Dear Friends, Family, loved ones, and supporters,
Thank you! First and foremost, thank you, for all that you have done to support me and show me your love. It has meant so much and this journey has been life changing. I love my mission. I love my Savior. I love His gospel. Christ lives. I know He does! He loves us and wants to be with us.
I know that coming home will be a new experience, but I am so excited to be able to serve the Lord at home in a way that I couldn't before, but can now because of my mission. I know it will be a hard adjustment, but I do have confidence that the Lord will be with me. My call to be a missionary wasn't for 18 months. It was for life. I will forever be a disciple of Christ and I will serve Him. I love Him and I know He lives.
I love you all so much. I am excited to see you and want you to know that I love each one of you! May the Lord continue to be with each of you as you serve Him. May HIS force be with you!
Love,
Sister Felicia Jones :)
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Monday, December 15, 2014
Merry Christmas! :)
We have had some interesting experiences with many of our potential investigators and actual investigators telling us their not interested, or kind of fading out of contact with us. It's been really hard, especially when we are trying to do so much to work harder and more devoted than we ever have. However, I have felt that the Lord is helping us to clear people out of the way that are not ready at this time so that we can find those that are. I know that there are people ready, and we have found a few new potentials! There are also many other parts of the mission that are blossoming! I know that the Lord's timing is wonderful and merciful. He knows so well when we need what we need. I know that our faith is being tried, and that in turn our hearts are being purged. I know mine is and I am so grateful that the Lord loves me enough to purge me a little more.
As we are striving as a mission to do more than we have done, next week we will not be taking time for our normal preparation day stuff on Monday. As a mission we are giving that day to the Lord as a gift to Him this Christmas. Therefore, I will not be emailing or reading my emails until the Tuesday before I come home. I want you all to know how grateful I am- really grateful- for all of your love and support! I have been so blessed over the past 18 months as I have served as a full-time missionary. I love this work! I know that it is a sacred call to represent the Savior and share His gospel 24/7. I know that I have grown and learned so much through my service to and with my Savior. He has changed me. He has refined me. He has helped me become more of who I can become to be like my Heavenly Father. I love my Savior and my Father in Heaven. They are real and they are living. They love us and they know our desires, our needs, and our potential. They know you!
May you all have a blessed and merry Christmas day and week as you find and put a little more Christ in your lives. I love you all! Talk to you soon!
As we are striving as a mission to do more than we have done, next week we will not be taking time for our normal preparation day stuff on Monday. As a mission we are giving that day to the Lord as a gift to Him this Christmas. Therefore, I will not be emailing or reading my emails until the Tuesday before I come home. I want you all to know how grateful I am- really grateful- for all of your love and support! I have been so blessed over the past 18 months as I have served as a full-time missionary. I love this work! I know that it is a sacred call to represent the Savior and share His gospel 24/7. I know that I have grown and learned so much through my service to and with my Savior. He has changed me. He has refined me. He has helped me become more of who I can become to be like my Heavenly Father. I love my Savior and my Father in Heaven. They are real and they are living. They love us and they know our desires, our needs, and our potential. They know you!
May you all have a blessed and merry Christmas day and week as you find and put a little more Christ in your lives. I love you all! Talk to you soon!
Monday, December 8, 2014
The Gift :)
We also had interviews on Tuesday and MLC Thursday and Friday. There is a powerful spirit at those mission leadership council meetings, and I think Sister McDonough said it best when she testified, "The spirit is strongest when you sacrifice." In this last MLC meeting we talked about our baptism goal for this year and if we should lower it or keep it, since we would need 20 baptisms more than what we've ever gotten in a month. After discussion we decided to keep it and do our best to increase our faith and diligence this month. As a result we discussed what we need to do in order to make it happen. The reality is, if we want to accomplish something we've never accomplished before, we have to do something for it that we've never done before. This means sacrifice will be necessary. What are we willing to sacrifice in order to receive the blessings of Heaven? I didn't realize how much my heart loved certain things until we talked about sacrificing them.
The Lord is answering my prayers and I am truly being refined during these final weeks of service as a full-time missionary. I know that there is more for me to learn and become, and my hope is that I won't stop it from happening. Am I willing to put my fear, my personal comfort, my routines, and my habits on the alter of sacrifice? This will be the test. Christ doesn't just want us to give up the bad. He wants us to give up the good for the best.
Dearest family and friends, we need your prayers. This mission is doing things it's never done before. Progess is being made, but it needs to continue in ways it never has before. We truly need Heaven's help to share the gift of our Savior and help others come unto Him.
I would invite you all to watch the video the church has put out called "He's the Gift" at christmas.mormon.org. It is just over 2 minutes long and it really brings the spirit of Christ into your home and heart. Ponder it and Share it. It is a wonderful opportunity to share the gift of our Savior, and it's so simple! I know that the more we share our testimonies of the Savior, the more hearts will be open to receive Him and His gospel - including our own.
I know my Savior lives. Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God. He is my brother and Redeemer. He is my leader and my friend. He is my everything. He is the gift. Discover the gift! Embrace the gift! Share the gift!
Monday, December 1, 2014
Thanksgiving :)
What a great week we had! Thanksgiving was quite literally a blessed day! That's a common phrase down here, "Have a blessed day!"
We spent most of the day at [a member's] home with the two other sets of missionaries in the Madison ward. We love that family! And the other missionaries! We got to do service for them, which is why we are in jeans and t-shits in the picture :)
That morning Sister Harley and I went to help Sister McDonough with cooking. Then after the [serving at the member's home] we went back to the McDonough's! All 6 of us missionaries who were at the [member's home] went to the McDonough's, as well as our Zone Leaders and a recent convert of just over a year from the Madison Ward. We had a great time there too!
We also visited [a sweet sister], a less active who has the last few months worked so hard to do all she can to be a covenant keeper, even though she is nearly 90, almost blind, and practically deaf. She is such a good example to me and such a sweetheart. I love her so much and am so grateful I got to know her here.
Exciting news of the week is that [an investigator] from the Jackson Branch was baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday! Sister Keyes and I were the first missionaries to teach her, and then we passed her off to some of the Jackson Elders since she moved closer to them. She is a sweetheart, and has been through a lot to be where she's at now, but she is strong and will do great things if she will continue that way! I'm so proud of her!
I also learned this week on exchanges the importance of knowing the how of our message. Our message is of great value and importance, and it can enable us to improve the quality of our life and overcome problems, challenges, and concerns, but if we (or those we teach) don't know how to apply it, they won't get those blessings. They way to apply it is to make covenants with God and keep them. As we are obedient to the covenants we make, we access the power of the atonement and our lives our changed - our heart is changed. That is the gift that the Savior has given me - a changed heart. I am so thankful for that gift. He is the Savior of the World. He atoned for the sins of all mankind. He will come again.
We spent most of the day at [a member's] home with the two other sets of missionaries in the Madison ward. We love that family! And the other missionaries! We got to do service for them, which is why we are in jeans and t-shits in the picture :)
That morning Sister Harley and I went to help Sister McDonough with cooking. Then after the [serving at the member's home] we went back to the McDonough's! All 6 of us missionaries who were at the [member's home] went to the McDonough's, as well as our Zone Leaders and a recent convert of just over a year from the Madison Ward. We had a great time there too!
We also visited [a sweet sister], a less active who has the last few months worked so hard to do all she can to be a covenant keeper, even though she is nearly 90, almost blind, and practically deaf. She is such a good example to me and such a sweetheart. I love her so much and am so grateful I got to know her here.
Exciting news of the week is that [an investigator] from the Jackson Branch was baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday! Sister Keyes and I were the first missionaries to teach her, and then we passed her off to some of the Jackson Elders since she moved closer to them. She is a sweetheart, and has been through a lot to be where she's at now, but she is strong and will do great things if she will continue that way! I'm so proud of her!
I also learned this week on exchanges the importance of knowing the how of our message. Our message is of great value and importance, and it can enable us to improve the quality of our life and overcome problems, challenges, and concerns, but if we (or those we teach) don't know how to apply it, they won't get those blessings. They way to apply it is to make covenants with God and keep them. As we are obedient to the covenants we make, we access the power of the atonement and our lives our changed - our heart is changed. That is the gift that the Savior has given me - a changed heart. I am so thankful for that gift. He is the Savior of the World. He atoned for the sins of all mankind. He will come again.
Monday, November 24, 2014
Hope :)
This weekend we have been so blessed to see miracles and blessings. Sister Hartley and I have been praying and fasting for a while that we would be able to find people to teach. We have really been struggling to find anyone who is willing to listen to our message or accept a Book of Mormon. However, on Saturday we were able to teach 2 other lessons, get 3 return appointments, and give out a Book of Mormon. Then Sunday [two of our investigators] AND a friend of theirs all came to church! They only stayed for Sacrament Meeting, but they were there! It was [one of those investigator's] first time, as well as the friend he brought. AND we also coordinated before hand with a member family in the ward and they invited [the two investigators] to have dinner and a lesson in their home tonight (Monday), and they accepted! In fact they seemed really excited! I was on cloud 9 I was so happy and felt so blessed!! I know that it was the hand of the Lord that put all of that together. It just came together so perfectly, and I know it was because we put our trust in the Lord and expected that He would keep His promises and we kept ours. We have planned in faith and are praying all will go well tonight.
Yesterday in church the two speakers talked about faith and hope. The one gave one definition of hope as expecting or having confidence in the promises of the Lord. Hope isn't a passive word, it's an active word. How much hope we have is based on our personal righteousness. This is because we cannot have confidence that we will receive the blessings promised to us by the Lord if we are not keeping our promises to Him.
Another part that I liked was when he talked about things we hope for and things we hope in. He read a quote from Elder Uchtdorf's Oct. 2008 General Conference talk called "The Infinite Power of Hope." He said, "The things we hope for lead us to faith, while the things we hope in lead us to charity." He then said, "The three qualities—faith, hope, and charity—working together, grounded on the truth and light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, lead us to abound in good works." I know that's true, and I'm experiencing it more and more each day as I learn how to have greater faith and hope in my Savior Jesus Christ. Again, my study each night for 5 minutes on faith has helped so much. I know it will make a difference for anyone who will sincerely do it.
I hope (expect and have confidence) that you will all have a great Thanksgiving as you truly have an attitude of Gratitude (another great talk by Pres. Uchtdorf), and show your faith by keeping your covenants with God. I love you all and am so grateful for each one of you in my life! Hope on!
Yesterday in church the two speakers talked about faith and hope. The one gave one definition of hope as expecting or having confidence in the promises of the Lord. Hope isn't a passive word, it's an active word. How much hope we have is based on our personal righteousness. This is because we cannot have confidence that we will receive the blessings promised to us by the Lord if we are not keeping our promises to Him.
Another part that I liked was when he talked about things we hope for and things we hope in. He read a quote from Elder Uchtdorf's Oct. 2008 General Conference talk called "The Infinite Power of Hope." He said, "The things we hope for lead us to faith, while the things we hope in lead us to charity." He then said, "The three qualities—faith, hope, and charity—working together, grounded on the truth and light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, lead us to abound in good works." I know that's true, and I'm experiencing it more and more each day as I learn how to have greater faith and hope in my Savior Jesus Christ. Again, my study each night for 5 minutes on faith has helped so much. I know it will make a difference for anyone who will sincerely do it.
I hope (expect and have confidence) that you will all have a great Thanksgiving as you truly have an attitude of Gratitude (another great talk by Pres. Uchtdorf), and show your faith by keeping your covenants with God. I love you all and am so grateful for each one of you in my life! Hope on!
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
The Faith
Hello Family and Friends!
Wow time flies! Another transfer has happened and I will be finishing here in the heart of the MJM in Jackson, Mississippi. Sister Hartley is staying with me and I love her. :) I am so excited for the next six weeks because it is the very best time to be a missionary for our Savior! I love this time of the year with all of my heart! He lives! He really lives! And He wants all of us to know Him! I'm so excited to get to know Him better and to help others get to know Him too. :)
Speaking of that, good news! [One of the two young sister we've been teaching] got baptized this weekend! [The other] wasn't quite ready so she didn't get baptized, but we're still working with her. Hopefully she'll be ready within the next 2 weeks!
[This girl's] baptism was beautiful :) The spirit was very sweet and powerful. Elder Heartman, one of the Elders in our district, baptized her and ended up confirming her since her uncle, President White, ended up getting called into work on Sunday. [The girl] wore a dress that we got from one of the Madison Sisters who is going home and she looked beautiful! She looked so happy!
We're still working with . . . a few others, but we're also still trying to find more people. I know they are here, and we have seen incredible things happen throughout the mission since focusing on increasing our faith! We're already at 24 baptism this month as a mission, and that has been our average total for an entire month for quite some time now! We have a goal as a mission to reach 300 baptism by the end of the year, which would require about 40 for the months of November and December each. I know we can do it if we will continue to increase our faith!
