"I was hoping you would come"

The week was filled with a lot of time trying to visit recent converts and less active members but no one was home. so we tracked . A lot! We still didn't see much success and I won't lie I was getting a bit discouraged. Then one night my companion and I decided to go tracking. We parked the car to go knocking but we both felt that was not what we were supposed to be doing. After praying we came to the conclusion we needed to go visit a less active lady we had tracked into about a month previous. when we went to her house she said to us" I was hoping you would come." It's amazing what those words did for me. It was a witness to me of how the spirit works. Often times we visit the same people over and over and its discouraging because you don't feel like you are doing any good or if the people even want you there. It was a testimony to me that  the work I am doing as a missionary is important and every visit and every lesson we teach makes a difference. I started thinking about how many times a day we knock on a door exactly when that person needs us. They may not always say it like this lady did but it is still true. I am so grateful for the spirit which directs and guides me. I know that we are all children of a loving Father in Heaven and this is His work that I am doing. He knows the needs of all His children and as a missionary I have the privilege of being able to help people. I get to dedicate 100% of my time to Him. There is a saying that says :a missionary is someone who is needed but not wanted, and stays until they are wanted but not needed." It is so true. As a missionary I often feel like people are drowning and as a servant of the Lord I am trying to save them but they just won't reach out. I love and miss you all. Love Sister Lee 

My Testimony:The Black Name Tag

Well today is my 2 month mission birthday. Horrah! So far so good. I've been thinking about what I want to share with my Family and friends this week a lot and what I feel to share with you all is my testimony. As a missionary I have been called to be a representative of Jesus Christ. Yesterday at transfers one Elder bore his final testimony before heading home. His testimony struck and I would like to share with you what he said because my testimony echos his. In short he said that "in 48 hours I will be flying home and will be meeting with his Stake President where I will be asked to remove my name tag. As missionaries we put on our chests every day a tag that reads our name and then the name of Christ. We literally wear Christ name over our heart each and every day. We represent Him in all we do and say. It is such an honor and privilege to wake up each morning and put on the black name tag" The thought of no longer being able to wear it is almost heart breaking. I feel honored and privileged that for another 16 months I can wear Christ name upon my chest and serve Him with all my heart,might,mind and strength. I know that this is His Church and that as we build our foundation upon the rock of our Redeemer (Helaman 5:12) we can be strengthened in our weakness and that no trial will be able to blow us down. I testify that Christ lived to set the example for us, suffered in Gethsemane for our sorrows,died on the cross and was resurrected to over come death. This He did that we may all have Eternal Life. I know that God loves and knows each of us. I pray and hope that as I serve the Lord I will represent Him well and that others might come to know the power of the Atonement for themselves. These things I say in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen  

Dogs: A Missionaries Worst Enemy

Hello FamLee and Friends!
You know all the stories you hear about missionaries and dogs? Well,they are all true. Dogs are a missionaries worst enemy. Everyone here in Rochester has a dog. Most have anywhere between 2-10.The houses here are far apart and have long gravel driveways. So we usually start walking up the gravel path and wait for the dogs to come sniff us before we walk to the door. We have run into some mean dogs. One was the size of a small horse(I'm not joking) We had to walk for 1/4 mile down the driveway backwards, very slowly until we were out of sight. I'm pretty sure that dog could have eaten us! That's just the life of a missionary. I guess though I love every second of it! My companion Sister Balmforth is awesome and in the past week we have picked up 4 new investigators. One has committed to be baptized in a couple of weeks and I am so excited  to  have my first baptism in my first area. Yep, good things are happening in the WA-TAC Mission. It's the best mission in the world. I think and pray for you all back home often. This missionary loves and misses you all. That said I wouldn't trade being a missionary for anything in the world right now. I live the people and the work. I hope all is well with all of you. I look forward to hearing from you all.
Love,Sister Lee.

Let the Tracting Begin

Hello Family and Friends!
I have finally arrived in Washington and am serving in Rochester. It's a rinky dink town with one gas station and a mercantile store. I am excited to finally be here though. It will be very adventurous. I have already been told that Rochester ia a great place to start a mission because every place i go after here will be an improvement. I already had my first experience tracking last night. They have what is called a 5 to 7, meaning we knock on doors from 5 to 7 every day. I guess I will be doing a lot of tracking over the next 18 months.So far I've had quit a few doors slammed in my face. So exciting! I'm keeping up in spirits though because I know their is someone out their who is just waiting for us to knock on their door.
I am loving being a missionary and can't wait to really get to work and start teaching and baptizing.
Funny joke I heard yesterday. I learned yesterday at transfers that our mission has two approved exercises. The first one is called the baptism and the other is called the confirmation. Confirmation is where you raise your arms above your head put your hands together and lower them about half way. Then repeat. I'm sure you can't imagine what the baptism is. I got a kick out of it when President Weaver told us that! that's really what they do here though. They find,teach,baptize and confirm. Their are around 100 baptisms every month! WA-TAC really is the best mission. All missionaries I have met so far are so enthusiastic and excited about the work, It is truly contagious. I should have some wonderful stories for you all soon. I'd love to hear from you all. My address for at least the next 6 weeks is: 10301 A 184th Ave SW ,  Rochester ,WA 98579

Know that I love and miss you all.
<3love,
Sis Lee

This is the Place

Just a fun side note. This is a picture of the home my dad built some 25+ years ago in Olympia. (albeit not a very good picture) While doing my internship in Seattle a couple of years ago I drove down to Olympia and drove past the house. While there have been a few small changes to the outside of the house it basically looks the same. I'm hoping I get to serve in the Olympia area and maybe I will even get the chance to visit the house again.

I bid adieu my friends

I am afraid that what I am about to say is going to sound like I am excepting a Grammy Award but it must be said. I would like to give a huge thank you to my wonderful co-workers and friends Irene Palmer and Amy Coontz for their awesome organization skills, their creativeness and especially their friendship. They organized my open house for me and it turned out just beautifully. It wouldn't have happened without them. I told them I did not want an open house, but both being mothers of currently serving missionaries they knew I would regret it if I did not have one. So thank you for ignoring the ramblings of a 23 year old girl and doing what you do best! Thank's to Conner Draper for staying up till 3 in the morning making me his world famous cheesecake (ok so it's not world famous, but I predict that it will be someday!) Thanks buddy! A huge thank you to Gary & Cathy Draper of Drapers Catering of Memphis for providing food and decor for the open house and for providing me with a job for the past 10 months. Of course I can't forget all my wonderful friends and ward members who attended. I love you all and will miss you dearly. I feel privileged to call you all friends. <3 Lis

Write me Please!

If you would like to write me while I am on my mission here is how I can be reached:

July 13-beginning of August MTC Mailbox # 239 WA-TAC 0801 2005 N 900 E Provo, UT 84604-1793 August 2011-Jan 2013 Mission home: 4007-D Bridgeport Way West University Place, WA 98466 lisa.lee@myldsmail.net I will have my mom post my current address each time I'm transferred. Hope be hearing from you all soon. <3 Lis