Hermana Schmidt Week 73 Letter 02/15/16

From: Nicole Schmidt [mailto:nicole.schmidt@myldsmail.net]
Sent: 02/15/2016 11:16 AM
Subject: 37 Missed Calls from the Zone Leaders

Hola a todos! :) 

Oh my goodness this week was AMAZING! What an incredible way to start off this transfer. My companion, sister shaw, is just the best and has taught me SO much. :) 

So to start off the transfer right (lol) here's the story to my title. So, on our way home I didn't realize that our phone was on silent. We were talking and talking and talking on the bus to La Romana and on the taxi home and in home about everything. Well, me being not as responsable as I should have with checking the phone, just kept talking without checking it for (3 hours) a little while. Well... in the middle of our conversation there was a loud knock on our door. I answer it (in our PJ's since it was time to start getting ready for bed) and standing there are our Zone Leaders and our bishop. I was so confused and ridiculously thought they were there for a house check so the first thing I said was, ''Hey why did you not call???'' And the bishop said, ''Did you lose your phone or something??'' I said, ''No...'' and went and grabbed it. Let's just say I will not be telling any of you how many missed calls we also had from the District Leader and bishop... but you can know we did have 37 from the Zone Leaders... I was very embarrassed. Thankfully they took it well, but one of the Zone Leaders is a new zone leader and I think we about killed the poor guy... first night as a zone leader and he's already frantically searching for missionaries. 

But on a more serious, responsable, i've been in the mission long enough to know how to be a missionary kind of side of the things.. The work was rolling this week. :) 

Our most progressing investigator is Sabrina. She is the woman I mentioned last week that was just so prepared and accepted a date. Well it's pretty clear that her husband won't be baptized next week just because he was gone on a work trip for a week and a half. BUT she is still up for it. She just has to get married, which we are shooting to set a date with her for that on Saturday (that's right, this saturday!). During our lesson we taught all of the restoration and at the end I said, ''Do you believe all that we have shared with you today?'' she teared up and said, ''Yes, I know the church is true.'' And in her closing prayer she said, ''Thank you Heavenly father for showing me today that the church is true.'' It was glorious. I know it's true too!! 

Hermana Shaw and I started trying to contact people by serving them. We just kept trying to look out for people who looked like they needed help. One woman we helped was like, ''I think a church should have standards. And not baptize children. And not support drinking alcohol. And have to be married legally.'' and we were like... UM YES.. ours! And she was amazed by all that the church had and accepted the invitation to be baptized. I think that there is something really special about serving, and then inviting that brings the spirit really strong! 

We had a miracle this week with our ward. The bishop was really worried about the attendance and so together we all thought of an idea to give out 3 invitations to each member to give out to Less actives and non members. The results were huge! We had the most attendance we've had in MONTHS! It was just cool to see how teamwork really brings about miracles. 

This week I also had my last big Zone Conference with President Corbitt. (It's when a couple of zones have a big training meeting/spiritual meeting, it's cool). Hermana Hinrichsen who is also going home with me, and I, did a musical number of ''Be Still my Soul'' on the piano and violin. It was a great way to have my last one! I'm so grateful for little opportunities like that. 

Everything is good here in La romana. We are working hard, sweating lots, smiling tons, and on our knees like madwoman, running around finding new people and trying out new techniques, and it's joyous :) I just love it!! There's nothin' better. :) 

Thanks for all of your love and support. I have NO doubts that this is the perfect church of Jesus Christ! I know that the Priesthood is a real power that really does bless our eternities. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and I know that the true, lasting, joy that we all seek comes from the Savior and his Gospel. I know Christ lives. I know He will ALWAYS be there for us! I just love Him.

Hurrah for Israel!! :)

-Hermana Schmidt 

Hermana Schmidt and Hermana Shaw

Meeting Hermana Shaw

Transfer Day 1

Transfer Day 2

Transfer Day 3 with Elders and Suitcases

Hermana Schmidt Week 72 Letter 02/08/16

From: Nicole Schmidt [mailto:nicole.schmidt@myldsmail.net]
Sent: 02/08/2016 11:19 AM
Subject: Who knew cleaning up cigarettes would be such a spiritual experience??

