Picking up Sister Hulme from the airport. 4/16/15

A few pictures from the airport.  How excited we were to get our Georgia Peach back.

The Last Email… 4/13/15

Hey y'all! 

I don't really have the words to express or explain this last week.

But here are a few scriptures that have come to my mind this very moment. 

1. Helaman 10:4-5 Blessed art thou, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.

 And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.

2. 2 Timothy 4:6-7  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

and 3.  3 john 1:13-14  I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

Couldn't have said it better. I love y'all so very much. God bless and see you in a few short days. Georgia.. you'll forever hold my heart. and I'll greatly miss you:) 

Love always,  SIster Lexie Hulme

The Hardest Thing I Have Ever Loved To Do 4/6/15

Hey ya'll!

What seemed like the fastest week of my mission, was really one of the longest week as I look back and recall all that has happened! From meetings, exchanges, doctor's appt, and general conference, this new week will feel refreshing as we have more time on our hands to focus on the work. I realize that it is my last full week as a missionary, and I want nothing more than to make every second sacred, and enjoy more fully the spirit of the work. I was very grateful that we had general conference this past weekend, I have had many questions on my mind, and I know and love that our Father in Heaven still guides us today with prophets and apostles. There are many things I want to implement this last week, and pursue later after the mission. 
Sadly, our investigator Sandy didn't watch general conference. She had some family issues come up, and she felt bad. We told her we would catch a conference talk we felt was for her nad watch it with her this next weekend. Satan tries everything to stop her from progressing! Things have been hard as she realizes that she has short time with us, but she has made some great friends in the ward, who are good at keeping contact with her. 
We took our one investigator, Danay, off date because we haven't been able to meet with her this past week, she's been busy. Because she isn't progressing we had to take her off-date. I guess we have to discern how big her desire is to not only get baptized but to be truly committed. 
We found some great new investigators! One being a family, from the easter video. After spring break we plan on meeting with them along with the father when he is home. Another, is a 60 year old retired cowboy! He hasn't gone to church in a few years, because he hasn't found one that meets his expectations. As we shared with him about the restoration and the first vision, he was listening intently.You could see the spirit enlightening him and testifying to him the truth of what we were saying. He commented himself right after that he would like to come to our service this next sunday. I told him he needs to because i'll be bearing my testimony, it being my last sunday, so he said he promised he would come. We're having high hopes and will work on getting him there! 

This past week I've had sooo much on my mind. As I sat and pondered sunday easter morning, on the resurrection and atonement of Jesus Christ, I couldn't help but remember or think of a few months ago, back in November. It was after we finished a lesson with Michael Chandler, a man I'll never forget. Never in my life had I prayed so earnestly and fervently that night, before in my life. That night as I knelt by my bedside, I received the greatest witness of all, that my savior, Jesus Christ, Lives. That the spirit and this work of god is real. And this easter, as we all celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I want that witness or testimony rekindled inside of me, I want to feel that spirit so strongly again. My heart swells with joy when I look back on that night, and when I feel the love of my Savior with me now, today, and forever. I know jesus Christ lives. That witness is reaffirmed each time I feel within myself, or in others, the cleansing effect of his sacred sacrifice. And when I think of who he has made me to be, who I still can become, I give all that I have to the lord, on the altar of sacrifice, consecrating my heart, might, mind , and strength to Him and His work. And my heart swells with gratitude. Because only He can truly make us into who God needs us to become.  This easter season, I am truly cherishing the spirit of the living Christ. I am singing gratitude for the gift from our Savior, Which is eternal life. I love sharing this joyous new and gift with others. I truly love helping others obtain that gift. And I love seeing the powers of the atonement take effect in their life, as well as mine. There are many others I want to help, but little time in Georgia to do so. There will be soon some other people for me to reach to in another land. My heart is also heavy thinking of how I must leave this, all that I have come to love so much. It's become purely sacred to me. This is no longer a great sacrifice, but has become the greatest opportunity that has shaped my life. God be thanked for calling me to his great work. This is the definitely the hardest thing I have ever loved to do. 

I hope each of you take those missionary opportunities that are before you to share the gospel and to LIVE the gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether it be with our friends, or within our own families, start where you can. There is truly no greater joy. 

