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 (:

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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!!!  :)  :)  :)

Some Photos! :)

  Kinston West Zone

Sister Stratford (Comp.), Sister Keech (Ward Member) & Sister Putnam at the "Back to Bethlehem" Pageant.  12-2013  Washington, NC

Orange hair & eating a pig tail! (12-16-13)

Transfer calls were last night.. I was so nervous.  We didn't get a call for awhile last night. We were at the Downey's eating dinner and I just kept waiting. Finally we called our Zone Leaders and asked if we are getting transferred.. Nope! I am staying here in Washington with Sister Stratford for another 6 weeks! We are so happy! This will be the longest transfer that Sister Stratford has been with one companion!

This week was pretty good. Sister Stratford had a bad week haha.. She dyed her hair and it turned orange and so we ran to Walmart and got a different color and then she dyed it again and it turned bright bright blonde.. with spots of orange haha.. we are going to figure out her hair this week sometime haha. It was kind of funny. 

 Sister Currie wasn't at church yesterday and we met with her Saturday and she keeps drinking coffee every morning! We went over the importance of it and we are going to try and put sticky notes up everywhere, like you mentioned, to help her remember.

So Thursday we were invited to go to a non members barn for dinner with 40 other non members in Bath. We went with Brother Baldwin and his daughter and his son. It was so good! We met so many people and they noticed that we were missionaries. It was fun to talk to them and get to know them. We were told not to preach but just talk and get to know them. I tried pig tail .. yeah it was gross. It is salty and mostly fat.  So this dinner was total red neck style. Everyone was wearing camo and then they took us in the back of the barn and they showed us a deer that was shot and then cleaned and hanging. They invited me to go shooting.. which I can't, but I could go and help them clean one out! That would be so fun haha. I told them I want to learn how to hunt. Brother Baldwin told us that he has 2 friends that want a Book of Mormon. We are so excited! Bath is going to be converted. Just wait. 

I haven't gotten a coat or blanket yet.. but I think I will buy some at Walmart or ask Downey's for a blanket.. The weather here changes every day.. like today I am wearing shorts and a shirt. haha but it does rain often.. no snow but ice storms will come, I'm sure.

Love you! -Love Sister Joni Putnam

I finished the Book of Mormon this week! It only took 2 transfers! (: I love the Book of Mormon so much! I learned a lot.  Here is the link for the talk on sarcasm.  It is really good.

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/08/no-corrupt-communication

Christmas Programs... Sistas...and Elder Perkins! 12-9-13

                    

                              So this week was really good. Back to Bethlehem was good. Sister Stratford sang wonderfully. Saturday night it was really cold and the wind was blowing but it was okay because Sister Stratford and I stayed in a room on the stage where we called it the "Christ Room." It had pictures of Christ all over and nativity sets up in the room. The lighting in there was pretty with candles and it smelled good too. So we stayed in there and then the people would tour the back and that room after the pageant. We would just stand there so that they can recognize us as missionaries for the church and know that Mormons are Christians.. There is a lot of anti stuff here so we are helping a lot I feel like. Back to Bethlehem was actually in the newspaper! Top headline too! Sister Downey is so wonderful (: 

                         So we went to the Bath Christian church for their Cantata. Their choir sang Christmas songs and it was pretty good. The Elders in our area went and we went and sat by Brother and Sister Baldwin. It was awkward when the members of that church would just stare at us.. but when they realized that we weren't trying to preach to then they were really friendly. We talked to the pastor and we just helped people recognize who we are. Many people came up to us and talked to Sister Stratford saying they saw her in the Back to Bethlehem singing and at Brother Downey's funeral singing as well. They really like her and seem to talk to her easy. We hope this will help them to recognize that we aren't bad people and we do believe in Christ. Oh on the way to the Cantata, Sister Stratford ran over a squirrel. haha You can imagine our reaction to that. After the Cantata we went over to the Downey's home for dinner and then watched the Christmas Devotional. It was great! Did you watch it?  I liked how President Monson asked, " What gift can we give to the Savior for Christmas?" I love the Christmas Devotional! (:

                    We have been working with a lady named Dorthy. She lives in a senior housing place but she has real intent. We have to move really slow with her but she is a great lady. She calls us her Sistas. And she introduces us to all the people that live around her and says, "These are my missionary sistas." haha We hope to continue to work with her and help her to really understand the gospel. As she keeps commitments she will have the Holy Ghost which in turn will lead to Conversion. 

