Dear Family and Friends,
I arrived safely in Valrico on Tuesday. It is beautiful here with tons of trees and nature. Some of our area is country and some is really residential. The country is beautiful and we went to a miniature farm on Saturday to lay sod. A lady in our ward, who just lost her husband, Sister Brozak, asked the Elders to come help and they told her the Sisters would love to help. It was hard work but it was a lot of fun to get dirty! Some of the elders in the neighboring areas came and helped us. It was fun to work hard together. Sister Brozak was so appreciative and said to love to hire the missionaries because she knew they would come with good attitudes! We loved it!
This week we went on splits with the sister in one of the Tampa Wards. I got to tract with one of our newest Sisters in the field. She is amazing. Anyways while we were tracting we knocked into a lady named Kasey. She said that they just moved here and maybe in awhile we could call them to set up a time to meet them. I wanted Sister Stewart to meet them so we went over there yesterday. Her Husband was home and her two year old daughter. They invited us in and it was a wonderful opportunity to bear our testimonies to them. They are really busy for the next couple of weeks but want us to come back in August! I am so excited for this little family. The husband is in the Air Force and I loved talking to them about all their adventures.
The ward here has never had sisters that they can remember. They are a newer ward though. They are so excited and everyone wanted to meet us yesterday! Everyone here is so talented and wants to share their talents with us! We met a member this week that is originally from England. She wants us to come over on a P-Day for a Tea Party! I am so excited for all the fun things we will do here in this area!!!
We visited a family who was going through a hard time but we didn’t know it. My companion read to them Heleman 10:5. The wife cried as we read it. It talks about doing the Lord’s will.
His will, will always make us happy! I pray everyday for the courage to accept His will because He has a bigger picture and He will lead me safely home!
I love the Lord and I will do whatever He asks of me!
Love
Sister Comte
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
June 30th Email
Dear Family and Friends,
Hola! Como Esta! I am doing good and as you can tell the Spanish is coming one phrase at a time. On Tuesday nights we hold a class for Spanish speakers to learn English. I learn a lot of Spanish from the people that come. We laugh so hard because of how I pronounce things. But it will come with time!
We started teaching a young girl this week. Her name is Saida and she is 11. You pronounce that Sa-da. It is Spanish for Sarah, I think. She is a really sweet girl and is very smart. On Sunday she told me “If I have to speak one day I know what I would speak on. I would talk on the Prophet Joseph Smith.” She loves him and wants to learn all she can about the gospel. I am so excited to teach her. She has a wonderful spirit about her!
This week I read Alma 24. I loved this chapter and encourage all of you to read it. It is amazing! In this chapter the Anti- Nephi-Lehies bury their weapons of war for peace. There are many things in our lives that we do that cause contention in our lives and the lives of others. We need to bury these so that we can have peace in our lives. Some of the weapons that I can see in the world is gossip, negativity about self, others and situations, and sometimes how we treat others. The Anti-Nephi-Lehies buried their swords to avoid the temptation of falling back into their old ways. Bury the temptations to hurt others so that you can stand up against Satan!
Yesterday we had a wonderful Sister’s Conference. The Assistants to the President came and talked about the culture of our mission. I thought about what the cultures of our lives are. What is our lifestyle portraying? One thing we talked about , and I think that this happens throughout the church, is the –ite problem. We develop groups and won’t let others come in. Just like in the Book of Mormon, we separate ourselves into the Lamanites, the Amulonites, and all the other –ites. Why can’t we all just be friends?
Remember to always listen to the Spirit and do what He is saying. I love you all!!
Love
Sister Comte
Hola! Como Esta! I am doing good and as you can tell the Spanish is coming one phrase at a time. On Tuesday nights we hold a class for Spanish speakers to learn English. I learn a lot of Spanish from the people that come. We laugh so hard because of how I pronounce things. But it will come with time!
We started teaching a young girl this week. Her name is Saida and she is 11. You pronounce that Sa-da. It is Spanish for Sarah, I think. She is a really sweet girl and is very smart. On Sunday she told me “If I have to speak one day I know what I would speak on. I would talk on the Prophet Joseph Smith.” She loves him and wants to learn all she can about the gospel. I am so excited to teach her. She has a wonderful spirit about her!
This week I read Alma 24. I loved this chapter and encourage all of you to read it. It is amazing! In this chapter the Anti- Nephi-Lehies bury their weapons of war for peace. There are many things in our lives that we do that cause contention in our lives and the lives of others. We need to bury these so that we can have peace in our lives. Some of the weapons that I can see in the world is gossip, negativity about self, others and situations, and sometimes how we treat others. The Anti-Nephi-Lehies buried their swords to avoid the temptation of falling back into their old ways. Bury the temptations to hurt others so that you can stand up against Satan!
