Remember the Lord

I would have written yesterday on P-day, but we got caught up helping a family move and spending time bonding with our zone. And by "bonding", I mean getting hit in the face three times with a soccer or volley ball. It was great, reminded me of home and my three rough brothers!
We also had a sweet recent convert take us out to get our nails done. Kathie sure does love to spoil us since Sister Thorup was her missionary and has helped her through some rough times. I'm just lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.
It was kind of hard to say goodbye to my district last Wednesday. We had all become really close and I didn't want them to leave. But they are all in good places and doing good things, so I'm happy for them. My trainer Sister Thorup is so amazing. She is such a hard worker and has been here in Vestavia Hills for like 6 months, getting lots of results. She leads by example and kind reminders and I have already learned so much from her.
We have four investigators right now. Three of them started with Sister Thorup's previous companion Sister Murry and one we just got on Sunday evening. So I have my first investigator! The three are all so close to baptism. Arshawn is 17 and waiting on his mom's permission for baptism. He loves the church and can't wait to be baptized. Brother Chappel has been going to church with his wife since she converted ten years ago. Sister Thorup is confident he will be baptized soon, because he went from smoking a pack of cigarettes a day to just half a cigarette a day. He is so close to kicking that habit. We asked him last week to pray about a baptismal date and are meeting with him tonight to see what his answer is. According to Sister Thorup, Linda finally received a testimony of the Book of Mormon and was able to answer all of the baptismal interview questions. We think it's only a matter of time before she commits.  Catherine is the brand new investigator we just got. She and her father are from Kenya and haven't seen each other in seven years. He joined when he came over to the United States and now that she's here, she wants to know why her father joined this church. I have high hopes for Catherine.

My bike should be here within the next week or so, so that's good. Sister Thorup likes to drive anyways because it's so hot and there are a lot of steep hills. I'm hoping we'll at least get some bike riding in when my bike comes, though. I think it might be more effective when we go out contacting, to be able to talk to people on the streets.

I'm excited for a new week of work and can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for us. Each new day is a great learning experience and I am hopeful of the things I will learn.

I hope all is well with you. Remember that the Lord has His hand in everything you do!

Alabama, Day One

So we made it to Alabama yesterday afternoon and spent time at the mission president's home with him and his sweet wife before going to the hotel. I love Sister Hanks. She is so sweet and so kind. She reminded me a lot of my mom, and it was good to have a motherly figure for at least one night after my two weeks in the MTC and having little contact with my own mother. It was a fun and spiritual evening, all at the same time. 

There was a Hermana at the Atlanta airport who joined us, making a total of 18 missionaries. She was at the Mexico MTC and had been at the airport by herself since about 7 until we showed up at 1. We didn't even know about each other, but we have bonded so fast. Sister Calamity, Hermana Taylor and I all slept in the same hotel room last night and had a blast telling our MTC stories and laughing our heads off. But we were all in bed by 9:30 cause we were so tired.

Today was another bittersweet day because they split up our zone and sprinkled us all over the mission. I'm serving here in Birmingham with Sister Thorup, but I haven't been able to remember what our area is called. I'm sure time will help me to remember it, and then I won't be able to forget it!

I am truly grateful for this opportunity God has given me to serve Him and His children here in Alabama. I can't wait to see what new adventures await me!

MTC, Week One Done

This is how my first week at the MTC went:

Sister Voss {my host} got me all set up with my name tag and books for class, then dropped me off at my classroom where I met my district and teachers. There are four companionships, two sisters and two elders. All of us are going to Birmingham and we will all be on the same flight when we leave. We're all pretty happy about that. We have grown so close in such a short time. The four elders remind me so much of my brothers and the sisters have become sisters to me. It has been such a neat experience to see how much all of us has grown in the gospel since being here. We had a really cool open discussion about the Plan of Salvation yesterday during study time. 

My companion is Sister Calamity from Cedar City, Utah. She is part Navajo and so sweet. We get along great and have a blast studying and preparing lessons together. Yesterday was our first Training Resource Center lesson with and investigator. It was such a cool spiritual experience, and we didn't even use the lesson we had planned for Patty. She had some questions for us that we answered for her. One of the questions was about what trials we have had that affected our lives, and why didn't we turn away from God? I was prompted to share with her our experience with my little sister Marissa, who was a miscarriage. Patty has a son who passed away and she is still grieving over his death and where he is right now. I was able to share with her my knowledge of the spirit world and where Marissa and Patty's son Joseph were. I also told her that if Joseph didn't have a chance to hear the gospel on Earth, that is where he would be taught. The Spirit was so strong in the room last night, and I am so certain Marissa was in there by my side, helping to testify the truth of my words. Sister Calamity and I will be visiting with Patty again tomorrow, and we can't wait!

