said, "Where are you from?" I told her I was a gringa, and she said, "Your accent is so good." That is what every missionary dreams of! So I was really on cloud 9! As we were biking away I started singing hymns really loud and Cherell said, "Sister Vaughan-Schultz, I have never met anyone in my life that is always happy like you are." Isn't that amazing?! I didn't notice how much I changed until she said that. I truly am happy!

As Sister Baum is preparing to end her mission here in Fort Myers, I can't help but think of the things that have happened on my mission. During my personal study a few days ago, I reflected on the names that I have written in the front of my “Preach My Gospel” manual that have I had the privilege of helping come to the waters of baptism. If you glance at it, it just looks like a list of names, but as I sat and pondered and reflected on each individual, I think my heart actually grew bigger. I have prayed since the beginning of my mission to have the ability to love and serve beyond my own capacity, and as I reflected on each individual I couldn't help but feel my heart over flowing with love and gratitude. My whole purpose as a missionary is to help others to come unto Christ. Every individual on that list has their own story of finding faith in Christ. What this work really is about is helping people find faith in Jesus Christ and to be able to utilize the enabling power of the atonement, having hope of changing that they never would have had without the gospel.

Ft. Myers Week 11

2010-07-19T11:43:00.000-07:00

Well, I’m sitting here just not reallyeven knowing where to start!

Oh, HERMANA BAUM AND I WILL BE TOGETHER ANOTHER 6 WEEKS!!!! We are so excited! The Lord really has blessed us so much as we have served together. She will finish her mission here. We're just going to work even harder to make sure that she ends on an amazing note. We're set to have a baptism every weekend! So it is soooo exciting! I’ve wanted that my entire mission! But not only that, there are many families we are teaching. It really doesn't get any better than that!!!! We truly are so blessed. I don't even feel like we deserve it, but we'll just keep putting one foot in front of the other!

Oh, it’s been HOT down here! HHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTT!!! I have fantastic missionary tan lines, especially on my feet! That’s something I am definitely proud of!

Next week I’ll write more. I just didn't know what to say today.

Ft. Myers Week 9

2010-07-07T12:11:00.000-07:00

Oh boy! This was an amazing week! We celebrated my birthday yesterday and it has to be my most favorite birthday ever! :-) The Roman’s (ward mission leader) and the Ramirez families (our recent convert family) threw a birthday party for me! It was so much fun! I felt so special and loved. As we all sat around the table eating, I couldn’t help but feel so much love and gratitude for the opportunity I have had to serve here, and truly become a part of so many wonderful families. After eating, they brought out a cake and sang to me. After the song they started yelling, “!Mordida! Mordida! Mordida!” which means, “BITE IT!” So I did! And yes, my face got pushed right into the cake! Illiana loved getting that opportunity! And they all laughed so hard. It was a very heart-warming experience feeling at home even though I am thousands of miles away from home. I love being a missionary, and I truly love the people here.

Now I have said many times before, that I love gas stations, but now I REALLY REALLY love gas stations. We were around the Pine Manor area and we had just finished visiting Juan. Well, it was my turn this time to really have to use the bathroom. Usually we use the Canteras family’s bathroom when we are in the area. (Let’s face it, gas station bathrooms are never a first pick) but I kept thinking, no, we should stop at 7/11… so we did. I kind of hurried into the bathroom and Sister Baum said, I’ll contact these two Spanish guys in the store. So she did. From the bathroom I could hear her yelling with excitement. When I came out Sister Baum had a big smile on her face and the first thing she said was, “Hermana, this is Wilson, and he has been studying with the sisters in Miami for 8 months!” Then after some conversation she said, “So were you baptized?” He said, “No.” “WHY NOT?!” He said, “Well, my girlfriend that I lived with would never marry me.” We asked, “Well, is she living with you now?” He said, “ No.” Then Sister Baum said, “So then problem is…” He said, “solved!”

We totally just found Wilson. He might as well have been an active member. He truly and sincerely is a future stake president. What is crazy is that he had just driven into Fort Myers 15 minutes before that. He came to the 7/11 to get deodorant and a tooth brush that he had forgotten. After talking a little bit more, we asked, “Well what are you doing right now?” He said, “Nothing.” We asked, “Do you want to walk to one of our members houses and we can have a lesson?” He said, “Sure!” So we did. While we were there we had a great lesson and just talked and got to hear more of his story. At one point he asked, “I’m not sure what God is trying to tell me right now.” And then Hermana Cantera said, “Duh, he is telling you that you need to be baptized!” It was really quite funny!

We have had about 5 lessons with Wilson. They have been the most spiritual lessons that I have had on the mission. I think it is a demonstration of the faith that he has. He is in a sticky situation… He has been with his girlfriend for 11 years. They might as well be married but she won’t marry him so now he is not living with her but it is still a very hard and difficult thing for him. It is a huge trial of his faith. He understands the commitment it is to be a member of the church, including the importance of keeping the law of chastity. As he has persevered through this I have never before seen someone more like Nephi. Ever. He has so much faith. I feel completely unworthy to even teach him. Just in the short week that we have known him, trial and test after test have been placed before him and he still keeps going. First, his girlfriend said that she wanted to move in with him here. So that was a problem. Then there was something else. We stopped by his house when he still was a little unsure about whether or not he should be baptized. We read with him Hebrews 11 and talked about faith, and the faith that was necessary for these amazing people to do what they did. He was very quiet and somber during the lesson. We just kept testifying to him. We invited him to say the prayer and to ask Heavenly Father if he should be baptized or not. We told him to pause after and wait a few minutes to listen… And we did that. The spirit was so strong. He said he felt really good. We made sure we left him when the spirit was the strongest. The next day we met him at the Canteras home. We watched the Restoration movie. He has seen it a million times before but we felt like he should watch it. His eyes were entranced on the TV. After it ended we just sat silently. Then he said, “Well, I know what I’m going to do and I got my answer.” He said, “ I know I need to be baptized. I will be baptized whenever you want me to. Tomorrow!” We were in pure shock! Two days ago he said that he wouldn’t even set a date or do anything to move in that direction. Sister Baum and I are so happy!

I love this work! Every day we are finding prepared people! There is no greater work or joy that someone can feel than to help our Heavenly Father in this great cause of building up His kingdom.

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

Ft. Myers Week 8

2010-06-28T14:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm going to admit, this week was exhausting, but in the best way possible! I felt like we have been in a full on brawl with Satan as we have tried to help Freddi prepare for baptism. It has been weeks and weeks. For awhile I was lacking in faith a little bit because I didn't know if it was actually going to happen. Well, you better believe that we stomped on Satan and Freddi was baptized this weekend along with Juan. Also in St. Petersburg, Cipriano was baptized (he was the one that Sister Alva and I found that didn't believe in God. He was very angry with God for allowing his mother to be sick with cancer. His mom just died in Mexico. He said that he realized the difference that the Gospel has had in his life when he saw how he "dealt" with his mom's death, with faith in the Lord. :-) So cool! I'M SOOOO HAPPY!

President and Sister Colton drove down to come to our baptisms. It was so nice to see them one last time! It was a little sad seeing them drive away, but this was a baptism that should go in the Guinness Book of World Records! First, Sister Baum and I had to do splits at the last minute because Freddi was freaking out and said he was too scared to be baptized. So Sister Baum and a fellowshipper drove out to his house in Lehigh to talk to him. That left me and Cherell at the church to get everything ready. Well, we thought it would be nice to have Rojelio (baptized last week) go get Juan. Well he got lost and was 15 miles out in the middle of nowhere. So 20 minutes before the baptism was supposed to start, we didn't even know if we could get Juan OR Freddi to the church!!! Then president and Sister Colton showed up and I'm running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to... ahhhh... you get the picture. :-)

Well, through prayer and miracles they both made it safe and sound. Oh, did I mention that the air conditioning broke in the church, so it was like a 100 degrees in there! So the members were really excited with us when they had to sit and wait for Juan and Freddi to show up. Well, while Juan was changing in the dressing room connected to the font, Freddi changed in the bathroom down the hall. Freddi finished first so we started to take pictures outside the baptismal room. Then all of a sudden we heard a big splash and a lot of laughing. With terror in our faces I looked at Sister Baum like, "OH MY GOODNESS!!! WHO WAS THAT?!" Well, Juan fell in the water! He full on fell into the water! At this point I about had it and couldn't help but fall on my knees and laugh hysterically! Sister Colton couldn't hold back the tears from laughing so hard! Oh, but it gets better! We never knew that it would be a fight with Freddi until the very end, but it was. Eleven times! He had to be baptized 11 times! Elder de Hoyos is a strong guy, and he still couldn't get him all the way under. Oh boy, I can't describe this well enough. It is surely a day that I will never forget. I love Juan and Freddi so much. They are amazing! I'm so excited for them. Yesterday in Sunday school we were still laughing about how Juan fell in the water. Oh boy! I love every part of being a missionary!

Well, we thought yesterday between the hours of 2 and 5 were going to be prime tracting time, but we couldn't hardly get anyone to listen to us. Why? Because of the World Cup! It is so amazing being down here and seeing how much of the culture is centered around soccer. Our chapel is full of people from all over South America! To see the rivalry between them is so great! I was sad to see that Mexico lost. Now everyone from Mexico that we talk to is going to be upset or sad. :-) So awesome!

So Sister Baum and I were driving down Highway 41. It is a pretty busy six lane highway. While we were stopped at a stop light, we looked to our right, and there was this amazing looking Spanish family in a Ford Explorer. We both looked at each other, and despite the awkwardness, Sister Baum undid her seat belt and started to stretch out of the car to try and hand them a pass along card. Well, the light turned green!!! SATAN! I didn't know he had control of the lights too! No I'm just kidding, but really! This was last Wednesday I think, so yesterday, we had just knocked on Luis's door (baptism date set for the 17th) to wake him up (didn't answer) as we were leaving the apartment complex a black Ford Explorer pulled in and Sister Baum yells, "That's that family!" So we turned right around and chased after them! :-) When we got out of the car after they parked, the dad was like (in Spanish), "Hey! you are the girls from the 41!" He was so excited to see us. He didn't know why but he said he felt sad the other day when he didn't get what we tried to give him. BUT WE FOUND THEM! Oh man, we are so excited to teach them! the Lord is in the work.

Have I told you about Luis and how we found him? Well I will now just to make sure. I don't think I could even count how many extremely awkward but amazing experiences that Sister Baum and I have had making sure that we talk to everyone that we can. Well, Sister Baum and I go on a walk or jog every morning. Usually around the mall that is close by, or on lighted streets. Well, this particular morning we took a different route, at first not knowing why. As we were leaving the apartment complex, we passed a Spanish man walking. We didn't think much of it. Well this is what I thought in my head, “Um we're in sweats and don't have any cards. Lots of excuses. Well, we didn't make it too far, maybe three blocks around the corner, and we both looked at each other and said, "um ya..." and we turned around and literally chased after him. By the time we reached him we were so winded and all we told him is who we were and asked him if he would like to learn more. He accepted. We took his info and the next day we called him and set up a time for him to come to the church. He arrived and it was an amazing lesson. He told us, "I never walk. My car always works, but for some reason that day it wouldn't start, so I had to walk to the gas station so my friend could take me to work." The next day the car started, so he took it so the shop to get it checked out. The mechanic couldn't find anything wrong with it. Luis is being prepared to be baptized on the 17th. He came to church yesterday and loved it!

I don't think I have told you anything about Diana. Diana is from Puerto Rico. She has a baptismal date for the 24th. (I feel like there are a lot of people I haven't been able to write about.) So Diana used to be a pastor for a pentecostal church with her husband in New Jersey. when we first started to teach her I thought she was crazy because she talked so much about the book of Revelations and things I have no idea about, but after about 4 visits I think she gained our trust. and it all made sense when she said she used to be a pastor. Her knowledge of the bible is amazing, and the reason I thought she was crazy is because I don't hardly know anything about the book of Revelations. To be honest, the book scares me, so it has been so much fun teaching her. What has converted her to the gospel is the spirit and the happiness that she has felt since we have visited her. I mentioned that every time we have come over she seems happier and happier. We asked her why and she said, "Well, it's because of this good book here, (holding the Book of Mormon), and because this is true. I used to try and make up excuses so that you girls couldn't come over, but now I just put everything else to the side because I know I need it." She isn't with her pastor husband anymore, she is married now to a Mexican man that we taught and he also accepted a date for baptism. I could go on and on about how amazing this women is. She left her church because of a bad experience with her husband and a member of the church. She has fallen away from God, and now she has found the iron rod and she couldn't be happier.

Love you all,

Hermana Vaughan Schultz

Ft. Myers Week 7

2010-06-14T11:06:00.000-07:00

Each week goes by quicker and quicker! It is kind of scaring me to be honest. I'm realizing more and more that this time is so short. It has made it even more clear why it is important to follow every prompting that you receive. Just one little funny thing, we were driving by the highway and I saw a Spanish women sitting at the bus stop off the side of the road and for a split second it popped in my head that we should talk to her. So I kind of had to step on the brakes rather hard and very awkwardly as I pulled off the side of the road. This surprised my companion and she looked at me like I was crazy. Well, I said, "There is lady at the bus stop back there, maybe we should go talk to her. I mean it popped into my head." So we did, and I wish this was some awesome amazing story where this women is going to get baptized and what not. Unfortunately, it's not in the least. What happened is that Sister Baum went up to her and started to talk to her and she was probably one of the rudest Spanish women I've ever met. She made fun of us for our lack of Spanish abilities. Walking back to the car I couldn't help but laugh. I thought in my head, "My poor companion, I just made us pull off the road like that, and we just got torn apart!" It was so funny! We laughed so hard when we got in the car! Well, I've made a commitment to do all I can to follow all the little things. This is just a funny consequence of one. :-)

Feliz is one of our investigators that has taught me more than I could ever teach him. If anyone believes that miracles do not happen in these days, they are wrong. If someone believes that the Book of Mormon doesn't have the power to change a person's life, well it does and Feliz is that example. We found Feliz at an address that we got from someone when we were street contacting. We found him sitting in a lawn chair on a cement slab under an awning with beer cans scattered around. Out front was a bus that the "pickers" ride out to the crops to pick melons and there was a mobile home on the back of the lot. (It is harvesting season right now. There is nothing like eating ice cold watermelon picked fresh from the fields. I'm just saying :-) )

Feliz was a little bit under the influence of alcohol. He seemed to be somewhat interested so we asked him if he had a few moments that we could talk to him. He accepted and we sat on pieces of split wood in a circle. In my head I'm thinking, "Is this guy just like all of the other drunk men that we talk to (ther e are many)? What could we teach him?" I looked over at Sister Baum and it was a moment where neither of us just didn't know what to do. Well, the next 15 minutes I will never forget for the rest of my life. I kind of took the lead, and I was like, "Alright, Feliz, we have a message that is going to change the rest of your life. You will not be the same person that you were before we came here tonight. I promise." Then we sang to him, “I am a child of God.” After that we listened to a little bit of his story. He is from mexico and has worked to support his family since he was 12. He is now 35, single, living here alone. We asked him the question that we already knew the answer to. "Have you been drinking?" he said, “Yes.” He said he hasn't stopped drinking for a week and hasn't been to work for a week (he is a picker).

I couldn't count how many times we have stood and talked to completely intoxicated people and tried to share something, but we always knew that they would forget it. Often we would say, "Call us tomorrow," or something like that. But I sincerely felt something different about Feliz. There was something in his eyes, a sadness, but also a hope. I can't explain it sufficiently in words. It is one of the most spiritual and personal experiences I have ever had. Reflecting back on it now I felt like I finally had the “spectacles of Christ” on and saw Feliz for the person that he really is inside. Not the "borracho" that he looked like on the outside. Leaning over resting on my knees I looked him square in the eyes. I testified that he was a son of God, that Heavenly Father wants him to be happy. I felt like my heart was going to explode it was sooooo full!!!! The only thing that I could think of that has the power to help him is the Book of Mormon.

Before even really explaining what it is, I said "we are going to give you something that will give you strength and will save your life. I promise you. But you need to read it. You need to take the action and have the desire." There was more but I can't describe it all. We gave him the Book of Mormon and we read through Alma 36 and from the beginning. He said he had the desire to change. I told him that I believed in him with all my heart and that I knew he was going change and that I had faith in him and that he was going to do it. We tried to set up a time to see him again, but we couldn't really settle on a time and since he doesn't have a phone we told him that the next time we were going to be in the area was in three days. That worried me, but we told him that he could do it.

When we left and got in the car, I turned to my companion and said, "I have no doubt in my mind that he getting baptized and will not drink another drop of alcohol." I don't know if she thought I was crazy or not. I wouldn't be surprised if she did. Three days later we stopped by once and left a note. It wasn't until the next night that we got a call from Feliz. Oh, I will never forget this! Can you guess what happened? That night he stayed up reading. He said he promised God that if he would help him he would stop drinking. Feliz has been to work every day since and has not had one drop of alcohol! He is a different person. We taught him two nights ago and I have never seen someone radiate with so much light in my life! He was changed just like Alma the Younger! Oh my, I have never felt so much joy in my life!

I love this work!!!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

Ft. Myers Week 6

2010-06-07T09:11:00.000-07:00

I love it when you know you are in the right place, at the exact time that Heavenly Father wants you to be. There really isn't any greater feeling as a missionary. A great example of this would be how we found Juan. Well, we started by visiting an inactive member, and they didn't work out, so we decided that we should knock doors on their street. Then we met this amazing old man that turned 91 the day before (he actually stormed the beach on D-Day, he told us some cool stories) but we felt like we should sing him happy birthday, so we did in Spanish and he really liked it Then he told us about this Spanish family that lives behind him that made him a cake. Our radars went up! :-) Then after we went over to that house, we found a rather rude Catholic man. It was kind of disappointing, but hey, we just kept knocking. Sister Baum said we should do the next door and that's where we found a ridiculously crazy woman, like really crazy. That was the craziest door contact that I have had and I have had some doozies! I'll save it for later, but Sister Baum wanted to do one more door and that next house was Juan's. When we first started talking to him he didn't seem all that interested. He didn't have a phone number so we didn't think too much of it, but we sat down and shared the message of the restoration with him. He said he felt good, but I wasn't so sure how things would end up with him... He said he would come to church but wouldn't really allow any of our members to come by and pick him so we didn't think he was that committed. Well, we were kind of right in that he didn't come to church but we still felt like we needed to do some follow up with him.

We kind of saw him as the typical "flojo" guy. Pero todavia hay milagros! At the next visit, he came right out to the car when we pulled up and pretty much rushed over to sit down. He was so excited to learn. When we spoke and taught, he just sat intently listening and soaking up everything like a sponge. Sister Baum and I just looked at each other like, "What in the world happened to him?!" He was a completely different person. This is the power of the spirit, the sanctifying power. He recognized the spirit when we shared the first vision with him the last time we were there and knew what it felt like. When we left, and he read the Book of Mormon he felt the same way as when we were there with him. He kept saying over and over again how amazing and wonderful this feeling is. I couldn't hardly believe this!

There are some really funny things about his family. He lives with his brother and wife. His wife is from the country of Georgia and doesn't really speak a lot of English, but she loves us! I think every time we have gone over there she has offered us something that is against the Word of Wisdom. So we have to be pretty creative on how to not accept it and not offend her. It is so funny! Vodka, tea, coffee... :-) She really has come to like us. I think we are winning her over through our stomachs! She just keeps feeding us and it's great! It's making up for the communication barrier! Just like all of the Spanish culture! Well, Juan is pretty much to the point that he wants the spirit so bad I don't think that we could keep him away from baptism. So amazing! Sometimes I don't feel like I deserve to be blessed with such amazing and prepared people.

I had my first real EMT experience the other day. I've had little ones here and there but this one was so amazing. We were heading to appointments, and there was a truck sideways in the road and a white car off in the ditch. The accident had just happened. So I said, Sister Baum, I have to stop. So we did. When I went past the truck I could see that everyone was alright in there, so I ran over to the white car, and there was a little old woman slouched over in her seat. There was quite a bit of blood and broken glass every where. This old woman had labored breathing, and in the position she was in she couldn't hardly breath and was trying to say, “help”. So I jumped in the car, got her airway stable and just tried to talk to her to calm her down. I thought for sure she was going to pass out and I'd have to do CPR, but I just started talking to her. Her name was Gladys and I'll never forget it, but she told me that I was her “angel”. She could hardly talk at all but she told me that I was her angel sent to take care of her. She said that she was just told that an angel would come for her. I was speechless and started to choke up. The ambulance got there and took over. I "accidentally" left a pass-along card on the passenger seat. I don't know if anything will come of it, but I know that lady wouldn't have lasted much longer in the state that she was in. I know that the Lord takes care of us, if we just put our confidence in Him.

Love you all!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

Ft. Myers Week 5

2010-06-02T13:43:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of one of the families here that I love, and here is a picture of Alex. He is the cutest little kid! He was baptized this last Sunday. One day we were pulling out of our favorite gas station, and I just felt prompted that we needed to turn down a road that we had never been down before. Well, I'm sure glad we did because we found his family! I think I shared it before, but we taught him about the three little pigs and the big bad wolf and likened it to Helaman 5:12. He is setting the example for his whole family. It is so amazing!!!

Well, we didn’t have any time to email with the holiday and we were too busy yesterday but I thought I would just send a quick hello! Things are going great in Ft. Myers. Sister Baum and I had the best week we’ve ever had on our missions last week. It was fantastic! Can you believe that we found and set 7 baptismal dates in one day?! It's ridiculous!!! The Lord definitely has His hand in the work. We’re excited to get out and work today! Hope you like the pictures!

Love you all!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

Ft. Myers Week 4

2010-05-24T09:57:00.000-07:00

Who said a mountain can't be moved with faith in these days?! Even if we have to get out our shovels, a mountain can be moved!!! And it has! I haven't had the time to explain too much about Johnsi, but, I can breathe a sigh of relief now because he was baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday. So here I go trying to express in words one of the most tear jerking, heart throbbing, and most exhilarating experiences ever all at the same time, through email nonetheless! :-) Written words really don't do it justice, but I'll try!

Everything was going really great with Johnsi. He is the 15 year old that came from a rough background with gangs and well, just a rough up bringing, but he has had the sincere desire to change and I have never seen anyone change as much as he has in the last weeks that we have been teaching him. Well, we never seemed to be able to cross paths with his mom no matter how hard we have tried in the last weeks. Obviously, because he is 15, he needs his mothers permission to be baptized. Well, we had only talked to her briefly. She works until 10 at night and leaves before Johnsi gets up, so he hardly sees her at all, and had only briefly told her about church. We called her on Friday and we had a really good conversation. It took some convincing, but she said she has noticed a real change in Johnsi, for the better. He doesn't have his anger anymore, and she sees him reading his "book" at night and she knows it is good for him. She doesn't believe we are true, but she said she would support her son if he really wanted to do it. She said I can't stop him. So Friday we left the paper she would have to sign with Johnsi so she would sign it that night.

Can I just say that Saturday was a blast? Sister Baum and I took two of the young women from the branch out with us ALL day! Oh it was so much fun! We taught, tracted and went to the polga! (flea market). We got double the work done and it was great! It was a blessing that those girls were with us for what awaited us next. We went to Johnsi's to pick up the paper that gave permission. Well, he said, she didn't sign it. So, we all sat down outside, his friend was with him, and we said a prayer and it got very serious real quick. He wouldn't really look at us, he didn't seem like the same Johnsi that we knew. We couldn't figure it out. I guess he had talked to his mom the night before, but when he talked to her he said he was a little scared, (SATAN!!!!!!!! I really don't like Satan!) Because Johnsi was a little hesitant she wouldn't sign it. So after an hour of testifying, talking, crying, sharing experiences the day was slipping away and the time was quickly coming for his baptism. Sister Baum would talk, then in my heart I would be praying my heart out, then we would switch. We knew that if we left him, there wouldn't be a chance he would get baptized. After talking a bit more, I shared 1 Nephi 7 that I have talked about a lot on my mission. It is about how Nephi was bound with strong cords. I related that to Johnsi and said he was like Nephi.

We asked him to go in his room, that we would time him, and he had to pray for at least 12 minutes and read by himself and ask God if he should be baptized and ask if this fear was from God. So he did, but he was still scared. So, Sister Baum and one of the girls went and got some chicken wings and Little Caesar's Hot and Ready pizzas and we sat and watched the movie, “The Prophet of the Restoration” with him. His eyes were glued to the TV. He was truly moved as he saw the sacrifice of so many saints and the prophet giving his life. After the movie, Sister Baum and I went outside with Johnsi by ourselves, and had a real heart-to-heart with him. He started saying all the things like, “I'm not ready,” “I can't do this,” “what if my family hates me” and on and on... I tried to hold it in, but I just couldn't. I couldn't help but think of one of the loneliest nights I have ever had was the night of my baptism. Sitting in the corner of a couch holding back tears as I thought about the people that I loved the most weren't at my baptism. I was worried about all of the loneliness and unknown things that would occur later. Finally, I stood and bore testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ that this was true. That John didn't need to have a sign to know, that he didn't need to know Jesus Christ like Joseph Smith did because we were sent here from Jesus Christ. I knelt down in front of him, tears rushing down my face, and I shared with him one of the most treasured experiences of my life. A dream that I had two nights before my baptism. I looked up at him and told him that in my dream, I was a homeless person sitting on the ground under a freeway overpass. Next to me was a person who had scriptures on their lap as we sat around a fire. There was a light in the distance that glistened on the wet pavement. I had absolutely nothing of worldly possessions, except the scriptures that I had in my own lap, but I felt happy. I really felt true happiness.

I told Johnsi that the person next to me, let their scriptures get too close to the fire, and the pages darkened and could not be read. This person handed the scriptures to me, and I wiped the pages clean so they could see them and read them. I told Johnsi that since having that dream I was willing to give up everything for the gospel because I knew I would still be happy. I said other things, some of which I feel like I should not say, but the spirit was very strong. I told him to stand up , dust of his shoes, and put his trust in the Lord.

I realized that his ride would be here in 30 minutes and we still needed his mom to sign the paper. Thankfully Johnsi said, “alright.” I said, “Thank you,” and he went in , got changed real quick, and all of us walked to the restaurant that his mom works at. As we waited outside we were praying our guts out. Not two minutes later he walked out, with the paper in his hand, signed by his mom. I couldn't believe it! I was awe struck by what just happened! A mountain was moved, I tell you what!!! When he told us his mom signed it I jumped 10 feet in the air and just started running around. I have never felt joy like that in my life! They all laughed! Oh I wanted so badly to run and give him a hug!!! We barely got back in time for his ride! Satan was running the stop lights too! He was doing everything he could to stop this baptism from happening! Oh my, I can't do this justice! Our mouths were wide open with awe when we got in the car. We couldn't believe that happened! Well, this is the Lords work. As we walked back to his house, I had a nice conversation with the Lord. If my mission ended in that moment I would be so happy and feel complete. Kneeling in front of Johnsi and being able to share my experience with him, made every bit of the loneliness and unknown things I had to deal with in my own life worth it. It was a very special experience I will never forget for the rest of my life!

Well, I had the privilege in speaking in church yesterday! So fun! I think my Spanish has gotten a little better since the MTC. Maybe a little. I was given the topic of what we can do to return to live with Heavenly father! Wow! That's a big one. I didn't prepare anything, but as I approached the pulpit, I just felt like I needed to testify of the Book of Mormon. It is the way!