               Okay mom. This is what you have been waiting for to hear. Elder Perkins! Well.. We carpooled up with the Elders and we told the Elders that we need to leave early and they told us we would be fine leaving at a certain time.. so we left when the Elders wanted to leave. We ended up hitting construction.. and one of the Elders was speeding and got pulled over and got a ticket. So we ended up walking right when the conference was starting and they were singing the opening hymn.. which was totally embarrassing and I was really upset that we were late. That is just one thing that missionaries should not do.. is be late! I hate it. But anyways, when Elder Perkins went up to speak he told us that he didn't shake 4 missionary hands. So he and Sister Perkins and President Baker and Sister Baker all came down, Gave us hugs and shook our hands. Elder Perkins was so excited and said, "I met your mom." And he told his wife to give me another hug haha. He told all the missionaries there that he had met you at stake conference and that now he knows me. I felt so loved and felt so good that he remembered and then told everyone he remembered. I loved it (: Elder Perkins didn't just give a talk and then leave. His wife also spoke and President Baker and Sister Baker also spoke. Then, Elder Perkins taught lessons. It was sooo good! He talked about Preach My Gospel and how important it is. You all should read it as a family. He told us that we should stop calling our church meetings, "Meetings" and start calling them "Revelatory Experiences." I had written down 2 questions and they both got answered through out the conference more than once. I had such a great experience. I wish I could give you all my notes but just know that Elder Perkins is an inspired man and he loves all of us! He is great. One quote from Elder Perkins is, "If it's not exact, it's not obedient." Study Ether 12:27 too. I love that scripture. As we come unto Christ, he will show us our weaknesses, we will then be humble and have faith and he shows us grace and weak things of ours become strong. Sanctify ourselves unto the Lord. He has all power and can help us with everything. Remember him in all we do. Trust him. He knows us. He loves us. Remember him. 

                Well Sister Stratford and I are doing well. We love being together and supporting each other. Remember this Christmas season to SERVE. As "you are in the service of your fellow beings, you are only in the service of your God." I love you all!

     

Love, Sister Putnam

Sister Putnam preparing for transfers...and Christmas! (12-2-13)

             Sister Downey is still putting on the Back to Bethlehem pageant. It is this friday and saturday the 6th and 7th and 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Sister Stratford is singing Oh Holy Night both nights I think. We will be helping her in the concession stand selling hot chocolate and cookies to help raise money to go back to all the things she had to buy for the pageant because it is free to get in. 

                    Thanksgiving was really good. We played basketball at the church, well "Lightning" and "HORSE." Then we played pass with the volley ball and the soccer ball as well.. Sister Stratford is trying to put a CD together of her playing the piano and singing so she practices the piano while I play basketball. It works out. And then sometimes she wants me to sing while she plays so she knows what notes to play because she arranges the songs to make them her own. Pretty cool. Then that night we went over to the Obrien's home and had Thanksgiving dinner. I love Thanksgiving and being able to remember all the things that we have been blessed with. The Lord has given us soo much! I love him. I love his gospel. 

                 Transfers are on the 19th. Sister Stratford wants to stay because she doesn't want to be spending Christmas at some random members home. I feel the same way. Everyone thinks Sister Stratford will be transferred because she has been in Washington for a while.. I think like 5 or 6 months.. So she could be transferred and I could stay.. Or both could be transferred but since it is Christmas we don't think they will do that. Or we could both stay which we both want but we don't know what will happen.

