The River Time and Mormon Battalion re-enactment!

 Sis Chizzy does a LOT of driving!

 They got to make apple cider and go apple picking with their ward!

 Sunset!

 For some reason, I can't spin this around, but she loves the beautiful leaves!

 Sister Chizzy and Nuttell got to go help with her ward at a reenactment of the Mormon Battalion. She loved it! They even made a pie in a dutch oven!

In the river behind her she said there were ski boats all over and it about "killed her" to  not jump in and go boating with them...oh the sacrifices of a missionary!!!!!

Sister Chizzy is doing well in her first area, Midland Michigan. She loves the beautiful trees and autumn weather they are having now and is excited to be teaching a LOT. She loves her investigators and was excited to teach a direct descendant of Joseph Smith this past week. She is also teaching some new members and less actives and loves that part of missionary work as well. Her positivity and excitement is contagious in her letters, she is so happy and so full of enthusiasm. We are grateful for her example and her simple but profound testimony of missionary work and especially why she’s a missionary.

On Saturday we had the chance to go to River of Time in Bay city. It's  all  re-enactments of pieces of history. We went with the Hensons, an awesome family in our ward, we got to dress up like pioneers and tell people about the Mormon Battalion!!!  I learned so much about it, so many people don't know anything about it or even that the Mormons help out with it but they really did and they saw and helped so many things happen! It was such an awesome experience it reminded me so much of trek and all the pioneers and everything they did to come west. It definitely took on a new meaning, especially talking with people about how it is part of our history. We had a great time!

The Women's Broadcast was definitely a highlight of the week, I just loved it all. It made me cry, smile and just learn. I loved how much they talked about temples and how important it is like Sister Stevens said, " if you want to give a light to others,  you must glow yourself." It's so true, especially as a missionary. Our lives are so different than anyone elses, this week I noticed even more how being set apart as a missionary is literally being set apart from the world. It's the coolest thing. I am learning so much about the gospel, so much about the restored gospel, so much about people and their beliefs, so much about myself, my strengths my weaknesses and most importantly so much about my Savior, Jesus Christ and my Father in heaven. 

Friday was finding day! We found 4 families that all wanted us to come back, and I don't know what finding usually is like but Sis Nuttall was in shock that so many wanted us back. We are excited for this week to go and see them all! They all were such wonderful people and it's going to be great to see them again and help them understand that families are forever! :D Missionary work is seriously awesome!!!! I love it SOOO much! It's definitely been an adjustment but the coolest part is aligning myself with what Heavenly Father wants me to be. It's incredible to see what he is doing with me day by day, I love it! 

Sprained ankle, losing keys, getting lost, a few more adventures!

Sister Chisholm had a good week!
She fell down some stairs and popped and sprained her ankle, lost her keys, got lost out in the country (but it ended up being a blessing!), lost her photo SD card and has been in rain, cold and humidity, but, is still super happy and excited! She says she has taught a bunch of people this week, and is especially excited because even though people may not want to hear the message she is teaching, they are kind to her and they tell her to keep spreading the "good news" she says, "mom, I am meeting so many GOOD people of different faiths, and I love that! It's just like you've always said about the mission field, there are good people everywhere, we need to not judge and just love!"
She says she gets fed almost every night and she loves her ward and the members who are always so willing to go with them to appointments and bring their investigators to church....way to go MICHIGAN!!!!
The fall weather makes her happy as the leaves are all bright orange and red and brown and she is absolutely loving her new "home!" 
Letters of course are always appreciated!

Here are some excerpts from her letter this week!

MOM!!!!! WEEK OF MIRACLES!

Friday was like finding day! We found 4 families that all wanted us to come back, and I don't know what finding usually is like but Sis Nuttall was like in shock that so many wanted us back. We are excited for this week to go and see them all! They all were such wonderful people and it's going to be great to see them again and help them understand that families are forever! :D Missionary work is seriously awesome!!!! I love it SOOO much! It's definitely been an adjustment but the coolest part is aligning myself with what Heavenly Father wants me to be. It's incredible to see what he is doing with me day by day, I love it! 

Saturday was so wonderful we got to go to a baptism his name was Joe he was working with the Elders but he has been investigating for like 4 years and he finally got to be baptized! What a wonderful day it was! President and Sister Jacobson got to come too! That was so great! I love them!!! They are seriously the best ever! So SO awesome! We also got to go to this stake activity and that was really fun too! We got to eat tons and tons of food.. haha as a missionary you start to really love LOVE food especially free food! haha :) It was yummy made me think of our little ward parties at home! haha :D It rains quite a bit, and it's already pretty chilly but mom it is so beautiful!! I will send you pics next week... I may have lost my memory card... :( Luckily I didn't have very many pics on it.. I am buying a new one today and I will send you so many pics! The leaves are seriously incredible!!!!!!! AHH! I love them! And all the Halloween stuff is in the stores makes me think of you! :) 

My last miracle, oh there were just so many I haven't even written them all but the last one I want to talk about is Gene, she is this 63 year old we met yesterday. She let us in and she let us teach her the restoration! It was SO wonderful! She was so receptive were going back to teach her tonight. It's moments like those when I learn so much. I am learning about how simple the gospel is but also how it can completely change lives! The gospel is true, Heavenly Father is there and answers our prayers as long as we turn to him. 