 Sister Calamity and I!

 {Left to Right} Sister Robison, Sister Maxwell, Sister Calamity, Sister Woodard

This has been what my schedule was like:

We arise and get out of bed by 6:29. Our branch president likes us to do this, and be in our room for quiet time by 10:14, so we do.

Breakfast is at 7:00 and morning class starts at 7:30. We have class with Sister Porter until lunch at 11:30. Sister Porter served for 5 1/2 months in Birmingham waiting for her visa, and she tells us fun stories about the area and the people. One time they made a street contact and asked if they could leaver her with a prayer. As Sister Porter opened the prayer "Dear Heavenly Father..." the lady repeated {insert black lady voice} DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER! And Sister Porter wasn't sure what to do, but she continued the prayer, with the lady repeating words and such. When she closed, the lady said "amen, amen, amen." It was really funny and all us missionaries were cracking up the whole time. 

Class with Brother Meteer starts at 12:15 and goes until 3:15, when we have personal study until 4:30 and dinner starts. I like Brother Meteer. He has a different way of teaching than Sister Porter so some of the others don't like him as much as we all like Sister Porter, but I'm learning a lot from him. He is mine and Sister Calamity's Progressive Investigator and I'm learning a lot about how to teach someone. He portrays Adam, an investigator he taught on his mission who wasn't really sure if there is a God and if there was, God didn't care about him. It's been interesting to try to teach someone who is curious but not really open to learning about God's love and the gospel.

 

After dinner, we have district study and zone study. Last week Brother Norman would come get us to watch the other missionaries' TRC lessons, then afterwards give us a topic to study in the classroom. This week we teach our own TRC lessons during that time, but still have a topic to study.

Some days we get done by 8:15 and have gym time until 9:15. If we don't have gym time, we stay in the classroom until about 9:30 because they don't like us to be in our residence halls until then. So we basically live in our small classroom, but we find ways to make it bearable and even fun. 

Sunday was my favorite day in the MTC. I learned so much without being cooped up in a classroom all day. Relief Society was awesome with two speakers and several of the branches meeting together. After lunch, we had sacrament meeting as a branch. It was so weird to me to have the bread and the water over within 5 minutes. We were asked to write talks on the Book of Mormon and be prepared because the branch presidency wouldn't tell us who would be speaking until 30 seconds before we were to get up if we were chosen. I was prepared, but I'm glad I wasn't chosen. 

For the Sunday evening devotional, Sister Sheri Dew spoke to us about working with the Spirit of God on our missions and using the divine enabling power of the Atonement. It was a really good talk. After the devotional they show films until 9:30. My district stayed to watch Elder Bednar's talk "The Character of Christ." IT WAS SOO GOOD. Seriously, look it up and watch it cause my words can do it no justice.

I have seriously grown so much in just the few days of being here. I am so happy the Lord called me on a mission and I obeyed. There is nothing I would rather be doing than serving the Lord. 

The Wait is Over, the Trials are Not

Well, I'm here in Provo with my parents, spending some time with them before I report to the Missionary Training Center TOMORROW! I can't believe it's here. My time to serve the Lord in the mission field has finally come. It's been hard waiting for my report date, but it's been great at the same time. It has shown me the different tactics that Satan uses to try to get me off course. He has tried to use distractions, {such as boys, worldly gain through work and school, activities that I would be missing out on} and self worth issues {I don't know enough to be a missionary, people won't want to listen to me, I'm not good enough to preach the gospel, etc}. If you have been experiencing the same things I have been, I encourage you to stay strong. Think about the righteous reasons that led you to desire to serve a mission. Always be on the Lord's side and you will conquer Satan.
I have a friend who has recently started taking the missionary discussions and we were talking about questions he could ask the missionaries. I was thinking how grateful I was that my friend had someone to answer his questions. Then I realized that that would be me very soon, and I started to panic, thinking I was not prepared enough to be doing this, crying repentance to the people of Alabama. But I have felt a calm reassurance that I will not be the one teaching, but rather it will be the Holy Ghost doing the teaching and I am merely the vessel through which He works. Although I haven't memorized all of Preach my Gospel and the scriptures before I enter the MTC, I have been prepared enough to teach with the Spirit. I was blessed to have been born and raised in the Church. I grew up attending Church meetings, going to Primary and ward activities, learning lessons in Young Women's, and participating in service projects. When I was getting set apart, my stake president told me and my family that he could tell that I had been prepared to serve a mission, which was comforting to hear. So even though I don't yet know the best teaching methods to use, I know that as I trust in the Lord and invite the Spirit into every lesson, I will be able to touch hearts and make an impact in people's lives.
This morning at breakfast, my parents were telling me how hard a mission is. Both served missions, in the same mission, actually{that's where they met!} so they know what they are talking about. My dad wasn't prepared for how challenging it would be. People only told him the good sides to a mission, not the rough sides. But he says he wouldn't have done it any other way, that his mission made him who he is today, which is a strong priesthood holder who fulfills all of his church callings and takes care of his wife and family. I know that my mission will be hard. I'm not expecting it to be easy. As I learned on my stake trek when I was about 15 or 16, "I can do hard things." That trek was the hardest thing I had done until the point, but it was also the most fun I have ever had. I'm counting on my mission to be the same thing, the hardest thing I will ever do, but also the most fun thing I will ever do. One of the apostles said "My mission was the best two years FOR my life." I truly believe my mission will be the best eighteen months for my life.
This is my last post before going into the mission field. I'm hoping I will have some time on Preparation Days to post, but if not you'll be hearing from my mom as she relates from my letters all that is happening in Alabama. I hope you all have a happy Tuesday!

