June 29, 2020 You Lift Me Up!

Hello! 

This week has been a wild ride! I recently read a scripture in Exodus 17: 11-12 

"11. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

12 . But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun." 

I have thought a lot about this scripture. Sometimes we are able to hold our hands up all by ourselves, we feel motivated, positive and ready to "seize the day". Other days, however, our arms seem to become heavy. Our motivation is gone, we feel as if we cannot go on any longer. Its days like these where we need someone like Aaron and Hur who kept Moses' arms steady. 

Who has been an Aaron and Hur in your life? For me, it has been all of you. 

Recently I have been experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. I am taken back to my moments in Victoria, a previous area, where I was verbally abused, and physically threatened. There will be small things that seem to trigger emotions inside of me, that are almost out of control. I become distant and isolate myself. Triggers can be as simple as a tennis ball, or more extreme such as when others are teasing one another, and though I plead for them to stop, they don't. My mind, as a way to protect itself,  shuts off in a way. During these times, I try to recognize how I can overcome and progress, but it can be difficult to pin point what exactly caused these states if mind. 

Once, on a preparation day, I called my sister and began expressing what I was feeling. She advised me to get counseling. I have talked to a councilor, my dad, mom and many other individuals who have supported me, and shown me unconditional love. 

During this time, I just want to be normal. I don't want to be experiencing these triggers and anxieties, but I know that I don't have to "keep my arms raised" alone. There are people all around me who are lifting me up. My companions are a great example of two beautiful daughters of god who show me support in any situation I find myself in. The Hermanas in the district support and love me (and even made me a Teancum doll for no reason at all, except to see me smile). The elders in the district always make us laugh. My dad shares his testimony and experiences with me, to help me understand his trials and how he has overcome. My mom is the best at listening and understanding me. She supports me in all that I do, even if it is to send random packages to missionaries around the mission who could use a pick me up. She is so charitable and loving!! My Sister Katelyn is my best friend in the whole world! I love my siblings who will tell me I am beautiful, even if I am having a difficult day. President and Sister Guthrie, who help me understand that I am not alone in this fight.  I am so grateful for everyone who is constantly reaching out! 

I know I can not overcome this trial alone. Eventually, my arms would begin to spasm, and give way. The devil would win, and drag me down to be miserable like he is. But because of All of you, my arms are lifted up, the weight seems to be taken off my shoulders, and I can continue to stand as a witness of god at all times, in all things, and in all places.

PTSD isn't something that just "goes away" in a day, or even a week. But something more powerful then even any illness, mental or physical, is the power and love of God. He loves us unconditionally! He loves us when we are smiling, and he loves us when we have fallen down. That is Gods Mercy, he loves us AS we are, but he loves us enough that he wont leave us as we are, but help us become MORE then what we are. It is through his Grace that we can become more then mere servants to a king, but heirs! You are his sons and daughters! It is time for us to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin fighting against the evil that is around us. And when we cant fight any more, look for those Aaron's and Hur's who will pick you up and help you finish the job. 

I love you all!!! I wish you the best of luck on accomplishing your goals and dreams! You are in my prayers. Stay safe, and if you are suffering from anything, I know heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever. 

Love you all the VERY MOST!! 

(ALSO congrats to Jacob my Big bro for getting married this week!! Your awesome! Kristen, feel free to get lots of air fresheners and cleaning supplies, because sometimes boys stink. )

*free snow cones 

*the Hermana's came to give me a surprise gift! 

*tickets for the snow cones 

*Jacob and Kristen 

Jacob & Kristen Elgaaen Married 6-26-20

Sister Belnap, Sister Allen, Sister Elgaaen snow cone tickets.

Sister Belnap, Elgaaen, Allen Snow Cones!

The Hermana's and the Trio in MacGregor

June 22, 2020 God is our Constant

Hello family and friends! 

This week has been amazing! As missionaries, we are finally able to get out and do service which has been amazing! 

This week I found myself struggling with motivating myself to be exactly obedient, and I didn't know why. I prayed and spoke with my parents, and throughout the course of the week, I thought about where my motivation was coming from. I realized that my motivation should be because I love god. Once I adjusted my focus to be obedient because I love god, I saw an immediate change in my motivation. Suddenly I was exited to wake up at 6:30 (which if you know me, I am not a morning person). I was exited to be obedient, for God. 

We can relate that to following the commandments. Sometimes we wonder why we follow the commandments, why we dress modestly, why we continue to pray and study our scriptures. We should be doing these things because we love God. 

God is our constant. 

I hope you have the best week ever!! 