Yesterday we had a wonderful Sister’s Conference. The Assistants to the President came and talked about the culture of our mission. I thought about what the cultures of our lives are. What is our lifestyle portraying? One thing we talked about , and I think that this happens throughout the church, is the –ite problem. We develop groups and won’t let others come in. Just like in the Book of Mormon, we separate ourselves into the Lamanites, the Amulonites, and all the other –ites. Why can’t we all just be friends?
Remember to always listen to the Spirit and do what He is saying. I love you all!!
Love
Sister Comte
Monday, June 8, 2009
June 8th Email
Dear Family and Friends,
For all those who haven't heard, I am being transfered. I am going to Arcadia to serve with Sister Hofheins. I have already served with Sister Hofheins once so it should be fun. Arcadia is very small and a farming community. The church is small there so there is alot of work to be done!
This week flew by. We moved apartments this weekend and it was alot of fun. We have a great ward and it went fast because of the many hands. We stayed in the new apartment for two nights without any furniture. It was alot of fun!
This week we got a call for a very concerned member. Her friend was going through a really hard time and needed someone to go visit her. Her husband died 5 months ago and her mother died 8 months ago. She didn't want to hurt herself but she didn't see a purpose for living. So we rushed over to see her. She was crying and having a hard time talking to us. We talked to her about the priesthood and asked if the elders could come give her a blessing. She said that would be fine. While we waited for the elders we sang hymns to her. The spirit was so strong and the room was filled with peace. We had the elder's bless her home and give her a blessing. It was amazing. After we were all finished she felt so much better. She is going to learn more and is looking forward to restoring some hope in her life.
The Lord is so good to us. In all things He blesses us. I am so thankful for His guiding hand in my life. He is my best friend!
I love you all!!!
Love,
Sister Comte
For all those who haven't heard, I am being transfered. I am going to Arcadia to serve with Sister Hofheins. I have already served with Sister Hofheins once so it should be fun. Arcadia is very small and a farming community. The church is small there so there is alot of work to be done!
This week flew by. We moved apartments this weekend and it was alot of fun. We have a great ward and it went fast because of the many hands. We stayed in the new apartment for two nights without any furniture. It was alot of fun!
This week we got a call for a very concerned member. Her friend was going through a really hard time and needed someone to go visit her. Her husband died 5 months ago and her mother died 8 months ago. She didn't want to hurt herself but she didn't see a purpose for living. So we rushed over to see her. She was crying and having a hard time talking to us. We talked to her about the priesthood and asked if the elders could come give her a blessing. She said that would be fine. While we waited for the elders we sang hymns to her. The spirit was so strong and the room was filled with peace. We had the elder's bless her home and give her a blessing. It was amazing. After we were all finished she felt so much better. She is going to learn more and is looking forward to restoring some hope in her life.
The Lord is so good to us. In all things He blesses us. I am so thankful for His guiding hand in my life. He is my best friend!
I love you all!!!
Love,
Sister Comte
Monday, June 1, 2009
June 1st Email
Dear Family and Friends,
This week has been amazing! We have done alot of good things this week, including getting out of the car at a stop light and asking the people next to us to listen to our message. It is fun to talk to everyone, no matter where they are or what they are doing. Everyone needs to hear about the gospel so we must open our mouths to tell them!
We have been working with a family for awhile now. One at a time they are getting baptized. This week the family invited us to go to one of their sons performances. He has aspergers syndrome and is really shy. We have been trying to get him to warm up to us so that we might teach him. He is in a really neat program called Easter Seals for special needs children. This week they had an Easter Seals Idol. He was in the top three. He has an amazing voice and he would've won if he wouldn't have told everyone to vote for the other girl. What a good sport he is. He wanted it to be about everyone else not himself. He was so happy when the other girl won and he was so comforting to the one that lost. He showed a really good example of humility and love. He is never boastful about how talented he is.
Last night we went to a members home. The wife has been a member all her life. The husband joined the church when they were married. They have a little girl who is about 2. They never went to the temple to be sealed and now are less active. Last night as we talked they decided to seriously work on going to the temple. We helped them recall the feelings of their baptisms. The wife cried as she told us that nothing in this world is more important to her than being with her family forever. She is even willing to quite her job to go to church. What amazing faith she has!! We have the opportunity to go to the temple so much but we just don't take the time. When I get home I want to utilize the temple and go as often as I can because their is nothing more important to me than being with my family for eternity!
All three of us spoke in church yesterday. The spirit was really strong. We talked on missionary work, how members can help, and the covenants we have made to do the work of the Lord. I spoke on how members can help. Sister Downs talked about how this work is about eternity! I loved that because we aren't here on the earth to became something special here but to be heirs to the kingdom in the hereafter!
