Looking for a Christian Church
Last week my husband, our kids, and I were able to go to the beach. Yay! Since we're from Utah, we haven't had that many opportunities to go to the beach. It was wonderful. My husband played in the water with the 2 year old while I watched with the baby. A lady, who was also watching her family in the water, came up and started talking to me. It started with the usual stuff - babies, the beach, where we're from, etc. Then she asked if we were Christian. I, of course, said yes. This started a conversation about what we believed in. She said she and her family were looking for a Christian church to attend. I gave a very brief summary of our beliefs and asked her if I could give her information to the missionaries. She said yes! She also said that she believed in prayer and personal revelation and would pray about what the missionaries said to see for herself if it was true. Isn't missionary work amazing?! I don't really feel like I did much... that opportunity pretty much just dropped from the sky and landed in my lap. But, I was in the right place at the right time and was able to answer her questions. This is what missionary work usually is. Have a desire and pray for opportunities. Be in the right place at the right time and be prepared to help with whatever they are seeking. Listen to the Spirit and trust yourself! You can do it. :) My husband and I were pretty bummed that we didn't have a copy of the Book of Mormon to give her. We have given her information to the missionaries though so now we just pray that everything will work out. Missionary work makes me so happy! There's nothing in the world like it.
Teaching about temples
"Why are there so many Mormon Temples? What goes on inside them anyways? Why are you guys always so 'secretive' about it? Why can't I go inside?"
If you haven't been asked these questions yet, I'm sure you will some time in your life, especially as a missionary. How do you answer these questions? What can you talk about when it comes to temples? Most members of the church have a hard time with this. The Church just came out with this wonderful little video answering all of these questions. Whether you are wondering these questions yourself, or wondering how to answer them for others, I recommend watching it.
I want each of you to know that I have a strong testimony of temples. I know that because my husband and I were married in the temple, we will be together forever. My beautiful little family will be mine forever! What a wonderful blessing! I love the gospel.
Missionary power
A few days ago, my family and I moved. Again. We move a lot for my husband's job. Anyways, when the sister missionaries in our ward found out we were moving, they offered to come help me pack. This really meant a lot to me. My husband works a lot and we are thousands of miles away from family and most of our friends. They came over for about an hour and a half and helped pack up the kitchen and the kids' clothes. They helped us pack, yes, but more than that, they brought such a wonderful Spirit into our home. It just gave me such hope and such peace that everything would work out. Missionaries can be so powerful. Never forget that. We try to keep the Spirit in our home with appropriate media, scripture study, prayer, etc, but I don't think there's anything quite like the power of a full-time missionary. As a representative of Jesus Christ, you'll spread His light wherever you go.
Advice from a 6-month-old missionary
So it's been six months and five days since I left home to go on what's been THE neatest adventure of my life!
... it's in Idaho, yes. But still an adventure nonetheless! How could being part of the hastening of the work be anything less?
... it's in Idaho, yes. But still an adventure nonetheless! How could being part of the hastening of the work be anything less?
And in the last six months, I've gathered some information that has seemed pretty useful, so I thought I'd pass it on to the world via my sister dearest.
1) Study Preach My Gospel. Study Preach My Gospel. Study Preach My Gospel.
I can't say it enough. Seriously. This stuff is scripture. It's revelation from God to convert both us, the missionaries, and the rest of the world! Use it in everyday life, because it applies to everyday life! And do *not* skip over the scriptures, especially the Bible Dictionary ones. Those are super valuable.
2) Find scriptures by topic (faith, repentance, prophets, etc) that explain what they are really simply and shortly. Write them down on a sticky note in the back of your scriptures for quick reference. You'll start to memorize these as you use them, but for now... it's WAY useful.
3) Don't be afraid to be yourself! You're put where you are because your unique personality will stand out to or connect with someone else. Plus, people can tell when you're being fake. It impresses no one. Realness makes them open up, which helps you know their needs, which helps you help them come unto Christ! Let them get to know you and learn to trust you!
1) Study Preach My Gospel. Study Preach My Gospel. Study Preach My Gospel.
