I Volunteered with a Clown

Guess Who I'm training! The cutest Sister Missionary ever! Sister Christensen! She's amazing and I love her.

This week was fabulous! Monday evening we had dinner with our investigator Liz who was a referral from Sister Steed (I want to be just like Sister Steed when I grow up, seriously). She met her when I was sick a couple weeks ago. When we had dinner with Liz we mostly listened because she and Sister Steed became instant best friends. It was wonderful to see! She explained to us that she didn't like that other churches condemn people so much and that everyone is just going to go to hell.  We talked about the Plan of Salvation and she just loved every second of it. She said everything makes sense and she can't wait to learn more.

Sister Sand transferring out was still very sad :( but she's in the right place at the right time and Inglemoor doesn't need her and she doesn't have have anything else to learn from Inglemoor. But then I was put with Sister Christensen and she is wonderful! I can't ask for a better trainee! She's sharp and so ready to work! 

Liz came to the Relief Society potluck on Tuesday and everyone just loved her! Sister Christensen did great with getting to know everyone and I'm just so proud of her. 

That night we had a lesson with our investigator Audrey. She has a lot going on in her family and she just kept saying how much her Aunt Becky loved the hearts ("Heart attack"). We talked about the Godhead and the Atonement. She loved it and she was so upset because she lost the Book of Mormon we gave her. Then we showed her the Book of Mormon app and she was over the moon! She loves the audio setting because she has dyslexia and has a hard time reading. Sister Christensen did great with sharing her thoughts and feelings from the Spirit on her first day!

On Wednesday we had three powerful member lessons. I'm so excited for this ward to really explode with member missionary work. We're helping individual families create family mission plans. It's so dang cool.  

Our weekly planning session was wonderful! She catches on so quickly! And it was the first time I weekly planned within three hours since being companions with Sister Truax. Very led by the Spirit also. 

Also on Thursday we had another lesson with Liz on the Restoration. As we spoke on prophets and how God has always called prophets, and Sister Christensen testified of our modern day prophet (seriously, easiest trainee ever!), Liz was amazed. The Spirit was so strong during that lesson! Sister Steed and Liz's friendship is blossoming and Liz is excited to come to church with her husband (he comes back into town in a week and a half). She even said the closing prayer and the Spirit was so strong. I was nearly brought to tears! It was so special. We invited her to be baptized and she said she would like to learn more first (but she was totally moved by the Spirit and wanted to say yes).

We attended somethign called "Care Day" on Friday. It's where those who are struggling can come and have some basic needs met. There were booths for dental care, haircuts, social security sign up, health checkups, etc. We were at the end where the exit survey was and handed out two bags of groceries to families as they left. I saw SISTER NAKAMURA AND MOSES THERE!!!!!  I was over the moon. I was so happy to see them because I just love them and miss them so much. 

One of the most rewarding experiences was walking into our investigators's home and it felt like she was keeping commitments. We were talking to our investigator's Aunt Becky about the scriptures and she told us that Audrey (our investigator) was so excited about the Book of Mormon app and the audio setting that she listens to it all the time!

I love Inglemoor and I can't wait to help each of these wonderful people here to progress towards life with our Heavenly Father. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Follow Jesus

1. (Chorus)
   I need thee, oh, I need thee;
   Ev'ry hour I need thee!
   Oh, bless me now, my Savior;
   I come to thee!
2. 2. I need thee ev'ry hour;
   Stay thou nearby.
   Temptations lose their pow'r
   When thou art nigh.
3. 3. I need thee ev'ry hour,
   In joy or pain.
   Come quickly and abide,
   Or life is vain.
4. I need thee ev'ry hour,Most holy One.
5. Oh, make me thine indeed,
   Thou blessed Son!
6. Text: Annie S. Hawks, 1835-1918
   Music: Robert Lowry, 1826-1899

I'm learning a lot about following as a trainer. Following the Spirit, following Christ, following the mission rules, etc. I am learning a lot about how to follow, and thus being a good leader. If I want my trainee to be a follower of Christ, then I must follow Him as much as I can. There was a story from conference a while ago about a child that was following in her mom's footsteps. At one point her mom was upset with her because she kept tripping over her. When she asked why she was doing this she said, "I was told in Primary to follow Jesus Christ. I don't see Jesus Christ, but I do see you." I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve in this calling. This is such a blessing! I know that following Jesus Christ means following others oftentimes. I know that the example my trainer set for me was wonderful, and thus I will do my best with God's help to serve Sister Christensen. I leave these things with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The Blessing of Teaching

