December 26, 2016 9 months in

First off thank you to all of those who wished me a Merry Christmas, or sent me packages, or letters, and just love in general. It reallly means alot when someone takes time out of thier normal life to send something my way. I AM BLESSED! 😁

So Christmas was good, but let me tell you some gems from my week first!

Monday was great minus the fact my group email didn't work the first time. We went to Rock Hill for a district activity! We made scones and fried some oeros and then went laser tagging! Then Monday we got the okay to spend the night at the Waxhaw sister's house, since we had an early meeting the next day. Sister Miller (aka my MTC comp) is in Waxhaw, and her and Sis Hill, and I came out together so obviously it was a blast. 🎉

Tuesday we had our Zone {CHRISTMAS} Conference! It was combined with Charlotte Central and Gastonia zones! Each zone sang some musical numbers, and I was apart of two of ours! It was fun! We then sang some songs together, and then ate some yummy food! After we did a service project! We put together food boxes for people in the Charlotte area that were in need! During lunch we also had a not so usual talent show, which my district was involved with. I seriously don't think I will ever love another district as much as I love the one I am in now. Anywho after lunch we played Jepordy and it got heated hahahah low key think the assistants rigged it but anywhoooo it was fun none the less. We watched some movie clips about the translation of the Book of Mormon and then the departing missionaries bore their testimonies and we called it a day! 😊

Then I went on exchanges with Sister Perez and so I stayed in Charlotte! We had so much fun! We got to go Christmas shopping for our companions and a miracle occured. So I had already gotten Sis Hill's gift BUT she is in love with Finding Dory hahaha so I was like wait I need to get her something Finding Dory. So we went to the calendar kiosk and while we were checking out the man was basically like "I hate how Christ isn't the center of Christmas these days and all people care about is presents" So we taught him, right there, in the middle of South Park Mall! It was a miracle!!🙌

On Wednesday we went caroling with the Young Women and it was a blast! I love this branch SO MUCH!

Christmas Eve was great too! A family invited us over for breakfast and I finally tried Grits& Shrimp! It was pretty good!! That night we ate dinner with another family and had a nice Christmas Devotional with it! That night we went home and opened our new Christmas PJ's! Thanks Mom! 

Christmas Day, we woke up and of course checked to see if Santa came.... he did (: 

So we opened our presents and that was fun! We got ready and went to church, sadly all our investigators went out of town, but it's okay! After church we went down to the Tracy's house and opened more presents bc the Tracy's are probably the nicest people on the planet and they took good care of us. We had Navajo Tacos for lunch! Ha! They were so gooddddd! 

Then we rushed to our dinner apointment at the Garcia's! We had fun with them and their kids! We even played charades for a bit! Then what I have been waiting for since mothers day..... SKYPE TIMEEEEE!!!🎉🙌😁

Okay I am just so pumped bc not one tear left my eye. Not one. It just felt so natural talking to them. I love them, we had a good time, well at least I did. 40 minutes goes by way too fast!! 😭

Spiritual Thought: 

"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

So I read this today and I was just like wooooow I stink. I really wish I could be as obedient as Nephi was. Like I can't even count how many times my parents asked me to do things and let me tell ya my first response was not " Yes mother dearest" or " Yes dad I would love to" It was more like " ehhh I will get to it when I am good and ready" Which 9 times out of 10 was never. So anyway I just really want to work on being like Nephi and just going and doing what I am asked to, with no complaining. 

Welllll thats about all folks. I find out if I am staying or leaving TONIGHT. Ahhhh I really hope I stay one more transfer. Also can we talk about how I TURN 9 MONTHS ON FRIDAY?! Like what even. One Direction wasn't lying when they talked about just how fast the night changes. Thanks for the people who actually still talk to me. You're golden. Also HAPPY NEW YEAR! Love youuuuu! 💕

Sending Love, 
Sister Jacobsmeyer

December 19, 2016

This might be a little long because the week was just so great so just keep reading😊

Monday: We were out finding and we were close to a family in our ward, so we decided to go and visit them! We knocked on the door but got no answer, but we saw people inside! So we tried fhe side door. Turns out they didn't hear the front door! So they invited us in and invited us to stay for family home evening with their grandkids. We of course said yes! We watched Mr Kruegars Christmas and talked about the real reason for the season! It was so fun!