I've been reading something every night about faith and I know that my faith in my Savior Jesus Christ has increased. I am learning now how to truly rely on the Savior - to not stress out when things aren't going how WE planned, and instead to stay calm so that I can feel the spirit and do what HE planned.
Sister Hartley and I really experienced that this last week, just in preparing [this sweet girl] for baptism. We had many opportunities to stress out, but we stayed calm and everything worked out perfectly. It really was a powerful experience.
I love you all and hope that you embrace the spirit of this season, starting with Thanksgiving and then leading into Christmas. This is the most wonderful time of the year because of Him - because we remember Him. Remember Him more through prayer, study, hard work, and obedience, and your faith in Him will increase. I know that.
The saying usually goes, "Keep the faith," but I want to challenge each of you to "Increase the faith." It will bless your life to have more joy and less stress - I promise you that.
Wow time flies! Another transfer has happened and I will be finishing here in the heart of the MJM in Jackson, Mississippi. Sister Hartley is staying with me and I love her. :) I am so excited for the next six weeks because it is the very best time to be a missionary for our Savior! I love this time of the year with all of my heart! He lives! He really lives! And He wants all of us to know Him! I'm so excited to get to know Him better and to help others get to know Him too. :)
Speaking of that, good news! [One of the two young sister we've been teaching] got baptized this weekend! [The other] wasn't quite ready so she didn't get baptized, but we're still working with her. Hopefully she'll be ready within the next 2 weeks!
[This girl's] baptism was beautiful :) The spirit was very sweet and powerful. Elder Heartman, one of the Elders in our district, baptized her and ended up confirming her since her uncle, President White, ended up getting called into work on Sunday. [The girl] wore a dress that we got from one of the Madison Sisters who is going home and she looked beautiful! She looked so happy!
We're still working with . . . a few others, but we're also still trying to find more people. I know they are here, and we have seen incredible things happen throughout the mission since focusing on increasing our faith! We're already at 24 baptism this month as a mission, and that has been our average total for an entire month for quite some time now! We have a goal as a mission to reach 300 baptism by the end of the year, which would require about 40 for the months of November and December each. I know we can do it if we will continue to increase our faith!
I've been reading something every night about faith and I know that my faith in my Savior Jesus Christ has increased. I am learning now how to truly rely on the Savior - to not stress out when things aren't going how WE planned, and instead to stay calm so that I can feel the spirit and do what HE planned.
Sister Hartley and I really experienced that this last week, just in preparing [this sweet girl] for baptism. We had many opportunities to stress out, but we stayed calm and everything worked out perfectly. It really was a powerful experience.
I love you all and hope that you embrace the spirit of this season, starting with Thanksgiving and then leading into Christmas. This is the most wonderful time of the year because of Him - because we remember Him. Remember Him more through prayer, study, hard work, and obedience, and your faith in Him will increase. I know that.
The saying usually goes, "Keep the faith," but I want to challenge each of you to "Increase the faith." It will bless your life to have more joy and less stress - I promise you that.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Faith :)
Thanks to all of you sending prayers, emails, thoughts, love, and support my way. It means so much to hear from you when I do, and to feel of all of your great support! I am so grateful for each one of you in my life, and want you to know that you have blessed my life so much by serving and loving me, my family, and the Lord. I know that the Lord is aware of all that each of you go through, sacrifice, and give to be obedient and serve Him. He loves you and is sending you blessings, I'm sure of it. Please keep your confidence in the our Savior and trust in Him. He is there and He is aware. :)
This Saturday and Sunday [two girls that are sisters] will be getting baptized and confirmed into the Jackson Branch! They are sweet girls and I am excited for them to finally be able to take this step! I know it will help them so much!
This week I have been learning lots about Faith. That was the main topic of our Mission Leadership Council Meeting. We all have taken the challenge of studying faith each night for 5 minutes, and then applying a principle we learn the next day. It has already helped me, and I would offer the same challenge to each of you! Also, one of our area presidency said that you can substitute faith for personal righteousness in the scriptures...it's amazing when you think of it that way.
I hope you all have a wonderful week! Thanks again for all you do! Love you each one of you!
This Saturday and Sunday [two girls that are sisters] will be getting baptized and confirmed into the Jackson Branch! They are sweet girls and I am excited for them to finally be able to take this step! I know it will help them so much!
This week I have been learning lots about Faith. That was the main topic of our Mission Leadership Council Meeting. We all have taken the challenge of studying faith each night for 5 minutes, and then applying a principle we learn the next day. It has already helped me, and I would offer the same challenge to each of you! Also, one of our area presidency said that you can substitute faith for personal righteousness in the scriptures...it's amazing when you think of it that way.
I hope you all have a wonderful week! Thanks again for all you do! Love you each one of you!
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| MLC Conference |
Monday, November 3, 2014
Let the Lord use His tools :)
Hello!
I don't have much time today, but Sister Hartley and I had a good week this last week. We enjoyed the festivities with the Madison Ward and the Jackson Branch, and at the Mission Home! Sister Hartley and I and the Madison Sisters got to go to the Mission Home on Halloween and pass out candy since President and Sister McDonough had to be out of a town for a senior missionary conference. It was fun to be there and to be with the Madison Sisters! It's always such a joy and peace to be in the mission home...there is a special spirit there that Sister Hartley related to the lobby part of the temple...it's special :)
Also, fun note, I suggested at the past Branch Council that they do the donut on a string game at their Halloween activity, and none of them had heard of it! But they decided it sounded like fun, so they provided the needed items and Sister Hartley and I were assigned to do it at the activity. It was SO FUN!! They all LOVED it and many said that it was the best part of the night! So the Knighton tradition (from my mom's family) gets carried on to Jackson, Mississippi! :)
Sister Hartley and I got to go on two exchanges this last week and one thing I really learned was how to open my heart more to the Lord. I'm still learning, but I have just felt so much recently that my heart is being more turned to the Lord - to trust Him and let Him do His work, instead of trying to do it all for Him. I thought this week of an analogy of how we get to work with the Lord. I kind of feel like a glove on a hand...People can't physically see the Lord all the time in this work, but it is only because of Him that we can do what we do. I also feel that sometimes I think that I have to be the one to do the job of the shoe and the glasses and the helmet and everything else, but if I trust the Lord, and others that He works through (hat, shoes, glasses, etc.) it is so much easier and so much more gets done. It's a miracle, and it works.
I love you all! I hope that you all had a safe Halloween and that you enjoy the fall weather! Have a wonderful week! Keep praying! He wants to hear you and help you!
I don't have much time today, but Sister Hartley and I had a good week this last week. We enjoyed the festivities with the Madison Ward and the Jackson Branch, and at the Mission Home! Sister Hartley and I and the Madison Sisters got to go to the Mission Home on Halloween and pass out candy since President and Sister McDonough had to be out of a town for a senior missionary conference. It was fun to be there and to be with the Madison Sisters! It's always such a joy and peace to be in the mission home...there is a special spirit there that Sister Hartley related to the lobby part of the temple...it's special :)
Also, fun note, I suggested at the past Branch Council that they do the donut on a string game at their Halloween activity, and none of them had heard of it! But they decided it sounded like fun, so they provided the needed items and Sister Hartley and I were assigned to do it at the activity. It was SO FUN!! They all LOVED it and many said that it was the best part of the night! So the Knighton tradition (from my mom's family) gets carried on to Jackson, Mississippi! :)
Sister Hartley and I got to go on two exchanges this last week and one thing I really learned was how to open my heart more to the Lord. I'm still learning, but I have just felt so much recently that my heart is being more turned to the Lord - to trust Him and let Him do His work, instead of trying to do it all for Him. I thought this week of an analogy of how we get to work with the Lord. I kind of feel like a glove on a hand...People can't physically see the Lord all the time in this work, but it is only because of Him that we can do what we do. I also feel that sometimes I think that I have to be the one to do the job of the shoe and the glasses and the helmet and everything else, but if I trust the Lord, and others that He works through (hat, shoes, glasses, etc.) it is so much easier and so much more gets done. It's a miracle, and it works.
I love you all! I hope that you all had a safe Halloween and that you enjoy the fall weather! Have a wonderful week! Keep praying! He wants to hear you and help you!
Monday, October 27, 2014
Let Him serve you :)
What a wonderful and crazy week! First of all, my thoughts and feelings go out to my family, as a very special event and sacred ordinance took place this last week. Oh how blessed we are to have temples and the priesthood power on the earth today! I am so grateful for the eternal blessings that come from those two things! Knowing that I will be with my family forever, that I am truly sealed and bonded with them is a joy and a blessing dear to my heart. :)
A few of the miracles and blessings I received and witnessed this week are:
So much more happens in a week, but those are some highlights of this last week. One thing that I learned this week is how to give things to the Lord and not be stressed. :) Last Sunday, a week ago yesterday, I started feeling dizzy. Any time I moved my head too fast I would get a feeling of fogginess/dizziness...almost like I was on a roller coaster. I thought it was just because I had happened to not eat much breakfast that morning, but as I ate and drank water it didn't really go away. I felt it out the next couple of days, but it seemed to get a little worse.
I started getting nervous that people were going to think I was drunk because I would start to feel "tipsy" if I walked too fast...yeah probably not a good rep for the church. After talking with Sister Hartley about it on Wednesday, we decided I should call our mission nurse. She asked me a few questions and then had me call a doctor in my ward. Come to find out I had vertigo - where something in my ears is infected so it throws off my brains interpretation of what the position of my head is. He said it should be healed by the end of the week but if not he could call in some medicine for me to cure it up. Turns out it did heal by the weekend, but there was a question that our mission nurse asked that really got me thinking and ended up teaching me a lesson.
The nurse asked me, "What is your level of stress?" When she first asked me it kind of took me back and I thought, "I'm not stressed...I don't feel stressed...am I stressed?" As I pondered on that over the next day, I paid attention to how I reacted to things - did I get annoyed easily, was I down about things, did certain things give me anxiety, etc. I realized that I was indeed stressed. I realized that I was taking in all of the "pain and afflictions" of others and the circumstances around me instead of giving it to the Lord.
As soon as I stopped worrying about things that I couldn't change, and started trusting that the Lord would take of things when I couldn't, I started feeling so much better. The fog literally lifted from my mind and my heart felt happier. One example was trusting that the Lord would take care of [our investigator at church], even though we couldn't be there with him. That was a big stretch of faith on my part, and it was so wonderful to see that the Lord did fulfill His promise as I served with all my "heart, might, mind, and strength," in a way that was not "fater than [I had] strength," but still "diligent" (Doc. & Cov. 4:2 and Mosiah 4:27).
I know that the Lord is aware of us and wants to take our burdens from us. He suffered "pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind...that he may know according to the flesh how to succor [us]." (Alma 7:11-12) Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured, and it can be if we will turn to our Savior and use the enabling and redeeming power of his atonement. Let the pain go from your heart as you pray to your Heavenly Father and talk to those who love you. I know you will be blessed with a peaceful heart as you do so.
I know my Father lives. I know my Savior lives. He loves you. Let Him serve you.
A few of the miracles and blessings I received and witnessed this week are:
- [One of our investigators] came to church! He is someone that we have been working with since I got to Jackson in July! And the funny part is I actually met him a year ago when I was serving in Florence but came on exchanges to Jackson for a day! We have been trying to encourage him to come for months, and on Sunday he finally came! The hard part about it was that Sister Hartley and I weren't there...we were in the Jackson Branch this week and [this man] goes to the Madison Ward. It took so much trust and faith to tell [him] when he called us Saturday to let us know he was coming, that we were going to be helping in a different congregation that week. Oh that was so hard...but thankfully [he] still gathered up the courage and came to sacrament, and the members were great and welcomed him in! Hopefully we will see him and his nephew there next week!
- We got to have Sister McDonough (our mission president's wife) come out with us twice this week! Once to visit a less active, and once to teach an investigator! It was actually a miracle that we taught someone because the person we came to teach wasn't there, but her niece was and she was very willing to listen, even though she was in the middle of school stuff (medical school). It was a great lesson and Sister McDonough was wonderful! Just feeling of her spirit lifts your spirit and helps you to feel so good! We love her!
- [A brother of two sisters we are teaching] got baptized and confirmed this weekend! His sisters will be following him on November 15th. We had to reset the date for them so that we could finish teaching them everything, but they are doing well and I love them! [One of the sisters] is 14 and [the other] is 12. They are so fun and I love them so much!
- The Madison Sisters in our Ward also had a baptism and confirmation this weekend! It was the wife of a part member family, and they are great!
- [A family we have been teaching for a while] made it through a little challenge in their family, and [the wife] is getting brave and practiced driving to a party they had this week so that she will be comfortable driving to church when [the husband] has to work on Sundays!
- We were able to give a Book of Mormon to our maintenance man! He has had to come a few times in the last couple of months for different repairs (fire alarm, refrigerator, light bulbs, etc.) This last time we had a 30 minute conversaion with him about the Book of Mormon and some common questions about Mormons and he accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon! He's great and such a happy guy!
