Sister Putnam's letter 1-20-14

      Yes, Sister Downey got a dog haha. She loves that thing. It is hypoallergenic or whatever so it doesn't shed and it doesn't make you allergic to it so that is nice. She is a great lady. She came out with us on Tuesday to see people with us. She said that people will always ask her why she is so happy even when her husband just died. She said. " I serve. Service makes me happy. It gets my mind off of things and I love serving because I am helping others and not thinking of myself." I hope that I can be just like Sister Downey when I go home. She is an amazing women and literally puts God first. She is great.     

      Well Sister Williams (the Williams family that gave us rabbit to eat) has a baptism date for February 22! I hope that I will still be here to see her baptized. We still have a lot of work to do with her but I think she will be ready soon (: She is really just chill and says she wants it.  The Williams gave us more rabbit to take home and eat and we shared it with the Elders. One of the Elders wouldn't try it because we didn't tell him what it was haha. He guessed it was turtle, bird, squirrel, road kill.. but not rabbit haha. Once we told him then he finally tried it. 

        We went and saw Danielle and we had an appointment with her. She always has the blinds shut all the time and the TV blasting and no light at all. So we went in her home and she was eating pizza and had the TV blasting and wasn't paying attention at all. She gets up and walks around and then I asked if she has read any of the B.O.M yet and she said no. She hasn't been reading it at all and so we asked her why and she got really mad and starting yelling at me.. again. She got really upset because we had the talk with her about keeping commitments and who we are and why we are even on missions. We told her that we are here to invite her to come closer to Christ but we can't help her unless she keeps commitments. She just yelled and yelled. So Sister Stratford told her to call us when she wants to meet with us again. This was Saturday. Sunday she showed up to church.. She wouldn't make eye contact with us or talk to us at all but she did show up which was very very surprising for us. We have decided that we are not going to go in her home to teach her anymore and that we will teach her at the Wilson's home. They have been fellow shipping her and taking care of her so we will have lessons in their home where the spirit is and where she will be respectful. We are going to have the Wilsons set everything up though so that we can pay attention on people who are prepared and need our attention right now. 

         Sister Stratford taught the Sunday school lesson in church Sunday. She taught about Faith in Jesus Christ.. which several people needed to hear. A lot of people just say, "I have faith. I believe." So I told her to really stress in the lesson that faith is an action word. You have to act. It is great that you believe, but now make that belief into desire and then act on that desire. Great things can be accomplished when you act on the faith that you have. In 2 Nephi 28:3 it reminds me of the people here in NC. They talk but they don't walk the talk. Show that you have faith by acting on what you say. If you believe then show God that you believe. I also love Alma chapter 32. Experiment upon the word. Experiment upon the seed. Let that seed of desire grow into faith and then let it grow into action. As we read the Book of Mormon learn from it and apply the learnings into your lives and into others lives. 

     In relief society at church we were talking about Christ and how he was perfect. He was so self-less and loving. He cared about everyone. He judged not. He was patient, humble, meek, lowly in heart. He served everyone no matter who they were. I know that that can happen with anyone. As you get to know Christ and become closer to him and follow his foot steps, then you will be like him. You will have charity, compassion and love for others. I always remember the saying, "What would Christ do?" 

     Thank you for the love and support you have given me. Have a good week! 

 Love Joni (Sister Putnam)

"We Can Be Together Forever Someday.." (:

"Don't eat the whole elephant..." Sister Putnam's letter 1-13-14 :)

     It was pretty cold a couple of nights this week as it hit 20 degrees.. our electricity went out but turned on right after so it wasn't bad. We are always in the car and so I wasn't that cold. If I need a blanket or rain coat I will buy one at Walmart with my gift cards that I got.  Yes, Sister Downey called and checked up on us.   :)

       Sister Stratford had a lesson with Danielle on exchanges and said she was so nice and she invited her friend to come to church and said she is going to come to church and we got a ride for her and then she didn't come. She doesn't call us back or text us back either so we aren't sure what is going on with her. We want to set her with a baptism date but we need to see her. We are going to just stop by in the afternoons and hopefully her 10 year old daughter will answer the door haha. 

