December 30, 2013

Okay beloveds, this is so not my style, but I don't have a car or phone, so I have no way of telling you personally. I was privileged enough to have the opportunity to serve a mission for the Lord for almost 9 months. It was an honor and a privilege, and I will be forever grateful for the time I was allotted to do that. I came home for medical reasons, but I will be just fine. In my last three days there, my testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ, was completely solidified. And I can say now more than ever, that I know my Savior lives, He loves His lost sheep, and wants nothing more than for us to feel His love, strength, and the healing of His Atonement. It is between us, and Him. Thank you for your love and friendship, Zoe.

December 23,2013 - To those whom I love so dearly,

Heavenly Father is with each one of us. He provides specific people here on earth, but He also comes personally. He is a God of delegation, but He does His own work. We are His work and His glory, and He will always love us.

 

The Savior has given us the Atonement. And He is willing to freely bless each of us with forgiveness, joy, and eternal life with our Father. Whether we come later or not than others, is of no matter to Him. He knows our hearts, and will bless us fully for each step we take with Him. (Matthew 20:1-16)

 

When you are the "ninety and nine", offer your assistance and attention to those the Savior would care for. And when you are the "one", He will take you in His care. (Luke 15:2-7)

 

I believe in Christ. I know that He lives. He came to those on the American continent, and there was a record kept. That record is the Book of Mormon. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of the Lord, and translated, by the power of the Lord, the ancient record of the Book of Mormon.

 

He walks with us. He IS peace. He brings mercy. He brings eternal life. He is my Savior and Redeemer. I know that He lives, and loves us.

 

This is my testimony of Him, and I write these words in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 

Hermana Zoe Aundrea Patton

December 9, 2013 - Ello!

Baah, I don't have that much time again because I was just tracking down a Puerto Rican. Haha yeah nothing came of it. But I tried! Jaime. He has lived here since the 1940's, and he stopped us to ask for directions, but we obviously couldn't help/were 1 minute away from losing the computer time, so we referred him to the librarian, but I felt like a jerk/Hispanics are few and far in between/he came to US, so as he made his way to leave, I ran up from the computer and ran after this little old man, yell-whispering, "Jaime...JAIME!" Haha, he didn't respond, so I tried, "Amigo!" haha. Anyways, this all taking place in a quiet library made everything a little bit more awkward. But, I have come to know that, that is all missionary work really is: a lot of really uncomfortable things. It's good though.

Most interesting experience of the week: Jack. Jack is a dog. A Jack Russell. And he is so cute. So we knocked on this lady's door, tell her who we are...yeah she shuts it. So we move on, but she opens the door again and apologizes, telling us that it's been a really hard day; that her manager is going to evict her if she doesn't get rid of her dog. He was such a sweet little thing, and this woman was older, with diabetes and other health problems. She obviously was not social and would have a very hard time finding a place for the pup, and this woman's well-being was at stake. So like vomit, I said, "We'll take care of it." Oops. Haha. So we went to the Nativity Festival where Hermana Villalobos was to play Mary, and then picked up Jack before we went home for the night. Washed him, made a little bed. We live with a member, and we called her of course to make sure it was okay if we temporarily housed him until we found a home. So right now, he's just chillin.

Life is pretty good. No piece of cake, but I'm alive, healthy, got a puppy for Christmas; my life's dream. So I can't really ask for a lot more.

Love and more love,

December 2, 2013

Hey hey hey!!

 

I have like two minutes. So sorry. We played tennis for way to long! caps lock WE PLAYED TENNIS. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. NO ONE EVER LETS ME PLAY TENNIS. We have played soccer and scatter ball for the past 8 months. And everyone thinks I am a party pooper because I sit in the corner and play the guitar or write letters. Which is fine, yeah I'm a loser whatever. But it's realty only because we never play the sports I love. And yes, I convinced everyone to play tennis this week. A member owns it so they let us play free. I was in HEAVVENNN. YAYYYY. Haha. I reigned triumphant! Nobody knew how to play though, so it was interesting. Anyways, and we got to golf. Real golf. Golf is expensive. FREE. Played for free. And the senior missionary, Elder Warren was a pro-golfer. And he is teaching me. No big deal. L:ife is GOOD. Which is nice because last week was the pits. Really it was the WORST. But we are out of it now, and we are happy, and life is good. It's super cold here. Like it will get below 20 this week. NOOOooonoOOOO. Oh well. It just makes people feel bad for us and let us in. Who wouldn't want that??

 

Sorry I won't write e-mails directly after playing tennis for 3 hours anymore. I have way too much adrenaline and endorphins I can't focus my thoughts or say anything significant. I just love tennnnissss!!!!

 

Thanksgiving was great! We spent it with a few different families. 

 

Love you!

 

Hermana Patton

November 25, 2013 - Hey hey heyyy

Family. Friends. How ya doin'? I'm good. Haha. I'm in a really weird mood. Haha. This is CRazY. Missions are carrrazzzyyy. So many things!!!