- We got some great lessons while tracting :)
So much more happens in a week, but those are some highlights of this last week. One thing that I learned this week is how to give things to the Lord and not be stressed. :) Last Sunday, a week ago yesterday, I started feeling dizzy. Any time I moved my head too fast I would get a feeling of fogginess/dizziness...almost like I was on a roller coaster. I thought it was just because I had happened to not eat much breakfast that morning, but as I ate and drank water it didn't really go away. I felt it out the next couple of days, but it seemed to get a little worse.
I started getting nervous that people were going to think I was drunk because I would start to feel "tipsy" if I walked too fast...yeah probably not a good rep for the church. After talking with Sister Hartley about it on Wednesday, we decided I should call our mission nurse. She asked me a few questions and then had me call a doctor in my ward. Come to find out I had vertigo - where something in my ears is infected so it throws off my brains interpretation of what the position of my head is. He said it should be healed by the end of the week but if not he could call in some medicine for me to cure it up. Turns out it did heal by the weekend, but there was a question that our mission nurse asked that really got me thinking and ended up teaching me a lesson.
The nurse asked me, "What is your level of stress?" When she first asked me it kind of took me back and I thought, "I'm not stressed...I don't feel stressed...am I stressed?" As I pondered on that over the next day, I paid attention to how I reacted to things - did I get annoyed easily, was I down about things, did certain things give me anxiety, etc. I realized that I was indeed stressed. I realized that I was taking in all of the "pain and afflictions" of others and the circumstances around me instead of giving it to the Lord.
As soon as I stopped worrying about things that I couldn't change, and started trusting that the Lord would take of things when I couldn't, I started feeling so much better. The fog literally lifted from my mind and my heart felt happier. One example was trusting that the Lord would take care of [our investigator at church], even though we couldn't be there with him. That was a big stretch of faith on my part, and it was so wonderful to see that the Lord did fulfill His promise as I served with all my "heart, might, mind, and strength," in a way that was not "fater than [I had] strength," but still "diligent" (Doc. & Cov. 4:2 and Mosiah 4:27).
I know that the Lord is aware of us and wants to take our burdens from us. He suffered "pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind...that he may know according to the flesh how to succor [us]." (Alma 7:11-12) Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured, and it can be if we will turn to our Savior and use the enabling and redeeming power of his atonement. Let the pain go from your heart as you pray to your Heavenly Father and talk to those who love you. I know you will be blessed with a peaceful heart as you do so.
I know my Father lives. I know my Savior lives. He loves you. Let Him serve you.
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| Picnic in the Park :) |
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| After eating at Cracker Barrel |
Monday, October 20, 2014
Change/Newness :)
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| With the Zwicks |
This last week was so packed with spiritual instruction and edification that I felt I almost couldn't receive anymore without putting some of it into action first! It was great to hear from Elder Zwick of the 70! He gave us a lot of encouragement from him and the first presidency. He also gave us some good instruction to lift our mission a little higher.
One thing I was taught this last week is, being willing to change means being willing to leave our comfort zone......Being willing to change means being willing to leave our comfort zone. That hit me so hard. I realized that I have great desires to change and do better, but what's stopping me is my comfort zone. I've come a long way in expanding that comfort zone since I was born :) however, if I were to stop now, it would all be in vain. You can't stop because then you backtrack. I know that the Lord wants me to go out of my comfort zone so that he can expand my abilities and work greater miracles in my life and the lives of those around me.
One thought that I have often had is, how do we expect miracles to happen if we are not willing to do miraculous things? Or why do we expect extra ordinary results when we are only willing to give ordinary efforts? We have to be willing to leave our comfort zones in order to experience new and joyful things.
Sister Hartley and I are working with [two sisters] who were supposed to be baptized this upcoming weekend, but we are going to have to push it back. Hopefully we can help them and teach them all we need to so that they can receive the blessings of the full gospel of Jesus Christ. Sister Hartley and I, as well as many of the sisters in our zone are struggling to find people who want to receive our message of the restored gospel. If as you pray for me or any other missionary you could specifically pray that we will be able to work with the members to find those who are searching for the gospel, that would be wonderful. We need that help and guidance in order to hasten this work.
I know that the gospel is one of joy and newness! We are to have new experiences, achieve new things, and become new people. I hope that each of us will recognize and accept the strength given to us through the atonement of Christ so that we can experience the newness, the change, and the joy that comes through doing so. I love Jesus Christ and I love my Heavenly Father. I know that He is my Father in Heaven and that He hears my prayers.
I love you all and hope that you enjoy the newness of your lives this week!
Monday, October 13, 2014
:)
Hello!
I have a very short amount of time today, but I have been so overwhelmed with love and instruction from the Lord and the leaders he has for us in this area right now. It has been such a wonderful and inspiring weekend with Stake Conference with Elder Nash and MLC with Elder Zwick. Then tomorrow we get zone conference with Elder Zwick!
I have learned so much about faith and trust and diligence. I love the Lord and still am amazed that I am actually serving a mission right now. I had a very distinct moment this last week in one of my personal studies where it really hit me - I am a missionary. I am doing the Lord's work. I am striving to hasten with the Lord as He hastens along His work.
I love this work. I love it so much and am striving daily to do all I can to serve with all of my heart, might, mind and strength. I know the Lord loves you. Ask Him. He will let you know. I love you all!
I have a very short amount of time today, but I have been so overwhelmed with love and instruction from the Lord and the leaders he has for us in this area right now. It has been such a wonderful and inspiring weekend with Stake Conference with Elder Nash and MLC with Elder Zwick. Then tomorrow we get zone conference with Elder Zwick!
I have learned so much about faith and trust and diligence. I love the Lord and still am amazed that I am actually serving a mission right now. I had a very distinct moment this last week in one of my personal studies where it really hit me - I am a missionary. I am doing the Lord's work. I am striving to hasten with the Lord as He hastens along His work.
I love this work. I love it so much and am striving daily to do all I can to serve with all of my heart, might, mind and strength. I know the Lord loves you. Ask Him. He will let you know. I love you all!
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Modern revelation :)
Today is transfers and my dear companion, Sister Keyes is being transferred back to Utah tomorrow. It's crazy how fast time has gone. Needless to say, I'm staying in Jackson! My new companion is Sister Hartley! I knew her from when I was an STL in Shreveport! She was actually companions with Sister Meek (my trainer) in Texarkana and I went on exchanges with her there! She is awesome! We actually look a lot alike...tall and blond. :) She's also from Canada! Alberta to be exact! She is a sweetheart and I am so excited and blessed to have her as a companion. She is a hard worker and she will bless the lives of the sisters here so much. I get to "train" her in being an STL and I feel so blessed.
General Conference this weekend was wonderful! My prayers were answered so specifically and clearly! It was amazing to me! It was also interesting to see how questions or topics I had on my heart, and hadn't actually prayed for were also answered. The Lord truly knows our hearts. :)
One impression I received very strongly was to turn back to my patriarchal blessing for answers. I recently read the account in the Book of Mormon when the Lord chastises Lehi for complaining when Nephi's bow broke and they went for a time without much food. Lehi asks where Nephi should go to obtain food and the Lord directs back to the Liahona - a guide He had already given him. I felt the same direction as I listened to Elder Godoy's talk. My patriarchal blessing is a great gift, and holds more promises and guidance than I know. I felt so strongly that there is more I need to learn from it, and that I need to give it more time and attention then I have been.
Another blessing of guidance we have been given is a living prophet. I know that we need to listen and live according to the guidance he gives, as well as the 12 apostles. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God, that he represents our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ as he speaks to us and gives us direction. Turn back to his words as you need guidance, faith, or hope. His words will provide because they are the words of the Lord. I know that is true.
I hope that we will choose to turn and face the Lord as we seek guidance through personal and priesthood revelation. That will keep us "in the boat" as we listen, obey, and use the atonement of Jesus Christ, including partaking of the sacred sacrament.
I love each one of you and hope for each of you it will be a joyful week! We will get to hear from Elder Zwick of the 70 next week in our mission - including a special MLC with him. Guidance from the Lord continues! We are all so blessed! Love you!
Monday, September 29, 2014
A Broken Heart
This last week we found a new investigator! Actually more like she found us :) We went to the Jackson Branch after attending the Madison ward to teach a couple of girls there that we have picked up from some of the Jackson Elders. While we were there we were also introduced to a girl. . . She is 19 and came with one of her friends because she wants to make changes in her life and get up on her feet. She is the sweetest person you will ever meet and has a sincere desire to do good and right, she just hasn't been taught how. We had a great lesson with her on Thursday and will be seeing her again this week!
Sister Keyes and I also had the neat opportunity to teach our District Meeting this last week. Our district leader (Elder Jones....different from the one I had in Shreveport haha) asked us to do it on the "How To Begin Teaching" section in chapter 10 of Preach My Gospel. (You should look it up!)
I learned a lot about preparing. Sister Keyes and I ended up spending an hour longer than we had planned preparing for this lesson, because we were also learning. I was very humbled and even felt "broken down" through this experience. I felt that my heart had been broken so that it could be healed the right way. I know that as we are humble enough to be broken that we will be strengthened in our weakness. The softer our hearts are, the less painful the breaking will be. I didn't realize how hard mine had gotten in this certain aspect, but I realized I needed to be broken.
I know that no matter what trials or challenges we are facing, no matter what circumstances we are in, the Savior and His gospel will help us. They will enable us to improve the quality of our lives and teach us how to make changes so that we can live in closer harmony with the teachings of Christ. I know that as we make and keep covenants, we will receive the blessing our Father in Heaven is pouring out for us, just as President Uchtdorf said in the General Women's Broadcast. The blessings are there if we will only keep His commandments and remove the umbrellas (or pavilions) that block us from receiving them.
I love this gospel because it is true. It is true for everyone of us on this Earth. It is true today, yesterday, and tomorrow. It is true for you. I know it will bless you, enable you, and redeem you, because our Savior made it possible. I have felt it. I was asked the question recently what my experience was to know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that all of this gospel is true. I pondered for a moment and then responded, "My Life."
My life has been the experience for me. I haven't had one miraculous event or Impressive moment when it all clicked. I have lived a life, a day at a time, striving to live according to the will and commandments of my Father.
I know that this is the gospel of Jesus Christ and that any one who wants to know if it's true, will. I love you all and hope that the Lord will be able to continue to work through you and with you, as you soften your hearts for Him. I love you!
Love,
Sister Felicia Jones :)
P.S. Here is a picture I took after Interviews at the Church building where the Mission Office is. MJM! :)
Sister Keyes and I also had the neat opportunity to teach our District Meeting this last week. Our district leader (Elder Jones....different from the one I had in Shreveport haha) asked us to do it on the "How To Begin Teaching" section in chapter 10 of Preach My Gospel. (You should look it up!)
I learned a lot about preparing. Sister Keyes and I ended up spending an hour longer than we had planned preparing for this lesson, because we were also learning. I was very humbled and even felt "broken down" through this experience. I felt that my heart had been broken so that it could be healed the right way. I know that as we are humble enough to be broken that we will be strengthened in our weakness. The softer our hearts are, the less painful the breaking will be. I didn't realize how hard mine had gotten in this certain aspect, but I realized I needed to be broken.
I know that no matter what trials or challenges we are facing, no matter what circumstances we are in, the Savior and His gospel will help us. They will enable us to improve the quality of our lives and teach us how to make changes so that we can live in closer harmony with the teachings of Christ. I know that as we make and keep covenants, we will receive the blessing our Father in Heaven is pouring out for us, just as President Uchtdorf said in the General Women's Broadcast. The blessings are there if we will only keep His commandments and remove the umbrellas (or pavilions) that block us from receiving them.
I love this gospel because it is true. It is true for everyone of us on this Earth. It is true today, yesterday, and tomorrow. It is true for you. I know it will bless you, enable you, and redeem you, because our Savior made it possible. I have felt it. I was asked the question recently what my experience was to know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that all of this gospel is true. I pondered for a moment and then responded, "My Life."
My life has been the experience for me. I haven't had one miraculous event or Impressive moment when it all clicked. I have lived a life, a day at a time, striving to live according to the will and commandments of my Father.
I know that this is the gospel of Jesus Christ and that any one who wants to know if it's true, will. I love you all and hope that the Lord will be able to continue to work through you and with you, as you soften your hearts for Him. I love you!
Love,
Sister Felicia Jones :)
P.S. Here is a picture I took after Interviews at the Church building where the Mission Office is. MJM! :)
Monday, September 22, 2014
Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven :)
This last week Sister Keyes and I spent 3 days in Meridian on exchanges with the two sets of sisters out there. The exchanges went super well! I am always so enlightened and motivated by the sisters when I go out with them. The sisters in this mission are amazing and I love them!
The sad news of the week is that [our awesome investigator] isn't going to be baptized on the 27th. He has had some very spiritual experiences and honestly some of the most spiritual lessons I've had on my mission have been with him. However, he didn't act completely on the promptings of the Holy Ghost and has therefore had a lot of influence from friends and personal desires end up distracting him/putting him back. I know that he has had prayers answered and gained knowledge that will enable him to make the decision to be baptized in the future. I also feel that watching General Conference will be something that will invite the spirit strongly to help him know that this church is the Church of Jesus Christ.
