Sweeter is the Work

I think I'm starting to adjust to my new area. Someone told me that it

takes six weeks to adjust to something new which is ridiculous because

that's a whole transfer! I could be in a new area by then. It's been a

little tougher to adjust to this area than it was to adjust to

Bartlett, but it's getting better! I'm learning to love it and praying

for charity every day. The ward is great and so are the people. Not

bad, just different. We've seen some cool miracles this week. On

Tuesday we had a meeting for President and Sister Hansen to introduce

themselves and instruct. Man, it was a great meeting. They are so fun

and involved. They care so much about us all and are just ready to do

whatever they are asked. Presidents instruction was so good. He talked

about how his favorite thing is knocking doors. I was able to relate

in that aspect. I love talking to people and not knowing what the heck

is going to happen from door to door, especially here in the South.

Anyways, President told us a story about an experience he and his

companion had while serving in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He said that they

hadn't been finding anyone new to teach for a few weeks. One day he

and his companion made a covenant with the Lord that they would not

return to their apartment until they found a family to teach (that

included skipping lunch and dinner if necessary). They knocked doors

all afternoon and into the evening with no luck. They decided to stop

by a grocery store and bought some ice cream sandwiches. When they

left the store they saw a family pull up next to their car. They ended

up sharing their ice cream sandwiches with the father and kids while

the mom went into the store. They ended up teaching and baptizing that

family. I was so inspired by his story, specifically the part about

making such a direct and faithful promise to the Lord. Sister Lange

and I felt strongly that we should follow the same pattern that day.

We prayed and pondered about different streets that we could go to to

find someone to teach. We felt the spirit confirm a street to us and

we made plans to go there that evening. We covenanted with the Lord

that we would knock every single house on that street, and we did. I

think God sent us to that street for more reasons than one and the

first being that it was the most difficult finding experience of my

mission so far. If you can think of a religion, there was a member of

that church on this street. We were torn apart and shut down by person

after person. We had a lot of "sweet is the work" moments. I even

started to tear up a little bit after leaving the house of a couple

who maliciously attacked some of our sacred and treasured beliefs.

However, despite the adversity we keep walking and we kept knocking. A

few houses before the end of the street we met a sweet brother and

sister who were interested in the Book of Mormon and in having us

return to teach them. We have an appointment scheduled with them for

tonight. I'm thankful that we kept our end of the deal and were able

to see the Lord do the same. "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be

also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and

on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels

round about you, to bear you up" (D&C 84:88). President Hansen ended

his instruction by saying, "my goal is that not one single person who

the Lord has prepared for us, goes unfound. If that number is 1000,

glory be to God. If that number is 10, glory be to God; there is no

difference". He's a powerhouse and I'm thankful to have him. I've been

blessed with the two best mission Presidents. We had a great day

yesterday also. Our investigator Lawrence came to church!! He brought

his Book of Mormon and stayed for all three hours. We are so excited

to keep teaching him. Last night we were able to see so many miracles

as we worked hard and were in line with Gods schedule. We were in the

right place at the right time to get in contact with a lot of our

investigators and help them progress. We also found a new investigator

to start teaching. She had been found a few months ago by sister Lange

and a previous companion. We knocked on her door and she came outside

with Book of Mormon in hand ready to talk about it. She asked about

its origin and significance and we were able to teach and testify of

both. She then shared with us that she was struggling with the loss of

a family friend. Sister Lange shared Mosiah 16:7-9 with her which

says, "And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the

bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death

should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection. But there

is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting

of death is swallowed up in Christ. He is the light and the life of

the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened;

yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more

death". She was so impressed with our knowledge and understand of the

word of God. I'm thankful that in this mission, we learn to know the

scriptures. As we continued talking with her, she briefly and randomly

mentioned that she is American Indian. The spirit hit me like a ton of

bricks. I said, "did you say that you're Native American?". She said

yes. The spirit inspired me to testify to her that the Book of Mormon

is a record of her people. We have a return appointment scheduled with

her for Thursday. I'm thankful that I've read the Book of Mormon and

that by the power of the Holy Ghost I've come to know of its

truthfulness (Moroni 10:5). I want it to fill the world!!!! A few of

the best things about missionary work are the work itself, the spirit,

seeing people's lives change, inviting people to read the Book of

Mormon, and testifying at every opportunity. I love being a missionary

and I'm thankful for all of the mistakes, trails, blessings, answers,

revelations, and experiences that have led me here. The church of

Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living church

on the earth. The Book of Mormon is scripture and it testifies of

Jesus Christ. God, the Eternal Father, lives. Jesus Christ is His son.

It is only in and through Him that we are saved, after all that we can

do (2 Nephi 25:23). The spirit of truth will lead us to all truth and

testify of Christ (John 15:26). Happy Monday. Mucho love.

Sister Bailey Guthrie

905 Kierre Dr.

North Little Rock, AR 72116

Beautiful companion

Someone in Glenwood drew a map of the entire Book of Mormon #lit

Shout out to my friend Steph who baptized the crap out of Glenwood, AR

a couple years ago

Trust God

Kaitlyn and Caleb who we were teaching in Bartlett got baptized last week!! So proud of them