Love you all!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

Ft. Myers Week 3

2010-05-17T10:07:00.000-07:00

“But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry. (2 Nephi 33: 3)

This describes how I feel for the people we are teaching. There is nothing more powerful and moving than to see the atonement work in the life of someone you have found and are teaching. We are currently teaching a 15 year old boy named John Si. He is a nephew of a member. he has had a very hard up bringing... immersed in gang activity even at such a young age. He is very mature for his age. It is kind of sad, but because of some of the choices of others, his opportunity to "just be a kid" was taken away. Every time we have taught him it has been a very powerful and spiritual experience. We've taught him now for a week and a half. I can't believe its only been that long, but just in that little time he has changed so much. The first time we met with him we he was a little rough around the edges, but had sincere interest in changing his life. It was the desire of His heart. We testified to him, that the only way that he could really have the strength to change, to really change for the rest of his life, is through faith in Jesus Christ. So just like what Alma has instructed us to do, we started an experiment.

John promised he would do the things that we asked him. He said now he doesn't get as angry anymore, he always has a smile. He has seen a miracle with his mom as well. She has started to take the time to spend with him and their relationship is starting to mend. Oh boy! It is so exciting! I challenged him to keep the Book of Mormon with him wherever he goes. I promised him that it would protect him and that whenever he is tempted that he can open it, even just hold it, and he would be comforted. The last time we went of there, he said, "I've kept it with me where ever I go, it really does make me feel good." Last Sunday, he couldn't come to church because he was grounded, but he said he had church at home. He read and prayed and made it really special for him. he will be baptized this Saturday. We are all very excited! I know that it is only through the atonement of Jesus Christ and the Grace of God that we can change.

This transfer, Sister Baum and I have focused all our energy and thoughts on faith. What can we do to strengthen our faith? We have set some hefty goals with the guidance of the Holy Ghost, goals that sometimes seem way out of our reach, but we know, that if we have the faith that we can accomplish it, Heavenly Father will provide the way. This principle has proven to be true. I have really reflected on the power to heal in these last weeks. Many times I've asked myself, "Do I have the faith to be healed if but I only touched the hem Of Jesus' garment?" Because of the atonement, Jesus Christ is always within reach. we do not have to have an "issue of blood" to be healed just as she was. but how much Faith does it really take? What do I need to do to feel that healing power of the atonement?

It is interesting, that as Sister Baum and I have focused so hard on strengthening our own faith, some interesting experiences have been placed in front of us. Remember Amalia, the lemonade lady we met in the gas station? Well she is set to be baptized the first week in June. Her son however, is not as open to our message. I find myself looking at him, and seeing where I was 3 and a half years ago, sitting there saying, "Who is Jesus Christ?” and “I'm not really sure if God exists." While Sister Baum taught Amalia on the other side of the room, Jesus and I had a really good heart to heart talk and I shed some tears with him. I shared with him a little bit of my journey of finding faith in Christ. It was a very touching moment for me to be able to share that with him. Well, I said, "Jesus, its not going to come all at once, only little by little. So we are starting with "homework" assignments. Watching the DVD “Finding Faith in Christ,” reading assignments, conversations on the phone. I shared with him about Alma the younger (Alma 36) and the power that faith had in his life. I shared also how Alma taught about an experiment (Alma 34) I can already see a light in him. It is very exciting!

As a mission we were so blessed on Saturday! For the first time in maybe 5 years, our mission was all together at one time. We're just so large and spread out that the most we get together at one time is 1/3 and that is at Christmas. Elder Anderson came to visit the mission. Being so far down south, it was an ALL day adventure! Yes, with the Naples sisters we had an awesome day! Road trip! It is just over a 3 hour drive! we had so much fun! Sis Baum and I couldn't even sleep the night before we were so excited. We said, "This is better then Christmas eve! Santa Claus is fake, but seeing an apostle is the real deal!" So funny! You can probably guess what the focus of conference was, yes, FAITH! Sister Baum and I were just soaking it all in! We were all privileged to shake the hand of Elder Anderson. Oh what sweet spirit filled the room as he walked in. The spirit testified so strongly that he truly is a special witness of Jesus Christ.

(Ahhh, I'm running out of time!!!) I will have to write more about this next week! But it was absolutely amazing!

I really want to talk about an experience that we had yesterday while tracting. Well, I'll have to share that next week too! Ahhhh, I always run out of time!!! Love you all!!!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

P.S. – I'm kind of sad because we have our last interviews with President and Sister Colton tomorrow. I sure have grown close to them.

Ft. Myers Week 2

2010-05-10T10:22:00.000-07:00

Can I just say first, that IT’S HOT DOWN HERE!!!!!! Oh my! Why even take a shower, because you stay wet ALL day! :-) Saturday, we were privileged to visit the beach. We're not allowed to go to the beach unless it is a ward activity. Our ward had a special day at the beach for Mothers Day. It was fun, but definitely when I come back after the mission, I’m running to the water and jumping in, clothes and all, no me importa! :-)

We had a very wonderful Sunday. Isn't it nice to have a special day to reflect on everything that our moms have done for us? I sure did. It made me very happy! Being away from home for so long, you start to reflect on the things from your childhood and the things that are of most importance. In reflection of this wonderful day I chose to study about the 2,000 stripling warriors. You can probably guess why. As I read it, I tried to have the mind set, what do I need to do now, so that my children would say the same thing about me? How can I have the faith to teach them in the manner that the mothers of the 2,000 young men taught? Just like Paul, my greatest desire is that my children "walk in righteousness." What choices and decision do I need to make now to put me on that path? It was a very wonderful spiritual experience as I reflected and pondered on those
questions.

I look back at the last week, in pure amazement and awe as I think about all the miracles. I have never felt so directed in so many different circumstances by the Lord than I have in the l last week. There is nothing more powerful then having a personal witness from the Holy Ghost that you are standing in the exact place and in the exact moment that Heavenly Father wants you to be.

As we were pulling out of the gas station the other day, I felt subtly impressed that we should turn left instead and head down a road that we have never been down. As we drove, I felt the same kind of calm impression that we should tract these particular duplexes that awkwardly were set back away from the road. They weren't really strong promptings just calm thoughts. As we started tracting, within the first three doors we knocked we met a Puerto Rican man. We had a wonderful conversation and then we shared the restoration with him. As I stood there, reciting the first vision, the spirit overcame me. I was reminded of a dream that I had in the Missionary Training Center. I dreamt this exact moment, with this man, this doorstep and his bright red tee shirt. I was awe struck. Moments like these have been happening very frequently. I know more now then ever, that I am supposed to be a missionary, right now and right here. I know how important it is to follow those calm, tender feelings of the spirit.

On about our 4th doors down the road further, we found Westin and his family. He is the only member of the church in his family and is not active. He has 3 boys ages 15, 8 and 4. They are English-speaking and we just heard from the Elders that they are coming to church, and they just committed the 8 yr old to baptism. This family will be founded and built upon the rock of the Gospel just as written in Helaman 5:12. We even shared this scripture with them and likened it to the big bad wolf and the three little pigs. Oh the kids love that! But just think, what if I would have ignored those tender feelings, what if Sister Baum wouldn't have had the faith in me, as a companion to receive revelation. Surely the work of the Lord won't be frustrated because of my inabilities or lack of faith, but how grateful I am to be a part of this. If we have little tender "thoughts" we need to have the faith to follow it. Sister Baum and I are focusing on strengthening our faith. We know that the direction we receive, how we are lead to the elect that are prepared, is solely based on our faith. I know as we focus on faith, and work hard with exact obedience, we will be blessed. We already have! The Lord has put us on the path that has lead us to 9 people that are prepared to enter the waters of Baptism! The work here is exploding and we feel so blessed to be a part of it!

Elder Anderson is coming this next Saturday to visit our mission. We're so excited! It will be the first time ever that our entire mission will be together at one time. We are just so big and spread out that it has never been possible. Those mission miles are valuable! :-)

We would be on bike more, but Sister Baum's bike was stolen last week... kind of a bummer.

Oh, and dinner yesterday the elders were at a members house last week helping them and one of the elders was attacked by a rooster. Well yesterday we ate him! So funnny! The whole thing! Every part! They don’t waste anything!

Con Amor

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

Hola Ft. Myers!

2010-05-03T10:09:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I love St. Pete, but OH HOW I LOVE FORT MYERS!!! oh my goodness I'm in love!!!!!!! At times it feel like we are literally in a different country. I'm serving with Sister Baum. She is absolutely amazing and I am learning so much from her! She is from the huge town of Le Grand Oregon, you know that little speck of a town that we drive through on the way to Utah. :-) But hey, shout out to the Northwest! She is such an amazingly hard worker and I love it! We literally talk to EVERYONE! Just the way it is supposed to be. We teach everywhere and in every circumstance. I don't know how many times we have been driving, and we see a Spanish person walking on the side of the road. We'll turn the car around and pull over right next to them and talk to them. We have had full lessons in the middle of streets, alleys, door steps, gas stations, every where! There's so many potential and progressing investigators. I'M IN HEAVEN! Sister Baum and I have so much fun! To be in a functional ward with leadership and callings! It makes missionary work so much easier. We really can't be successful without the help of the members, it's not possible and it's not the way the Lord wants it done. So I am excited!

We had a member referral come to English class last Friday. Her name is Ana. She is from Mexico city and she is here on a "nanny" program. She is staying with a host family for a year. She is 19 yrs old and we have just really hit it off with her. She is the sweetest girl. Well, she noticed a calm feeling when she was at the church that Friday. We taught her an English lesson, got to know her, and shared a spiritual thought. We invited her to the baptism we had this Saturday (Illianna: that's a whole story in its self). Well, after the baptism we took her on a tour and used the holy ghost dialogue and the first vision, and when we knew the spirit was there, we committed her to baptism. It was so amazing! What was really funny is that after Anna left the church building, Sister Baum and I were so full of excitement, in the foyer of the church building we ran up and did a chest bump in front of the members. Oh did they ever laugh at us!!! It was so funny, but it is so great to feel the excitement this ward has for missionary work. It makes all the difference!

I don't think that I could begin to write about the miracles that I have seen since my short stay in Fort Myers. Sister Baum is teaching me how to be a good missionary and I love it. She is the best example anyone could ask for. I really am learning a lot from her. I have never seen so many Spanish people in my life! It is sooooo different than St. Pete. There, we would have to knock 20 doors sometimes to find one Spanish person. Here its hard to find someone that is white! It's so awesome! I love people here so much! It was hard to leave St. Pete, but that void was quickly filled by the love I already feel for the people here! I would be content staying here for the rest of my mission! :-)

I would like to share a somewhat personal story. It has to do with lemonade. Thursday during our planning meeting I made a big thing of ice cold lemonade for us, did I mention that it is HOT down here! Oh my! You should see my tan lines! So needless to say, we drank so much lemonade we had to make a few pit stops at the bathroom throughout the day. It was a little annoying, but it got us into some doors to teach. That's how we found Amalia and Jesus. In a complete inopportune time, we needed to make a pit stop at a gas station. We had a member in the car with us and it was... ya... but, we went in and Sister Baum had to use the bathroom, so while she went in, I was waiting looking at all the food and what not. This is one of the most spiritual experiences I have ever had on the mission, so I share this hesitantly but I think its OK. So as I stood there, I felt a tap on my shoulder, when I turned around, no one was there, but my eyes immediately went to a Spanish mother and son that were on the other side of the gas station. I wasn't startled by the touch. It was a very calm and comforting feeling. I immediately went over and started to talk to them. It was very special and powerful. Sister Baum came out and we set up an appointment for the next day with them. Amalia was a little hesitant at first, but she accepted the invitation.

The appointment the next day was amazing. We shared the first lesson up to Christ's earthly ministry. She expressed her feelings about infant baptism and how she didn't agree with the Catholic beliefs on this topic. So, we invited her to read Moroni 8. She loved what we had to say as we explained about how infants are perfect and they have no need to be baptized. I didn't know what it was, but my words were fumbling in Spanish. I couldn't speak at all, but all I could think about was, bear testimony, bear testimony, so I did. I just opened my mouth and started bearing testimony, and it just came. It was amazing. I told her the experience I had with someone tapping my shoulder and that's why I went over and talked to them. She started to cry and so was I. She said she felt like she was talking to angels, and that she could feel something. When she came to church yesterday she said she felt the same warm feeling in the church building. We invited her and her son to be baptized on the 22nd of this month. They accepted and we are super excited!!! I love the Lord. I love this work. and I love lemonade!

It is my testimony that this is the Lord's work, and how great a privilege it is to be an instrument in his hands, is my testimony, in the His name, Amen.

Hermana Vaughan Schultz

Hasta Luego St. Petersburg!

2010-04-26T10:39:00.000-07:00

HERE I COME FORT MEYERS a.k.a. Rio Vista! It is about a 3 hour drive south from here and I hear it's like you are in a whole different country! It is called the “language zone.” There are no English missionaries, only Haitian Creole and Spanish! It is going to be a HUGE change from St. Pete! HUGE!!! But I'm soooooooo excited! Sis Baum will be my new companion. She is amazing! I met her brother in the MTC, and just hearing about her, I've wanted to be her companion since I got here. She is a HARD worker! So we're going to tear it up! :-)

Seven and a half months in St. Pete makes this really like my home. I didn't realize how much I had come to love the people here, until I had to start saying good bye. I realized that this will likely be the last time I see a lot of them for the rest of my life. I am tearing up just writing this.

I can't believe how much this area has grown! At interviews with President Colton I talked to him about how we felt a little overwhelmed with the amount of people we were teaching, and with all those still waiting to be taught. So we talked about adding another set of missionaries in the area and how it should be split up and what not. So, that's what they are doing. St. Pete will have TWO sets of sister missionaries!!! Now it will really grow!!! The members are sooooo excited! I love it!!!!

Virginia showed us how to make flour tortillas! They are so good! She is doing so amazing and is staying so strong in the gospel! I feel so blessed to have been able to be a part of so many people's conversions and helping them on their journey of finding faith in Christ.

We had four investigators at church on Sunday. Very exciting. Eleven new investigators this week! It is so hard to leave when such great things are happening, but Sister Petit is coming here! With her and Sis Alva and the other two sisters, St. Pete is in very good hands!!!

Serving a mission was the best decision that I have ever made in my life. I love every second of it. I would be lying if I said it wasn't hard. It is the hardest thing I have ever done, but I have never in my life felt the joy that I have felt here on the mission. EVERY PERSON who has the opportunity or ability to serve a mission, SHOULD!

I see miracles every day here, but I think the greatest miracle I have seen is the one inside myself.

I love every one! Thank you! Sorry it's so short but, I have some packing to do! :-)

con amor por todo

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

St. Petersburg Week 27

2010-04-19T15:36:00.000-07:00

Well, wouldn't you know that the night before my half way mark, I would have a dream that I returned home, and I hated every moment of it! :-)

I think p-days are my least favorite day of the week. If we stay in the apartment too long I go crazy. I just want to be out doing something. I have no idea how I'm going to handle being home. I DONT EVEN WANT TO THINK ABOUT IT!!! :-) Today has to be my favorite p-day on the mission thus far. We had an exciting day planned. We were going to get up at 4 a.m. and go fishing with the Calhoun family (I spent Christmas with them. I love them!!!), but one of their sons got very sick and was in the hospital. We got the call last night and the first thought that came to mind, was, “Lets go do some service for them!” They have four boys with genetic disorders that cause them to be sick quite often and every little cold could be fatal. So needless to say, a little help makes a big difference. So we decided to go clean their house and bring them some meals. So Sister Alva and I got up at 5 a.m., headed to WalMart to get food, and with cleaning buckets in our hands tackled their house! We cleaned it head to toe! It was soooo much fun! We brought our speakers and rocked out to MoTab (Mormon Tabernacle Choir) and had a blast! I know we can't really take away the burden the Calhoun's must feel when caring for their children, but we can sure help them in other ways!

I NEVER WANT TO LEAVE ST. PETE! And I told President that too! :-) We were formed into a branch Sunday! I have never felt the spirit so strongly in a sacrament meeting as I did sitting there listening to President Emery read the letter from president Monson approving the organization of the branch. I had tears running down my cheeks. Oh so many tears and drops of sweat have been shed from many people and missionaries that have given it their all to make this happen. I feel so blessed to have seen our "little" but "mighty" group grow into a organized branch.

They called President Lopez to be the branch president. He was a former stake president and bishop in Venezuela. He is AMAZING!!! The first thing he said to us after church (after all the chaos) was, "The first thing we are going to do is get a ward mission leader called. We know you need the help and it is the only way we will gather those inactive members and fellowship your investigators." Oh, how I have longed to have those words said to us. Since I have been here we haven't had any priesthood stewardship to guide and prepare a plan to help those that have been "lost" in the Spanish "group." It has been a lot of pressure but oh man, did that ever get me excited or what!!!!!!!!! I know with the priesthood direction, this place is just going to explode.

I talked to President during interviews and showed him our planners so he could see that we don't have enough time in the day to teach all of the investigators that we have. We talked about getting another set of Spanish missionaries assigned to St. Petersburg. We talked about how it could be set up and the best way to split the area. Very exciting stuff!!! About every day this week we have solid lessons from 9 in the morning to 9:30 at night! Oh it is amazing. Now that we have the capacity with the branch to help so many more people that we are now being blessed with the opportunity to help them. They are coming out of the woodwork! Many, many prepared souls!

So amidst the chaos yesterday, AMAZINGLY GOOD CHAOS I MIGHT ADD!!! :-) Virginia Cirilo Garcia was baptized! Oh how beautiful it was! But I just want to add a funny little comment. Sister Alva and I have had two really funny experiences while filling the baptismal font. Not sure if I shared the first (this was for Santiago), but we started the font while Sunday school was going (in the Relief Society room) and we were on the male side of the dressing rooms. Well, so was the levers for the faucet. Needless to say we got stuck on the boys side of the font. It filled too quick. So I said, "Hermana, get on my back!" :-) I took, my stockings off, and we waded across to the other side! Whew! LOL! Oh so funny! It was sooo hard not to laugh hysterically! AND yesterday we had a lot of investigators at church and sacrament ran over a little bit (baptism was after services) and with getting them all to preistghood and relief society, we were walking down the hall and I stopped, my stomach hit the ground, I turned around and said, "Hermana! THE FONT!" WE FORGOT TO START THE FONT!!! AND ITS BIG!!! We ran! I started the font, and grabbed pitchers from the kitchen and went to work! Oh my goodness! What a crazy wonderful day! we took lots of pictures to document! Just little tender wonderful memories
from the mission! :-)

Virginia was beaming with light and I never saw a smile leave her face! She loves church! She loves the gospel! Sister Alva and I have a lot of fun teaching her. Sister Alva and I pick on each other a lot and she loves it! It is so much fun! Every time we go over to her house she greets us with the biggest smile in the world! Oh I love her to pieces! I just don't even know how to express in words the love I have for every one here. The thought of leaving puts a ball in the back of my throat... I hope I get to stay here another transfer, but I don't know. :-(

Last night when we came home, I was FILLED with the spirit! I sat at my desk just in awe about the day. I thought about our amazing lessons with in-active members, the many in-actives were back at church today, all the people we have on date for baptism, looking at our investigator board and seeing all the people, the AMAZING people that we have the opportunity to share the gospel with. I was just overwhelmed. I rested my elbows on the desk and gave the most heart felt prayer of thanks to my Heavenly Father. I hope President doesn't mind the tear drops that landed on the letter I wrote him, but I was just so filled with LOVE. That's the only way I could describe it. Then I realized that I hadn't read a chapter out of the Book of Mormon for the day! We were just so busy. So I said another prayer, and asked if I could read something that could help the members as we prepare to build the foundation for this branch. I felt like I should use my old English scriptures that have a lot of markings from my first years of being a member of the church. (I haven't read out of my English scriptures in a LONG time) and by no coincidence my eyes met this verse:

Mosiah 8:18 "Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty
miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings."

I feel like this is what we should share with the members as we do our visits with them this week. That we are only men, and with that we have many imperfections, but WITH FAITH we can work mighty miracles. I know that this is true, and it is for the benefit of our fellow men. It is so exciting!!! We have the ability to help so many other people now that we have the branch! Oh boy I'm excited!!!

I love you all!!! Soooo much!!!!

Sorry so short today! Gotta get going! We have a lot of appointments today in Clearwater and St. Pete!!!

Con todo amor que yo tengo en mi corazon!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

St. Petersburg Week 26

2010-04-12T10:41:00.000-07:00

Oh my! has it been another week already?!?!?!

Next P-day is the 19th! That is my half way mark, or "hump" day! I think that calls for some celebration! Any suggestions? :-) Certainly the day before will be one to never forget! The Spanish branch will be officially organized this next Sunday, along with the Baptism of Virginia. We found Virginia about 3 weeks ago. She is 45 years old, lives with her whole family, from Mexico, in a mobile home. I don't think I have ever seen her without a smile. You can't beat that, having a baptism on the day that the branch will be formed! I feel so blessed to have seen this area grow so much in the short time that I have been here. Starting from having to translate to a little Spanish group meeting in St. Petersburg, to a group meeting in the stake center, to growing so quick to be able to be a branch. I LOVE St. Petersburg. It has taken a piece of my heart that will stay here forever. I am going to be very sad to leave.

I just wanted to write a quick little funny story. Sister Alva and I were tracting in "Mexico City" a.k.a. downtown Clearwater. We were walking back down a road that we had just tracted. In front of one of the homes where we got a potential contact for the elders was a car. From the drivers seat a women about our age waved us over. She said she wanted to learn more, so we started to teach her and her male passenger in the passenger seat. Hey, we'll take any opportunity we can to teach. Well, after about 5 minutes our potential contact for the elders came running out, and I kid you not, as we were standing there, teaching principles of the Gospel, they did a drug deal right there. We saw it and everything. My mouth hung wide open and I thought, "That did not just happen!!" Well, just a funny thing that we get to see on a regular basis.

I would like to share something that I shared with the district this morning. We woke up early and went to a park and had personal study and district study. As we were going around the circle sharing what we had learned, something else came to mind that Sister Alva and I experienced this last Saturday that has been seared into my mind. It has had a sincere impact on me and has strengthened my testimony of the blessings from the gospel. We had just visited a inactive member that lives by our apartment. We still had dirt in our finger nails from helping her get rocks out of her flower bed. As we were pulling up to a four way stop, a car was awkwardly pulled off the side of the road, and there was a women running around. Then an old women came to our window with the most terrified and frantic look. Then the younger women that was running around came to the door pleading for us to give her a ride to the hospital. Well, my EMT mind kicked into gear. Sister Alva looked at me and I said, "We're not taking her to the hospital." Well, I told the younger woman to sit on the ground. She had blood coming from her mouth. Through her crying I was finally able to figure out what had happened. She was on a motorcycle with her husband. She said they had been driving about 5 miles until she jumped off of the motorcycle. The husband had been beating her on the motor cycle and telling her that he was going to kill her. Well, this sweet old women that was driving way under the speed limit saved this woman's life because she was driving so slow that the younger woman was able to jump off the bike as they followed the old woman's car.

I called 911 and they promptly came to the scene. My heart ached for this women. As I examined her injuries I was heart broken. There were open lacerations on her ring finger where her husband tried to bite off her wedding ring... I was absolutely... I don't even know how to describe. I felt the pure evil, yet felt the tender spirit of this woman. I constantly prayed in my heart while I knelt by her, telling her that she is safe now, that everything was going to be okay. There are lots of other details of this that I don't think would be right to share, but as I shared these little things with elders, their eyes saddened, for good reason. My heart is sad from witnessing this act. What happened to the woman was the very work of Satan and his followers. Then I shared with our district a tender story about one of the women that we had taught for 3 months. She too was in a dangerous situation with a husband that was addicted to drugs and was abusive to her. When we first started teaching her, she hardly had the strength to do anything on her own. ALL of her self confidence seemed to be ripped from her. I described the change that I witnessed in this woman as she started to grow in faith. This women that we taught eventually found the inner strength that God saw in her to get away from that terrible situation. AND SHE DID IT! TOTALLY ON HER OWN! She made the decision. She realized that she is a DAUGHTER OF GOD and the she deserved to be treated as such.
The woman that pleaded for our help this last Saturday is lost in a way. She needs to find that inner strength. I testify, because of personal experiences and observing others, that it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the restored gospel on the earth today, knowledge of God and his plan for us, love, families, temples and service that can lift us from the grasp of Satan and his followers. We can't take away the agency of others, but we sure can fortify our spiritual fortress just as Captain Moroni did to protect those values and virtues that are most precious including the knowledge that we are sons and daughters of our Heavenly father, and that he loves us.

I learned a life long lesson from my Uncle Jerry that I have been reminded of in the last two weeks. I must have been 10 yrs old. I was riding my go cart through our apple orchard. I slowed down while going through a wet patch of grass and then came to stop. There I sat impatiently stepping on the gas harder and harder trying to get it to go, but to no avail. It just wasn't working. I even got out and tried to push it. My uncle Jerry said, "Get on the go cart and watch." So I did what he said. I looked back, and saw my uncle Jerry standing on the back bar of the go cart to put extra weight on the driving tire. Then he told me, "HIT THE GAS!" So I did, and slowly the go cart's tire got the traction it needed to get out of that slippery spot. At ten yrs old, I didn't know that I would learn a life-long principle. Sometimes we find ourselves in "slippery" spots. I thought the logical thing would be to step on the gas harder, or maybe do the thing that might be the hardest but would get the job done (pushing it!) but Heavenly father knows all. He is standing back watching us make our choices. I believe, that those things that may seem to weigh us down, are actually the things that give us the traction to get us through those slippery spots. I have had to step back and look at a few situations we have had to deal with in the last few weeks. It's tried and true! :-)

Rebecca and Jessica were baptized!!! Yay!!! Oh what a blessed day! I have never seen such beautiful beaming girls in my life!!! I will try to write more about it later. Their mother took them shopping for white baptismal dresses the day before, kind of like with my mom did. :-) Oh, I can't wait to write about it next week! Rebecca bore her testimony, it was so powerful. she is a FUTURE SISTER MISSIONARY!!! They brought a friend to the baptism, and another to church yesterday! All of their friends are dying to be taught by us! We're having a family home evening with a bunch of them tonight! “Girl's night,” plus the elders I guess. :-)

Oh I love the mission. Every part of it. I am not the same person that left home.

With all the love that have!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

Thank you all for the letters!

St. Petersburg Week 25

2010-04-05T13:12:00.000-07:00

Where to even start?! I think I say that about every time I sit down and think of all the amazing things that have happened in the last week, and feel overwhelmed as I try to convey them only through words. It really just doesn't do the experiences justice, but I will do my best...

First, CONFERENCE! Oh my, do you think that the family is important? I think we were blessed to hear something about families in about every address given. How amazing! We were blessed to be able to watch the first session of conference in the home of President and Sister Colton. Oh what a special blessing that was for us. There is such a tender warm feeling of the spirit there, like home. I wanted to share an experience that I had as I was there. At the close of the session, President Colton stood up and sang the last hymn. As I glanced over towards him, I noticed shiny worn spots on his suit pants right at the level of his knee. Then the spirit overcame me and testified to my heart of the mantle that this man holds, and the keys he holds over this mission. How many countless hours would he have to spend on his knees to have his pants to be worn in that manner? Truly we need to seek inspiration for our lives just as much as he needs to for this entire mission. We truly can be guided and directed, even in the little things. How wonderful it is. Let us magnify our callings. Whatever it may be. Let us be instruments in the hands of the lord to bring about this great work.

