Mission Call

I AM GOING TO THE WASHINGTON STATE SEATTLE MISSION!!!!!

Unqualified

“When we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Remember that whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.” (Thomas S. Monson, “Duty Calls,” Liahona, July 1996, 42; Ensign, May 1996, 44.)

I have been thinking a lot about being a missionary and other roles I will play in my life lately. A thought kept popping up every time I would worry about those roles: "God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called." As I prepare for my mission I worry some about being a good missionary, but I also worry about one day becoming a wife and mother. How would I, imperfect, obnoxious, impatient, clumsy, impulsive, blunt Lyssa, ever be a good missionary, wife, and mother? But again I am reminded that I have already been called then later qualified for a previous calling and that God will do so again.

My first calling was activity days leader. I came into that calling not knowing any of the girls, I am not crafty, and I did not know how to manage people very well. However, as time went on and I prayed for each activity to go well, that I and the girls would feel the Spirit, and we would finish the activity. I grew to love all 13 of those girls, and my testimony truly grew. I became qualified for that calling. 

I know that God will help me and guide me as I ask for help in each calling I have in my life. I know that through grace, the atonement will make up for my shortcomings. I leave these things with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

I am a Pioneer

I have been into family history for about a year now and the faith of these precious pioneers still amaze me. They left their homes and their families to come to a country that was very unknown. The Mormon pioneers were chased out of their homes out to Utah, and were still persecuted once there. My other ancestors came to America mostly for the farming opportunities, and the trials they endured were harsh and not to be discounted either. I love family history work, and I love finding similarities to my ancestors. I am the first generation on my dad's side to be a child of the covenant. I think I am the first sister on both sides of my family to serve a mission. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and it blesses me everyday. I testify these thing to you, in the name of Jesus Christ amen. #iamapioneer 

https://familysearch.org/iamapioneer

To the tune of service

"For the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." D&C 18:10

Today I went to the missionary prep class for the first time, it was awesome by the way and was taught by an amazing teacher. Our lesson was on questions, and how to use the right kind of questions to help build other's testimonies and provoke thought. Something was mentioned that really struck home to me: We are all playing a different tune in our lives in regards to the gospel and our spiritual needs, and it is one of the jobs of the missionaries to recognize that tune, through the Spirit of course, and administer to the spiritual needs of that person. This not only applies to missionaries but to many other callings involving working with people. The theology major doesn't need the same lesson as the recently divorced young mother. Everyone's tune is different, but the spirit will always guide you, you just need to listen.

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ is personalized in many ways to each individual. Every person feels the Holy Ghost a different way, and sometimes it is harder for others and at different times in our lives to feel it. Every person has different talents and skills in the gospel. But if we ask for guidance, and we remain worthy, the Holy Ghost will speak to us. 

I testify that each of us can receive revelation through the Holy Ghost on how to best serve others and sense the tune of each person in need of service. I know that God still speaks to us and has not left us behind. I leave these things with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

Preach of Christ

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." (2 Nephi 25:26)

In mere months I will be a missionary with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I will be serving wherever the Lord wants me to serve, and I know he will send me somewhere I will be the best missionary I can be. I know God has a plan for me and He loves me. He loves me so much He sent his Only Begotten son to suffer for my sins and weaknesses, die, and live again all for me. He lives so that I may also live. I talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, preach of Christ, and prophesy of Christ that He will come again, and in His grace we are made whole. I bare testimony that God has not left us, and that it is our job as missionaries (or at least soon to be ones) to flood the earth with this knowledge. The Holy Ghost will guide you if you let it. I leave these things with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Returning to the Path

My hike on Thursday was very much like many of our lives. My date and I started on a path that was designated as an easy hike, very scenic, pretty, and short. We then decided we wanted to do a little longer of a hike, so we started on a trail that didn't seem difficult at all. It was all downhill in the beginning, and after a while we realized we were "lost". Neither of us had been on that trail before and not long after we realized we were lost, we decided to turn back.