I'm learning so much as a trainer and I'm having so much fun. It's funny as a trainer you feel like you don't have fears because you're working on helping your trainee overcome her fears. I love Sister Christensen so much. She's so dang cute and I love how much she loves teaching. It's funny because I still feel like a greenie. I still have energy and love the work. I love being a missionary! There's something I've come to learn a lot while being a trainer: you set the example for how your new missionary should act and she will follow it. She's going to take what she has learned from you and take it with her throughout her whole mission. This brings to mind the scripture in Alma 56 about the stripling warriors, "... yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it." I am so grateful for this great responsibility that the Lord has given me. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and as we lead and teach in His way, not only will we be blessed, but those who learn from us will also be blessed. I close in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Fulfilling my Purpose

The last couple weeks we've been "heart-attacking" (putting cute notes, scriptures, words from hymns, etc.) on cut out hearts and taping them to doors of investigators, members, and less-actives. One evening we felt a prompting to heart-attack our investigators' door (Audrey, Todd, and Becky). Neither of us coordinated this but all of the hearts we put on their door had to do with the Savior and the Atonement (the whole song Gethsemane, Alma 7:11-12, etc.). We put them up all over their door and ran back to the car. The next morning we sent a text to Audrey asking if we were still good to visit the next day. She called us and told us that the afternoon before Becky found out that her uncle was dying and so they all took a bus to go and see him. On the way there they get the call that he had already passed and to just wait for the funeral. They came back to their apartment at 4 in the morning and saw the heart. Becky was previously sobbing uncontrollably and as soon as she saw the hearts she calmed and refused to have them taken down. Audrey had called to thank us and said she was looking forward to us coming by again. 

I was in awe of the whole situation. Sister Sand and I were speechless. It was in that moment I knew I was fulfilling my purpose as a missionary. I haven't seen any of my investigators be baptized, I haven't seen the full reactivation of a family, but I know that I am fullfilling my purpose as a missionary because I feel the Spirit testify through me and the Lord is using me to be an answer to people's prayers. I know that I am in the right place and I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know this is His only true church, where the gospel of Jesus Christ is full and without error. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

Being There for Others

On Thursday we sang "I Know that My Redeemer Lives" to practice for the fireside. Normally my favorite verse is the third verse, but this time the second verse stood out to me. "He lives to grant me rich supply. He lives to guide me with his eye. He lives to comfort me when faint. He lives to hear my soul's complaint. He lives to silence all my fears. He lives to wipe away my tears. He lives to calm my troubled heart. He lives all blessings to impart." Our choir director told us that sometimes as representatives of Jesus Christ, we do those things for other people. When Laura was practically dying she turned to us and the Lord. We comforted her and listened to her. We spoke the words the Spirit brought to mind and brought her the peace she needed to move forward. As missionaries we are there for investigators, less-active members, active members, and recent converts to the Lord's church when others aren't. I'm learning more and more about the Savior and what He does for us on an individual basis through people. I am so grateful to be His missionary. I know that my Redeemer lives. I know He's there for us. Always. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

He is There for us

This week we got to share a verse of scripture with a sister in the ward who was struggling. "But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love." (2 Nephi 1:15) In our times of trial, sometimes it is hard to see how the Lord could help us. Oftentimes the Lord won't take the trial away from us either (oftentimes much to our disappointment too). But he does listen, he can help us, he will comfort us, and he will help us through our afflictions. Much like the people in Mosiah chapter 21, they weren't immediately delivered from bondage, oftentimes we won't be either. The Lord will help us carry our burden, to teach us how to be strong. Then we will know how to help others in similar situations. I've learned a lot so far about letting the Lord carry part of my load. I understand that He needs to be the teacher and not me. I understand that it is His work that I am here to do, and not mine. I have a hard time letting people carry and know about the burdens I carry. He is teaching me more and more that I am not to carry trials alone. I can ask for help from Him. He is there for me. He is there for you! I know this to be true in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

