Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
What happened last night...
STORY TIME!
Sister Anderson and I have set some pretty hefty goals for the transfer. How do we accomplish these goals? We set smaller ones, silly! And those goals lead to bigger goals, which lead to bigger goals, which lead to.... well, you get the picture.
To be quite Sister Franson because my name is not Frank, the past couple of weeks have been... fine. Just fine. Nothing spectacular or magnificent, so Sister Anderson and I decided we were going to change that, starting with following up on our goals and managing our time better.
And here's the story:
Sister Franson: "Sister Anderson, how many lessons did we set a goal to have today?"
Sister Anderson: "One."
SF: "Oh really? And how many lessons with a member present did we have today?"
SA: "One!"
SF: "Really? That's fantastic! Sister Anderson, how many other lessons did we set a goal to have today?"
SA: "Three."
SF: "And how many other lessons did we have today?"
SA: "Three!
SF: "Really?! Hmm... Sister Anderson, how many referrals did we set a goal to receive today? And how many new investigators did we set a goal to find?"
SA: "One each."
SF: "Sister Anderson, did we reach that goal?"
SA: "Why yes, Sister Franson, we did!"
SF: "And sister Anderson, how many member visits did we set a goal to have today?"
SA: "Two, Sister Franson."
SF: "And how many member visits did we make today?"
SA: "Two, Sister Franson."
Yes. We set our goals, and we MET them. Today was weekly planning. Because we have been working hard to reach our goals, and we have reached them, we set the bar a little higher for the next week. That's right. We're turning Gallatin into a missionary paradise, one lesson at a time. And it all starts with setting goals...
Sister Anderson and I have set some pretty hefty goals for the transfer. How do we accomplish these goals? We set smaller ones, silly! And those goals lead to bigger goals, which lead to bigger goals, which lead to.... well, you get the picture.
To be quite Sister Franson because my name is not Frank, the past couple of weeks have been... fine. Just fine. Nothing spectacular or magnificent, so Sister Anderson and I decided we were going to change that, starting with following up on our goals and managing our time better.
And here's the story:
Sister Franson: "Sister Anderson, how many lessons did we set a goal to have today?"
Sister Anderson: "One."
SF: "Oh really? And how many lessons with a member present did we have today?"
SA: "One!"
SF: "Really? That's fantastic! Sister Anderson, how many other lessons did we set a goal to have today?"
SA: "Three."
SF: "And how many other lessons did we have today?"
SA: "Three!
SF: "Really?! Hmm... Sister Anderson, how many referrals did we set a goal to receive today? And how many new investigators did we set a goal to find?"
SA: "One each."
SF: "Sister Anderson, did we reach that goal?"
SA: "Why yes, Sister Franson, we did!"
SF: "And sister Anderson, how many member visits did we set a goal to have today?"
SA: "Two, Sister Franson."
SF: "And how many member visits did we make today?"
SA: "Two, Sister Franson."
Yes. We set our goals, and we MET them. Today was weekly planning. Because we have been working hard to reach our goals, and we have reached them, we set the bar a little higher for the next week. That's right. We're turning Gallatin into a missionary paradise, one lesson at a time. And it all starts with setting goals...
"Behold, I say unto you, that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted unto him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth."
-Mormon 9:21
Have an action-packed day!
Sister Franson
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Something Good, Round 2
So, a while ago, I asked what it means to be blessed. Thank you so much for your comments! I love hearing how the Lord communicates with each of us in a very personal way. I've been thinking about that question again lately, about what blessed really means. And, strangely enough, part of a song from the Sound of Music comes to mind:
"Nothing comes from nothing, nothing ever could, so somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good."*
To me, a blessing is simply something good. When the Lord gives us those "somethings", it's receiving a blessing. To go even further, something good is something that we want in our lives, something we accept, something that makes us happy, something we are grateful for, something that makes us better children of our Heavenly Father. We can obtain those good things when we do other good things- that's how it works!