Setting Apart and Farewell

I was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints tonight. It was an amazing experience. My immediate family was there with me, as well as my second family the Allen's, my cousin Nephi, my past Young Women's president Audrey Fox, and two really good friends, Josie Wright and Austin Lange. I hadn't officially invited Josie and Austin, but I am grateful they were there to support me. I also think it was good for them. Josie is a new convert and the only member in her home and Austin grew up without a priesthood member in his home, his dad not being a member, so his testimony is not as strong as it could be and he wasn't sure about serving a mission. I could see both of their testimonies growing from this experience.
It was a sweet experience to feel the Spirit in the High Council room and see the emotion on everyone's faces as they felt it. President Lawes had me bear my testimony to the group, and then my grandparents, parents and finally Bishop Jones shared his. I know that this is what the Lord wants me to do and I am happy to be doing it for Him.
I also spoke in church today, so I thought I would leave my talk here for you readers and hope that I can touch someone's heart through the Spirit.

I want to start with my favorite scripture, and that will probably clue you in as to what my talk will be about today. 1 timothy 4:12. When I was in young woman’s {that was only a year ago, so it’s strange for me to say} my first mutual theme as a beehive of 12 was “Be thou an example of the believers” and it has always stuck around in the back of my mind. I entered high school at 14 and sort of remembered that phrase but it didn’t hit until junior or senior year that I was an example of the believers. I attended and graduated from Queen Creek High where there was a high population of LDS kids and a seminary building for release time seminary, so almost everybody on campus knew about the LDS church. I would be very surprised if someone didn’t at least know the name considering there was a church building right next door to the school. But I came to realize that just because people knew the name of our church didn’t mean that they knew what we believed in.

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said this about members being examples in the October 2010 General Conference.

“Each member can be an example of the believers. Brethren {and sisters}, as followers of Jesus Christ, each of you can live in accord with His teachings. You can have “a pure heart and clean hands”; you can have “the image of God engraven upon your [countenance].”  Your good works will be evident to others.  The light of the Lord can beam from your eyes.  With that radiance, you had better prepare for questions. The Apostle Peter so counseled, “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.” 

“Let your response be warm and joyful. And let your response be relevant to that individual. Remember, he or she is also a child of God, that very God who dearly wants that person to qualify for eternal life and return to Him one day. You may be the very one to open the door to his or her salvation and understanding of the doctrine of Christ. 

“After your initial response, be ready to take the next step. You may invite your friend to attend church with you. Many of our friends do not know they are welcome in our Church buildings. “Come and see” was the Savior’s invitation to those who desired to learn more about Him.  An invitation to attend a Sunday meeting with you or to participate in a Church social or service activity will help to dispel mistaken myths and make visitors feel more comfortable among us.

“As a member of the Church, reach out to those you do not know and greet them warmly. Each Sunday extend a hand of fellowship to at least one person you did not know before. Each day of your life, strive to enlarge your own circle of friendship.”

Our choices have consequences and one of the consequences for living my standards daily was that people saw it. They saw in me the glow that all of us Mormons apparently have and they wanted to know why. I have had several missionary experiences because I have lived as an example of the believers.  Most of them have been simple questions on why we do things a certain way and once their simple curiosity is satisfied, they don’t ask any more questions and I haven’t seen any fruits from our conversation. Except one person. This person is a great example that just because you didn’t convert someone after a few conversations doesn’t mean that you didn’t plant a seed and get things moving. Many of you know my friend Josie Wright. I helped her come into the Church a year ago, but I want to give credit where credit is due. If Hannah Smith hadn’t taken Josie to Mutual, Josie wouldn’t have been telling me about it the next day in class and I wouldn’t have gotten the prompting to invite Josie to my mutual activity that evening, which led to missionary discussions in my home and a deeper bond between Josie and myself. The moral of this little story is that you might not be the one to lead into the fold, but you could be the one to get someone going in the right direction.