I can't say it enough. Seriously. This stuff is scripture. It's revelation from God to convert both us, the missionaries, and the rest of the world! Use it in everyday life, because it applies to everyday life! And do *not* skip over the scriptures, especially the Bible Dictionary ones. Those are super valuable.
2) Find scriptures by topic (faith, repentance, prophets, etc) that explain what they are really simply and shortly. Write them down on a sticky note in the back of your scriptures for quick reference. You'll start to memorize these as you use them, but for now... it's WAY useful.
3) Don't be afraid to be yourself! You're put where you are because your unique personality will stand out to or connect with someone else. Plus, people can tell when you're being fake. It impresses no one. Realness makes them open up, which helps you know their needs, which helps you help them come unto Christ! Let them get to know you and learn to trust you!
4) Learn how to listen. Don't think about the dog chewing on your bag. Don't worry about how you're going to fit in a scripture or end right on time. When they're talking, listen to what they're saying, what they're implying, and what the spirit is telling you they need to hear. The lesson is not about you learning how to teach, it's about them and their needs, and helping them come closer to God.
5) It's okay to be scared. Everybody is. It's scary talking to strangers, eating with strangers, sharing what's most important to you with strangers. It's scary moving to some seemingly random place and being expected to actively be a part of a life you've never experienced before. But the fear passes. You learn to trust in the Lord, in your companions, and in yourself. You learn that you can do hard things. And people understand and relate to your fear most of the time, anyway!
6) Love your companion! Your companion is your one ally. (Besides your Heavenly Father, of course.) Do everything you can to make that relationship a good one. Be open. Be honest. And be kind. You'll notice little things that will be annoying sometimes, but get over it. Everyone does little things like that. Find ways to serve them and express appreciation for them. Point out their strengths. Be humble enough to let them help with your weaknesses. They can become your family in the field if you let them.
7) Love your peeps! The only way you'll be willing to work hard for these people and consider their needs is if you care about them. If you're struggling in the work, it's because you don't love the people enough. So pray for help to love them, because loving people is hard!
Well, that's my 7 bits of knowledge. Hope it helps! Keep moving forward and remember that this is God's work and he will not let you fail!
Work hard, Pray hard, Play hard!
Work hard, Pray hard, Play hard!
"Together we'll learn"
Being a parent is such a humbling experience. When many people become parents, they can't help but wonder if they are really good enough to take on such a task. Many young people preparing for missions wonder the same thing. While it is important to have a strong testimony and a keen knowledge of the gospel, no one has to know everything to be a parent or to serve a mission.
One of my favorite songs to sing to my kids is Teach Me to Walk in the Light. I especially love the second verse. (Text and music by Clara W. McMaster)
Come, little child, and together we'll learn
Of his commandments, that we may return
Home to his presence, to live in his sight--
Always, always to walk in the light.
"Together we'll learn." When I start doubting myself and wondering if I can really do this mother thing, I remember these words. I am learning right along with my children. My mom always said that she was often learning with me since I was her first child. I finally really understand what she meant. It's okay that I don't know everything. It's okay that I am not the "perfect" mother. I am doing my best to learn and to become a better mom every day as I teach my children. It's the same way with missionary work. It's okay that you don't know everything. It's okay that you are not the "perfect" missionary. As long as you are doing your best to learn and to become a better missionary every day as you teach others.
P.S. Congrats to my cousin who is leaving for the MTC this week!! I'm so excited for you. You'll be awesome. :)
One of my favorite songs to sing to my kids is Teach Me to Walk in the Light. I especially love the second verse. (Text and music by Clara W. McMaster)
Come, little child, and together we'll learn
Of his commandments, that we may return
Home to his presence, to live in his sight--
Always, always to walk in the light.
"Together we'll learn." When I start doubting myself and wondering if I can really do this mother thing, I remember these words. I am learning right along with my children. My mom always said that she was often learning with me since I was her first child. I finally really understand what she meant. It's okay that I don't know everything. It's okay that I am not the "perfect" mother. I am doing my best to learn and to become a better mom every day as I teach my children. It's the same way with missionary work. It's okay that you don't know everything. It's okay that you are not the "perfect" missionary. As long as you are doing your best to learn and to become a better missionary every day as you teach others.
