Dalllas Letter 4/25/16

Hey

This week has been packed with fun and spiritual experiences! We, as a zone, went to a service project called the Clean Extreme. Sister Gallegos sent you a picture of Sister Pielstick and I painting the Lake Elsinore Library. I was able to be in a library for about 6 hours which was amazing and not only that but I was allowed to paint.

   

Then we had Multi-zones! The focus of the meeting was how we can teach simply. Here are three things that stood out to me:

1. When you invite to do C.P.R ask it by simply "will you"(Church, Prayer, and Reading)
2. You must teach with the Book of Mormon to change the hearts of men (object lesson was to take a ball and hold it with one hand. Each of your fingers in your hand represents a tool we study to teach.Thumb: BofM, pointer: Bible, middle: Preach My Gospel, ring: 12 week, and pinky: Missionary library like Jesus the Christ and True to the Faith. If you use everything but the Book of Mormon you cannot teach with power to change the hearts of men.)
3. Then rely on the Spirit to direct you on what to say

 A spiritual experience this week was visiting Kim. We shared the Hallelujah video and asked her what stood out to her. Through many tears, she said that she was amazed at the love that Christ had for her because He was so willing to suffer and die for her. After she testifed of Jesus Christ, we felt prompted to sing I Stand All Amazed to her. The spirit was so strong (even though I felt bad for her ears in my case) it was a tender moment. Kim kept calling us angels which touched my heart even though I am far from an angel.

Love 

Sister Ogden

Dallas Letter 4/18/16

Hey,

   

This week was crazy because since I am companions with an STL I had to workaround exchanges both in my area and out. When I was in my area, we were able to pick up three new investigators! One of them Bonu! Bonu is from Pakistan and she is so cute! We showed her the Follow Him video and she cried when the little girl jumped over the puddle. She told us that she felt like the little girl by coming here. She pulled at my heart strings

   

Hermana Fabian

Then Hermana Fabian and I taught Grant the Word of Wisdom by video games! I asked him what was his favorite character and why? What strengths do they have and so forth? Don't ask me what his favorite character was but when I flipped his character to himself it made sense to him. The huge list of things that helps his character to be strong was ridiculous compared to the small list that Heavenly Father has given us. The Gospel is simple and beautiful.  Super fun lesson! (Thought of you Colton) 

   

We had a service opportunity to help a 5k/10k run for Lake Elsinore! I was in charge to cheer people at the finish line and to take the magnets from their number. It was fun to be a support to someone physically rather than spiritually. In mission work we cheer on people spiritually to help them run or walk towards Christ. It is hard work but so worth it!

    

Hermana Fabian is going to be my second companion this transfer because both of our companions are STL. Friday I was able to go to Spanish land! The funniest part of that day was that this old lady at dinner kept speaking to me in Spanish even though everyone told her that I only speak a little. I could understand her asking me over and over again if I was cold but no matter how many times I told her no, she would ask again. She even tried to give me one of her bracelets.

All the Sisters in our Zone on a field trip to DeJong's Dairy

Love Ya

Sister Ogden

Dallas Letter 4/4/16

Hello everyone,

 

This week I felt like a tour guide for Sister Pielstick of Wildomar but missionary style. While I was giving the tour around the place we were four new investigators named Clayton, Clay, Alicia, and Mikki! Like what President Monson said in General Conference that  "The choices we make, determine our Destiny". I believe that is the same case for our investigators that by walking down a certain street we would meet them and share a message that would change their hearts.

   

Today Sister Pielstick and I rode our bikes around Lake Elsinore which is by our apartments. We rode for 5 miles with a detour for pictures. Down part of the trip was that I got a bug in my eye which I could not get out til a nice lady named Carmel came to my rescue. She was a funny 63 black lady that not only came to my rescue for my eye but also to take pictures of us. You should always be ready to help others as was mentioned in General Conference.

Sister Pielstick and I have had so much fun doing the Lords work out here! I was scared When Sister Greeff left because this would be the first time that I am the one that knows everything about the area. Looking back on how this week went showed to me that I know the area and the people. I just pray that I can help her learn what I know! That's the hard part

   

Sister Pielstick is an STL.  They are sisters that like district leaders that go on exchanges with others sisters and help President Mullen to help us sister be the best missionaries we can be. I am still learning what her role is but that what in general they do.

 

Conference was amazing and it was cool to be with Sister Pielstick again for it. I loved all the talks but only three truly touched my heart! It was President Monson, President Ucthdorf, and Elder Holland and like you I want to study them again. I definitely needed to hear what these three men said but also the others because was it revelation that I needed to know how to improve and what I need to learn for my investigators.  

Aysha,

Wow congrats on the games and it sounds like you are having a party down there! I loved conference too! I definitely needed the extra spiritual strength that comes from hearing them. My favorites was President Monson, President Ucthdorf, and Elder Holland. This week has been full of fun adventures but what has made it a blast if finding those that God has prepared us to meet. It amazes me that people can live their lives without knowing the light of Christ. Aysha cherish the light that God has given you. It is a gift from Him because HE loves you and you did something amazing before here to earn the Gospel in your life. Love you and Keep your light a flamed!

I love you guys!

Sister Ogden

Dallas Letters 3/28/16

Howdy,

   

Thank you for all the pictures you have sent! You all are so beautiful and handsome! Sorry for how vague last weeks letter was. The reason for that was helping Sister Greeff prepare to go home this week. It's weird to think that tomorrow my companion will be home. I am staying in Wildomar but my new companion is Sister Pielstick!!!!! My MTC companion! She is an STL now (sister training leader) which means that when they are on exchanges with the other sisters, I will be going to Spanish land more often.