I am so excited for General Conference! It is a huge blessing to have words from our Heavenly Father and Savior today through their prophets and apostles. I know that they are called of God and bare special witness of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that if we listen and act on the messages they give, we will be prepared and we will be closer to our Heavenly Father.
I'm also working on the law of sacrifice right now. I started a 40 day fast of things that I am sacrificing for the Lord at this time, to request His help in doing His work. It began with an actual 2 meal fast from food and water to know what things should go on the list, and now I am doing my best to fast from those things. I talked with President McDonough about sacrifice in my interview with him this last week and he said, "Sacrifice doesn't have to be miserable." Haha it's so true! And yet, for some reason it's in my head that it should be. Sometimes it is, but it doesn't have to be. That pain has been covered by our Savior Jesus Christ, and we will enjoy the blessings of the sacrifice all the more if we truly give it with all our heart, so that there is little if any pain at all.
Many say that we as missionaries have sacrificed so much to come, and truly we have. But the irony of it all is that if we give our sacrifice completely, 100%, then it turns into a bounteous blessing. My mission is a blessing to me. I'm so thankful to be out here serving my Father with my Savior. I know that He is with us as we serve - in what ever way we do. I know He loves us. He has enabled me to do and become so much. I love my brother and Savior Jesus Christ! And I love my Heavenly Father!
May you feel there love this week as you continue to sacrifice and serve for them! I love each one of you!
The sad news of the week is that [our awesome investigator] isn't going to be baptized on the 27th. He has had some very spiritual experiences and honestly some of the most spiritual lessons I've had on my mission have been with him. However, he didn't act completely on the promptings of the Holy Ghost and has therefore had a lot of influence from friends and personal desires end up distracting him/putting him back. I know that he has had prayers answered and gained knowledge that will enable him to make the decision to be baptized in the future. I also feel that watching General Conference will be something that will invite the spirit strongly to help him know that this church is the Church of Jesus Christ.
I am so excited for General Conference! It is a huge blessing to have words from our Heavenly Father and Savior today through their prophets and apostles. I know that they are called of God and bare special witness of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that if we listen and act on the messages they give, we will be prepared and we will be closer to our Heavenly Father.
I'm also working on the law of sacrifice right now. I started a 40 day fast of things that I am sacrificing for the Lord at this time, to request His help in doing His work. It began with an actual 2 meal fast from food and water to know what things should go on the list, and now I am doing my best to fast from those things. I talked with President McDonough about sacrifice in my interview with him this last week and he said, "Sacrifice doesn't have to be miserable." Haha it's so true! And yet, for some reason it's in my head that it should be. Sometimes it is, but it doesn't have to be. That pain has been covered by our Savior Jesus Christ, and we will enjoy the blessings of the sacrifice all the more if we truly give it with all our heart, so that there is little if any pain at all.
Many say that we as missionaries have sacrificed so much to come, and truly we have. But the irony of it all is that if we give our sacrifice completely, 100%, then it turns into a bounteous blessing. My mission is a blessing to me. I'm so thankful to be out here serving my Father with my Savior. I know that He is with us as we serve - in what ever way we do. I know He loves us. He has enabled me to do and become so much. I love my brother and Savior Jesus Christ! And I love my Heavenly Father!
May you feel there love this week as you continue to sacrifice and serve for them! I love each one of you!
Monday, September 15, 2014
Obedience = enabling power
This week I gained a stronger testimony of obedience. We have been asked in our mission to tract 7 hours each week (an hour a day). I don't know why, but for some reason I have really struggled with this on my mission, and having a full testimony of doing it that much. I know that sounds silly, especially to those who have served in areas where they tract more than double that a week; nevertheless, it has been a struggle for me.
This last week, a thought really hit me - Sometimes we judge what is most effective by how quickly it produces results. I have learned that this is not always true. What is most effective is what the Lord has asked us to do, because then we are enabled by His help. Such is the case with tracting. :)
The Lord has asked us - asked me - to tract 7 hours each week, through his servant, President McDonough. Many believe that there is a more effective way, and even Preach My Gospel says so, but the Lord has asked us at this time to do 7 hours of tracting each week. As Sister Keyes and I did all we could to tract not only get 7 hours, but to tract everyday, we noticed the strength of the Lord more in our work and our lives. The enabling power of the atonement was more present and we were able to accomplish greater things. We also noticed that we didn't have a lot of "success" in our actual tracting efforts. It was one of our lowest weeks for Book of Mormons given, lessons taught while tracting, and new investigators.
I know that the Lord has been shaping us and allowing us to gain a testimony of obedience. I know that we will see the fruit of our labors, but just as fruit takes time to grow, our fruit may also take time to show. I know that the best way is to do as the Brother of Jared did and follow the instructions that the Lord has already given us before we ask for more. That we too may say, "O Lord, behold I have done even as thou hast commanded me..."
This week will be a new challenge, as we will be in Meridian from this afternoon through Wednesday night, but Sister Keyes and I are determined to do all that the Lord has commanded us. I know that that is how we gain strength.
Also exciting news! [One of our solid investigators] has a baptism date! Hopefully he will be baptized on September 27th! In just under 2 weeks! We have a game plan to teach him everything he needs to be taught before then. Some of my most powerful lessons have been with [this man]. He is awesome and I know that he will be baptized one day...hopefully soon!
I love you all! Have an enabling week!
This last week, a thought really hit me - Sometimes we judge what is most effective by how quickly it produces results. I have learned that this is not always true. What is most effective is what the Lord has asked us to do, because then we are enabled by His help. Such is the case with tracting. :)
The Lord has asked us - asked me - to tract 7 hours each week, through his servant, President McDonough. Many believe that there is a more effective way, and even Preach My Gospel says so, but the Lord has asked us at this time to do 7 hours of tracting each week. As Sister Keyes and I did all we could to tract not only get 7 hours, but to tract everyday, we noticed the strength of the Lord more in our work and our lives. The enabling power of the atonement was more present and we were able to accomplish greater things. We also noticed that we didn't have a lot of "success" in our actual tracting efforts. It was one of our lowest weeks for Book of Mormons given, lessons taught while tracting, and new investigators.
I know that the Lord has been shaping us and allowing us to gain a testimony of obedience. I know that we will see the fruit of our labors, but just as fruit takes time to grow, our fruit may also take time to show. I know that the best way is to do as the Brother of Jared did and follow the instructions that the Lord has already given us before we ask for more. That we too may say, "O Lord, behold I have done even as thou hast commanded me..."
This week will be a new challenge, as we will be in Meridian from this afternoon through Wednesday night, but Sister Keyes and I are determined to do all that the Lord has commanded us. I know that that is how we gain strength.
Also exciting news! [One of our solid investigators] has a baptism date! Hopefully he will be baptized on September 27th! In just under 2 weeks! We have a game plan to teach him everything he needs to be taught before then. Some of my most powerful lessons have been with [this man]. He is awesome and I know that he will be baptized one day...hopefully soon!
I love you all! Have an enabling week!
Monday, September 8, 2014
Raise the Bar :)
What a week...:) This week was powerful in experience and in the impressions of the Holy Ghost.
[Our investigator family] got baptized and confirmed this weekend! They are the cutest family ever!! They are already so dedicated to living the gospel! They even brought their tithing to church yesterday! The spirit was very strong and everything went so smoothly. Our ward mission leader and his wife were wonderful in putting it all together and making it a special experience for [this family]. We love them so much and are so happy for them!
Also, another one of our investigators came to the baptism! Afterwards we had a lesson with him and one of the ward members, Sister Flamm, where he actually accepted a baptism date! September 27th is what he is working towards! He is a slightly older man (50's or 60's) and the sisters had been working with him for about 2 months before I got to Jackson. He has slowly made progress to the point where now he is ready to commit to a date! We are so happy for him!
We had our monthly MLC (missionary leadership council) meeting with President and Sister McDonough this last Thursday and Friday. The bar was literally lifted. We ended up making a change that I know and felt with my whole heart and very being will change this mission and those who serve in it.
This last meeting we set a new standard for the music we listen to. Since I've been out, the guideline for music has simply been, follow the guidance given in the missionary white handbook, which councils us to "listen on to music that is consistent with the sacred spirit of [our] calling,...invites the Spirit, helps [us] focus on the work, and directs [our] thoughts and feelings to the Savior." We're not to listen to music "that pulls [our] thoughts away from [our] work, merely entertains, has romantic lyrics or overtones, or dulls [our] spiritual sensitivity by it's temp, beat, loudness, lyrics, or intensity."
Most missionaries in our mission are not listening to "bad music," but there is a higher level of work that we are wanting to accomplish, and we know that some sanctification will need to happen in order to see those goals accomplished.
With great discussion, pondering, prayer, and consideration of new and current missionaries, we set a standard to listen to only General Conference approved music. I know this is going to be a sacrifice for many missionaries, including myself. Many of you know that I love EFY music and other similar songs, but I am willing to give it up to achieve higher goals - to sanctify myself to do the Lord's will.
I know that this plays a parallel to each of our lives. At MLC we talked about how our mission is at a kind of plateau right now, and that if we want to do better we need to raise to a higher plain. It is similar in each of our lives. We can be content and comfortable with where we are at and what we are doing, but if we stay there too long, we will end up on the other side of the plateau - going down. As we commit to a higher level of living, we will be able to accomplish greater things, because we will be accessing more of the power of the atonement of Christ. We will be replacing the natural man with the spirit of the Lord.
I have felt the desire to raise the bar and live a "higher law." To commit to be more like the Savior and be more obedient. I hope each of us will reflect and ponder how we can "try a little harder to be a little better" and align our way of living with the Savior. I know He loves us and wants us to be happy with who we are, where we are, and what we are doing. Be the best you can be. He will help you and enable you.
[Our investigator family] got baptized and confirmed this weekend! They are the cutest family ever!! They are already so dedicated to living the gospel! They even brought their tithing to church yesterday! The spirit was very strong and everything went so smoothly. Our ward mission leader and his wife were wonderful in putting it all together and making it a special experience for [this family]. We love them so much and are so happy for them!
Also, another one of our investigators came to the baptism! Afterwards we had a lesson with him and one of the ward members, Sister Flamm, where he actually accepted a baptism date! September 27th is what he is working towards! He is a slightly older man (50's or 60's) and the sisters had been working with him for about 2 months before I got to Jackson. He has slowly made progress to the point where now he is ready to commit to a date! We are so happy for him!
We had our monthly MLC (missionary leadership council) meeting with President and Sister McDonough this last Thursday and Friday. The bar was literally lifted. We ended up making a change that I know and felt with my whole heart and very being will change this mission and those who serve in it.
This last meeting we set a new standard for the music we listen to. Since I've been out, the guideline for music has simply been, follow the guidance given in the missionary white handbook, which councils us to "listen on to music that is consistent with the sacred spirit of [our] calling,...invites the Spirit, helps [us] focus on the work, and directs [our] thoughts and feelings to the Savior." We're not to listen to music "that pulls [our] thoughts away from [our] work, merely entertains, has romantic lyrics or overtones, or dulls [our] spiritual sensitivity by it's temp, beat, loudness, lyrics, or intensity."
Most missionaries in our mission are not listening to "bad music," but there is a higher level of work that we are wanting to accomplish, and we know that some sanctification will need to happen in order to see those goals accomplished.
With great discussion, pondering, prayer, and consideration of new and current missionaries, we set a standard to listen to only General Conference approved music. I know this is going to be a sacrifice for many missionaries, including myself. Many of you know that I love EFY music and other similar songs, but I am willing to give it up to achieve higher goals - to sanctify myself to do the Lord's will.
I know that this plays a parallel to each of our lives. At MLC we talked about how our mission is at a kind of plateau right now, and that if we want to do better we need to raise to a higher plain. It is similar in each of our lives. We can be content and comfortable with where we are at and what we are doing, but if we stay there too long, we will end up on the other side of the plateau - going down. As we commit to a higher level of living, we will be able to accomplish greater things, because we will be accessing more of the power of the atonement of Christ. We will be replacing the natural man with the spirit of the Lord.
I have felt the desire to raise the bar and live a "higher law." To commit to be more like the Savior and be more obedient. I hope each of us will reflect and ponder how we can "try a little harder to be a little better" and align our way of living with the Savior. I know He loves us and wants us to be happy with who we are, where we are, and what we are doing. Be the best you can be. He will help you and enable you.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
A marvelous work :)
Another week has flown by! Sorry my email didn't come yesterday because of the Labor day holiday...libraries were closed. :) Hope you all enjoyed your day though! Sister Keyes and I had some fun making some cookies and delivering them to some members as a service. We tried some potential investigators, but none of them were home. We also decided to have a little adventure and got some Thai food for lunch! It was great! I loved it! :)
This last week we helped settle some details and are now looking forward to [our special investigator] family being baptized this upcoming Saturday! Only the mom and dad are being baptized because their two girls are 4 and 2, but we are so excited for them! They are wonderful and are so excited!