So, I ask you again, look around your life, and find those blessings, those something good's in your life, and you will see how much the Lord has given you.
Have an action-packed day!
Sister Franson
*("Something Good" from the Sound of Music).
Friday, September 16, 2011
Where do you stand?
Gotta be honest. I love the missionary rules. I love every. single. one- all the way from the music we can listen to, to the length of our skirts, to the dinner appointments and time management. Does that mean that I don't struggle to keep them sometimes? Of course not. Sometimes I would really love to listen to the radio. Sometimes I would love to wear pants during the week. Sometimes it's nice to sit and visit with people for an evening who understand the fullness of the gospel. Waking up at 6:30 every morning to exercise isn't always peaches and cream. But do you know what? I love it when I obey the rules.
So... here's the gospel connection for the day, and I hope you think about it. There is an excellent talk written by President Boyd K. Packer talking about Lehi's dream. It talks about where people stand in the world in respect to accepting the gospel, but it also talks about the importance of the dream to everyone. There are so many applications we can take away from that dream. There are those who accept the fruit (The gospel, or obeying rules/commandments), embrace it, and want to share it with their families. There are those who accept the fruit, and then turn away ashamed that they do so. There are those along the iron rod with one hand on the rod but looking back and reaching with their other hand to see what else there is. And of course there are those in the great and spacious building laughing and mocking at those who are eating the fruit.
Why do I love it so much? Because I can feel the Lord's love. It's one of the blessings He gives to us. I can mark a gold star for the day. I did something hard, and I did it well! Doesn't it feel good to do something right? Doesn't it feel good to know that you are better today than you were yesterday, even if today means you obeyed all the rules TWO TIMES IN A ROW!!!??? (I promise that I've been obedient to the rules for longer than two days...)
So... here's the gospel connection for the day, and I hope you think about it. There is an excellent talk written by President Boyd K. Packer talking about Lehi's dream. It talks about where people stand in the world in respect to accepting the gospel, but it also talks about the importance of the dream to everyone. There are so many applications we can take away from that dream. There are those who accept the fruit (The gospel, or obeying rules/commandments), embrace it, and want to share it with their families. There are those who accept the fruit, and then turn away ashamed that they do so. There are those along the iron rod with one hand on the rod but looking back and reaching with their other hand to see what else there is. And of course there are those in the great and spacious building laughing and mocking at those who are eating the fruit. There definitely are those who don't understand why we have all the rules we have as missionaries. we as missionaries have been known to make full, drawn-out conversations as to why some rules are in place, but does it really matter? Or does the principle of simple obedience matter?
... So... Where do you stand when it comes to obeying the rules?
Have an action-packed day!
Sister Franson
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Back to Basics
Topic for today-
THE SCRIPTURES!!!! I mean seriously, aren't they great? Can you think of any book that can do more for you than the scriptures?
But... when was the last time you read them? And not only read them, but pondered on them and applied the story, the verse, the lesson, to your life?
Ok. Who has ever had a bad day or a frustrating time with life? Who has something that is just eating at them, who has some problem that is so complicated and you don't know what to do? Who is exhausted from enduring a trial and you don't know where to turn?Find solace in the scriptures. Trials may take time to overcome, but at least in the scriptures, you can find peace for some small moment in your life.
The answer to what you need is so simple. Find solace in the scriptures. Trials may take time to overcome, but at least in the scriptures, you can find peace for some small moment in your life. And if it really is that simple, why not give it a try?
Just do it.
Have an action-packed day!
Sister Franson
THE SCRIPTURES!!!! I mean seriously, aren't they great? Can you think of any book that can do more for you than the scriptures?
But... when was the last time you read them? And not only read them, but pondered on them and applied the story, the verse, the lesson, to your life?
Ok. Who has ever had a bad day or a frustrating time with life? Who has something that is just eating at them, who has some problem that is so complicated and you don't know what to do? Who is exhausted from enduring a trial and you don't know where to turn?Find solace in the scriptures. Trials may take time to overcome, but at least in the scriptures, you can find peace for some small moment in your life.
