1.30.17 The Lord works in mysterious ways!

Hey there y'all!! :) 

We had a wonderful zone conference and world wide meeting this week. The spirit was so strong and I learned so much. It was a crazy week but here is the main story! 

It all started on Tuesday when we went on an exchange. Sister Hosman was talking with Sister Smith and told her "man you have such cool mission stories! I need more cool stories!"... little did she know the Lord had something in mind the very next day.

Wednesday was the world wide missionary broadcast. It was an amazing meeting. Where we learned about the changes to the mission schedule, and heard the apostles and other church leaders discuss ways we can improve as missionaries. It was awesome and we were all so pumped to get to work. 

We hurried out to the cars.  Sister Hosman opened the car door to get inside, and Sister Hollowell in the car next to ours opened her door from the inside to get out. All we heard was a- smack! Not car door on car door... but two car doors sandwiching Sister Hosman's finger! As a natural response she shook off her hand - like when your finger gets jammed. But as she shook her hand blood spewed everywhere! Sister Hosman turned white and looked to Sister Rasmussen and said "My finger is off!" 

Before Sister Hosman could fall down or pass out. We helped her to lay down. Sister Crowton grabbed her pillow out of the car and laid it under her head. Sister Smith had a very cool head and helped her to breathe slowly. 

She told Elder Brown to go grab paper towels and he looked so confused, so sister Rasmussen told him "they're in the church!" So he was like "Oh yes!" And ran into the church. He came out with the whole roll of church towels. Sister Smith wrapped her finder. And Elder Klingler (the only elder with a clear head) came over and knelt down by Sister Hosman's head. And asked for her name. He gave her a quick blessing and we rushed into the cars. 

Sister Crowton got 7 speeding violations, and ran a red light... We showed up to the urgent care and after the Dr looked at her finger in amazement he said that they couldn't care for that there and we needed to go to the ER. So we rushed to the ER. 

It was a bit of a mess at the hospital they were unorganized and the assistant doing the X-ray on Sister Hosman's hand tried flirting with her by saying "For being in so much pain, you are really pretty." It was a bit frustrating. But there was a nurse, Sarah, who did 4 loose stitches in her hand so it would be okay for the night. Because we were having to go see the plastic surgeon the next day. 

After leaving the Dr we realized we needed to ask the nurse Sarah a question. So we called the hospital, and asked for the nurse Sarah, the Dr's said she didn't work there. We were so confused. Sister Hosman said "She just did stitches in my hand 20 minutes ago..." but apparently that nurse Sarah didn't exist.

That evening Sister Hosman got a priesthood blessing. In the blessing she was blessed to heal quickly, and that it would have no long term effects. She was also blessed that she would feel angels around her through this trial. And that this trial would be a blessing she would be grateful for. 

At the plastic surgeon the next day, he was so surprised to see how much it had healed already! The nurse Sarah had aligned everything back together perfectly. So perfectly that the bone was in a place he would not have to do surgery! He said it was so small that if they did do a pin it would probably just break the bone worse. So they put it in a splint and said he wants her back in 2 weeks to make sure it is healing and no plastic surgery would be necessary. 

Looking back, there were so many details and blessing that went into this trial of a broken finger. It has brought the sisters in our zone closer together. It's been a lesson on humility and patience as Sister Crowton has gotten the chance to bath Sister Hosman while wearing a little make shift swim suit, and help her get dressed in the morning then into pajamas at night. Sister Crowton and Sister Hosman have grown close through this experience. It hasn't been easy. But the Lord's ways are higher than our own. And we can grow as we follow His will. :) 

Sam and Jenn are still doing great and look forward to coming to church this week. Audra is amazing and looking forward to her baptism this Saturday! The blessings of Monica serving a mission have already come to the family. Andy got an incredible job and is moving today to Washington DC! We are sad to see him go but hope to still teach him when he comes back on the weekends. The work is going well and I feel so blessed! Love y'all! 

Love,

Sister Hosman 

(My comp typed this story up, she is amazing) 

Pictures from the hospital after the Plastic Surgeon appointment

It was so good to see Sister Evans again. She is doing great and loving UGA! 

As a Mom I can't express enough love for this wonderful companion who is taking such good care of Rachael!

Sister Hollowell and her broken companions hahah 

I love this picture. I know we are truly surrounded by angels❤️

1.23.17 Go Falcons!!! 👍🏼😀🏈

Hi y'all!! 