Hola a todos!! 

Happy birthday to Marissa my sister in law! :) I hope it's a great one! 

To start off we found out the next transfer news (I say next to not focus on the fact that it's my last, but everyone already knows that... haha) and I will be staying in LA ROMANA! :) And I will be training a new STL-- Hermana Shaw! Okay, so funny story. My mom had actually talked to Hermana Shaw before her mission and later on told me about it and said, ''who knows maybe you will train her''. So when president told me the news for this transfer I told him what my mom said and we both agreed that she is an inspired lady. :) (although it wasnt the type of training she thought, she was right on the dot :) ) 

I just found out one of my old investigators, Fidel, from my second area got baptized!! The first time we met him he slammed the door in our face and yelled at us. Little by little he warmed up and soon he started taking the lessons. He changed little by little but kept saying ''i'll go to the mormon church every sunday the rest of my life, but I will never be baptized.'' Isn't it amazing how the Lord can just work miracles in the hearts of people?? It was a joyous announcement to hear! :) 

So this week was just FULL of spiritual edifying experiences. The first being with Rafael. I've written about him and his wife, Rosa, quite a few times and how they were dropping their smoking addiction. Well, they haven't progressed for a while or come to church and my companion and I felt that we needed to drop them for a time to help them decide to act in accordance to their faith (those are some of the hardest decisions a missionary has to make). Well, we went over to explain to them the whole situation and we arrived and Rafael just looked awful. He looked defeated and there were cigarettes EVERYWHERE. I mean, everywhere. On the ground, in the garden, on the patio... just everywhere. And it reaked of smoke. My heart literally sank at the sight of it and I just had the strongest sense of disappointment come over me. I prayed in my mind to know what to say to Rafael in order to help him and to make sure he knew that even though we wouldnt be meeting with him for a time, that we still loved and cared for him.

And in that moment, pure, pure love just FLOODED over me. It was seriously as if, even for a brief moment, God allowed me to see him how God sees him, and to feel how he feels for him. My heart broke even more and I just knew without one shadow of a doubt that he was a beloved son of God. I started teaching him and tears welled in my eyes and I just could barely muster the words out. Eventually we explained why we needed to leave for a time and would wait to continue when they came to church. He seemed very sad, but he was very understanding. We finished the lesson and as we stood up I had an uneasy feeling come over me like ''I gotta do more. I gotta do something more for him. I can't just leave like this.'' Then a huge prompting came to me and it was one of those *well duh* moments from the spirit: 

Clean up the cigarettes.   

So we immediately acted and we asked for garbage bags in order to clean them all up. We filled a good about of a bag and as I was cleaning, I looked over at Rafael and he was just stunned, but beaming, and with tears in his eyes thanked us for the service. I realized that service really is the best way to help another person we can't just be like ''Hey your house is dirty, you should fix that'' True disciples of christ will feel impressed to feel ''Hey their house is dirty, let's see what I can do about that.'' And although I am not perfect at always doing that or following those promptings, I'm grateful that God places in my path person after person to serve and to bless, although I am a very unprofitable servant. The Lord is so good. I think if we had just left telling him he needs to stop smoking without doing much, it would have just been that, empty words and a bitter end. But I could tell it really, really touched Rafael because he promised he would find a way to get to church in the next couple of weeks- which he has never done. I really think it will happen. 

Other than that, we are teaching a new family and the mom has come to church like 5 times but is never home but we finally caught her! We taught her and the first lesson she said, ''So how can I be baptized?? Do I have to become a miamaid and laurel or whatever they were saying about those girls in church today??'' (she's in her 40s haha) and we explained that she didn't and that the process is easy and we gave her a date right then and there for the 27th this month and she said, ''I really want to. But I want to with my husband and daughter.'' And we asked if she had the faith to see that miracle and she said yes. The spirit was so strong and I can just feel that, that entire family will be baptized so soon!! The Lord truly does prepare his elect. 

