HOwdy Ho GUys!!!!
GUYS THIS WORK IS GREAT!!! I wouldnt be doing anything else right now... My companion and i got to speak at a "What We Believe" FIreside yesterday and man the Spirit was so strong we both told our conversion stories and then the Bishop (who is AMAZINGGGG BY THE WAY) bore his conversion story too. He joined the church while doing volunteer work in Mongolia. He was Catholic before. He is sooo awesome! I have no doubt our bishops are called of God every time i meet a new one. They just continue to strengthen my testimony! Its unreal! Anyways, my companion and i have been working our be-hinds off here in Damascus... so much work so little time. There just arent enough hours in the day, SERIOUSLY!
Cool story...
My companion and i got a media referral (which basically means we got a text message from the church headquarters saying that someone requested the missionaries deliver a church DVD, Book of Mormon, or Bible or something else) so we get there and this African Guy, 51 yrs old from Liberia answers the door and invites us in. It was ok at first but then I noticed that the he was EXTREMELY well versed, (which didn't bother me, that part was great) but then all of a sudden he wanted us to prove all of our beliefs in the Bible (which we did) and also the Book of Mormon! During some parts he almost wanted to bash with us but we kept the Spirit there and were able to answer his questions calmly and with the scriptures. it was quite the experience! Although at times i know he kind of just wanted to prove us wrong my companion and I just loved him and wanted to teach him. SO when we were done i went home, proceeded to study, opened my scriptures and the VERY FIRST verse i read says 1 Corinthians 8:1 very end says "Knowledge puffeth up but charity edifieth!" What a humbling experience that was! The Lord is so good. Although my companion and i answered all his questions we did it out of love not bc we wanted to show how smart we are or like an "in your face" kinda thing. We could care less about showing how smart we are because without the Spirit we're nothing. WE, as missionaries, do NOT teach, the Spirit does! 2Nephi 9:28 says "...when they are learned they think they are wise and hearken not unto the council of God..." Guys don't EVER bash! Confound, bear your testimony of truth, our Heavenly Father and the Savior The Restored Gospel and be done with it! People will be receptive when they are ready. 2Nephi 9:29 says "But to be learned is good when they hearken unto the council of God". Don't let your knowledge be your pride, let it be your testimony and your strength in our Savior and his atoning sacrifice for us! Anyways until next time friends and family, LIVE LOVE LAUGH!!!
I do so much laughing its unreal! Oh the things you see when youre knocking doors... those stories coming soon! LOL

Phylicia

Well family and friends the mission work is going great. I have been humbled in more ways than one and it just doesn's stop. You know my purpose as a missionary is... To invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored Gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. Although at times it seems like the purpose of my mission is to completely show me how horrible of a person I was before my mission. My area is Damascus I received some awesome revelation from Paul on how to handle Damascus they havent had a baptism in 2 years and i remember he was once on the road to Damascus as well. My area is SOOO diverse there are some parts that are country others that are inner city, we work in the projects all the way to million dollar homes. Its intense! But I love every minute of it. My trainers name is Sister Kiteau and she is amazing!! She's from Tonga! We're tearing up the city of Damascus!! We came in with 0 investigators (people who are interested in the church).. are you paying attention 0 investigators that was last week, now we have our schedules almost full each day its awesome!! We have been working so hard. Sleep is something I love at the end of the day. I've never appreciated it more! Anyways more to come I'm sending pictures so you can see my companion and I its great! OH and my district from the MTC.

by the way one awesome miracle is that im teaching a lot of lessons in all spanish its crazy i think im even going to get a spanish name tag we'll see. the Lord has defintiely blessed me with the gift of tongues im saying things i never even knew i knew the word for it!!! its amazing. til next time i love you all write me plsss. i get major lonely... well not really with my awesome companion! but still

address:
Sister Phylicia Norris
1910 daisy rd
woodbine md 21797