First things first, we are safe and happy as ever! The tornado did not effect us but thank you for your prayers and concerns. We had a great week and are feeling very blessed. We are working with so many great people! Here are some details about it!!

Sam and Jenn Boutwell are doing great! They are seriously my favorite!! We were able to help Jenn find her patriarchal blessing. She read it for the first time since her 20's and we think that it opened her eyes to the blessings she is missing out on. She now carries her BOM everywhere she goes in her purse! She is like a missionary! Sam told us he is ready to be baptized! Which is amazing, but we have to help them get married. They are working through some blended family logistics. But, we hope to continue to see progress over the little bit. Jenn and Sam are just so awesome! They both prayed for us this week. It is so cool to see them growing and changing. 

Audra is on date to be baptized February 4th!! She has so many questions all the time!! She is so funny. She was worried she couldn't get baptized because her kids don't want to come to church, and because she is a stay at home mom she doesn't have in income so she doesn't have anything to pay tithing on. So she asked if missionary's could stay in her lake house as a tithing payment or something.. haha she's just so funny!  She is truly elect and has such a love for the scriptures. We are so excited for her! Please keep her in your prayers :) 

We had another lesson with the Propes family. It went wonderfully!! The kids are just hungry for the gospel. When talking about Joseph smith and the first vision it was like they couldn't take their eyes off of us. We asked them how they felt, and in mesmerized voices, their responses were "amazed"  (7 yr old), "speechless" (15yr old), "warm inside and like something like that could happen to me!" (12 yr old). It was so great! We have another lesson with them this week and are excited to see where this goes!! It is truly all about being in the right place at the right time. The ward is amazed they are opening up to us but we have faith that this is their time. 

Andy Phillips is doing great! He is a nonmember. We had a lesson with him this week, and it went really well. He continues to surprise us with reading so much in the Book of Mormon. He is very very nervous about his daughter Monica leaving on her mission. He is scared he will be lonely. Over a year ago his wife and Monica's mom suddenly passed away. They are still sad about it, but it's cool how it has brought them to the gospel. We are excited to teach him about the Plan of Salvation this week and know it will bring peace to his heart knowing he will see his wife again. Monica's farewell is this Sunday and she is so ready! She will be amazing missionary and touch many lives, including her dads. 

At our lesson with Andy Saturday, Sister Crowton's heart started racing and she started to feel very light headed and weird. So we called the mission nurse and they said to go to the emergency room immediately. Unfortunately, we didn't have a car this week only bikes so we had to call members. Sister Hosman had the feeling to call a member and it was crazy she was just about to be driving past our apartment on the way home so it worked out perfect. We went to the hospital, and the Dr's said everything was normal. It could have just been exhaustion, anxiety, or some little virus thingy. They don't know. But after some rest and taking things slow Sunday she is doing great! Never a dull moment! :) 

This Sunday we had a youth led sacrament and it was so cool! I was so impressed and the spirit was so strong. They all spoke on different Christlike attributes from Preach My Gospel. The closing song was them singing the EFY medley. A mix of "As Sister's in Zion" and "We'll bring the World his Truth." It was powerful and I couldn't help but flash back to my wonderful memories of EFY. Time is flying by and I can't believe I am here now bringing the World His truth. It is the greatest thing in the whole world. Heavenly Father is truly moving his work forward. This is the time to prepare! What are you doing to prepare and strengthen your relationship with him today? :) 

I love y'all!  Stay peachy :) 

Sister Hosman 

Sister Crowton and Sister Hosman with Monica - a new convert who is leaving to serve a mission soon!

1.15.17 - The final 6 weeks!! 🙈🙊🙉

Hey y'all! 

I can't believe I am a week into my last transfer. Where did the time go? It has been so fun to get pictures of friends beginning to return home from their missions. I am so proud of them and grateful for their service and example to me. It has been a fantastic and I am so excited to see what the lord has in store... 

