Exchanges

Hello everyone, I hope life is good for you! School is almost out and summer is just right around the corner. I hope you all have some fun plans and things you will be doing! 

This was my first full week in my new area. It has been a lot of fun meeting new people and this area! 

Last P-Day we were able to go watch The Lamb of God, and let me tell you that it was so good. The music is amazing and of course the stories, you should all go listen to it. It is worth it! We were able to go and visit Carolyn Jean this week, she is a sweet older lady who was baptized in October. She loves to meet with the missionaries. It was a lot of fun to get to know her and the things that she likes to do but also her conversion story and how she has been blessed by the gospel. She is someone who is willing to put in the work to find the answer and have an amazing relationship with God! I can't wait to continue to work with her! 

Another fun thing that happened was we had exchanges with the STL's and it was a lot of fun. I was able to do a lot of work in their area, but what is so amazing about the whole thing is the different things that you learn from different missionaries. The different points of view and how you can be better, but also the amazing relationships that you build. Getting to know other people and how you can help them! 

We have done a lot of street contacting this week, and last night was so amazing! We have been praying for the opportunity to find five people. We'll need to reach our goal and raise it. In our prayer before we left we told God to help us find our faith. Well we went out and only had about 45 minutes before the sun was going to come down and our next lesson. Well let's say we worked hard and talked to everyone and in that 45 minutes we found 5 people! What a blessing it was, I love how it is according to our faith and He delivered. It is all up to us, God is there to help us and give us what we need but it is not until we ask for help and guidance! 

It has been a good week, meeting a lot of new people and building relationships. 

This week I want to share a conference talk with you. It is in the April 2002 conference by Elder Cook and it is titled Charity. Let me tell you it is one of the most amazing talks I have listened to and I have learned so much from it. I encourage you all to go read it or just listen to and see what persona revelation God has or you! Something that I have been working on is Charity and love for others. To see them how God sees them. But in order for us to have love and charity for others we have to have it for ourselves, see ourselves as God does and love ourselves. That was a game changer and something that I haven't thought about before. Before I can do anything for anyone else I have to do it for myself first. Think about that! 

I love you all so much, and hope you are all loving the come follow me study! I hope you all have a good week! 

Sunday!

Hello everyone, I hope that it has been a good week for everyone! Let's be real it has been another crazy week and especially with transfers. I am now in an English ward Desert Inn and Sunrise Highlands, and I am with Sister Beaudette. She is really cute, I am still on the east side close to my old area just a little closer south. But it will be good for me! 

This week nothing too exciting, packing and getting ready to move and meeting another new comp. 

Monday night we went to a member's house and celebrated Hna Larson's birthday. It was fun to have a little party, some singing, and a fun conversation right before I left. We had a good last few days of fun! 

It was sad to say goodbye to some good friends but it will be fun to get to know some more good people. 

We have been able to meet with members and one of the Bishops so I can get to know the area.  

I think one of my favorite things about the whole week is one p day, but who doesn't love p day and the second is Sunday. They are at a tie, but the sacrament and the testimonies of all of the different people are so amazing. There was a young man and he had his homecoming talk and he did an amazing job. He was very real with everyone and shared some of the hardest times of his mission but also the good times. I felt that I could relate to him a lot and understand where he was coming from. One thing that I have realized is that missions are so amazing because you meet so many new people, you learn and you grow. But you also become better because of it! But that doesn't happen without a lot of hard times, I can say I have had both. But that is all how we grow our testimonies, which is hard to say! But I love how blunt he was because sometimes that is what people need. 

One of my favorite things about my areas are the views that I have. One of the best ones that we have is the strip at night. It is so pretty light up at night, I miss seeing the temple every day but the east side is nice and you meet a lot of good people. 

I think this area is going to be good and fun to meet some new people, and get to have some more good experiences! I am excited to see what this week will bring! 

I started the Book of Mormon over again and I just love it! But what I want to share with you is a scripture that is very common but is one that has a lot of meaning and can help us all at different times of our lives. 