Not realizing how steep we climbed down, we quickly knew how hard it was to turn back. We both noticed we weren't in nearly as good of shape as we thought we were, and it would be a lot harder to go back than it was coming to where we were. We were breathing very heavily and conversation slowed as we hiked back up to the trailhead. When we reached the map we realized we passed the spot where we were supposed to turn off, but both of us were so distracted in talking and goofing off that we didn't even notice the turnoff. We felt very silly and very tired. The rest of our date was very fun and mostly involved getting to know each other and eating.

Oftentimes in life we are on autopilot on straight and narrow, just living in a routine in the gospel, and then end up wondering off of the path, not noticing  that we missed the turnoff. When we need to repent we realize how hard it is and how out of shape we are in the gospel. It can be very discouraging! But once we are back on the path, and our breathing is regular again, we realize that we almost missed on the blessings of the gospel.

I bare to you my testimony that repentance is a great gift. Being able to repent and return to the path we are meant to be on is such a blessing. Christ gave us the Atonement so that we may return to the path and become like him. What a miracle! I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Cause You Know She's All About that Grace

"A powerful expression of that love is what the scriptures often call the grace of God—the divine assistance and endowment of strength by which we grow from the flawed and limited beings we are now into exalted beings of 'truth and light, until [we are]glorified in truth and [know] all things.'" (The Gift of Grace by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf).

Yesterday in Institute (like Bible study for young adults) we were talking a lot about grace. One of the main things grace can do for us is magnify our abilities, gives us strength, hope, and allows us a greater ability to empathize with others. I feel like I am gaining more and more respect for my mother every day. Through the entire lesson all that I could think of was my mom. She is an amazing woman who has done so much for our family. It takes a special kind of person to want to serve in the military, but it also takes a special kind of person to be a military-supportive spouse. My mom rose to the occasion. She is my idol. She was our strength while my dad was deployed, when he had his heart attack, when he was away at the many schools, etc. My mom is my hero. She is skilled at using the gift of grace, especially while she had to be a "single mom" while my dad was deployed.

I am so grateful for the gift of grace and my mom. She has taught me so much. I know that by grace we are saved after all we can do. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Mission Papers are In!

So after what seems to be a very long time that was squeezed into some very short days, I finally submitted my mission papers with my bishop. YAAAAAY!!! Haha. My to-do list for last week was quite extensive and I'm rather proud of it. With three pages of many things to do, discuss, complete, and pray about I am happy to say all of it is finished. 

Now I have a new two page list to get done this week. Yay. -_-  . I hope and pray that there is nothing wrong with my papers and I get my call very soon. 

I know my Father lives and love me. I know my Savior died for me. I know He suffered for my sins. I know that He lives again all so that I may also. I know that through Him all things are possible. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Update: my stake president got everything straightened out on his end and everything was submitted on Sunday. I should have my call in the next couple of weeks. He called while he he pushed the submit button and I was jumping up and down and squealing with joy. 

Patriotism by example

The previous week was filled with many ups and downs. One of the greatest ups was being able to find a whole branch of my family that I thought would be lost. There was little to go off of in Family Search, so I thought maybe one day I'll be able to find their records for their parents in person. Last Monday I found his parents and his family. I had felt a prompting to look at Family Search and ancestry.com for family history work I might have missed. Lo and behold there was a hint for one of the records I needed to open an entire branch of my family that I thought would be lost for years. What joy I felt! Not only this but I found out that my great great grandpa served in WWI and received a medal for his service. It brought me closer to him and his family because I know how it feels to have a dad deployed and how wonderful it is to have him come home safe and sound. 

My dad taught me patriotism, or rather his example taught me patriotism. He served his country for twenty five years in the army. He taught me that sacrifice for one's country is sacred and something many people don't understand. When I put out the flag at work, I always have the pledge of allegiance in my heart, as always followed with the song "I'm Proud to be an American." This is the song they play at homecomings for soldiers and it will always make me cry. The joy of having my daddy come home safely and to have him finally home was and is always overwhelming. 

I bare my testimony that I know that God loves each of us, and I am grateful for this land of liberty we live in. I am grateful for the soldiers who serve our nation. I love you daddy, and happy birthday. Happy Independence Day, and God bless America. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.