Sister Whittaker’s 72nd Week

October 19, 2015

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Hello friends and family,

What a busy week it has been. We went from no work to being too busy and not having enough time to eat. We saw all kinds of miracles and found all kinds of new investigators. We have some great new people we found that we are teaching.
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Well, this week we got completely lost on our way to our investigators home. They live in a small village and we got off at the wrong bus stop so we had to walk forever, and we were in the middle of nowhere. Finally, after we were 2 hours late, we made it to the program. Our investigator couldn’t help but laugh, but at least we could make the excuse of being two, clueless American girls. She was so nice and it was a great program. She fed us waffles with Nutella and after that we just forgot to eat because we were running around.
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Last week, a women showed up to church with her Mormon friend and asked if we could set up with us and meet. We were able to meet with her and answer all her questions. In our program we got to know her and she just talked about what she has experienced in her life. It has been very hard for her. As we sat there and listened, she just started to cry. She mentioned how strong she feels she needs to be for her family. Her story was so sad and she has to work two jobs just to make ends meet. She said the reason she came on Sunday was to gain at least some strength. Sister Withers and I bore our testimonies and told her that she was in the right place. I know Heavenly Father sent her to hear our special message which can give us strength and hope for a brighter day. It can give us peace and comfort and a friend, greater than all, Jesus Christ who suffered, bled and died because he loved us. God knew it wouldn’t be easy, he knew there would be times when we feel so alone and afraid. He loves us more than we could ever imagine, and he sent his only begotten son to heal us and save us. Heavenly Father is waiting for us with open arms, and a merciful heart. She really is so special and so real and honest. I love her.
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It was such an eventful week! We had great programs and met with great people. We were able to get all kinds of numbers and pass out 6 Book of Mormons on the street. People are so willing to set up and meet its amazing. Honestly, so many miracles that we have seen and the work is really picking up. I am so grateful to be here with Sister Withers. She is so positive, fun and hardworking. We are having the best time and meeting all kinds of wonderful people. It was a great week filled with all kinds of programs and new investigators.
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I love you all and I want to thank you for all your love and support.  I hope you have a great week. Be safe and God bless.
Sok Szeretettel, Whittaker Nővér
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Sister Whittaker’s 71st Week

October 12, 2015

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Hello Friends and Family, 

What a wonderful week it has been. On Wednesday, we went up for transfers to meet the missionaries new to the country. They held a meeting for the trainers, and we had a great training provided by the APs. Then we were able to meet our new greenys. I’m the luckiest out of them all, because I get to serve with Sister Withers. She is from Alpine, Utah. She is the sweetest, happiest person with the best attitude. It is a joy to be with her and serve with her. I couldn’t have asked for a better last transfer on my mission.

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Since having been whitewashed into Szolnok, Sister Withers and I had no idea where we were going. We got to the train station in Szolnok around 8 oclock at night and we were completely far from our apartment. There was no elevator, we had too much luggage to carry and we had to carry each piece of luggage one by one up the stairs. I was dying. I was asking everyone for directions. We were waiting at the bus stop and a bus comes that I didn’t know and everyone gets on. Everyone is staring at us telling us something, and luckily if they didn’t say anything for us to get on, we would have been stranded. It was the last bus of the day. This guy was nice and helped us with all our luggage and just chuckled the whole time because of how lost and silly we looked. haha. We finally made it home in one piece and had to take our luggage up five more flights of stairs. Sister Withers kept the biggest smile on her face loving every little moment. We slept reaaaal good. The next morning my arms were so sore! haha.

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There isn’t a lot of work in Szolnok, so pretty much we have been doing a lot of finding all day long and we have been successful as well. When we got here we only had only 2 investigators. I think back to when I was a greeny, terrified to talk anybody, and Sister Withers is doing the complete opposite. She is doing incredible and speaks so well. I feel so happy and great because we are being obedient, we work so hard and we have the strongest desires to do our best. I am not even thinking about home or what I miss. I doesn’t even feel like I am going home so soon. I love it here, and I love being with my new companion. I was afraid to be a trainer, move to a new area and whitewash the area, but I know this isn’t just me that is doing it. We met the ward on Sunday and they are great and so loving! I have met a lot of them throughout my mission, so it’s really fun to see them all again. What is sad is only like 25 people come to church here, so we will try to fix that. We saw all kinds of miracles this week! We got a few numbers, gave away at least 6 Book of Mormons and had a lot of great conversations about the gospel. Szolnok really is a great place and we went from 0 people to 15 programs next week!! We are getting somewhere!!! So we are excited to see what it brings. We are looking forward to the many adventures ahead.
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I just want you all to know that I love this Gospel. Truly, it has brought me such great happiness. There really is no better time, then to push the world away and focus on what is most important. The Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is so precious.

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I hope you all have a great week!

Sok szeretettel,
Whittaker Nővér

Sister Whittaker’s 70th Week

October 6, 2015

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What a wonderful transfer it has been here in Kecskemét serving with Sister Sholly. I never want this special time to end, but God has called me for something else. Sadly, my time here is done. I have met the most incredible people, saw all kinds of miracles and grew in ways I never thought I would. I can’t thank Sister Sholly enough for her love and example. For being the most hand working, dedicated missionary I know. I love you Sadee Ann Sholly. I’m on to my next adventure to Szolnok getting a new missionary, fresh in the country. 

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Conference couldn’t have been better. Our American friend, Donna let us watch conference at her house in english. We brought ice cream, brownies and made a party out of it. Conference was filled with the importance of family and that families are eternal and I am so grateful for that knowledge. I love and adore my family, I’m so grateful I can be with them forever. I just found out that a dear friend of our family passed away tragically. Life is so precious and we should never lose sight of what is most important in our lives. Think about the last time you gave someone a hug or told them you loved them. Life is just too short.
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I love you all. Thank you for all your love and support. Thank you for your prayers in my behalf. I hope you all have a great week. God bless!
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Love, Whittaker Nővér

Sister Whittaker’s 69th Week

September 28, 2015

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This week was quite a busy week with zone conference, planning and splits. We found out on Saturday we had two days to plan our training for zone conference. I think Sister Sholly and I experienced what I think Joseph Smith meant by “pure intelligence flowing into you” and “sudden strokes of ideas” from the Spirit. I know that with the little time we had to plan, the spirit was guiding us on what we needed to say to help the missionaries.

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After our splits this week with the Szolnok sisters, we didn’t have much luck talking with people or giving away Book of Mormons, especially in the rain and cold. Hungarians are never in the mood to talk. Our spirits were feeling a bit down, but we kept going. I stopped a women on the street and we had a great conversation. I was able to testify and give her a Book of Mormon. Today, we met again and she told us that she felt it wasn’t a coincidence that we met. She said “that day we met, I usually shop at the Cope, but that day I just felt I should go a different way, I don’t know why.. but that is when I ran into you!” I know God knows us, and knows exactly what we need.
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While we were walking out in the rain, we hear someone yell, “Sisters!” We turn to look and it was Zita, our investigator that disappeared and we weren’t able to get a hold of her. She turned her car around, got out and gave us the biggest hug. Yesterday we were able to meet with her and that special spirit was there. They are back!
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This week we watched the Joseph Smith movie with our investigator. Even after the sixth time watching it, tears still came to my eyes. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that through God’s power he was able to translate the Book of Mormon. I know he was willing to die for it rather than deny the truthfulness of it.
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You see so many lives change on your mission because of the gospel. I know it is true.
Well, time to get back to work! I love you all. I hope you have a wonderful week, God bless.
All my love, Whittaker Nővér
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