I love you all and can not express with words how grateful I am for all of your support. Every day, and in every way, my mission has become the best, and even better, and even better, experience of my entire life. And I couldn't do it without the support I receive from all of you. I testify that this is the completely true church of the Lord!! It is his kingdom. Oh, it truly is ''wonderful, wonderful to me.'' I can feel it every day, that angels are around us and guiding us and this is God's mighty work and his mighty truth. I testify that the gospel binds a family together in unity and happiness, in this life and for the eternity. I know that God loves us and LIVES. He will never leave us alone. He truly does see us as how we can become, perfect, glorified beings like he is. I just know it. I know it, I know it, I know it! 

Hurrah for Israel!! Hurrah for missions!! 

-Hermana Schmidt 

Another Goodbye

After organizing

Before organizing

Dead and Alive

Goofing Off

Back to brown hair <3

Invites they handed out

Hermana Schmidt and Hermana Greenstreet

Hermana Schmidt Week 71 Letter 02/01/16

From: Nicole Schmidt [mailto:nicole.schmidt@myldsmail.net]
Sent: 02/01/2016 10:47 AM
Subject: Can I just say, that I am SO happy?! :)

Hola a todos!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADDI GIRL!! 4 YEARS OLD!!!! I can't believe it. :) 

So i'm sorry for the lack of updates the last 2 weeks. My companion got really sick and so there wasn't really much to update on. But, this week we got everything solved. President wanted us to stay in the capital to see some good doctors up there, and they found out what it was and now she has the right medicine and is doing a lot better. 

But while in the capital we had many adventures. 

1: I was the office secretary for a day. That's right. Sister Schmidt, Head Secretary, for 7 hours. (That's the least cool thing ever, but I felt cool answering the phone and saying ''Misión Santo Domingo Este'' Over and over again. :) ) 

2. Leadership Counsel. Our leadership counsel was amazing this month!! We talked a lot about balancing between working hard and being excited for the achievements we have, and being humble. It was a great talk. The sum of it was that we need to recognize that we are children of God, who have the potencial to become like him, and that means hard work. But as children of God we can't do it without Him, as any child needs his father to learn. I always say, ''Humility isn't thinking we are nothing. It's realizing that we can become nothing without God.'' And I really believe that. 

3. Hotel House for 3 nights. That's right. Hot showers. Living the good life. 

4. The tender mercies of the temple. Before the Elders picked us up to take us to the bus stop to La Romana again, we felt that we should stop quick by the temple store. Well while we were waiting at the temple, I heard an ''Hermana Schmidt!!'' And I saw one of the sister missionaries I went on appointments with before my mission (she served in the Provo Utah mission) running towards me. She's dominican and we met through the davis family who had introduced us (shout out to them). I went out with them a lot of times before my mission so it was a huge tender mercy to see her at the temple. That day I was feeling really overwhelmed with trying to help the sisters in La Romana, trying to help my companion with her help, worrying about my investigators from not working very much... I was just on stress overload. But seeing her and having her talk to me about how much the mission meant to her, just spoke so much peace to my mind. The Lord is just so good and truly puts the people that we need to see in our paths!! 

5. After we got home, I was still trying to sort out my feelings and stress and turn it all over to the Lord when I had two thoughts. 1. Study Esther. 2. Study from the Topical guide ''cheer''. 

I loved the story of Esther and how Mordecai says, ''Who knoweth if thou hast come to the kindgom as such a time as this??'' Basically, I take that as: 'the Lord has placed you in this spot during a time of huge opposition for a REASON.' I felt so, so strongly from the spirit that I am where I am supposed to be and when I'm supposed to be there. Comfort rushed over me and I just knew that the Lord is aware of me and that he will sustain and inspire me every step of the way. 