I really couldn’t tell you how much of an example I have been to Josie, but I can tell you how much she has been one to me. Josie and I met in our sophomore math class but we didn’t become close friends until our math class in senior year. If you had told me sophomore year that Josie and I would become close friends in two years, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. And it wasn’t that Josie was doing anything bad or was an awful person. We talked a bit in class and she was really sweet, I just couldn’t see us spending anytime outside of school together because our activities didn’t really line up. But I am so glad we have become so close. I noticed a difference in Josie our senior year. Throughout the beginning of the year, she made some changes. She chose a different group of friends, started wearing lighter colored clothes and was looking for ways to be happy. Josie wanted to change, so she did. As I have reflected on this, I truly believe that Josie prepared herself to receive the gospel. There is no doubt in my mind that Josie would have found her way into the gospel whether or not Hannah and I were there to help her. Josie is now the only member in her home and she has told me how she struggles to balance living the standards of the Church and pleasing her family, whom she loves dearly. Her family will sometimes do or say something to get her to go against the covenants she made at baptism, but she has remained steadfast and immovable. Josie enjoys going to church and it shows in her countenance how much she loves this gospel and that she knows it is true. We have talked and I know things are hard for Josie, but I can tell by just looking at her that there is no way on Earth that she will let go of this gospel. She will be obedient and endure to the end. Josie is my greatest example of the believers, pushing through her trials and always seeming to come out on top.

I have related to you a modern example of the believers, and now I wish to share with you a Biblical one. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were all children of Judah taken captive by the kingdom of Babylon. They were chosen to go to the king’s palace and partake of the king’s meat and wine so that they would become strong by it. Now, I don’t know about you, but if my land had just been taken over by another king and that king wanted me to eat his food, I would have done it without much fuss, grateful that he was sparing my life. We’re lucky the other three had Daniel to follow and not me. Daniel remembered what he had been taught throughout his childhood and chose to fear God instead of man. If we turn to Daniel 1:8, we read….. Daniel had found favor with one of the servants of the king and was able to persuade him to provide the food Daniel and his friends were accustomed to eating, having been commanded of the Lord to do so. They had a little contest to see which group of children would be healthier, Daniel and his friends who ate pulse, which is foods made of seeds and grains, and drank water, or the ones who ate the meat and drank the wine. Well, the Lord has given the word of wisdom for a reason, so of course at the end of the allotted ten days, Daniel, Hananaiah, Mishael, and Azariah were healthier. Daniel 1:15. Because these four boys stood for what they believed and knew was right, the Lord blessed them. Daniel 1:17, 19-20. We know that Daniel went on to interpret King Nebuchadnezzer’s dreams and survive the lions’ den, and Hananaiah, Mishael, and Azariah, also known as Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, survived the fiery furnace. These mighty miracles could not have happened unless these four boys put their faith in God and stood as examples of the believers.

I guess what I’m hoping you will get from this talk with these amazing examples is that you become aware that you are an example yourself. You youth may not realize it like I didn’t, but it’s true. Everywhere you go, people are watching you. They are listening to the words you speak and how you talk to different peers. People are watching your actions, how you react in a situation, how you treat others. Your teachers and classmates and even your siblings are taking note on whether you are living up to the name of Christ that you took upon yourself when you entered the waters of baptism. We are told that we are baptized at the age of 8 because that is when we become accountable for our actions, when we know right from wrong and can actively choose for ourselves what to do. Even though we do realize what is bad and what is good, we don’t really quite understand all the covenants we make at baptism, at least I didn’t. We partake of the sacrament every week to renew these covenants, but do we know what the covenants are that we are renewing? For a long time, I didn’t quite understand myself. If you are like me and you realize you are not entirely sure what covenants you are renewing, study the sacrament prayers found in Doctrine and Covenants section 20: 77, 79.

This topic is near and dear to my heart because I had so many great examples to follow growing up. I had so many wonderful young women’s leaders and older girls to look up to. The young men, though a little bit crazy at times, are true gentlemen who inspire me to do better when I’m around them. Even the young primary children have been such great examples of Christ-like love. This ward has been so loving and caring, raising me almost as much as my own parents have with the same standards that have been taught me at home. I want to thank you all for everything you have done for me and my brothers. We are who we are today in part because of what each of you have shown us through your examples.  