                Next Monday we won't have P-Day because Elder Perkins is coming to talk to us (: So we will have P-Day on that Tuesday. So don't worry if you don't get an email on Monday.. It will be Tuesday. (: Also, since transfers are the 19th.. make sure if you want to send Christmas packages that you send them soon! Make sure they get here before the 19th because I don't know if I will be transferred or not. Oh funny story. So everyone here wants Sister Stratford to stay and some people like Sister Cayton (Member) and Brother Baldwin (Member) told Sister Stratford that she needs to help with the Christmas program singing in it and playing the piano. And the Bath Christian Church is having a Contada which is like a singing talent show thing I think and they might ask Sister Stratford to be in it which Brother Baldwin thinks is a huge deal and a huge missionary opportunity. So they told Sister Stratford that she needs to call President Baker and tell him that she can't be transferred and she has to stay. We laughed thinking they were kidding, but they were serious. They don't understand that we don't tell the Lord where we need to be haha. Anyways, Brother Baldwin told President Deaver that he needs to call President Baker because Sister Stratford won't. So President Deaver did. We haven't heard what happened but I think it's funny that members don't realize this is the Lord's work not ours. Some people ask us what we do all day and we have to explain to them why we didn't answer their phone call or we showed up late. We are running around serving people all day and teaching lessons. 

               As for your question about District Meetings.. Yes we take turns teaching in District Meetings.. This week for District meeting I said the closing prayer and was the chorister. (Sister Stratford had to show me how to lead haha). Yesterday in church Sister Stratford and I taught the Relief Society Lesson on Christ Like Attributes (chapter 6 in Preach My Gospel). I love this chapter so much. As we continue to develop faith then we will be able to develop other Christ like attribute such as hope, patience, charity, humility, and more. I am working on being self-less this week which goes hand in hand with being humble. I know that God has a plan for us and that if we set goals and really try to become better that God will help us. He is so loving and caring and wants to help us as much as he can! (:

               So we went and helped set up for Back to Bethlehem and we untangled the lights to put on the Christmas trees and then we told the Elders to put them on because I hate putting lights on trees. They agreed and instead of going and finding a ladder and putting the lights up that way.. Elder Mickelson (remember he is like 6'2") got on Elder Sorenson's shoulders (5'8") They were laughing and having a good time and took pictures. Then Elder Sorenson was like, "How about you jump off my shoulders instead of me just putting you down on the ground." So Elder Mickelson tried to jump off backwards and Elder Sorenson threw him off over his head. Elder Mickelson fell right on his butt.. it was funny, but sad. And I tried really hard not to laugh hahah. We have also been teaching the Elders about sarcasm. Every time they say something sarcastic I always say, "Sarcasm is of the devil." They get so mad haha but they are learning that sarcasm really does hurt even if they don't mean to hurt feelings it still does. 

             We ran into a guy at the Quarter Deck because Sister Downey took us to lunch after helping her. This guy just argued with us about religion and was mixing all his bible stories with the Book of Mormon to make our religion look bad and we told him his stories were incorrect. He still just tried to argue. People are so hard hearted! It is so hard to find people who are prepared. But we are still working on finding people. 

             This morning I read my patriarchal blessing for personal study. It made me feel so much better. It gave me comfort and reminded me not to worry about the things that I can't change. Things happen for  reason and the good days are just ahead. I will not see the fruits of my labor until later. Then Sister Downey called after studies and asked if I was okay because she had been thinking about me a lot lately and felt like she needed to call me. She is my missionary mom here. She is awesome and I am so happy to have her to talk to. She told me that if I need anything to ask her. She is my favorite. I love her so much. I see little blessings and miracles every day. I am going to try and be self-less this week and write down the blessings I see each day. I invite you all do set a goal and work towards it this week as well. 

               Keep doing the little things that build your testimony and faith. Faith is so important. The Lord hears your prayers.. Lean on him. Open your heart and mind and learn more from him as you continue to listen to what he wants to tell you. I promise that he wants to talk to you and tell you something. Listen.

             I emailed Logan and Sky and Linds and told them what made me really convert and want to come on a mission. I realized it was my Nauvoo Trip. I felt the spirit in Carthage jail and when I stood on the temple grounds. I knew Joesph Smith was a true prophet. I know the Book of Mormon is true. The spirit converts! The Book of Mormon Converts! Its true! 

Love you all! Have a good week! (:

Love Sister Putnam

Sister Putnam wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving (Nov. 25, 2013)

 We actually went and cleaned at Robyn's house this week and helped clean her windows. I saw a huge spider and they told me it wasn't as big as they usually are. They said wait until summer.. oh no! I hate spiders. And these ones are huge!!!! No joke. When I see a big one I will take pictures and send them home.