The answer to what you need is so simple. Find solace in the scriptures. Trials may take time to overcome, but at least in the scriptures, you can find peace for some small moment in your life. And if it really is that simple, why not give it a try?
Just do it.
Have an action-packed day!
Sister Franson
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Time for another Mormon Message!
When I first saw this Mormon Message, and I think it's an older one, I cried. It reminded me so much of home, and of my family, and of course specifically, my youngest brother.
Family is so important to Heavenly Father. He loves us so much that He gives each of us our own, and what we make of our family is up to us.
Have an action-packed day!
Sister Franson
Have an action-packed day!
Sister Franson
Friday, September 9, 2011
When...?
When was the last time you needed more help in your day?
When was the last time you needed someone to be there for you?
When was the last time you felt incredibly blessed?
When was the last time youprayed?
"But behold. I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint, that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may e for the welfare of thy soul." 2 Nephi 32:9
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Gallatin, Ho!
As of Tuesday afternoon, I am no longer serving on the south side of Nashville, but in Gallatin with Sister Anderson. That morning went smoothly... except for the ridiculous amounts of rain wherever we were. I have no idea why I even tried to do my hair at all...
One kind member from our ward picked up Sister Valentine, Sister Barnes, and myself to go to the church where we would meet and go our separate ways with our new companions. I love this sister so much! She even took us to a gourmet cupcake shop where we picked one for each of us, one for our new companion, and two for President and Sister McKee. She is so kind, and she also told us some excellent stories on the way to the church!
We get to the church and a little while later I found Sister Anderson! I was so excited and I gave her a big hug. I am feeling ready and anxious to serve the people in Gallatin. I have heard so many good things about the area and the members that live there. I admit that I am a little sad to go, but I know that this calling I have is of the Lord and this is where He wants me to be. Another member from Gallatin drove Sister Anderson and me back to Gallatin where we got busy right away. Sister Anderson is so great to tell me all about everyone that they have been teaching and about where we will be working together for the next six weeks. The first family we visited I just fell in love with. They are not members of our church, but they are so kind hearted and Christian and I am excited to look for them on Sunday.
We then did some basic grocery shopping during our dinner hour and then off to visit more people! It definitely is different than where I was before, but great things are going to happen here! There is so much work that we can do together, and so many opportunities we have for the Lord to bless us and His people. I cannot wait to go deeper and deeper into the work. So a new adventure begins!
Have an action-packed day!
-Sister Franson
One kind member from our ward picked up Sister Valentine, Sister Barnes, and myself to go to the church where we would meet and go our separate ways with our new companions. I love this sister so much! She even took us to a gourmet cupcake shop where we picked one for each of us, one for our new companion, and two for President and Sister McKee. She is so kind, and she also told us some excellent stories on the way to the church!
We get to the church and a little while later I found Sister Anderson! I was so excited and I gave her a big hug. I am feeling ready and anxious to serve the people in Gallatin. I have heard so many good things about the area and the members that live there. I admit that I am a little sad to go, but I know that this calling I have is of the Lord and this is where He wants me to be. Another member from Gallatin drove Sister Anderson and me back to Gallatin where we got busy right away. Sister Anderson is so great to tell me all about everyone that they have been teaching and about where we will be working together for the next six weeks. The first family we visited I just fell in love with. They are not members of our church, but they are so kind hearted and Christian and I am excited to look for them on Sunday.
We then did some basic grocery shopping during our dinner hour and then off to visit more people! It definitely is different than where I was before, but great things are going to happen here! There is so much work that we can do together, and so many opportunities we have for the Lord to bless us and His people. I cannot wait to go deeper and deeper into the work. So a new adventure begins!
Have an action-packed day!
-Sister Franson
Once in a While
I have to tell you all about my weekend. It was simply incredible, and incredibly busy. These are the things that made it so great.