As Sisters in Zion

One of my favorite things is to read emails from my sister missionary friends because, as I sit here with feelings of inadequacy, wondering if I'll ever be able to know enough {not if I'll know all of the things that the gospel teaches, because I already know I won't be able to learn it all before or even during my mission} but just enough to answer someone's burning curiosity, it brings me great comfort to see what they are doing and how they are relying on the Lord to pull them through. These girls were already amazing, but I can see small changes in them through their emails. They are so happy and bright and cheerful. Things may be tough, but I can tell that they know that things will all work out in the end. I take great comfort in their scriptures and words of wisdom that they send, unknowingly helping me through this tough time of waiting and preparing to serve. Here are some that they have sent that might bring you comfort as well.
From Sister Albrechtsen, still in the MTC, but called to serve in the Independence Missouri Visitors' Center:

I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had to grow through my struggles and trials. I know that in every trial there is something that I can grow from. We just need to endure it well. After everything happened last week, it was really hard. When we got to go to the temple last Thursday I came across these scriptures. They are when Joseph Smith is in Liberty Jail and he was asking the Lord:

"O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?

In response he received this: (Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-9)

 7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

 8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high;thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.

9 Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands.

Remember that no matter what we are going through, we are never alone and that we can get through anything that we are facing. Whenever we are facing anything, remember that our trials will pass and that we can make it through! Remember to rely on the Lord, and stay positive. If we do so, the Lord will bless us!

From Sister Hunt serving in Cleveland, Ohio:

• Before we can 'hasten the work' we MUST hasten ourselves.
• Your mission should be the template of your life, if it isn't, that is a call to repentance.
• "Kick when you don't want to kick, and stroke when you don't want to stroke."
• This is Real Life. Capital R capitol L. Don't treat right now ( on or off your mission ) as some kind of game. This is Real.
• We must teach with POWER and AUTHORITY.
• ASTONISH people by the way you live your life.
• This church is true. Elder Holland wouldn't be dedicating his life to some cunningly devised fable or a fairytale. This is the way the truth and the light.

I hope these Sisters' words can bring you as much comfort as they did for me. I know that the Lord forgives my inadequacy, knowing that I am striving for perfection but won't be able to reach it on my own. This is why He gave us the Savior and the Atonement, to be able to repent and become perfect through Him. We can only become better if we turn to the Lord. He is waiting, but He cannot help us if we don't first seek His help.

I found this picture on Instagram and set it as my background because it brings me comfort whenever I look at it. It's a great reminder that I need to stop worrying so much and put my faith in the Lord. 

Box of Sunshine

I'm so excited for tomorrow because, according to the post office worker, that is when Sister Hunt will be receiving her Sunshine Package! Sister Hunt and I have been friends since she moved into my ward a few years ago. She is very sweet and we always have a great time whenever we get together, which used to be quite often before she entered the mission field. Sister Hunt left for the Ohio Cleveland mission in January, while I was still at college, so I missed out on her farewell, which I was bummed about. I've written her once, so I decided it would be nice to send her a package to let her know we loved her. Four friends joined me in putting together Sister Hunt's sunshine package, which I was grateful for because it meant we could send her more without it being too expensive for me or any other person, and we got lots of variety in what was sent to her.
I bet you're thinking, "What on Earth is this sunshine package she keeps talking about??" It's simply a package full of fun yellow things. I'll admit, I didn't come up with this awesome idea by myself, but I took it off of....you guessed it, Pinterest. {Gosh I love that site} I just took the general idea and ran with whatever yellow things the girls brought me. So if you're hoping to send a sunshine package to someone you love, just grab all the yellow things you can and pack them up!

Here's a list of the things we put into our box of sunshine. It contained:
Wheat thins
Lays Stax
Fiber One bars
Juicy Fruit gum
Crystal Light
Yellow Cake Mix
Jello mix
Popcorn
Lemonheads
Lemonade packets
Butterscotch candy
Mac n' cheese

A Little Ball
Kleenex
Balloons
Journal
Facial wipes
Hand sanitizer
Post it notes
Note cards
Cupcake liners
Goldfish container
Spongebob Stickers
Butterfly spatula
Glow sticks
Bubble necklace
Tooth brush {it's orange, but still works}
Straws
Head band
Silly string
Hair bows
Earrings
Sun stickers

The finished product

We love our Brookie-poo and this was a really fun way to show her. I hope this gives you some fun ideas that you can adapt for yourself!