Well, I love you all! Remember to keep your heads high. Listen to the spirit. Make time in your lives to be quiet and just listen. I know He will help you!
Love
Sister Comte
This week has been amazing! We have done alot of good things this week, including getting out of the car at a stop light and asking the people next to us to listen to our message. It is fun to talk to everyone, no matter where they are or what they are doing. Everyone needs to hear about the gospel so we must open our mouths to tell them!
We have been working with a family for awhile now. One at a time they are getting baptized. This week the family invited us to go to one of their sons performances. He has aspergers syndrome and is really shy. We have been trying to get him to warm up to us so that we might teach him. He is in a really neat program called Easter Seals for special needs children. This week they had an Easter Seals Idol. He was in the top three. He has an amazing voice and he would've won if he wouldn't have told everyone to vote for the other girl. What a good sport he is. He wanted it to be about everyone else not himself. He was so happy when the other girl won and he was so comforting to the one that lost. He showed a really good example of humility and love. He is never boastful about how talented he is.
Last night we went to a members home. The wife has been a member all her life. The husband joined the church when they were married. They have a little girl who is about 2. They never went to the temple to be sealed and now are less active. Last night as we talked they decided to seriously work on going to the temple. We helped them recall the feelings of their baptisms. The wife cried as she told us that nothing in this world is more important to her than being with her family forever. She is even willing to quite her job to go to church. What amazing faith she has!! We have the opportunity to go to the temple so much but we just don't take the time. When I get home I want to utilize the temple and go as often as I can because their is nothing more important to me than being with my family for eternity!
All three of us spoke in church yesterday. The spirit was really strong. We talked on missionary work, how members can help, and the covenants we have made to do the work of the Lord. I spoke on how members can help. Sister Downs talked about how this work is about eternity! I loved that because we aren't here on the earth to became something special here but to be heirs to the kingdom in the hereafter!
Well, I love you all! Remember to keep your heads high. Listen to the spirit. Make time in your lives to be quiet and just listen. I know He will help you!
Love
Sister Comte
Monday, May 11, 2009
May 11th Email
Dear Family and Friends,
It was good to hear from some of you yesterday! It is always good to call home! It lifts my spirits and helps me move forward to have so much support! Thank you for all of you and the many prayers that are said in my behalf.
We started teaching someone new this week. It is a couple that has a lot of health problems. The wife is a member and the husband is going to be baptized. They just moved here from Nebraska and the husband was meeting with the missionaries up there. Before we taught him anything we set a baptismal date with him. His whole life is devoted to getting baptized. He is trying so hard to stop smoking. His whole life is a prayer to God. It is really cool because he is so sincere in his prayers. Him and his wife are going through a hard time but they both know that there is only one source of strength and that is their Heavenly Father. In the middle of our conversations he will start praying because that is his only way of survival. We should all be more like this and make our lives more in touch with God!
Well, as always my time is short and I must close. I love you all and pray for you.
Love
Sister Comte
It was good to hear from some of you yesterday! It is always good to call home! It lifts my spirits and helps me move forward to have so much support! Thank you for all of you and the many prayers that are said in my behalf.
We started teaching someone new this week. It is a couple that has a lot of health problems. The wife is a member and the husband is going to be baptized. They just moved here from Nebraska and the husband was meeting with the missionaries up there. Before we taught him anything we set a baptismal date with him. His whole life is devoted to getting baptized. He is trying so hard to stop smoking. His whole life is a prayer to God. It is really cool because he is so sincere in his prayers. Him and his wife are going through a hard time but they both know that there is only one source of strength and that is their Heavenly Father. In the middle of our conversations he will start praying because that is his only way of survival. We should all be more like this and make our lives more in touch with God!
Well, as always my time is short and I must close. I love you all and pray for you.
Love
Sister Comte
Monday, May 4, 2009
May 4th Email
Hello to all,
This week has gone fast and so has my time on the computer! I don't know where the time goes! This Thursday we went to a really neat baptism in North Port. The lady getting baptized was someone I started teaching when I was in the area. She finally decided to be baptized. It was a really neat experience! I was so happy to see alot of the people I worked with when I was in the area! The lady getting baptized knew why she was making the covenant of baptism. It was a really neat thing to see her strong testimony! She was so excited to be baptized that after she came out of the water she cheered about being baptized. You couldn't wipe the smile off of her face.
This is basically all that happened this week. I still love the work and am thankful for the opportunity I have to serve. I love you all!!
