The Lord is My Light, Then Why Should I Fear?

What an interesting week...

The Doctor that I have been seeing put me on new medication and it has been an experience, good and challenging.

A member took Sister Jenkins and I on Randolph Air-Force Base and I didn't realize how cheap things are on base!!! I am marrying a service man! Sister Bruderer was so sweet, she bought us lunch and ice-cream. Best P-Day Ever in Converse!!!

We had Zone Meeting this week, along with interviews with President! After, Sister Jenkins and I went to 'halfy hour' at the gas station. It was well needed.

A lot of trains this week, so that means a lot of selfies.

 

The Lord has given us trials and tribulations for a reason, true that it is not fair but there is a purpose. Sister Jenkins has been teaching me that the Lord loves us, He loves ME! He doesn't want me to forget that.

 

Hope y'all have a great week!

Love,

Sister Foster

"Be Still My Soul, The Lord is on Thy Side"‏

What a CRAZY week! Let me tell you how much it has been a

a) Blessing

b) Challenge

c) Learning Experience

d) All the Above!

                                                                        A. Blessing

 

This is Gracie, she is 15 years old and she has been learning about the church for 2 years. She was baptized this Saturday and A LOT of people came! The craziness of that morning died when I saw how happy she was to be actually doing this. Her testimony of the Saviors love for her is so strong, it is truly beautiful just like her :)

All of the Young Women came, even her non-member father came to her baptism (He even clapped after she was baptized). Gracie is the only member in her family, at the moment, who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and she KNOWS that this is the true church of Jesus Christ. I love her so much, and am so proud of her for this decision that she has chosen to take.

 

 

This was her dress after she was baptized, isn't she just adorable?!


B. Challenge

We moved this week...yep

Both the moving Elders and the Woodlake Elders came to take everything (Washer/Dryer/Couch/Beds) from our third story apartment to our first floor apartment across the complex. It was an adventure in its self. There was a lot to move and very little time since all of us had appointments at 4:00, so we didn't finish until after 9:00 when we got back from our appointments. We had to remind ourselves that Elders are a blessing and that we need the Priesthood holders in the mission...

This is the group of us that helped with moving:) Aren't we a good looking group?

 

                                                        The mess of our first apartment...

 It took 4 tries to get blood for my thyroid tests...still not on the right level so they are increasing my medication.

 

 

 

                                                               c) Learning Experience

This is when I am going to be very honest. Lately, my depression has gotten a bit overwhelming. It has been a struggle every day to remind myself that I am here to do the Lords Work, and go out and enjoy it. Luckily, I have an amazing Companion named Sister Jenkins who is very patient with me as I talk about what is going through my head and in my heart. She also deals with Depression, so she knows exactly how to help me on how to not let the depression overrule my life, but has also taught me that this is going to be apart of me for the rest of my life. I love her every day for the amazing person that she is and I thank my Father in Heaven every night for pairing me with her.

 

 

 

                                                                Yes, I found a gray hair... :(

I love each and every one of y'all so much and I am so blessed to hear how much support I am receiving. Hope y'all have a great week!!!

Love,
Sister Victoria Foster


*Note from Mom...The mission president's wife, Sister Slaughter called me at work this morning (heart attack!) to tell me that Tori's meds weren't getting her thyroid on track quite yet. It was causing depression symptoms also. They are working with a fantastic Dr out there who is going to be switching things up and they will be texting me to let me know how it works out. On the up side, she gave me permission to email back and forth with her today. (I still only got one back and forth conversation because she had to run, but it was better than nothing!!) Any and all prayers and letters of support to her would be greatly appreciated!! *

"We must all go through our Abrahamic Test" - Russell M. Nelson

*Note from mom*  The server was all crazy, so a lot of us didn't get our letters until the wee hours of the morning! no pictures this week either :( 

 

Several things happened this week that have truly influenced my mission. But first let me say that I am truly grateful for the love of my companion and the love she has for me. We have learned so much about each other that we now can talk freely about anything without either one of us judging. We are definitely staying in contact with each other!