The 18th is the BIG DAY! WE'RE GOING TO BE A BRANCH!!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!! I jumped up and down and screamed, "HURRAH FOR ISREAL!!!" when I got off the phone with Bro. Ross. Oh, I can't begin to describe the joy it brings to my heart, To see our recent converts have callings. To serve and help others. To have organization and the direction of the priesthood to grow this little branch into a stake. We're going to try and bypass being a ward. ;-)

Without disclosing to much about some personal experiences this week, I would like to address the power of prayer. In times when we feel like we are completely alone, there the Lord stands with out stretched arms. He will come to us if beckon Him. We can do this through prayer. This has been a difficult week, but also one of the most blessed. In preparing my mind and heart to ponder the purpose of Easter, I have come closer to my Savior. This has been my favorite Easter, not because I had a big fancy dinner around a big table (we decided to teach instead of have a dinner appointment in a home, but the nice Relief Society sisters made us a plate and we ate it quick before the second session of Sunday conference) this was my favorite Easter because I really understood that the Savior Lives. That He died, but more than that, that He lives now for us.

My joy came this Easter as we frantically went around trying to get people to church to hear the voice of the prophet beckoning people to come unto Christ. We had three investigators at church this weekend. Sadly, short of our goal of 8, but what a miracle it was. Milea and her mother Susanna made it to conference for the Saturday evening session. We have been teaching them since my first transfer here in St. Petersburg. They are amazing! We have had special fasts and prayers as a zone, district and as a companionship for them. In particular we have prayed for them to be able to make it to church. Those prayers were answered in a magnificent way this weekend. It is all in the Lord's time. We could have given up on them a long time ago, but no way! The Savior never gives up on us, so I'm not giving up on them! We feel that strongly! They tasted of the wonderful fruit and spirit that conference brings and they are HOOKED! She is already asking her boss to have work off next Sunday, and for every Sunday thereafter. (I think I told their story in previous emails.) So amazing! Ahhhh, I love being a sister missionary!

To know the joy, we must feel the sorrow. That has never rung so true to my ears as it does now. I have had distinct personal experiences in my past that I have been able to draw from to help people here. Whether it be with my companion, investigators or dealing with my own challenges. :-) The Lord is in our lives. I thought I would never say this, but I am grateful for the mistakes that I have made and the trials I have faced. I say that with caution, but when we feel the atonement take those burdens from us, when the Savior starts to take it from off our shoulders, we truly can use them as a strength to lift and help. I know this to be true with all of my heart.

Till next week!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

St. Petersburg Week 24

2010-03-29T11:01:00.000-07:00

Where to even start!?

We had an amazing Zone Conference in Tampa! I got to see Hermana Murray! Boy do I love her! It is amazing how close you become with your companions. When you work hard with one purpose in heart you can't help but grow closer together. It doesn't matter what your background or interests are, it just happens. Especially in the Lord's work. Hermana Murray and I couldn't be more opposite, but yet we're best friends! I look forward to the opportunity to serve with the other sisters here.

I was asked to speak at zone conference. Of course I had but 2 minutes to prepare, but I was humbled by the offer and grateful for the opportunity. The topic was, "The Importance of Obedience as it Applies to the Atonement." Oh boy, thats' a pretty important subject. I did my best, and these were some of the thoughts:

1 PETER 1
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

At times we feel that the commandments of God hinder us from feeling true happiness, they might hinder us from partaking of what the world might think would make us happy, I testify that the commandments of God give us more happiness then we could imagine. They protect us and more than this. They purify us and with the power of the atonement, with obedience and sacrifice we can be sanctified and purified which will lead to us being endowed with power from on high. When there are more commandments given, there are more blessings to be had.

14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye in all manner of conversation;

As missionaries we are held to a higher standard. If we truly wish to be instruments in the hands of the Lord, we must live it with exactness. The thoughts that I have had since I was in the Mission Training Center came to mind as I stood at the pulpit. We are as pottery clay in the hands of the Lord. If we truly wish, we can be molded into the "missionary" that the Lord wants us to be. Then comes the trial of our faith that is more precious then anything else, that Christ may fire us in His furnace. We only need to have the Faith in Him that he will not let the temperature reach that which we cannot overcome. I have a testimony of the purifying power of the atonement. It is real and it can heal us through the blood of the only begotten son. He who was the only perfect person to walk the Earth. Our perfect example in all things.

19 But with the precious of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

We need to be Holy. Representatives of Him. Following the commandments that are set before us as missionaries is only setting the foundation for the rest of our lives. Our choices now will effect everything. I love the Lord with all my heart. I love Him for the person I am being molded into. I testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

I look forward to Zone Conference every transfer. it is ALWAYS an edifying experience.

I don't think I have ever been quite so exhausted in my life as I have in the last week and I LOVE it! The work is EXPLODING and I feel so humbled and blessed to be a part of this exciting time here! We wake up extra early and get home extra late. our agendas are full and bursting at the seams with people to teach. We don't even have the time in the day to teach all of them! We haven't had studies in a week and a half because we haven't had the time to. I feel so blessed! I just hope that we can live worthy enough to be lead to help these people to continue in the gospel. Amazing families!

One of which is Humberto. He is an amazing father of four kids. He also has an amazing wife. We met him tracting in a mobile home park off of Gulf to Bay in Clear Water. it was nearly dark and we were walking out of the park (not a real safe place to be after dark). As we were passing him we started a conversation with him. Oh, how amazing he is! I would just like to share a few things that he expressed to us that have had a sincere impact on me.

We have talked to him many times, usually ending up in a 30 min conversation standing outside his home. He really enjoys talking to us and we really feel blessed to talk to him. Something kind of made me sad the last time that we talked to him. He is one of the most humble Christ-like people I have ever met in my life. He loves the Lord with all of his heart. but he said, he is "stuck" where he is in his life. He came to this country for his children to have a better start in their lives than he did in his. But he can't go anywhere. Everyday he wakes up, goes to work ALL day, every day, and that is his life. He always makes sure that he gives his time to the Lord and attends mass Sunday evenings. He ALWAYS makes time for his family. He says, "I don't drink, our family doesn't go around to the parties like other families. If we have time, we go to the beach together, or maybe a restaurant."

Humberto is LDS and he doesn't even know it. I was sad when he expressed how he felt "stuck." It has had a large impact on me as I look at where I have been in my life and where I want to go. The family that I want to have, the ability I have had to go to school and get an education. I am fighting back tears now as I think about how much I love the people here, for the example they are to me. I've never met more wonderful people in my entire life. I feel honored to be instrument in the Lord's hands to bring them the Gospel. I just hope I don't mess it up! :-)

They call Florida the sunshine state for a reason! If you looked at the very bright red sun burnt skin that I have you would know too! :-) A two and half hour walk during the hottest part of the day will do it to you! Long story, but, I love Florida! You can snap your fingers and the weather has changed! The next day it poured all day! Today its cold, I don't understand! :-)

Eddy has the priesthood! Oh my goodness! I am so proud of him! He is so amazing. As I look at how much he has changed, I know that much more that the atonement is real. Only the atonement can really change us. The Relief Society room was almost full this week! We'll be in the chapel in no time! :-) Rebecca and Jessica will be baptized this next Friday! Oh I am so excited for them! I'll write more about them next week!

Love you all!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

St. Petersburg Week 23

2010-03-22T16:32:00.000-07:00

Hola! I have a new email account! Please share it with everyone, because I lost my email list with the change. Thanks dad for figuring it all out! This Thursday at conference I don't have to get in trouble by president now for not having it changed. :-)

I don't know where to even start with this absolutely miracle filled week we have had. I am bursting with excitement and joy to think that the next week can be even better! :-)

I'll start with the reason I think why this week has been better then any other. PROJECT PURIFICATION. This last Sunday as a zone we had a fast to start our project purification. It is a 40 day “fast”. We all fasted on the last Sunday, while doing so, we created a list of things that we thought impeded us from having the spirit with us more abundantly and could get in the way from the tender promptings of the spirit. It was one of the most spiritually uplifting fasts I have ever had. I had long conversations with my Heavenly Father regarding the things He wants me to do better, to become the missionary He wants me to be. My lists seemed rather long, so I chose a few that I really wanted to focus on.

I have felt the spirit pour over me as the dews from heaven as I have focused on those particular things. Whether they are distractions, faults that I have, and especially fear. I have felt a change and I have seen a change. In the last week, I cant wait to have the opportunity to read the scriptures. Even if I am utterly exhausted, I get out of the car quicker to start tracting and talking to people. I have a new fire and excitement for the work that I haven't felt the entire time on my mission. It is amazing! It is a testimony to me that Heavenly Father has so many blessings that he is eagerly waiting to pour out upon us. It is us that impede them. I think every one should do this... fast and pray to know the things that Heavenly Father would want you to change in your life, and have the faith that he will help you. It won't always be easy. I've spent a lot of time on my knees, but the blessings are a 100 fold!

We are really low on miles this month, so HELLO biking! It has been wonderful, and it is a great contacting tool. You talk to a lot more people that you usually would just drive by. Well, on a day we biked nearly 30 miles, we rode to Heriberto in South St. Petersburg from Pinellas park. :-) So fun! But when he saw us ride our bikes... it was so funny... he is like our grandpa. He randomly calls us to make sure we are okay. That night he called us and left a message. "Call me when you get home so I know you are okay." He is so wonderful. My heart has been filled with so much joy as I have seen him grow in the gospel, especially last week when we helped him prepare for his Aaronic priesthood interview. Heriberto received the Aaronic priesthood this Sunday. I was sitting at the piano playing the prelude music at the beginning of sacrament. As I saw him walk in the room with white shirt and tie, I felt a sense of Joy that I cannot describe in words that brings tears to my eyes even now.

Antonio! Oh my goodness, he is from my first week on the mission. He is a testimony to me that you never give up on someone, unless the spirit directs you to. I have felt a connection to Antonio that has never let me give up on him, and it has payed off. He is the first person I shared the account of Joseph Smith's experience in the sacred grove. I shared this account with him on his door step. He is the one that said I spoke really good Portuguese. I have called him at least two times every week trying to keep in contact with him, inviting him to church, trying to see if he has time, but it was ALWAYS something, but we never wanted to give up. Since Sis Alva came here, we kept trying to contact him. AND HE FINALLY CAME AROUND!!! Oh my! I am sooooooo excited! Last transfer, he answered the phone, and we invited him to church like usual, and something was different. He seemed really excited to come to church, and lo and behold, to make sure that happened, we just happened to be at his front door bright and early so that he could follow us. :-) Work and schedule conflicts made it so he couldn't come until this last week and he brought his friend, which was an amazing surprise.

Something was different about Antonio. He had a light around him and a new "fire" to learn about the gospel. We also had three other investigators at church, so Sis. Alva and I had to go on splits with two other members of the ward to teach them during Sunday school. I was privileged to teach Antonio and his friend who is from Brazil as well. This was one of the most amazing lessons that I have had on my mission. The spirit was so strong as we stood in front of the picture of Christ giving his apostles the priesthood authority to act in His name and establish His church. The spirit of revelation was there teaching, not me. I don't know how to describe it, but I know it is because of the purifying power of the atonement. That is how our internal vessel, slowly can be cleansed from the inside little by little to illuminate around us. There is a scripture that is about that in the Alma, but I can't remember the reference. I must be a bad missionary right now, I don't have my scriptures with me. :-)

Oh, the elders in Clearwater talked to the same lady that we did last week. You will remember that I referred to her as being an "anti-Christ" so to speak. They too had an interesting experience with her. I still just can't comprehend how you could read the bible and not believe that Christ is our savior. It is by reading the scriptures that we become close to him. We learn His voice and become familiar with it. We can become as familiar with the voice of the Lord as a child is that hears the beckoning call of his or her mother. As I have prayed to understand more of the calling that I hold as a missionary, I have realized the importance of being able to hear His voice. That this work is about saving souls. Each one of us as a member of His Gospel, of His fold, has a responsibility to save souls. to reach out and help. I would exhort every person, to pray for the ability to hear his voice as he calls to those that are lost.

As Sister Alva and I have worked to purify ourselves, the missionary opportunities have exploded even more so than before. In two days we placed 8 Book of Mormons while tracting and set 6 dates for baptism. In every one I felt lead by the hand of the Lord. This is His work and our opportunity to help. This is my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

St. Petersburg Week 22

2010-03-15T10:24:00.000-07:00

I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST! I am so grateful for the knowledge of my Savior and that He lives! He lives!

For the first time on my mission, I encountered someone who doesn't believe in faith or Jesus Christ and openly used the Holy Bible to justify her thoughts and opinions. We were tracting in what I like to call "Mexico City." it is FULL of Hispanic people mostly from Mexico! It really is like you are in Mexico. It was a hot day and we tracted for about four and a half hours. We walked up to this home, and two African-American children were outside playing. They excitedly ran in the house to get their Aunt. She came out and I could see that she is about our age; very young. We asked if she had some time where we could share a message.

Out in the hot sun we sat there for 30 minutes talking to her. She knew her Bible. it was impressive. but I just didn't feel the spirit that strongly. The conversation turned as she used the very Bible that testifies of Jesus Christ as our Savior, of His atonement, and used it to justify that He is not our Savior. I was dumfounded. I didn't know what to say or respond to her. I thought in my head, “What could we say right now? What would the Savior say to her if He were standing here.” Then I just opened my mouth and the Articles of Faith is what started to come out. The same articles of faith that I have never been able to memorize. It was amazing for two reasons, one, that my mind could remember them :-) and two, how powerful those simple truths are. I could list off all of the crazy things that she came up with but it is not necessary.

I would like to share the things that I thought about as I listened to her. Every day we face people in this war in heaven that would like to "quitar" or take away from our faith. When she said, "I don't see how a man, dying on a cross, could take away our sins." When that slightest, "what if..." comes into my head, immediately I try to remember what it feels like in the temple. I imagine myself sitting in the celestial room dressed in white and the wonderful truths that we learn there. There is so much power that we can gain for the covenants that we make. I know that my Savior will be on the other "side" with arms stretched out, I just hope and pray that I will be prepared and ready. I KNOW that he is there.

How important is the foundation that we create for ourselves. I read recently Elder Wirthlin's talk, "Come What May and Love It." Such a simple but strong principle.

Santiago was baptized!!!!!!!!!! Woohooo! Bro Bangeter was the one that did his baptismal interview, and yesterday we went to their home for dinner. He said, "I've met very few people as humble and prepared as Santiago to be baptized." Santiago more then any one I have seen be baptized really understood the commitment that he was making. He is 21 years old and grew up in Mexico. He has an uncle that is a member and would always invite his family to church, but they never went. He is here alone and has four cousins that he is living with, but that is it. We tracted into him just at the end of the last transfer. We taught all of them, but only Santiago was interested. Since then he has gotten a lot of grief from his cousins, especially with his decision to be baptized. However, he is already preparing for his mission. He can't wait to get the priesthood and he is an example for his entire family. His mother said "You know what you are doing." There is this light about him. He shared his testimony at his baptism. It was very strong and powerful. He said that he knows that this decision will change the rest of his life. That he has a new life now with the Savior. I was overcome with the spirit and it was hard to keep back tears. I love this work with all my heart. Santiago just needed to be found. He was prepared. The Lord opened His heart. Now he will be a fighting force for Christ.

Remember Eddy? Oh he is so amazing! Recently, he has been ill. Without insurance it has been weighing heavily on him and he has a lot of fear. We visited him last week and he shared his concerns. Immediately we called some of the group members that live in Palm Harbor. (Prior to this, we had asked Eddy to share his testimony in church, but he always says its not good enough. We asked him to say the prayer for Heriberto baptism. He said he wasn't ready, but he promised to say the prayer at the next baptism. Just side note.) On Friday he received a priesthood blessing. and something definitely changed in him. He said the opening prayer yesterday at the baptism for Santiago, but what floored me, is that he stood up and bore his testimony while Santiago was changing. He bore strong testimony, the strongest I have ever seen from him. There was this added light around him. He said, "I've never seen the prophet or heard him, but I've read his words, and I know he is a prophet of God." How simple and pure is that? As it says in the Book of Mormon in the words of Christ, “how much greater was their faith that believed, but had never seen the Savior.” Tears ran down my cheeks as I looked at Eddy and have seen the hand of the Lord in his life. He has had a change of heart.

I want to thank every one for their prayers. It has been a couple difficult weeks as I have had some health issues, but I have felt the prayers of many. Thank you!

"No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing"

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

St. Petersburg Week 21

2010-03-01T13:52:00.000-08:00

Heriberto is baptized!!!! Woohooooo! It was the happiest day ever! We're still on cloud 9. Finding someone that prepared to be baptized is what every missionary dreams of! A little about his story. He is from Puerto Rico, the cutest little old Puerto Rican grandpa I've ever met! He used to live in Jersey where he coached a youth baseball team and moved down here to live with his son. Just an amazing man! Well, we tracted into him at the second day of the transfer I think, but I called him that next Saturday (he gave us his info) and invited him to church. The day of his baptism we visited him and he said that when we called he felt the spirit and felt like he needed to come to church. That's when we had that amazing lesson with him and we committed him to baptism. It has been one amazing lesson after another with him.

Heriberto's family has some interest in the gospel. His grandson Tido is very interested. He is nine years old and the smartest nine year old I have ever met! We taught him the plan of salvation once, and the next time he taught it all back to us completely, with every detail! I couldn't even do that after 3 weeks in the MTC!!! The next day at school, he said he was sitting at lunch, and his friend was saying that he doesn't believe in God, so this 9 year old little boy said, "There is a God, and he has a plan for us..." He then TAUGHT HIM THE WHOLE PLAN OF SALVATION!!! probably better then we can! That is so amazing! Talk about a child's faith. Tido has a lot of physical handicaps. He has some chromosomal disorders and is legally blind, but he is the most faithful boy I've ever met. He says "I don't know what I would do or where I would be with out God and Jesus Christ in my life." Oh what this world would be like if everyone had the faith of this little boy.

The Latino society and culture has really been struck this last week. With the earthquakes in recent months, the most recent in Chile, there has been much conversation about whether there really is a God, and why would He allow this to happen. I dove into to scriptures in recent days trying to find an explanation of why these things happen. My mind was drawn to scriptures that I hold dearly as I have served the Lord, such as Mosiah 25:7-11.

7 And now, when Mosiah had made an end of reading the records, his people who tarried in the land were struck with wonder and amazement.
8 For they knew not what to think; for when they beheld those that had been delivered out of bondage they were filled with exceedingly great joy.
9 And again, when they thought of their brethren who had been slain by the Lamanites they were filled with sorrow, and even shed many tears of sorrow.
10 And again, when they thought of the immediate goodness of God, and his power in delivering Alma and his brethren out of the hands of the Lamanites and of abondage, they did raise their voices and give thanks to God.
11 And again, when they thought upon the Lamanites, who were their brethren, of their sinful and polluted state, they were filled with pain and anguish for the welfare of their souls.

As I ponder these scriptures, it doesn't necessarily answer the question, "Why does God allow these things to happen?" But it does address why we feel what we feel. In these four verses there is a very interesting pattern. The people that were persecuted so much, brought down to the depths of their faith had every reason to feel turmoil and anguish. But you will notice that as their thoughts changed to focus on the blessings they have received, they felt joy. We may never know why certain things happen in our lives. We will all have trials. Every one of us. But how we feel and what we do to overcome them solely relies on us. We too can feel joy and comfort as we are found, "wading in deep water.” We too can have the very burden lifted from our backs that we cannot feel them if we but turn to the Lord. If we always seek for the "why" we will miss the opportunity we have to grow closer to God and rely on him.

I have found these principles to be true, especially in the last week. One of the families that we are teaching, have a 16 year old daughter Rebecca who was in a car accident where her friend was killed. Yesterday, as we went to visit her and walked through the mobile home park, there was a sadness and heaviness there in the hearts of the people. They didn't have the "hope" of the gospel and understanding of the plan of redemption. We had just taught the plan of salvation to Rebecca and her sister the day before the accident. I'll explain more next week, but we can find joy through turmoil. push the fear aside and hold fast! Always! This is my testimony.

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

St. Petersburg Week 20

2010-02-22T16:36:00.000-08:00

Oh what a blessed week!

So much to write about... I'm going to try my hardest to get it down on...

Our numbers were a little sparse this week in the branch. Peoplewere sick, got called into work, etc. It really makes a HUGE impact when even just a few people don't show up. We had enough priesthood holders to perform the ordinance of the sacrament only after Bro. Ross had asked if worthy male priesthood holders could come forward to help with the administration of the sacrament. It made me a little sad to notice the men that didn't fall into that category. Some that have been baptized for years now, but still don't have the priesthood. We have a lot of work to do in trying to strengthen the membership. Just like our own spiritual foundation, it is the same for our little group. We need to build a strong fortified foundation within our membership so that we can sustain those new members and continue to grow with a sure foundation that Satan cant impede.

Goals – In the mission we operate on goals. Of course, we pray and seek inspiration when setting them and then we do everything in our power to meet them. Setting goals is a powerful tool. My fear, is that when we set goals, we lose the purpose behind it and look at people as numbers instead of as children of God. I have a firm testimony of this power. There are many blessings to be had by using this pattern in missionary work and in our lives. Heavenly father wants us to set goals, and do everything that we can to achieve them. he wants us to be successful. When we set goals and do what we can, we are more likely to gain His trust and to be blessed to be an instrument in His hands. I fear that in life we set our goals far shorter than what Heavenly Father would like us to. The reality is that, “I (we) can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me (us).”

Power in our heritage – The Sunday before last, one of the group members brought two of her lady friends to church. They seemed really enthusiastic and loved church. Her friend had mentioned to them that we, the church, have a center where she could do family history work. When she came up to talk to us, she expressed this desire. Very excitedly we set up an appointment with them for the following Saturday. We anxiously awaited the appointment, and on the following Saturday, met them at the church. We huddled around the computers and I asked her what information she had. She had a possible birth date and year. She also knew that this ancestor was born in Spain and moved to Cuba. There really wasn't that much information to go on. We suggested that we start with a prayer, to which they happily agreed. After the prayer, the spirit radiated in that room. You couldn't help but be touched by it. The veil was very thin. It felt like her ancestors were there guiding the very strokes of the keyboard. We spent an hour searching through the archives on the computer. We didn't find the ancestor's name, but we did find his brother! We were hot on his trail. We split up on two computers to double our efforts. As this woman and I sat at the computer, I stopped and asked, "How did you feel at church last week?" She said (in Spanish of course) "I felt really calm and peaceful." I asked her how she felt now, she said, "I feel happy and love." I bore testimony that it is because this building is sacred. It is a house of worship and prayer. I bore testimony that what she is doing for her ancestors will bring them and her eternal happiness. She knows its true! I could see it in her eyes! They are both very excited to be taught and excited to come to church next week and they really want us to come over to their home!

I cannot wait to go home and work on my family history. Doing the work for the living now makes me think so much of how the dead yearn for their work to be done and it is up to us.

The stake presidency issued four goals for our stake to participate in this next year. A daily goal, a weekly goal, a monthly goal and a yearly goal. The daily goal is to read from the Book of Mormon, pray and ponder about it. Weekly is to share your testimony at least once a week. Monthly, to go to the temple, and when that isn't possible, to do a service in preparing your family names for the temple. Yearly, to visit every person on the ward roster. Not only do you do a service to your ancestors when you do the work for them, but you are allowing so many blessings to be yours. The veil is thin and you feel so much love for your ancestors. It is amazing! Here, two amazing women that aren't even members yet, felt of that joy.

I'm running out of time! Ahhh, I really want to write about Heriberto. He is on date to be baptized this next Sunday. Also, Santiago will be baptized on the 14th. I don't even feel worthy to teach Heriberto he is so amazing!

Oh really cool too... I never noticed how much of an impact we've had in the English communities as well. We got a very amazing call last night. A white family that we tracted into a few weeks ago will be baptized in a week! Because they were English speaking, we turned them over to the Elders. It is soooo amazing!

Have an amazing week! Love you!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

St. Petersburg Week 19

2010-02-16T09:06:00.000-08:00

Todo esta bien in Sion!

What an amazing week we've had! Last week we had soooo many people on date for baptism! The most we've ever had! Sunday, we were reminded of the agency that they all have. When Sister Ross arrived at the church building Sunday morning, she seemed very concerned because a lot of our usual "attendees" for the Spanish group were not going to be able to make it. We were expecting very sparse attendance. I was really worried about it. We were supposed to have quite a few investigators coming and I was worried about the affect that would have. In the morning it just felt different, not like a normal Sunday.

None of our investigators were answering their phone. NONE! We started calls early to try and wake them all up, but none of them answered, except Heriberto. As the sacrament was starting, people trickled in. Definitely not our usual turn out. Heriberto was kind of sitting alone and didn't seem to understand it. There wasn't room for us to sit by him, so that really worried us. He hadn't been taught before coming, so he knew nothing about the church. I looked over at Sister Alva with a desperate look of, “we need to do something”. So we left the room and kept calling people. We were willing to do anything to get them there. We both decided we needed to have a mighty prayer for them. The only room that wasn't occupied was the kitchen. So we went in there and offered a very sincere prayer that our investigators would have a way provided to attend church according to their desires, and that Heriberto would be touched by the spirit and understand.

We both felt a lot better as we returned to sacrament meeting. There was a different feeling for us. The talks were of sound and simple doctrine of reading the scriptures and the priesthood! It was perfect. We glanced over Heriberto and he was more attentive. After sacrament meeting, we took him on a tour of the church building. As we were walking we came to a picture of the first vision hanging on the wall. I was overcome with the spirit. I was amazed of the power this experience has in our lives if we but let it in. I felt inadequate to be able to convey the importance of this experience. After sharing the first vision and explaining the history of Joseph Smith, he stood there and stared at the painting with amazement. For a long time nothing was said. I was praying like crazy that he would feel the spirit and know that it was true. We introduced him to the Book of Mormon and explained how it is a "fruit" from Joseph Smith and that is how we can know if Joseph Smith was a prophet. I asked him if I could share a scripture from the Book of Mormon. I turned to 2 Nephi 31:12-13. I felt so strongly that I needed to ask him if he would follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. So I did! It was so amazing! He said, "I want to be baptized by someone that has the same authority as John the Baptist!" Holy cow! I about let out a little scream and jumped when he said that. Talk about someone that is prepared. He is getting ready to be baptized on the 27th. We asked him when we could teach him again, and he said "tomorrow!" So amazing! All the worries about the lack of attendance at church that day were gone. We were having one of the most amazing lessons we've ever had. Heavenly Father knew that we needed to focus on Heriberto.

When we taught him the next day we shared the principles of the restoration. He loved it. As we talked about the great apostasy he just nodded his head up and down in agreement with us. It was so amazing! He is staying with his recently married son. His son has a little boy. When we got there, they said, "We're not all that interested, but we're going to participate to support our dad." Well, they are interested all right! The dad pretty much bore his testimony to them without knowing it! Well, we're excited to see what happens!

The theme for the last few weeks has definitely about building a spiritual foundation. It is so crucial, and is a way of helping people come to the waters of baptism. As I have studied spiritual foundations and the faith needed to fortify foundations, it has been amazing to see the fruits.