       We learned about Visions, Goals, Plans, and Accountability in Zone Meeting and it was so good! We must have  vision and then from that vision make a goal and then make plans for the goal and then account to somebody even the Lord. They talked about Nephi and how he needed to build a ship. His vision was to get to the promised land. The goal was to build the ship. The plan was to find tools to build the ship and then he was accountable to the Lord. That is what we need to do with our daily lives. We actual have been setting visions for our investigators as we plan for them. It has helped so much! Like the scriptures say in Proverbs, "Without  vision the people perish." I love it! We are also supposed to go into every single members home and teach them a lesson and then get all of our less active and investigators to go to a members home for a lesson. So we have a lot of work to do. It has been really stressful this week but like dad always says, "Don't eat the whole elephant, just start with the ear." 

          We did service for Sister Downey this week which was fun. We organized one of her theater rooms full of props and cleaned it out. The relief society is planning on doing this thing called "Shoulder to Shoulder." Every Sister in the Branch is supposed to write down something that needs to be done in their home, cooking, cleaning, sorting, yard work, painting whatever.. and then all the sisters get together and go and help that one sister and then switch the next month or week and help the other sister. I love that idea. I love service so much! Like the scriptures say, "When ye are in the service of your fellowmen, you are only in the service of your God." 

         We had a meeting Sunday with our ward missionary leader and the ward missionaries to help instruct them on their responsibilities of being a ward missionary. It went really good and we have our vision! The ward missionaries are going to be finding us 1 progressing investigator. Progressing means that we have taught them at least two times and they are keeping their commitments such as church, reading, praying, so on. The meeting went well! We are excited to get the work moving here in Washington. 

      Well we have interviews coming up and in 3 weeks we have transfers. I want to stay here in Washington because I love it here so much. But I do think it would be fun to also see and meet new people and see new things. Anyways, just keep praying that we will be able to find prepared people here and that their hearts will be softened. We need to save these people so they don't perish! (: I love this gospel so much. It has blessed my life and can bless yours as well. Keep doing good things. Remember to consecrate yourself to the Lord. "The Fourth Missionary" talks about how it is easier to give yourself up and do God's will instead of fighting and doing your own will. Let the Lord lead you! I love you all so much. Thanks for all you do (: Have a good week! (:

Love Joni (Sister Putnam)

Sister Putnam's letter 1-6-14 Happy New year!

            Thanks for the letter and the pictures. I love them! Sister Downey told me all about having lunch with you and dad. That is so cool! We had dinner with the Downey's last night and it was good. We shared a  message with them and I just love Sister Downey so much!  It sounds like the holidays were good. Sister Stratford and I set an alarm and went outside and banged pots and pans. It was alright haha. We have set new goals for the year and I am excited to keep working for God through out the year. It sounds like the family is doing well. I am glad to hear that the missionaries did well at dinner. It is always awkward the first time meeting people but it sounds like they did well! That is good. We have an Elder from Tonga here and he is my favorite. It is hard to understand what he says too but I am getting used to it. It is all about listening! (:

        This week was really good! We had 16 lessons. 10 with less actives or recent converts, 2 lessons with a member present and 2 other lessons. I was really excited because our numbers were high this week and 16 lessons is the highest I have gotten since I have been out. It was good! We taught a less active man and his wife and he hunts rabbits. He fed us rabbit to eat. It was good actually. It tastes like roast. (: I had shrimp last night with the Downeys and that was good too. I am not as picky with some things now. (: 