So this week was kind of tough. We had 2 investigators drop us. We called one to set up an appt and she said she doesn't want to meet anymore. Then we called Angela and tried to set up an appt with her and she dropped us too. Man.. We were really upset. I just figure that the Lord is cleaning out our pool for all the people in Bath who are ready. FINGERS CROSSED! (: 

Brother Downey's funeral went really well. Sister Stratford sang and Brother Baldwin gave a talk. Brother Baldwin talked about prayer, scriptures, and keeping God's commandments to get closer to Christ. At District Meeting I talked on how to strengthen your relationship with our Heavenly Father and I said that the same 3 things apply. Prayer. Scriptures. Keeping God's commandments. Prayer is huge. We can only get to know someone by talking to them. Same thing applies to Christ and Heavenly Father. We MUST talk to them to get to know them and so that they can earn our trust. Reading the scriptures helps us to know them as well and to be able to learn about them so that we can be like them. Keeping God's commandments shows him that we respect him and we want his help. As we do what he wants.. he will then in turn do what we ask of him. So the funeral went well.

Sister Currie received the Gift of the Holy Ghost on Sunday was super excited. We had to teach her a lot about the Holy Ghost because she thought she wouldn't have trials anymore and life would be great. We told her she needs to listen to the Holy Ghost because it will be hard to hear and she has to obey God's commandments in order for the Holy Ghost to be her constant companion. She is so funny. She is still wearing yoga-ish pants to church but she will learn. She is awesome! She was frustrated last week because we hadn't seen her for awhile and when we went and saw her she said, " I thought that because I joined your church that you wouldn't come and see me anymore." haha No that is not the case. We decided that we could now take Sister Currie to our lessons with investigators because it would count as a member present.. and she is home all day so we could get many member presents haha (which we have been lacking a lot of because members are busy and won't come out with us). 

We had exchanges this week with the Sister Training Leaders. That was fun because I went out with Sister Anderson. I was able to be more in charge of my area and feel more confident in what I was doing. Sister Anderson is awesome. She is from Morgan, Utah. So we talked about all the people I know up there and we know a ton of the same people! It brought back a lot of memories and we just talked and laughed about some of the people. It was really fun. 

We have a new investigator named Wendy. She was taught before by the Elders and then they dropped her because she couldn't keep commitments and she was living with her boyfriend. Well she is now married. She has  7 year old daughter and her husband is hispanic.. I wish I knew Spanish.. I'm tellin ya! ha. We met Wendy the same way the Elders before us met her. We stopped at her house because we were taken to her house by the GPS and in her window was mormon.org cards that we give to people. So we thought it must be the less active lady we are trying to see. The Elders did the same thing! It wasn't the less active lady.. she lives down the street but we met Wendy! She said she wants to be baptized.. but we haven't really taught her yet.. and we don't know if she will commit to anything because she won't set up appointments with us and tells us to just call her when we come over.. so it is hard to plan with her but we will figure it out. We are also trying to get Brother Baldwin going with all his Bath City friends that went to the funeral. We got to get them hooked. We have been bugging him about it a lot because we need these people and we know they are ready to be taught! 

All the referrals we received from stake conference we are now actually splitting them up with the Elders in our area and then we go and visit the family that gave us the referrals. We then have the families learn how to invite these people. How to invite and when and what invitiations to do. We think we will have much sucess with this. It is cool to see families really missionary minded and trying to get their friends to church or to activites who are not members! So fun! 

 I know this gospel is true. I have seen many people struggle with their lives this week and we ask them if they have been reading the Book of Mormon daily and praying daily. They confess and say no. I promise if they would read the Book of Mormon every day that the adversary will not have power over them. They will have better days and be able to get over the challenges they are facing. Be courageous like the 2,000 strippling warriors! Have Faith. Things work out. "Gird up your Loins." Get to work. Use your Shield of Faith and Shield of Righteousness to escape the "fiery darts of the wicked." The Book of Mormon is amazing. Use it. Read it. I love it so much. Remember to Act in Faith. Act in your prayers. 