It begins two Saturdays ago. Our Zone Leaders had asked all of us missionaries to set some goals as a companionship for the following week. Sister Valentine and I did and we prayed about these goals to make sure that it was what the Lord wanted for us. We revised them until they were thus: we would set three dates for people to prepare for baptism and we would have one baptismal service on Saturday, September 3. These goals were.... stretching it. To say the least. We did have one baptism date set, so we needed at least two more. As for preparing for and holding an actual service in a week... we had no clue how that was going to happen.
We taught as much as we could. We invited everyone we could think of to be baptized. It just wasn't happening. Confused? We were too. We also were having no luck with anyone accepting the invitation to prepare for baptism.
On the morning of September 3, Sister Valentine and I were anxiously awaiting a call from President McKee to find out if about transfers. The end of our second six weeks together was up, so we had a feeling that some kind of change was going to happen. Instead of hearing from President first off, we hear from his missionary assistants. One sister in our mission was from a small island and it was time for her to return home. Because there are very few connecting flights to her home, she left a few days early. Her mission companion now needed someone to stay with until she would receive her new companion on Tuesday. So, starting Saturday at noon, it was Sister Valentine, Sister Franson, and Sister Barnes for the weekend. While in the midst of this musical missionaries game, we did receive the call that Sister Valentine would stay in the area, but I would be leaving to serve in Gallatin with Sister Anderson. I was so excited! I knew Sister Anderson because she began her mission at the exact same time that I did. We went to missionary training together and everything. So, I had three days to pack and say goodbyes to people that I visited.
One of the families we chose to visit was the Chua family. Sister Chua is fantastic! Every time we visit her or even talk to her, she makes SURE that we are well fed. She has such a kind heart and tries to be involved in missionary work as much as she can be. We appreciate her so much for that.
Sister Chua's mother in law was staying with her for the week. We were especially excited when we found out about that because we had taught Grandma Chua in weeks past but she returned home to be closer to her other children. Grandma Chua loves the church and reads the magazines with talks from the Prophet and spiritual experiences that others share. She just had a few concerns when it came to being baptized and didn't feel ready. When we visited the Chua's we asked Grandma Chua again if she would like to be baptized, and the answer was the same. She didn't feel ready.
So, it was Saturday night, and no baptism was happening. I have to admit, my faith could have been stronger. It didn't feel right to not have a baptism that day, but who in the world would we baptize that night? The three of us sisters went home for dinner, and around 5:30pm one of the greatest miracles I have ever seen in my life happened. Grandma Chua called, and told us she wanted to be baptized! We set it up to be at 7:00 that night. This meant we had A LOT of phone calls to make. We were over to the church as fast as we could be. We and the elders were boiling pots of water and dumping them into the font to make the water warm for Grandma Chua (the hot water heater in our building is... less than functional). We assigned talks and prayers, picked out hymns, and a member of the bishopric came to conduct the meeting. It was so special. On such short notice, it was only close friends and family that came. It made it all the more meaningful because they knew how much this one baptism of an 82 year old matriarch meant to this family. I will never forget that night for as long as I live.
The next day at church, Grandma Chua's confirmation was beautiful. As missionaries though, we still had work to do! There were some new people at church and we had to make sure that they felt comfortable and cared about. One woman after church was so pleased with what she saw and felt that she came to us afterward and told us that she wanted to be a member of our church. Later that afternoon, we re-set a goal for one more person to be baptized. We were so excited, and so exhausted. When we were on the phone with President McKee, he pointed out to us that we set three dates in 24 hours, and one of those was the baptism that took place the night before. We didn't even realize it, but we had met our goal!
So, dear friends, is anything impossible for the Lord? I tell you now with all of my conviction that there is not one thing! The Lord does answer our prayers and gives us the desires of our hearts. Place with care your trust in Him.