The Wonders of God's World

Every summer, Mom's side of the family gets together and goes camping for a few days up in the woods out of the heat. Since my report date is fast approaching, we did our trip earlier this year than we have in the past and went the last weekend in May. We didn't have everyone there, but it was still a great time.
As we all got ready for bed that first night, I couldn't help but notice the stars. I pulled my sleeping bag out of the tent, wrapped up in my cozy blanket, and just gazed at the sky in all directions. While I was at college, I always missed being able to see all the stars I could see from my backyard, which I thought was a lot. I was wrong. At home, I just stared straight up into the night sky. In the woods that night, I could turn my head left and right and see stars all the way down to the horizon. It was so breathtaking to me.
Our second day, we all piled into cars and journeyed to a fire watch tower, where rangers have a good view of the forest to watch for forest fires. It was a long climb, but we all made it, even my 78 year old grandfather! {But my grandmother did stay below.} The tower was well over the trees and you could see for miles and miles. Seeing all those trees was marvelous because there were so many!
The ranger on duty had some hummingbird feeders placed out to attract the fleeting little birds. I could have sat out there for hours, listening and watching all of the hummingbirds zip around, land to sip, than take off again. They were so fast, I couldn't really see them unless they landed to drink from the feeders. But I still loved it.
Maybe it was the fact that I was surrounded by God's creations and away from the noise of everyday life with television, Internet and daily mundane tasks that I feel have to be done, but I have a greater appreciation for this beautiful world. People wonder if there really is a God, but I wonder how they could even question it. Some say that all of this was an accident, some mysterious big bang, and that there is no purpose to our lives. If people were to step away from their computers, their Ipods, their shopping, their cars and any other worldly possessions that they hold high that really have no importance and look closely at the things around them, "stop and smell the flowers" so to speak, they would see that our world is no accident. It is so complex the way it is organized, with so many plants animals just growing and taking care of themselves, knowing what it is that they must do to survive. When people say there is no God, I just want to show them
the petals of a rose,

or the waves breaking against the shore,

look into a baby's eyes,

or even just have them feel the wind rushing by.

All these things are evidence to me that there is a loving Heavenly Father who created this world for us that we might be able to grow and become like Him. There are so many small, everyday miracles mixed into the grand scale of things. I personally think that we as a human race need to slow down our fast paced life that we have tricked ourselves into thinking we need to live and realize that there is a bigger picture that we are living.

On another note, I have exactly one week until I report to the Provo, Utah Missionary Training Center. I am so excited for this wonderful opportunity that I have to serve the Lord and the people of Alabama. Ready or not, here I come!!

Adventures in Babysitting

Since I have been doing so much babysitting, I have to come up with different ways to keep the kiddos, monkeys, and munchkins occupied. That is one of the many reasons I love Pinterest. I have a whole board dedicated to babysitting ideas, so whether I need a craft for all the different holidays, a fun treat to make with the kids or a learning activity that's disguised as play time, I have it all in one place. I have decided to share with you all of my many adventures in babysitting, also all in one place.
The first group of kiddos belong to a lady in my ward who is a trained cosmetologist. We've had this deal for a few years now where she'll do my hair in exchange for babysitting. This particular day, I got a new hairstyle that I love. It's just bangs, but it's a nice fresh look without being too drastic. With these kiddos, we just hung out playing with some toys, then decided to break out the dress-up box. Little B had fun changing outfits and it kept her busy for a good 20 minutes, which I liked.

 This made me laugh, so I thought I would share it with you in hopes you get a little chuckle out of it. Little H is definitely growing up with three sisters. I guess he couldn't decide if the event was formal or casual.

I babysit the Munchkins every Wednesday and Friday, so I try to give them things to do when I'm with them instead of just watching movies {like I sometimes do when I babysit occasionally for other families since it's a limited time}. Over the past few weeks, we have played carpet games, built a fort and watched a movie, played water games, turned a cardboard box into a rocket ship, made bracelets, played with sidewalk chalk, ridden our bikes to the park, jumped on the trampoline, done a craft for Mother's Day, colored pictures, played with the dog, read books, 

These bracelets were easy for the Munchkins to do, and good for little hands to work with as they tried to put beads on the pipe cleaner. It's just what I had in with my babysitting stuff, but I really liked that the pipe cleaner was stiff enough for little hands to handle as they worked on their craft. 

One day the Munchkins came to my house to play, so I had to come up with a bit more to keep them out of trouble in a new environment. I had a box that I had actually completely unpacked from college that I decided they could play with. We grabbed some markers and off the top of my head told them we were going to make a rocket ship. Of course, since my little Honeypie is only three, he said he didn't know how to make a rocket ship, so this project didn't last long. I'm sure some of the other kids I watch would have had tons of fun with this, but these two Munchkins were a bit too young for it. Honeypie's sister had fun just scribbling all over the box, though.

I drew windows with the Munchkins waving out of them, and attempted to include space helmets.