1Nephi 3:7

“And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commanded them.”

I love how obedient he was, he knew what was true and is true and what he needed to do. So he went forth with his whole heart and he made it happen, he did not look back but he did all that he could and made it happen! 

I love this scripture so much and hope that I have this much faith to press forward and do all that I can to do the work and the will of the Lord! I hope you all know that you are loved and you matter! I love you all so much and hope you know how much I love this gospel and the things that it has done for me! 

I hope that you all have an amazing week! 

Happy Birthday HNA Larson

HI everyone, I hope you are all doing good! Life is a little crazy for me right now. We were able to celebrate Hermana Larson's birthday and had a great day! We visited a lot of members and had a great Wings and fries dinner! 

We also were able to go to a stake activity days activity. It was so much fun we talked about how a bike is like our testimonies and we have to keep them well kept and have a tool box. 

We also had a great lesson with Charlene about the Book of Mormon! It was so good and we gave her a Book of Mormon and introduced it to her, and gave her 3 Nephi 11 to read! She was so excited and was going to do it. She is so cute and so much fun. 

But the biggest news of this week is that I am getting transferred again! Hehe, I am going closer to the city and people call it the heart of Vegas! I am sad to leave but excited to go, a new adventure and more people to meet! 

I love you all so much and encourage you all to go and read the story about the brother of Jared and the stones! Ether 3:4-9

4 And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea.

5 Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men.

6 And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these words, behold, the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger. And the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and the brother of Jared fell down before the Lord, for he was struck with fear.

7 And the Lord saw that the brother of Jared had fallen to the earth; and the Lord said unto him: Arise, why hast thou fallen?

8 And he saith unto the Lord: I saw the finger of the Lord, and I feared lest he should smite me; for I knew not that the Lord had flesh and blood.

9 And the Lord said unto him: Because of thy faith thou hast seen that I shall take upon me flesh and blood; and never has man come before me with such exceeding faith as thou hast; for were it not so ye could not have seen my finger. Sawest thou more than this?

I love this story so much, the faith is just so unreal! He was willing to show the Lord he was wrong and repent, and then move forward with the loss help! Asking and pleading with the Lord to have strength to do all things, I love this and want this enough to do all I can and come to the Lord with all that I have and ask him for help. And give myself to him! This week I invite you all to find ways to see the Lord's hand in your life! I love you all and hope you have a great week! 

LA CONFERENCIA GENERAL

Hello everyone I hope that you have had a good week! It was GENERAL CONFERENCE it was so good, I hope you all loved it as much as I do! It is such a spiritually needed thing and a physical break! And we all gain something out of it! Also 20 NEW TEMPLES!  That is crazy, I can't wait for the day that they announce one in Springville UT. Haha one day! I also hope that you all had an amazing Easter week! 

I personally think that Easter is up there with Christmas, because of JESUS CHRIST! You could think of it in a sense that Christmas is the beginning of a fresh start and his birth to the end of his life with the Garden of Gethsemane, the Crucifixion, and that He LIVES. And the sacrifice he was willing to make for each and everyone of us! I think it is such a special, great and holy week! 

Well this week has been crazy and nothing too eventful.

We were able to go and do some service for a member, it felt so good to take a breather and help someone out with the things that she needed help with. 

We had a lesson with Crystal and Andrea, it was a super good lesson. We got to know each other better and have a good lesson. My favorite thing about lessons is the spirit that comes to each lesson. At the end when we read a scripture and it brings a different spirit and I love it so much! 

This weekend we were able to go to an older couples house and they were so cute. They made us a nice home cooked meal, but let's say that they tried their best. There was dust and hair everywhere, haha. I have gotten to the point in my mission that I eat what I can and because I know that the Lord will help me from getting sick. But it was so sweet of them to think of us. 