"And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to and labor in the vineyard, with all your might. [A]nd the Lord of the vineyard also labored with them" Jacob 5:71-72
Have an action-packed day. The Lord will make it happen!
-Sister Franson
It begins two Saturdays ago. Our Zone Leaders had asked all of us missionaries to set some goals as a companionship for the following week. Sister Valentine and I did and we prayed about these goals to make sure that it was what the Lord wanted for us. We revised them until they were thus: we would set three dates for people to prepare for baptism and we would have one baptismal service on Saturday, September 3. These goals were.... stretching it. To say the least. We did have one baptism date set, so we needed at least two more. As for preparing for and holding an actual service in a week... we had no clue how that was going to happen.
We taught as much as we could. We invited everyone we could think of to be baptized. It just wasn't happening. Confused? We were too. We also were having no luck with anyone accepting the invitation to prepare for baptism.
On the morning of September 3, Sister Valentine and I were anxiously awaiting a call from President McKee to find out if about transfers. The end of our second six weeks together was up, so we had a feeling that some kind of change was going to happen. Instead of hearing from President first off, we hear from his missionary assistants. One sister in our mission was from a small island and it was time for her to return home. Because there are very few connecting flights to her home, she left a few days early. Her mission companion now needed someone to stay with until she would receive her new companion on Tuesday. So, starting Saturday at noon, it was Sister Valentine, Sister Franson, and Sister Barnes for the weekend. While in the midst of this musical missionaries game, we did receive the call that Sister Valentine would stay in the area, but I would be leaving to serve in Gallatin with Sister Anderson. I was so excited! I knew Sister Anderson because she began her mission at the exact same time that I did. We went to missionary training together and everything. So, I had three days to pack and say goodbyes to people that I visited.
One of the families we chose to visit was the Chua family. Sister Chua is fantastic! Every time we visit her or even talk to her, she makes SURE that we are well fed. She has such a kind heart and tries to be involved in missionary work as much as she can be. We appreciate her so much for that.
Sister Chua's mother in law was staying with her for the week. We were especially excited when we found out about that because we had taught Grandma Chua in weeks past but she returned home to be closer to her other children. Grandma Chua loves the church and reads the magazines with talks from the Prophet and spiritual experiences that others share. She just had a few concerns when it came to being baptized and didn't feel ready. When we visited the Chua's we asked Grandma Chua again if she would like to be baptized, and the answer was the same. She didn't feel ready.
So, it was Saturday night, and no baptism was happening. I have to admit, my faith could have been stronger. It didn't feel right to not have a baptism that day, but who in the world would we baptize that night? The three of us sisters went home for dinner, and around 5:30pm one of the greatest miracles I have ever seen in my life happened. Grandma Chua called, and told us she wanted to be baptized! We set it up to be at 7:00 that night. This meant we had A LOT of phone calls to make. We were over to the church as fast as we could be. We and the elders were boiling pots of water and dumping them into the font to make the water warm for Grandma Chua (the hot water heater in our building is... less than functional). We assigned talks and prayers, picked out hymns, and a member of the bishopric came to conduct the meeting. It was so special. On such short notice, it was only close friends and family that came. It made it all the more meaningful because they knew how much this one baptism of an 82 year old matriarch meant to this family. I will never forget that night for as long as I live.
The next day at church, Grandma Chua's confirmation was beautiful. As missionaries though, we still had work to do! There were some new people at church and we had to make sure that they felt comfortable and cared about. One woman after church was so pleased with what she saw and felt that she came to us afterward and told us that she wanted to be a member of our church. Later that afternoon, we re-set a goal for one more person to be baptized. We were so excited, and so exhausted. When we were on the phone with President McKee, he pointed out to us that we set three dates in 24 hours, and one of those was the baptism that took place the night before. We didn't even realize it, but we had met our goal!
So, dear friends, is anything impossible for the Lord? I tell you now with all of my conviction that there is not one thing! The Lord does answer our prayers and gives us the desires of our hearts. Place with care your trust in Him.