Tuesday: We had to get some meds at Walmart and while we were there a man comes up to us...

Him: Hi how are you? Are you guys getting taken care of? Do you have enough food?

Me *confused bc never seen him before in my life* : Uh who are you?

Him: Oh I am Joel! I was a missionary in California 10 years ago

Me: So are you a member of the branch? 

Him: No I haven't been active since I got home

Turns out he and his girlfriend attended the Catawba church a few weeks ago, but the elders there never got his info! So we were so excited to meet him! He took our card and said we could teach his girlfriend!🙌

Wednesday: We have been in a new investigator dry spell, but that day we were out finding and the man we went to see wasnt there, so I said let's try this next house! So we go up to it just to see a no tresspassing sign. So we start to walk away, then a man comes out! Sister Hill shouts "Hey do you wanna watch a video?!" So we show him LIGHTtheWORLD and of course he loved it! We set a return apointment too!😊

Sunday: Okay not that I should have favorites but this day of miracles is pretty great in my eyes! So on Sunday we were at the door meeting people as they came into church...then Sister Moore (Collen's Mom) walks in with Collen!!!!! She has not been to the branch ever, and she has not come to church in a long time. We were shocked. But SO happy!! And it gets better! That night we taught Emely and she accepted a baptism date!!!! 1/7/17 We are so excited!!! ❤❤

In between all the miracles we helped put stockings together to donate to the childrens home here in town, we had zone meeting, and then the branch Christmas party on Saturday! It was such a great week!😁

Normally I would have a scripture or a quote, but today you are out of luck. Count your blessings, be nice to people, and love God. 

Thank you for putting up with me!! And being so kind this Christmas season! Getting mail from y'all makes me smile big time! I hope you all have a beautiful Christmas with your families!! Love youuuu! 🎄❤

Sending Love, 
Sister Jacobsmeyer

Sorry I honestly had no clue what to title this email & I am really pumped for Christmas! 😊

Anyway it was a low key kind of week. Sister Hill caught a bit of what I had sadly, so we spent most of our week nursing her back to health. 

We also were without a car for 2 and a half days. The bumper had to be replaced so we tried our best to stay productive. We were with the Tracy's Wednesday and Thursday and helped them out at their new house! 

But have no fear we actually got to see and teach people this week! We got to teach Angela( that lady we met a few weeks ago who saved us from all those dogs) and she had read the whole Restoration pamplet and so we went over it with her and she really enjoyed it! She said the sweetest prayer at the end of the lesson. We just love her so much!! ❤

We saw Emely this week too! She finally was feeling well enough and came to church yesterday! We are so happy with how far she has progressed! 

We weren't able to teach Collen this week, but we got to go support him in his Christmas play! We had fun, it was a cute little 5th grade play with lots of singing and dancing!

Spiritual Thought:

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.

Maybe Christmas … perhaps … means a little bit more!"

Part of the purpose for telling the story of Christmas is to remind us that Christmas doesn't come from a store. Indeed, however delightful we feel about it, even as children, each year it "means a little bit more." And no matter how many times we read the biblical account of that evening in Bethlehem, we always come away with a thought—or two—we haven't had before.

But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees or tinsel. With a baby—that's how Christmas began." 

This was from a BYU devo. in the 70's, by Elder Holland. But I loved this part of his talk, because these days Christmas is so commercialized. People don't often think of it's true meaning anymore. I am thankful of my knowlege of our Saviors humble birth. I am thankful for parents who still to this day remind us kids what the true meaning is about. Getting new gifts for Christmas is nice, but the best gift of all was the birth of Jesus Christ. ❤❤

I hope you are all enjoying this Christmas season whereever you may be! Thank you for keeping up with me for this long! It really means alot when I get to hear from you! Love you all! Have a blessed week! 😊

Sending Love,
Sister Jacobsmeyer

November 28, 2016

So this week was pretty much pointless.