*The M Family are set for baptism on the 21st of February! T, 10 years old, LOVES Boy Scouts and there is a pass off that is to give a lesson on Joseph Smith's First Vision, it was awesome!

*G got permission from her dad to be baptized! She is set for the 7th of February!!!! It was announced in Sacrament Meeting, so now we need to finalize everything this week, There is definitely a de-stresser at home for me and Sister Jenkins every night (ice-cream or "sticker"ing stationary)

* We met a less-active member that just moved in, C, and her fiance A who is thinking about being baptized. A is very...spiritual. It seems like he is getting an understanding, but we don't think it is sinking in...

**Elder Russell M. Nelson came to the Texas San Antonio Mission. The moment he walked through the doors to the Chapel, it was instantly filled with the Spirit. I have always known that he was an Apostle, but to actually shake the hand of a Special witness of Jesus Christ confirmed that testimony that he too is a Prophet, Seer and Revalator.

     - He said "The Lord uses ordinary people and unlikely patterns to show the impossible" and then he talked about agency, how we choose to follow Christ and his teachings.

Sunday was Super bowl Sunday, Yay Patriots!, and we mostly saw less-active part members because no one would see us during the game. We had a member text us the scores for the game because Sister Jenkins is a HUGE Patriots fan.

I love y'all so much! Please remember to choose Christ in your life.

Sister Victoria Foster

Bronchitis and Transfers

This week has been really good, yet at the same time it sucked. It turned out that I have Bronchitis. I am currently on medication and I am on prednisone. My throat feels swollen and I am back on an inhaler. Yay me!

At Instacare

all of my fun meds

 

yogurt makes it all feel better

Sister Record and I had a great transfer, a lot of ups and downs, but we learned so much from each other. It was great to work with someone that I came out with, but I am looking forward to what Converse and Sister Jenkins, my new Companion, have in store. The Lord truly is working hard, and people are realizing that something is missing in their lives, it is just our job to introduce it to them.

 

 

Transfer Meeting: 5:30 am is when we had to get up. POURING RAIN outside and we had to still get everything into the car, plus the bike rack needed to be set up. Luckily, Elder Winn (District Leader) and Elder Macdonald offered their services and loaded up the bike and the suitcases. Honestly making those Elders cookies one day. After triple checking if that was everything, we went to go pick up Universal City, because one of the Elders was also being transferred, he also wanted to take the Spanish Test, which was at 7:00 (reason why we had to wake up at 5:30). Everything loaded up, we were on our way.

Got to the church, hungry, tired and wet. Sister Record had to finish her make up so I just talked to the other Sisters whose companions had to finish their make up. Transfers started at 9:00 am, already for the day to be over with. Last minute pictures were taken before the meeting started.

 

 

 

 

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Sister Jenkins: Sister Jenkins was companions with Sister Barrick, my MTC companion, and she is the boldest, funniest sister I have ever had! A total advocate for sugar and naps. I learned that she also has lung problems and a medical problem at the moment. We are the crazies put together ;)

We are learning for ourselves what this area has in store.

My district is great, and my Zone I get to meet later today at Zone P-Day.

All is well, all is well

​Greatest moments:

- I got to listen to a non-member play the banjo! Sister Jenkins has the strongest desire to play the Banjo and apperently she is a natural at it. Dream came true!

- I got doughnuts after Transfer meeting :)

- Sister Jenkins always has great stories from her last areas, so I am constantly smiling or laughing, which is a good thing for me.

I love you all so much! Please remember to Open your mouths and share the gospel with your friends:)

Sister Victoria Foster

I'm staying in Converse!

So we got our transfer calls last night, which was weird because it seriously felt as if it was yesterday that I got my last transfer call, and I will be staying in Converse while Sister Record will be transferred...and doubled in! I am so happy for her. She has done amazing things here in Converse, and I know she can handle being doubled in:) Sister Record has been not only a great companion, but also an amazing friend. Truly am going to miss her.