Love
Sister Comte
This week has gone fast and so has my time on the computer! I don't know where the time goes! This Thursday we went to a really neat baptism in North Port. The lady getting baptized was someone I started teaching when I was in the area. She finally decided to be baptized. It was a really neat experience! I was so happy to see alot of the people I worked with when I was in the area! The lady getting baptized knew why she was making the covenant of baptism. It was a really neat thing to see her strong testimony! She was so excited to be baptized that after she came out of the water she cheered about being baptized. You couldn't wipe the smile off of her face.
This is basically all that happened this week. I still love the work and am thankful for the opportunity I have to serve. I love you all!!
Love
Sister Comte
Monday, April 27, 2009
April 27th Email
Dear Family and Friends,
Sorry about not writing last week. I ran out of time. Life is so busy when you are giving it all to the Lord. I am sorry for not writing more faithfully. This week has been another busy one. It is nice to have three sisters now. We all have different skills and abilities and we can get alot more done with all of our heads combined.
Last Monday we had a wonderful lesson with a man named Harold. Harold has been investigating since December. He is very shy and doesn't like crowds so church is hard for him. His wife is a member but has been very inactive. We taught him last week the ten commandments. Our fellowshipper made a really good point about bearing false witness. He said "Be loyal to the absent." I think this is one we can all work at and it will bless our lives and the communities in which we live in. I said the closing pray and prayed that Harold would know the truth for himself. After the prayer he looked at me and said "I already know it is true." I wanted to shout with joy but smiled widely instead. No it is only a matter of time before he makes sacred covenants with God!!!
This Saturday was a day of service for the South East states. Our ward took part in cleaning up a park. I wasn't feeling too well, nothing to worry about just an upset stomach from something I had eaten, so I stayed back with a lady from the North Port ward that was there for another project. We sat and talked for most of it but what do you know, I ended up on the playground making sure the kids didn't get hurt. I also pushed around the bishop's daughter in her stroller. She is so cute!! I couldn't believe the work that the wards did that were there. It was amazing to see the clean up job. It really brought the wards together because we served together! It was a wonderful opportunity!
On Sunday we had a "Why I believe" fireside. Our bishop wanted us to do it. We had some recent converts and the bishop speak about their conversion stories. It was really neat and the spirit was really strong! It was awesome for Sister Stewart and I to see Dave Deyoe, our recent convert stand up and bear his testimony. Both of us were crying by the end! He talked about how we had become a part of their family. He also talked about how he knew they had come to Florida to find the gospel! It was great and made me think about why I believed the gospel was true. I am so thankful for the gospel in my life. It has blessed me in so many ways. I know that through the gospel of Jesus Christ and the restoration of the priesthood I will be will my love ones forever!! I love you all!!! The Church is True!!!
Love
Sister Comte
Sorry about not writing last week. I ran out of time. Life is so busy when you are giving it all to the Lord. I am sorry for not writing more faithfully. This week has been another busy one. It is nice to have three sisters now. We all have different skills and abilities and we can get alot more done with all of our heads combined.
Last Monday we had a wonderful lesson with a man named Harold. Harold has been investigating since December. He is very shy and doesn't like crowds so church is hard for him. His wife is a member but has been very inactive. We taught him last week the ten commandments. Our fellowshipper made a really good point about bearing false witness. He said "Be loyal to the absent." I think this is one we can all work at and it will bless our lives and the communities in which we live in. I said the closing pray and prayed that Harold would know the truth for himself. After the prayer he looked at me and said "I already know it is true." I wanted to shout with joy but smiled widely instead. No it is only a matter of time before he makes sacred covenants with God!!!
This Saturday was a day of service for the South East states. Our ward took part in cleaning up a park. I wasn't feeling too well, nothing to worry about just an upset stomach from something I had eaten, so I stayed back with a lady from the North Port ward that was there for another project. We sat and talked for most of it but what do you know, I ended up on the playground making sure the kids didn't get hurt. I also pushed around the bishop's daughter in her stroller. She is so cute!! I couldn't believe the work that the wards did that were there. It was amazing to see the clean up job. It really brought the wards together because we served together! It was a wonderful opportunity!
On Sunday we had a "Why I believe" fireside. Our bishop wanted us to do it. We had some recent converts and the bishop speak about their conversion stories. It was really neat and the spirit was really strong! It was awesome for Sister Stewart and I to see Dave Deyoe, our recent convert stand up and bear his testimony. Both of us were crying by the end! He talked about how we had become a part of their family. He also talked about how he knew they had come to Florida to find the gospel! It was great and made me think about why I believed the gospel was true. I am so thankful for the gospel in my life. It has blessed me in so many ways. I know that through the gospel of Jesus Christ and the restoration of the priesthood I will be will my love ones forever!! I love you all!!! The Church is True!!!
Love
Sister Comte
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