Facebook. We are doing facebook now. Whatthe. And we are using our own. I-Pads. We are also using I-pads. Those should come in a couple of weeks. Mas informacion on that later. We finally get to go to the temple on the 4th. Our new rule is temple trip once a year. AHH. I went once like my first week. And this will most likely be my last time going until I am home. I am so sad about that! The temple is my favorite place on earth...

Oh well...

Life is good. It's hard. I'm happy, and really, very, very blessed. But I don't think anyone understands how hard this is. Hermana Villalobos were venting about this the other day. This is the hardest thing we have ever done. Yes we have the Lord with us, and angels, and the prayers of all of you. But this is the work of eternity. If the whole glory and purpose of the Father is to bring to pass the eternal life and salvation of man, than that is also Satan's focus. I am learning that the adversary works in near the exact same way as the Father, he just has the opposite intentions. And so, my point is this; it's a battle we're in. All of us. This is not just a hoodee hoo "mish" experience. The greatest triumphs and blessings come from the most difficult of circumstances and challenges. Well, a mission brings those beautiful blessings. But not without us passing through that second half.

We met a man Saturday night. I will call him Joe. It was freezing and nobody would listen that night. It was almost time to go home. But good thing we didn't. Because Joe was behind that door! He is a single father and doing such a good job. He is obviously worn out, just lost his job, and one of the nicest people you will ever meet. His children were the dearest things I had ever seen in my life. They are 7 and 3 :) Anyways, we really connected with this guy, and he accepted the invitation to come to church the next morning. That doesn't happen. Ok so next morning we are about late because our investigators weren't home, and we were calling, and yada yada. We got to church, went to sit on the stand because we were speaking, and during the opening hymn we were feeling pretty discouraged. A lot of people agreed to come to church that week, and we made arrangements for them. Looking around the congregation we didn't see any of them. But we did see Eric. In the third row with his kids in their Sunday best. That feeling. It makes everything we do all week more than worth it. Because it really is always about the one. You will do a million things in a week for dozens of people. And it all usually falls through for everyone but the one. And that is everything in the end. He was really interested and though we had to go to the Spanish class, the Elders said he was super attentive and interested, and was fascinated by the 3 Kingdoms of Glory. He read the scriptures, and even asked, "Where can I get one of these books?" Yeah. Joe is awesome.

Anyways, I know that this is the work of the Lord, and this is what He cares about. He cares about us. And I know that it is personal. Not about us as a whole. He does this work for every single child individually. I love Him.

Hermana Patton

November 18, 2013 - A HODEE HO!

Where do I even start? And what do I even say!?? This place is incredible. The woman we are living with.. a dream. The ward is OUT OF CONTROL GOOD. It's as if the ward is being run by the First Presidency themselves. The lake is the center of town, and we live right next to it, so we just go on a little run by the lake every morning. No big deal. GASP, are you joking me?? Everyone is SO nice here. We're about an hour from the coast. My district includes..the best people. All of my favorite missionaries, including a senior couple, The Warrens, who are just off the wall. I am in an English district and an English zone now. We have a dog! Haha. Well, we have the basement all to ourselves, and Tammy's husband Mike lives in Newport,OR to take care of his mother. But he comes every weekend, and brings the dog, Obie. Obie is his best pal, it's just him and the dog up there. But he saw how much we loved him, so he left him for us for the week! I am back with Hermana Villalobos which means I have ceased wearing any of my own clothes. I don't want to go! I have a queen size bed. Come on. This place is ridiculous. If its not with family, I can't think of a better place to spend the holidays! Oh man, I'm going to die when I have to leave. I would be so, more than content staying here for the duration of my mission. That will not happen. Starting a group is the best!!!!! We are starting the group out of 3rd ward, but we cover the whole stake. It rains..pours, every day here. And I love it. Everyone is going to get baptized. Elder Cuas from the Dominican Republic serving English speaking found a few potentials for us to teach, but mostly we're on our own! Just building a teaching pool. It's awesome. This is the most fun I have had on my mission for sure. Building a group is just so exciting!! There is so much work to do, but at the same time, it feels like nothing because the ward is SO supportive, and I am doing this with one of my best friends! It doesn't get better than this, don't even try to talk me down from the tree. President Taylor knows I am in heaven. AHH. We have a brand new car...it's so nice. I'm like, so spoiled!! Oh my goodness, think of the missionaries in the Phillipines! Anyways, I'm happy. I know that this is just a Christmas miracle, and the most gigantic tender mercy from the Lord, so I am just going to soak it all in. Waah I want to cry, I'm so happy!!

 

Even though the members don't speak Spanish, it really makes no difference. We are still bringing them to every lesson so that they can testify, and the Spirit can be felt. Love and the Spirit are felt much stronger than Spanish is heard. Each of these members wants to do everything they can to help this get going and to find people that we can teach. As far as the mission goes, this is kind of like my Paradise.

 

I love you a lot!

 

Hermana Patton

November 12, 2013 - So sad. Saying bye to Sis.Harbertson.