I love D&C 68:6-Logan used it for his missionary plaque. I share it with those who are in need of comfort. I also love Alma 7:11 (: Use the atonement everyday for everything (:

Have a great Thanksgiving! We are going to the Obrien's for dinner and then I don't know what we are doing the rest of the day. But it is a non proselyting day which will be fun! 

Love Sister Putnam

A Baptism, a live Bear, a desire to play the Piano and a beautiful Sunrise! PS....singing in Sacrament Meeting!

Thank you for all of your letters! 

As for Sister Downey.. Brother Downey passed away Sunday. The funeral will be this Wednesday at 6 oclock. 

I feel for Sister Downey. We just don't know what to do for her. Pray for her please. She is still doing the Back to Bethlehem nativity. We went to her outdoor theatre and helped get things ready with her. Sister Stratford and I put the letters up on the sign like at Kirts back at home. That is what it reminded me of. I really liked doing it! (: 

Sister Currie got baptized!!! My first baptism! (: She did such a great job. She had to be dunked 3 times because she kept sticking her foot out haha and Brother Cayton (the one baptizing her) kept saying the words wrong. After she wanted to swim in the water. We told her no and to get out haha. Sister Stratford and I sang at her baptism. We sang, "Lift up your heart." By Sally Deford. Sister Stratford sang lower and I sang higher. It was pretty good. I was super nervous.. But I guess I did alright because they want us to sing it again for sacrament. I wish you were here Mom to play the piano.. But yes, Sister Currie got baptized. She will be confirmed this Sunday because it was Stake Conference last sunday. 

Saturday was stake conference and all of the missionaries in the stake sang Called to Serve and We'll Bring the World His Truth. We have 42 missionaries in the stake and 18 are sisters! (:  They talked about missionary work and how the members need to work with the missionaries. They had some converts share their stories and their testimonies. The spirit was so strong at stake conference! President Baker and his wife also spoke about the importance of missionary work. Our goal was to receive 1,000 referrals from the members at stake conference saturday. Well we reached our goal! We received 1,013 referrals. Then Sunday we received an additional 56 referrals just from our branch!!!! Sister Stratford and I have 33 people to contact this week. This is so great because we need more investigators! We have one progressing investigator which is Sister Herwig. She said she would get baptized once she received an answer that it is true. She feels like it is true though. We have only taught her like 3 times though. Now we just need to get to her husband! (: 

Sister Stratford will be singing at Brother Downey's funeral. That is why I wish I could play the piano better. I guess I will start taking lessons again from you mom when I get home. haha 

We taught a lesson in Quarter Deck the other day. Brother Baldwin (ward missionary leader) owns the gas station/store thing and was working when we went in there. His friend walked in and Brother Baldwin told us to teach him. So we did and we gave his friend named Ruben a Book of Mormon! There are so many to teach! We just need them to want to meet with us (: 

We saw another bear. It was alive this time! It ran across the street in front of your car when we were driving home from a lesson with Robyn and Wayne Keech. It was so dark that you could hardly even see the bear. We are truly being watched over because we could have hit it but we didn't! (: 

Sister Stratford and I go jog/walking in the mornings. It wasn't cold at all this morning. We dressed warm thinking it would be chilly and then we were so hot the whole time haha. We ran by the water/river. It was so pretty. We always see the sun rise in the mornings and one morning we took pictures of it. I will send some (: Then we run pass a park so we stop and swing for a bit haha. The park is right up by the water like our house. It is so beautiful. Our work outs are getting better. We just have to motivate each other (: Maybe I will start working out with you when I get home when you go walking in the mornings. 