It's been so fun to teach them because we've been able to do it so simply. I know that sounds funny, but most of the people we talk to have been taught so much in what ever religion they grew up in that they have lots of more complex questions. [This family] however, is not in that situation. [The mother] grew up Catholic, but didn't feel that it all made sense. [The father] didn't grow up with any religious background and has only been in the US for about 6 years. He grew up in Mexico. It has been so neat and rewarding to see their faith and knowledge grow. They have good hearts and already have good values and are good parents. The gospel just fit right into their life so well! They were definitely prepared!
We also got the special opportunity to teach early morning seminary this last Thursday morning! That is the first time I've been to early morning seminary haha. It was great :) I love the youth SO much. They constantly inspire and amaze me! We talked about Doctrine and Covenants 4, which is a section we as missionaries memorize and quote at every missionary meeting (district meeting, zone conference, MLC, etc) It's a powerful guide to doing the work of the Lord - in any capacity.
One thing I learned about it this last week is that it was a revelation given before the church was organized. It also impressed my mind that "if [you] have desires to serve God, [you] are called to the work," and that "faith, hope, charity, and love, with an eye single to the glory of God qualify [you] for the work." It reminded me of the phrase President Monson said, "Him who the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies." As we are called, we can expect to gain these attributes if we will "serve Him with all our heart, might, mind, and strength." I am learning that. I am feeling that. I am experiencing that.
My testimony is growing that this is the Lord's work, the work of our Savior Jesus Christ, and that my dependability on Him is vital. The work is going forward here, one step and one day at a time. I love the Lord, and hope that I will be able to say that I gave all my heart, might, mind, and strength to Him.
I love you all! Have a wonderful week!
This last week we helped settle some details and are now looking forward to [our special investigator] family being baptized this upcoming Saturday! Only the mom and dad are being baptized because their two girls are 4 and 2, but we are so excited for them! They are wonderful and are so excited!
It's been so fun to teach them because we've been able to do it so simply. I know that sounds funny, but most of the people we talk to have been taught so much in what ever religion they grew up in that they have lots of more complex questions. [This family] however, is not in that situation. [The mother] grew up Catholic, but didn't feel that it all made sense. [The father] didn't grow up with any religious background and has only been in the US for about 6 years. He grew up in Mexico. It has been so neat and rewarding to see their faith and knowledge grow. They have good hearts and already have good values and are good parents. The gospel just fit right into their life so well! They were definitely prepared!
We also got the special opportunity to teach early morning seminary this last Thursday morning! That is the first time I've been to early morning seminary haha. It was great :) I love the youth SO much. They constantly inspire and amaze me! We talked about Doctrine and Covenants 4, which is a section we as missionaries memorize and quote at every missionary meeting (district meeting, zone conference, MLC, etc) It's a powerful guide to doing the work of the Lord - in any capacity.
One thing I learned about it this last week is that it was a revelation given before the church was organized. It also impressed my mind that "if [you] have desires to serve God, [you] are called to the work," and that "faith, hope, charity, and love, with an eye single to the glory of God qualify [you] for the work." It reminded me of the phrase President Monson said, "Him who the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies." As we are called, we can expect to gain these attributes if we will "serve Him with all our heart, might, mind, and strength." I am learning that. I am feeling that. I am experiencing that.
My testimony is growing that this is the Lord's work, the work of our Savior Jesus Christ, and that my dependability on Him is vital. The work is going forward here, one step and one day at a time. I love the Lord, and hope that I will be able to say that I gave all my heart, might, mind, and strength to Him.
I love you all! Have a wonderful week!
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
:)
It hardly feels like another transfer has gone by...it went by so fast! I had the amazing opportunity and privilege to help out with the new missionaries yesterday and today! Sister Keyes and I, along with the STL's from Richland, the 3 Assistants to the President, and President and Sister McDonough, all went to the air port yesterday to pick them up!
It was so weird going back to the airport. My mind flashed back to when I arrived as if it had just happened. I still remember those first two days so clearly. :) It was so exciting to see and welcome all 21 of the new missionaries! Seven of them were Sisters, and 14 of them were Elders! It was a large group, and they are all stellar men and women. Last night we had a testimony meeting where each of them bore their testimony. Some were a little more nervous than others, but all had great faith and deep gratitude for being there. They made me cry. I wanted to be back in their shoes and have that fresh new feeling again - to have absolutely no thoughts or desires but to serve and love the Lord. It's all too easy to get caught up in other things the longer you are out. Things like knowing the doctrine, your relationship with your companion, your relationship with the members, how to better your teaching, what goals you want to set, how you can be more unified with your district, how to eat healthy so your body can keep up with the work, how to be yourself while also being a missionary, etc.
As I pondered while writing in my journal last night, I realized how much all of those kinds of thoughts had started crowding my mind. As I thought of all of those new missionaries and their pure hearts and desires to share the gospel with everyone they see, I wanted to have that same simple, pure desire again. I wanted to start again. Then the spirit impressed me with this thought, "you can." :)
Each day is a new start. I can clear from my mind what happened before and start fresh every day. Before I prayed that night, I cleared all the thoughts from my head, and put myself back into the feelings I had that first night I was here in Mississippi. I simply prayed with the desire to serve all I could with the Lord. I just wanted to be an instrument in His hands and do His will. He was my thoughts that night.
It was so refreshing to pray like that again. I know that all of us can start new. You can start today. Clear your mind and find that single desire to serve your Heavenly Father with your brother and Savior Jesus Christ, and you will find peace. They love you.
One more thing I want to share is the thoughts that each of us can share the gospel every day. The thought came to my mind yesterday to start recording in my journal every day the answer to this question, "How did I share the gospel today?" That is part of my plan to keep my missionary efforts going through out my life. It's a life-long calling that I want to fulfill and magnify.
I know this Church is True. It is the Church of Jesus Christ in these last days and I know He leads it. I hope you all have a wonderful week and can feel His influence and peace and love in your life at this time. I love you all!
It was so weird going back to the airport. My mind flashed back to when I arrived as if it had just happened. I still remember those first two days so clearly. :) It was so exciting to see and welcome all 21 of the new missionaries! Seven of them were Sisters, and 14 of them were Elders! It was a large group, and they are all stellar men and women. Last night we had a testimony meeting where each of them bore their testimony. Some were a little more nervous than others, but all had great faith and deep gratitude for being there. They made me cry. I wanted to be back in their shoes and have that fresh new feeling again - to have absolutely no thoughts or desires but to serve and love the Lord. It's all too easy to get caught up in other things the longer you are out. Things like knowing the doctrine, your relationship with your companion, your relationship with the members, how to better your teaching, what goals you want to set, how you can be more unified with your district, how to eat healthy so your body can keep up with the work, how to be yourself while also being a missionary, etc.
As I pondered while writing in my journal last night, I realized how much all of those kinds of thoughts had started crowding my mind. As I thought of all of those new missionaries and their pure hearts and desires to share the gospel with everyone they see, I wanted to have that same simple, pure desire again. I wanted to start again. Then the spirit impressed me with this thought, "you can." :)
Each day is a new start. I can clear from my mind what happened before and start fresh every day. Before I prayed that night, I cleared all the thoughts from my head, and put myself back into the feelings I had that first night I was here in Mississippi. I simply prayed with the desire to serve all I could with the Lord. I just wanted to be an instrument in His hands and do His will. He was my thoughts that night.
It was so refreshing to pray like that again. I know that all of us can start new. You can start today. Clear your mind and find that single desire to serve your Heavenly Father with your brother and Savior Jesus Christ, and you will find peace. They love you.
One more thing I want to share is the thoughts that each of us can share the gospel every day. The thought came to my mind yesterday to start recording in my journal every day the answer to this question, "How did I share the gospel today?" That is part of my plan to keep my missionary efforts going through out my life. It's a life-long calling that I want to fulfill and magnify.
I know this Church is True. It is the Church of Jesus Christ in these last days and I know He leads it. I hope you all have a wonderful week and can feel His influence and peace and love in your life at this time. I love you all!
Monday, August 18, 2014
Love :)
This last week was filled with lots of things - lots of good things! :) Here's a little break down:
Monday night - Tuesday: Sister Keyes and I got permission to go on exchanges with the Richland STL's, so I got to go back to the area I started in! They're even still in the same apartment I was in while I was serving there! It was crazy to go back. I never thought I would have the opportunity to go back to my first area while on my mission. I got to see a young man and his family that I helped prepare for baptism while I was there. I also got to see a couple of members that went out with us, and the mother of a recent convert family that the sisters there just baptized a few weeks ago! It was great! That recent convert really inspired me.
Wednesday: Zone Conference! Blessings came in multiple forms at Zone Conference. First of all, the people. I got to see Sister Walker (who I trained) and all the Sisters in our zone! Love them all! I also got to see more members from the Florence Ward because they provided and served us our lunch! It was so wonderful to see them again! :)
Second of all, the spirit and topic. The theme of Zone Conference was "The Book of Mormon - Key to Conversion." My testimony of the Book of Mormon and the power it has was renewed and refreshed. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that with out it we wouldn't have a lot of the answers we have today. I know that if we read it with a search for good and truth, we will be touched and strengthened. Our ability to stay firm in our faith in the Savior and His gospel will increase. Our love for Him will grow. We will want to do better and we will be happier. I have felt this difference as I have committed to reading from the Book of Mormon every day, and to finish it by the end of the transfer (next Tuesday).
Thursday: We had the wonderful opportunity to meet some wonderful members of the Jackson Branch. They are less active, but they are great people and hopefully we will see them back at church soon! We also found some new investigators! Hopefully they will go through with their return appointments next week and we will be able to keep teaching them!
Friday - Saturday: We went on exchanges with the Sisters in Brandon! Sister Booth came to Jackson with me. We had an awesome couple of days! I learned a lot from Sister Booth. She goes home at the end of this transfer, but you would never know it. She is one of the most calm and peaceful, really peaceful, missionaries I have ever seen in their last couple weeks of their mission. When people ask her how she feels about going home she says, "I'm excited to go home, but I'm more excited to see what I can do with the rest of my mission." Sister Booth is younger than me, but she is such an example to me. I hope I can have that attitude and spirit as I continue serving.
Sunday: [Our golden family] got back from vacation Saturday night and came to church Sunday morning! They had been gone all week to Florida, and when we asked if they were going to make it to church they didn't respond because they wanted to surprise us. Unfortunately we went to the Jackson Branch since we thought they weren't going to make it, but then they went! So we missed seeing them at church since they go to the Madison ward, but we were still so happy to hear that they went anyways without us!
We also found out that they obeyed the Word of Wisdom the whole time they were on vacation! We taught it to them right before they left, and even with family offering them coffee, they didn't drink it! And [the husband] got lemonade instead of tea! Wahoo!! We were so proud of them!! :) AND they usually go shopping on Sundays, but because we also had taught them about keeping the Sabbath day holy, they just stayed home! Wow!! Talk about faith and immediate obedience! [This family is] the most prepared people I have ever met! They're amazing examples, and will be totally ready for baptism on August 30th! We love them! :)
So that was the week! I have been greatly inspired and recommitted to serving with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I know that we really do have to serve with all of those things. The scripture is so true that says, "Whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." (Matt 16:25) Service heals. I know it heals. It is the key to having our hearts love. President Uchtdorf said,"As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Chris-tlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger." I know that's true.
I love you all and hope that you will feel of that Christ-like love in your hearts this week! Love you!
Monday night - Tuesday: Sister Keyes and I got permission to go on exchanges with the Richland STL's, so I got to go back to the area I started in! They're even still in the same apartment I was in while I was serving there! It was crazy to go back. I never thought I would have the opportunity to go back to my first area while on my mission. I got to see a young man and his family that I helped prepare for baptism while I was there. I also got to see a couple of members that went out with us, and the mother of a recent convert family that the sisters there just baptized a few weeks ago! It was great! That recent convert really inspired me.
Wednesday: Zone Conference! Blessings came in multiple forms at Zone Conference. First of all, the people. I got to see Sister Walker (who I trained) and all the Sisters in our zone! Love them all! I also got to see more members from the Florence Ward because they provided and served us our lunch! It was so wonderful to see them again! :)
Second of all, the spirit and topic. The theme of Zone Conference was "The Book of Mormon - Key to Conversion." My testimony of the Book of Mormon and the power it has was renewed and refreshed. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that with out it we wouldn't have a lot of the answers we have today. I know that if we read it with a search for good and truth, we will be touched and strengthened. Our ability to stay firm in our faith in the Savior and His gospel will increase. Our love for Him will grow. We will want to do better and we will be happier. I have felt this difference as I have committed to reading from the Book of Mormon every day, and to finish it by the end of the transfer (next Tuesday).
