A Year of Learning Love

We were actually able to be really productive this week. We made Valentine's for people in our area, contacted a whole lot of referrals, did some service and even taught a new investigator (which is a big deal for us). So, overall, a pretty productive week.

I still can't believe that I hit a year this week. It honestly didn't feel real to think that I have been a missionary for a year. In a lot of ways I feel like I just got here, but at the same time I feel like I have been away from home for an eternity. But as I was thinking about it, I realized that I wouldn't trade the experiences I've had for anything. I have been able to learn to so much in the last year.

One of the biggest lessons that I have learned is what the gospel truly is and what it means to me. I used to think of the church as something I did. I would go to church on Sunday and I knew of the things that I was supposed to be doing, but I didn't take them time to think about the why behind those actions. I have come to learn that the gospel of Jesus Christ isn't about just doing those daily things like reading our scriptures and praying, it's about using those things to become more like our Savior so that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father. It has come to the point where the gospel isn't something I do, it's who I am. It effects every part of my life and I am so eternally grateful for the testimony that I've been able to gain. I read a quote recently that said "I didn't keep my testimony [through my trials], my testimony kept me." My testimony has become my most prized possession and I know that it will be something I will always be able to lean on during hard times in life.

I also feel like I have learned how to love others for who they truly are and see them through the eyes of our Heavenly Father and Savior. Everyone around us and child of God and they are precious in His sight. I know that my Father in Heaven and my Savior love me and that they know me perfectly and are so aware of me. I love them will all of my heart and I'm so grateful for this time that I have to serve them.

I hope that you all know how much I love you and that you had a wonderful Valentine's day! Oh... and Happy 25th Anniversary mom and dad! I couldn't ask for a better example of love and sacrifice in a marriage. I love you!

 This is how Sister Fonk and I celebrate my year mark.  Pore strips are the best.

 Me a year ago.  I honestly can't believe how much I've changed, but it has definitely been for the better.

 HAPPY YEAR MARK!

 We also threw confetti to mark the occasion.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

On Tuesday of this week we were supposed to have exchanges, but welcomed another snow storm instead. I thought we were done, but alas, no. Our cars were grounded all day so we had to get creative in finding ways to be productive inside. We made cookies, colored our ward list and tried our best to not go crazy. It was quite the day.

I learned on Thursday morning that I am now going to be in the Ralston La Vista ward with Sister Fronk! I have been wanting to be companions with Sister Fronk my whole mission so to say I was excited would be a little bit of an understatement. I really am so sad to leave Cottonwood, but I'm ready for this new chapter. We also learned on Thursday that Sister Chappell is training a new missionary which means... I'M A GRANDMA! I definitely had a proud mom moment when I found out. She's going to be such an amazing trainer.

Something that I feel like I have learned this week is how to really try to embrace every moment that we are given. Sister Fronk and I didn't realize it was Super Bowl Sunday until we were at church, and it freaked me out a little bit because I remember last year so clearly. Time really is such an interesting concept because it is something that we want to move both slowly and quickly and it is something that we can never get back. It is something that is so precious and I realized that our Heavenly Father didn't send us here to endure through life, but to grow and learn and be happy. In a talk I read recently from President Uchtdorf he says,

"The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who, thread by daily thread, weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their lives. These are they who are truly happy."

Life is too short not to be happy, so I'm going to choose to be happy now.

 Our district's last lunch together, so that was sad. But the pizza was good so at least there's that.

 I had to let my baby go. I was not happy about that.

 But now I get to be with Sister Fronk so I'm ok with it!

Four generation picture. So happy!

Live A Disciple's Life

During a tour this week, I had a spiritual experience that really helped me realize how blessed I am. 

While I was with my tour in the Memorial Room, I shared a quote from Elder Ballard that said,
"This is not to suggest that our challenges today are more severe than the challenges faced by those who have gone before us. They are just different. The Lord isn't asking us to load up a handcart; He's asking us to fortify our faith. He isn't asking us to walk across a continent; He's asking us to walk across the street to visit our neighbor. He isn't asking us to give all of our worldly possessions to build a temple; He's asking us... to attend regularly the temples already built. He isn't asking us to die a martyr's death; He's asking us to live a disciple's life."