Love you all!! 

Photos: 

*Sister Allen and I with masks 

*We each got a hammock at 5 below for 5$ and it may be the best purchase of our mission. 

*Water gun fight with the Hermana's 

*Service at Herman Park 

*Facemasks with the district

*Me

*Me, Belnap and Allen at Herman Park in the Japanese Gardens  

Facemasks with the District

Service at Harmon Park

Sister Allen & Elgaaen Masked

Wet Sister Elgaaen

Sister Ann Elgaaen

Sister's in MacGregor Elgaaen, Allen, Belnap

Cool Sister's

$5 Hammocks what a deal!

Water Fight with the Hermana's

June 15, 2020 The Veil Isn't as Thick as We May Think!

This week has been amazing!

While doing a bible study with Gwen, someone we are teaching, she made an analogy with a story from the new testament. It is the story of the big storm. Jesus has fallen asleep on the boat, and the storm becomes so wild that the others feel as if they are going to perish. She related that story to us. Sometimes we experience things, and we feel as if we are in the midst of a storm. Our world seems to rock in the waves around us. Yet, Jesus lays fast asleep in the midst of the storm. The thing is, Jesus is ON the boat with us! He goes through these trials as we do, but he remains calm. We can choose to ask "master, carest thou not that we perish?" Or we can call to him, and he will help calm the raging seas.

This week I had a cool experience. I was struggling with getting adjusted to being in a trio again. One night I lay in bed. I was praying to heavenly father to help me, or to send someone to comfort me. 

In my mind, the image of my father's mother, Margaret, came to me. I knew who she was immediately, even though she died before I was born. I cried harder as I felt her presence. As I cried, I felt as if her hand was pressed to my back. Words flowed into my mind, and she told me how much she loved me. I cannot deny that I felt the presence of my ancestor in my time of need. Heavenly father knew I needed the comfort from my family, but he couldn't send my mom or dad to Texas, so instead, he sent Grandma Margaret. I know I am never alone! We have Angels watching over us from the other side of the veil, they can help comfort us in times of need.  

I know my grandma loves me even though I have never met her in this life on earth. I know this, because she told me so herself. 

I know god loves us perfectly! Sometimes it seems like he is asleep on our boat that is rocking in the waves, but he is always there. Call to him, wake him, and he will help you!

Love you all!!

Have the best week ever

Sister Jorgensen, Sister Elgaaen, Sister Crandall, Sister Belnap, Sister Allen

Sister's Crandall & Jorgensen/ Sister Elgaaen, Allen, Belnap

Sister Jorgensen, Belnap, Elgaaen, Allen

Sister Crandall & Jorgensen, Sister's Elgaaen, Belnap, Allen

Sister Elgaaen, Belnap, Allen

Shopping at the $5 bargain Shop!

Sister Jorgensen, Elgaaen, Allen, Belnap, Crandall

Chillin with the Hermana's in MacGregor

Sister Elgaaen, Allen, Belnap

June 8, 2020 Prepared By the Hand of God

Hey Family and Friends! 

This week has been amazing! Aside from training the best trainee in the world, we were able to experience a MIGHTY miracle! 

One day while leaving our apartment, we ran into a woman who greeted us with a big smile. We talked with her for a moment and learned that she would be our new neighbor in the apartment directly below ours. (Guess that means no more jump roping. ) She was super sweet. We would see her throughout the week, and we always made an effort to say hi. 

This last Monday, as we were getting home from grocery shopping, we saw our neighbor as she was running out to put her trash in the dumpster. When we parked, she approached us and we got out of the car and began talking with her. She asked us what our name tags meant, and we explained that we were Missionaries. She loved the fact that we dedicated a time of our life to serve the lord. She then told us her story, of how she has seen the hand of the lord in her life. We talked for over an hour, and we ended up sharing a scripture with her in 1 Nephi 21:16 about how the lord will never forget us, because we are graven upon his hands. She loved the scripture, and she was blown away when we offered her the Book of Mormon. 

It was Wednesday when we saw her as she was just getting home. We ran out onto the balcony and said hello. We introduced Sister Belnap, and we began talking about faith. Apparently, she had just given a talk at her church about faith, and we decided to share a scripture with her. We were planning on reading it from our balcony, but she told us to come on down so we could talk face to face. 

We hurried to slip our shoes on, and raced down to meet her. We shared a scripture in Alma 32 about faith and how it is like a seed. She opened up!! She not only took our idea about planting a seed and caring for it, so it can sprout into a beautiful plant, but she made it her own. She expressed that god would give us challenges, and it would be like dirt that is piled over the seed. We sit in times of "darkness", but it is in that dark that we take root, and continue to sprout. We grow stronger from our "dark" moments of life.