Tuesday we went to interviews though! Sister Alexander showed me selfies of her with her dog, which made my love for her grow even more. Oh and Sister Hill and I went to Target and I may have went crazy at the dollar section, but what else is new?

So Tuesday afternoon I started feeling icky and as the days went on it got worse. I had to go check to see if I had strep (I didn't, thank goodness) and in all honesty I just wanted my mom. So this week consisted of a lot of rest and blowing my nose. I am so thankful that Sister Hill was so patient through all of it!!

Thursday was a great but sad day. It was a miracle because for just a few hours I felt fine! The Tracy's had us over and it was so yummy!!  Nothing compares to Thanksging at my Aunt Tone's house though, but it was a close second. Plus some members from the Concord ward, who are related to the Tracy's,  came too! It was so fun to catch up with them!! I was so thankful to have a place to be that day!😊 I know I say it every week buttttt I LOVE THE TRACY'S ❤

I thought I would handle the day like a champ because I am never homesick, but I was wrong. My family sent me a video and I lost it. I threw myself a pity party for just a few minutes. I guess I didn't realize how hard missing family holidays would be. But it's okay because I love where I am at and my family will always be there next year 😘

Oh and I got my Christmas cards printed today!! If you want one  just email me your address! 😊

Spiritual Thought:  
This Chrsitmas season the church has an initiative going on called #LIGHTtheWorld. In John 8: 12 Jesus says that He is the light of the world, and in Matthew 5:14 we learn that we are the light of the world. This is the perfect time of year to shine that light. Starting this Thursday and going till Christmas there will be all different ways that you can serve each and everyday. Just like the savior did! The first days theme is "Jesus Lifted Others' Burdens and So Can You" and if you go to christmas.mormon.org it lists different ways you can serve that day! I invite you all to participate in lighting the world. I can testify that when we serve others,in a big or even a small way, our love for others increases, our gratitude increases, and we can impact lives! We are so blessed! Now is the perfect time to go and bless others!❤😊

Well that is all folks. Sorry it was a real lame week. I hope you all have a great week and find some way to #LIGHTtheWORLD❤ Love you!

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Sister Jac

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November 21, 2016

Wow this has been such a great week and it's mainly because Sister Hill is a combination of my two best friends so life couldn't be better! But I still really miss Sis Hickenlooper and wish I was in a trio with them both.

Anyway about this week....

I GOT PANDA EXPRESS! ok but you don't even know how great this was. I haven't had/ seen Panda for 8 months. 8. months. So after we picked up Sis Hill a member of our branch took us. It was wonderful.❤

On Tuesday, Sister Hill and I came down after getting ready for the day and we were in the same dress. #companionshipunity But that night we had a real great Relief Society activity! It was Christmas themed  and we got cute things to take home! It was all centered in Jesus Christ of course and how he truly is the best gift of all! 34 days till Christmas but who's counting.

Friday night a sweet older couple let us in... then her brother who was visiting ruined it all. He just was lecturing us on how we need to check our facts and just study from the bible. He was telling us how wrong we were, but luckily this wasn't my first rodeo. He was nice about letting us know how wrong we were though. This also happened to me last week. I just bore my testimony to him and let him know that I knew it was true. I am actually grateful for these moments! Even though it is hard when people just tell you how wrong you are, it is so rewarding knowing that you aren't!🙆

We were out tracting and we met this sassy african american lady named angela. She was loud and proud. She was super nice and talked to us for quite a while on her driveway... WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN these 6 german sheppards break out of the neighbors backyard! So we scattered and hid behind this van. Angela was screamin at them and Sister Hill was like on the verge of tears because she is so terrified of dogs lol. So then this other african american woman pulled up at angelas house and angela told us to get in her car. We didnt care if this was an axe murder. We would rather be killed by her than dogs. ANYWAYS, this womans name was pineapple. She rolled her window down and was yelling at the dogs and before she drove away she yells at em and says "YA MAMA!" I couldnt hold it  together. we were dying laughing. So she drove us back to our car that was down the street. We thanked her, and will probably never see her again.😂😂