We have been teaching Susanna and her daughter off and on for awhile, without much success. She always liked us coming over, but never took the initiative to come to church. Her 10 year old daughter loves it when we come. as I looked over past investigators, I felt like Sister Alva and I should give her a call. So we did. She seemed so excited to get the call, and we set up a time. There was a different feeling about this lesson. We started with song and prayer, and reviewed the restoration. Her mom needed to attend to her 6 month old daughter, so we were in the living room with Miley. It was so amazing. Our zone is really trying to implement using a Holy Ghost dialogue to have them understand what it feels like, and what God is trying to communicate to them when they feel it. So as I sat next to Miley, we taught her the restoration. As I related the account of the first vision, the spirit was so strong. We asked her how she felt and she said, "good" which is the usual response. Then we went to Galatians in the New Testament where it talks about the feelings of the spirit. “Are these some of the feelings that you have?” She said yes. So she recognized she was feeling the Holy Ghost. "Why do you think you feel that way?" We then turned to John 14:26 and talked about the purpose of the Holy Ghost and why we feel it. I asked her what that scripture means. She said, "It talks about truth." Then we know from these scriptures that the Holy Ghost testifies of truth." She said, "Well, if I feel this, then what we're talking about must be true. It has to be true." EXACTLY! Sister Alva and I then both bore strong witness.

So many of the people we teach feel "good" as they so describe it, but they don't know how to discern those feelings and what Heavenly Father is trying to communicate to them. We have used this method, and it works. Every time they have come out and said, "Then it must be true." When Miley's mother returned, we did the same thing with her. The spirit touched her heart and let her know it was true, and she said those words, "I know it is true!" She readily accepted a commitment to be baptized. Learning the tender feelings of the Holy Ghost is an ongoing process and is different for every person. We must always keep a prayer in our heart, and continue in prayer "in our closets" that we may be able to discern and be lead. I pray that all will feel the tender guidance of Heavenly father in their lives through the tender promptings of the Holy Ghost.

One last thing that I really want to share with you all is my strong testimony of the sacredness of the temple and the temple grounds. I feel like I talk about the temple all of the time, but it is amazing to see the influence of the temple to people who are not members of the church. The Lima Peru temple is a prominant structure in a busy part of Lima. Its influence is far more reaching than the people there know. At least 10 people that we have talked to here in Florida that know of the Lima temple and have an interest in the church because of that. The people from Lima recognize it as a special place.

Even before I was baptized, I longed to enter the temple. I knew how important and special it was just by sitting on the temple grounds. The building is dedicated, and so are the temple grounds. One of the first times I went to the temple, I sat and watched as one person after another went inside. I knew I wanted to do everything I could to get inside. I would encourage everyone to go to the temple, even just to sit on the temple grounds.

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

St. Petersburg Week 18

2010-02-08T11:36:00.000-08:00

First of all, this has been the best week on my entire mission! It's crazy to say, because I have had some pretty amazing weeks so far!!!

First, my new companion is Hermana Alva! and she is amazing! She has been out about 14 months, so she is almost done. Two more transfers I think. Her Spanish is soooo good. I am learning so much! The day we did transfers in Tampa it was really late and we got back to our apartment at about 7:30. We threw her stuff in the room, literally, and ran right out the door because we were eager to work. We stopped by the Saldivar shop to introduce her and she shared a spiritual message. Oh man, was I just soooo excited to have her be my companion!

We have worked our... sorry to say it, BUMS off this week! We taught 8 lessons in one day and each were very powerful! I'd like to share something about one of the people we taught. Her name is Veronica and she is from Mexico and is 17 yrs old. I don't want to share too much of the personal story, but she doesn't have her close family here. They are still in Mexico. We first tracted into her a week ago. She invited us right in and we shared a message with her. She seemed so happy to have us there. We gave her a Book of Mormon. She expressed how much she doesn't know about the Bible and how she has so much difficulty understanding it as she reads. On our return visit this week we had an AMAZING lesson with her. We asked her how her reading was in the Book of Mormon. She said she felt so good as she read it. She compared it to the Bible and said, that she actually understands the Book of Mormon. She prayed before to have help from God to understand it, and gave thanks after reading it that she could! I was soooo stinking excited when she said that! We then read 3 Nephi 11 together. When we talked about authority and how Christ gave authority to Nephi, and taught the way we are supposed to be baptized, there was no confusion. We asked her if she desired to be cleansed from all of her past sins and mistakes. She started to break down and open up to us. Two weeks before we met her, she had been praying to God. She prayed for a way to feel free from her past mistakes. She wanted to know more about him. She said that she felt that "good" feeling when we knocked on her door and taught her the first time, and she knew that we were an answer from God.

Oh my goodness! How blessed I feel to be an instrument in the hands of the LORD! I feel humbled to know that even an inadequate person like myself can be some means to helping a person come more fully unto Christ and enter the waters of baptism. She has accepted the invitation to be baptized on the 28th of this month.

I have been thinking about my preparation for my mission and the things I wish I would have done, the things that have helped me the most to prepare. Especially in the last week as I have had to rely on the Lord more than I have thus far as I have felt the weight and responsibilty for the people that live in our stewardship. It is a tremendous responsibility and there is a lot of people in our care right now. The preparation I have drawn the most strength from is the temple. I was privileged before I reported for my mission to attend the temple often. By attending as often as I could (3-4 a week or more, sometimes every day of the week) I was able to memorize the words of a lot of the ordinances that are performed therein. There is Divine power in those ordinances that we cannot even comprehend in this life. Many times as I find my self unable to sleep, I recite the words of the endowment in my head.

I am at a loss of words as my heart is full and overflowing with gratitude to my Savior, for the knowledge that I have of Him. In the last few weeks I've really tried to focus my studies on Him. I have focused on the Bible and the book, "Jesus the Christ." Oh how I have drawn closer to Him. We have had a lot of our inactive and recent converts start a reading program for this month. We have asked them to read one chapter a day from Third Nephi. It is amazing to see the difference in them. The light of Christ that comes from them is brighter every time that we see them.

I love you all!!!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

St. Petersburg Week 17

2010-02-01T10:15:00.000-08:00

I experienced my first LDS funeral this week. I didn't even have to know the lady very well to know that she was an amazing woman. I felt the spirit of it sitting in the chapel. It was definitely different then any other funeral that I have been too. There was a sense of sadness, but people were very happy. Her husband stood at the pulpit and gave her life history. Something from it really touched me and I would just like to share that.

This dear woman had battled serious health problems for 15 years. It started when a bull shark stunned her in the rib cage. She was floating 10 feet under the water. When she got to the shore, she hugged her husband and tearfully said, "Oh thank you for pulling me out of the water. He said "I didn't, you were 20 feet away from me." She said, "I just know I felt 'familiar' hands pull me up to the surface." I felt the spirit so strongly as it bore witness to me of the redeeming power of the atonement. I loved how she said "familiar hands" pulled her from the water. I have no doubt in my mind that "someone" saved her that day. I couldn't help but reflect on my life, and how I have felt pulled from the very depths of the sea as well. Isaiah 41 verses 10 and 13 comes to mind. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

When we feel like we're "stunned" and 10 feet under water, it is really hard to hold onto that. When we feel alone we sometimes feel like there is no one there that can rescue us. Well I testify, with everything that is in me, that the Savior is there with outstretched arms. I have felt his "familiar" hands pull me from despair, from shame, from illness, from heart ache. I still feel His warm embrace now. (This is not what I was planning on writing about, but I hope it will help someone. I feel the spirit as I write this.) The power of the atonement is incomprehensible for me, but I know, that we have to do things so we can "invite" this power into our lives. First, we have to draw closer to the Savior so that he is in reach. We are the ones that move away from Him. We all know the things that we have to do to bring Him closer to us. It is an act of Faith, one that Heavenly Father expects us to do, but NOT alone! Never alone! Lastly, trust that he will grasp your hand. Trust that His hand will be "familiar" to you.

I also felt re-energized for the work after the funeral. The plan of salvation is the greatest blessing. To have this knowledge brings so much comfort. To imagine that three and a half years ago, and all my life growing up, I just thought that this life was it, and that I would never see my Auntie Posey ever again. I had some thoughts that there might be a heaven, but I really didn't know. Now, I do know. I know that there is a redeeming plan for all. A merciful plan from an all powerful Heavenly Father. He loves us so much. Central in His plan is His only begotten son Jesus Christ. Without Jesus Christ, His plan would not be possible.

Before this life, we lived with our Heavenly Father as spirit children. I imagine families eagerly waiting together to have the opportunity to come to earth, and to experience life together. Before we came here, we accepted his plan. All those that accepted the plan of God, received bodies and came here. We accepted it, and we said, "Heavenly Father, I will do everything I can to stay pure and clean, to follow the commandments, persevere through life's troubles so I can embrace you again and live with you after this life." But he didn't send us here blindly. We have families, we have prophets, we have the scriptures to guide us. When we came to this earth, we lost the knowledge of this plan and everything that came before. I feel so blessed to have found this knowledge AGAIN in this life. But, so many people today deny the power of God, deny this plan, the plan that they accepted before they came to earth. We knew that there would be terrible things that would happen in the world, but we said we would do our best to hold true.

The other night riding our bikes home in the dark, there was a bill board in the distance. as I got closer I could read what it said. "Are you good WITHOUT God? Millions are!" It about made me sick. We are ALL children of Heavenly Father. well, needless to say, that made me testify a little bolder. :-) I love it!

I know that the sealing power in the temple is real. It can bind families together for eternity. The power to bind things on this earth and heaven is restored on the earth today.

What an amazing message this gospel is! One of hope and joy!

Sorry I didn't have any "stories" to share from this week. There sure are many to tell, but I felt impressed to write what I did. I love you all!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

St. Petersburg Week 16

2010-01-25T10:10:00.000-08:00

Hola familia!

What an amazing week!

Second week in the branch and we had the baptism of EDDY! Yayayayay!!!! It was so amazing! More than anyone we have taught before, I saw the atonement work in his life. He is a completely different person than when we first met him. He is happy. The last lesson we taught him before his baptism was on the temple. Dad, your letter was inspiration, because that is what we shared with Eddy (Doctrine & Covenants Section 109). He loved it. By the end of the lesson he couldn't wait to go to the temple. He lived in Canada for about three years and he said he always saw this big beautiful building up on a hill and always wondered about it. He knew it was a special place. When he put two and two together, that was the temple. When we told him that in a year he could go inside, he was so excited he threw his hands up in the air and was like, "Oh, I'm going!" :-) The Lord had been preparing him long before we even came into the picture, like everyone else that we have come into contact with.

Some mobile home parks are kind of "scary" more then less. We don't really go into the 55 and older parks. Most people say, "Don't you know that there is no soliciting in here?!" We assure them that we are not selling them anything. What we have to offer is free! :-) The elders just taught and baptized this amazing couple. Well, they just happened to be the managers to this HUGE mobile home park! She just happened to have a map of the whole park AND knew every house that was Spanish. so the map she handed us had highlighted marks on those homes. :-) So yesterday after church, we went to those homes and now have five families that want to be taught! Isn't that amazing?! We had a lady that same day say, "You know we could call the managers and have you kicked out!" I just chuckled inside. :-) Ironically, we were on our way to have cookies and milk with the managers. :-)

I'd like to share a few things that I learned this week at our Zone meeting on Wednesday. The theme was obedience. We used our "white hand book clarifications list" and had an "open table" discussion about obedience. Of course there was a little laughter, about talking of previous "goofs" or what not. We talked about how we need to follow everything in the white hand book because it will bless us with more baptisms and success. As they were all talking about this, I just bowed my head down and said a little prayer. I had an overwhelming feeling. What they were saying, was all really good, but I couldn't get the temple out of my mind. Specifically, the covenants that we make in the temple. I know the white hand book is inspired of God, but there is more now that we are trying to live up to. When there are more commandments, if we obey, then comes more blessings. So I raised my hand, and shared my feelings and thoughts about the temple. These are some of the things that I said (paraphrasing). "As we talk about these rules that we have, I can't help but think about the temple. The covenants that we make and the higher laws that we are held to. We have the white hand book to carry around to remind us of the "rules" of the mission, but we carry more than that with us. We have a daily reminder of our temple covenants. This (the mission) is the closest opportunity that we will have in our lives to live the law of consecration. This time is to refine us to be who Heavenly Father wants us to be. It is the same purpose that we give our investigators commitments to progress and repent. This is our opportunity to become what Heavenly Father wants us to be. We do everything for the temple."

Con Amor,

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

St. Petersburg Week 15

2010-01-19T12:40:00.000-08:00

Many people in our mission have been affected by the tragedy in Haiti. It is very sad. I haven't heard word from Sister Petit regarding her family there. Our house is by the coast guard airport. They have been constantly coming and going since the earth quake. Prayer is very important in times like this. Sometimes its the only thing that we can do.

I truly am in awe and at a loss of words to try and even describe this last week. I have grown more and "found" the Lord more in the last week than in any other week on my mission. There ar two experiences I wish to relate to you, one full of anguish and another the greatest joy I have ever felt in my mission.

Some of the most precious spiritual experiences I have had have been while testifying to and teaching Georgia. I have grown to love her so much and have gotten so close to her. There has been a special spiritual bond I cannot describe. I was the first person she ever prayed out loud with in her life. The last time we were at her home teaching her, we could tell by the spirit that she was closing her heart. Sister Murray and I both felt that we needed to testify boldly about the need for a restoration and about authority. It is the boldest I have ever been. "Georgia, you know that I love you, and this is why we're here. We are not here just to help people become better or feel good. We were sent as missionaries to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so that people can have eternal life and return to live with Heavenly Father." She insisted that she felt the spirit when she was baptized previously. I testified again that in order to be baptized, that the person needs to have been given that power from God by the power of the Priesthood. We left Georgia a little frazzled, but I felt very sustained by the spirit in every thing that we said.

The morning before our next visit with her, Sister Murray and I were planning, and said, “What can we teach Georgia today?” I thought and thought, then the talk from the last General Confernce by Elder Tad R. Callister about Joseph Smith came to mind. So we decided that it would be good to read it with her. When we came to her house it was very different then before. Her husband wasn't as pleasant with us and Georgia was acting a little different. She invited us in. We sat at the table, had an opening prayer and then I said that we had something that we wanted to read to her. So I pulled it out and started reading. Many things in this talk addressed every doubt that Georgia had. She said, "So what you are telling me, that I was pretty much just dunked in water before, because this person didn't have authority?" We calmly said, "In order to be baptize, the person must have the authority given to him from God. Then we went the rounds of, “Well how do you know.” At this point we knew that she was closed but I felt like I should keep reading.

The next part was about how God the Father and His Son are two separate beings. That really got her. This concept wasn't an issue before. In our prior meetings, we would address her concerns with the scriptures and the doubt would be taken care of. But now that her heart was closed it wasn't possible. Georgia kindly and sweetly let us know that we were always welcome in her home, if we ever needed anything we could call. She said she has prayed on it and feels that God is pleased with her choice not to continue with the missionary discussions, but she openly acknowledged that she feels the spirit when we are there.

I had the biggest ball in my throat. :-( I was so sad that I felt like my heart was ripped out. We asked if we could have one last prayer. She said it. She thanked God that he placed us in her way. After the prayer, under her breath and tearfully said, "Why didn't I just shut the door like I usually do." We got up and Hermana Murray gave her a hug. I just stood there. She then walked up to give me a hug. I always have given her a huge bear hug and she always comments on it. She gave me a hug. Then buried her head in my shoulder and started crying. She said, "If I hugged you as hard as a I want to right now I would hurt you." She then stood and said some very sweet things about me and what she thought about me. I had a smile on my face, but I was really hurting inside. With a tearful glance as Sister Murray and I rode our bikes away the tears really started to come down.

We rode down the street and pulled into another street and parked. I kind of started pacing and praying to Heavenly Father. All I want from Heavenly Father is to find one family that will except the gospel with all their heart and be sealed in the temple. We had a mighty prayer together, then I took a few steps and said "Hermana, let's go find a family to baptize." We wiped away the tears, worked fervently, and not 45 minutes later we found another family that is ready to except the gospel! Heavenly Father pours His blessings on us if we but ask and have the faith that we can receive it. I felt the dews of Heaven pouring out over me!...

We have been working as hard as we can getting the branch ready. Visiting the numerous inactive members, tracting, inviting, and getting less active members excited! Sunday morning I must have been lacking in faith, because I was really worried and nervous that not that many people were going to come. We heard that some of the solid Spanish members in St. Petersburg ward decided not to transfer to the branch. I was so worried that we wouldn't have enough priesthood holders. We got there early to get everything set up. We were in the relief society room for services. It is a large relief society room. This particular stake center is the biggest model that the church builds. We had all the chairs set up and anxiously awaited the arrival of the members.

I stood by the stake presidency translating as we welcomed people in. Ten minutes before the start of services, I peered in the room and there was only about 8 people. For a moment, those feelings of despair that I had that morning crept in. So I said a silent prayer that Heavenly Father would prepare a way for those that wanted to attend to be able to make it. Well, I did have a lack of faith. I leaned over and asked the 2nd counselor. So how many is the stake presidency expecting. He shrugged his shoulders and said 25 would be good. I felt the pressure, but oh my... I went into the room to get the organ ready (apparently I'm the music person now. Funny how that works out :-) … good thing it is electric) as I stood up and greeted more people, I watched as one person after another came into the room. The same counselor came and stood by me and asked me, "So how are you feeling right now?" I was overcome by the spirit. My heart was full of so much gratitude for Heavenly Father I thought it was going to burst. I leaned back and couldn't even speak a word. I think the tears let him know. that room was not only filled with the spirit, it was filled with faithful Saints!

As I watched active families, less actives and many inactive people come into the room, I can't even describe how it felt. I poured out my heart to Heavenly Father thanking him. Everyone had a huge smile and was so eager to worship! We had 59 Spanish members in attendance and 3 investigators that have a date for baptism. One will be baptized next Sunday, and that one is Eddy from Cuba! :-) I am so grateful to be blessed with this opportunity to serve them. I want to earn the trust of these members and let them know that we work as hard as we can. Relief Society was in the High Council room. They are some of the most faithful women I have ever heard. Many of them coming from South America they have such amazing stories of how they have found faith. They even asked me to share a little bit about my story. I experienced a first in relief society. I was having to translate from Spanish to English!!! That is soooo cooooolllllll!!!!!!!

There is one women that I'd like to write about real quick. she is an amazingly strong woman. She is a returned missionary and I could tell she was a little skeptical towards us at first. She kind of gave me the, "Are these sisters hard workers? Should I trust them? Stand offish." look. I could tell she was watching me like a hawk and wouldn't really say anything to me. After I stood up and told a little of my story and bore my testimony she gave me a little grin. I was surprised. During our amazing potluck supper after our services, she came over by me and looked at my name tag. She wanted to know why I had two names. So I told her. :-) She smiled more. Hermana Murray showed her our planner. She commented on how we were really busy and teaching A LOT of people. She smiled at me. Slowly we have gained her trust. It was amazing. She will be instrumental in the branch. She's having us over for lunch on Friday. Oh how amazing this work is!!!

con amor,
Hermana Vaughan Schultz

Semana Magnifico! St. Petersburg Week 14

2010-01-11T11:54:00.000-08:00

I love love love being a missionary! Love it! It is really hitting me this week. The other day I woke up from a dream crying. In the dream I had flown home, and was sitting in President Southworth's office. I remember feeling so sad to be sitting there. All I had running through my head is all of the people that I had taught. Those that accepted the Gospel and those that didn't. I also saw many people that I have never seen before. In the dream I was removing my name tag, then I woke up. I thought it was so real, and I woke up devastated like it was all over and that I wasn't a missionary anymore. I was pretty shook up, but I soon realized as I opened my eyes. I AM STILL A MISSIONARY! Whew! I have definitely worked with a little more energy since this dream. Both Hermana Murray and I have been working very hard this week, and boy have the blessings poured out upon us!

We had an amazing conference this week in Sarasota. It was for the Spanish speaking sisters. There are only 12 of us. We won't get any more sisters for 6 more months. President kind of threw this together last minute. It was absolutely the funnest day ever. We were picked up early by the AP's and the Tampa sisters and we had the long drive south. My stomach hurt all day from laughing!!! The conference gave us all the opportunity to share things that have worked and not worked as far as language, companionship unity, finding, teaching and baptizing. We have an amazing group of sisters! Just rock stars! I am so excited to serve with them. Sister Petit and I will be the youngest sisters for the next 6 months. I came away from this conference absolutely excited for the work and completely re-energized. I especially got a new fire for study techniques and ideas. It is sometimes hard to sit for three hours and stay completely focused, so I am REALLY excited for studies next week!

The work is exploding! Since Hermana Murray and I have sacrificed a little "fiesta" time to go that little extra mile, blessings have been poured out upon us like we never expected!!! Right now we have 6 amazingly solid people on date for baptism. We will work ever so hard and diligent to make sure that Satan does nothing to stop those from happening. A new excitement and enthusiasm has started in the Spanish members as we prepare for the new branch. Many of them are eager to help us with lessons and visiting less active members. I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW MANY INACTIVE PEOPLE ARE HERE!!! It is just amazing. Many of them are coming to activity again because of the new branch. it was just so difficult for them to attend church and feel edified because they didn't understand the language (English). Families are now excited to attend the branch. We have gotten so many referrals from visiting these inactive members that we literally don't have enough time to get them all visited! It is amazing! Just yesterday we had to do a lesson ON THE PHONE while driving in between appointments, and it was amazing!

The most amazing thing by far on the mission is to see people change. My eyes have been opened to a new understanding of the atonement as I watch others apply it in their lives. I don't understand how it works but it does. Eddy is the most amazing example of this. We have been teaching him since the first part of the first transfer. At the time, his family was chaotic and not very happy. He liked it when we came over, but he wasn't very patient with my struggles with the language and he kind of ignored me. We had him committed to baptism for the 17th of December, but he said he wasn't ready. He said for him to be a Mormon he would have to read ALL of the Book of Mormon. Slowly and slowly and little by little we have seen a change in their family as a whole, and a HUGE change in him. We visited them before Christmas and it was the happiest I have seen their family. In the following lesson with Eddy, we had planned on teaching him about family and the blessings from the gospel. He has been having struggles with his family from Cuba and with his health, so he was really not in the mood to talk about family. So instead, as I held the Liahona in my hand, I searched in the topics for something that might help him as Sister Murray was talking to him. I found a discourse about covenants and the strength we gain from them. Perfect!!! As we read he just kept nodding his head up and down, agreeing with everything. It was amazing. He started to have a little bit of a smile on his face. By the end of the talk he seemed so much calmer and relaxed. He said "this guy (the author of the discourse) knows what he is talking about". In my head I was thinking, "It is amazing the power the Lord's servants, the apostles, have in bearing witness and teaching with the Holy Ghost." Eddy said the closing prayer, and he thanked Heavenly Father for us, the lesson we taught and that he feels a lot better now. We parted ways and Hermana Murray and I were jumping up and down as we ran to our car for our next appointment.

We met with eddy again this week, and we couldn't believe the change! He was an entirely different person as we talked to him. He sat eagerly on the couch waiting for us to start the lesson while we said hello to his family. He sat at the edge of the couch intently listening to everything we had to say. He expressed some concerns in the last visit that has been keeping him from baptism. We never got to teach him about tithing. He has been having trouble with his immigration papers and needs money for it. Money he doesn't have. He knew he had to pay tithing, but he thought tithing meant that he would have to pay 1/10 of everything he had ever gotten. and he was afraid he wouldn't be able to do his immigration papers AND pay tithing. Oh he has so much faith. Needless to say, after we cleared up this little misunderstanding, he was pretty much telling us what day he is going to be baptized. :-) He is soooooooooooo happy!!!! Sooooo happy! What gave him the strong testimony was that he was reading that conference address in the Liahona from one of our beloved apostles. He has a very strong testimony of priesthood and authority. I know that only through the atonement could Eddy have this change. He is a new person. I truly have come to know that the atonement of Jesus Christ really can heal without a scar.

The more I understand the atonement and learn and apply it, the more I want to share, just like Lehi. On my planner this transfer I have wrote "Be as Lehi.” At every door I testify more boldly and take every opportunity I can to teach and testify. I would challenge any person that if they have but the slightest desire to share the gospel and are afraid, study the atonement of Jesus Christ. As you apply it and feel it work in your life, you can't help but want to share. I have never repented more in my life as I have as a missionary and it is amazing.

Have a wonderful week everyone! Te querro!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

We just had our last week of English services. Yay!!!!

St. Petersburg Week 13

2010-01-04T15:20:00.000-08:00

Hurrah for Israel!

Oh are we ever busy trying to get everything ready for the new Spanish branch! It is coming up quick. We've spent a lot of time searching through church records finding in-actives and less-actives and visiting them. Many of them have renewed interest in the church because they can now worship in their own language. The new branch really is inspired from God. As we have visited with the members, we have been made aware of what this change will cause. Many of the Spanish members have children. Usually their children speak Spanish and English and feel many attachments to the wards that they are in. We are doing all that we can to try and help them with the transition. We reassure them that Heavenly Father will answer their prayers on what action they need to take. It is humbling to me to see how faithful these members are. Many of them haven't had the same opportunity that we get to understand everything that is spoken on Sunday. They really have to be in tune with the spirit to feel that edification. It is possible. Some of the most powerful testimonies that I can remember before my mission were when people bore their testimony in another language. I know this is going to be a great blessing for all.

It is cold! I know it is colder in Washington, but it is really cold here. I just got used to the heat, now I'm freezing! We're biking at least 10 miles a day and walk a lot! With skirts... Need I say more? ;-) When my feet are cold, I look down I try to imagine the Savior and the shoes he walked in and how he told his disciples that they need not take more then is necessary. They were to wear sandals. When I look at my bicycle and grudgingly think, uhhh, 5 miles... I think of the donkey that Jesus rode, or the 60 miles he walked to find John the Baptist. Needless to say, it isn't as cold after I think of those things :-)

We had an amazing lesson with Peggy yesterday! Oh it was just amazing! the Lord has been preparing her. We talked about other religions for awhile. She has a lot skepticism towards other religions and is kind of against organized religion. She was born and raised catholic. She is a very wonderful spiritual lady. When we saw her she lovingly welcomed us right in. She has watched the restoration DVD. She said, "It was like a good Bible story." we asked questions, and as she described how she felt, she described the confusion that Joseph Smith had. I quickly got my scriptures out and shared Santiago 1:5. I mean James 1:5. I bore testimony on how we really can receive answers from Heavenly Father. that there are people out there that want to deceive us. That is why we need to go to Him. God is not a God of confusion.

I could tell something had clicked for her. I shared Second Timothy with her about the apostasy and explained the significance of that and why we needed a restoration. It was a great conversation and I felt the spirit very strongly. There are some things she said that really stuck with me. She said, "Well, you two are such sweet girls, that your church can't be all that bad." :-) She also expressed how good she feels when we are there. We are planning on a lesson again with her. we're going to paint with her. She is very excited. She said we'll take over the kitchen :-) I still am amazed every time we go over there how strong the spirit is. I put the picture that she painted across from the table I study at so that every day it is a reminder, not only of the restoration but of how important it is to follow every impression. As we were getting ready to leave I noticed a new painting on her wall. She painted a picture of the grove for herself. :-) So for the rest of her life she will have a reminder of it for her. This church is true! :-)

I'm thinking of all of the amazing things that have been happening, I just don't have the time to write it all!

I hope everyone had a safe and Merry Christmas! I love you all! Thank you everyone for the gifts, love and support!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

St. Petersburg Week 12

2009-12-28T09:47:00.000-08:00

Well, we thought it was going to be a "normal" Sunday yesterday, but boy were we mistaken. During PEC the bishop told us that President Emery (Stake president) and his counselors want all of the Spanish-speaking members to stay after sacrament for a meeting. Needless to say, immediately Hermana Murray and I had huge smiles! The Bishop didn't know what it was about, but we knew! We have been praying so hard for the Spanish group to be a branch. To be able to grow in the gospel in there own language, so many of our group members are impeded by language that they can't have callings. So we anxiously waited for the arrival of the stake presidency. They needed translation but the first scripture that President Emery shared with us was Doctrine & Covenants 90:15. He asked Sister Murray to stand and read it to all the members. As she read this, I just felt an overwhelming feeling and love for the group of Spanish members. I felt the spirit overcome me with a great amount of fuego (fire) to get to work. I want these members to have this promise, but I know that the success of this is only going to be because of our diligence in gathering the lost sheep.

