Prince of Peace

Hello! 

I just thought I would start with this story, I was saying a prayer in a member dinner and a kid farted right in the middle of it and I started laughing! Oh my, well there is a embarrassing moment for the week :)

This week at dinner, we are trying this cool thing where we pray with the family and ask for the Spirit to guide them, as they pick a road for us to tract. They picked a road not too far away and we went that night. Everyone was rejecting us and then this guy walks up to us asking if we are selling anything. We say no and tell him about the Book of Mormon. He asked if he could have one and kept asking questions about it. We gave him one and he asked if we could come over and read it with him! Yes we can! It was a great miracle!

We also found a guy named Dimple. He is pretty into his religion and is from India. He is going through some trials right now and said he was excited to read the Book of Mormon! We are going back soon. :) 

We had a lesson with Diran and it didn’t go to great. He doesn’t believe in God and doesn’t have too open of a heart and mind. I asked how he finds peace in his life and he didn’t really know what to say. He didn’t have a very good answer. We bore powerful testimony at the end about the Book of Mormon and what will happen as he reads it. He said he would give it a try and read it. 

I know that the only way we can find true peace is through our Savior, Jesus Christ. So many people look in fame, or money, or popularity or wherever they look to find happiness. It comes from no man. Only through Jesus Christ. “He is indeed the author of peace, “the founder of peace” (Mosiah 15:18), The “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6), to all those who come unto him.” 

Christ was about to be beaten, betrayed, and crucified. “All this lay ahead, and yet he could say, “Be of good cheer.” Why? Because he would overcome the world; he would descend beneath it all. He would make it possible for every person of every age to overcome every obstacle, every weakness, every sin, and every tinge of guilt. Because of the Savior’s sacrifice, Alma’s experience may be relived by each of us: “I did cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy... and I did find peace to my soul” (Alma 38:8) 

I am extremely excited for the wonderful opportunity I have to go to the temple THIS Wednesday! I haven’t been in a while and I am very excited! I know the temple is a way where we can escape the world and be able to feel more of that peace. If you can, go to the temple this week and feel the wonderful effects of the Saviors Atonement FOR YOU :) 

LOVE YOU ALL!

️ Sister Ruffner 

Killing it with the Doby pranks :) 

We are fishers of men

100 More Book of Mormons in Virginia

Another great week out here in Virginia! 91 days ago I made a goal to prepare myself for the temple. (yes I am going in 9 days!) The goal was to pass out 100 Book of Mormons. When I became companions with Sister Sorensen, we decided we were going to hit the goal before the end of the transfer. On Monday we still had 3 left to give. Someone walked into the church and asked for help and we were able to give him a Book of Mormon. Someone asked on Facebook to learn more about the Book of Mormon and I sent him a link there. As we were about to head to family home evening for the rest of the night, we prayed to know where to go to be able to give away a Book of Mormon in 20 minutes. As we were driving I felt really good about going to these apartments. We went and started knocking. The first person wasn't interested but, the second person answered the door. We started talking about the Book of Mormon and he said he hasn't read it but, has been wanting to look more into it. Cool! So we gave him a Book of Mormon. That makes 100! 

Transfers are usually on Wednesday, but we get a call on Monday saying that because of a storm they had to change it to Tuesday! So one day short of being with Sister Sorensen. Tuesday was pretty fun because while our companions all drove up in the transfer van to Richmond, Sister Bleak and Franks were my companions!

While we were together, there was a huge miracle! We texted someone last week named Steven. He was just a random number saved in our phone who had been taught about 2 years ago. Well, he decided to meet with us in downtown. We met up with him and he said he did studies about the mormon religion and one night got a DUI. He felt pretty bad about that and realized that his life is in a downward spiral right now, and he is going to need to change something. He knew that mormons were good people and that would be a great place to start. The missionaries taught him a little and then he kind of just stopped meeting with them. He asked us some really great questions. Why are you on your missions? How does the gospel bring peace? Tell me more about the priesthood. How do you know this is the only church with the priesthood?  He said he still wants to change his life but he isn't sure if this religion will help him. We asked if he would be willing to give it a shot. He said yes! He took a Book of Mormon and said he would read it. It was a really cool miracle. He was asking a lot of sincere questions. I love lessons like that!