I love and miss each of you! take care and god bless.

Love, Sister Hulme

Alma 26:12-15

A Love for the Work 3/30/15

Hey ya'll!

I just kept telling myself to make it through this week, but I now see how time is slipping through my hands and i'm trying to grap it! There's so much going on here that I don't know if i want to face the end in the near future. 

I promised the Lord that before I leave this area, we will have someone at church! We're getting closer. I don't know if I've ever been this focused or stressed this much on trying to get investigators to church. It's always been a struggle, as for most missionaries. But I know if we truly desire this, the lord will help us. 
I know last week I mentioned that we didn't plan on putting anyone on date until we got them to come to church. Well, the work this week showed otherwise! The person we have on date is Danay Lloyd. She was a referral from the Sugar Hill elders. We've been teaching her the past couple of weeks. We want to meet with her and her husband, but we seem to only be able to schedule a time with her. She shared with us why she was interested in the book of mormon, because her husband recently decided he wants to get baptized into this other church, and its made her think that she wants to get baptized too. So when we invited her she said yes, and we invited her to prepare for April 25. She said she'll work on it, she has alot going on this month, but she agreed. Yet, every sunday we ask her to come to church she says she's busy with something. So the doctrine of church is a must with teaching and helping her understand that church is vital in order to prepare for baptism, and as a whole.
We've been able to find a few new investigators this week from the Easter initiative, "Because He lives". We had some potentials that we've been needing to followup with for awhile, and this week we were able to. I think the Lord has his timing for everything, because we needed to show them the video. It's provided a great way to start teaching them the restored gospel.
With so much going on this next week, the follow up meeting, a doctor's appt for sister Beckstrom, general conference.. This may be one of the busiest weeks of my entire mission! Aside from the schedule, we have goals to help people progress, and i'm praying that we can keep up with the work.
We had a member come with us to Sandy's lesson on saturday, who has become a close friend of sandy's. And without us talking to her first or mentioning it, she invited Sandy to her home to watch general conference this weekend, and Sandy was more than willing to accept! Inside we were jumping up and down, but sooo grateful for the member's help. Reminds me in preach my gospel where it says, the work will move forward with more power as members and missionaries work together. We showed Sandy the easter video "because he lives" and she was so moved and touched by it. We sat in silence for a minute or so. Then I asked Sandy what it means to her to know that her Savior lives. She said its the greatest knowledge she has and it brings her the greatest peace she has sought for. She feels that, as she's been meeting with us and it's as if the thing she has been searching for, the thirst she felt, is quenched when we meet with her and though the relationship we've built. So I then asked her what her purpose is in this life, if heavenly father has saved her for such a time as this, and all her family has passed on. She really couldn't answer it, and said she's still searching for her purpose. Then, i asked why she believed the lord allowed us to cross paths and to meet her. She said so we could care for one another, because she believes we knew each other before, so we were meant to meet now. This is when i wanted to emphasize to her that it was to bring her the greatest message of hope and peace, directly from god to her, inviting her to come unto christ by helping her recieve the restored gospel. Somehow as the spirit directed for us to share 2 nephi 4 which was the chapter that helped me gain a testimony that the book of mormon is true at a time in my life. I feel Sandy will have some big progression when we give her a large print book of mormon for her to read this week, and she can actually have the chance herself to finally read and pray. PRAY that therer will be that one conference talk directed to her this weekend. i'm too excited for her:) 

After last monday, things were still emotionally stressful and I was a little troubled. I prayed mightily that I would  do the things that the lord has called me to do. It's amazing how much the Lord helps us, as we show forth our faith and effort to do His will. I thought about asking for a priesthood blessing, yet i never did. But every lesson we had, I made sure to put my whole heart into teaching and helping that individual person. When we would come out of the lesson I felt so uplifted, as if the burden was made lighter, and I could only think of thanking my heavenly father for such an opportunity. This weekend I realized that the Lord truly does have my heart in His work. And I really don't want to leave it. It was my goal this year to consecrate my WHOLE heart to the lord's work. I now see that He has changed my heart, molded and shaped to His desires, through His perfect atonement. A transformation, I didn't realize or see until now. I'm grateful for who He has made me to be. 