Thursday: We had the wonderful opportunity to meet some wonderful members of the Jackson Branch. They are less active, but they are great people and hopefully we will see them back at church soon! We also found some new investigators! Hopefully they will go through with their return appointments next week and we will be able to keep teaching them!
Friday - Saturday: We went on exchanges with the Sisters in Brandon! Sister Booth came to Jackson with me. We had an awesome couple of days! I learned a lot from Sister Booth. She goes home at the end of this transfer, but you would never know it. She is one of the most calm and peaceful, really peaceful, missionaries I have ever seen in their last couple weeks of their mission. When people ask her how she feels about going home she says, "I'm excited to go home, but I'm more excited to see what I can do with the rest of my mission." Sister Booth is younger than me, but she is such an example to me. I hope I can have that attitude and spirit as I continue serving.
Sunday: [Our golden family] got back from vacation Saturday night and came to church Sunday morning! They had been gone all week to Florida, and when we asked if they were going to make it to church they didn't respond because they wanted to surprise us. Unfortunately we went to the Jackson Branch since we thought they weren't going to make it, but then they went! So we missed seeing them at church since they go to the Madison ward, but we were still so happy to hear that they went anyways without us!
We also found out that they obeyed the Word of Wisdom the whole time they were on vacation! We taught it to them right before they left, and even with family offering them coffee, they didn't drink it! And [the husband] got lemonade instead of tea! Wahoo!! We were so proud of them!! :) AND they usually go shopping on Sundays, but because we also had taught them about keeping the Sabbath day holy, they just stayed home! Wow!! Talk about faith and immediate obedience! [This family is] the most prepared people I have ever met! They're amazing examples, and will be totally ready for baptism on August 30th! We love them! :)
So that was the week! I have been greatly inspired and recommitted to serving with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I know that we really do have to serve with all of those things. The scripture is so true that says, "Whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." (Matt 16:25) Service heals. I know it heals. It is the key to having our hearts love. President Uchtdorf said,"As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Chris-tlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger." I know that's true.
I love you all and hope that you will feel of that Christ-like love in your hearts this week! Love you!
Monday, August 11, 2014
Hopeful Burdens :)
This last week I learned a lot about burdens. I realized that most of the burdens I'd been having came from my attitude at the beginning of each day. One thing I have learned from these dear southern people, is the value of each day. They are constantly talking about how it is a blessing to wake up each morning, thanking God for another day. I decided to start doing this in my life. Each morning after I get out of bed, I kneel down and say a short, but hear-felt prayer, thanking my Heavenly Father for another day here on Earth. I realized that each day is a blessing.
Yesterday in church it hit me pretty hard that I really don't know when my mission will be over. The Lord is in control, and each day is a gift from Him. Likewise, we don't know when our mission here on Earth will be done. As I have started saying this prayer of gratitude every morning, I have found so much more joy in each of my days! :) I have found more purpose, more desire, more joy, and more gratitude. Life is good :)
Sister Keyes and I did have some fun in the rain this weekend! We were teaching a young man in his garage when it started pouring. Our car was parked down at the other end of the street, so we made a run for it! We were really wet haha. But it was totally worth it! We were laughing the whole way and didn't regret it one bit. We wouldn't have met this man if we had decided to go to our car before the rain hit.
I know that the Lord is with us. He wants us to follow Him and take His yoke upon us. As we do, we join a whole team - a whole family - of people who also have taken that yoke and decided to follow Christ by walking with Him. I know that trials bring us closer to our Savior and make us more aware of our Heavenly Father and His eternal plan. I love my Father in Heaven. I know that He loves me and is helping me. He is my guide and my comfort. Christ is my strength and my support. I know that with Him all things are possible.
I know that hope is a must to have joy. With out hope there is no joy. I hope ( I really do!) that each of you will know of your Father in Heaven's love for you and those who you know. He loves every one of them. I know that He wants us to love them as He loves them. Try to see them with His eyes and you will find miracles. I know that.
I love you all! May you have a wonderful, hopeful week!
Yesterday in church it hit me pretty hard that I really don't know when my mission will be over. The Lord is in control, and each day is a gift from Him. Likewise, we don't know when our mission here on Earth will be done. As I have started saying this prayer of gratitude every morning, I have found so much more joy in each of my days! :) I have found more purpose, more desire, more joy, and more gratitude. Life is good :)
Sister Keyes and I did have some fun in the rain this weekend! We were teaching a young man in his garage when it started pouring. Our car was parked down at the other end of the street, so we made a run for it! We were really wet haha. But it was totally worth it! We were laughing the whole way and didn't regret it one bit. We wouldn't have met this man if we had decided to go to our car before the rain hit.
I know that the Lord is with us. He wants us to follow Him and take His yoke upon us. As we do, we join a whole team - a whole family - of people who also have taken that yoke and decided to follow Christ by walking with Him. I know that trials bring us closer to our Savior and make us more aware of our Heavenly Father and His eternal plan. I love my Father in Heaven. I know that He loves me and is helping me. He is my guide and my comfort. Christ is my strength and my support. I know that with Him all things are possible.
I know that hope is a must to have joy. With out hope there is no joy. I hope ( I really do!) that each of you will know of your Father in Heaven's love for you and those who you know. He loves every one of them. I know that He wants us to love them as He loves them. Try to see them with His eyes and you will find miracles. I know that.
I love you all! May you have a wonderful, hopeful week!
First a word of apology that this blog was neglected all summer. My responsibilities as stake camp director and several family reunions and events distracted me. I'm so sorry. But I'm back, I've put all her summer letters on this blog, and plan to update the blog regularly again with the inspiring words of this dedicated missionary.
Also, we received this fun email from the mission this past week: "Sister Keyes and Sister Jones earned the"Golden Mop Key" Award for keeping an amazingly clean and organized apartment. These are super hard working STL's. They are happy, healthy, and great companions. We love these wonderful Sisters." --Felicia's mom, Diane Jones
Also, we received this fun email from the mission this past week: "Sister Keyes and Sister Jones earned the"Golden Mop Key" Award for keeping an amazingly clean and organized apartment. These are super hard working STL's. They are happy, healthy, and great companions. We love these wonderful Sisters." --Felicia's mom, Diane Jones
Monday, August 4, 2014
Learning :)
We've been teaching [a wonderful] family and they are doing awesome! They have a baptism date for August 30th now, because we need a little more time to teach them, and they are leaving to go out of town this weekend. But they are doing great!
Also, Sister Keyes and I are starting to work with the Jackson Branch, as well as the Madison ward. So we are doing double duty now! I'm so excited though! We went to the Branch for the first time yesterday and I loved it! The spirit there was special, and I could feel strongly that the gospel is for everyone - literally. I loved it. :)
This last week I also went to my first service of another denomination. It was a Wednesday night service, so much more low key and not as long, but it was for a Methodist church that one of our investigators currently attends (Mike). It was a good experience! The people were very nice and welcoming. Some looked a little curious and surprised that we were there, but no one was rude in any way. They also had a dinner before hand that we enjoyed!
During the actual service, I had a personal experience that I want to share. As I sat there listening and observing, I tried to put myself in their shoes - as if I had grown up a Methodist. I listened with an open heart to see what I could learn and feel. I did feel comfortable and would even say that the spirit was there at times. I also found myself pondering and asking questions in my head about things that were being said. There were a few things that really made me wonder and question. Then at one point the distinct impression came to me, "If you hadn't grown up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you would have searched for the truth."
It was such a comfort to me that really settled a deep-down question I had had for a while. I'd wondered if I really would have searched for the full truth if I had grown up in another faith. That answer came to me that night as I felt the spirit testify to me that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints not because I grew up in it, but because I know it's true.
I know that it is Jesus Christ's church because it has the full truth that answers all of the questions of the soul. I also know that knowing the pattern of how to receive personal revelation, personal answers is so important. That is how this entire church is run - by revelation from God. That is why and how it can be His church. The pattern of receiving revelation through prayer, scripture study, fasting, and acting, is used in every aspect of the church and should be used in every aspect of our lives. That is how we will become one with our Savior and Heavenly Father. That is how we will come to know them. That is how we will "learn heaven." Brad Wilcox once said, "We are not earning heaven, we are learning heaven."
I know that is true. I know that the way we will be comfortable living with our Father and Savior is to be comfortable living like them. :)
I hope you all are finding joy in your lives as you face it with your Savior at your side and spirit as your guide. I know your Heavenly Father loves you! I love you too!
Also, Sister Keyes and I are starting to work with the Jackson Branch, as well as the Madison ward. So we are doing double duty now! I'm so excited though! We went to the Branch for the first time yesterday and I loved it! The spirit there was special, and I could feel strongly that the gospel is for everyone - literally. I loved it. :)
This last week I also went to my first service of another denomination. It was a Wednesday night service, so much more low key and not as long, but it was for a Methodist church that one of our investigators currently attends (Mike). It was a good experience! The people were very nice and welcoming. Some looked a little curious and surprised that we were there, but no one was rude in any way. They also had a dinner before hand that we enjoyed!
During the actual service, I had a personal experience that I want to share. As I sat there listening and observing, I tried to put myself in their shoes - as if I had grown up a Methodist. I listened with an open heart to see what I could learn and feel. I did feel comfortable and would even say that the spirit was there at times. I also found myself pondering and asking questions in my head about things that were being said. There were a few things that really made me wonder and question. Then at one point the distinct impression came to me, "If you hadn't grown up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you would have searched for the truth."
It was such a comfort to me that really settled a deep-down question I had had for a while. I'd wondered if I really would have searched for the full truth if I had grown up in another faith. That answer came to me that night as I felt the spirit testify to me that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints not because I grew up in it, but because I know it's true.
I know that it is Jesus Christ's church because it has the full truth that answers all of the questions of the soul. I also know that knowing the pattern of how to receive personal revelation, personal answers is so important. That is how this entire church is run - by revelation from God. That is why and how it can be His church. The pattern of receiving revelation through prayer, scripture study, fasting, and acting, is used in every aspect of the church and should be used in every aspect of our lives. That is how we will become one with our Savior and Heavenly Father. That is how we will come to know them. That is how we will "learn heaven." Brad Wilcox once said, "We are not earning heaven, we are learning heaven."
I know that is true. I know that the way we will be comfortable living with our Father and Savior is to be comfortable living like them. :)
I hope you all are finding joy in your lives as you face it with your Savior at your side and spirit as your guide. I know your Heavenly Father loves you! I love you too!
Monday, July 28, 2014
Power of Prayer :)
This week was wonderful and full of miracles! The thing I learned most is that specific prayers bring specific results. I have been praying for more specific things verbally and in my heart.
A couple of examples this last week is praying to have help to find someone who would read the Book of Mormon while we were out knocking on doors, and being led to a house of a slightly older couple who let us right in...and gladly took a Book of Mormon. :) I also prayed that one of the Relief Society sisters we called to come with us to a specific appointment would return our call....about ten minutes later one did, and she was able to go with us. Another instance was when I said a prayer before tracting that we would teach a lesson...we were able to teach an amazing lesson to a wonderful woman who first said to us when she opened the door, "I'm not interested, but come in." Turns out she wants to be a missionary for the Savior too! She had some great questions and we had a wonderful conversation that led to her being curious about the Book of Mormon and wanting to have a copy. All of these experiences and many more have happened because of asking specifically for them in prayer, and then taking action to try to make it happen.
It's so much easier to recognize the answers from the Lord when we are specific in our questions. Another experience to demonstrate that, is when I was praying about the talk I was asked to give in church yesterday. I found out about the talk on Friday, so I really needed some quick guidance from our Heavenly Father. I prayed that He would help me to know of an experience and scripture that I should share to go with the topic I was given of the first and great commandment. Sunday morning it came to me as I was pondering. I made sure to include those two things, knowing that they had to be answers from the Lord since I had specifically asked that.
I know that our Heavenly Father hears our prayers. He also answers. :) He wants us to ask for His help to accomplish many great things. He wants us to ponder and come up with things that we feel are good and righteous to do, and then to go to Him and ask Him if it be His will and for His help if it is. The Lord helped me to accomplish one of my personal desires this last week as I was able to come in contact with someone I have been searching for since the beginning of my mission, someone I knew 10 years ago, and the Lord has brought us together again. I know that the Lord has a plan and a purpose. Jesus Christ has a goal. His goal is 1 - He wants us all to be one.
I know that as we pray to our Heavenly Father, we will notice our Savior in our life and we will see the plan that our Heavenly Father has for us. He will let us know what He wants us to do and when our mission is done, if we stay close to Him. I know that is true.
A couple of examples this last week is praying to have help to find someone who would read the Book of Mormon while we were out knocking on doors, and being led to a house of a slightly older couple who let us right in...and gladly took a Book of Mormon. :) I also prayed that one of the Relief Society sisters we called to come with us to a specific appointment would return our call....about ten minutes later one did, and she was able to go with us. Another instance was when I said a prayer before tracting that we would teach a lesson...we were able to teach an amazing lesson to a wonderful woman who first said to us when she opened the door, "I'm not interested, but come in." Turns out she wants to be a missionary for the Savior too! She had some great questions and we had a wonderful conversation that led to her being curious about the Book of Mormon and wanting to have a copy. All of these experiences and many more have happened because of asking specifically for them in prayer, and then taking action to try to make it happen.
