October 26,2020 "Heirs"

 Hello family and friends! 

I have the most exiting announcement! After 4 months of working with our friend, Jim Russell has accepted to be baptized this upcoming November 14th!!! 

I have been thinking about an experience I had when I was a little kid, and I wanted to share it with you all. I was probably in the 4th grade, and it was winter time. Snow covered our elementary school playground, and everyone was exited to go outside and play in the snow. When the bell rang for recess, we all raced outside. 

I started picking up the snow and tossing it in the air. I spun around as I let the snow trickle onto my outstretched arms and flutter into my hair. Soon, an adult approached me. They told me not to throw the snow. 

I was confused. I wasn't hurting anyone. 

When the adult left, I continued to toss the snow up into the air, ignoring him entirely. 

He returned however, and he was not happy. He told me to stop throwing the snow or I would be forced to spend the rest of recess up against the wall. 

Never in my life had I been put against the wall. It was like "time out" for the naughty kids. Something sparked inside of me and I grew frustrated at this man. I was determined not to obey him. I looked him right in the eyes, bent over and collected a small amount of snow in my pink freezing fingers. Without breaking eye contact, I threw the snow a small distance and watched as the man's face contorted in anger. He stormed towards me and grabbed my arm. He pulled me over to the wall and told me to sit there until the bell rang for me to go inside. 

I glared at the man as he walked away, but once he was gone I let the tears fall from my eyes as I angrily slid down the wall to sit on the cold concrete walkway. 

As I sat, I watched as the other children played. They ran around laughing and chasing one another. Some built a snowman, others used the playground, swinging and sliding; each were oblivious to the fact that I was no longer enjoying the 15 minutes we had been allotted to frolic and play. 

I think we can learn a very valuable lesson from this experience. 

Sometimes we are asked to do things we might not understand. As a child I didn't understand why I couldn't throw snow, for you it may be that we are told not to drink coffee or tea, maybe it is because we are asked to keep our marriages between a man and a women. Possibly it is modesty. We have been given so much direction and "guidelines" in our lives that we might not completely understand, but that doesn't mean we need to stop living these standards just because we don't understand the reasoning behind them. 

You may ask "why us?", "why does my church have so many rules I have to follow?" And the answer is because we are a chosen people. It was described to me like this: 

Picture life as a cruse ship. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are the Staff for the ship. We dress in the uniforms, we wear the nametags, we have specific orders and rules, and we don't get to participate in the partying that goes on by the other passengers of the cruse. 

The passengers seem to be having a blast, while we stand up tall, serving, steering and cleaning the ship. 

It might not seem fair. Some staff members look to the passengers longingly, wishing they could join in the fun. Some abandon their posts and remove their uniform, jumping into the mess of games and drinks.  

But for the staff who stay obedient, they get something that the other passengers don't get: a paycheck. 

We have already been paid in full. The savior Jesus Christ came to this earth and suffered, bled and died for each one of us. It is now our turn to pay if forward. 

So stand up tall, because when the cruse ship comes to a stop and everyone gets off, you will walk away with something the others don't have - exaltation. If we live worthy, we can become like god. So, even though being modest isn't always in style, and even though all your friends might tell you it will be ok, and even when it seems like fun and you ask "why me?" Know that in the end if you stay strong, you will be more privileged and more joyous then those who fail to follow the commandments of God. 

It might seem fun in the moment, just like it seemed fun for me to toss the snow up in the air, but in the end there is a consequence for every action, and if we don't apply the atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ and choose to turn to him, we will eventually be stuck sitting against the wall while those who chose to follow God are free to laugh and play. 

"Don't let the world change you, when you were BORN to change the world." 

I love you all! I hope you have a fantastic week, and choose to stand up tall. 

Pictures: 

-Us with the Floyd family 

-Sister Meyers and I on exchanges 

-Again Sister Meyers and I 

-Me carrying a puppy to be loaded in the truck at 3 Little Pitties service. (Yes... it was very windy!) 

-Learning how to polish stones with Jim Russell

-Stephen's and I at the church with Doti and Jim after he told us he had confirmation that this church is true and he would be baptized. 

October 19, 2020 Serving Up a Storm

 Hey Family and Friends! First off, let me apologize for the lack of pictures this week! It totally slipped my mind!

This week has flown by so quickly! I say that every week, but is time slipping through everyone's fingers, or is that just me? This week, we had Two Fantastic lessons with Jim! He is studying in the Doctrine and Covenants, and he is in the 90th section!! He told us this last call that he will be baptized, but he hasn't yet committed to a date. I am so exited for him to continue to strengthen his testimony and conversion to the savior! 

There is a picture attached of some Zucchini Bread! I have been baking like crazy this last week. There was a surprise death of a man names Ken who lives in our ward. He was a member of the bishopric, and just about every family's best friend. We decided to bake cookies, cake balls and some bread and take it to a few of the families who would be most effected by the death of this sweet man. I can honestly say I have never baked so much in my life! Prayers for the Stanley Family!!! 

This week we have been swamped with Service opportunities! From helping at the Dog shelter, to mowing lawns, I am so glad we have the chance to get out of our apartment and serve! 

This weeks letter isn't really long, but I hope you know I am praying for you! I love you All!!!! 