High School Memories

"There's the first lost balloon of the night." I whispered to Sister Coon as I watched the lone balloon drift up and away. We were sitting in the football stadium in support of two of our ward's laurels graduating high school tonight. It is so crazy to think that I have been graduated for a year now, and these girls were doing the same tonight. As I watched that balloon float away, I wondered if my high school life would be remembered by those I had shared it with. Did I do enough things to be remembered? Would I stand out in their minds as someone really cool or really funny or talented? Did I do anything spectacular to sear myself into the memories of hundreds? I sat there thinking these thoughts, and then realized I hoped none of this was true. I didn't want to be remembered for the great feats I had accomplished while with them. I wanted to be remembered for the way I made people feel. When people speak my name, I hope they will remember a girl who was always smiling and did her best to lift others up. My greatest desire is that I was able to embody the pure love of Christ and bring Him into their lives by my simple acts. And if I am only remembered by a few, that is OK too. If only one person's life was made better by something I did to help them, then I did my job as a disciple of Christ. I've come to learn in the past few years that life isn't about what others can give to you, but rather what you can give to others. So this is my challenge, dear reader. Go about your days serving others as Christ did. Look for simple ways to brighten another's day. Sometimes the smallest acts of kindness from you can make the biggest impact on someone else. There have been many times in my life when a simple smile and "Hello!" from a stranger have changed the entire outcome of my day.
Their principle left them with these words that I really love "If you want to be happy for an hour, go take a nap. If you want to be happy for a lifetime, go out and help someone around you."

Seminary and a Parent's Love

I am so impressed with the youth in my stake. Tonight was seminary graduation and it was such a sweet experience. Several of my high school friends are finishing up their high school experience and it was really impressive to see how they allowed seminary to change their lives.
Spencer has always seemed kind of a pain in the neck, at least that was the vibe I got from his older sister. I didn't know him very well because he was younger than me, but he seemed to have a bad attitude for church and seminary. He even admitted in his talk that he did his very best to not pay attention to the lessons. One of his teachers even wrote him a note, imploring him to be the good kid his teacher knew he was and allow seminary to help his life. Spencer stated that he remembered thinking that his teacher was crazy and he wasn't going to change his attitude. But somethings happened, and slowly Spencer began to realize the importance of seminary and the scriptures.
My little brother and I were sitting behind Spencer's family, and as he continued with his talk, I watched Brother Ray and the way he looked at his oldest son. I could tell that Spencer and Brother Ray were really similar and this was probably why they butted heads a lot. The fact that Spencer is a teenage boy doesn't help the matter, either. I have been in the Ray home many times where Brother and Sister Ray were getting after Spencer and he seems like he would be a difficult child to raise, just from an outsider's view. But it was so cute to sit and watch Brother Ray beaming from ear to ear as he listened to Spencer speak and share his testimony of seminary and the scriptures. The saying that a parent's love is unending and unconditional is so very apparent with the Rays. I could just see the love that Brother Ray has for his son Spencer, despite all the stupid teenage boy things he does. It got me thinking about how much our Father in Heaven loves us. I try so very very hard to be a good obedient child, but sometimes I'm just not. I make mistakes and slip up, or I purposely choose to do something contrary to His commandments. Heavenly Father must love me, personally, so very much because He allows me time and again to turn to Him and apologize for what I have done. He sent His son Jesus Christ down to this Earth to provide a way for me to fix my mistakes and return to Him. I know that because of the Savior's sacrifice, I can be made clean as many times as I slip up so long as I keep trying my hardest to be perfect. The Lord knows I cannot be perfect on my own, but so long as I keep doing the things I am asked of, everything will be alright in the end.

Everyday Miracles

I went to the temple again this morning with Sister White and Ma Allen. We went last Tuesday as well and I'm going to try so hard to make it a regular thing to go with Jorgi Anderson, Ma, and Sister White {Jorgi was sick this week and couldn't go}.
It was actually a small miracle to be able to go this week. To earn money for my mission, I have been cleaning and babysitting for members in my family ward. I forgot that Tuesday is Temple Day, so I told Sister Hatch I would clean her bathrooms because her family was coming into town. By the time I remembered, it was too late and I was already committed. The Lord knows the importance of temple work and must have been watching over me, because on Monday morning, Sister Hatch texted me asking if I would come in that day because her family would actually be in town later that night. So I was able to clean Sister Hatch's bathrooms in the morning and Sister Fox's in the afternoon {like I do every Monday}, earning $116 {a portion of this was from the previous Monday at Sister Fox's} and the opportunity to attend the temple this morning.
It was so great to listen once more to the blessings I received my first time through as they were pronounced for the dead. As I was sharing this sweet experience with a friend, he mentioned that he likes to think of those blessings in times of trial and he tries to realize how the Lord is already helping him. I really like his comment because it is so true. The Lord is helping us so much already, we just need to open our eyes and find those blessings He has laid before us.
I am so thankful that I have great family friends that support me and that there is a temple so close to me that I am able to attend regularly. I know the importance of temple work for the dead, for without it our ancestors would not be able to partake of the same blessings we have. As I attend the temple, I know that I will receive numerous blessings as I help the dead. This gospel is true and God's way is the only way to eternal life.