She then told us that when she was 19 she had a very odd dream. She was sitting at the base of a cross, where a man hung, dead. She sobbed at the foot of this cross. She then cried once more as her dream took her to an empty tomb. She asked around frantically for the man who was supposed to be in the tomb. Her dream shifted, and she watched a crowd as they surrounded this man. His words drew her in. She moved past the crowd, trying to get to this man, but he was just out of reach. Finally she got close enough where her fingers hovered over the man's robe. She felt and energy flow inside her. She grew determined to touch the cloak, but every time she almost did, he was just out of reach. She stretched her arm out once more, and just before her fingers could graze his clothes, she woke. 

She explained that she had never heard these bible stories before. She woke from this dream, and knew she had to find a church. After attending for a while, the preacher spoke of the scenes from the bible, and she was confused at how he knew her dreams! She was the woman with the issue of blood, she was the woman who waited at the open tomb, she was the woman who cried as Christ was crucified on the cross. 

She has relied on god ever sense that moment. 

You can probably imagine us three sitting there with our eyes wide and our mouths hitting the floor. This woman isn't just any other person we happen to come across, this is a woman who has been prepared by god! 

She told us that if we could give her "more Jesus", she would gladly accept it. 

We plan on giving her so much more then just another account of our savior, Jesus Christ. We pray that she will be able to become fully converted to this gospel. 

She was our miracle this week! 

I am so grateful that I have the chance to serve the lord during this 2020 pandemic. We have received a referral almost daily during this quarantine time. Surprisingly, the people are self referral, and the actually answer the phone! 

We are PUMPED for this work! 

I love you all, and I hope you have the best week ever!! 

Masked Sister's

Mirror image

Welcome Sister Belnap to the Texas Houston South Mission

Sister Allen, Elgaaen, Belnap

Sister Elgaaen, Belnap, Allen

June 1, 2020 Is Salvation Free?

Hello family and friends! 

This week has been SO amazing! We got transfer news, and I am staying in MacGregor with Sister Allen, and we are training!!! I couldn't be more excited!! Sister Allen is an amazing companion who works hard and loves the lord more than anything! Her desire to improve and never ending joy has been a huge blessing in my life, and I couldn't image training without her!! 

David butler spoke to our mission again this week! (We are doing an institute class with him each Friday until quarantine is over....this is the moment that I pray it never ends ) We talked about the savior and the gospel. 

He said something that struck me. 

"Salvation isn't free. It cost Jesus EVERYTHING" 

I have been thinking a lot about that recently. The Savior was willing to give his entire life to helping us, so we might possibly return to live with Heavenly Father again someday. 

As a missionary, we have been set apart to walk in the Savior's footsteps, but each one of us can do as the Savior did, and we don't even need a black nametag. 

A young family in our ward asked us for a copy of the Book of Mormon. Later that week they called us and asked for tips on how to pass out a Book of Mormon without it being too awkward. 

They frequently saw a boy at the swimming pool in their complex, one day, after coming home, the ward members 5 year old son told his mother that they needed to give that boy a Book of Mormon. 

The mother was nervous. She had never served a mission, and she didn't want the situation to become awkward. 

She explained later that her son, who was only 5 years old, walked straight up to that boy and offered him the Book of Mormon. She said her son told the boy that the book talked about Jesus, and that it made him happy. 

The boy at the swimming pool took the book. 

I love how easy it was for the 5 year old mini missionary to walk up to a stranger and share their most prized possession with them. Their source of pure joy. 

The Savior gave up everything to share the gospel which means "good news". How can we be more like the Savior in the way we invite others to "come and see" and to "come and belong." 

I know that the Savior has a work for each one of us to do!! We had better get too it! 

I love you all and wish you the best of luck as you go out each day and preach the gospel, inviting others to come unto Christ one by one as the Savior did. 

If Christ could preach to a crowd of strangers, we can talk to one of our friends. If the Savior could stand tall as he was mocked, whipped, spat upon and tortured, we can handle a little rejection. If the Lamb of God could forgive those who crucified him, we can forgive those who refuse our simple offer to come unto him. 

If we strive to be like the Savior, we will find that telling someone about the "good news" is not as hard as it may seem. 

I love you all!! 

Transfer news I'm training!

P-Day with the MacGregor District

Sister Elgaaen & Allen

Visit to a graffiti house

Locked out of our house taco dinner with Hermana's

Sister's in the MacGregor district