We drove 30 minutes all the way out to Grottoes this week to go to an appointment with a new investigator and right as we got there she was driving away :( sad. So we started to tract this trailer park we were in and met Linda. She has a strong belief in Jesus Christ. She has been going to her church for the past 20 years. When we brought up the Book of Mormon she was immediately turned off by that and said she isn't into that stuff. We testified of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and how it testifies of Christ and will grow her testimony of Him. She then started to get interested. We were able to give her a Book of Mormon and by the time we left, she was excited to read it! Wow, the Spirit is super powerful and this work would be impossible without it. 

My new companions name is Sister Kirkby from Las Vegas. She is super sweet and a really good missionary. I am super grateful to have her as a companion for my last transfer. We have set some great goals and are ready to work our hardest every day! 

I am super duper grateful to be serving in Harrisonburg again for this transfer. I am loving the people we are working with and we have continued to see miracles every day! 

. 

The more I think about my mission and the miracles I am able to see each day, the more I know that this truly is the Lords work. As we share the gospel we are preparing the world for the second coming of our Savior. What a special time to be alive! I know as we serve with all our heart to do the will of our Heavenly Father, we will know that this is His work. I know as we stay on the path and keep our covenants, we will have the opportunity to receive every blessing promised by our Father to His children. As we attend the temple, we are qualified to receive the greatest gift, eternal life. Let us live our lives with the end in mind. I know if we ever step off the path, there is always time to come back. Repentance is real, and as we rely on the Savior we will have peace. People in the world search for peace but they search in vain until the find Jesus Christ. The peace found by being made whole by the Savior cannot be replaced by anything else. "Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world." (Helaman 5:47) 

I love being a missionary with all my heart. What an amazing calling I have to help other find this peace! 

PEACE AND BLESSINGS

 Sister Ruffner

(We are pranking the sisters who live with us by putting Doby in their shower haha. Seriously he is pretty terrifying.) 

I Feel I've Done Some Good This Week

School is back in session! This week JMU was filled again with students waiting to receive the gospel. We went on campus for a while on Tuesday and on Thursday because we have institute those days. After institute, we still had a while before the bus was going to come so we walked around and talked to some people. Two people that talked to us the most went to church when they were younger and knew a lot about it. We then went to wait for the bus and someone was sitting alone on the bench so we sad next to her and asked how she was. She asked us where we were from and we told her Utah. She asked what brought us out here? We told her how we are missionaries. She said her and her friend wanted to come to our church a while back but didn't do enough research to find out where the church was. We were able to give her the church address, get her Facebook information, and give her a Book of Mormon! We ended up getting on the same bus, so we were able to talk for a while. Finding sure does bring some pretty great miracles.

Roshat messaged us this week and said that he has a question for us but he doesn't want any members there... um... this made us a little nervous. We met with him at the church and it was just a super simple question regarding some rules in the church. It was nothing to be worried about at all! We asked him if he believes the things we have been teaching him are true. He bore his testimony for seriously five minutes about how he knows this church is true. He said he wouldn't be wasting his time if it wasn't true. He wouldn't have messaged us back on Facebook if he didn't know it was true. When he comes to church and meets with us, he has a feeling in his body that tells him the church is true. This church gives him peace and knowledge. He knows the church us true! Wow, that was a very special moment. He asked us how many people should come to his baptism. He said, he doesn't want a big crowd, and he only wants people from the church to come. Baptism is definitely in his plans for the near future! He really wants his son Younes to come to church too but, he said we are going to have to be patient with him because he is shy. Roshat is already being such a great missionary. Seriously! He came to church late on Sunday because he got home from work at 3:30am and didn't get to bed until 4am. But he still made it! In gospel principles class, we were talking about ways to prepare for the sacrament. We were talking about listening to the prelude music and how music can really bring the Spirit. Roshat raised his hand and told us that he drives an uber (like a taxi you can order to come pick you up on your phone). Saturday night is party night of course for all the students so he spent his night driving around drunk students. When the students would get in the car, they would tell Roshat to turn on 92.1 (or whatever the cool radio station is) and he would turn on a song about Jesus instead. The students would cry because they felt guilty and they felt bad that they were drinking. Roshat would tell them that they were making bad choices and that they need to repent. Go Roshat! Spreading the message of Jesus Christ!