Okay but I only have the best news ever to wrap this week up. You ready? Buckle your seatbelts.......
COLLEN CAME TO CHURCH!!!!! 😭❤ Okay but I can't even express what a miracle this is. He has never ever ever been. He has worked with missionaries 4ever. I am sooooo beyond thankful and feel soooo beyond blessed. Plus the high counselor speaking pointed him and Jeremy out and said what good examples they were ( because they were reading their Book of Mormon and not playing on a phone)

That was pretty much it for this week. We found some new investigators so that's great! Sister Hill tried to climb a tree this morning and she fell backwards and it was the funniest thing of my life. It was a Shelby moment I took a picture and everything. Right now I am just trying to be super Christ-like because my Asian neighbor is BLASTING karaoke and I just don't understand why.

Also business item: We are gonna be cute and make Christmas cards!! PLEASE email me your address if you want one! Also feel free to send me any, I will put them on my fridge and brag about you.

My spiritual thought for today is basically be grateful. We are all so blessed. Heavenly Father is so aware of all of us and is here to help us! Count your blessings and be happy! Also enjoy thanksgiving!! It is my first away from home so I might just cry all day but it's okay. I'm tough.

Okay well I love you all so much it hurts! Thanks for your love and support!! Have the best week ever!!! 💕

Sending Love, 

Sister Jacobsmeyer

1) Best district ( ft zone leaders) ever. Seriously, love them. But h8 bowling bc so bad at it 😂
2) Sorry I got mission ugly but yay for panda!! 
3) Always the best seeing my fav Sister Davis!❤
4) When you get out of the shower and find this.... 😂 I love sister hill

5) We got mission ugly it's fine
6) Throwing it back to my days as a senior rep haha
7 I LOVE FALL
8) 🦃❤

#33   This was such a great week! Not only am I spoiled by my earthly father, but by my Heavenly Father.

We had Zone Meeting on Wednesday! Our zone is the bomb and got over 10 baptisms last month so we celebrated with a zone breakfast before the meeting! I love Charlotte South <3 Our big thing right now as a zone is #onemore Basically it just means go the extra mile.. knock one more door, teach one more person.. you get the point. We also got a training on love. Loving our zone, companions, our investigators, our areas, and just everything. I can honestly say I love my area, I love my zone, I love my companion, and loveeee my investigators!❤❤❤

After we left Zone Meeting, we had exchanges! I stayed in Lancaster with Sister Fragoso! We saw miracles. Like getting 5 new investigators! MIRACLE! She is just a fearless missionary! I am so thankful I got to learn from her!

We also got to help out at the Tracy home again! They lived in Ely for a while and so while unpacking all their stuff I found some good old Nevada treasures! And they had a scrapbook with pictures from a track meet hosted by MVHS (,: Even just seeing the high school track and mountains in the background made me smile.

We were visiting a part-member family in our branch this weekend and the little 7 year old goes, " I like even numbers...it means that everyone gets a partner" 😂hahaha I died! I love that girl she is so precious!

I also got word that Jorge (from concord) spoke in stake conference!! WHAT?! It's ironic because us Concord sisters ALWAYS joked about how one day Jorge would speak in General Conference and even though it was stake conference, it is still a big deal! So I am just gonna copy and paste what my old ward mission leader wrote about it. "If you were not able to attend Stake Conf let me share a quick comment about Jorge's testimony that he shared. He had earnestly prayed for help to understand what to do to learn the will of God and to help his friend understand the importance of faith in our Heavenly Father. The very next day the Sisters knocked on his door and a few months later he is speaking before a huge congregation of Saints at Stake Conf! The Lord is willing to help us find truth and find those that are seeking for it. We just have to ask with real intent. Prayer Works!" And yes I cried while I read it! ❤😭

So bad news....transfers happened.... SIS HICKENLOOPER IS LEAVING ME!😭😭 Don't worry mom I only cried for like 5 minutes. But for real I am so sad. I love this girl to pieces! We got along so great and had a lot in common and she was just wonderful. I will always be thankful for her and our jam sessions to Saturday's warrior hahah But she is headed to Boone! They are so lucky!