After I read that quote, one of the men looked out of the window and said, "President Hinckley wanted this temple built so badly, and he wanted it for them." As he pointed to the cemetery, it was at that moment that it hit me that I am serving on such sacred ground where I am literally in the same place as beloved pioneer Saints. This realization actually brought me to tears, which was kind of embarrasing in the middle of a tour. But I truly am so grateful for what the early Saints went through for us and it has made me think a lot about what I am doing to continue the legacy that they began. I want to do all that I can to let them know that their sacrifces weren't in vain and to make them proud.

On Friday we were able to participate in a Missionary Musical Fireside at the Trail Center and it was such a great experience to be able to help people feel the Spirit through music. It really does amaze me to see how music can touch people in a way that words can't. The message behind the fireside was to testify to people that Christ lives. He is our Savior and is always there for us. I could tell that everyone could feel the Spirit so strong in testifying to us of the truth.

Also, happy news: our investigator, Melissa, and her boyfriend, Matt, have picked a day to get married! They are the couple who came to our Christmas party and she is progressing so well. February 20 is now marked on my calendar and I could not be more excited for them!

 The Rockbrook district, everyone.

 We created a band: First Dragoons.  We're pretty cool.

 She's leaving me.  I'm not alright with it.

I love these sisters. So much.

Always on our lips.

This week we were able to participate in a Worldwide Missionary Conference that was broadcast ed to all of the 75,000 missionaries from around the world. They haven't done anything like it for 10 years, so it was a special event to be a part of. During the conference, we had several training's from leaders of the church and, of course, they were incredible. I think the biggest lesson that I took from the conference is how important our calling really is and that it doesn't end when we go home. We are always going to be missionaries because it is our responsibility and duty as members of the church to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone. He should always be on our lips.

I also learned from Elder Bednar that when it comes to revelation, we know that it is something that touches our minds as well as our hearts, but we don't always have to know that it's revelation. We just have to be worthy and have the faith to press forward and go. That is how the Lord works sometimes, He wants us to act before He actually gives us an answer. By going through that process, it gives us the opportunity to strengthen our faith and learn for ourselves.

Something that Elder Oaks told us at the end of the conference was that "In due time, you will be able to see how important your missionary service is." I know that this could definitely be applied to our future lives as well as to the world as a whole. There is a reason that the Lord needs more missionaries and it's because the world is getting more and more wicked. But knowing that makes me so grateful to be building a foundation as a missionary that I know will help me in my future.

We were also able to have an amazing training on Saturday by our Trail Center Leaders. They talked to us about how a lot of the time, as sisters, we are very hard on ourselves because we aren't "perfect". I have come to hate that word because there isn't a universal definition for it. What is "perfect" from someone might not be for the next person. That applies to us as children of God as well. What we expect as perfection isn't the same as what our Heavenly Father expects of us. He knows that we are never going to reach perfection in this life because that isn't what we are here to do. We are here to learn how we can be perfect and how we can get on the right path to lead us there. That knowledge has become such a comfort to me and I could feel the warmth of my Heavenly Father's love surround me.

Photo shoot in the snow. Because what else do you do in January? 

 This is what happens when you're under 5 foot. Eat your veggies, kids.

Nailed it!

While Sister Chappell and I were driving home from our district meeting, we were in the right lane when the car next to us in the left lane rammed into the back of a line of 4 cars that were stopped to turn. It turned into a domino effect and one of the cars actually slid underneath the car in front of it so one ended up on top of the other. Thankfully, nobody was seriously injured, but we felt so grateful because we easily could have been in the other lane and we felt so blessed that we were only witnesses rather than being one of the cars involved. The Lord truly protects His missionaries.