This week we had another moment of heart attack. Right as I was about to knock on this persons door they open the door and were going to take out the trash. I jumped and screamed "OH MY!" Sister Sorensen jumped and said something under her breath. They guy who opened the door fell backwards into his stairs with a terrified look on his face. We all took a moment to breathe and then he took out the trash and we gave him our card. haha :) 

We met someone named Carolina as we were tracting one day. She said we could come back later in the week and when we came back she asked how our religion is different from other Christians. We taught her the restoration and she really liked it. She has always wondered about all the different churches and how they all believe different things. She asked if she doesn't wear something to cover her hair, or if she wears makeup if she is sinning? She just wants to follow God, but doesn't know which way is right. As she reads the Book of Mormon she is going to come to know this is the truth. We are meeting with her again this week! 

HUGE MIRACLE. As we were tracting last week (as you can tell we do a lot of that) we knocked on Diran's door. He was not interested. He accepted a Book of Mormon at the door and didn't want to give us his contact information. Sister Sorensen said that my face fell when he said that, than he said he would give us his Facebook information. I have been messaging him on Facebook and he said that he didn't want to tell us at the door but he doesn't believe in God. He has studied out the Bible and different religions, but believes that all Christians are brainwashed. It is all made up and none of it is true. In messenger he said, "thanks. bye." So I told him that I wish him well and hope he finds happiness in his life and things like that. I thought the conversation was over. He then messaged me a few days later and said, "Happy Weekend". We messaged about our weekends and I of course mentioned church and invited him to come and give it a try. He said he has studied the Bible and how Christianity came about and believes it was all made by man. I shared with him the apostacy and restoration, he messaged back, "There are no prophets, no saints, no angels, no demons, no Gods, and no God, they are all human ideas." I asked what he believes is the purpose of life? He said "experience, we are here to experience." Then asked what I believe the purpose of life is? I told him the first half of the Plan of Salvation, like pre-earth, Adam and Eve, agency, etc. Then he asked if I live close to him. I said yes, and he asked if I could come over and talk with him more. YES! He works 12 hours every day throughout the week but we are going by on Saturday to teach him more! What a miracle! Diran is searching for the truth and he found it! Facebook really can be used for good. The Spirit still works through Facebook.

We were talking with a recent convert who lives by him and she said she didn't believe in God, but after reading the Book of Mormon for a week she started to believe. We are definitely bringing her. :) 

This was a special week where we were able to celebrate the life of President Thomas S. Monson. I love and adore this Prophet. I truly know he was a prophet of God. I have learned so much from him about love and service and listening to the Spirit over the years. He is the prophet I remember the most. I loved the part where President Monson would say, "I feel I've done some good today." I hope we all can say that each day. What is a day without service? I know the cure to stress, frustration, and grief can be found in serving others. President Monson will be missed, but I am very grateful for President Nelson! I feel the love that comes from him and am very grateful for Jesus Christ always haveing a prophet to guide us. We are never left alone and will never be lead astray in this church! 

As we were shopping today at Walmart, a lady started talking to us about how she has been texting her friends every morning, "Good morning!" and they feel so blessed for that. We asked if she believed in God and she went off about her beliefs and her conversion story. She is a new member of the church that just moved here. She doesn't know where the church is around here. We were able to tell her and get all her information to go visit her! I know Heavenly Father watches out for all of his children no matter where they are! 