OH! You all should read Alma 18!! It's awesome and I love it we all can be like Ammon in some way or another! haha :) 

Hey everyone!! First off I hope you all are doing good! :) Look for the tender mercies in your lives, you will find some I promise!! 

This week we had so many miracles! Here's a couple to list, 

We met Valerie, she has been taking the lessons for I think about 2 years and wants to be baptized!! We met her on Monday night and she had been meeting with the Sisters but then they left for 6 weeks so now we meet with her a lot and she is progressing! :) She is pretty funny and is making us laugh everyday! 

We met Doug he is a direct descent of Joseph Smith! I will send a pic next week cuz I actually lost my memory card.. but yeah! He is pretty cool, doesn't believe in our church but if he would just pray then I know he would.That was a pretty cool experience he actually let us teach him the first lesson and he was engaged that's always a good sign! 

So probably one of my favorite miracles happened when we were driving to see Doug we got lost out in the country.. here in Midland the country means like 5 minutes out of town.. haha :) But we got lost so we turned into this drive way to turn around and Sis Nuttall is all lets go knock on this door. We both felt we needed to so we did, we knocked no answer, knocked again no answer.. we even knocked another time because we felt like we needed to. Still no answer, we walked over to the side of the house and still no one was there just as we were turning to leave a man came out from the back yard. He looks at us and were like Hi! We are missionaries sent here by a prophet! :) and we started to talk to him, he told us he had a friend die last year and so we taught him the plan of salvation right then and there, he thanked us for coming by and we got his information and are following up with him this week. I can testify to all of you that people everywhere are prepared to hear about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We must be willing to listen to the spirit inside of us and follow the promptings we feel. I am so grateful to be a missionary, but each of us are missionaries! We couldn't do anything here without the members, they are always willing to feed us, and come out with us and give us rides! Missionaries need the members just as much as members need the missionaries! 

I love this gospel and I know it's true! Have a wonderful week! Find the tender mercies in your lives! 

<3 Love Sister Chisholm!! 

MTC and arrival in Michigan!

 First Pictures of Sister Chizzy in the MTC

 Sister Chizzy, our friend Kwin and her companion Sister Koch!

 Her district in the MTC.

 Sister Chiz and Sister Koch after running back to the MTC from the temple in a huge downpour!

 The traditional MTC picture!

A happy arrival and meeting her mission president and his wife. President and Sister Jacobsen, from Springville Utah. A hot air balloon festival she was able to watch and a happy family who got a much anticipated phone call from their girl at the airport!

Sister Chizzy with her trainer, Sister Nuttell, from Fairview Utah. 

September 8th

I learned that if I am prepared to teach a lesson the spirit will guide us, we are not teaching the spirit is teaching. There are SO many things I have learned just being here for 2 weeks. I didn't even know what missionary work was about, and let me tell ya it is wonderful. Sister Koch and I taught out PI which is our teacher pretending to be an investigator from her mission, her name is Brooke and so we were super nervous to teach her, and we had only had about 20 minutes to prepare for the lesson so we said a prayer right before we went in and both of us look at each other and said, we need to help her understand she needs to be cleansed from sin and we want to challenge her to be baptized. We went in and did exactly that. When you can't remember what you said you know the spirit was there! :D So wonderful. I can't describe it in any other words! 

The new sisters in our zone came on Wednesday and they brought such great happy spirits. I love each of them they have all taught me something different just over this past short week and I am grateful for their testimonies. The elders that came are also incredible. Wow missionary work is seriously SO great! Get involved in it at home.. I am telling ya.. it's AWESOME!! haha :) 

Thursday was a blessing! We went to this In-field training thing and it was super long.. from like 8-5:30 at night with only lunch as a break... :O BUT there is a but it answered every question we needed answered about the field. They talked a ton about the members and referrals and how to use the Ward Missionary and we learned about planning, setting goals and everything. It was super helpful and I felt like even though it was so long I learned a ton! Good thing for notebooks.. haha If I didn't write stuff down I wouldn't remember a thing! :) We were asked that day to ponder the question, " am I a burden or a blessing?" and that hit me pretty hard I never want to be a burden to my mission president, my companion, my bishop no one. I want them to be able to rely on me. It's been something I have been praying for all week. :) 

I am continuing to learn that missionary work means WORK! From the minute we are on our knees praying at well about 6:10ish.. haha till we are in bed at 10:30 I am working to invite others to come to Christ. What a wonderful experience to spend 18 months completely devoted to The Lord! It is hard and exhausting and I won't lie I have almost fallen asleep in some of our devotionals one or two times but, I am doing my best and I know that, that is just what he asks for! :) 

Family.. I LOVE you!! Seriously I am so grateful for your examples to me. I wouldn't be where I am right now without such wonderful people to look up to and such wonderful people to be with forever. Families are Forever and I couldn't be more grateful for mine! :) On Saturday during class one of my favorite teachers his name is Brother Nate, which by the way he loves BYU so we the updates on games and stuff.. Dad! :) haha He told us this quote.. "Life is too long to not be enjoyed!" I loved that! I mean think about it we are only here for a little while when we see the grand scheme of things, have fun while we are here and love it. I have LOVED the MTC it has been so hard, so rewarding, so spiritual and I have learned so much! It's going to be great to get to Michigan but I have loved it here as well. I definitely thank my Heavenly Father and my district for that! 