I love each of you dearly!!! take care and have a blessed week!

Love, SIster Hulme

Helives.mormon.org      .... check it out:)

Update from Georgia 3/23/15

Hey ya'll!

Things here in georgia are just beautiful, its my favorite time of year. Spring is amazing in georgia!! Problem is my body decided to have allergies this season and I've been dealing with that this past week. but despite it all, i love where i am, and the beauty around me, its become home!!

This week has flown by with all that's happened, i have to recollect all my thoughts on everything! 
I fully enjoyed zone conference this past week and I am so grateful for personal revelation. It is a blessing from our Heavenly Father to be able to hear from him, through a general authority. There's alot of exciting stuff happening in the mission, and alot of great things to look forward too! Our mission is getting ipads coming may 20th! Of course the technology would come after I leave:) Sister Beckstrom and I have been role playing different teaching situations based on the teaching skills Elder Zwick taught us. We first introduce the principle, share an experience, explain the doctrine using scriptures, expounding and then testifying. It has helped each of us so much already in simplifying and intensifying our lessons. It helps us in learning also, in understanding the doctrine more. This ensures that the spirit teaches and both us and the investigator are edified and learn together. I loved the scripture Elder Zwick shared with us from D&C 109:38 about putting the testimony of the covenant upon our heart. This morning as I read my scriptures, it reminded me of the temple and I've constantly been thinking about this scripture. As I've continually been consecrating myself, I've recently been thinking of the covenants i made in the temple. This reminder has helped me even more so, in having the desire to keep the law of sacrifice and consecration. 

Elder Zwick also did a member missionary fireside with all the missionaries and the ward councils in our mission. I was super sad to not see anyone from the monroe ward council, i was looking forward to that. But he emphasized that we missionaries arent' teaching enough and we need to be teaching in members homes. He proceeded to say that members need to step up and have us teach their friends. we need to find through the members, not through our own efforts. He's really putting a fire under the work!
We're still exhorting with all diligence of heart, might, mind and strength! As we've been inviting others to be baptized, we've also been really focused on inviting and committing others to come to church. I don't know what it is, but not one has agreed or accepted! I don't know if I've invited this many people to come to church before in one week, and have tried with all my might. What really gets me is these people were sincerely interested in our message, yet when it comes to church, we've got a road block. So we're going to focus on teaching the doctrine of church attendance, like Elder Zwick taught us to teach, and pray these people will feel impressed upon by the spirit to go to church! This commitment has always been the hardest on my mission. Surprisingly, since church is such a big thing here in the south! 
Things with Sandy are progressing. She said she's open to praying about being baptized and receiving the gift of the holy ghost. She hasn't been able to read herself from the Book of Mormon because we need to get her a large print copy, and she hasn't been able to come to church, so I can see why she's isn't fully committing and doesn't understand herself yet. We gave her a talk to read on hope from a general conference, which we followed up on this last week and tied it into obtaining hope through the gospel of Christ. Not as the world gives, but as Christ gives. We also read with her Elder Bednar's "Come and see", but she only told us she appreciates our invites but she can't accept. There's something else behind the picture and I'm dying to know! She did share with us that she has shingles and it effects everything she does. She also shares with us spiritual experiences throughout her week, and the spirit is slowly working on her and changing her! It is going to be very hard when I leave because she has grown so attached to me, and we're trying to help her attach to members. And Sister Beckstrom talks as if she is staying and I'm not sure how her and many others will cope if we both leave. 

With time coming to a crunch I'm wanting to exert all my efforts and strength on the work and being a missionary. Things have been a little stressful emotionally. But i know that i can always rely on the lord and call upon him for help. He's always there and aware of me and my needs.

i love and miss each of you! take care and god bless:)

love, sister hulme

Obedience, Sacrifice, and Consecration 3/16/15

Hey Ya'll!!

