Week 19 Romanian Week

This week we had the wonderful pleasure of teaching a Romanian family. Oh my! My heart really goes out to them! My love for them is so strong! The parents are Maria and Adam. They have 3 girls. Maria (is 4years old), Elisabeta (2years old), and Elena (almost 1). They are so sweet and sooo cute!

The family had a Book of Mormon from the past when they had met with the missionaries once before. We were able to teach the first lesson to them and show them the Jospeh Smith video in Romanian. Maria (the mother) really loved it!! She said she felt something. And she has been reading the Book of Mormon. Its so fun talking to her about the Book of Mormon, because she really understands it. Anyway, the kids are so cute they love pictures of christ adn watching the Joseph Smith video. They went up close to the screen to see it. haha We try to do visual aids in Romanian...like the Plan of Salvation. We drew out a map in Romanian and we've been learning some fun Romanian words to help:)

This Sunday we left our apartment early in the morning to go to their house and help them come to church with all the kids. They MADE IT:) And we were able to give them a tour of the church building and they really loved it! And then we had sacrament together. And I brought some more pictures of Christ and crayons to help the little ones. After sacrament the family had to leave, but they were telling us how much they really felt the spirit and loved coming. 

This week we also had a missionary Broadcast. That was really fun! It was so good. It helped us focus on what was important and what we can do to improve. It was the General authorities giving us instruction on repentance and Baptizing converts. It was so unique having a broadcast so centered on what we do and how we can improve. I really loved what Elder Bednar said about the Holy Ghost. We really cant teach without the spirit. We really are the tool that the spirit works through to touch others. 

I really love being here and working! I love the people so much!! They all mean the world to me! I know God places people in our lives for a reason. I love this gospel and the beautiful blessings it gives me. I love how the gospel is perfect in everyway but, God needs us...imperfect people to do the work. I know that when we do all we can to build up the kingdom of God, God builds us. We grow in a way we never thought possible. 

I love you all sooo much!

Have a great week!

Love, 

Sister Ramsay

Week 18 Cold Week

WE GOT SNOW!!!:)

How is everyone??

This week we were able to visit a lot of people. We visited our new investigator this week, Maybelle. She has been doing soo well this week! Her baby Petros is seriously the cutest baby ever! Maybelle has a lot of faith and is so amazing! She understands what we teach her and what she needs to do to progress. It was actually kinda funny--towards the end of our lesson she said "yes, I know I need to read...otherwise I wont progress." I really loved that...because it meant she knew what she needed to do to become closer to Christ. It was so cool!

This week we also had a conference with the Zone leaders. They came up to Thess to give us a presentation on Doctrine and Covenants 20:37. In the meeting/conference we went into depth of that scripture means and how we can apply it better with our investigators. 

This week Sister Jansson and I did a lot of street contacting and finding! It was so good this week! We were able to find a lot of people who needed our help and were looking for the Savior's guidance. We were able to meet up with Sofia again from last week!! She really was looking for something. And we have arranged to meet with her again. Its been such a testimony builder to meet people like her!! 

This week we also had a lesson with Maya!! We taught her the restoration and she told us she felt something. She knows its true. It was so good to hear and be able to bear testimony of it! I know its true! And Im sooo grateful for the opportunity I have to share my testimony with the people here! 

We also had a lesson with Elsa and Bernada. They are both doing very well. Elsa wants to come and do service with us this week and Bernada told us in our previous lesson she wants to be baptized but just doesnt know when...

This week we were looking for a lady's apartment to meet up with her, but we couldnt find it and a young boy was walking by and so we asked him for some help. Afterward he asked us who we were and why we were here. We were able to tell him a lot...(basically... the first lesson/ restoration of the gospel). And after we had talked about it for a bit, he asked,"Do you really believe in Joseph Smith?" We smiled and said yes. And  told him how he can come to receive an answer. He really thought what we were telling him was interesting...and so, we gave him a Book of Mormon and said a prayer to end our little lesson. He smiled and said thank you. 

I know God puts us in these situations to bless people that have been prepared for us. I know that the young boy, Safiris felt the spirit. I know that when we listen to promptings we are guided. I love this work so much!

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Love you all!!

Sister Ramsay

p.s

 We were given a bag of fresh fish from a member in church....It was one of those funny experiences you just dont forget! We are very grateful for the members and their service to us:)

Week 17 Transfers

Hi Everyone!

We had transfers and so now I have this new companion, who is sooooo amazing!! Oh, I love her! She's from Sweden. Her name is Sister Jansson. And she is so funny! We get along soooo well!! We have been working a lot this week! It was actually kinda funny...as soon as we went out to go meet with people would ask us if we were both from sweden or germany...(they said our eyes and hair color gave it away.) Haha. Well, people generally get pretty close...its not germany, but Switzerland:) 

So, this week we met up with Milena and Lois. They were so happy to see Sister Jansson. The lessons were so good! I love these people:)

 We just got a new Investigator. Her name is Maybelle. She just had a baby. She's from Nigeria. And she's so awesome! We had a lesson about families and how the gospel can bless her new family. And she loved that! She loves what we teach her and wants us to come more often.