I have been sick for the past 3 days with what I thought was a head cold but now it might actually be worse than a cold. I have been trying to get rest, but every time I go to lie down, I feel totally unproductive and lazy, but I honestly have NO energy inside of me to go out and do things. Like just this morning during personal studies, everything ached and I couldn't even keep my eyes open because they hurt so bad. I finally asked our District Leader and his companion if they could come over to give me a Priesthood blessing of healing. I am so grateful for the Priesthood and that is going to be the 1st thing I'll be looking for in a guy when I get home.

We had Zone Conference on Thursday! I never get tired of listening to President Slaughter and the great insights that he has. We mainly focused on Finding by Faith and how we can find more people to teach. It was truly amazing on how we need to focus more attention on clearing the blind-spots and focus on the family.

I just wanted to say how much I am grateful for the Atonement. To know that I can ask to be forgiven of my sins, but also that I can become stronger through Christ. I have weaknesses, everyone does, but I can be made stronger through Christ if I humble myself (Ether 12:27).

Love y'all so much! Have a great week :)

Sister Victoria Foster

 

 

Texas is Bipolar

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

What a true and powerful scripture. This week especially as I continue to seek for the little miracles the Lord gives me and my companion. 

 

 

                   Selfie from last Monday:) Do you see the Sun? Hasn't been back since!

 

It has been so bipolar here I honestly don't know what I am going to do. One day it is 2 degrees above freezing, then it is in the mid 60's and then it gets to the 40's. And that is one day! But I truly love it here, because there is no snow...yet, maybe, I don't know at this point!

Wednesday was our Zone Meeting, and the Trainings we have received was about Effective Studies, How to be more Consecrated and how to have a Pure Heart- Having those Christlike Attributes. Each and every training that I receive has something that I need to gain. I am so thankful for the Spirit and how he answers my needs through other people.

Thursday we had exchanges...again! I went with Sister Rowley in Windcrest. She is 22, and she has only been on her mission for 2 months. It was very intimidating for me to be the Senior companion, but we hit it off great and found a lot of great and nice potentials. Funniest thing: We had to do a service project for a less active member in Windcrest. We were originally going to rake some leaves, but it was too cold...so we painted rocks! It was for her Senior painting class, so it was community service, but it was so AWESOME! And luckily I am not allergic to cats, because there was about 12 kitty-cats roaming through-out that house :) 

​

When I returned back to Converse, I asked what happened while I was gone. We have 4 new investigators just from one day! Sadly we havn't been able to get back into contact with some of them, but Sister Record told me they were very promising.

So some exciting news..........................................We have a Family set with a Baptism Date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am SO happy:):):):):):) They are The M's. K was raised Baptist, joined the Catholic church when he was 11 and thought that that was the most powerful religion he has ever known( meaning he felt the Spirit). That was until he met Sister Johnston and her companion. His wife I, was raised Baptist and works at a Special needs facility. They have a grandson that they are raising named T who has been asking to be baptized ever since he saw one. This last Saturday, I and K both told us, Sister Record and I, that they KNOW that this church is true, and they want to be baptized! When we asked, I said immediately yes, K, it took a few minutes to reassure him that he was ready to make this commitement. I said that I am ready and I want you with me when I do this. That got him to say yes. Way to go!

We also have one more person with a baptism date! Her name is A. She was originally taught in Vancouver, Washington by some Elders and she was going to be baptized with her sister there, but she ended up moving. She has been taught everything! All we have to do is wait for her original missionary to come down here, she wants him to baptize her :) 

Funny Moments:

- We went to find a less active member...turns out that he is Santa Clause. Yep, the North Pole is a distraction...Santa lives in Texas:)

- I was walking in some pretty uncomfortable shoes one day and I said "Man, if this is painful, what is childbirth gonna feel like?" Sister Record couldn't stop laughing!

- One Elder in my Zone really loves Ostrich's. He was explaining that God must love these animals, and I said "Well I'm sure he does since he created them", that Elder now thinks I'm cool:)

The Lord is preparing people, and I need to open my eyes and start looking. I love you all so much and I hope y'all have a great week!

Sister Foster

 

2015 - A brand new year to serve the Lord!