October 12, 2020 "Run with God"

 Hello family and friends! 

This week went by so quickly, but it was filled with many memories that I will hold onto for the rest of my life. 

I wanted to talk a little bit about following the promptings of the Holy Ghost. 

It was a Tuesday morning, and we receive a message saying we have a referral for a woman named Trina. The message said that she was available in the late afternoon or evenings, so we set aside some time to call her later in the day. 

We were in the middle of companionship study, when Sister Stephen's said "let's Call Trina right now." 

She had felt prompted to call Trina right then. We did, and she answered! We were able to set up a time to meet with her for that next day. 

While over at Trina's, we shared the book of Mormon with her. She immediately fell in love with it! She would take moments during the lesson just to open it's pages and begin reading. She was fascinated with the message we shared with her. 

She shared her personal experiences, and challenges. I felt a distinct prompting to promise Trina something that has never even crossed my mind before. 

I promised her that if she was experiencing times where she felt tempted or tried, if she just held the Book of Mormon, the devil and his Angel's would have NO power over her. 

After I had promised her that, the spirit touched our hearts, letting me know that the message and promise we had shared was true. 

Sometimes the messages we receive from the holy ghost are words that enter our mind, other times it is thoughts or promptings to help guide us. Sometimes, it is simply a feeling we get. 

I know that the Holy Ghost, along with our Father in Heaven, and our savior Jesus Christ want the best for us. I can recall times in my life where I was in an argument or I had begun to grow frustrated in a situation, and right before I said or did something I might regret, I felt as if an invisible force would knock me on the back of the head. My vision goes blank for a split second, and I hesitate. I know that this is a way the holy ghost works through me to help me better love those around me. I have begun to recognize those moments when they happen, and catch myself before I act in a way that might harm another child of god. 

I know that the Holy Ghost speaks and works through each of us in the ways we will understand best. Have you ever wondered Why some have an "easier time" being prompted by the Holy Ghost then others?  Does Heavenly Father have a select list of individuals who he visits more frequently with promptings and tasks? NO! Of course not! It is OUR choice to find the ways the Holy Ghost speaks to us, and then ACT! When we choose to let God direct us and guide us, we are led to perform tasks FOR GOD. We become his instruments. As we allow the holy ghost to prompt us, and as we act on those promptings, we will become more familiar with the ways he speaks to us. 

Pray for these experiences, times where you can hold onto god, and run with him. As you act on the direction given to you by. God, he will see that you Have a willing heart and mind, and he will trust you with more opportunities to bless those around you. 

I love each of you! I hope you have a wonderful week. 

1. Stephen's and I 

2. Stephens and myself in the truck 

3. Stephens and I with matching masks

4. Me with a great Dane in hurricane Delta

5. Night time park tracting 

6. Cleaning for a friend. 

October 5, 2020 "Angels"

 HELLO Family and friends! 

This week has been wonderful! We got transfer news, and neither of us are leaving Alvin. (Woot woot!) 

This conference was spectacular! I feel like most conferences have a common theme, each differing from person to person. The theme for me this year was "the two great commandments", to love God, and to love our neighbors.  

One talk that really stuck out to me was the talk about angels from both sides of the veil. I don't think that it is a coincidence this subject has been brought up over 5 times in the last few weeks. I know that there are Angels on both sides of the veil. From my very touching experience with my Grandma Margaret,  to countless experiences where an angel has stepped in to lift and comfort me, I too can testify that angels are real. 

An angel that has never failed to comfort me, no matter the distance, has been my mother. Through my whole life she has helped me, dried my tears and served me in countless ways. If you know my mom, you know that she is very service oriented. Maybe it was a loaf of bread that she dropped off at your door, always staying an extra few minutes to see how you are doing, or she might have tended to your child's class at Provost while their teacher was away. I know you don't have to think too hard to find one way my beloved mom has served you and your family. (Incase you were unaware, her birthday is coming up on the 12th of October.) 

Who are some angels in your life? 

How can you be an angel to those around you? 

Another angel was someone I met on the mission out in Victoria. Her name is Whitney Call. During my first transfer in Victoria, Sister Call and I were able to go on exchanged together. Sister Call showered me in compliments, and made me feel like a beloved princess of a heavenly king. Later, my second transfer in Victoria proved to be the hardest challenge I have yet faced, but halfway through the second transfer, Sister Call sent a seemingly silly video to our sisters group chat, telling Hermana Lopez and me how much she loved and appreciated us. That video moved me to tears! When I felt completely alone in Victoria, 2 hours away from everyone else, her video helped me remember that I was not alone. 

Sometimes it is the simplest of actions that can touch someone's heart and even change their lives. Don't shy away from doing things that the spirit prompts you to do! Heavenly father knows what you are going through, and he also knows what every other individual on this planet is experiencing. God will guide you to serve and bless those in need, if you are willing to go where he wants you to go, and say what he wants you to say. 

I hope you can recognize the Angels in your life, and let them know how much you love and appreciate them. 

Have the best week! 

Pictures: 

Me 

Stephen's and I in the truck 

The district on a Polaroid 

The district 

Sister Sidoway, sister Rhoades and me on exchanges 

Sister Stephen's and me sitting on the curb waiting for others to arrive for conference!