God Answers His Willing Servants

On Thursday we saw a HUGE miracle. We met a member's new neighbor because Elder Mann's pants were eaten by the dryer! We contacted our member, who sews, and she invited us over that night to drop them off and to meet her new neighbors. Long story short, her new neighbors are super prepared and asked us a lot of questions about what we do as missionaries. The member was super excited to work with us to teach her neighbor. Saturday evening my back was in a lot of pain. I've grown up doing yard work, so the service that morning should not have been a problem, but it was a combination of not relying on the Lord as much as I should have and I was sore. So I asked for a blessing. It was exactly what I needed to hear but I was lovingly chastised because I had slacked off on my personal prayers and not going to my leaders for help (but my poor district leader is on a bike! Still repenting). I took what I learned from my blessing and prayed about it with Heavenly Father. I wrote out my concerns and asked Him for help. I received a warm fuzzy feeling for most of my concerns except for who we should focus on in our area, that was a specific answer: our member's friend we just met on Thursday. It was a definitely answer that didn't leave any room for questions. I was shocked. I had never received an answer that specific before, especially not with someone I met once. It was so cool! We plan on meeting with the members this week to talk about how we want to approach their neighbor.

Many times in the scriptures it talks about those with a broken heart are nearer to God and will be healed by Him. I have a true testimony of that. I was in pieces not knowing what to do or what direction to go, especially since I haven't prepared anyone for baptism and they were actually baptized. I wanted a specific answer and I needed it then. The Lord answers those who genuinely seek Him and are willing to act on the answer He gives you, only if you're 100% willing to go and do it. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The Blessings of Trials

I know that trials are gifts. They are opportunities to grow and to change. I know that Heavenly Father loves me and He only wants the best for me, and you! The Lord will never give us anything we can't handle without His help. The key is Him. If we rely on Him, we can do all things. If we don't rely on Him, we are limited. I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Reflections on the past six months

This week I hit my click day and I've been out offially for six months (gasp!). It's flown by so quickly! Days feel like weeks, weeks feel like days, and months feel like minutes. My companion left for the airport this morning and it's caused a lot of reflection. I am so grateful for this time I have this time to dedicate to the Lord. It really is an opportunity to learn how to follow him and how to set myself up for how I want to be when I go home. 

1. Always try and put your companion first. 
2. Discouragement is a temptation. Don't get discouraged.
3. God doesn't expect us to be perfect, but he does expect us to do the very best we can
4. When we strive to be closer to God, he really will show us our weaknesses so that we can work on them and make them into strengths (Ether 12:27)
5. People don't only get one chance. If investigators drop us, that doesn't mean they'll never get baptized or improve their life, it just means they're just not ready.
6. I'm not made for long distance dating and being focused on missionary work.
7. Bible bashing isn't worth my time or the Lord's time. Just testify and walk away.
8. I will never go a week without the sacrament if I can help it. It is too precious and so needed.
9. Don't be negative, that lets Satan in and then your thoughts become hard to control.
10. I'm so done with football in general. People here are OBSESSED. I literally see the number 12 everywhere I go and I actually kind of miss seeing crosses everywhere in the South.
11. Hanging a cross somewhere in your home (and all over churches, schools, daycare, etc.) is officially downright creepy. You're hanging a reminder that Jesus died! Like, dead. So morbid! The fact that he died is important, but it's just as important as the fact that he suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane and was resurrected. ALL of it is important. 
12. The gospel needs to be known by the heart and not just the mind. When only understood by the mind, you get people like the guy I met on Thursday who believes that Jesus really did come to America and wants the Book of Mormon to be true. BUT he holds too fast to the hearsay he has heard about the church and believes that the Book of Mormon is a "second gospel". Good person, just doesn't have a testimony.
13. Always just testify when I talk to my friends, if they have questions about doctrine, I should let the missionaries help me. My job as a member is be support and testimony, the missionaries teach and baptize.

etc...

But I kind of want to concentrate this little nugget right here: Alma 37:7 "...the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes...", Alma 37:6 "...that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass...", Alma 37:41 "...because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works...", 1 Nephi 16:29 "...by small means the Lord can bring about great things..." It really is the little things that matter! When we stop doing the small things like reading the Book of Mormon every single day and praying every day, we become casual in things like going to church and going to the temple. The little things build up and then before you know it you're not coming to church, you're working at another church in the daycare on Sundays, and wondering how you got there.