But the best thing about this week was General Conference, both on Saturday and Sunday we were able to watch it with all of the missionaries in our stake. We all went into the primary room and took all of the chairs and the couches in the church and took them into the room and watched conference! And let me just say all of the talks were so amazing, they were all that I needed to hear and the spirit was so strong and I was able to be with good people. And my cute mom sent me a cute Easter package so I was able to enjoy that while I watched conference. 

If you want a good chapter to read in the Book of Mormon I suggest 3 Nephi 27, 28. I studied it this week and it was amazing. It brought a lot of joy to me and helped me see things differently and helped me share the gospel with others. It is just a good read. 

But I want to talk a little bit about Jesus Christ and his resurrection. What an amazing week it has been to be able to remember him and the sacrifice that he was willing to make for each and every one of us. But then on Saturday and Sunday to be able to hear the testimonies of Him from the Prophet and the Apostles! And the kind words that they had to say! I love conferences and listening to the talks so much, it brings such a joy into my life and I am able to share that with others! I love Pres. Russell M. Nelson's talk is the morning session! It was so amazing, I can't wait to be able to go and study it, but I love so much how it talked about faith and our faith in Christ! That it is so vital and the help that he was giving us the 5 steps. I invite you all to go listen to it or read it when it comes out! I know for sure that it is something that is going to bless my and your lives.

 I love you all so much and hope that you all have the most amazing week ever, and happy spring break to those who have it!!! 

Mission Life!

Hello everyone, I hope that you have had a good week! This week has been good and went by fast! 

The weather has been so nice this week, we have been able to walk to all our lessons without a jacket and do some of our studies outside. It is March and I just bought sunscreen, haha. I am going to be a red lobster this summer. 

We had an amazing mission-wide training, I just love when missionaries are all together. You know people who are with you have your same purpose, they are doing all they can to have a relationship with God and studying their scriptures. That means that the spirit is so strong and that you have all made and are keeping your covenants with Heavenly Father. How cool is that! I always learn so much personally and for my area! It is so cool! 

We were able to go over to the ward mission leaders home and make cookies with his wife! It was so much fun and so many cookies! It was so much fun to get to know her and be able to be in a real kitchen and feel the home-y feeling. Then this next week we are going to take them to a bunch of different people. 

This week's English class was so much fun! We taught this guy and he knew a lot more English than he led us to believe. We were able to teach him and have a conversation at the end. It is so much fun to get to know everyone, different backgrounds and experiences. People are so humble and I have so much that I can learn from all of them. 

Yesterday we had an amazing lesson with the Van De Vanters, a cute little family and their kids are recent converts. Being able to talk about Easter was so great, and when the little kids talk about Jesus and their faces light up! I love the joy that he brings to everyone and want to become as a child and the love that they have. 

The once crazy thing that happened this week is last night when we were walking to our last lesson we were crossing a crosswalk. We cleared both ways and were good to go all of the sudden I felt Hermana Larson grab my arm and yell Sister. All of the sudden this truck was coming at us and I yanked us forward. Well that was a close one and the truck driver was not nice at all. He didn't slow down and just stared at us. Let's just say that Vegas drivers stink and are not nice. But I am alive and things are all good! 

Nothing too big of a week just pressing forward! 

This week is Easter Sunday and General Conference Sunday! How exciting is that. What a special time to be alive, be able to remember the Lord and be able to hear from his prophet and apostles. 

There is this new challenge out it is called “Starting Today” and you can find it on gospel library. It is right on the front page or if you search up Easter then it is right there. I invite you all to do the challenge. That is going to help you guys each and every day to prepare for Easter and feel the spirit of Christ and the sacrifice that He was willing to make for each and everyone of us! 

If you want a chapter to help you feel the love of God and the blessings that come from his sacrifice read 3 nephi 11.

I know that Christ lives and he loves us. He was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for us, and making all the blessings in the world possible. 

I love you all and hope that you all take a question as you watch conference! Have an amazing week love you all! 

Charlie the Bird and Jesus the Dog!