I just wanted to share how happy I am today because of this beautiful weather we are having!! Sis Beckstrom thinks I'm a little overly excited, but there's just something about spring in Georgia:) Beautiful weather somehow gets me more excited to get out and share the gospel! And can I share how excited i also am for general conference?! I just tell my self to make it through this week and we have 2 more weeks. I don't think i've ever been this excited for conference:) April conference is my favorite. and its on easter!!! 
So we are seeing some good progress in the work, although our numbers don't really get to show it. One thing that has been a little hard for us since I've been here is getting investigators to church. Our church building is 30 minutes away for most people in our area, so it is a bit of a commute. We're really excited for the new church building in our area that is promised to be done in July. It's almost as if a temple is being built! It's the talk of members, less actives, and nonmembers. Everyone always asks us when its going to be done and if they can come see it. Problem is they use this as their excuse as to why they can't come to church now. The other is too far away, but they promise to come when the building is done in July. for example, we have a new investigator this week named Nina, whom we have visited twice now, and is reading the book of mormon. We've been literally exhorting with all diligence and asking everyone to come to church, offered to find rides for them, everything!. But Nina has said she'll wait till the building is done in July. So we emphasize that we need her at church! why wait when you can come now:) I'll tell ya I'll be so grateful for these people when that building is finished cause there will be many, even those we don't know, who have committed to come to church then!! 
So we've been exhorting with all diligence and inviting others to be baptized. Sometimes in the first contact with them while tracting, if we've felt prompted to by the spirit. We haven't felt it right to commit others to a date yet, until they commit to coming to church. Since this is the biggest struggle we're focusing this week on getting just one person to church, with a couple people in mind behind that goal. We've also had some great team-ups scheduled with members who will be good in fellowshipping them, but the members have been cancelling on us last minute this week. But we've still been able to go through with our lessons. 
Things with our investigator Sandy are progressing. We were able to teach her the plan of salvation this past week. The member we brought was just the one at that time. She was able to share with Sandy her experiences that are somewhat similar and how the gospel has blessed her. Little did we know that about the member though! Something that I wanted to share, we've been praying that angels will minister to Sandy, and Sandy pointed out to us that everyday this week she's received a card in the mail from one of the members that we've taken to visit her. A small act of kindness, but i knew in that instant when i saw the cards that the Lord was answering our prayers, in small and simple ways, but surely. WE have a group of men in the ward getting together next weekend to help clean up her yard. Sandy still shared that she's not interested in conversion but she's slowly changing, it will take her time. We invited her to "come and see" a general conference session at the church, it would be just her and us at the church most likely. But she wasn't too open with that. she likes her personal environment. But we've given her ensign talks from general conferences that talk on hope. 

So this past week, we had a great zone meeting. We started by having a training on personal revelation, and we took 10 minutes right there to ponder and think about what questions we had to keep in mind as we listened to the trainiings. As I thought about it, i got down and kneeled right there in prayer and asked my heavenly father for revelation to questions i had. The spirit was so strong in that room in those 10 minutes as 50 missionaries, pondered and prayed to heavenly father for personal revelation. THe biggest answer to my prayer came from a training on spiritual purity. I felt that all that i've been searching for, the very answer that i've been in need of, to all my prayers i've given in the past several months, came to me that very day. ItS something that i knew all along, and i've practiced before. For this very moment, when its needed most. I learned its time I make a choice that will have an eternal consequence, a lasting and impactful change in my life and my mission. The lord isn't done with me yet! I still have potential to reach, and only he knows what that is. I need to take all that i desire, all my thoughts, feelings and even actions , and lay them on the table of sacrifice. And take up that law of consecration, and the companionship of the Holy Ghost. I crave every feeling from the Spirit, and the more i've learned about eh gift of the holy ghost, the more i've been wanting it. I thought of what more the lord wants me to give my last 6 weeks. Lately i've felt my mind reverts too much to the future, fearing or pondering what it may hold. First of all, I need to replace my fear with faith. I need to remember who god is, my eternal father. He has a plan for me, and I need to have confidence tht god will direct me. Most of all, i can decide what i want to become and deliberately pursue that. OR i can accidently become someone less than my true potential, which satan cheats us of. Which leads me into how i will act.