Sunday was my favorite day here by far. I gave over my assignment as Sister Training Leader to one of the new sweet sisters. She will be great and already is taking care of the sisters. They love and look up to her so much! We had mission conference on Sunday and we sang, " We are NOW The Lord's missionaries and we will bring the world his truth." I mean seriously do they want to make me cry?!?! A room full of hundreds of missionaries singing that, wow! Missionary work is so close to my heart and now I wear the badge that holds my saviors name. I am so grateful to be here. Sacrement meeting was incredible, we had fast and testimony meeting and let me tell ya 25 missionaries in one room baring their testimonies that they know that Jesus Christ loves us, that he atoned for us and that he Lives for us, is definitely one of the best things ever. I would say that Sunday next to the day I went through the temple was the most spiritual day of my life so far. Sunday night after a devotional we asked our elders to give us priesthood blessings because Sister Pope, Sister Eisenberger, Elder Graves and Elder Mccain all left Monday afternoon for Austrilia! :) I asked one of the elders in our zone, Elder Sauer, pronounced Sour.. yes... Our district has some weird weird names.. haha :) But I mean Chisholm isn't all that normal either.. :) But I asked  him to give one to me. He had never given on before and it was beautiful. My testimony of Priesthood power has always been strong because of you dad and your spirit but this was definitely a moment that I won't forget. He blessed me to know that my family is praying for me, that they love me and that they will blessed for me serving a mission. He blessed me that I will instantly love the people in Michigan and that they will want to know me because of the spirit that I possess. He blessed me that because of my trials and things I have gone through I will be able to relate to people that others cannot and that they will come to understand and love the gospel. He blessed me to know that even when I am done serving my mission that I will forever be a missionary, that my mission is not over when I am done but that I will continue to invite others to Christ my whole life. He blessed me to know that my knowledge of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will stay with me throughout my time here and for the eternities. It was incredible. I didn't even know what to think after besides that I know The Priesthood is real and that it works. What a wonderful experience for him and for me. I am so grateful for my dad and that he has always had the priesthood and has been worthy to always be there for me. 

As you can tell this week has been fantastic. I leave for Michigan tomorrow morning at 4:30!!! Holy Moly! It's going to be AWESOME!! Oh ps.. Today it decided to pour like literally pour rain.. I don't know if any of you saw it but up here in Provo it was like puddles bigger than Utah lake!!! hahaha :) We had just gotten out of the temple and me and Sister Koch decided to run back to the MTC we were DRENCHED!!! I mean I was absolutly soaked!! haha If I could send you the pic I would! It was so SO much fun though, we laughed the whole way, then two of the elders in our zone were waiting by the cross walk with their suit jackets for us. What wonderful missionaries. :) haha if you aren't laughing and having fun while working hard then something is wrong! :) Life is good. I am excited to get to Michigan and this song has been almost our theme song this week, " Come come ye saints, no toil no labor feel.. All is well. All is well." The gospel of Jesus Christ is true. It has been restored and I cannot wait to share it with the people in Michigan!! :D Love you tons!!!! 

Love Sister Chizzy! <3 

September 10

Left for Michigan! We got to talk to Sister Chizzy for about an hour! She was so happy and excited to go!

September 15

Hey everyone! I am so sorry that is has taken me this long to give a little update on my mission! 

I am serving in Midland Michigan its up in pretty much the middle part of the state, it's a beautiful place filled with wonderful awesome people! :) We are actually whitewashing right now, and if you don't know what that is it's when you pretty much go in like a deer in the headlights, no sisters have been here for about 6 weeks so we are starting from scratch! :) My trainer is named Sister Nuttell, she is from Fairview Utah and is seriously wonderful! She picks up all my slack especially trying to adjust to the mish life! I love it here in Michigan the people are so wonderful, they may not think they need the gospel right now but they will! The gospel of Jesus Christ is true, I know that it changes lives! 

My mission president is President and Sister Jacobsen! They are incredible, they actually are from Springville Utah which is pretty cool! They are so happy to be here and know exactly what to do to help us out as missionaries! 

Right now we are not teaching anyone.. :( Sad I know but I guess that's what happens when you are whitewashing, people are being prepared and becoming ready to hear the restored truths! I love this gospel! I also encourage all of you to be member missionaries, the members here are so great! They are always wanting to help and work hard, be that way! Help out, even if you don't wear a badge you are still a missionary! Have a wonderful week everyone and remember Heavenly Father loves you! The gospel is restored and it is true!! 

Love ya! 

Love Sister Chizzy! <3