My List of Reasons to Serve a Mission

Recently, I have been thinking to myself about why I want to serve a mission. My report date is fast approaching {even though it doesn't quite feel like it is} and I'm trying to remember all the reasons that gave me the desire to serve. I'm noticing that Satan is throwing little subtle things in my way to steer me off my path to serve. I just want to add in that I am so thankful for this blog because it has given me a way to put down my ideas and remember how important my decision is. Anyways, I just want to make a list on why I want to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

1) I am a lover. I love everyone I meet and even those I haven't met. I want everyone to be happy. Because I have the truth and way to happiness, I want to share that with others and help them find their own happiness.
2) I love to serve. I have always loved to help people, whether with big service projects or with simple daily tasks. What better way to help people than by serving a mission? 

3) I know that my Redeemer lives. Because of His infinite mercy, I can be cleansed of my sins and live with Him again. I can also live with my family for eternity. This knowledge is such a great blessing in my life and has brought me so much happiness. I want others to have the happiness I have.
        {As I write this post, I have come to the realization that all the reasons I have to serve a mission revolve around love: Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's love for me and everyone else, my love for them and the gospel and my love for other people. I am noticing that love is the number one factor in my choice to serve.}
4) I know it is the right thing to do. Heavenly Father has someone out in Alabama for me to connect with and teach spirit to spirit. I need to follow His direction and timing if I want to truly be happy.
5) It will help add some direction to my life. I have attended a whole year of college and have absolutely no idea where I want to go with my education. I've heard many stories of friends figuring out what direction to go after they had served a mission. I'm hoping I will be so in-tune with the Holy Ghost that I will easily know which direction the Lord wants me to go.
6) People change for the better in the mission field and I'm hoping I will too. Right now, I have no time management skills and I am the worlds biggest procrastinator. I am decent at scripture study and prayer but there is definitely room for lots of improvement. With a schedule as consistent as the mission one I am about to live for the next 18 months, I'm hoping something will stick.
7) It will help my testimony grow. As I teach others the things that I know to be true, I know my testimony will be strengthened. It will be impossible for it to not grow as I focus on only the gospel for a year and a half.

I know that serving a mission is not going to be easy but I know it will be so worth it. My mom shared with me some words of wisdom as I have been preparing. She told me that I will have the opportunity to get married or go to school or do a number of other things in the future but I will never have the opportunity to serve a single mission by myself ever again{I'll probably serve with my husband on a couples mission}. Now is the time for me to serve and have these experiences by myself. They will benefit me and my family in the future and I will be so thankful I have them. 

Missionary Bucket List

There are still 44 days until I report to the Missionary Training Center {but who's counting?} and instead of just sitting around waiting for the time to pass, I have decided that I'm going to help time along by filling my days with babysitting to earn extra money and crossing things off my bucket list. The only thing is, I don't have a bucket list. Like, at all. I'm just thinking for things to do before I report, but I don't even have a list of things I want to do before I die. How sad, right? So, I turned to my close friends on Facebook and asked for some ideas of what I could do. My friends are pretty creative. I used a lot of their ideas and threw in some of my own and came up with a pretty good list, so good that I'm not sure I'll be able to cross everything off by June. But here's hoping! I present to you readers, my missionary bucket list. Enjoy! :)

My Missionary Bucket List

{things to be done before I report}

 *Read the Bible all the way through                           *Drive a motorcycle/quad 

                       *sew a dress for the mission           

 *Spend a whole day with each family member          *Go camping with cousin Shannon

           -learn something new about them            -have lots of adventures with her

*Visit all the Arizona temples              *Tell those I love how much they are loved, then show them

                                   *Learn more sign language                        *Go stargazing 

           *Explore my town and find new things to love about it                    *Visit the zoo       
 *Make thank you cards for all who have influenced my life 
         -Young Women's leaders, family, friends, etc.          
  *Create the PERFECT new cake flavor                                                         *Blanket fort
                    *Do a temple session every week           *Go fishing            *Karaoke   
      *Fly kites             *Tie dye t-shirts               *Glow-in-the-dark bubbles             *Messy twister
               *Picnics              *Spend an ENTIRE day watching Disney movies
     *Visit temple square                            -hopefully in PJ's!                      *Learn how to dive 
*Hike the San Tan Mountains           *Watch a movie at a drive in theater    
                      *Visit a museum                     *Water balloon fight                             *Garden
*Bury a time capsule with my BFF                              *Make my own birthday pinata 
     *Write all my missionary friends       *Have a bonfire with friends            
               *Hand out a Book of Mormon to someone with my testimony written inside
   *Participate in many service projects              *Go rollerblading 

I hope you enjoyed reading this list as much as I enjoyed making it. Feel free to use any of these ideas, and come back and tell me how they went! I'll be posting future posts about how mine turn out, so be sure to come back and check up on me. ;)