When I thought about how we were witnesses to the accident, Mosiah 18:9 came in to my mind, "Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places..." I thought a lot about how, as members of the church, we are witnesses every day. It may not be a witness to an accident, but a witness to Jesus Christ. We have been commanded to testify of Christ and be and example of Him wherever we are whether we have a missionary tag on our chest or not. It made me realize that, even when I'm not a missionary anymore, I want to make sure that I help others come unto Christ in any way that I can. I have been able to recieve so much happiness, guidance and peace from having Him in my life. How could I not want that for others?

Also, we heard that Obama came to Omaha this week. We were hoping he was going to come into the Trail Center, but no such luck. Maybe next time.

The high was 4 on Sunday, so we are all hoping it warms up a little this next week. Pray for us!

 We didn't get a picture of the actually accident, so we thought we would rein-act what the cars looked like.

 We love eyebrow tweezing parties! Well... I do.

 My mom and sister have taught me well.

Let us all take a moment of silence to appreciate Brother Reeves' Star Wars room. He's sort of a fan.

One by One

For some reason, I have been noticing the number one a lot this week.

Earlier in the week, we met with a less active member in our ward and she has been going through a really hard time. Her son recently committed suicide the day before Thanksgiving and she hasn't had the money to give him a proper burial. We sat there as she told us everything and my heart broke for her. I couldn't imagine having to go through something like that.

As I was listening to her, I couldn't help but think about how grateful I am to know that this life isn't the end and that I have the knowledge of Jesus Christ and His atonement. Lately, I have been reading about about how Jesus Christ is the ONLY ONE who could save us. I find it so astounding to think that Jesus Christ, our older brother who loves us so much, was willing to atone for us and provide us with a way home to live with our Father again. Not only did overcome death, but He also made it possible for pain to become joy, sorrow to become happiness, and for our broken hearts to become mended. It doesn't happen all at once, but through Him, it's not only possible but a reality. He knows all of us so personally and uniquely and is always there for us. He helps us and loves us one by one. As a missionary, I feel so thankful to be His servant and help find others one by one to bring them closer to Him. I couldn't ask for a better calling.

Another reason why "one" has been the theme of the week? We reached 11 months as missionaries on 1-11. It's also our "golden anniversary", so we thought that was pretty cool.

I was also able to experience a true Nebraska winter this weekend. It got down to 4 below zero not counting the wind chill, so it was definitely cold.. But I survived! Oh, January. You may be cold and wet with no holidays to look forward to, but we still love you. At least, that's what we keep telling ourselves. Here's to another week!

The Duerksens. We are are going to miss them so much!

 The Ellis' are deciding to leave us too. It's not OK.

 Happy 11 months! We finally ran out of fingers.

 Another "one" for the week.

I have something that I need to get off of my chest... meet my new man.

Twenty Sixteen

This week started off with another snow storm. Our cars were grounded all day Monday, but thankfully it was a P-Day. After we walked up to the Trail Center and emailed home, we decided we would make the best of being stuck in our apartment. Once we got home, we jumped in our pajamas, made some waffles and watched movies all day. We had so much fun being lazy.

On New Year's Eve, our Stake threw a party at the church to celebrate. There were fireworks, snacks, and we even got to make our own party hats. Now that's what I call a party. Later that night, Sister Chappell and I decided that we would throw our own party and ring in the new year "missionary style". We set the clocks forward to 11:59 and drank some Martinelli's as we counted down to midnight. We didn't care that it was actually 10 because we figured that it was the new year somewhere in the world and we had so much fun welcoming 2016.

The end of the year also meant the end of Gingerbread. We are all so sad to see it come to close, but are so grateful for the miracles that we were able to see from it. We had almost 18,000 people come through, 60% of the tours we took were non-members and we had so many of them accept missionaries to come teach them more. That in itself is a huge miracle and we are so excited to see what happens.

I have such a good feeling about this coming year. I can't wait to see all that is to come in 2016 and I can just tell that it's going to be full of laughs, tears and so many memories.

Happy New Year, everyone!

 Waffle parties are the best kind of parties.

 We were really proud of our party hats.

 Hello, to the New Year!

We can never take ourselves seriously.