Something that stood out to me this week is knowing that we are not perfect. We don't have to be perfect at everything in this life. It is never going to happen. But we always need to be improving. We wont be perfect at everything, but we can be perfect at some things! We can be perfect at going to church, reading the scriptures every day, saying your prayers. As we do the small things, Heavenly Father will make BIG things happen. I know this is true. It is important to not be overwhelmed with all we need to do, but to improve ourselves each day. I am grateful for this gospel and the opportunity I have to start over and work my hardest every day. 

Well, I have good news, I will be staying in Harrisonburg for the next six weeks! I am very happy about that! I will be getting a new companion on Wednesday. I have loved serving with Sister Sorensen SO MUCH! As you can see in the picture, Andrew is pretty sad she is leaving as well haha. 

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

Remember to make your day one where you can say at the end, "I feel I've done some good today." 

 Sister Ruffner

The Coldest Week In a Decade

Yes, this past week has been the coldest week Virginia has had in a decade! You can call me a popsicle because I was FROZEN. But nothing stops the work from moving forward! We were still able to find 5 new investigators this week. I know when we do our best that the Lord magnifies our efforts. 

Update on Roshat, he is progressing SO well! During our third lesson with him ever, he started to testify to us that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God! He kept saying, why wouldn't God call prophets now, He had prophets in the Bible it just makes sense that we would have prophets today as well. Sister Sorensen and I were practically falling off our seats with excitement! He said that he had a dream the other night that we were in the mountains with him and he saw these stones with writing on them and we were studying the Bible. Then that night we came over and taught him the 10 commandments. He said he predicted the future in his dream. So that is pretty cool. Before our lesson he messaged us and said that he wasn't going to be able to make it home in time for the lesson so we could have it at the library or something so he could keep working in Harrisonburg. Then he changed his mind and felt like he needed to go home so he could meet with us. Well, on Sunday he told us, that night he checked his car and the oil was leaking and the oil in his car was really low. So it would have been really bad for him to keep driving. He said that God is watching out for him and blessing him for meeting with us! I am so glad that Roshat is noticing the blessings that come as he lives the gospel and strives to follow Jesus Christ. Roshat was saying that he is going to be the first Kurdish to get baptized! He is really excited for that. I don't know if that is true, but it is nice seeing him so excited to get baptized! 

He came to church on Sunday. This was my first time going to fast Sunday in this area so I had no idea what the testimonies are like here. The Bishop is the first one that bears his testimony. He starts talking about how there are so many people who don't like the church and there are so many anti things out there to tear down the church like, people saying we are a cult, polygamy, Kolob, and he just kept going. Oh my Sister Sorensen and were kind of freaking out inside but Roshat didn't say anything about it so all is well! Roshat has a son named Younes who has been sitting in on some of the lessons. He came to church with his dad this week! They finally were able to stay all three hours. It was a great Sunday! :) 

There is a member in the first ward who comes to institute sometimes and brought his sister a couple of weeks ago. His name is Scott and he is the only member in his family. He faithfully comes to church and is a really great guy. Well, we get a text saying that his sister wants to meet with us! So we go over on Thursday night and she pulled out a Book of Mormon and said she had been reading some of it and some verses stuck out to her. 2 Nephi 25:23-26 talking about teaching their children about Christ. She asked us what that means to us. She had two little kids and want them to have a good life. She has been to a few different churches but hasn't been in a while. Her brother has been such a big example to her and has gotten her to want to come to church as well. Her name is Amanda and we are excited to keep teaching her! It is amazing to see how powerful being an example is. Scott is the only member of his family and they are starting to notice the blessings that come from that. 

This week we went tracting and I thought I was going to die. We had to do it 30 minutes at a time. Only after that short time, I could not feel my toes! People would keep asking us why we were out today, or you picked a bad day to do this, or you need to go home and get warm! But we would keep going. We were still able to give away many Book of Mormons, we promise people that this Book will answer any question they have in their life. The Book of Mormon truly does answer the questions of the soul. "Only the gospel will save the world from the calamity of its own self destruction. Only the gospel will unite men of all races and nationalities in peace. Only the gospel will bring joy, happiness, and salvation to the human family." That is why we kept going! There truly is nothing I would rather be doing. "Forward pressing forward!" 