This week we also had service and white boarding! That was so good! We were able to talk to a lot of people!

This week we had a miracle!! We had 3 ladies with 3 different situations come up to us while we were on our way to lessons we had. The first lady was Sofia. Ohhh She's sooo sweet! She was walking her new puppy. And we stopped to tell her that we thought her puppy was so cute. And as she stopped to talk to us she broke down and started crying about how her husband just died three months ago and that she wasn't going to see him again. We were so glad that we were in the right place at the right time! I bore testimony that I know God has a plan for us and that she will see her husband again. She was sooo happy and relieved to hear what we had to say and gave us her number to talk more. She told us how much she hoped what we were telling her the truth! And we told her we were. And we plan to meet up with her again!:) Oh, how I love this gospel! It is such a blessing! 

The next lady was Roula. We met her while we were white boarding. She has 3 kids. And they were all there:) We asked them the question.."what does Christ mean to you?" And the little kids said he's our savior, and the other kid said, he loves us. We were both smiling and nodding our heads...Yes! He is. And the mom, Roula was really interested in what we were saying about Christ and how our message is central to Him. We will meet this family this week to have a lesson:)

And the last lady is ειρηνη. Her name actually means Peace. We met her on our way to Elsa and Bernada's apartment building.She was one of the people that actually came up to us asking if we were both swedish...hahaha;)

Anyway, she liked our message and a few days ago when we called her. She asked if we were Orthodox Sisters....and we told her no...We are Mormon and she laughed and said ohhh well, Im orthodox and not interested. It was kinda a funny expereince!

We also met with Elsa and Bernada. They are soo sweet! Elsa is from Bulgaria and Bernada is from Albania. But they both love having us over and having our lessons. 

This week has been busy, but we love it!! We love the work!!:) 

I hope you are all well! Remember to smile and be happy! We've got the best gift ever....the Gospel:) Im so grateful for this opportunity! Im learning so much! And my new trainer is the best! She really is a huge example to me in every way! 

Let me know if there is something I can do!

THank you:)

Love ya,

Sister Ramsay

PS.Sister Jansson and I had some very funny moments!

We found a huge spider up on the wall...so she jumped on my bed and sprayed it with bug spray. 

We also found a fat worm in her bag..

And we also went through a dark alley. 

The adventures we go through;)

Week 16 Athen's Trip

Hey!

So this past week I went to Athens. In Athens we had a Zone Conference. That was sooo good! We learned a lot of new things and ways to improve as missionaries! We also did some service activities. We cleaned a street and picked up all the trash. That was funny...we had some people walk by asking us what we were doing and we naturally responded with.."we want to clean this area up." and the people woukld say.."Oh...wow...Thank you.." They seemed very surprised. But I'm very grateful for every opportunity I have to serve. It has been really amazing! 

We also read the Book of Mormon in two days. All of us missionaries were in the misasion home. We read all day long taking little breaks trying to finish the Book. It was sooo good! Everyone took turns reading a page each and on the second day we finished and we were soooo HAPPY:)! The Book of Mormon is a true and inspired book from God! I know it is true! I know that when we are wanting answers and need guidance that the Book of Mormon is here to give us the guidance and answers we need! Heavenly Father has given us this Book as a tool for us to come back to Him! I really treasure it! READ IT and PRAY ABOUT IT:) I promise that when we read the scriptures and pray about them God gives us those answers that we are seeking. 

We also studied the Living Christ and had a testimony meeting on it. During that meeting I felt the spirit so strongly and it made me recognize all the wonderful blessings I have been given! I know Christ lives! I know He blesses us when we are obedient to His commandments. I know He loves us and will take care of us. I know that He is our Savior. I know that He understands everything we go through. And He will help us!

I love this gospel and this time that I have to serve the Lord! I know this is where I need to be. Tomorrow I will get a new companion. Her name is Sister Jansson. She's from Sweden. She's tall and blonde. I can't wait to serve with her and learn new things! I love you all and Hope you all hada  wonderful New Year!!

Love,

Sister Ramsay

Here are some of the pics from Athens:

We had some fun:p

P.S

There was SNOW IN ATHENS while I was there!! It snowed and there was ice on the road. I was pretty shocked.

Week 15 Christmas

Merry Christmas from Thessaloniki Missionaries!!

I hope you could enjoy this Christmas season:) I love you all very much!! And I'm so grateful to serve the Lord for 18months!! This has been the best Christmas yet! I love this Gospel and time I have to be here! Have a wonderful holiday!! 

Love, 

Sister Ramsay and the Thessaloniki missionaries