   

This week was so much fun going out and talking to everyone outside about Christ. Probably the weirdest contact of this week was that we were given a tour of an old RV being remodel by an older couple. When you are a missionary you get in the most awkward and weird situations but they sure make us laugh afterwards. I found a cool house this week that has all these military cars and I thought of you guys! Easter was like a normal day (since everyday is centered on Christ by doing His work) but for dinner we had steaks!!!!! They were not like dad's but they were super good! Based on the emails I received, your Easter was amazing! Happy Late Birthday Aysha again!

   

Samaniego Family who had us over for Easter!

Now I have heard many different opinions but what did you guys think of the new  Batman/ Superman movie? Just curious! I have to go help Sister Greeff leave but I want to tell you guys that I love you and pray for you guys everyday! This next transfer is going to be fun with Sister Pielstick and I am so excited to be out here doing the Lord's Work!

Love Sister Ogden

Mom,

   

I am glad that the picture that was sent to you was good! I was not able to see if it met my standards. Wow I will keep Papa in my prayers and can you please tell him and granny that I love them. 

 

I actually have been thinking the same thing of what it would be like to meet the Savior. I think I will remember what it was like to know Him before here and I think that when I return I will remember all the times He has been with me here. In Relief of Society last week we had a lesson on the Atonement. She said something that I loved which was that "Everyone meets Christ in Gethsemane" (Sister Dalebout) which is true! Then Women Conference was super good! It was cool how the main theme was about service and Christ like Love. I definitely needed to listen to those speakers because I can do this work with Christ's love and be willing to serve everyone on the mission. 

 

Sister Greeff is leaving today which is weird! I am sad because she has taught me so much about the Gospel but also of myself. I think He sent me to be with her so that I could learn and grow. This week a fellow sister was having knee problems to the point she was sent home. Since I had my experience with knees, I was able to give her advice which definitely helped. There is a reason for everything because God is not random. He has a plan for everything!  The work here is kinda slow all our investigators are not progressing or they are moving a snails pace. Only time can tell but Bear from my last area is going to be baptized which I am excited to go back for! I love you mom and pray for you and the family everyday! Love you to pieces

Barnett family

Love

Sister Ogden

Dallas Letter 3/21/16

Hey Ogdens,

                            

Happy Early Easter!

 

This week has been crazy! We picked up two new investigators named Nick and Vivian! They are super cool and I cannot wait to share the Gospel with them! Then we went to this Persian restaurant called Kin Kabob that we have been eyeing since we got out here. More me then Sister Greeff! I got lamb which was weird to Sister Greeff but I converted her. After it had rained last week, there were these gorgeous purple flowers everywhere which makes it feel more springish then desert. Sorry that this is short but my time was shorten because of playing beach volleyball! Love you guys so much!

Happy Birthday!!!!!!

   

Happy Birthday my little sister (Aysha)! You are growing into a beautiful soccer player and a beautiful daughter of God! I am sending this early so that you can read now and especially on your birthday. I love you so much and wish that I could be there but I will. I will be there through the sunshine or rain (I don't know which) but I will be there. (I don't which country song that I am trying to copy but you know it) Keep climbing higher in everything you do and never look back! Shoot for the stars and to God!

Happy Birthday again!

Love Sister Ogden  

Dallas Letter 3/14/16

Hey family,

   

This week has been tough but awesome! Every other day it is raining here which makes it fun and interesting to do the Lord's work. We having been tracking on the days it rains! Then to add on the adventure of the rain, we have experienced close calls with mean looking dogs. We have been saved by knights of UPS and a random lady. They distracted the dogs from eating us. Probably more me since I have more meat to me! God protects me in the weirdest ways but He does.

   

The work was slow but we were able to work with less actives a lot this week, one of them being Brother ___. Brother ___ and his wife suffer many health problems that prevent them from coming to church. We both felt prompted to go and stop by which was good that we did. He was at a very low point and need to know that God knows what he is going through. The spirit was so strong to the point that on Sunday he came to church. The spirit is real and when the spirit is within us, it strengthens us to do the things God would have us do! Follow the spirit no matter how weird or random it is because God is giving you an opportunity to do his work.

Love you guys and have fun for the rest of your break!

Sister Ogden

Dallas Letter 3/7/16

Hey Family,

 

This week has been everywhere and I don't know how I can tell all the cool things that have happened. First was that President Mullen told us this week that "we are never there for no reason, God sends us to places for a reason". We were able to see that twice and we were blessed to find two new investigators! The first was that the appointment we had was not there, so we decided to go walk and talk to people outside. Daniel was outside and latter was taught the Restoration! Then we were suppose to meet another investigator but instead met Carlos. God works in mysteries way!

 

God may be using you right now for some reason that you may not know! Just pray that you can see it and pray to know what you need to do.

 

We were able to see the NEW EASTER VIDEO!!!! Oh my goodness it is soooo good and I cannot wait for you guys to see it! The video is called Hallelujah and it comes out on March 13! I am so excited to share it with everyone because it touched my heart so much. All I want to do is sing Hallelujah! Another thing that we as a mission are doing, in preparation for Easter, was to read 20 chapters that Elder Holland picked out about the Atonement. 

   

One of the things that I have learned from reading some of the chapters was that Christ can never forget us. We may feel that we are alone but because of the sacrifice that He did, He knows everything. He knows how best to lift us up and carry us back to our Heavenly Father. I LOVE THE ATONEMENT!

   

Then Sister Greeff and I walked to Lake Elsinore for our exercise one morning. It was so much fun and I even got to touch it! That is what the pictures are about because it is a tradition to touch the lake. Now it's mine to if I stay to carry on the tradition. 

Love you bunches

Sister Ogden