We are going to combine with the Spanish members that are attending in Clearwater. They are all very excited and we work with them a lot as well. This has been a long time in the works, but we’ve finally got the number of priesthood holders necessary to make it work. Oh my! I am so excited! I was shouting “Hurrah for Israel” ALLL day yesterday!

One sad thing about this change is that Sister Murray and I will be changing buildings. We will be at the stake center, which is actually closer to our house in Seminole. I didn't realize how much I have come to love ALL of the members in the St. Pete ward until we were told that we would be moving. My emotions went from pure excitement, to a little sadness for leaving, then to excitement, then an overwhelming feeling of, WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO! There are roughly 1 million people in Pinellas county and 50,000 Spanish-speaking people in all of the stake... and then us! Oh my! THAT’S A LOT OF WORK. Essentially we will be opening a new area! We’ve been here serving in the stake now, but the areas that we focus on will be a little different.

As I sat there on the pew and listened to the comments from all of the members, my mind was flooded with all the people that we have talked to or brought to church that didn't like it because of how much English was involved in the services. Good thing we have kept good tracting records because we are GETTING THEM TO CHURCH AGAIN! :-) The spirit bore strong witness to us that this is the will of the Lord. It will be hard for some of the members (especially those that are bi-lingual) to decide where to attend, but President Emery assured them that they would receive a witness through prayer what they should do. January 17th is the first day.

OH, I don't even know where to begin! SOOOOO many amazing experiences this week! I’m sad that the Christmas time has come and gone away! I loved saying "Merry Christmas!!!" when we talked to people. “Happy New Year” just doesn't have the same meaning :-) Christmas was amazing! A LOT of food! The Spanish people celebrate "noche bueno" on the 24th more than the 25th. So we were doubled on dinner appointments that night. Of course we had investigators there :-) but oh my goodness we ate A LOT of food!!! Tamales! Yakas! From all of over the world! We gathered in celebration of the birth of the Lord with from people from Columbia, Venezuela, Argentina, Cuba, Bolivia, Peru, Mexico and Puerto Rico! We tried all of their traditional foods por la navidad! It was so neat to ask them, “So what do you do in your country to celebrate Christmas?” I’m definitely going to try to incorporate them in my future Christmas celebrations.

Christmas day we were with our family…our ward family. We started off waking up early to open presents, studied in our pajamas and enjoyed a cup of “Santa soup” (hot cocoa) while studying. :-) Then we were off to have an amazing breakfast with the Calhoons. It was just so good to sit around with their family and play with their children.

Later, we went to the Hesse’s and we had an authentic Italian dinner. It is their family tradition. I love the Hesse family. Brother Hesse is half German, so we always share our common heritage. Our favorite cakes are German chocolate. At the ward Christmas party he cut me off a piece and brought it to my table to make sure I got a piece. AND…he is having a German New Years, so I’m excited! Sour kraut and sausage! He is so funny. At church he’s like; “We're having German New Year’s for you!” I’m his little blonde German granddaughter it seems like. :-) It’s amazing.

The best part of Christmas was sitting at the table with Sister and Brother Hesse and talking about the temple and the blessings of temple worship. They are temple workers. Oh, they described the celestial room of the Orlando temple and I can't wait to go!!!! Ahhhhh! But to be sitting around a table with such good saints talking about the House of the Lord was very special to me. How important it is to have the temple in the center of our home. The temple is the reason we do everything in the church. There is nothing that can bring us closer to the Lord than to make sacred covenants with Him and live them. Baptism is only the gate. I miss the temple so much. It is the one place in the world where I can go and have the burdens of life taken off my shoulders. It is where I can ALWAYS feel the influence of the Holy Ghost. We should go as often as we can. If there is any goal that anyone should have for the next year, it should be to go to the temple. Get yourself worthy and go! Heavenly father has so many blessings that he would pour on us as the “dews from heaven” from temple attendance, but it is us that keep Him from blessing us. GO GO GO GO!!!

Can you believe I only have a year left? Yikes! It is coming tooo soon and it’s going by faster and faster. It feels like it was just November first, now December is gone.

Thank you everyone for your support! All of the Christmas gifts, cards and letters. It really does mean the world to me. There is nowhere else I would rather be!

Have an amazing week! We have A LOT of work ahead of us!

Love,

Hermana Vaughan Schultz

St. Petersburg - Week 11

2009-12-21T17:34:00.000-08:00

Oh boy oh boy, did we have the most crazy Sunday ever yesterday. From the time we woke up to the time we fell into our bed from exhaustion, it was the best day ever. You know how I said last week that we were going to do whatever it took to get Mercy to church, well, we got her to church but it took a LOT of effort. :-) But it was sooooo worth it! We woke up early, thinking that we might have to drive up to Clearwater to help her get the lady that she takes care of in the car. So we were up, and ready for the phone call. We called her, and it turns out that Satan had worked on her car over night and it didn't want it to work, so we frantically called members that would be able to drive them. What makes it harder, is that she is outside our ward boundaries, but she has to attend our ward because she only speaks Spanish To find a member, Sunday morning that is willing to drive clear up to Clearwater and be able to have room for a 94 year old woman in a wheel chair. I was about to pull my hair out, but we quietly knelt in prayer amongst the turmoil. After the prayer we knew that a way would be prepared for her to attend church, and it was! A member so willingly picked them both up. She didn't have room for the wheel chair so we had that in our car, but oh my was it so special to look behind in the rear view mirror and see them on the way to church. We could also tell that there wasn't ANY conversation in the car since the member only spoke English. Sis Murray had some good laughs on the way to church, but we were all richly blessed.

Joel is amazing. He is a friend of the Bible genius, Raul that I told you about. We actually tracted into Joel. when walking next to him as he was carrying his laundry. I asked him if he would have time to hear a message about Jesus Christ. He said, "Orita? Yo dijo, por que no?” So we sat right outside the door of his mobile home and started with a prayer. There was something different and amazing about this lesson. Not that we don't have the spirit in our lessons, but in this lesson it was particularly strong. We taught the entire lesson and I was still feeling the spirit really strong and I thought in my head, "We need to act on this." I have never done this before but I knew we needed to. Hermana Murray shared Moroni's promise and then I bluntly asked him, “Do you have these three things (spoken of in Moroni's promise)?” He very humbly said, “I hope so.” Then I said, “Let's pray right now. Will you pray (orita), to know if the Book of Mormon is true, that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the fulness of the gospel." His hands started to shake because he was nervous, but he humbly knelt and bowed his head in prayer, and the spirit touched me in a way that I have never felt. I knew that he knew that it was true. We are teaching him again tonight, and we are really excited. We plan on giving a date for baptism and it is just so amazing to see how people are prepared. It is so amazing. God loves us soo much.

Lately we have been working with a less-active family in our ward. I can't remember how much I have told you about them, but they have been inactive for quite awhile now. Sister Murray and I have been visiting with them since I got here. She is from Venezuela, and her husband is American. They used to be so active, ward clerk, Sunday school teachers, the seemingly "perfect" couple. But after some personal events, they stopped attending. I have loved going over to their home and seeing the difference since our first visits. Sister C. has been a lot happier. Her husband even has pointed out to us that she laughs a lot more. She and I have inside jokes and I usually leave with a stomach ache from laughing so much with her. The last two visits with them we invited the Elders with us and really started to get Brother C. involved in the missionary work. He always says, "I know what I'm doing wrong, but I just keep doing it. I get ready for church in the morning, but I just sit around the house and don't go." So we have him giving our investigators rides. He doesn't speak that much Spanish, but he loves it. He needed to feel needed! This last Saturday we went over there with the elders for an authentic Venezuelan dinner. The dinner was great, but what was even better was the miracle that happened before we even got there. They have been having marital problems. It's personal and I don't need to go into details, but this is what Sis C. said at the dinner table, "I had so much fun with Tom today. We cooked together and just spent time together, and we laughed." Just that time together was so important. They were uniting in the service of the Lord and they were really excited to have us over.

Yesterday, after our hectic ordeal of getting Mercy to church, we arrived at church with about a minute to spare and still had to set up ALL of the translation equipment. STRESS!!!!! As I had my hands full of equipment and walking down the aisle, I felt a hand reach out and grab my arm, and I looked over and it was Brother and Sister C. !!! I let out a little scream and jumped almost dropping all the translation equipment. A lot of the people in the congregation laughed but I didn't even care. I was sooo happy! I put my arms around Sis. C. and gave her a big hug and shook Bro. C.'s hand. Oh it felt soooo good to look back at them in the congregation. I learned many important things from this. Lifelong principles. Members of the church need to know why they need the Savior in their lives. Bro. C. recognized it when he felt the spirit again. Also, they need to feel needed. Bro and Sis C. have united in the service of the Lord, forgotten about their previous problems and they are happier than I have ever seen them.

SERVE SERVE SERVE the Lord in whatever capacity you can. Losing yourself in serving others does "fix" the things that seem daunting in our lives. I know these things to be true. Through my service to Lord and those around me.

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

St. Petersburg Week 11

2009-12-14T17:08:00.000-08:00

I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I love it!

Wednesday we had our mission Christmas conference. It was so amazing! I remember just after I was baptized I went to a transfer meeting for the Everett mission and remembered how it felt to be in a room full of missionaries singing hymns. It is all the more powerful when YOU are the missionary! We had about 100 missionaries there. I had a part in the program and got to share the nativity. I also got to share my testimony. THIS IS ONLY MY FOURTH CHRISTMAS! Isn't that exciting?! I say that because this is only my fourth Christmas since I have come to know who my Savior is and why we really celebrate Christmas. There is something special about this time of year and sharing the love of the Savior with the people here in St. Pete. Everyone has this glow about them. "The Christmas spirit." They are happier and more willing to listen. Just last night, we had a couple appointments cancel, so we had and hour and a half before we had to head home. It was dark, but the streets were lit up with Christmas lights. we had planned on tracting a lighted apartment complex, because it is late and kind of a not so nice part of town, but we said a prayer and felt like we needed to tract a particular street. We knocked on one door, and as we waited for a response, we both looked at each other and said, "we need to carol." Any one that knows me, knows that I can't sing worth beans, but I had so much fun! I can't wait until Tuesday when we do it again. People were so surprised when they opened the door, then they smile and invite there children to stand at the door. One house last night was amazing. They were a family from the Philippines. They were actually singing Christmas songs when we knocked on the door. Dad was playing the guitar with mom and three daughters singing. They invited us in to join them. It was amazing. We sat on the couch and sang with them. They came here 10 years ago, and it was 6 yrs ago when they "found" Jesus Christ. In their homeland it was forbidden to be a Christian.

Just little miracles every day!

PEGGY! Oh my! I'm soooooo excited. I could not even write the words to express my feelings and experiences with her, but I'll try my best! Yesterday, we went with Sis. Bangeter to pick up the painting. Peggy greeted us with a huge smile! She and Sis. Bangeter talked a lot about paintings and all that stuff. :-) Then she invited us to sit down. Sis. bangeter said, "these girls sure have told me a lot about the painting." So Peggy stood up and went and grabbed it from the dinner table. When I saw it I had that same feeling like I was in the sacred grove and I started to tear up. So did Sis. Bangeter. She felt it as well. Peggy said, "I don't know how you got in my door, but I know that you were supposed to. I know that this is a special place I painted. I believe in miracles and I know you are supposed to be here." My heart was just burning inside. I started to express to Peggy why this painting is so special. I tried to reference everything that she said from before... "The light is like God shining down...." I said, “That that statement is true. God did appear in that very grove of trees.” I referenced how she had been confused about religion, and said that a young boy, was once confused like you and wanted to know the truth. He had the faith that God would answer his prayer, so he walked out of the back of his house, in these woods, and knelt in prayer and an amazing thing happened. God and Jesus Christ appeared to him and his question was answered. I told her that I have been to the sacred grove, and have felt how special that place is. I know without a doubt that Heavenly Father was there. Sis. Bangeter also testified and shared her feelings of being there as well. I told Peggy that the last time that we were at her home, when I saw the painting, I felt like I had walked into the sacred grove. I thanked her for that. Peggy started to tear up. The whole time while we were talking, the painting was sitting on a chair across the room, and I just kept looking at it. It is the most beautiful thing I have seen. Strong testimony was borne, and the spirit permeated the room. It was a miracle that Peggy let us in her home that day but I know we needed to be there. I feel so blessed to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord. It is what I strive to do everyday, but I'm afraid I fall short a lot, so I am humbled when miracles like this happen. Ahhh, its so exciting! we left the Restoration movie with her, and next week we will teach all of the first lesson, she wants to learn. It is amazing!

Isn't it amazing to have two witnesses of the birth of Christ? Oh how special and beautiful Luke is, but also the testimony of Samuel the Lamanite as he so fiercely testified with outstretched arms on top of the wall of the city. I just recently finished an intense study of the Book of Mormon, and in the spirit of Christmas I moved to prophecies of the coming of Christ. It has strengthened my testimony sooo much, and I have realized how much I don't know. :-) Oh how I long to have been able to go to seminary when I was younger. Those years are precious. I'm having to do a lot of catch up :-) I feel close to the Savior as I have read through Luke. I try to imagine myself there, witnessing the miracles that he performed. I often wonder if I have the kind of faith that the women did who touched the hem of the Savior's robe and was healed. I love how Christ taught those that needed to hear it. Even a Pharisee asked him, (paraphrasing) why do you talk to "these" people... people being those that are troubled or sinning. (I feel bad i'm not doing this justice, but I don't have my scriptures with me). Christ responded and it applies so much to the work we are trying to do. He teaches the people that need Him, and need to know about Him. Oh so amazing! It gives me strength when I think of some of the people we talk to and an added fire to find those that Christ wants to help and that need His help.

I feel so grateful for the Atonement. I feel like the person that was indebted 500 rather 150 (Luke 7) and was forgiven of my debt. I feel a desire to testify more strongly because I feel such a strong desire to have others feel what I have felt.

Speaking of not feeling like I know anything in the Bible, we are teaching this man, Raul that we found. I have never met someone, at least Spanish, that is so literate in the Bible! The first time we taught him we sat in the middle of s shuffle board court in a trailer park. We started with a prayer and I started testifying about God (the usual first lesson start) then I asked him, "Who is Jesus Christ to you?" He asked for my Bible and immediately went to Genesis and said, “That God and Jesus Christ are two personages.” I was floored and shocked! “Golden investigator” rang in my ears and got me sooo excited! We have had two lessons with him, the last lesson was an hour, just on the spirit world. We dove into the scriptures and he likes to teach us too. I'm floored by it. The hard thing is that his Bible is a "New Era" edition, so we spend a lot of time explaining the differences and what the doctrine is and some things get lost in translation. It so amazing! I have a lot of homework to do, but I'm up to the challenge! :-)

We've had a struggle getting people to church, Especially Mercy because of the care for her patient. So next Sunday we're going to be at her door at 7 in the morning and WE ARE DOWN RIGHT DETERMINED TO GET HER TO CHURCH! Should be pretty exciting!

Well, have an amazing week! I know I will!!!

Oh, we find out transfers on Saturday,. I have a feeling that we will stay together for another transfer, but we'll see. Here's hoping! :-)

LOVE YOU! I'm going to try my hardest to get Christmas cards out today, but there are so many that some people might get them late, but hey, its the thought that counts, right?!

te querro!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz
also known as "baum-hul" that is how they pronounce it. :-)

St. Petersburg Week 10

2009-12-07T10:17:00.000-08:00

Hola familia!!!

Wasn't the Christmas devotional amazing?! Definitely what we missionaries needed to hear! The opening prayer was one of the best I have ever heard at a conference. We watched it (in English) at the stake building in Seminole and hurried home so we weren't late.

We've had yet another amazing week. We have quite a few (brothers and sisters) on date right now, but it has been so hard to get them to church. Many of them don't have cars, and struggle with finances so much that they have to work on Sunday. They don't have a choice,. It's that or not having any food. So we try to help them the best we can. We've made food and taken it to a lot of them using our food storage and the food that we get from members. It's hard to see, and I wish we could do more to help them.

I want to tell you about Carlos and Helen. They are absolutely amazing. They are the kind of family you dream about finding on your mission. Helen is the sister of recent convert, Karen. Helen has been visiting her sister for the last couple months. We've been teaching her, and she wanted to get baptized but the only thing that was holding her back is that she wanted her husband to be taught too. We tried really hard to get missionaries to contact him in Peru. Lo and behold, who would have thought that the missionaries who would contact him would be the son of Hermano and Hermana Ross (members of our ward in St. Pete). Heavenly father has really provided a way for their family to hear the gospel. Well, Carlos has been here for a couple weeks now awaiting the birth of their new baby Angelina, but he is leaving today. That is the sad part. We taught him all that we could with the time that we have had with him. He knows it is true and wants to be baptized. He just has to leave to go back to work. He is a manager for a bank in Peru, so they are fairly decent shape financially. Every time we would stop by there home, he would grab two stools right away, and put them in front of the couch. He would be so eager to sit with his wife and listen to our lesson. The spirit was always very strong in every lesson that we taught them.

Carlos and I really connected. its interesting how that happens. He was very interested in my conversion story and how I came to know of the gospel. Every time we saw him he would have more questions for me until I finally wrote it all out for him. As we parted ways last night it was very sad. When Helen returns to Peru with her new baby in a month and a half they are going to be baptized there. They already have plans for a temple sealing. They live right down the street from the temple in Peru and have always had a "draw" to the House of the Lord. Helen and Carlos want us to be there at the sealing and we plan on keeping communication. He has turned into a father figure for us in a way. I am sooooo excited to go to Peru for their sealing when I get back! Hermana Murray and I are already planning on it!

We had our Cuban feast with Mercy and it was amazing! It was such a special evening. We arrived at her home and she had the table all set up formal, with a bunch of fruit in the middle. She asked us to sit, and said, "In Cuba, we always start a meal with fresh fruit." So she fed us fresh papaya and for the main dish we had Cuban style sweet papas, arroz negro, and a type of shredded beef that I can't even remember the name of and of course Pan de Cubano. the color of the sauce was like a fire engine red. The best part of the whole night was just sitting and listening to her talk about what life was like in Cuba for her. She had a hard life growing up, but it is interesting to see how Heavenly Father has always taken care of her and provided a way. She gave us Christmas gifts too. It is a tradition that if you invite someone over for a "formal cuban dinner" you give them a gift. So she gave us a box of chocolate. Then what was really amazing, she excitedly ran to the other room and said, with a lot of laughter, "close your eyes." Then when we opened our eyes there on the table in front of us was this adorable Santa Claus on a tricycle with a lollypop. We then had a lot of fun playing with him on the table.

I thought that I ate a lot of food at home for Thanksgiving. I have never eaten so much food in my life in one sitting then I did that night and it wasn't because I was putting any food on my plate. Mercy kept putting more and more! :-) I could have eaten four meals with what I ate. I really didn't want to offend her, so I just kept eating. Hermana Murray and I had A LOT of good laughs on our way home talking about how much our stomachs hurt and how that was the worst way to start a fast. We have some great video of it.

This is one of the reasons why I love Florida so much and the opportunity that I have to serve here. If I went anywhere else I would not be able to be engulfed in so many different cultures. We've met people from all over the world. it is amazing!

OK, this experience is very tender to me. I've shared a little bit about the situation with Li. In the last couple of weeks she has really opened up about how she is feeling. Through the experience I am about to share, it amazes me how the power that the Holy Ghost can comfort us and give us strength. We went over to Li's home. When we got there, we could tell that she was just absolutely stressed out and weathered, so we told her, we only want to make you feel better right now. So just forget about your worries, just even for 20 minutes. So we watched the Restoration DVD. I swear Satan's little helpers were poking her daughter because she was so restless, but the spirit was still there. After the movie, we asked her about the last time that we were there. Specifically, how we knelt in prayer with her, and she asked with all the sincerity of her heart if the gospel was true. We asked her how she felt about this experience. This was her response. "I felt a power. I felt confidence. I felt like everything was going to be OK." I asked her how her husband would feel if she was to be baptized and she said "Oh, he would be furious. I would be scared of him." I was so sad. she then said "I really want to be baptized, I want my daughter to be baptized, but I don't want the reason for us to separate to be because of region."

What I want to pay attention to, is that night when her husband came home. She was different. She was strong and courageous. Her situation didn't change, but she has the Holy Ghost with her. The Holy Ghost will be the greatest thing that she can have in her life right now. Having the Holy Ghost doesn't change the ability she has to pay her bills or stop her husband from his bad acts, but it does change how comforted she feels. The Holy Ghost can have the same affect in our lives. I know it has in mine, more so now than in any other time of my life. I remember the first time I recognized the Holy Ghost. I will never forget it.

I love you all! Have a good week! Sorry I can't write more!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

Bi-Lingual Thanksgiving -- St. Petersburg Week 9

2009-11-30T17:41:00.000-08:00

I was worried that Thanksgiving was going to be hard being away from family, I thought about family a lot, but this has to be the best Thanksgiving I think I have ever had. While at an appointment last week with Mercy, (Cuban lady that immigrated here 6 yrs ago, 60 yrs old, baptismal date Dec. 19th. AMAZING) we invited her to Thanksgiving with us at Sis. Fleck's house. She takes care of an elderly women in her home. She got sooo excited! So Thanksgiving we woke up extra early to make sure we got time for our studies and to roll out dough for my favorite rolls at Sis. Fleck's house. We got there and had a wonderful time. Flour fight included! What was so special about this day was that we all felt like family. The Elders came over too.

We got a call from Mercy and she was lost in Sis. Fleck's housing development, unable to find her home. It is REALLY hard trying to give directions in Spanish! It's hard enough in English, but she made it finally and she was so excited to come that she brought the lady that she cares for. She had been ready all morning and just sat at home waiting for the hours to come. She doesn't have any family here, but she helped the woman that she takes care of get all "dolled" up with makeup. It was precious and it honestly warmed my heart. The elders wheeled her in. Mercy doesn't speak English in the least, and well, the elders and Sister Fleck don't either, but it was amazing sitting around the table. To bless the food, we each said a prayer around the table for what we are thankful for. The spirit was very strong in the room. I have so much that I am grateful for. I feel more blessed now then ever as I have been serving the Lord. You recognize more that you are blessed with when you are around so many people that are in such humble and dire situations.

They would all laugh when we would call it dia de pavo! day of turkey! We did a lot of translating across the table. Mercy constantly thanked us and said that this was the most special holiday that she had ever had! She loved my rolls and we gave her all of the extras! She quickly invited us all over to her home for a Cuban feast this week. I'm really excited!

I had an "educational" experience this past week. We had kind of pointed out an area where we wanted to tract, so we hopped on our bicycles and we were on our way. While we were riding, we were keeping our eyes open for another area that felt right for tracting. While riding, I glanced over at this street, and I kind of had this little feeling like "Hey, that would be a good place to tract," but Sis. Murray was ahead of me and I kept going. We rode quite a bit longer, and nothing was feeling right. We stopped in the middle of an alley and said a prayer with busy cars driving by. When we finished the prayer, and I said "Hermana, we need to go back to a street over there." So we headed on our way, I was leading, and we searched and searched for this street. I was so frustrated. my heart literally ached because I knew that we were supposed to tract on that street but I couldn't find it. I could see it in all its details. I even remembered a little red gas can that was on the corner of street. we hadn't rode that far and I knew it was right around where we were. With an aching heart, we prayed to heavenly father to help us, in the middle of street, but we still couldn't find it. So we left, and headed to our next appointment.

I was very frustrated with my self. I apologized to Heavenly Father for not following that prompting. With a last minute effort after our appointment, we quickly rode to this area again. I felt that same feeling again as we found the same street we were on earlier. It turns out that we had been riding up and down the right street for 20 minutes. It was right there the whole time! I need to open myself up to those quiet impressions. Heavenly Father taught me a very important lesson, to follow every little impression that I have. It is so very important. The fruits of this was finding a Philippino woman that is just amazing. Her family in the Philippines are members and her son there is even a member. She had been taking the lessons 6 yrs ago in another part of Asia but moved to the states and she was lost in the transition. She has a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon. She knows a lot!!! She was just lost and needed to be found. We never would have gone down this street otherwise because that portion of it had been tracted already. It is amazing how the Lord knows where each of his sheep are. We are also teaching 3 Spanish families from that same street. I love this work! I never ever want to feel the way I did during that 2 hr period when I didn't follow that impression. Never again.

Oh I love the food here! I can't decide what type I like the most. Puerto Rican is amazing, but so is Peruvian... Cuban is to die for! I can't wait to come home and cook all these amazing types of food. Get ready for some feasting when I get home!

Just an update on Peggy. She is doing great! Her family is up from Hawaii for Thanksgiving so we haven't had a chance to make it over there, but we have a member, Sis. Bangeter that is an artist as well, and they are very excited to meet each other. I'm so excited! I'll send the painting home so you can have it until I get home. It really is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

So you know how I said last week that it was the week of canceled appointments. Well this week is the week of not having enough time to do everything! The area is exploding! Literally! We have 45 lessons planned for the next week. we are so busy that we will have to be doing splits to get all of the lessons done. We have to cut into our study time in the morning to fit everything in. We feel so blessed! This work is amazing. It's true that if you do the little things, and truly give your all to the Lord, he will bless you. I feel so blessed to have met so many wonderful people. We have 16 people that we will be setting dates with. I know they have there agency, and can choose to accept it or not. Some of our investigators (I don't even like using the word investigator) some of our brothers and sisters, that's better, can accept the commitment to follow the example of Jesus Christ into the waters of baptism or not... It is our job to bring it to their hearts It's their job is to open their hearts so it can be let in...

I just wanted to share an experience that I feel prompted to share as I write this. We were tracting in a lighted apartment complex not too far from the church. As we walked up the stairs, there was a man standing outside putting cat food in bowls. He told us how he adopted a stray cat. He then yelled inside and said, "Hon, your AVON is here!”

“Oh,” we said, “we're not Avon.” She ran out and tried to hand us a check, but once she saw our name tags she threw her hands in the air and said, "The missionaries!" and ran and gave us a huge hug. In my mind as I looked at Sis Murray, I was like "Is this lady crazy?!” This is not the usual welcome that we get. We're used to a slammed door or a, “we're not interested,” and other more colorful things that I don't care to write about :-) but she also said, "Are you here for me?" She invited us in and as we got talking to her, she has been a member her whole life. She has had a hard life, but she went to seminary and was fully active in her young adult life, but something turned her away from church. She started making a few small, bad choices, and it was like a "flaxen cord" for her. Before she knew it, she was too uncomfortable to go to church, so she stopped.

She asked us to share a scripture, and I instantly saw in my mind the scripture I wanted to share, Alma 34:38, "That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost but that ye receive it..." She started to tear up. I asked her if she remembered her baptism, and when she received the Holy Ghost. She said she did and it was beautiful, but she leaned over and said, "You don't know how precious the Holy Ghost is until you don't have it anymore." The spirit was very strong. After talking a little bit about repentance, I shared the story about my little brother Jesse and how he was dirty after a soccer game and how my mom wouldn't let him in the car because he was dirty as an example of repentance and the need to be clean to be with our Heavenly Father. What she said next broke my heart. She said "I thought once you lost the Holy Ghost it was gone forever." She has been living the last 8 years of her life thinking that she could never have the joy that she once felt or ever feel the influence of the Holy Ghost again in her life. I bore testimony through tears that the Holy Ghost is real, and it is a gift from God, and we can always change. We can be as clean as the day we were baptized if we but come unto him and surrender our heart to him. Not only our heart but all of our actions and deeds. He wants you back. He wants to help you. She started to cry. She felt the Holy Ghost for the first time in at least 8 years. I'm really excited that we were lead to her.