It's so much easier to recognize the answers from the Lord when we are specific in our questions. Another experience to demonstrate that, is when I was praying about the talk I was asked to give in church yesterday. I found out about the talk on Friday, so I really needed some quick guidance from our Heavenly Father. I prayed that He would help me to know of an experience and scripture that I should share to go with the topic I was given of the first and great commandment. Sunday morning it came to me as I was pondering. I made sure to include those two things, knowing that they had to be answers from the Lord since I had specifically asked that.
I know that our Heavenly Father hears our prayers. He also answers. :) He wants us to ask for His help to accomplish many great things. He wants us to ponder and come up with things that we feel are good and righteous to do, and then to go to Him and ask Him if it be His will and for His help if it is. The Lord helped me to accomplish one of my personal desires this last week as I was able to come in contact with someone I have been searching for since the beginning of my mission, someone I knew 10 years ago, and the Lord has brought us together again. I know that the Lord has a plan and a purpose. Jesus Christ has a goal. His goal is 1 - He wants us all to be one.
I know that as we pray to our Heavenly Father, we will notice our Savior in our life and we will see the plan that our Heavenly Father has for us. He will let us know what He wants us to do and when our mission is done, if we stay close to Him. I know that is true.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Jackson week 1 - Purpose :)
This last week has been one of adjustment. It's interesting how even though I know this is where I'm supposed to be right now, I'm still having to work hard and struggle a little to find what my new purpose is for Jackson. I was in Shreveport for so long (7 months), and was surrounded by a good number of missionaries who went home at the end of the transfer, that I guess that "going home" mentality really hit me. It kind of felt like I was thrown into a storm or a fog. Like I know that I'm supposed to take this journey, and I know in the big scheme of things what my goal is, but I'm just unsure of what specifics I'm supposed to accomplish along the way. It seriously has felt like a preparation for what I might feel when I come home haha.
That being said, I have had so many blessings in coming here. Ranging from a softer bed and a study desk (haven't had one of those on my mission yet), to having outgoing mail at our apartment complex (don't have to go to the post office), to living about 7 minutes away from President and Sister McDonough's home. I know those things sound funny, but I really feel so blessed!
I also have a great companion who has strengths in things I've been praying about improving on, so that's also a blessing! I also found out that we get to help with the new missionaries that come in on the Monday they come before transfers on Tuesday. What a blessing!
Another interesting thing about Jackson is that there is both a ward and a branch here. The ward is called the Madison ward, and then there is the Jackson branch. Our area that Sister Keyes and I cover is in the Madison ward, but it is also right next to the Jackson branch. The Jackson branch currently has two sets of Elders serving there, but no sisters. They want sisters SO bad. So, Sister Keyes and I are kind of guinea pigs to see if there is enough work there for a set of sisters to be called there. I've never lived or served in a branch before, so this is kind of an answer to a secret bucket list item of mine :) Sister Keyes and I still are trying to figure out to what extent and in what ways we should be involved with the Jackson Branch, but we both feel that there is a role for us to play in helping those people. So I'm excited to see what happens!
As far as teaching goes, we are currently teaching a wonderful family! [The mother and father] are both from Mexico, but [the mother] grew up here in the US. They have two adorable girls [ages 4 & 2]. They are seriously the cutest, best family. I feel like I'm on "The District" movies sometimes when we are teaching them. They are great! They came to church for the first time two weeks ago before I got here and loved it. Yesterday they came again and I had so much fun sitting with them and helping with their girls. It totally took me back to my growing up days...being with my Mom and helping with my younger siblings. I loved it :) [The parents] fit right in and have a baptism date for August 9th. It's exciting! [The father] had never gone to church before meeting [the mother] so basically has no religious background. [The mother] grew up Catholic but she didn't agree with some of the things she was taught. They both love how they feel in the lessons and at church though, and I know that they have been prepared for this gospel. :)
Well that's about it for this week. I am still learning and working on figuring out my purpose here at this time, but I know that there is a reason I am here now. I know that the Lord has prepared something for me to do , and prepared me for something to be done. I know this is His work and that as we move forward with faith and hope, trusting in His promises, we will find that purpose and grasp the joy we all are striving to have.
That being said, I have had so many blessings in coming here. Ranging from a softer bed and a study desk (haven't had one of those on my mission yet), to having outgoing mail at our apartment complex (don't have to go to the post office), to living about 7 minutes away from President and Sister McDonough's home. I know those things sound funny, but I really feel so blessed!
I also have a great companion who has strengths in things I've been praying about improving on, so that's also a blessing! I also found out that we get to help with the new missionaries that come in on the Monday they come before transfers on Tuesday. What a blessing!
Another interesting thing about Jackson is that there is both a ward and a branch here. The ward is called the Madison ward, and then there is the Jackson branch. Our area that Sister Keyes and I cover is in the Madison ward, but it is also right next to the Jackson branch. The Jackson branch currently has two sets of Elders serving there, but no sisters. They want sisters SO bad. So, Sister Keyes and I are kind of guinea pigs to see if there is enough work there for a set of sisters to be called there. I've never lived or served in a branch before, so this is kind of an answer to a secret bucket list item of mine :) Sister Keyes and I still are trying to figure out to what extent and in what ways we should be involved with the Jackson Branch, but we both feel that there is a role for us to play in helping those people. So I'm excited to see what happens!
As far as teaching goes, we are currently teaching a wonderful family! [The mother and father] are both from Mexico, but [the mother] grew up here in the US. They have two adorable girls [ages 4 & 2]. They are seriously the cutest, best family. I feel like I'm on "The District" movies sometimes when we are teaching them. They are great! They came to church for the first time two weeks ago before I got here and loved it. Yesterday they came again and I had so much fun sitting with them and helping with their girls. It totally took me back to my growing up days...being with my Mom and helping with my younger siblings. I loved it :) [The parents] fit right in and have a baptism date for August 9th. It's exciting! [The father] had never gone to church before meeting [the mother] so basically has no religious background. [The mother] grew up Catholic but she didn't agree with some of the things she was taught. They both love how they feel in the lessons and at church though, and I know that they have been prepared for this gospel. :)
Well that's about it for this week. I am still learning and working on figuring out my purpose here at this time, but I know that there is a reason I am here now. I know that the Lord has prepared something for me to do , and prepared me for something to be done. I know this is His work and that as we move forward with faith and hope, trusting in His promises, we will find that purpose and grasp the joy we all are striving to have.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
New things to come! :)
Hello!!
So the big news of transfers is that I have been transferred. I have so much enjoyed my past 5 transfers (7 months) in Shreveport, LA. I now look forward to my time serving in Jackson, Mississippi! The mission home where President and Sister McDonough stay is in my new area, the Assistants to the President are in my district, and three of the four Joneses are all in Jackson now! It's crazy! The Joneses have reunited! Elder Jones who was my district leader in Shreveport is now one of my zone leaders in Jackson. Elder Jones from Salem, UT who was serving in an area just south of Shreveport but in the Shreveport zone is now in my district. And Elder Joseph who was my district leader for one transfer in Shreveport is now my district leader in Jackson! It's amazing all of the people that I am serving with again!
What a blessing to also see so many that I know - including my "daughter" Sister Walker and her "daughter" Sister White! We got a four generation picture since Sister Meek was there too! She is going home tomorrow! I can't believe it!
My new companion is Sister Keyes (pronounced Kyzz). The sister I replaced has finished her mission and is going home tomorrow. Sister Keyes only has two transfers left so I will be her last companion. She is wonderful and I am so excited to be serving with her in Jackson! I feel so strongly that this is where I am supposed to be right now and I am looking forward to all that lies ahead!
My new address is:
53 Northtown Dr. Apt. 32S
Jackson, MS 39211
My last week in Shreveport was absolutely wonderful...I couldn't have asked for a better week. Sister Giddins and I worked hard because we really wanted it to be a great week with it being the last of the transfer, plus we knew that I would be leaving. (I found out a week before at MLC.) I know that the Lord provided us with so many miracles of people that we found and taught! We've also continued to receive referrals and I know that there are many who have been prepared to hear and live the gospel.
It was kind of hard to say good bye to everyone, especially since I know so many so well. However, I do feel that it is my time to move on and that many of our investigators will actually benefit from me leaving and being a distant friend. I know that the Lord is watching over those people and that Sister White (my replacement, and different from Sister Walker's "daughter") and Sister Giddins are supposed to be there right now. Sister Giddins has a passion and love for Shreveport and I know that she will take good care of that area and the people there.
I feel that [the investigators I've been working with so closely] are all going to make changes in their lives over the next couple of months that will effect their eternities. I love them so much and will greatly miss seeing them, but I know that the Lord has great things in store for them.
I know that the Lord prepares us for things to come. I know that if we look to Christ and trust in our Father in Heaven, we will find peace in His greater purposes. I know they live and love us. May you all feel that love this week and see the blessings in your days. I love each one of you!
So the big news of transfers is that I have been transferred. I have so much enjoyed my past 5 transfers (7 months) in Shreveport, LA. I now look forward to my time serving in Jackson, Mississippi! The mission home where President and Sister McDonough stay is in my new area, the Assistants to the President are in my district, and three of the four Joneses are all in Jackson now! It's crazy! The Joneses have reunited! Elder Jones who was my district leader in Shreveport is now one of my zone leaders in Jackson. Elder Jones from Salem, UT who was serving in an area just south of Shreveport but in the Shreveport zone is now in my district. And Elder Joseph who was my district leader for one transfer in Shreveport is now my district leader in Jackson! It's amazing all of the people that I am serving with again!
 |
| All the Jones missionaries in our mission together in Jackson |
What a blessing to also see so many that I know - including my "daughter" Sister Walker and her "daughter" Sister White! We got a four generation picture since Sister Meek was there too! She is going home tomorrow! I can't believe it!
 |
| "Four Generations" (from right to left) my trainer, me, my trainee ("daughter') and her new "daughter" |
My new companion is Sister Keyes (pronounced Kyzz). The sister I replaced has finished her mission and is going home tomorrow. Sister Keyes only has two transfers left so I will be her last companion. She is wonderful and I am so excited to be serving with her in Jackson! I feel so strongly that this is where I am supposed to be right now and I am looking forward to all that lies ahead!
My new address is:
53 Northtown Dr. Apt. 32S
Jackson, MS 39211
My last week in Shreveport was absolutely wonderful...I couldn't have asked for a better week. Sister Giddins and I worked hard because we really wanted it to be a great week with it being the last of the transfer, plus we knew that I would be leaving. (I found out a week before at MLC.) I know that the Lord provided us with so many miracles of people that we found and taught! We've also continued to receive referrals and I know that there are many who have been prepared to hear and live the gospel.
 |
| Last Mission Prep Class in Shreveport |
It was kind of hard to say good bye to everyone, especially since I know so many so well. However, I do feel that it is my time to move on and that many of our investigators will actually benefit from me leaving and being a distant friend. I know that the Lord is watching over those people and that Sister White (my replacement, and different from Sister Walker's "daughter") and Sister Giddins are supposed to be there right now. Sister Giddins has a passion and love for Shreveport and I know that she will take good care of that area and the people there.
I feel that [the investigators I've been working with so closely] are all going to make changes in their lives over the next couple of months that will effect their eternities. I love them so much and will greatly miss seeing them, but I know that the Lord has great things in store for them.
I know that the Lord prepares us for things to come. I know that if we look to Christ and trust in our Father in Heaven, we will find peace in His greater purposes. I know they live and love us. May you all feel that love this week and see the blessings in your days. I love each one of you!
Monday, July 7, 2014
Week of Celebration and Traveling
Hello everyone!
So much happened this week! Here is the break down:
TUESDAY - Sister Giddins and I went to Texarkana for exchanges with Sister Meek and Sister Hartley! We also celebrated Canada day with them because Sister Hartley is from Canada! I've also now added two states to my list of ones I've been to, because Sister Hartley and I visited people both in Texas and Arkansas! We had so much fun with them! I love those sisters :)
WEDNESDAY - Sister Giddins and I drove the 1.5 hours back to Shreveport from Texarkana and taught our District Development Meeting (DDM) lesson on motivation.
THURSDAY - We got to weekly plan and work! Wahoo!
FRIDAY - Independence Day! We dressed in red, white, and blue and left that morning to head to Monroe, Louisiana to carpool with the Monroe STL's to MLC in Jackson, MS. We had our sisters meeting at the mission home, and our evening meeting with the zone leaders. We stayed the night with the Brandon, MS sisters (right next to Florence!) Didn't hear or see many fireworks, but it was still a wonderful day of remembrance.
SATURDAY - We had our big MLC meeting with President and Sister McDonough as we try to discern what the will of the Lord is for the mission at this time. It is powerful to know how much thought, prayer, and pondering goes into these meetings. That afternoon/evening we drove back to Shreveport (about 4 hours).