The training on spiritual purity provided a game plan for how to sancitfy myself and always have the companionship of the Holy Ghost. I had to fast for a full day, prayerfully considering what i need to sacrifice, consecrate and obey. THen I made a list full of the things that hinder my ability to have the holy ghost. AFterwards, I prayed to God and promised him that I will fast or stop doing these things for 30 days. At the end of each day, i must remain accountable to the lord and ask for his help, seeking spiritual strength. I know this will help change my nature, not just my behavior. THis is exercising the principle of the gospel and using the powers of the atonement. It's already been a challenge. Some days have been hard. ANd I feel Like i'm back at square one. BUt I have noticed a change in myself so far. and its a working progress. I also read the talk in this months ensign on the anti nephi lehi's. if you haven't read it yet, i highly suggest so! then you'll understand me more. but its my favorite story in the book of mormon. sooo many things to learn from them. I've actually been telling myself everyday, my past is redeemed, my present makes sense (focusing on now) and my future is secure. having faith in the lord. That's from president eyring's fellowship of the unashamed. 

I love ya'll so much! happy birthday to hans this week!! love and miss ya.

love, sister hulme

Update from Georgie 3/9/15

Hey ya'll:)

Transfer week is forever long! it was hard to say goodbye to sister childs, but we'll see each other again soon. Transfers always bring with it new changes, new beginnings, but its good:) i've come to love change. my new companion is sister Beckstrom, fresh on her mission, and just a fireball as ever! SHe is from tooele utah. 

 We've seen alot of great things from this past week, definitely alot of hard work. We even enjoyed a wonderful baptism to top everything off! 

Ginger's baptism was probably the greatest turnout I've seen, so much love and support from many her age and friends. There was so much help from the ward and it was a great experience for everyone. I was really determined to invite some investigators to come to the baptism, unfortunately none of them could make it. I was a little disappointed they couldn't come because it was a wonderful baptism, but end of the day I was still on cloud nine:)

We had another good lesson with Sandy. She made sure to tell us from the start that she wasn't interested in converting, but she really loves the visits we share. She hasn't read from the book of mormon. toward the end of the visit she told us that her neighbor gave her some printed resources on our religion, and I think that's what holding her back from sincerely searching. We told her the information was false and she needs to take the invitation to read the true source, the book of mormon itself. We can discern truth by the fruits of the spirit, and we shared the scripture from Alma 32 on planting the seed, or the word of god, with faith. And if its good, it will give us enlightenment, knowledge, basically a good feeling of coming closer to christ. In that moment we asked how she felt, and she replied that she agrees, and we said this is the spirit testifying of the truth. I really liked your response of just telling her to "come and see", like elder bednar's talk. AT the end she said she's searching for hope, so we looked in the index of the book of mormon on hope and invited her to read the scriptures on that, and pray about it. Her lessons are always so powerful and the spirit so strong. THe only thing holding her back is her fear, fear of getting hurt, or losing something. But what does she got to lose just by experimenting? SHe'll only gain what she's looking for in return. We're trying to help her replace fear with faith, and i fully believe she will act through love. She needs so much love and support from the members, and she wants to feel like she belongs. This will take time as we help her build relationships with the members. 

We found a part member family who is letting us come teach them now. THey are active, the wife is a nonmember. She explained to us that if she were to ever get baptized it would be this church, she just isn't ready for commitment yet, she has some things she needs to work on. But we're excited to start teaching the family and see where it goes!! 

Things with sister Beckstrom are going good. It was definitely a change from Sister Childs! I love and miss her dearly. SIs Beckstrom has some anxiety issues so sometimes that's a challenge. It's been a little hard to read her, so I try to love and serve her in anyway I can. Maybe that will help ease the stress. Ha pretty sure i've never seen anyone so exhausted as her. Kind of breaks my heart, but there's alot of work to do, and there isn't alot of time to slack, its been hard for her to adjust to the schedule. Sis Beckstrom is a hard worker. She's exactly what I've been needing my last 6 weeks. She's very determined and likes to stay focused. Being flexible and patient is a bit of a struggle. But she's s quick learner and will adjust eventually. Ha she's not afraid to be bold! but i have to remind her to be loving too. Maybe that's where we balance each other out. Something a mission teaches ya is how to adjust with different personalities and love others despite differences. 

WEll I love and miss each of you dearly!! I will try  to write everyone soon that I need to. sorry i've been out of stamps, post office is forever adn a day away! BUt i would still love to hear from everyone! 

Love, SIster Hulme