Don't ever let Satan think that you can't change or that you don't deserve the blessings that Heavenly Father wants you you have.

Love you all!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

St. Petersburg Week 8

2009-11-23T12:15:00.000-08:00

If I could label this week as one thing, or maybe two, it would be the week of mighty miracles and canceled appointments.

It is the first week we haven't gotten our goal of 20 lessons in. We're using the “Tom Pretty” program where we focus on getting 5 investigator lessons, 5 less active and 5 part member, 5 others. It is really hard to get 20 lessons in, especially when the person isn't at the house when you knock on the door. Funny how that works. :-) Every missionary that has ever served a mission knows what I am talking about. :-) You have to love ALL of the parts of the mission, but miracles come from it. We have met amazing people just because those appointments have canceled. That is where the miracles come into play.

I can't remember how much I have told you about Marcario "Lima" but he is the most amazing humble person I have ever met. We set up a lesson with him at the Ross's house that is just down the street from his house. Walking to the Ross's we were greeted by Helen and Carlos from Peru. Sister of Helen (recent convert) we have worked with them a lot. The only thing that was keeping Helen from being baptized was that she wanted her husband to be baptized too. Well, we met him outside as we were walking... HE IS AMAZING!!!!!! We continued to the appointment and we had just finished the hymn and prayer and next thing we knew, Helen, Carlos, and Karen joined for the lesson. So they we were sitting in a small living room with a ton of people talking about planting "un semilla en nuestra corazones". Alma 32. It was just absolutely amazing and VERY intimidating for a me. Just a little over a month ago I was sitting in the "teaching appointments" at the MTC with "fake" investigators. Now I'm sitting in front of 6 native speakers, 3 of them investigators and I feel like I don't know any Spanish at all. And, teaching them the first scripture that was ever shared with me out of the Book of Mormon when I was an investigator. I struggled through the first parts of it, my voice was almost gone because I have been fighting a nasty cold. After a long pause in my Spanish, I said a silent prayer, "Heavenly Father, I only wish to say the words that thou would want me to say." and then I just opened my mouth. and it was AMAZING! My crackled voice went away, and we quickly got to the Book of Mormon, and I shared the first vision... I apologized for my Spanish or lack of, and I was quickly halted in my words. "Your Spanish is perfect". I peered over at Bro Ross who was sitting at my right and he was teared up. (HA! My Spanish perfect, not in your life is my Spanish perfect!) but through tears after they said that, I testified of these things. I forgot about the words that I didn't know and focused on the words that I did. That is what we have to do, that is what we have to have faith in. That has been a lesson to me this week.

We started a new tradition. after church each Sunday the missionaries have a "potluck" with recent converts. Mostly for those that are struggling. We'll grab a quick bite and then have a lesson. We taught a girl named Ashley that I just adore! She is amazing! We taught her the first lesson, and as I was testifying of Christ's earthly ministry, an interesting reminder came to my mind of my previous struggles of understanding the atonement. There was a point in my life where I used to be so mad at myself for the mistakes that I have made. I would think in my mind "because I did that, Christ had to suffer these pains," and I would put a lot of guilt on myself. But there came a point where I needed to realize, that Christ has already felt them. He has already felt all of those pains, and that the price has already been paid for ALL of my sins and hurts. Whether they be from my wrong doings or hurts that have been caused from other people. He wants us to just let them go. There is no need to hang on to them any longer. I don't understand how it works, but I know it does. Necesitamos le fe de un semilla. solamente!

This Wednesday we missionaries had the opportunity to have a Thanksgiving dinner with the Young Women and Young Men's (YM/YW) organizations. Oh it was soooo wonderful. I guess they do it every year for the missionaries. There was a lot of food, and each missionary had the opportunity to speak for a few minutes and share their feelings about missionary work. (We get this opportunity a lot but this time was especially special for me). As I stood up in front of these young men and women, I couldn't help but feel like I was at home. The YM/YW at home (Marysville 6th Ward) will never know the impact they have had on me, and I shared that with them Wednesday night. I shared how vital the YM/YW programs are in our lives, and how it is not just about fun activities, but it is about building a foundation for our lives. A foundation not built upon sand but of rock, and it starts here. All of the decisions that they make now, will forever affect the rest of their lives. The grades they get in school might determine where they go to school, what people they associate with. I told them that I know what it is like to go to high school and battle all of the temptations. but they have something that I didn't. They all have the gift of the Holy Ghost. I let them know how important that gift is, and the quicker they learn how to hear him, the easier time they will have battling those "temptations." I thanked them all for the fellowship that they give to the investigators we bring to church.

The church auxiliaries are vital in retaining converts. the families that we bring to church usually have children. The investigators really have to feel like they can trust the church members, because after Sacrament meeting, they part ways and go to Sunday School. That first interaction with the child and parent at the end of the meetings is always a little nerve wracking for me because either we get a "Mom dad, I love primary! That was amazing! I learned about Jesus Christ and that he loves me!” (usually saying this while they have a lollipop sticking out of there mouth) or there is a "Mom, dad, the kids weren't nice to me”, or “I was bored." That has a tremendous affect on whether or not they will come back the next week. There are just so many things that I didn't even realize were a part of missionary work.

This Sunday we missionaries in the St. Pete ward had a special fast to try and find a way to build the fire of missionary work in the barrio. On the Spanish side of things I think we have been doing pretty good, but the English Elders really struggle. They are some darn hard workers, but we sincerely need the help of the ward to cover the area that we have. So, we are going to copy the Marysville Young Single Adult Branch program and have a "Tuesday night splits." On Sunday, we will have a kneeling prayer and select an area where we should tract (find people to baptize) or if we have appointments we'll all go on splits to those appointments. Needless to say, we want to gain the trust of the members and show them that we really want to work. I am really excited! I think there might have been a reason a few months back for the members not to trust the missionaries and I think we are starting to feel the repercussions of that. SOOO, thank you Marysville YSA! We are really excited and fired up about it!

LIMA! oh LIMA! He is on date for Dec. 12th. he has a hard time making it to church because of work. Sooo, we were teaching him two nights ago (this is after the lesson at the Ross's) as we were sitting on the couch and he was across from us, he said he had a few questions about Joseph Smith or doubts (dudas). We had planned on teaching la palabra de sabaduria, word of wisdom and few other commandments. We tried to address his concerns but insisted we just answer them at our next appointment which is tonight. So Hermana Murray started digging in to the scriptures and talking about the word of wisdom. Then the thought popped into my head (spirit), we should watch The Restoration video. So I whispered to Hermana Murray, pienso que es un bueno cosa para murar la restauracion. Boy oh boy am I glad we did! The entire time we watched it Lima was nodding his head up and down. The spirit filled the room. At the end of the movie, he clapped his hands together and said, "I know that is all true, I don't have any questions anymore." We were floored! He had an open heart, the spirit had been brought "unto" him, but in this moment the spirit was brought "into" his heart and testified of the truthfulness of the restoration! So amazing!!! He has so much faith! So much! It is an example to me!

Oh how humbled I feel to be a missionary. I have recognized more and more how insignificant I really am in this work. Every person that I have watched enter the waters of baptism were prepared long before we even got there. The Lord's work would never be frustrated because of my faults, but how humbled I feel to participate in this work. Miracles every day! On my planner on the cover I wrote, "don't give up on anyone." "There are people that are prepared”. !Encontrar ellos!

Next week I will tell the whole story for Luis and Melon and Carlos and Helen! Send me an email for a reminder!

Funny little tidbits...

Chiggers love me!!! Especially the places that we have to walk with skirts, lets just say that chiggers love me!

Played with some baby alligators the day before yesterday! Funny stories I won't say until I get home. :-)

Um, we were at that good old Waterside apartments again. We heard a gun shot, first thing that came through my mind was, “That was close and someone was shot not even a block from where we were standing.” We were like "I think it is time to leave now."

Gotta get to work. It's a working day, no P-day. we get a full P-day on Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to making biscuits with sister fleck. She is already planning on a flour fight! I know I am!

Love you all!!!

St. Petersburg Week 7

2009-11-16T08:26:00.000-08:00

Hola! Un ultra marvillosa semana!

I Don't know where to even start... but im going to try!

While tracting on our bikes the other day we went into a neighborhood that looked like it might have a few Hispanic people, but who we found was a little old lady named Jane. I would guess she is about 85 years old or more, blind, but the most adorable thing in the world. We talked to her for a little bit on her porch and we are going to keep returning back to read to her out of the Bible. Her husband just passed away. This will be a great experience. She is only Enlish speaking, but this is such a tender mercy. I am so excited. There are so many different aspects of missionary work, such as just showing kindness to this little old lady.

Remember Eddy? Well, he is on date for DEC 17th!!! Yay!!! We taught him this last week and he really likes how he feels now. I had the privilege of doing a Bible study one on one with his wife (inactive) while Hermana Murray taught Eddy. Well, she felt very comfortable with me and told me some of the struggles her family was having, and there was a lot, some very serious. This is a huge step for Eddy. A huge lifestyle change. But I know that the gospel will bring their family closer then it ever has. I left this lesson a changed person. I have had my struggles with family experiences that I wish I never had while growing up, but listening to her made me so grateful for family. Even more so, for my future family. That I truly can have a home where the spirit dwells and is safe, where the world can stay outside and it doesn't have to brought in. MOSIAH 2... let our homes be facing the temple. Always! Eddy's son Levan was baptized yesterday. :-)

[Note: A few weeks ago, Hilary asked us to send her a few pictures of the Sacred Grove to share with a woman that they were visiting. We visited the Sacred Grove as a family shortly before Hilary left for her mission. As requested, we sent her a couple of photos to share with the woman. Hilary asked the woman if she would paint a her a picture of a “special place”, but didn't tell the woman what the place was. Below is Hilary's report on what has happened since she asked the woman to paint the picture.]

So remember Peggy with the Sacred Grove picture? Well, yesterday Hermana Murray and felt like we should stop by for a visit, so we did. It was amazing. She let us right in with a huge warm smile. She took us back to her painting room and said, "now I don't have it all the way finished, I have a few touch up things to do..." When I walked in to that room, and saw the painting, it felt like I had just walked into the Sacred Grove. Honestly, the spirit was so strong and I was in awe at how much the painting looks exactly like the Sacred Grove. Even more so than the pictures I provided. The way the light goes through the trees is just... awwww, I can't even describe it. the best part was how she was describing how she felt as she was painting it. She has no idea why this place is so significant, I just told her it was a special place to me. She said, "This painting is different to me. I really really enjoyed painting it. It feels so warm, how the light comes through here, it is like God is shining through the trees.” She said more but isn't that amazing? She could feel the spirit. Little did she know that God really did shine through the trees there. I have prayed my heart out that she would feel the spirit of this amazing place, and she has. We spent about 25 minutes talking about religion. She believes everything that we do up to the restoration of the gospel. This is the same lady that didn't want to have anything to do with us at the door step and pretty much told us to bug off. Now she is saying, "You girls remind me of my granddaughters." So sweet! I didn't know I would get "another" grandmother out of this.

We have soooo many amazing potentials right now that are just maybe one lesson away from having a baptism. We visited Li on Friday. It was her daughter's first birthday. We met her husband. He was very nice to us. I'm glad that we met him so he could see that we are normal people, and he will be more likely not to intervene with her baptism. Li has soooo many questions. being a devout Catholic. We have to keep on our toes, which is really good. It's just a little more difficult to try and express your feelings in Spanish the way you want to, but it is great!

We are teaching another man from Guatemala! He is just amazing! Soooo ready for baptism. He is here for two years to work and sends the money home to his family. On our return appointment he was so excited that he had the lawn chairs ready for us outside and was eagerly waiting for us. So cool. We are teaching him tonight. He accepted a soft commitment that when he knows it is true, he will be baptized. He recognizes the spirit so I'm sure it will be soon. He wants to take a picture with us tonight and send it to his family so they can start learning in Guatemala!

The first night I was here we moved the Equiluz family, and this last week they had a house party and the Elders came and blessed the home. Can I just say that the Hispanic culture is so much cooler than we are? Sorry, but it's true. ;-) A lot of their member friends from Tampa came and there was A LOT of food. When we walked in (because we were a little late) they all were like, "Hermanitas!! Yay!!" and all stood up and clapped their hands. They support us sooo much! It is like that every time we come over to one of their homes. I love them sooo much. Every other Monday we have a family home evening, or "Noche de Hogar" with the Spanish group and it is definitely a highlight for the week. They had dancing and everything. It was so hard to not get up and start dancing. especially with the salsa music. I couldn't understand hardly anything the music was saying, so that wasn't a problem, but I have to admit that my feet were sure tapping as I sat on the couch! I cannot wait to come back here and have a fiesta with them after my mission is over.

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

St. Petersburg Week 6

2009-11-10T11:12:00.000-08:00

Hola Familia! Muchisimos gracias por su cartes! siempre! y tambien su "recording" de Noche de hogar! Tuvo bueno sentamientos mientras eschuchando a su testimonios de este obra y deseos. Te querro!

So, this week was amazing like always! I am really really starting to love this work more and more! I really wanted to stay in St. Pete another transfer. I am getting so close with the members here and we have had some amazing progress with the work. We have sooo many people close to baptism it is going to be amazing to see what happens this transfer. So much potential! Got the call Saturday morning and Hermana Murray and I are both staying!!! Yay!

Frank is baptized and confirmed!!! Yay!!!!!!!!! He is happier than I have ever seen him. and I am so excited for the month I come back because they will be sealed in the Salt Lake Temple and I will get to go!!!! Yay!!! :-) I am sooo blessed! Frank and his wife have been through a lot and it is amazing to see how much the Gospel has changed their lives!

Another amazing person we are teaching lives clear up in Palm Harbor! We will be burning a lot of miles this month! Hello bicycle! His name is Eddy Pederosa. He is from Cuba, which has one of the hardest Spanish dialects to understand. They don't pronounce all of the words and it kind of sounds like one run on sentence that is gobbed together, but its fun! Where he is from, they weren't allowed to practice religion of any kind. He always had a desire to but couldn't. Hmmm, reminds me of a story out of the Book of Mormon in Mosiah :-) I'll be sharing that with him tonight :-) So, the only knowledge that he has of Jesus Christ is from reading the Bible in "secret." His testimony is so strong and he is so fluent in the bible. Oh boy, I'm soooo excited to teach him. The Elders are teaching one of his sons and he is being baptized in a week. There is I think 6 in the family. His wife is a member (inactive). She really likes us sisters so she has asked us to come about 45 minutes before his lessons to have scripture study with them. They are a bilingual family. I'm not totally sure on the whole situation, but I know that they were recently married and I don't think that the children are his. He has been reluctant to listen to us, but he seems to have a huge desire to now. He wanted us to come over the next day. he really loves the principles of dispensations and the apostasy, and why there needed to be a restoration. He is just going to love the plan of salvation. I know that if he is baptized his entire family will follow! so exciting!

We missionaries of the St. Pete ward hosted and organized a musical fireside that we had last night, and it was AMAZING! We took the lesson and taught it through song and testimony. I had the privilege of bearing my testimony and teaching about Joseph Smith. Hermana Murray did an amazing job playing the violin. We had about a 100 in attendance. Lots of investigators. That's almost as good as sacrament meeting! The spirit was so strong. I think we will be doing things like this more often. In the South, the people really love music in church, especially gospel music. So it was a really nice change to teach the second lesson in this way. I think more than anything, the members (especially in the last weeks) have gained a lot of trust with us (the missionaries) because they have seen us try to work hard. We had a lot of people participate in the musical fireside and that seemed to help a lot. It is amazing how much serving people can bring you closer together.

I love tracting... I mean, "finding people to baptize." :-) There is no greater feeling than to go to the Father and ask Him in prayer where he would like us to go and where there are people that are prepared to hear the message of the restoration. Then to act on those feelings that you get and trust them. You have to trust them, and when you do act on them, you KNOW you are in the right place. I'm not sure how to describe the feeling, but every time you knock on a door you know you are planting a seed. it truly is amazing. We did this on Saturday. It was a golden street. Plenty of potentials and we had the opportunity to teach on almost every door step. My favorite part was walking back to the car. we were walking next to two little 7 year old girls that were skipping and holding hands while there uncle was walking them to a girls sleep over. They were soo cute. We laughed together as I told them about my experiences I had with sleep overs. Sleeping on the trampoline... they thought that was funny. The best part is that their uncle said to us that they were learning Spanish. I was like, "Oh, well, como esta... como fue su dia... etc." They responded. It was sooo cute. I can't remember what I said, but I didn't pronounce something right, and she said very sternly, pointing her finger at me "Now remember, Z's are like S's!" Oh I about died... so cute and funny. I got put in my place by a 7 year old. :-)

Funny experience yesterday. Hermana Murray really laughed at me. We were "finding people to baptize" and sister Murray was on the phone with the AP's and this old Korean lady riding a big trike came by. So I started to contact her. She kept riding so I walked by her. I said I was a missionary and showed her the card of Christ and she is like "I don't speak English." But she looked at her basket behind her and I thought she wanted me to put it in the back. so I did, and she said "I don't speak English!" Oh it so funny! Just little tender mercies of the Lord to keep your spirits up. The lady later turned around at me and smiled :-)

Love you all!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

St. Petersburg Week 5

2009-11-02T09:19:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness! This has been an amazing week! My mouth drops just thinking of all the miracles that I have witnessed. In my personal life it has been hard. I lost my grandmother and it has been difficult, but I feel her close. I feel her love and I know she is helping me in the work. I feel so blessed to know the plan of salvation. To know of God's love for all of His children. That is what has brought me so much comfort in my life. I have had had no greater Joy than to see little Matthew (9) jump out of his seat with excitement when we told him he could be sealed to his family forever in the temple. Hector and Matthew were baptized on Friday. They beamed with the light of Christ. I am soo blessed because I will be able to go with them through the temple in one year and see their family be sealed. They practically already have the date set for it. This is every missionary's dream, and I am so fortunate and blessed to be able to experience it. President Colton (Mission President) came to the Baptism and he said to me with a huge smile and handshake "looks like you will be going to the temple in a year!" :-) Yup!

Carmen was also baptized on Friday. I don't think I have had a chance to talk about him much. but he was a captain of a fishing boat from Nicaragua. he is absolutely amazing! His faith and readiness to be baptized is mind-boggling. He always says "Sista!" with a funny accent. When i called him the day before his baptism, just to go over the things to bring he said out of the blue, "Sista! sista! I'M RRREEEEAAADDDDYYYY!" Oh I laughed so hard and tears came down my face. Carmen is ready! He hurt his knee awhile ago and had troubles with his family, so his brother kicked him out and sold all of his stuff. He is 60. Because his knee is hurt he can't work, so he has to stay in a homeless shelter until it heals. But I tell you, he is probably the happiest person I know, and the light of Christ is soo bright in him. I know Heavenly Father has soo many blessings in store for him. The ward is working hard finding him a job and I think they have one for him now. The ward is also taking him in to care for him. It is just amazing.

Frank has his baptism on the 12th. he is still going strong. The rest of the Velasquez family will be baptized very soon. Joseph and Elaine. Ahhh, sooooo exciting.

Karinas mother from Puerto Rico called right after the baptism on her cell phone. We got to talk to her for about 10 minutes and she just thanked us over and over again. It was hard to understand her through the tears. She told us what a miracle it is for Hector to want to be baptized. She called us angels of God. it was very special! Hector bore his testimony during the baptism, he said "I am a new man. My children don't even recognize me." He is changed. He has taken the name of Christ upon him and stopped running away from the truth. Oh boy, I love this work!

So, i had the best Halloween of my life. We tracted into a women in a trailer park. Can’t remember if I told you about her or not. Her name is Georgia. Her husband is Spanish and doesn’t really speak English and she doesn’t really speak Spanish. Somehow they are really in love and make it work. She said at first, “usually I would slam the door in your face and tell you to go away, but for some reason I feel like I should listen” so we talked to her a little bit, left her some pamphlets and went tracting a little bit more waiting for her husband to get back (this isn’t on Halloween) so we could make a return appointment. When we returned she she looked a little upset, and said pointing to the picture of the Book of Mormon on the pamphlet, “I don’t like this.” I was thinking, "oh well, there goes...". But what surprised me is what she said next, “but I still feel like I should listen to you." So we set up a return appointment. The next day we stopped by and her husband was outside. So we started talking and he wanted us to teach him right there. So we sat down, and we sang to him, “Soy un hijo de Dios” (I am a Child of God) he teared up and asked if he could go inside to change his shirt. He went from wearing a tank top to putting a collared shirt on and got his wife up from a nap. So we taught them. It was great and a lot of fun translating back and forth for them. They didn’t show up for the appointment the next day and it worried us. We were low on miles and tracting clear on the other side of the peninsula (this is Halloween) but Hermana Murray and I both couldn’t get them out of our head, so we said a prayer and decided we needed to go see them. It didn’t make sense because they had said they were busy and couldn’t meet with us, but we went anyways. I am sooooo grateful that we did. This IS the most amazing spiritual experience I have ever had in my life. I am afraid a lot of it is very personal and I cant share it all. But I will share what I can.

So we walked up and they were sitting in lawn chairs in there driveway and they greeted us with smiles and invited us to sit down. I sat to the far left next to Georgia, and Hermana Murray sat on the opposite side next to Braullio. We had two lessons going at once. I asked her how her reading is going (we gave her 3 Nephi Chapter 11). She said she is done with learning. I got a huge pit in my stomach. I asked her what her concerns were. She said she couldn't understand and be okay with the people in America touching the hands and feet of the Savior. It didn’t sit with her right (it is just so different than what people are used to. They are both very literate in the Bible). I said to her, “Well maybe if I give you the history of how the Book of Mormon came about that might help you. So I went through dispensations, Biblical prophets… she said, “That’s great, you are telling me about my book, now I want to hear about yours.” So I started with the time when Lehi was commanded to leave Jerusalem. Because of the wickedness of the people. That he was a prophet just like all of them of old. That just like Noah, he was commanded to build a ship.

Everything that I said I related to something from the bible so we could have a middle ground. It was amazing, as I testified, more and more I could see her open up. Even her body language was sincere. I went through a brief history of the entire Book of Mormon. As I was talking about priesthood authority, I went to my scriptures, and a picture of my grandma Lois that had just passed away fell into my lap (not a coincidence) and I started to tear up. (I can’t explain everything that happened but I know that my grandma is helping me). I looked up at Georgia and testified of the power of the priesthood. How I received a blessing just the other night from a man that holds the priesthood of God, the same as all of the prophets from before, for comfort with the loss of my grandma and worry about my family. I told her of the comfort and love that I felt through that blessing. I testified, through tears, that I know that the three people that were baptized last night, were baptized with the true authority of God. The same authority that Jesus walked 60 miles to find to be baptized by John the Baptist holding that same authority. Jesus Christ knew the importance of this true authority.

She got teared up and so did I. you couldn’t deny that the Holy ghost was there. I then got to the restoration and Joseph Smith. I quoted the first vision to her (it was a little difficult in English haven’t said it in English since the third week in the MTC, I had help) and felt prompted to say something. “ I don’t know why God does things the way that he does. I too was confused and troubled that a 14 year old boy could be called as a prophet. But I know that he is. I know God needed someone that had the Faith of a Child.” She stopped me right when I said that and said, “I just read that this morning in the Bible” she said, “I was completely done learning, but will read the first book (Nephi) and the intro, just because of your sincerity” I was shocked! Oh my!

I would go on and on but I don’t have time. We had dinner with just Georgia last night and it was amazing. I’ll try to write more later, but oh my Miracles! Last night as we left and were getting ready to walk away, she said, “I know you are supposed to be here. I had a dream about this.”

She is the center of the trailer park. Many more will follow in her foot steps.

Love you all!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

St. Petersburg Week 4

2009-10-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

What a week! It just keeps getting better and better! I don't even know where to start!

We have two more baptisms set. The first is Frank for Nov 12th. He has been a heavy smoker for a long time. and he is working on quitting right now. So far cold turkey and he is doing great! I'm so proud of him. His motivation is his family. They really want to have a baby. His wife Corianne is an inactive member. They got married a little over a year ago. The missionaries have been teaching him for that long, and finally he felt the motivation and faith to be baptized. Soooo cool. he wants to be sealed in the temple. He is soooo amazing! I've been craving hot wings for two weeks now and he got me some so today. When we visit him tonight he is hooking me up! I am soooo taken care of! He loves watching wrestling! He is sooo funny! His family will be life long friends. I'm reallly excited for him, AND I will get to go to the temple on my mission when they get sealed!

AND!!!!! for the Valasquez family that is getting baptized this next weekend they will be going to the temple as well. Yay!!! It is so amazing to see people change! Hector is from Puerto Rico and has been drinking coffee since he was 5. No joke! He just gave it up like it was nothing. Nothing is getting in the way of him going to the temple and having his family sealed to him. He is definitely a future Bishop! Their baptism will be very special!

Our zone has 24 people on date for baptism right now! We are on fire! we had a mission fast the other day and it has brought so many miracles! All we did was change our focus, that we don't tract, we find people to baptize. Every day we sisters go out with the mind set that we are going to find someone to baptize. Ever since we did that, we have! We have another baptism on Friday, but it might have to get moved to Saturday because of his work. Carmen had taken the first lesson like 3 times but wasn't motivated at all. Now he is getting married to a member, and he really really really wants to be baptized!!! he showed up at church yesterday and said, I'm ready to be baptized, when can I be baptized? We were like, “well, we can help you with that” with huge smiles. So we taught him the first half of the second lesson during the third hour of church. It was great. We stole the room where Spanish priesthood is and we just had one big conversation/lesson with about 6 other Spanish members. It was a great lesson. What was really amazing was Bro. Alvarez stopped and kind of got teared up and faced Carmen and us and said, in Spanish "It amazes me the dedication and energy these sisters put into learning Spanish. It humbles me, and it amazes me that i can see the face of Christ as they teach." Well that made my week! We don't have a Spanish branch yet! Yet! But, we do have an amazingly strong group of Spanish members, and it is growing quick!

We've had many miracles while tracting this week, but for lack of time I'm going to focus on two. First, a woman named Esmilda. She lived Honduras and was a very active member in Young Women's and Primary. She is the only member in her family, but when she got married and moved to the states she slipped under the radar. When deciding where to tract, we went to the ward list. There are roughly 750 people on the ward list, but only about 150 attend church. That is sad. :-( But out of that huge list we came to her name, and visited her. We stopped by her house, and found a huge neighborhood of Spanish people. It is a trailer park (we spend a lot of time in trailer parks) but she wasn't home. So we left and note and we had to leave for another lesson.

We were a little early for the appointment so we decided to tract for a while and we found a man from Cuba. His name is Hebereito. He is amazing! Sooo much faith, I was amazed. We talked to him for a half hour about really deep doctrine about the reformers. He knows that things were lost during the apostasy. He is going to love the message of the restoration when we teach him on Wednesday. He reads the bible every day for an hour. He has a doctorate and used to be a veterinarian in Cuba before he got an immigrant visa for the states. he calls his pastor from Guatemala every day to have scripture study. It should be really interesting to teach him. I am soooo excited though! It's a little intimidating to teach someone so fluent in the bible, because i m not, but i felt the spirit soooo strong while talking to him that i know it is going to be good! After this amazing experience we went back to see Esmilda, and she is excited to go back to church. we got her hooked up with the bus route so she can be independent in getting to church on Sundays and for Noche de hogar every other Monday. it is sooo exciting. her children are almost baptism age. Oh, i love this work!!!!!