Spiritual Thought: 
"And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you." - 3 Nephi 18:20

I have thee best story ever. So this whole last week I prayed SO much that Sis HIckenlooper would stay. I however said that if God was going to take her from me, that he needed to send Sister Hill ( a sister I came out with and love) to my zone. And guess what? SHE IS MY NEW COMPANION! WUT. God is so good! Prayers do get answered!! ❤

So life is sad but happy. I am so thankful to have the gospel in my life! I finished the Book of Mormon this morning and I can testify that it is another testament of Jesus Christ. He lives, and loves us no matter what. I am thankful for the words of the prophets and the guidance they give us in hard times.

I have started to collect testimonies of the Book of Mormon and would strongly encourage any of you to first, read the Book of Mormon and gain your own testimony. Then you can hand write it or type it and send me a copy in the mail! Nothing would make me happier! 😊

Since I am staying my address is still 439 colonial ave apt d 
Lancaster sc 29720 for any of you who want to do a kind deed and send some snail mail!😉

I love you all and am so beyond blessed for all your support!! Have an amazing week! 💕

Sending Love, 
Sister Jacobsmeyer

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November 7, 2016

Happy Fall Y'all! This was a real great week down here in the south!

On Wednesday we had Zone Conference! It was obviously amazing. We were taught a lot about how we are a mission of harvesters! This is hard work that can't be faked. It reminded me of a little quote picrture frame I bought, it says, " Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant" We are out here to soften hearts and plant seeds! Someday, even if it is 5 years from now, we will see the fruits of our labors!

The next day we had dinner with Sister De La Cruz. Her daughter, Emely, was a former investigator! She made some big changes in her life and started coming to church! She wants to take the lessons again! Wahooo! We are so happy for her! Plus we are even trying to learn spanish so we can better communicate with her mom! Wish us luck with that! ha! 😂😉

Friday while we were out finding, I kept having the feeling that we needed to go to Walmart. So we stopped and prayed about it and followed the prompting. We had been walking around for a little while with no real luck. We, just like Ammon and his brethren, were about to turn back and leave. Then we met a worker, who is actually a former investigator! She remembered an experience she had with the missionaries ( shout out to sister arnold who taught her😘 ) that has stuck with her for months. She said she loved meeting with them and wanted to start again. I can testify that the spirit is always available to guide and direct you and that acting on spiritual promptings will bring blessings!😊

We also were able to make baby steps with a retunring member! He allowed us in his home! This may sound like no biggie but trust me, it is a biggie! Plus on Sunday his daughter talked to our branch president about being baptized!

Last but not least... Collen and his mom came to Presidents Fireside last night!!! YAY! This was a big answer to a big prayer! The fireside was great and Collen was even asked to be part of it! The missionaries also sang a musical number so that was fun! ❤

Spiritual Thought:
"Do material possessions make us happy and grateful? Perhaps momentarily. However, those things which provide deep and lasting happiness and gratitude are the things which money cannot buy: our families, the gospel, good friends, our health, our abilities, the love we receive from those around us. Unfortunately, these are some of the things we allow ourselves to take for granted." - President Thomas S Monson

I have learned a lot on my mission. For example, life is 1000 times better when you aren't controlled by your iphone6. I used to think that having a nice phone or getting lots of likes on an instagram post was really what happiness was. I know, how embarrassing! Material possessions do not bring lasting joy. Also  some of us really do take a lot of things for granted. Even the people who deserve our gratitude the most! So I would invite you to count your blessings! Maybe even reach out to someone this week and thank them for being part of your life!

Well I doubt anyone is still reading at this point and just skipped to the pictures like I would do haha but life is so good. I am sooooo happy it is fall! And Christmas is next month!! (aka i get to skype my family in 48 days but who's counting?) 

I hope y'all have a good week! Love you bunches! 💕

Sending Love, 
Sister Jacobsmeyer