P.S. Congrats to my cousin who is leaving for the MTC this week!! I'm so excited for you. You'll be awesome. :)
Mission Exercising
Anyone who knows me knows that I am NOT an exerciser. Especially running. I hate running. It was really hard for me to wake up every morning as a missionary and exercise for 30 minutes. Part of that was because I really didn't know how to exercise other than going running or doing crunches. And you already know how excited I was about running.
So my question to you is... Do you know how to exercise? It may seem like a simple enough question, but when you have 30 minutes to exercise, what do you do? What if it's really cold outside? Okay, most of you probably know a lot more about exercising than I did. But, it's still something to think about. Remember, you won't have access to a gym, or a treadmill, or work-out DVD's. They will give you an exercise band at the MTC (or at least they did when I was there, anyone know if they still do?) but most of us didn't know how to use it. So you will have the floor, probably a towel or a blanket for an exercise mat, and possibly an exercise band. I ask again, what would you do? If it's good weather, you could go outside and run. Would you get bored of just running all the time? What if your companion is like me and doesn't run? Remember you have to be within sight of your companion at all times. What outdoor exercises are there other than running? You might have a bike, you might not. It depends on the mission and the area.
Today's tip is this: Make sure you have a list of different exercises before you leave for your mission. Make sure you know how to do these exercises correctly and that they help strengthen the part of your body and/or the skills you want to focus on. Also, be sure you find exercises you will enjoy doing. You will be doing them at 6:30 in the morning so make it something worth getting out of bed for! And if you're obedient, you'll be doing it every morning (except Sundays) for 18 months or 2 years so you'll want a variety. You don't want to get bored with it.
I am probably the last person you'd ask for advice about exercising so I will need help from all of you out there. Please comment! RM's, what did you do for exercising on your mission? Anyone have specific work-out DVD's they like? What about Wii Fit Plus or other exercising video games? While you won't have these on your mission, they might be good to use now to get ideas. I bet you could also find tons of ideas on Youtube.
Well, I hope this post was helpful. In a nutshell, learn how to exercise before you leave. You won't regret it.
So my question to you is... Do you know how to exercise? It may seem like a simple enough question, but when you have 30 minutes to exercise, what do you do? What if it's really cold outside? Okay, most of you probably know a lot more about exercising than I did. But, it's still something to think about. Remember, you won't have access to a gym, or a treadmill, or work-out DVD's. They will give you an exercise band at the MTC (or at least they did when I was there, anyone know if they still do?) but most of us didn't know how to use it. So you will have the floor, probably a towel or a blanket for an exercise mat, and possibly an exercise band. I ask again, what would you do? If it's good weather, you could go outside and run. Would you get bored of just running all the time? What if your companion is like me and doesn't run? Remember you have to be within sight of your companion at all times. What outdoor exercises are there other than running? You might have a bike, you might not. It depends on the mission and the area.
Today's tip is this: Make sure you have a list of different exercises before you leave for your mission. Make sure you know how to do these exercises correctly and that they help strengthen the part of your body and/or the skills you want to focus on. Also, be sure you find exercises you will enjoy doing. You will be doing them at 6:30 in the morning so make it something worth getting out of bed for! And if you're obedient, you'll be doing it every morning (except Sundays) for 18 months or 2 years so you'll want a variety. You don't want to get bored with it.
I am probably the last person you'd ask for advice about exercising so I will need help from all of you out there. Please comment! RM's, what did you do for exercising on your mission? Anyone have specific work-out DVD's they like? What about Wii Fit Plus or other exercising video games? While you won't have these on your mission, they might be good to use now to get ideas. I bet you could also find tons of ideas on Youtube.
Well, I hope this post was helpful. In a nutshell, learn how to exercise before you leave. You won't regret it.
Packing a suitcase
My cousin posted this little video on Facebook. I haven't tried it, but it looks awesome! Someone should try it out and then let me know how it goes. :)
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