Something has kind of surprised me. So many people here say they are really strong Catholics, but don't really know the bible. I think it is because so many people that we work with are so poor and don't have much schooling that they can't really understand the bible. They are just so used to going to church because of family traditions, that they really don't know that much of the scriptures. It is hard sometimes. When we give them reading assignments from the Book of Mormon they have a really hard time understanding what it is said. so we have to go over it very slowly. So a lot of the dates we've set have to move back a little bit because of this. It is so humbling to me and I feel so fortunate to have the education that I do.

Not many of the people we teach have phones or cars. We have to rely a lot on our Spanish group for providing rides for our investigators. Just the short while that I have been here has opened my eyes so much. So many people don't have employment. It is sad to see. We try to do what we can for them, but you know what, they are still happy. We have little Spanish kids running all around us when we go into some neighborhoods. They like us to sing "I am a child of God." or "Soy un hijo de Dios". A lot of them don't have shoes, but they are still so happy and their families welcome us with open arms. What makes them so happy when they don't have all of the worldly things that most people think they need to be happy? Well, they have their family, and they have a great faith in Jesus Christ. We give out pass along cards that have a picture of Jesus Christ, and the children love them. On some return appointments we see the pictures on the fridge and one girl put it on her fish tank. So funny! I love the people here so much!

Love you all!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

St. Petersburg Week 3

2009-10-19T20:26:00.000-07:00

I just want to say, I hate Satan! I hate him with everything that I am! I have had a huge reminder of how much he works on people that are starting to know the truth. I know he sure worked on me.

Wednesday we were going to meet with Frida, and she opened the door and seemed a little reserved and didn't invite us in like usual. She said she had talked to her pastor, and she has been involved with her church for so long that she can't go back on it now. But what is so hard, is that I know that the spirit touched her. I remember how hard it was for me when I was investigating the church. Satan did everything he could to make me scared and not want to learn about the church. It is definitely a battle in heaven! I feel more conviction to bear strong testimony like Elder Holland than I ever have before.

Another heart breaker was yesterday, we stopped at Gemina's house (run away girl) to see when we could teach her again. She had a baptismal date for the 30th. Her family loves us!!! She invited us right in. she said she doesn't feel comfortable attending another church that is different than her family, which I can understand. She is the sweetest 16 year old I have ever met and has a lot of love for her family. They have really grown a lot closer in the last two weeks. She reads the Book of Mormon every day and feels the spirit when she reads it. Her family still wants us to keep stopping by and they really appreciate what we have done for their family and especially for Gemina. Gemina said, “I know I need to have God in my life.” She carries her Book of Mormon to school with her. I can not even tell you how much my heart ached. A lump grew in my throat as I hugged Gemina and especially her mom. Her mom wept and squeezed me really hard and whispered "gracias... por..." in my ear. I know we have planted a huge seed and some day they will be ready. Gemina has a strong testimony of the restoration. She knows what the spirit feels like and her mom has seen that difference in her. I will keep in contact with gemina for now on. I love that girl. I started crying when we went back to the car. I had a weak moment where I was just like, "I hate Satan. This is a war in heaven and so much we desire for the eternal welfare of these people, and we just have to let them go." But I’ll tell you what, these two experiences made my testimony grow. I do testify with more conviction. We have to let everyone know how important our message is. "Till Christ says the good work is done."

The food is interesting at times. IT definitely isn't Mexican. The other day we had pastilles, kind of like tamales. It has ground up bananas. potato things, some other stuff, with a piece of meat in the middle, wrapped in banana leaves and boiled. It just was very interesting. I’m not sure if it is my favorite thing to eat if you know what I mean. I don't want to hurt feelings because it is a huge delicacy in Puerto Rico. I ate some bones in it, and it was REALLY hard to not gag. But you really do have to eat everything on the plate or you will offend them. So I asked for some hot sauce to put on it thinking that that might burn my taste buds so I could get it down. We just really don't get fed that often but everything we do eat I ask how to make it. I have a killer recipe for refried beans and fried plantains! Mmmmm I love fried plantains and beans! It’s soooo good! We get three plantains for a dollar at the Saldivar shop and cook up beans and have it for lunch a lot!

Antonio is on date for baptism for the 14th of November. He has some WOW (word of wisdom) problems, but we're working on that with him. He is hard to understand a lot of the times. Portuguese is weird, but we do our best. He is a really neat guy. At our last lesson when we pulled up, he was dressed all nice and we didn't even get a chance to knock on the door before he was out and ready to go to the church for the lesson. Sooo much fun!

The Valasquez family is being moved back a week. I think Corina is realizing how much of a commitment it is, especially a time commitment. So she only wants us to teach their family on Fridays, so we have to move it back a week. Hector is sooo fired up to be baptized, so is his son Matthew. Even Elain, the 15 year old girl is growing in testimony. Last time we were over there, we gave her the assignment to read Enos, and told her to think about if God answers our prayers. When we saw her again she said she had that feeling that we talked about when she read. yay! She recognized the Holy Ghost! :-) She is awesome!

We have started to change our mighty prayer in order to be more selective in the areas we tract. We cover the whole peninsula pretty much. All of Pinellas county. That is a LOT of area. So whenever we think about the area we want to tract, this is what we do. We will both look at the map lying on the ground, and not say anything to each other. One person will stay there, and it is their job to select the area to tract, while the other person goes into the bed room and offers a vocal prayer for the other to choose the place where some one is prepared to be baptized. It is sooo effective! We have a goal of finding at least one inactive or person to baptize every day and it has worked every time this week! We found Juan and his friend from it... he took the discussions a year ago in Tampa and had to be dropped because of scheduling conflicts. He really loved it and we found him through this process. Also, we found a less active member not even a block from one of the areas I chose that was accidentally put in the Spanish list and would have been lost in it if we didn't go by and visit them. They are English but it is so amazing how you can truly be lead by the spirit so precisely. There are people out there that are ready. The only way to find them is to be lead by the spirit.

Hermana Murray and I are getting really close. I know it is because we work hard and really desire to do our best to find people. We have a lot of fun! Today the zone is going to Sawgrass Park. It is an alligator park! I get to eat alligator! Last week, someone’s dog got off the leash and got too close to the water and got eaten. Oh man! I won’t get that close but, before I come home I AM going to touch an alligator!

The members are amazing! There are three families I have gotten really close with. Friscos, Bangeters, and the Ross's. They take good care of us. The Ross's are Spanish and he is the 2nd counselor in the ward. His wife just had surgery. The Friscos are crazy fun! But mostly crazy! :-) They are so humble and happy. The Bangeters are awesome! Bro. Bangeter tries to give me a hard time, but I dish it back to him. He works for the anti terrorist stuff (don't know the details, probably shouldn't) in South America. He speaks fluent Spanish. So he flips us a lot of stuff. I have made a purpose of memorizing things in Spanish just for him. Just so i can flip him stuff back. His wife picked me up in Tampa when I first got here. So she got to hear my whole story as we were stuck in traffic on the bridges. So they really like me and I like them. They are having us over for dinner this Sunday. 4:00-4:55. :-)

The weather is nice. I like it. The last three days I have felt cold. It’s crazy! I just started to get used to the heat. Last week was warm though! One day all of our appointments had top be rescheduled. So we tracted for 6 and a half hours in 99 degree weather with a 100% humitity. It was the hottest day here yet and we tracted it the most. It was good though. I slept good that night and added to my killer sun tan lines. :-) AND we got 9 potentials from that day! And met an awesome guy that lived in Utah that I think will be taught by the elders!

The lady that we met last week, Anna Cortez whose husband we helped move chairs for, is loving the lessons. She is amazing. We have a soft baptismal commitment with her. We want to set a date with her this week. I know it will happen. She has a really good friend that is a member and that helps a lot.

HELP the missionaries there! They really need it. Fellowshipping is soo important!

I had an interesting experience this week. It was kind of scary. Evil spirits are soo real. We were tracting, and this lady just let us right in to her house and it felt really weird. She asked us to teach her, so we started to, but no matter how hard we tried to bear testimony and invite the spirit, it could not be in that home. I left there feeling disgusting. Something was wrong in that house. As she said a prayer I felt like something was behind me. We both had our back packs in hand so we could leave. She tried to place a lot of doubt and fear in us about the work that we were doing. She looked me in the eyes as we left and asked me, "are you sure you are ok?" I wanted to say "lady are you sure you are ok?!" It was the creepiest experience I have ever had. We quickly left and walked down a back alley and said a prayer. It helped a lot. There are a lot of satanic worshipers here. It’s kind of scary. We are safe with the lord.

I love you... I’ll try to write more if I have time.

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

Hola de St. Pete!

2009-10-12T13:28:00.000-07:00

So we were tracting the day before, down a really impoverished street and a man caught my attention, i started to contact him but he clearly didn't want anything to do with us. We were in the area yesterday for 4 return apts. Just after the apts, I looked over and a man was working on his Camaro. I said, "Hermana Murray, I really want to go to talk cars with this man." So, she said "ok" with a smile. I asked the usual... "What’s under the hood? What have you done to it?" Then the man who first denied us walked up. I talked to this man about cars. He was pretty surprised that I even knew anything. A blonde in a skirt. Well, we started talking about church... to make a long story short, we placed a Book of Mormon. He was so excited to read it. He was prepared and had an open mind. He is taking the discussions and it is looking really well. We find so many great people here. He was so shut off to us at first, but we just had to find that common ground and his wall was broken down and it was amazing! I really feel like he will be baptized!!! Isn't that amazing? It would have been so easy to say he doesn't want to hear and not try again.

Right before this, we experienced another miracle. The day before we tracted into Anna Cortez we taught her quite a bit on the door step and made another appointment. She opened up to us a little bit. We could really tell she was hurting. She told us that she and her husband were having a lot of problems. We felt like we should say a prayer with her. So we did right there, and I could tell she felt better. We promised her that our message could help her family, that faith in Jesus Christ could help her. SO, yesterday, for those appointments I wrote about above, we were running late from church, but as we were walking I saw a man carrying chairs, A LOT of chairs into the back of a trailer and I felt like we should help him carry them, so we did. We carried about 250 chairs for him. Now we were REALLY late for the appointments. but two of them ended up rescheduling. Anyhoo, as we were walking away, we stopped to talk to the man again. It turns out, that he is the husband of Anna. Just from that act of service he opened up to us too. Amazing! It is so important to follow the Spirit in the little things!!! yay! we are so excited to teach their family. I know we were there in the right moment. Heavenly Father is helping us so much!

The success in the area is incredible. We have 8 people that will be baptized in the next month and we started a week and a half ago with no one. We see the Lord's hand in everything we do. We go a lot of time without eating because we are so busy. We had an end of the year goal to have enough people for the Spanish branch to be established but we will have it before the end of the month! Oh how amazing!!!!

I laughed out loud really hard when Dad sent the letter about the gangs in St. Petersburg. OH THEY ARE HERE! That is for sure. We are around it all of the time. I have shook hands with people that have the tear drop tattoos on their eyes but I have felt protected. We've heard gun shots, in fact, there was a shooting outside of the Elder's apartment. They are trying to relocate them now. We don't live in a scary neighborhood, so that’s good. About the scariest place we go is Waterside apartments on the south side of St. Pete. One day, we were tracting there, and as we walked, and I could definitely smell drugs. As we knocked on the door, they opened it and everyone inside was running around because they thought we were the police. Oh funny! The "thugz" actually have a lot of respect for us. They keep us safe. They tell us where not to go and they are always looking out for us. Not sure if you like hearing this, but it is what it is :-). I think these are the reasons why they didn't have sisters here before. I have only felt unsafe once, and we left very quick!

So GEMNINA! what an amzing girl. That is the girl that ran away! She has taken a complete 180 in her life. I can't remember the last I told you about her, but her family loves us, and they are so excited to learn. I think it is because they saw the light in us. We took her on a church tour the other day and she loved it!!! We committed her to baptism for the 24th. However, she didn't make it to church this Sunday so we'll have to push it back a week. She had way too much homework from missing school, so her mom said it would be better for her to do that. Oh I am soooo excited.

I love the people here so much! I get excited to talk to everyone! The ward is amazing! This work would not be possible here without the ward's help. The missionaries need help! Our mission focuses on the members and using them. It has doubled our success. We always make sure in our lessons we have a member present, and I think that is why we are having so much success. So if you are not helping the missionaries, please do so. Also, DON'T let them stay at your house more than a few minutes UNLESS they have an investigator! They need to be out knocking doors! Quick spiritual message, and then kick them out! It will be good for them. We never stay long. I think it builds a lot of trust in the members as well! YAY for missionary work!

So last night we had a church tour with a man named Antonio. We had a lesson on his door step last week and it was my first time saying the first vision. He is from Brazil, so he only really speaks a little bit of Spanish. At the church last night, I felt the spirit so strong, and the Spanish was just coming. I was amazed. I was like, how can I speak like this? Well, only through the help of the Holy Ghost. At the end of the lesson, he said that my Portuguese was really good. Figure that one out! The gift of tongues is sooooo true!

Another ultra amazing investigator is Frida Perez from Peru. Her family is very poor in Peru, but she has organized a non-profit organization. She saw the commercial for our church, and thought it could help the people there... so here we are to share it with her. She loves the doctrine and soaks up everything that we say. She reads and reads. She is a very smart woman. In Sunday School yesterday, she spoke just as much as the members (Spanish Sunday School). I'm really excited. She has a soft commitment for baptism, meaning, when she prays and knows this is true, that she will be baptized. Oh, it is soooo exciting!!!!

I was called a potato yesterday by Hector. I was sharing my story a little bit with their family and talked to them about the temple and the meaning of temple sealing and work for the dead and he stopped me and said, "You are a potato. There are two types of people in this world, potatoes and eggs. If you put them in the boiling water of life or hard things, they either harden up, or they become soft and beautiful. You my friend are a potato." I thought this was amazing and I loved it. Not that he called me a potato, but that it is sooo true of an analogy and I am going to use it!!!

Well, I might get a chance to write more later. The zone is going bowling today! :-) so sorry if everyone doesn't get as many letters today.

So much to write. I can't wait to come home and tell you these stories in person. There is sooo much more to them.

Love you all soooo much!!!
Thank you for the support!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

First Week in Florida - St. Petersburg

2009-10-07T19:17:00.000-07:00

October 5, 2009

Hola!

Where to even start! :-)

Only send US mail, otherwise it could take a month to get a package.

My companion is Hermana Murray. She is from Bellevue. She lived a couple blocks from the temple! sooo cool! Mom, we want you to go on a temple trip with her mom. Her name is Pam. Isn't that cool? Hermana Murray goes to the University of Oregon, so it will be easy to keep in contact.

My first area is St. Petersburg. I have a lot of love for this area already. They only recently opened it to Spanish missionaries for three transfers, only 18 weeks. That is crazy. It is the last zone in the area that doesn’t have a Spanish branch, and it is not because of a lack of Spanish people. That is for sure!!! We didn't have hardly anyone in our teaching pool when I got here, but some really great and amazing miracles have happened. I thought about this as I sat in the chapel at conference with a family we just put on date for baptism that was sitting in front of us. In general conference when the area seventy talked about how he prayed that missionaries would enter Russia and how his son was a part of that answer to a prayer, well, I felt like I was a part of a lot of prayers. This area has grown so much in just the week that I have been here. I am really excited! When I heard about the area I was really surprised that they would put a greeny like me here when there is so much important work to do!

I don't even know where to start. I think I might just send what I have in my journal home... or I might make you wait.

The first day in the field was work! I LOVE TRACTING! Some missionaries don't like it. But I love it! In fact, the first Spanish door contact we did, and I did it by myself, is taking the lessons right now! They have a daughter that is 14, Juni. She is going to mutual now. It is great. I have a good feeling about it. We plan on committing them to baptism the next time we meet on Wednesday. :-) Yay!!!!!!! They have a family of 6. …but my first Spanish contact! Yay!!!

Next we went to the Saldivar shop. I’m definitely taking you to meet the Saldivars!!! They own one of those mom and pop’s stores on the corner with all of the weird Hispanic food; like pig heads hanging in there and everything. But they are really great to us missionaries. They were inactive before the Spanish missionaries got here, now they are actively participating. WE ARE SOOOO CLOSE to having a Spanish branch! We always stop by and they bring us in the back and we teach them a quick lesson. We laugh a lot. The first day I didn't understand them very well, THEY SPEAK FAST! But we stopped by there the night before last and I was doing really good understanding them. My Spanish has made a lot of improvement! It is amazing. It is completely the Lord helping. I wouldn't be able to do it without Him.

The first night was fun. We moved a family for four hours in the sweltering heat! 96 with 85% humidity! I’m pretty sure I got heat exhaustion. I have been soooo tired since and it hasn't been from lack of sleep.

I've lost 7 pounds since being here! It’s crazy. This is the most disciplined mission I have ever heard of. They don't pass around a dinner sign up at all, because from 5-9 is prime time for doing the work and we shouldn't be in someone’s home unless there is an investigator there. I think that is soooo awesome!!! So we can eat at 4, but usually we are so busy that we don't eat until we get home. I thought the members would be feeding us a lot more, but we are so busy we put them on the bottom of the list. Food is just food anyways :-)

So I know I said the teaching pool wasn't full when I got here, but we have been blessed so much. We have been guided by the Spirit so directly that that has changed A LOT!!! Dozens and dozens of times while tracting my companion and I have felt directly that we needed to contact particular doors and people. One in particular just amazed me! We walked up to the door and it was my turn to do the contacting. It was Spanish and something really amazing happened. I will never forget this for the rest of my life. I felt my heart leap as I knocked on the door. (It was in kind of a rundown area) the spirit hit me so strong that I thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest. A woman answered the door. She looked like she had been crying. I felt prompted to just bear strong testimony of the Savior and the atonement. I didn't even ask for her name or anything. I said (in Spanish… it just came. I haven't said this ever before) "Jesus Christ loves you, and He wanted us to come here because you need help. We are here to help you and to tell you that the Savior loves you. Through prayer and the atonement...” I didn't even get a chance to finish my sentence before she was sobbing in my arms. We were not planning on coming in this area, but we were directed by the spirit. We weren't able to say much to her other than bear testimony to her of how the atonement could help her. She talked to us for 25 minutes without us really getting a word in. Through her tears and speaking so fast I hardly could understand her... So instead as I sat there and looked into her eyes I prayed my heart out to Heavenly Father that the Holy Ghost would tell me the worries of her heart, how we could help her, and that she would see the light of Christ in us... and Heavenly Father blessed me with that. My companion offered for us to leave them with a prayer, and turned to me to offer it. Oh boy! I was nervous, but the spirit helped me. (at this point I didn't know what exactly was going on. I knew her daughter was gone, and had tried to commit suicide a few weeks ago. Can you imagine how scary this might be for a new missionary that has only spoken Spanish for two months!) but the Lord helped me. The spirit was strong when I prayed. I cried through the whole thing and so did everyone else. I prayed for a miracle. I felt prompted to say that that the daughter would return.

I didn't know what exactly happened until my companion and I left. We found out after they had invited us in that there 16 year old daughter had just ran way with her boyfriend. She said she was coming back today but she didn't show up. (this was all on my second day here...) We came to visit two days later, and the daughter was back. The father thanked us so much as he talked to us on the door step. They really want us to teach them I feel really good about the family.

OK! Now, the Valasquez family! So amazing! The mother is an inactive member (Karina), from Puerto Rico. They moved to the states 5 years ago. Hector, was a very stern Catholic. He’s not really active, but very against even thinking about any other religions. The family started looking into other religions. They really desired that their children would have a good faith in God and Jesus Christ. Once Karina’s mom in Puerto Rico found out, she quickly sent a Media referral. A month ago the sisters taught them, and Hector didn't like it. So they weren't able to visit again until last week. As we were going through our area book, we felt prompted to follow up with them. We prayed for a mighty miracle that would soften Hector’s heart. Karina desired to become active again. AND IT SOOO HAPPENED! We went there, and it was amazing! Hector and his son Mathew are on date for Nov 6th, but he is so excited that it will probably happen sooner I’m sure. When we got there he was so ready. He already knew Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, the Bbook of Mormon was true. He even taught us about the Urim Thummin. It reminded me of my first contact with the missionaries. "the teachers become the teachees!" Ya! Totally happened! It was one of the strongest testimonies of prayer I have ever heard. He had never prayed out loud in front of people before, other then scripted prayers, and before we left we wanted to pray. So we asked him who he would like to say the prayer. He said " I will. I need to set the example for my kids." He was so nervous, but he did it! I was soooo darn happy! I didn't even sleep that night.

During our weekly panning we set a very high number of 4 baptisms for this month. We prayed and felt strongly about that goal. They haven't had one baptism in 3 months in this area. Well, we have two right now so far, soon to be four. I talked to the ZL last night, and they said we've broken the glass ceiling on all of the numbers for the last year in just a week. WE WORK HARD! We never let a moment go by! Everything is in the Lords hand’s!

Hector loved general conference! Just after conference he came right out and said, “When can I learn more about prophets?” with a huge smile on his face! Oh man! We do church tours here... the first priority is to have the first lesson in the church building with a fellowshipper (member). The next lesson is at a member’s house, or at the investigator’s house with a fellowshipper. They really know what they are doing here. We only do what works. Bikes are more effective because you get more contacts. So, we bike a lot! It is great!!!

Yesterday we taught a man named Antonio. We gave the whole first lesson on the door step. I said the first vision for the first time. Yay!! The spirit was so strong. I know he felt it. He is from Brazil. I am really excited to teach him again. I just know he will be baptized. You just get this feeling! Yay!

Our teaching pool keeps getting fuller! Trailer parks are our friends! We have been in some REALLY scary areas with drugs and crime. Heard gun shots the other day, but I definitely feel protected and think of Elder Scott’s blessing often that we will be kept safe as we are obedient.

We had two little Spanish girls run out and give us some paper ring chains that said “we love you”. They like to follow us around when contacting. We have really built up a good reputation with some of the areas. I am just amazed on how humble the Spanish people are. I really have learned a lot of life lessons in just my first week. Also, I never realized until now that I have been preparing my whole life for my mission. I love it here. I love the people sooo much. My prayers have never been as meaningful as they are now when I offer a mighty prayer for our investigators and for direction.

I’m already sad to leave the people here!

Love you all

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

New Address!!

2009-09-27T10:56:00.001-07:00

Hilary leaves for Tampa early on Monday, September 28th! You can write to her at the following address:

Hermana Hilary Vaughan-Schultz
Florida Tampa Mission
13153 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. Suite 109
Tampa, FL 33618

Last Week in the MTC - September 25 e-mail

2009-09-27T10:46:00.000-07:00

Friday, September 25, 2009

Oh my, I don't even know where to start!

I am going to miss the MTC SSSOOOOOO much! The MTC is definitely hard, but I have met so many amazing people. It is the perfect environment to engulf yourself in the gospel. The amount of learning is unbelievable. I cannot wait to return when my husband and I serve a mission.

More thoughts on the MTC... Anyone who reads this and is thinking about going on a mission, GO! That is the leap of faith Heavenly Father wants you to take. As I have talked to so many people, they all came for different reasons. Whether it be, “it is what we're supposed to do”, or “my family wants me to”... even, “a girl won't marry me unless I go.” But I can guarantee you that everyone leaves the MTC and goes into the field with the same reason; to serve Jesus Christ. It is amazing. The MTC is a refiner’s fire. You are tired all of the time, don't really get any personal time... you totally submit your will to the LORD and truly forget yourself. Once you find this, then you feel happiness you have never felt before. It is sooo true! Ahh, I’m going to miss it terribly; but, now it is on to the real reason I came on a mission, to serve the Lord and loose myself in the service of the people in Tampa.

Any takers on where my first area is?! I was excited to hear the President Southworth’s son and wife are in Tampa. I’ll definitely have to make a dinner appointment if I’m in their area. :-)

We were in a large group meeting and the speaker was talking about the time when he got back from his mission and how sad he felt when he took his name tag off. I started to cry. President Southworth, I am not looking forward to that day. I will proudly accept it, and I hope I can look back and say I did a good job. But honestly, I’m going to cry like a little baby. I just know. So, I am apologizing in advanced.

Doris is doing amazing! Well on her way into reactivation! :-) Yay!!!! It makes me so happy. I was really amazed on all the feedback I got from people for singing to her on the phone. I think, just like how in John14:26-27, every person has the light of Christ, and their testimony is brought back to their remembrance. This last week I have done a great deal of pondering on my conversion with the opportunity to address the sisters at the MTC and some of the area leaders and share my conversion. I really noticed how influential the Light of Christ really is. That is what I saw in the people in the Gospel. That is what I wanted but I didn't know where to find it. Through some rather unusual circumstances, and for that I am eternally grateful, I came to the knowledge of these wonderful things. I know that God has a plan for me personally, and every one of his children. My brothers and sisters, isn't that soooo amazing! I know that everything in this life that seems unfair can be made right through the atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that I would have never been healed from the struggles that I have had, both done to me and mistakes that I have made, without this knowledge. I want soooo badly for people to know this. I want so badly to be an instrument in the Lord’s hands so the spirit can touch people the same way it did me when I sat across the table from the missionaries. I know when you have a witness like this (as an investigator) and it may seem impossible to make the commitment to be baptized... maybe because of family or an addiction... but I know the promise in 1 Nephi 7 is so true, more now than ever. I clung to these verses, v.8 that I might be an example, v.12 that I might have this faith to have v.17, my bands broken. I know this can be true for everyone. I want to share this with the people in Tampa. I shared these scriptures when I spoke in relief society. I told the sisters that they could promise this to the investigators. If they submit their will to the Lord’s and have faith in Him, then He WILL break their bands. I look at my life now, and I feel so amazingly blessed!!! Heavenly Father really does take care of you.

Something that struck me today in the temple as I was sitting in the Celestial Room, is how important it is to preach the gospel 2 by 2. I think that is the biggest mistake Adam and Eve made, was to not be 2 by 2 and it allowed Satan to tempt them. It is sooo important. If anyone thinks that because they are a missionary that Satan won't tempt them, or that their struggles from before will go away, it is wrong. Satan does everything he can to make a missionary not feel good enough or tries to falter a missionary’s testimony. The first week here I was numb, I didn't know what was going on... the second week, I think I was shown my weaknesses. I think Heavenly Father wants us to know our weaknesses, so we can recognize His help in all things and that we cannot do it alone without Him. I know it is Satan that makes a person not feel good enough for something or someone. We need to know our weaknesses so we can make them stronger. I am not good at learning languages. If you put a physiology book in front of me and I am all good and loving it. So, I fully know that every bit of Spanish I can speak is because it is given to me from God. There is absolutely no way I could do it on my own. I reached my goal. I can teach every lesson in Spanish. I tried to exercise as much faith as I could. A week ago I would have said it was impossible. I just know now that Heavenly Father will have me teach the law of chastity first week or something. :-) Fun-fun!

Love you all!!!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

Week 8 - MTC e-mail September 18, 2009

2009-09-20T22:52:00.000-07:00

September 18, 2009

So we had a (un dia en el campo) yesterday. We taught 14 lessons in Spanish, and contacted a bunch! It was awesome. My tongue was sore just from speaking Spanish for so long. Weird, I know, but I think I’m getting the rolling rrrrrr down. That was 7 hours of teaching in one day... it is exciting.