​Sister Record and I were talking about what we want to accomplish in 2015, and we both realized that we will be spending the entire year of 2015 on our mission :) It was a mind-blowing realization for me to think that I will be dedicating a full 365 days of 2015 to helping my Heavenly Father to find those children who are prepared to hear His message. 

So how can I dedicate more fully to make sure I spend this year to its fullest? I guess taking it one day at a time and try to recognize that Heavenly Father is helping me in EVERY challenge that I face. Whether it be from people saying we aren't interested, to long days, or even my thyroid/depression, My Heavenly Father wanted me to enlist in HIS army and I will TRY to do my best.

Monday: We taught a 15 year old girl named G. She has been investigating the church for about a year, and she loves everything that comes with the church. She went to Girls Camp and loved it, she just received her virtue cord for personal progress, and she is reading the Book of Mormon for the second time. We asked her, and not in this way, what is holding her back from being baptized...she says it just isn't time yet, but she will let us know when it is...okay!

Tuesday: EXCHANGES! I went to Windcrest area for the day with Sister Johnson. Get this. Sister Johnson went to Riverton High School the same year I went to CHHS and was in her Madrigal group her Junior and Senior years! I asked her how it felt not to be in Madrigal Christmas mode and she knew exactly what I was talking about!!!! Greatest moment ever! We discussed the area that I was serving, the people that we are teaching, and what I wanted to learn form this exchange. The only thing that came to my mind was how can I be more and how can I find the positive in missionary work? Don't get me wrong, the results are fantastic, like S and R, but the actual working and finding is very draining, and I wanted to improve. She gave me some really good advice and we had a lot of fun. Speaking of S and R, here are pictures of their baptisms (they were baptized 3 days after I was transferred)

 

Wednesday: We had District meeting on New Year's Eve, and it was great. This is my District:)

​Since there was going to be people driving and drinking, we wanted to be safe that night so we went in at 8 and updated the area book and did additional study. We had dinner earlier with the Bishop and his family and we discussed who in the ward we could visit or who needed help with anything. He told us that there was an older member in the hospital that we could go see, because apparently he wasn't doing all that great. Brother H, when we saw him, looked great! He was awake and asked me where I was from and how long I have been serving. He is a very nice man, and his wife is just so adorable. Her eyes brighten up when we walked in. The nurse asked if we were nuns...ha ha, no we are missionaries. Greatest moment ever:)

Thursday: Happy New Year! As one of my goals, I decided I am going to drink a lot more water, so Sister Record (after studies) got the Sprite (my favorite soda) and poured it down the drain. My heart broke as I watched this horror in front of me.

​We were able to teach S before he left for training for 3 weeks. Everyone thinks that he is already a member, so when we told certain members that S will be baptized in 3 weeks there is a look of confusion that I love. It is so great how involved in church he truly is :)

Friday: Doctors appointment. It went well. 200 miles from Converse to Cedar Park and back. When I had to get my blood drawn for my Thyroid level, The first time it took 3 times to actually find a vein, today it only took 2! Hopefully by the next visit, we will only have to find it the first time. My TSH levels are still way too high, so they doubled my dosage. They will check it again in 4 weeks to see if that has changed anything..All in all it was a good day of teaching after.

Saturday and Sunday: pretty good, we had a couple of lessons that were planned and last minute. We have 9:00 church, so I knew the schedule of what time I needed to wake up and get ready, Sister Record was always used to the 1:00 church so she was in a bit of a daze. We had 3 investigators at Church, one of them actually brought her work with her :) WAY TO GO!!! Sister Record and I helped teach in Young Women, and we saw the new youth video and song, it is really good! We learned about the Godhead and what roles they have. It was a great day.

Over this past week, I have been honestly a little hard on myself. But that is just my personality and my short-coming. It is crazy to think that I will hit my 6 month mark this month...crazy! The support does help and the letters that I get honestly do lift up my day. I had no idea how hard this was, to surrender myself to the will of my Father in Heaven, become his servant, and do what He wants me to do. Just letting y'all know that the letters help tremendously! 

I hope y'all have a great week and I hope y'all know how much I love you!

Sister Foster