I know I talk about Sam and Jenn every week but words can't express my love for them. In every area you know their are certain reasons you are called there. Sam and Jenn are definitely one of the reasons I know I was called to finish strong in Laurel Springs! So many amazing miracles happened with them this last week. 7 weeks ago when I first met Jenn she assured us that she would not pray or read but that we could come visit her. This last week Jenn prayed for us out loud and it was amazing. The spirit was so strong and touched my heart as she prayed and thanked Heavenly Father for sending missionaries her way. Jenn hadn't been to church since she was 16 years old and was very nervous to ever come with her sweet 15 year old named Zachary. He is autistic and about the age of a 4 year old in his brain. But THEY CAME TO CHURCH!! Pure joy filled my heart as I watched them walk through those doors. One of those moments that you feel the true joy of missionary work. Where you know this is exactly where you are supposed to me. It is one of the greatest feelings in the world. They all had a great experience. Although we were all unsure how Zach would be and what kind of words he would yell, the loudest thing he proclaimed was "Amen!" He is truly a southern boy. I also gained a lot of respect for my mother and the many mothers who sit in sacrament meeting trying to occupy their children while still listening to the message. It was tricky but an experience I will never forget. We went over to their home last night and had a great discussion. We talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Sam told us he felt ready to be baptized. Of course there will need to be a wedding before that happens but it was so exciting. We were able to help Jenn find her patriarchal blessing so she could read it for the first time in many years. They have grown so much and I am so proud of them.❤️

Andy is also doing awesome and in his first week of reading he made it to the end of 2 Nephi! He had the opportunity to sit outside the temple while his daughter Monica received her endowments and that was really special for him. He had been struggling with the plan of salvation but that opportunity came at the perfect time and was a huge tender mercy. 

Sister Crowton is my new companion and she is amazing! She is from Pleasant View Utah and will hit her year mark this week. She is a wonderful teacher and missionary. I feel so blessed to have such an awesome final companion and murderer as they say in the mission!(; 

We had a meeting with President Bennion this week and he told a story that has really stuck with me. Every Monday night they invite the missionaries and those they are teaching over for family night. A fun time to get together and play a game, have a treat and a gospel lesson. This last Monday there was a family with a single mom and 9 children. President and Sister Bennion had each given them a BoM and invited them to read it. The next time the family saw President Bennion the 9 year old girl in the family ran up to him. She opened her personal copy of the BoM and was so excited to show him what she had highlighted. It was 1 Nephi 1:12. 

12 And it came to pass that as he read, he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord.

A scripture verse that was so simple but so true. She then pointed to herself and said "that is what happened to me, I felt it!" I don't know if I have ever really noticed that verse before and the truth of it. As we read the Book of Mormon, we are filled with the spirit of the lord. I LOVE the BoM and am so grateful for the peace, strength, comfort and guidance it gives me. Every time I read I am filled with the love and spirit of the lord. I know that you can be too. Even if it is is just for 5 minutes a day. The BoM is a life changer. It is is written for YOU and for me. Regardless of your age of where you are at in your life. I promise it will make a difference in your everyday life as you make time to read it and you will get closer to god and his son Jesus Christ. 

I love y'all and am so grateful for all you do! Have a blessed week and don't forget to read and pray. Xoxo 

Love,

Sister Hosman 

So true! Blessed to have wonderful grandmothers💗

Sad to say this is the one pic we have.  Promise more next week! She is super sweet and I love her tons :) 

1.10.17 Faith is like a little seed...

Hey there y'all!! :)

First of all is transfer news!! I am staying here in Laurel Springs but getting a new companion. Her name is Sister Crowton but I don't know much about her. I am excited to get to know her and promise to send pics next week! Sister Evans is going to UGA campus in Athens and I am so excited for her. She will love it so much! 

It has been one cold week here in Georgia but still a great one. When everyone was worried about getting snow I didn't believe them but we did get some after all. 

Wednesday we had a wonderful zone meeting on Christlike attributes. One of my favorite lines in PMG (a guidebook for missionaries) is "just as important as what you do is who you are". We are here to become more like our brother and Savior Jesus Christ. It is a life long pursuit but I know that we can really become like him. As I mention every time I love gathering together as missionaries and the spirit is always so strong. It truly warms my heart and motivates me to be better. 

This week we were able to see Sam several times and he is doing so well. He has changed so fast and so much in these last couple weeks. It's been truly amazing to see the Lord work on him and his heart. You can really feel his hunger for the spirit and for truth. This week we were able to watch him liken the scriptures to himself and begin to highlight the verses he loved. As well as teach his girlfriend and bear testimony to him. It was so cool. We brought a convert named Monica and as she was sharing her story she talked about a warmness and goodness she felt. Sam said "I have felt that too!" The spirit is the true teacher and it is so humbling. We had great discussions about prayer, faith, obedience and the BoM. We are really working on getting him to come to church but his schedule is crazy right now. Continue to pray for him! 