With the word ''cheer'' I found and read DyC 112:4-14. I felt so strongly that we as his representatives are called to fight, morning after morning, and day after day, for his good cause. To raise our voices loud and proud and put our heads high because we are on the BEST team ever--- the Lord's! And we have every single reason in the world to be cheerful, and happy, because He Lives, and He is there with us every step of the way. When we feel down, we have to remember that the Lord WILL lift us. He is the Living God, The Prince of Peace!! I know that He lives. I know it, I know it, I know it.

I love you all!

Hurrah for Israel!! :) 

-Hermana Schmidt 

Hermana Barfuss and Hermana Curtis-saying goodbye

President Corbitt in Leadership Training

I can see why they love this president so much just in these photos

Her true love

Hermana Schmidt Week 70 No Letter 01/25/16

No letter again this week, bummer.  Her poor companion has been ill so she didn’t leave the house at all this week.  She is hoping this will be a better week.  And Happy 16 Months!  Also, I must explain the shirt her companion is wearing.  That was Nikki’s Christmas Gift to her companion that her companion only wears inside.  It is a photo of the scary guy that stalked them for 3 months and even had to be pushed out of their apartment once.  It was not funny then but I guess it is now.

Bunney

Happy 16 months!

Another 16 months

Not happy about 16 months

DR nights

Another DR nights

Full moon

Hermana Schmidt

Hermana Schmidt Week 69 Letter 01/18/16

Below is all we got today, the power was shut off in her area and they finally found a place 30 minutes away from home:

From: Nicole Schmidt [mailto:nicole.schmidt@myldsmail.net]
Sent: 01/18/2016 1:03 PM
Subject: One Sentence Today

I have a lot to do still so I won't have time for a family email, BUT, really the most exciting things that happened were me going to the CAMPO (mountains) for exchanges which were amazing, and eric sosa got the priesthood yesterday! 

Cow + Girl = Cowgirl

Exchanges in the Campo

Burning Garbage in the Campo

Another photo in the campo

Happy Birthday Misty

Hermana Alonzo on exchanges

Hermana Schmidt Week 68 Letter 01/11/16

From: Nicole Schmidt [mailto:nicole.schmidt@myldsmail.net]
Sent: 01/11/2016 11:12 AM
Subject: White Never Looked So Good on Anyone :)

Hola a todos! :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!! Can't believe you're so old ;) 

So this week will be really short, and for that i'm sorry! There isn't a whole lot to update on except of course, the biggest update of all, THE FAMILIA SOSA GOT BAPTIZED!! :) 

The baptism was just perfect. We decided on Tuesday after calling them that we could throw it together quickly, and they didn't want to wait, so we decided to throw it all together in 4 days. I swear the Lord helped us do so because it was a LOT of work, but so many people came and supported them it was absolutely beautiful. All baptisms are very special, but ''family'' baptisms are just beyond words! 

They were so happy, and seriously just glowing. I teared up so many times during that baptism, I couldn't believe how happy I was! I've never been happier in my whole mission.

Other than that, Nayua is doing well. She came to church again and is going to go to Mutual this friday. She's just golden and so excited to be baptized. We are just really working with her mom so they  can be baptized together! We are hoping Sister Sosa ( :D ) can help us with making her feel more excited about the gospel. 

That's the biggest updates, other than that we had president interviews, little exchanges, and lots of finding with members. I'm sure this next week there will be a lot more to report because we just found some new promising people. 

I love you all! Thanks for everything! :)

Hurrah for Israel! :)

-Hermana Schmidt 

Baptism of La Familia Sosa

Cleaning the Font

Happy Birthday to her dad

Baptism of La Familia Sosa

Baptism of La Familia Sosa Another one

Baptism of La Familia Sosa

Baptism of La Familia Sosa with group

Announcement of baptism

Selfie in the font

Hermana Schmidt Week 67 Letter 01/04/16

From: Nicole Schmidt [mailto:nicole.schmidt@myldsmail.net] 

Sent: 01/04/2016 11:43 AM
Subject: Big Blisters Never Felt SO Good!

Hola a todos! 