         So you know how we have done everything for Danielle? We helped her move, we have found her rides to church, we have brought her boxes and boxes.. well we went to teach her and she is not humble at all. She wouldn't let me talk at all so I just prayed and prayed that Sister Stratford would say what I was thinking and she would! Every time! I loved it! Unity is so great! Then I was thinking of a scripture and right when I said, " what is that scripture..." Sister Stratford said, Either 12:6. Bam! Exactly. I love unity. It is so much easier to be unified with God and your companion than it is to not be unified. The work is so much easier. That goes along with relationships at home. With friends or just husband and wife or siblings. Be unified! Get along. Be Self-less. So much easier. It is also easier to live the gospel than not to. Yes, you will still have trials but it will be much easier to deal with the trails in life. You will know how to feel comfort at times of need. I love this gospel and I love teaching people about the restored gospel! (:

       You never know when someone needs help but listening to the Holy Ghost is always good. You will always gain something from listening to the Holy Ghost. What is neat about the gospel is that you always gain blessings as you keep the commandments. You don't ever lose things in the gospel you just gain! (: It is so worth it! (: 

        Well we have a lot of exchanges this week with the members! There are like 6 members who signed up to come out with us to teach lessons with us. We are excited about that because members really help so much. Just them being there for the lesson helps our investigators or our less active members know that we are real people and that we really do care. It also helps with fellowshipping. Members are huge in missionary work! (: 

     We also have exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders this weekend. I will let you know how that goes. I hope it goes good! I have a hard time liking exchanges because they are awkward but they teach you great things! You sometimes have to feel uncomfortable to grow and to learn new things! Growing in the gospel will not be comfortable. Stretching yourself is hard. But in the end... It is so worth it! I love this gospel. I love you all and I am so happy on how my life has changed in just a year with the atonement and the gospel. I know Christ Lives. He loves us. He wants us to use the atonement everyday. Continue to serve people around you as serving others brings you closer to Christ. 

Love you all! Thanks for the support and love! (:

Love Sister Putnam (:

 Show message history

Christmas 2013 Photos Sister Putnam

Merry Christmas 2013!!!!  
Sister Putnam with her Christmas Tree filled with photos of those that love her!!!

Sister Putnam with her friend, The Donkey.
Back to Bethlehem Pageant

Sister Stratford and Sister Putnam

Sister Putnam & Sister Stratford's Christmas Card

Sister Putnam & Sister Stratford

Sister Putnam's letter 12-30-13!

Family-

           I am so excited for you to have dinner with the missionaries! It will definitely be awkward but that will be good! Just advice.. let them dish up their plates, the Elders said "No Spaghetti". Tell them that they don't have to eat all of it and don't get mad if they don't eat all of it. They probably have so many dinner appointments! haha Let them share a message with you as well. And if they ask to serve you let them! (: Give them referrals as well! Missionaries LOVE referrals. As for dinner.. umm.. I don't know! Just what you usually have is good! Just something that isn't messy. 

         Good luck with school and with everyone's jobs and things. I know life can be stressful just keep holding on to that Iron Rod. Let God guide you. So I finished "Our Search for Happiness" it is soo good! It talks about the restoration, the plan of salvation, the gospel (faith, repentance, baptism, receieving the gift of the holy ghost, and enduring to the end), and it talks about the commandments. It was so good! I loved it. It is exactly what we teach to everyone. I am now reading "Our Heritage." It is about Joesph Smith and the pioneers. I am excited to really get into it. Keep reading the Book of Mormon and say your prayers often. I know this is the true church of God. There is no doubt! 

   Christmas went well. I am so happy! The gospel brings happiness. I have seen so many blessings come into my life because of the restoration and the knowledge that we have.  The Wilson's picked Danielle up for church again. The Wilson's are members and they are awesome. They have totally adopted Danielle and Herlett. They helped her move, they bought them gifts for Christmas and they are picking them up for church. The Wilson's understand service and the gospel. They understand what consecrating themselves unto the Lord means. They are so humble and are great people!

     Dorothy promised us she would come to church. So we got a member to pick her up but she wouldn't budge. She called us and told us that she can't go to a church that she can't shout in. We have taught her the importance of church but she still is doing her will instead of God's will. We will be meeting with her again. 