Well I have been reading in the Book of Mormon in Alma. I just read about Alma the younger talking to his sons and to Helaman about sharing the gospel. Everything I read in the Book of Mormon relates to missionary work. Before at home, Everything I read in the BOM would relate to just life in general. It is so cool how the BOM always will relate to you no matter who you are or how old you are. So cool! Anyways, It talks about faith a ton and how to act on your faith. Share the gospel with everyone! I heard in stake conference that Sharing the gospel should not be a burden to you and to others. It should be exciting and a wonderful opportunity. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE THE DAY OF YOUR REPENTANCE. We have the opportunity to use the atonement. We know about the true church and we know the doctrine and we know so much! Don't let it go to waste. Share it. Use it. I know this is the true church. I know the BOM helps with whatever trial or problem that we are facing no matter what the problem may be. The book of mormon has all of the answers along with God. Ask God and read the book of mormon everyday. It has truly blessed my life and I know it can bless yours as well. I am so proud of you guys for all you do and the testimonies that you have. Don't let them go to waste. I know prayers work. Sister Stratford and I had daily contact with Sister Currie before she was baptized. The day after her baptism she said she doesn't even have the desire to drink coffee anymore. How marvelous. Miracles are everywhere. Prayers work. Don't give up. Be thankful and look for miracles through out your day. You will find plenty I promise. 

We should be getting Ipads in like April .. hopefully we will be able to use facebook then as well. (:

Keep leaning on the Lord. He loves you! 

Read Pray Always by David A. Bednar. Read the ensign for this month. I really enjoyed the talk A Broken Vessel by Jeffrey R. Holland. Read it. Love it. Apply It. 

Love you!

Love Sister Putnam

P.S. I heard a cool quote. "Work Will Win When Wishy Washy Wishing Won't."

Sister Currie is getting baptized!

11-11-13

Hi All!

Washington is pretty much like North Ogden.. it is really small. But we still use the GPS because all the streets are names so thats confusing. It is so pretty here though with the sun shining off the water. Some days it's cold. It is starting to get colder but won't get as cold as Virginia Beach I have been told. 

So Sister Downey wanted Sister Stratford to sing again for her family. Her whole family was pretty much over there and so Sister Stratford sang, "Be Still My Soul." Yes she has a good voice. She teaches piano lessons too and played the organ for her first time during sacrament. She makes up her own versions of songs. Its really cool. She was going to make a CD for everyone for Christmas but Chris Downey was going to record her and now that his dad is dying he doesn't have time or doesn't want to now. So she is a little bummed about that. Hopefully we can find someone that has a MAC computer that will record her so that I can have a CD too! Brother Downey is now on oxygen and weighs probably like 115 or 110 pounds. He is going downhill fast. They don't think he will make it much longer. It has brought the whole city of Bath together though. Many people are wondering what Judy Downey believes and we are trying to meet with some of them. This really is a huge missionary opportunity right now even though Brother Downey isn't even a member. Everyone's hearts are softened right now and it is cool to see the mysteries of God. 

Sister Currie drank coffee 2 times now but we called our mission president, President Baker and he said it's okay. He is more concerned with people being addicted to those things. She had her interview yesterday during relief society and is good to go on Friday! The only bummer is that stake conference is sunday so she has to wait until next sunday to get the gift of the Holy Ghost. It will be okay though. We figured out her program and everything for her baptism. She is really excited and knows this is the right thing even though she has a bad memory she is starting to remember a lot more. God is so great! Our prayers have literally been answered concerning Sister Currie. When you ask in faith and then act marvelous things seem to happen! Imagine that (: We showed her the baptism font and she was scared and was confused mostly because she thought it was only a couple drops of water that she was going to have put on her head. We have told her how a baptism works and how we perform baptisms from Christ's example. She forgot and them remembered after we told her again. We went over the baptism questions with her before she had her interview. She is so funny. When we asked if she has problems with the Law of Chastity or Homosexuality or abortions she immediately would reply with a strong, forceful, NO! OF COURSE NOT!  haha she is so funny. When we asked her about the Word of Wisdom she says, "It's the wisdom from God because he has great words of wisdom." We tell her that is great but it is also the health code. She goes, "oh yeah! No coffee, No wine." haha. The other day scammers were calling and she answered and started speaking spanish.."hola, hola, who is this, who is this" well kind of.. she doesn't speak great. Then she told us that she is going to start preaching to the scammers and tell them that God doesn't like what they are doing. She told us that they will be terrified because they are from Jamaica and fear God. haha. She makes my day. 