So this week was like my ''consecration'' week. My goal was that I tried to completely focus my thoughts and words on the savior and his work, and it was SO amazing. I decided that I was going to just give it all over to the Lord this week, every little bit that I could. I also tried to focus all of my studies on the Lord Jesus Christ, who he was before this life, who he was while he was here, and who he is now. And how I can become more like him! I can honestly say I haven't had a more richer-filled spiritually high week as this one my entire mission. The Lord is just so wonderful! 

One thing that helped with the whole consecration thing is that we felt inspired to change our focus as a zone, and instead of numbers, we are focusing on names, and giving every ''number'' (how many baptisms we want to have) and putting names to every single one. We are also basing our goals around people, and not so much on the numbers. That's one big difference this transfer and it's already making me truly lose myself in the WORK and in LOVING the people, and truly being motivated to help others to have the rich blessings of the gospel in their lives. We've already seen huge miracles! 

So as an update la familia sosa will be getting baptized in the next couple of weeks and are doing good. They are still out of town but they are just golden. So, so prepared! 

We have been teaching this 13 year old named Nayua and her mom, Yahaira. They are from the states but have lived in the DR for a long time, so we normally teach in spanglish. We haven't been able to see them for a while due to meetings and their schedule being crazy from Christmas time, but we finally got to see them this week, and it was AMAZING. Nayua is SO smart and so mature for being only 13 and is helping her mom to embrace the gospel as much as she is. We taught them baptism this week and they both accepted their dates for February 14th. Their biggest hardship has been coming to church, and we went by to pick them up yesterday and they were sleeping and we were like... blast... looks like they aren't coming again. But then, later into sacrament meeting, they walked in!! I almost started crying from joy! Nayua is so excited for the gospel that when I told her she could download the scriptures on her phone it was as if I told her she just won a million dollars... haha. Her jaw literally dropped! They are wonderful. 

We were also about to leave with a member, and he was outside of his house with his friend Anibal playing basketball. When we showed up to the house to leave the member introduced us to Anibal and I said, ''Hey, if I make a basket, will you come to church?'' He agreed and said, ''you have 3 chances.'' The first shot... it was a disaster. A year without basketball has been rough let's just say.... but the 2nd shot I think angels moved the ball inorder to make it in because it was SO off... haha. And so he said he would come, and not like I didn't have faith... but I didn't 100% believe him. But there he was, early to church, nice shirt and all! So that was cool, and we are going to start teaching him and his whole family tomorrow! 

I'm going to write this quick and little but two guys on a motorcycle tried stealing my bag again like last year, but they didn't get anything off of me. And thankfully it was so fast that they didn't hurt me or anything, they just drove by and tried grabbing my bag off my shoulder. Score:  Motorcycle thugs (1) to Hermana Schmidt (1). 

So it's like, everything happened this week but I can't communicate it well. But let me just say that the Lord is opening up huge miracles here in La Romana, and i'm just so grateful to be a small part of it. I couldn't have asked to start up 2016 better. I'm just so happy it's unreal! I feel so lost in the work, and although it results in blisters on my feet, sunburns, dirty clothes ALL the time, cold showers, weird insects, and heart breaking moments... it is more than worth it. The sacrifices are so small compared to the joy I feel from the Lord. I know that i'm here to help others, but I feel that the Lord is helping me more than I could help anyone else. So the little I can do to repay that, is what i'm trying to do. This past year brought with it the BEST of times, and I couldn't be happier. 

The Lord is just too good. Couldn't be more grateful for 2015 in the Dominican Republic. And thank you for all carrying me through it. Your emails, prayers, and letters, have carried me through the hardest of times and helped me to refocus and feel my savior's love over and over again. Thank you, I love you all more than words can say. 

Hurrah for Israel! :) 

-Hermana Schmidt 

Photo I attached of how I fear she will be when we try to bring her home

Happy New Year

Kitten Photo for Maddi

2016 Prediction "When March Comes"

2016 Prediction "When April Comes"

2016 Prediction "When April Comes" Another One

2016 Prediction for Hermana Greenstreet since she is going to BYU-I do