        President and Sister Baker came to our church yesterday and talked during sacrament. They did a really good job and our branch really needed to hear what they had to say. President Baker talked about what Christ did for us and how nothing that God asked of him was too much for Christ. Everything that God asks of us should not be too much for us. Such as, callings in the church, going to church every week, praying, reading the scriptures, and serving others and bringing them closer to Christ. Share the gospel with everyone! He mentioned General Conference and how Thomas S. Monson said that members and missionaries need to work together. It is not all on the members and either is it all on the missionaries. We know that the only way we can get more people to hear the gospel is to work together! Once that happens this work will explode like crazy! Please family, help the missionaries. Invite friends to church. Invite less actives back to church. Invite, invite, invite. It is all we can do but it is not too much to do. We can do it. 

          I got my hair trimmed today and we started talking to the ladies that were cutting hair. We shared what we do and who we are. We then asked if we could teach them more. We can! We have an appointment with them tonight. Miracles happen when you reach out and you just try to talk to people. Their names are Wendy, Kimberly, and Joanna. We are excited to teach them about the true gospel! 

          I am so grateful for this gospel and the truth that it brings. I have been so happy as I have aligned my will with the Lords. This gospel brings happiness, peace, and love. Remember that it is so much easier to be on the Lords side. It is so much easier to align your will with his. He will make your burdens light and he will help you in those times that you need it. Lean on the Lord. Trust him. Here is a really good talk about converting yourself unto the Lord. I love you all! (:

Love Sister Putnam

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2012/10/converted-unto-the-lord?lang=eng&clang=eng

12-23-13

 So today is soo humid and hot. Yesterday it was 83 degrees and today it is like 73.. it is crazy! I think it is supposed to rain later today though.

 

That surprise Christmas party was a shock! Our branch gave us so many gifts and spoiled us like crazy! We did not expect that. It was so fun to hear you speak! It was good! (: Sister Downey is awesome! I don't know how she does it all. Did you get to meet up with her yet while she is in Utah? We have a dinner appointment every night this week.. we are going to get so fat.. and we each got gift cards.. mostly fast food restaurants.. haha I love christmas! But I really love seeing people happy and so many people are happy during Christmas. We have been serving a lot this week. We helped Brother Wilson (member) do some yard work and tonight we are helping Danielle move. Danielle came to church but then left after Sacrament.. so we were a little disappointed. Sister Currie is doing better. She is actually leaving the state to see her niece and nephew. Which will be really good.  She really does forget.. but sometimes I think she is embarrassed and says she forgot when sometimes she didn't. But we are still working with her. 

Sarah Taylor is our new investigator and she was working on the questions at the back of the Restoration pamphlet.  She said... "There are some questions here that I can't answer because I don't have that other book.. the Book of Mormon or something like that.. so I need that book." So we gave her the Book of Mormon and talked about it with her. She said that she already knows it is true. She is so humble and has so much faith. We just need to explain the priesthood to her better.

Tell everyone thank you for their support and their love! I love them all so much! I haven't opened the packages yet though. I am waiting until Christmas to do it. But I am so thankful for their love and them thinking of me. I am so spoiled and blessed to have so much support. I have been so blessed to have this gospel in my life and to know the true meaning of Christmas. I know Christ loves me and he loves you. I know the atonement works. Thanks for the article on Al Fox! I can't believe she is pregnant! But I love her and her story about tattoos. We all have our own tattoos. And God does forget about them once we repent and we forget about them as well. But we will always remember our "tattoos" as a reminder to choose good! (:

Well I am excited to hear from you and see you all on skype on Christmas.

I love you all so much! I hope you have a Merry Christmas! Remember The True Meaning (:

-Love Sister Putnam

Skype on Christmas Day!

YEA!!!  It was sooooo fun to see and talk with Sister Putnam on SKYPE Christmas Day!  We love having our whole family together again!!!  :)  :)  :)