I was chatting with someone on Facebook this week and he said that we are enemies in the eyes of Christ because of how much we sin. He sent me a link that said, You may have accepted Christ but, has He accepted you? This broke my heart. I truly know that there is nothing that can separate us from His love. That was the motivation the Savior had as he suffered in Gethsemane. That is the motivation that Heavenly Father had as He let His Son suffer and ask if there wasn't another way. I know Heavenly Father will never move away from us, we are the ones who move away from Him. I think about how quick the Lord is to forgive and I know that He wants us to repent so that He can forgive us. That is why He suffered more than man can suffer, so we can be helped and strengthened in any time of need. 

I love this gospel with all my heart. I am grateful for the knowledge I have been given and the opportunity I have to teach what I know. I am grateful that we are able to continue to learn new things each day. I know that Jesus Christ lives and He loves us more than we can imagine. You never have to worry about Christ accepting you because He already did that. He paid the price, now we just have to follow Him. 

LOVE YOU ALL

HAVE A WARM WEEK!

 - Sister Ruffner

A Full Year As a Full Time Missionary

On Tuesday I started chatting on Facebook with a guy named Andrew. He is 29 years old and was super willing to meet up and read the Book of Mormon! So we met him on Thursday at the downtown library. He walked up to us and said he couldn’t sleep at all the night before because he was so excited to meet his new friends. We go into a study room to start talking and after we started to teach, a lady and her older daughter walk in and sit down on a table behind us. We continue to teach the Restoration. As we shared the first vision in Jospeh Smiths own words he kept saying, “Wow.” At the end of our lesson, he asks if we would be able to give him a ride to his grandparents house. We told him we can’t give rides in the mission cars. The lady behind us says! “I could give you a ride.” Andrew says, “No thanks, I can walk it’s not very far.” The lady replies with a creepy smirk in her face, “We are all Christians here, you don’t need to be afraid of me.” Immediately I felt the heebie jeebies. This lady was not giving me good vibes. We finish our lesson, say a prayer, and get up to leave and this lady points at our investigator and says, “Can I talk to you for a minute?” Emergency lights were flashing inside of me, don’t let her! Don’t let her! She is going to tell him anti Mormon things! But we left... and Andrew stayed... right when we left the room we were freaking out and said a prayer to know the best thing we could do. When we opened our eyes he was walking down the hall. We call out to him and tell him to come over. We say that we forgot to give him a picture of Jesus Christ. He said thanks and was excited to meet again! Phew! What a relief! We literally went through so many emotions in the last 20 min. We have been keeping daily contact through Facebook chat and video call and everything is going well! 

We taught Roshat on Saturday the Plan of Salvation and he loved it! We read him a scripture from the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi 2 about how the fall was actually a good thing and he completely agreed! He said, “that is true.” He asked if it is hard to join the church and how he can get into the Celestial kingdom. We then put him on date for baptism on Feb. 3! We now have 4 investigators on date! He also came to church and we sang a lot of hymns. He was singing his heart out and said when we come over agin we need to practice the songs haha. He is so cool! 

Well, this has been the greatest year. I learned SO MUCH. I know for sure that Jesus Christ lives. Heavenly Father is aware of us and is willing and ready to help us accomplish all we need to. I have learned how to truly repent and change my life. I know that is the purpose of our lives. We have divine potential but, we will never reach it without setting goals and repenting each day. The Book of Mormon changes hearts. It can penetrate a hard heart and grow anyone’s testimony. That Book has power. I have learned the the most selfless work is the most rewarding. Enormous amounts of joy come into our lives as we help others to come closer to Christ. There is no better work and none that brings more joy. 

Happy new year! Let us start the year by repenting and having an increased dedication to follow our Savior and be a useful instrument in his hands!

GOD SPEED 

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