Transfer calls were last night but Sister Stratford and I will not be transferred because I am still training. I train for 12 weeks. So I have 6 more weeks. I am happy because I love Washington and Sister Stratford.  We have our ups and downs but most days we get along fine and have many inside jokes. We are both pretty hilarious if you ask me. (: 

Brother Cease helps in the wards with the missionary work and came to our last coordination meeting. It was great because he told our ward missionaries what they need to be doing and that we (missionaries) shouldn't be doing everything. It was good for him to tell them because now we think things might start to pick up with the members. We really need the members to come out with us because now we have to have members come with us at night to our appointments or we can't go out after dark. Members are really important! If it weren't for members.. we wouldn't have hardly any referrals which means we wouldn't have anybody to teach. Or we would be tracting all day everyday. I have only tracted like twice since I have been out because there are better ways now to find new investigators. We have been calling former investigators out of our area book and we have an appt with Mona tomorrow! We hope it goes well! We called this guy named Stacey one night. Then when we woke up we had a voice mail from him. He called us back at 3:30 in the morning. Sister Stratford thinks he was drunk.. but I don't know haha. We called him back and he wants to meet with us but is having back surgery tomorrow so he said he would call us and schedule an appt. We are excited and hope these will work out because we don't have hardly anyone to teach besides Recent Converts and Less Active members. We are trying to teach the active ward members as well.. 

We have new goals that when we teach we are going to really focus on the how to be teaching lesson with the investigators for our first lesson. That way they won't think we are just having "Bible Study". I hate that people think that we just study with them. OUR PURPOSE IS TO INVITE OTHERS TO COME UNTO CHRIST. Did you see how it says OUR? That means you too. Not just the missionaries. I heard something really cool the other day from Brother Cease actually. He said that the missionaries are here to assist the ward and the ward members. The missionaries are not there for the members to assist them. But we do need help in assisting the ward. We need referrals from them. We need them to come on exchanges with us or just to lessons with us. Members help so much! We need members help! 

We are trying to focus on teaching Sister Currie how to recognize the spirit as well as why the Book of Mormon is so important. Reading the Book of Mormon EVERYDAY will give us the strength to avoid temptations that Satan has planned for us. We will be able to receive guidance from the Holy Ghost and we will also be able to learn lessons for ourselves through the Book of Mormon. We will have a stronger desire to read it as we read it over and over again. We will have a stronger testimony of this gospel and of the Lord as we continue to read the Book of Mormon. I just read in Alma how Amulek and Alma are preaching to the wicked people and the men that believed in Alma and Amulek's words were thrown out of the city and their wives and children were burned to death. How awful of a thing people would say! I think it is awful too! But we must remember that, "all that is unfair can be made fair through the atonement of Jesus Christ." How wonderful a blessing. Those wicked judges that killed the wives and children will be judged of their works. There must be opposition in all things for the Lord's plan to work. Those wives and children were taken right up to heaven and the wicked will surely be judged. Now doesn't that give you comfort? It reminds me of people in todays world saying that all these wars, or people being abused, or on and on .. they say thats not fair.. they are right. its not fair for those victims.. but remember, it says in Preach My Gospel, "all that is unfair can be made fair though the atonement of Jesus Christ." That means everything that is unfair! How great a blessing (: The Book of Mormon is amazing. Use it. Read it. Embrace it. 

This week I am studying Asking in Faith with prayers and Hope. I hope you will all strengthen your testimonies. I hope you will have Family Home Evening and have family scripture study. I hope you will all have sincere meaningful prayers. Pray everywhere and anywhere. Pray all the time. Pray quietly at times as well as vocally. I know this gospel is true. Continue to bring others into this amazing plan that God has for us. Preach and Teach. 

I love you all!

Love Sister Putnam

PS......Things that I would love.....Music CDs (church ones)...banana bread, poppy seed bread or pumpkin chocolate chip bread...granola mix (I really like Mandee's but any will be fine)...Stephens hot chocolate mix.  Any of these things would be great for Christmas too.

Photos of me and my mission Family!

                          Sister Putnam & Sister Stratford!!!!  First Companion.....First Area!!!  :)
                                                                          9/13 to......?  :)

                                                                Joni's first District!  10/13

                                                       Our District having fun together!  :)  10/13

                                                First night of being an official missionary for
                                     The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!!!  9/17/13
                                               Sister Putnam with Jerry & Wendy Putnam