"And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to and labor in the vineyard, with all your might. [A]nd the Lord of the vineyard also labored with them" Jacob 5:71-72
Have an action-packed day. The Lord will make it happen!
-Sister Franson
Thursday, September 1, 2011
D&C 87:8
The gospel is like... the gospel... is like....
A pair of shoes!!!
No, really. in alot of ways, it kind of is. For example, when I was home, I had a favorite pair of shoes that I wore every day. I wore them all the time at school, to work, out on dates, and all I had to do was brush them off from every once in a while. It was like wearing an extra pair of feet. They were perfect! And no matter how old they were, I always got comments on how cute they were!
Sadly, as the life of a shoe is, my favorite shoes began to wear out. They were at the point where they had almost no sole left, just the piece of shoe canvas holding them all together. But I loved these shoes. They had taken me everywhere, to the happy places and sometimes the sad. In a way, it's this pair of shoes that define part of my Sister Fransonality.
Dear friends, we are part of the Savior's life. He died for us so we could return to live with Him and our Heavenly Father. Sometimes we might feel like the shoe, trodden down, and sometimes 'soul'less. But the Savior didn't die just so everyone can return to Heaven. He died so YOU could return to Heaven. He loves you so much, and even if we don't always see our value, the Savior does, and He's just telling us to hold on, just a few moments longer, and we can be so much better. He's waiting for that moment to restore us, and to also have us see our value. In a small way, it is like the story of the currant bush.
Don't underestimate your value. Serve your purpose to the Lord, and do all that you can.
A pair of shoes!!!
No, really. in alot of ways, it kind of is. For example, when I was home, I had a favorite pair of shoes that I wore every day. I wore them all the time at school, to work, out on dates, and all I had to do was brush them off from every once in a while. It was like wearing an extra pair of feet. They were perfect! And no matter how old they were, I always got comments on how cute they were!
Sadly, as the life of a shoe is, my favorite shoes began to wear out. They were at the point where they had almost no sole left, just the piece of shoe canvas holding them all together. But I loved these shoes. They had taken me everywhere, to the happy places and sometimes the sad. In a way, it's this pair of shoes that define part of my Sister Fransonality.
Dear friends, we are part of the Savior's life. He died for us so we could return to live with Him and our Heavenly Father. Sometimes we might feel like the shoe, trodden down, and sometimes 'soul'less. But the Savior didn't die just so everyone can return to Heaven. He died so YOU could return to Heaven. He loves you so much, and even if we don't always see our value, the Savior does, and He's just telling us to hold on, just a few moments longer, and we can be so much better. He's waiting for that moment to restore us, and to also have us see our value. In a small way, it is like the story of the currant bush.
Don't underestimate your value. Serve your purpose to the Lord, and do all that you can.
 |
| "Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen." |
Have an action packed day!
Sister Franson
Just so you know...
I've made a few posts on here and on facebook that talk about hope and finding peace and comfort and such. I've had a few people ask me some questions, maybe having a few concerns that I'm having a hard time on my mission. Sure, there are some tough teaching situations, but all in all, I love my mission with all my heart!
I just like to share scriptures and thoughts like that because, well, can't we all relate? I mean, at some point in our lives, each of us has some kind of adversity that we need comforting in. Those small thoughts give peace to those in need and help remind those in a good place of the blessings they have.
So, dear friends, I'm doing wonderfully. And I hope you are too! Don't let something sad happen in your life before you open up your scriptures to find comfort in Christ.
Have an action-packed day!
Sister Franson
I just like to share scriptures and thoughts like that because, well, can't we all relate? I mean, at some point in our lives, each of us has some kind of adversity that we need comforting in. Those small thoughts give peace to those in need and help remind those in a good place of the blessings they have.
So, dear friends, I'm doing wonderfully. And I hope you are too! Don't let something sad happen in your life before you open up your scriptures to find comfort in Christ.
Have an action-packed day!
Sister Franson
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