We did exchanges with the STL's, it was good and a lot of fun. We were able to go to a service project where we helped the lady clean her house. She had a lot of animals, 4 dogs, 2 bunnies, and 1 bird. And the bird would not stop talking to us, it was so funny! The bird came on all of our shoulders, when he was on mine he didn't want to get off my shoulder! Haha and then at the end we washed her dogs. She had one tiny dog, and two medium dogs and then a big dog named Jesus. We cleaned Jesus! It was so funny the dogs kept running, getting wet and then running into the mud. Well in the end we were wet and had clean, wet dogs! 

Then a really spiritual experience this week! We had district council, which I love so much. Fun to see everyone and then talk about the mission and our areas. One of the sisters gave her spiritual thought on the Atonement and the blessing that it is in our life! Then the STL's shared a training and they mixed it up a little bit, they asked us all to open up our mission calls. We all did and then they asked us to read it, it was so cool to be able to read our call where we were assigned to. But there were missionaries whose calls were different then mine in the wording; they were the ones that got their calls before they switched it a little bit. But in all reality they all said the same things just in a different order. But when we opened up to it and were reading the spirit was so strong and we talked about why we all came on our missions. Remembering why I am here, and what got me here, was such a good reminder. After that we all went around the room and shared what is keeping us here. The spirit was so strong! It felt so good to remember why I am here. 

I am here to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone, giving them the same gifts and blessings that I have been blessed with my whole life. The opportunity to have a family and to be with them forever! The Plan of Salvation is so amazing and an amazing gift that God has given all of us! My family means the world to me and I am so so so blessed to be able to spend eternity with them. And how rude would it be of me to want to keep that to myself! I want to share that with everyone, but also because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I did not know how much love and appreciation that I had for him until I came on my mission and have called upon him every day. But also learning more of Him from the scriptures. But it is insane to me that someone loved me enough to want to sacrifice everything for me! But He loved us all to break the bonds of death and make it possible for the Plan of Salvation to work in our lives! Because of him I am able to feel the love that he has for others, and help them know and understand it! 

The spirit was so strong in the room, everyone shared an amazing testimony. I was so blessed to be able to be a part of it! 

Life is getting better, in life things don't always go our way but it is who we turn to and our attitude during it that will make the difference! "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son!" The best thing that I have done is to turn to Him and have Him help me. It is not something that has been easy and I am still working on it! But it is something that has blessed me so much and my relationship with him I love him so much! 

I want to share with you Helaman 15: 7-10

7 And behold, ye do know of yourselves, for ye have witnessed it, that as many of them as are brought to the knowledge of the truth, and to know of the wicked and abominable traditions of their fathers, and are led to believe the holy scriptures, yea, the prophecies of the holy prophets, which are written, which leadeth them to faith on the Lord, and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart unto them—

8 Therefore, as many as have come to this, ye know of yourselves are firm and steadfast in the faith, and in the thing wherewith they have been made free.

9 And ye know also that they have buried their weapons of war, and they fear to take them up lest by any means they should sin; yea, ye can see that they fear to sin—for behold they will suffer themselves that they be trodden down and slain by their enemies, and will not lift their swords against them, and this because of their faith in Christ.

10 And now, because of their steadfastness when they do believe in that thing which they do believe, for because of their firmness when they are once enlightened, behold, the Lord shall bless them and prolong their days, notwithstanding their iniquity

I love these scriptures so much, and the help that we can receive from it! Remember the things you have learned and apply them into your life! Turn to the Lord and remember the faith that you have, and continue to turn to God and to make ourselves new with him! But also are you willing to put your weapons down in the world and know that things are going to be okay with him? 

I love that they were willing to put their weapons down because of their FAITH IN CHRIST! I want to become that way and I hope that I am. I love this gospel so much and everything about it, I could not imagine not having this joy in my life! Make sure that you are all turning to the Lord and telling him everything! 

I love you all so much and hope that you all have an amazing week! Keep shining bright and being the difference!