Last week I know I talked about Andy so a little update on him. He is doing good and even came to church this last week. We had a great lesson with him and he really opened up to us. He hadn't read the BoM yet but promised to this week. He has been through some really hard times but is interested in learning more. He is a minister so his questions can be tricky but the spirit is truly helping us. We are looking forward to teaching him about God's plan of happiness this next week. 

My faith has grown so much these last 17 months. Not just my faith but my faith in the lord Jesus Christ. Through experience, service, prayer, study and more. I have learned that faith truly is closing your eyes and listening to you heart. Faith leads you to act and become better. I have learned to rely on the Lord and trust in him. Faith is knowing good will come but it seems to come after we have been tried. It can and should be growing each and every day. If you are wanting to grow your faith and relationship with Jesus Christ this next year you should and you can. Start with prayer. Take 5 minutes a day to read from the BoM. Pray for opportunities to serve and follow your promptings. If you do I promise you will see a difference in your life and your faith will grow! Start with that desire, that's the seed and if planted it will grow! :) 

Time is flying by and I can't believe I am starting my last transfer. It doesn't seem real and it really hasn't hit me yet. But I am loving it and am so grateful for all I have learned and continue to learn. I have made some goals and promised to give the Lord my all. Thank you for all your love and support. I feel it everyday and am eternally grateful. Have a blessed week, I love y'all! 

Love,

Sister Hosman 

Sister Christensen you will be so missed. You have been such a huge blessing in my life and the lives of many others here in Georgia. Love you so much!💗

Who knew??? Icicles in Georgia?! 

This is our little buddy Zachary❤️ He is Jenn B's son! ( the less active and Sam's girlfriend) 

2017... are you ready y'all?! (1.3.17)

Hi y'all! 

Happy New Year! I can't believe it is 2017!! Hope everyone had a safe and fun New Year. It was a great week and we were super busy. Here is an update on a couple of the Lords wonderful children we are blessed to teach.. 

Sam is doing great and we had some awesome lessons with him this last week. We taught him about the plan of salvation and it went so well. He said it just all made sense. Jenn (inactive gf) also participated the whole time which was huge. The spirit was so strong and he asked some great questions. He is reading the BoM but we talked about the importance of praying about it. Prayer is so essential in all that we do. 

Missionary leadership council (MLC) was on Friday and it was incredible. How I wish I could have just been a fly on the wall in those meetings. They have a special spirit. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful and humble leaders. It is amazing to see President Bennion humble himself to take advice and Council with us. We discussed that just has important as what we do as missionaries is who we are. The Christlike attributes are to help us to become more like Jesus Christ. We can do it, that is what we are here to do. We also discuss agency, the only true gift that we can give God. We are a very obedient mission but President pointed out that that may not be the best thing. We need to govern ourselves so that we may learn and grow. That is what we are all on earth for. The hope and prayer is that we make good decisions and give out heart/will to god. It was a big eye opener for me. 

Andy is a wonderful father of a girl who joined the church just a few years ago and now has a mission call to California. He has been coming to church these last couple of months but never really accepted being taught. This last week we had our first lesson with Andy and we're able to to teach him about the Restoration. He was a minister so he has a lot of tough questions. But he has agreed to read and pray about the BoM. I know he will feel of the truthfulness of it. The BoM is so powerful and truly changes lives. I'm excited to see what happens with Andy in the future. I know he will be blessed by Monica (his daughter) serving a mission. God truly protects and blesses the families of his missionaries. I saw it as my brother Zach was serving and now while I am serving.

The Ruiz family is a terrific family we are working with that has been less active for awhile. We have had some powerful lessons with them and they have a desire to come back. This last week we talked about the importance of keeping the sabbath day holy and invited them to come to church. We were very bold and reminded them that actions speak louder than words. What we do on the sabbath truly is a sign to our Heavenly Father. We were sad when the first hour of church was almost over and we hadn't seen them come in. However, it turned around and he pointed right at me with a big grin on his face. My face hurt from smiling so hard y'all! My heart filled with warmth and love. God is good!! They were so happy to be there and I know Heavenly Father was even happier. Feeling a piece of the love he has for his precious children is so incredible and I'm so grateful for this outstanding opportunity! 

I love y'all so much! Thank you for all your love, support and prayers. Have a blessed week! 

Love,

Sister Hosman 

*I did not receive any pictures this week, but if you are scrolling down looking for the good stuff, here it is...

Rachael will be home on Feb. 22 @ 4:40 p.m.

She will be speaking in church on Feb. 26th @ 11:00a.m.