SUNDAY - Fast Sunday, and an awesome one at that! It was Sister Barrow's last Fast Sunday since she goes home next week - crazy! Sister Giddins and I had an awesome short conversation with Bishop, the Young Mens President, and the Young Womens President on the Mission Prep class. I'm so excited for these youth! I love them so much and their leaders really want what's best for them! We expressed our vision of the class not just being a mission prep, but a missionary prep. Meaning, help the youth do missionary work now in the wards, including doing Home Teaching. Bishop loved the vision, and I really feel that these youth are going to make a big difference here in the South to spread the work of the Lord and build up His kingdom.
So that was our week in a nutshell! We did a lot of traveling and weren't in our area very much, but we are so much more determined to work hard this last week of the transfer now because of it. I can't believe next week is transfers....it has gone so fast! So next week I will be emailing you on Tuesday!
My thoughts this last week have been all over the place, but one thing that has been on my mind is the phrase, lift your vision higher. As I was driving home Saturday night, I had my sun visor down to protect my eyes from the sun, and noticed that all I could really see was the road ahead of me and the trees along the side. The sky was basically completely out of view. As I pushed the sun visor back a little, I saw the sky. It was a beautiful radiant sky filled with color from the sun starting to set. I realized that I was missing out on something so beautiful because I was so focused on what was right in front of me. As a mission we each are working on creating a vision that will motivate us each day. I have felt that I may need to lift mine a little higher. "Look up," as one general authority said. There is so much good around us and we will feel lighter and happier if we will but look up and see what our Father in Heaven sees.
I know this gospel is true. I know that Heavenly Father loves us and talks with us. He cares enough to let us know today, with current prophets and daily revelation, what His will is and what the plan is that will bring us happiness. I know that the family is so important to Him and that we are His family. He loves us and wants us to want come home and stay home with Him.
I love each one of you! May you know that you are loved and have a bright future ahead of you - even tomorrow!
So much happened this week! Here is the break down:
TUESDAY - Sister Giddins and I went to Texarkana for exchanges with Sister Meek and Sister Hartley! We also celebrated Canada day with them because Sister Hartley is from Canada! I've also now added two states to my list of ones I've been to, because Sister Hartley and I visited people both in Texas and Arkansas! We had so much fun with them! I love those sisters :)
WEDNESDAY - Sister Giddins and I drove the 1.5 hours back to Shreveport from Texarkana and taught our District Development Meeting (DDM) lesson on motivation.
THURSDAY - We got to weekly plan and work! Wahoo!
FRIDAY - Independence Day! We dressed in red, white, and blue and left that morning to head to Monroe, Louisiana to carpool with the Monroe STL's to MLC in Jackson, MS. We had our sisters meeting at the mission home, and our evening meeting with the zone leaders. We stayed the night with the Brandon, MS sisters (right next to Florence!) Didn't hear or see many fireworks, but it was still a wonderful day of remembrance.
SATURDAY - We had our big MLC meeting with President and Sister McDonough as we try to discern what the will of the Lord is for the mission at this time. It is powerful to know how much thought, prayer, and pondering goes into these meetings. That afternoon/evening we drove back to Shreveport (about 4 hours).
SUNDAY - Fast Sunday, and an awesome one at that! It was Sister Barrow's last Fast Sunday since she goes home next week - crazy! Sister Giddins and I had an awesome short conversation with Bishop, the Young Mens President, and the Young Womens President on the Mission Prep class. I'm so excited for these youth! I love them so much and their leaders really want what's best for them! We expressed our vision of the class not just being a mission prep, but a missionary prep. Meaning, help the youth do missionary work now in the wards, including doing Home Teaching. Bishop loved the vision, and I really feel that these youth are going to make a big difference here in the South to spread the work of the Lord and build up His kingdom.
So that was our week in a nutshell! We did a lot of traveling and weren't in our area very much, but we are so much more determined to work hard this last week of the transfer now because of it. I can't believe next week is transfers....it has gone so fast! So next week I will be emailing you on Tuesday!
My thoughts this last week have been all over the place, but one thing that has been on my mind is the phrase, lift your vision higher. As I was driving home Saturday night, I had my sun visor down to protect my eyes from the sun, and noticed that all I could really see was the road ahead of me and the trees along the side. The sky was basically completely out of view. As I pushed the sun visor back a little, I saw the sky. It was a beautiful radiant sky filled with color from the sun starting to set. I realized that I was missing out on something so beautiful because I was so focused on what was right in front of me. As a mission we each are working on creating a vision that will motivate us each day. I have felt that I may need to lift mine a little higher. "Look up," as one general authority said. There is so much good around us and we will feel lighter and happier if we will but look up and see what our Father in Heaven sees.
I know this gospel is true. I know that Heavenly Father loves us and talks with us. He cares enough to let us know today, with current prophets and daily revelation, what His will is and what the plan is that will bring us happiness. I know that the family is so important to Him and that we are His family. He loves us and wants us to want come home and stay home with Him.
I love each one of you! May you know that you are loved and have a bright future ahead of you - even tomorrow!
Monday, June 30, 2014
Walk through it with Him :)
What a wonderful week it has been. :) It's been crazy with much going on, but it has been so good. :) We went on two exchanges this past week, including with the Minden sisters, Sister Boehula, Cottrell, and Harr. It took a lot of pondering and praying to decide how we were supposed to conduct this exchange since Sister Giddins was just there as a companion to Sister Cottrell, Sister Boehula was just here as a companion to me, and Sister Harr hasn't been out of Minden in almost 4 transfers. Also, my last exchange before being assigned an STL was with Sister Cottrell in Minden (she was an STL before this transfer). What ended up feeling right was to have me go to Minden with Sister Cottrell and Boehula, and have Sister Harrr come to Shreveport with Sister Giddins. It turned out wonderfully :) I feel that it happened exactly how it was supposed to. I was able to talk with Sister Cottrell and Sister Boehula for an hour each. I learned some powerful lessons as I worked with them and received guidance on suggestions to give and principles to teach. It's amazing how you can learn just as much from what you teach as those that you are teaching. :) I love the sisters here so much, and once again am so grateful to be learning from my Heavenly Father in this capacity of serving as a Sister Training Leader. The spirit is so powerful. He is a wonderful gift! I'm so grateful that He is always assigned to be my companion.
[Our couple investigators] are doing well, but we need to get them progressing a little faster before Satan starts creating a lot of havic for them. :) They are close to each other and have a future goal of marriage. [The man] seems so much more happy, and I am happy for him. We just need to help them along on the path to make it eternal!
[Our sweet female investigator] is also doing well. She is so strong. I love her spirit and her testimony. She knows, despite opposition from family, that the Book of Mormon will help her. I gave her the 12 days of Christ that my Mom sent me at Christmas time and she was so touched it brought her tears. She just wants to know her Savior :) I am so grateful that I have come to know my Savior so much better. I know Him and my Father so much more and they are real to me.
As I was watching a video on Mormon Messages called "Daily Bread: Experience" by
Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a part of what he said I felt really related to how I feel about the experiences I have had on my mission, and the blessing my mission has been. Talking about a hard time in his life he said,
"When this began happening in my life, my prayer was, 'Give me a miracle,' you know, 'Solve this problem.' And it took a while to finally come to the point of saying, 'I'm content to get a daily help, and let it take what time it takes'... It's been a blessing to me ever since to have had that rather harrowing experience, because of what it meant for my relationship with Him. Maybe the greater blessing for us is to have to walk through it with Him."
That has become my experience on my mission, to "walk through it with Him." I know Him and my Father in Heaven because of that. "Come unto Christ and be perfected IN Him." (Moroni 10:32) One of the definitions in the dictionary for 'in' is 'with.' "Come unto Christ and be perfected [with] Him." If you want to know how to walk with Christ, watch the video I quoted, dive into your scriptures, and ask your loving Father in Heavev. He will let you know :)
I love my Savior! I love my Heavenly Father! I love the Holy Ghost! I know that all three are living beings that love us and want the best for us. Choose to walk through life with Christ, and you will come to know the Father and the Holy Ghost too. Remember who you are - a child of God. Keep smiling and laughing! You are loved!
[Our couple investigators] are doing well, but we need to get them progressing a little faster before Satan starts creating a lot of havic for them. :) They are close to each other and have a future goal of marriage. [The man] seems so much more happy, and I am happy for him. We just need to help them along on the path to make it eternal!
[Our sweet female investigator] is also doing well. She is so strong. I love her spirit and her testimony. She knows, despite opposition from family, that the Book of Mormon will help her. I gave her the 12 days of Christ that my Mom sent me at Christmas time and she was so touched it brought her tears. She just wants to know her Savior :) I am so grateful that I have come to know my Savior so much better. I know Him and my Father so much more and they are real to me.
As I was watching a video on Mormon Messages called "Daily Bread: Experience" by
Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a part of what he said I felt really related to how I feel about the experiences I have had on my mission, and the blessing my mission has been. Talking about a hard time in his life he said,
"When this began happening in my life, my prayer was, 'Give me a miracle,' you know, 'Solve this problem.' And it took a while to finally come to the point of saying, 'I'm content to get a daily help, and let it take what time it takes'... It's been a blessing to me ever since to have had that rather harrowing experience, because of what it meant for my relationship with Him. Maybe the greater blessing for us is to have to walk through it with Him."
That has become my experience on my mission, to "walk through it with Him." I know Him and my Father in Heaven because of that. "Come unto Christ and be perfected IN Him." (Moroni 10:32) One of the definitions in the dictionary for 'in' is 'with.' "Come unto Christ and be perfected [with] Him." If you want to know how to walk with Christ, watch the video I quoted, dive into your scriptures, and ask your loving Father in Heavev. He will let you know :)
I love my Savior! I love my Heavenly Father! I love the Holy Ghost! I know that all three are living beings that love us and want the best for us. Choose to walk through life with Christ, and you will come to know the Father and the Holy Ghost too. Remember who you are - a child of God. Keep smiling and laughing! You are loved!
Monday, June 23, 2014
This last week flew by. Sister Giddins and I went on exchanges with the two sisters in our apartment, Sister Anderson and Barrow. I love them :) I got to be with Sister Barrow to my area. Sister Barrow has been here in Shreveport since my second transfer here and goes home at the end of this transfer. So all together we will have lived together for 4 transfers! I am so grateful that I have had that time with her. She has taught me so much about loving life, making joy in the journey, and learning the doctrine. We have great conversations and laugh a lot haha :) This exchange was a special one because she is about to go home. I learned a lot of perspective by working with her for a day. She knows the end of her mission is coming and she gets to choose how she will live the last of it. That applies to life too. We know that there will be an end. How are we going to use our time while we have it here?
As I was reading from John 17 this morning it hit me when Christ told His Father that He knew His hour had come and that He had done the work His Father wanted Him to do here. Christ knew His last hours on earth were before Him. Joseph Smith had a similar experience. He knew that His time was coming and that He had done the work the Father had asked him to do here. I thought about that.....when we are close to our Heavenly Father we will know when we have finished the work He wants us to do wherever we are at. That could be at the end of a mission or the end of serving in an area. It could be the end of living somewhere or serving in a particular calling. It could be the end of a job, or the end of a particular school. There are many ends, but thankfully with the perspective of the gospel we know that they are really new beginnings. I feel strongly that if we stay close to our Heavenly Father, we will know when an end is before us. We will know that we have done the work that He wanted us to do, and we will be prepared for what is next. I have felt that as I have served in this mission, and I know that it is true for all of us in all of our lives.
This last week was a lot of finding, but I am so happy because I achieved my tracting goal, and we met a lot of wonderful people. . . . I have been blessed to hear about the people in Florence and they are doing so well! It is blooming there and I feel so blessed that I was able to serve there with those people when and how long I did.
I know that our efforts are not wasted! Keep going! Love you all!
As I was reading from John 17 this morning it hit me when Christ told His Father that He knew His hour had come and that He had done the work His Father wanted Him to do here. Christ knew His last hours on earth were before Him. Joseph Smith had a similar experience. He knew that His time was coming and that He had done the work the Father had asked him to do here. I thought about that.....when we are close to our Heavenly Father we will know when we have finished the work He wants us to do wherever we are at. That could be at the end of a mission or the end of serving in an area. It could be the end of living somewhere or serving in a particular calling. It could be the end of a job, or the end of a particular school. There are many ends, but thankfully with the perspective of the gospel we know that they are really new beginnings. I feel strongly that if we stay close to our Heavenly Father, we will know when an end is before us. We will know that we have done the work that He wanted us to do, and we will be prepared for what is next. I have felt that as I have served in this mission, and I know that it is true for all of us in all of our lives.
This last week was a lot of finding, but I am so happy because I achieved my tracting goal, and we met a lot of wonderful people. . . . I have been blessed to hear about the people in Florence and they are doing so well! It is blooming there and I feel so blessed that I was able to serve there with those people when and how long I did.
I know that our efforts are not wasted! Keep going! Love you all!
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