I know with a surety that the Book of Mormon is true. Real, in-depth study, is how we keep our testimonies alive. If you don't already know if it is true, I invite you to read it and find out for yourself. It will truly change your life as it has mine. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The Simplicity of the Gospel

General Conference was so cool yesterday!!!!! Y'all should watch it (and if you've already seen it, watch it again). I love how simple and straight forward it all was. That's my favorite thing about the gospel: it is simple and straightforward. As we follow Jesus Christ we will be blessed in this life and in the next. I know that He lives and loves you. I know that He completed the Atonement for you, individually. I know that everything happens for a reason, even if it doesn't make sense now, I know that God has reasons for everything. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Christ the Redeemer Lives!

"I know that my Redeemer lives. What comfort this sweet sentence gives! He lives, He lives who once was dead! He lives, my ever living head! He lives to bless me with His love! He lives to plead for me above! He lives, my hungry souls to feed! He lives to bless in time of need!" (I Know That My Redeemer Lives). I know Jesus Christ lives to wipe away your tears and heal you from the inside out. As you develop your faith in Him you know and love Him. As your faith grows, your desire to become like Him will also grow. As you exercise repentance and rely on Jesus Christ and the strength and healing He gives, you are able to come closer to Him. Through baptism you are cleansed of your sins. With the guidance of the Gift of the Holy Ghost, you are able to always have heavenly help any time you need it. As you take the sacrament worthily you get the privilege of having your sins washed away and get a fresh start to the week, just like being baptized and confirmed all over again. I know that as we do these things that the Savior and Heavenly Father will be proud of us and will support us in everything we do. I know He is the only way. I know that you can always come back, no matter what you've done. I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Your works are noticed!

I've learned a lot about relying on the Lord and how blessings do come and your work is always noticed by someone, even if it is just the Lord. He knows and loves you so much and no matter how far you think you've sunk, no matter how incomplete and ruined you feel, Jesus Christ can heal you. You just need to come to Him. I love how in Isaiah a phrase that is repeated over and over is, "mine arm is stretched out still." After all this wickedness and crazy stuff people are doing in rebellion against the Lord, he still loves them and you! In the name of jesus christ amen.

The importance of Members in missionary work

This week I have learned a lot about "teamwork". Sharing the gospel isn't only the responsibility of one missionary. It isn't only the job of one companionship. It isn't the job of the companionship and the ward mission leader. It is the whole ward working together to bring to pass the eternal life of man. You members are super important! As you share the gospel with your friends, you are fulfilling your baptismal covenent ("...willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in..." Mosiah 18:8-10). If you don't know how to do that, or it's hard or scary, guess who you can ask. The missionaries! (And I can email you individually a recording of a fireside with bunches of grand ideas :D). I know that through being one in heart and mind, we can share the gospel and baptize converts. I know that Jesus Christ lives and that as we follow Him, we will be happy and we will want to share that happiness. So go and share it! In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. followhim.mormon.org

God Blesses Optimism

Always always always be optimistic. The Lord is willing to do anything and bless you numerously if you obey him with a happy and grateful heart. In order for us as missionaries, to teach about faith in Jesus Christ and to help people believe that he will help them, we have to be that way too. If we look at every door as a gamble rather than every door is going to let us in and be baptized, we won't have any baptisms.Our meeting talked about not only having and strengthening our faith in Jesus Christ, but having faith and optimism. Walking up to every single door with the attitude of, "This family will let us in! We will baptize this family!" It completely changed us and our perspective and the Lord has been pouring out His blessings on us since. We were able to have a wonderful lesson with two formers (former means someone who used to have an interest in investigating the church but for some reason stopped) (Jenny and David and Carolina) and they are wonderful and we have a return appointment with one of them (David and Carolina) and the phone number of the other one who loves us (Jenny).  If we look at every school project, test, interview, presentation, job, whatever, as a gamble or if it is doomed to fail, than it will fail. We have to have faith that if we just go and do believing the Lord will pick up the rest, He absolutely will. I testify that through Jesus Christ we can do all things. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The Importance of Teamwork