We got our flight plans yesterday! :-) I jumped up and down. It is sad though, I have built so many relationships with the sisters here. My roommates are my best friends now. We’re planning on rooming together at Utah State when we get back. They are serving in New York, New York South.

Two nights ago was really neat. We taught the second lesson for the first time as a companionship. The second lesson is pretty hard in English, let alone Spanish. But, we did it. The spirit was there and it was strong. I’m sure I didn't speak very good Spanish, but I was able to share things that I have never before said. I was able to share experiences about family, and form sentences that I never had before. It was soooo neat. The spirit helps you so much when it comes to speaking Spanish. After, I could hardly speak English. For the first time, I had to think of how to say things in English. I’m afraid by the time I get home I won’t know how to speak any English :-)

The swine flu has invaded our zone... some of the Elders have been quarantined. No bueno! pero, esta bien. Just pray that no one in our district gets it... if we do our departure is delayed.

I think there was confusion in my last letter... I actually speak this Sunday, not the last Sunday. But, thank you for all of the wonderful comments and support. I’ll let you know how it goes...

I had a wonderful time in the temple this week... of last week in the temple, I was standing at the top of the stairs waiting for another group to come up, and I was just leaning over to my companion saying, "Sometimes I secretly wish I could see someone I know here." Not even two seconds later, there’s Joe Edmonds. It was really nice to see someone that I knew from home. But today, while sitting in the celestial room, I said a prayer, wanting to be led to a scripture that heavenly father wants me to understand. It was so cool, because after, I opened right to DC 84. So amazing. I felt like I was being told by the spirit how I could be a better missionary, and what I need to focus on.

Week 7 - MTC e-mail September 11, 2009

2009-09-12T13:07:00.000-07:00

September 11, 2009

Hola!

Another great and wonderful time at the MTC! Gotta love it here!

I have a really bum thumb, so all that get a letter this week, I’m sorry but my handwriting is worse than it usually is, which was bad in the first place...

I just want to thank everyone for their support. You have no idea how much a letter in the mail, can cheer you up and lift your spirits. So I wanted to thank everyone... (I'm asking for mailing addresses because I don't have time to e-mail everyone, but I want to write)

Spanish is coming along pretty well. Each day I add more and more to the lessons. I decided to push myself a little bit harder and try to work on the last 3 lessons. We never get to those in the MTC. But I have a goal of being able to teach ALL of the lessons before I leave. We teach the first lesson for the last time tonight.

Whew, time is flying by. Next week we get our flight plans. It is like better than Christmas day when the flight plans come in the mail room. Generally we hear shouting and lots of excitement. Even crying. I have found that God doesn't want you to get comfortable. I think I wrote about that last time, but after this week I have found that to be true even more. If we get comfortable, then we are not stretched. If we don't get put in situations where we can grow, then the Lord can't polish us into what he wants. IT IS SOOO TRUE! Here at the MTC, as soon as I would get comfortable, even the slightest, with a principle or speaking... something would come up... last week I got a letter in my mail box from the Mission President’s wife asking me to speak in Relief Society. I was like, “what? Not me. They don't want me to speak in there. It is special and only general authorities speak there.” Well, yesterday I met with the Mission President’s wife for what was supposed to be a 30 min interview, and it turned into being an hour and 10 minutes. The Primary General President is coming to speak and she wanted a conversion story to be shared and somehow they picked me... soooo... we spent that time going into vivid detail of my conversion. It was so wonderful. We cried together, laughed together, and bore strong testimony to each other. She is an amazing woman and I want to be like her someday. If I could be half the person she is I would be happy. So, wish me luck! I’m really nervous and Heavenly Father is certainly stretching me with this one! I’ll let you know how it goes. I know this is a blessing from Heavenly Father. I know that I will gain something form it, and I hope the sisters at the MTC will gain something from it.

In Preach my Gospel, it says that great spiritual experiences are rare and they are usually calm tender feelings... well, to be honest. I feel so blessed right now, because when I "count my many blessings" every night when I pray, I feel like I have super amazing spiritual experiences pretty much every day, sometimes more than once a day...

Most notably this week was talking with a wonderful woman from Ohio. Her name is Doris. I would ask all that reads this to keep her in your prayers. She is 61, inactive since she was 14. I talked to her for and hour and 10 minutes on Monday. I have never been directed by the spirit in this way before in my life. I have the very words that I should say to her come to my mind. I felt like I could see her sitting on the end of her bed talking to me. I connected to this woman. She was watching TV, and she saw a "Mormon" commercial, and she felt different when she saw it. So after so many years of seeing them she decided that this was the time that she would call in... so she did. First time… busy. Second and third… busy. But she tried one more time, and she got my phone. And I am so blessed that she did. The first words out of her mouth were, "so if Joseph Smith is a prophet, why isn't he in the Bible?" I was like, oh great. Someone is calling, and wanting to Bible bash. I hate Bible bashing. So I answered her question, and said, "Joseph Smith is a prophet of God... I explained what the bible teachings are, compared to the Book of Mormon and told her how we received the Book of Mormon. I could tell her voice softened. And I felt the spirit was definitely there... I said to her, “Do you feel different?” She said, “Yes, I feel calm.” I testified to her that that was the Holy Ghost testifying to her that the things that I had told her were true. This was a different situation for me teaching an inactive person. They have the gift of the Holy Ghost already. I felt distinctly prompted to remind her of that... I asked her what she remembered from church. She said she sings "count your many blessings all the time" and she remembered Primary songs. So, we sang them together over the phone. My entire district sitting in the Referral Center just smiled at me :-) This was so awesome! I felt so strongly that she needed to partake of the Sacrament. So I taught her about it... she hasn't been to church since she was 14, but she is going this Sunday... Contacting her Relief Society President and everything so they know she is coming... this is sooooo wonderful! awww... I love missionary work! So, please pray for her... I told her I was serving in Tampa Florida. She got really excited and she started to choke up and said some very special things that I will never forget. I know without a doubt in my heart that I am where God wants me to be. I know that all things that are good in my life are a gift from Him. I will serve Him with all my heart! I love it!

Week 6 - MTC e-mail September 4, 2009

2009-09-05T23:25:00.000-07:00

So, really cool! This morning, I taught the entire first lesson on my own. In quite a bit of detail. 40 mins worth of doctrine and sharing scriptures. It was so exciting! I owe it all to the Lord, because I know that I would not be able to do that on my own. The first day they told us not to compare ourselves to others, and judge on progress on Wednesdays. Well, last Wednesday I was still having a lot of trouble with cong., and sentence structures. This week sentences are flying out of my mouth. I set a very high goal for myself to do this and tried to put as much faith in that the Lord would help me accomplish it, and He did!

We teach our first official Spanish lesson tonight in the TE. I am super excited!!! We’ve taught at least one Spanish lesson a day since last Saturday.

People have asked what studying Spanish at the MTC is like, so I thought I would talk about that a little bit. A day in the life of Hermana Vaughan-Schultz... I wake up at 5:45 every morning and run 2-3 miles… stairs. I read Predicad mi evangelio y el Libro De Mormon for 30 minutes in the morning before breakfast. I always carry flash cards with me whenever I am walking so I am always speaking or reading Spanish... this week it has been memorizing the first vision en espanol. That was hard but I finally have it down. 30 minutes for breakfast. Our Thursday schedule is at 8 a.m. one hour personal study, 1 hour of companion study, 2 hours Spanish study, lunch, class for 3 hours, dinner, 1 hour language study, 3hours of class, plan for 30 minutes at 9, write in my journal 20 minutes, brush my teeth :-) read el libro de Mormon before I fall asleep… and repeat.

It really is a lot… a lot of hours of intense study. I make sure that I never go without Spanish in my hands. It has made a huge difference. I have not taken a nap since being here because i always want to be studying. My companions and some Elders said, I don’t know who you are not burnt out yet. I just don't see any other option, This is the Lord’s time, and I don't expect to change for my entire mission. We have a computer software program called TALL that we can use, but I have found I do best just by translating preach my gospel and reading the book of Mormon in Spanish and English right next to each other.

This week has definitely been a refiners fire for me. I have learned a lot as I have worked out differences in my companionship. Sometimes it feels lonely, but I know I have never been alone. I love the MTC and this work so much! I love Spanish and I can't wait to be able to teach in Tampa. Soooo excited.

This Sunday I had the opportunity to speak in sacrament meeting in espanol. It was great. I was the first for our district to give a talk in Spanish. Now we are the oldest. And I have to set the example. We are a really young zone. But it is so exciting to finally be the ones getting asked all the questions about Spanish instead of the ones always asking. It definitely has made me step it up a notch.

We had a great message this Tuesday from E. Sybrowski from the second quorum. He and his wife are just amazing. Earlier Tuesday, he was eating lunch with E. Oaks and E. nelson. He asked them what he would like him to talk to us (missionaries) about. E. oaks said, "Teach them how to follow the spirit." and E. nelson added, "Tell them why." I know this work is impossible without the Holy Ghost. I think back to the time when I was converted. It really was the Holy Ghost that converted me. As a missionary now, I know how important it is to have to Holy Ghost with you. In DC 50 it gives an amazing example and necessity for this. If I don't study personally for 60 minutes, companion for 60 minutes and at least 60 minutes for language, then Holy Ghost isn't with me as strong. I can't testify with as much enthusiasm. This week I got on my knees, and promised Heavenly Father that I would do all I could to have the Holy Ghost with me. By being obedient to all mission rules, but also, following every prompting that I get. When we let prompting go by, with no action to follow them, Heavenly Father will not be as likely to keeping guiding you. Like in Moroni 10:3-5. For the rest of our lives we have to have "real intent." I also promised in my prayer to give my heart to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, never expecting to get it back. I hope my future husband knows that, I’ve given my heart away to this work and to my Heavenly Father... I hope he is ok with that ;-)

Love you all soooo much!

Remember mas cartes!!!!!!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

Week 5 - MTC e-mail August 28, 2009

2009-08-29T23:19:00.000-07:00

August 28, 2009

Hola!

So, this week has been incredible. Most notably Elder Scott at Tuesday night devotional and the temple dedication on Sunday.

SO, the temple dedication... Absolutely amazing! I keep adding to my top 10 most amazing spiritual experiences. Pretty soon it’s going to be top 100 by the time my mission is over. It was held in the gymnasium at the MTC, where all of the mission addresses are held. They closed it for two days before for cleaning. They really wanted it to be like the temple, and boy was it!

As we approached the front doors, we were met by our mission president Smith. He had a huge smile on his. (The same doors every missionary walks in to get there name tag) And as soon as my foot touched the carpet it felt like I was in the temple! It was so incredible! We sat for 45 minutes thinking and contemplating life. Which is always a good thing here because we hardly get a second to breathe. My heart skipped a few beats when I saw 6 men walk in dressed in white, leading them was president Monson. Oh man! So cool! It just kept getting better! Here is an excerpt from my journal, "The dedicatory prayer really hit me as a missionary. The prayer prayed for the missionaries. That we would have safety and guidance by the Holy Ghost. That we would have success spreading the gospel. I couldn't help but imagine the people that I will be able to share the gospel with and realize that they would be able to partake of the blessings of the temple and everything that comes with it. It was at this moment that I began to understand the magnitude of my calling. That we are more authorized to preach the gospel and share our message than anyone else. The prophet and apostles sustain me, so the Lord sustains me in this great work. There is no greater happiness than knowing that God is our loving Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ is His Beloved Son, who gave his life so we can return to be with them both. As Joseph Smith said, the worth of every soul is great in the eyes of God. I am an instrument in the hands of the Lord, willing and submissive to let my brothers and sisters know who they are, how much they are loved and missed, and our Heavenly Father wants them back." From another portion of my journal... "God’s purpose will not be frustrated because of our shortcomings, but if we are willing to repent, and SEEK him, we can be his instrument and there is no greater joy in this life than to feel the joy of helping others receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and all of the blessings that come with it."

Tuesday night devotional... Elder Scott spoke to us. Absolutely amazing. I say absolutely and amazing in my letters a lot, but there are not really words to describe my feelings that I have. The spirit touches me and I get overcome with emotion, and it is just a hard thing to describe. Elder Scott gave two apostolic blessings on us. He had everyone that was learning a language raise their hands and he pronounced a promise to us that we would have the gift of tongues. At another portion of his talk, he spoke about our safety and the importance of following the spirit. We will all be in "scary" situations, but if we follow the spirit with exactness we will be protected. He was referring to the safety of the sisters and how we can be more vulnerable. He told us things that we should do to keep safe. He then stopped, got choked up, and pronounced another blessing on us, promising us that we would not be hurt if we are obedient. I felt the spirit so strongly. It was actually quite a relief to hear. Another portion of his talk, he spoke of the reality of Satan. How Satan, more than anyone else can create the illusion of power. In reality, we have everything, every tool to stop him. We can call on God for his help and comfort. Satan would do all he could to discourage and weaken any of his missionaries. It really was just a great message.

Monday night in the Referral Center, I felt prompted to pick up the phone and do calls. It wasn't my usual assignment. My companions and I have been doing online chats and taking over flow calls. So I put my phone on available and started calling. I talked to about three people. Then I talked to a man from Aurora Colorado. About two weeks ago, he fell off scaffolding at work. He broke his leg, ankle, back and other internal injury. He has been in the hospital since then. When I called, I had no idea what I was about to experience. I am so glad that I followed that prompting. He doesn't understand why this injury had to happen. He was really frustrated one night, and all alone, and he saw a commercial from our church. He felt good when he saw it so he decided to call and order a bible. I was calling to confirm he received it. Well, he had talked to the missionaries, but didn't want to set up any appointments. I talked to him for 40 minutes. I shared scripture after scripture with him. I just read to him. I told him how to pray, what to pray for, and promised him that prayer would bring him comfort while he felt alone in the hospital. I shared my experience of loneliness in the hospital. I know that he felt the spirit, and I told him that... so next week the missionaries are going to teach him. :-) YAY!!! The gospel is soooo true! I get to find out how everything is going on Monday. I’m preparing him a lesson. It is sooo great!!!

I love you all! Thank you sooo much for all the letters and support!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

New Pictures from Hilary - August 24, 2009

2009-08-24T23:43:00.000-07:00

Today we received some new pictures from Hilary at the MTC. Click on the small pictures to the right if you wish to see them.

Week 4 - MTC e-mail August 21, 2009

2009-08-21T14:38:00.000-07:00

August 21, 2009

No more English for our district... instead of fasting food, we fast English! And it is awesome!!!!!!!

Our teacher has really pushed us. we are almost done with 9 weeks’ worth of grammar! :-) It’s a lot. I think I understand most of it. Ya, I do... so josh, you're testimony en espanol was amazing! Just a couple mistakes, BUT, there were two awesome things from it. One, that you did that, and two, that I could understand it. Something must be working here at the MTC. So, two days ago I had a rough day. Spanish wasn't coming easily and there was a lot of tension in my companionship. In the middle of the class room, I knelt and prayed that I would receive a witness of the spirit of my progress as a missionary and in my Spanish. AND THAT WAS ANSWERED!!! Boy was it... I shared a spiritual thought to the class. The first for our class... because of solo espanol. sooo.... I shared 3 Nephi 11:11... I bore testimony of the Book of Mormon. How it contains the writing of ancient prophets on the American continent... how it testifies of Christ and the restoration... I have never before wept in my life wept while I bore my testimony. I have never before felt the spirit that strongly while I have born testimony. It is by far the most amazing experience I have had here. It is a testimony to me that I am here because I am supposed to be. That the Savior is my redeemer. That it is Him that is speaking through me. That if I do all I can to be obedient and work hard, that I can be an instrument and disciple of Christ. I would ask all of you that read this, to ask yourself. Are you SEEKING Jesus Christ? Ether 12:41. It truly is something different to SEEK Jesus Christ. To seek His LIGHT and Understanding in all things. I would challenge all of you to do that. I promise you that you will see miracles in your life...

Also, another thought. I have always found it sometimes a struggle, to have a question, or a question that an investigator might have and look to the scripture for the answer. Instead, now I am trying to look at it as, reading the scripture and asking myself, what question does this scripture answer.

After this amazing experience of sharing a thought in espanol... I was so pumped that I wanted to teach a lesson. In class, we started to prepare a lesson to give other companionships... we had the choice to do it in English or Spanish... I was all about the Spanish. I am amazed of how much I understand. The lord is definitely by my side helping me every step of the way. There is no way I could have done this much on my own. I owe Him everything that I have. This is truly the Lord’s time. And I am trying with all my heart to do my best.

It is so important to listen to the spirit. I have found that during the week, it is time to prepare, that while you teach (on Friday) that you just have to have faith that the Lord will make up the rest. That is what happened a couple days ago. We had a practice for our task on Friday with one of the instructors. We were so caught up in trying to speak Spanish that we weren't listening to the spirit. We asked the investigator if he felt anything while he prayed. He said he did. He felt peace. I could of sworn he said he didn't feel anything. So I go and start testifying about Moroni’s promise. Muy impiortante, corozon sincero y verdadaro intencia.... well, even if I didn't understand the Spanish, the spirit would have told me what he felt. We should have committed him to baptism right away... se bautizara? Well, we all laughed and I learned a huge lesson. I will try my absolute hardest to never let that happen again. I’m glad I got that out of the way in the MTC :-)

I am soooooooo EXCITED for the temple dedication!!!! It is so powerful to sit in a room with 2500 missionaries singing called to serve and listening to general authorities, but to stand with them doing the Hosanna shout twirling our white handkerchiefs in the air! OH MAN! I am like a little school girl jumping up and down I am soooo excited! I let you know all about it in the next email!

So, last time I tried to write a email, it got deleted. :-( and I didn't get to say all I wanted... so..

Elder Nelson has made a complete 180 and in my opinion, one of the strongest elders in our district now. It was a refining experience for him and our district, but it strengthened us all. It let us know that we are indeed called of God and supposed to be here. I dont have time to go into detail, but it has truly been a miracle. He was just called as district leader. :-) Way cool! We all saw it coming!

It was hard to say good bye to the last district. I was very close with the Hermanas and a couple of the Elders. They were really key in my transition at the MTC and getting my feet under me. Kick ball just isn't quite the same. People come and go a lot here, but we have one thing that we always have in common, we are Disciples of Christ. We all miss home, we all have sacrificed, and we all love the Lord. I have enjoyed getting to know so many wonderful people. My "grandma and grandpa" I call them, just left for the Philippines. They were so awesome. Every night at dinner they would come and check on me. There are just so many wonderful people here. I love it!!!

I got to sit in the hall way before the NY missionaries left and I got to tell them my conversion story. It was so amazing. For all of us, whenever we feel down, look back to the time you were converted. It brings me so much strength. I look back and think, how did I do that? How did I have the strength to overcome that? Well, the Lord’s hands are in everything... I shared my experiences of coming unto Christ, and I felt closer to him. When was the last time you shared your testimony or conversion? I would ask you to do that... often. The light of Christ will brighten in you when you realize how much the Savior has done for you.

Thank you, Uncle Steve, for your wonderful thoughts about how to love. I have the list hanging on my mirror in my room... I try to apply it every day! It works! Zion is true and alive!

Chris, I really have to thank you! …for your birthday present… the list of scriptures of encouragement. I read that before bed one night. I think Monday, or the night I got it in the mail. Well, the next morning during study before breakfast, I wrote them on the board. While I was writing them, all I could hear behind me was the rustle of scripture pages. Every person in that room needed that! We refer back to them often. I’m going to make a card and laminate it and put it in my scriptures.

The Lord is in your life. Just seek to find Him. He is waiting with out-stretched hands. All we have to do is reach for him!

I love all of you! I am grateful for everyone in my life that has gotten me here. I love serving the LORD! Here I come, Tampa! :-)

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz

Week 3 - MTC e-mail August 14, 2009

2009-08-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

August 14, 2009

I just wrote a huge email and it is lost!!!!! …it has been an interesting week... I am sending a hand written letter to explain more...

One of the elders was going to leave... through some miracles he stayed...

oh man, I am so frustrated that the email didn't work... the other part of the email had responses to other people's letters, but it got delteted and i didn't have the time to write.

I AM MISSING YOU SO MUCH!!!! AND LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

My testimony keeps growing in unique and unexpected ways... I know this gospel is true with all of my heart... I had an amazing teaching experience yesterday... we taught our progressive investigator... Cynthia. I felt what it was like to be lead by the spirit during a lesson... we testified and taught to her needs. we testified with the sprit so strong in the room, that what she was feeling was the sprit witnessing to her that what we were teaching her was true... she started to cry and so did we, the spirit was so strong... I used to never cry when I felt the spirit. Here in the MTC it seems so much stronger that I can't help it any more, especially when I am bearing my testimony.

Week 2 - MTC e-mail August 7, 2009

2009-08-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

Fri 8/7/2009 10:03 AM

Hola!

Don't even know where to start...

I MISS YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!! I really do! Love you all!

Josh, go for it. Use Rosetta Stone! We can talk in Spanish when we get home...

FYI... 41% of the missionaries in the MTC are Spanish speaking... WOW!

On the topic of Spanish, I’ve had my first dream in the Spanish language. Very cool! I didn't hardly understand anything, but the Spanish must be in my head someone where... I only pray in Spanish, well for the most part... I have a hard time NOT praying in Spanish. When we are with English speaking missionaries, we pray in English and I have to concentrate on what to say. I’m not going to speak English at all when I get back!

I had an interesting experience last night. It has increased my faith in the gift of tongues tremendously. So, I had kind of a rough day of Spanish. For the life of me I couldn't remember, number and gender and... so on. I couldn’t form even a sentence. I was really down on myself. Comparing myself to my companions and putting myself down, which is the worst thing you can ever do! But it is hard sometimes. So, I was contacting with Hermana Petit, and I really struggle through it, but I got it done. Hola!... and so on. Asked her if I could teach her, tesitfied of Christ. Like a normal contact. But I didn't feel confident in myself at all. we had interviews with our teacher soon after. Hermano Boyack. He is an amazing teacher. Well, I told him how i felt and he just shook his head, and said. Hermana Vaughan-Schultz... you are one of the best in the class... do not be hard on yourself. He said I just needed to have faith in my ability and the testimony that I have... and just share it! SO I DID! :-) The gift of tongues is so REAL! After I got done talking with him, I went up to Elder Rogers (from Texas :-)) and just started talking and testifying to him like I was a native speaker. I was absolutely amazed. I didn't have to concentrate on word endings of vocab at all. It was a simple testimony. Dios es neustro Padre Celestial. Nosotros somos sus Hijos. Dios nos enio a la tierra para aprender y progressar. Dios preparo un plan para ayudanos a regrasar con El. La Expacion De Jesuscristo es central en el plan de Dios... en el nombre Jesuscristo. Amen. I love this work!!!

We have barely studied Spanish for a week and a half, and are studying 5th week grammar for the MTC standards. our teacher has only taught one other class that has gone at this pace and he has been here almost three years. I know that is because we are a well rounded district with very strong testimonies. I have no doubt that this is the group I am supposed to be with. They are like my brothers away from home. Don't worry Chris, josh and Jesse, I am in good hands! I just expect you to treat the Hermanas with the same respect when you are here. Always open the doors for girls, stand when they leave and come to the table, take their dinner trays and always tell them they are pretty! That is what our Elders do for us! It makes all the difference. They will not eat dinner without us there... I have not seen any other district in the entire MTC that does that. :-) They seem like they are 25 years old... but don't worry; we have our fair share of fun. At gym, we always play together. So far, kick ball, sand volley ball and basketball. It is a lot of fun. Play hard, work hard!

Tuesday night devotional... The PROVO temple mission president and his wife spoke... it was SOOOOOO amazing. So amazing to sit and sing called to serve with 2500 missionaries. I even sang in the choir... can you believe that! :-)

So, on Monday nights, our district goes to the RC. "Referral center" and I had an amazing experience... I called a women, she is a Southern Baptists and has had one missionary lesson. Her hang-up is that when she feels the spirit she wants to shout at the roof tops, hallelujah and praise to the Lord. (I don't blame her, sometimes I feel like doing that to). But she didn't think that she would fit in. I shared with many of my experiences, talked to her for a half hour... She went from, not wanting to read the Book of Mormon, not going to church... to wanting to read it, committed her to read Moroni's promise, committed her to go to church, and to pray if it is true. She didn't want to meet with the missionaries any more, but agreed to let me teach her over the phone... so here it goes. I felt the spirit so much when I talked to her. I didn’t feel like it was even me talking to her. I’m going to contact her again Monday and see how it goes... needless to say, I’m really fired up about it.

"How do you lose yourself?", is what I have been asking myself since I have gotten here. How do you lose yourself and not forget who you are?... Thinking about my baptism and the journey that has brought me to this day, I couldn't help but to think of the dream that i had two nights before my baptism. When I was sitting under and cold and dark over pass. Homeless. With a small fire in front of me as I sat on the ground. in the distance was a light on a telephone pole. It had rained because the light glistened on the wet pavement in front of me. Next to me to my right was a person sitting on the ground, with scriptures in hand... only they let their scriptures get to close to the fire, and there pages blackened. I asked them if I could see them, and I wiped every page one by one until they could see the pages again... I had nothing in the dream, but only the scriptures in my lap. Those were the most precious things that I had. Nobody could take them from me... I had nothing of worldly value, but yet, I still felt happy... that is losing yourself. Not forgetting who you are, but remembering what is really of most worth. I could have nothing in this life other then my faith in Christ, and I could still be happy. What a wonderful thing that is. And how much faith does it take to hold onto that? A LOT! I struggle, but I am going to keep trying.

I r'e y Hare! (go and do!)

My love and thoughts go to you all!

Hermana Vaughan-Schultz
John 15:13

First Day at the MTC

2009-08-06T11:37:00.000-07:00

Exerpts from Written Letter Received Aug 5, 2009

2009-08-06T11:24:00.000-07:00

Hola,

Spanish, Spanish, Spanish! After tomorrow we have to speak Spanish. Me permite hablar (en) ingleis. That is me asking permission to speak English. 9 hrs a day in the classroom. The Spanish is coming along. I woke up really sad and missed home. It didn't help that my alarm clock was el stupido! Left without companion prayer :-( and just didn't feel right. I suggested after our first block of class to return to our room and start over. That feeling went away, and I have had a GREAT day since.

So busy have hardly enough time to breathe. Rushing through eating, ... whew. Next week will be more relaxed. We have had tons of orientations this week. My head feels like it is going to explode.

...make sure the family reads their scriptures. Personally and as a family. Love you!

Boys, be grateful that you have the opportunity to go to seminary. It is a blessing and a wonderful tool to prepare for your mission. I wish a great deal that I would have had the opportunity to go and learn.

We only have sung "Called to Serve" in Spanish class. I am really excited to sing for every large group meeting (about 5 since I got here) we always sing missionary hymns. About 400 missionaries reported the same day as me. It is really powerful to stand and all sing together.

Today, Aug 1st, is our first "half" p-day. P-days will be Friday from now on. I am excited to go to the Temple. It will be nice to leave everything at the front door.

I am excited to teach. The saying goes, days feel like weeks, and weeks seem like days. Days are long! What makes me get through the discouragement, is the people I will teach and meet. When I get jealous of the English missionaries, (because they have it A LOT easier) I visualize the people I get to teach and I HAVE TO know Spanish and I think that is an amazing thing to experience. Already praying and testifying in Spanish has been wonderful. I can't wait until I can teach full lessons. :-)

Home seems so far away. It is going to be the longest and shortest 18 months of my life.

"Til We Meet"

Love, Hermana Vaughan-Schultz