Love your companion like you know you would love Christ. Be open with your companion. Work together as a team. The Lord expects us to work as a team, much like a family and the Godhead (Three separate beings, one purpose and one goal=Bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man). The Lord doesn't expect perfection, but he does expect love and compromise. The windows of heaven will pour out on you and your area and everything will work out for the best. I promise. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

God has Good Timing

Lately I've been reading in the book of Mosiah as part of my personal study. I read Mosiah 23-24 this morning and it is about how Alma (a prophet and recent convert to Jesus Christ and refugee leader because the king of his city kicked him and the other Christians out) had found a land where everything was fine and peaceful. They built a city and were relatively happy. And then there was an army that came and conquered them and made life very hard for Alma and his people. They prayed and prayed for help. Alma received word from the Lord and the Lord promised He would make their burdens light as they relied on Him. The people continued to pray and maintain hope in the Lord. A few days after Alma received this first revelation, he received another that the Lord would help his people escape that night. They did and as the left the city and were fleeing the army that had originally conquered them, they made it to a safe city with a kind and wise king.

I love this story because it shows how obedient these people are and how much they trusted God. We don't know God's timing and we don't know the purpose of many of the trials we go through. Every transfer is hard in some way, and they always seem to fall apart and come together at the beginning of each transfer. I know that the Lord is going to pour out the windows of heaven in the next couple of weeks and I know that the gospel is true. As we rely on Jesus Christ and his atonement, we have strength and hope. We are able to get through the day when it is hard. He loves us so much and I am so grateful to know and love Him too. I know that He lives and because He lives I will too. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

You Will Never be Alone

 "10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

 11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.

 12 And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.

 13 And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!

 14 Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.

 15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

 16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!" D&C 18

You will not understand these verses until you have truly been able to see how much another soul is worth to our Heavenly Father. I know a shred of this with Laura and it is astounding. She is so wonderful and I love her so much. I testify to you that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you! They love you so much that Jesus CHrist was sent to earth to live a perfect life and then feel all that we feel so that he can help us. He then died to conquer death and rose again so that we may also. You are never forgotten and you always have a Savior who love you and knows exactly how to help you. You need to reach out to him and he will do the rest. And you do this through faith in Him, repentance for our sins and shortcomings, baptism to wash away our sins, the gift of the holy ghost to help and guide us always, and endure to the end in righteousness and love. I know that these things bring joy and will always always always be there for you. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Being a Missionary Every Day

Missions are hard. On our missions we learn so much and grow so much. Missions are the boot camp for life afterwards. They teach us so much we can't even put it all on one blog post. But a missionary isn't invincible when he or she comes home. They don't grow super powers to permanently stay in the church or resist Satan. I never want to be the same after my mission. I want my mission to change me and I want to be a forever missionary. Being a missionary isn't wearing a name tag, it's living the gospel as Christ would want us to and inviting everyone learn more. I want to be an amazing memeber missionary when I get home. I never want to not read my scriptures or say my prayers everyday. No one is perfect but I want to stay strong in the gospel because it has changed my life. That is my invitation to each of you. They gospel should change you. Your missions should change you. You will lose that growth if you don't nurture it at home too. If you're behind now, get up and start today! It's not hard, it's just the little things every day! I know that this gospel blesses lives and I know that it has changed me. I knwo that it will change if yours, if it already has, then let it change it again and again and again. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

God's Blessings are Greater than your Fear

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10)

As a servant of God I have no reason to fear anything but fear itself. Am I following the commandments? Am I worthy to hold a temple recommend? Am I worthy of my calling? Am I working hard to be obedient to my God? If the answer is yes, then I have nothing to fear. He is always there as I ask for help. He is my strength as I work as hard as I can and rely on Him.

I am the happiest I have ever been and it is because all I am doing is service and I am loving the people of North Creek. I am being the best missionary I can be. I have the amazing blessing of serving my Savior by preaching His gospel for only 18 months (now 16   ). Why waste it? But each of you have a duty to your God as well. He has blessed you so much, you need to share it. More blessings come as you do, I GUARANTEE it. I have seen it in my life so many time, I can't even count. And you have nothing to be afraid of. If a friend reject's the testimony you bore out of love, that's their loss, not yours.

I testify that the Lord will support you as you live righteously and work hard to follow Him and his example of love and care. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.