{the HALF of it} 9/11/14

 

"As we have prayerfully pondered the age at which young men may begin
their missionary service, we have also given consideration to the age
at which a young woman might serve. Today I am pleased to announce
that able, worthy young women who have the desire to serve may be
recommended for missionary service beginning at age 19, instead of age
21."
General conference October 2012

Just over a year ago I decided to serve a mission. I have now been
here 9 months today! I can't believe it. There was a quote I used a
lot before my mission, "you've had eternity to prepare for your
mission and you'll have eternity to reflect on it but you only have
eighteen months to live it." My mission has changed my life. Being
able to serve others. I have made so many friends. Family. Memories.
The last nine months have gone a little something like this. Getting
trained by a Spanish sister who learned Chinese with me. Making cakes
out of cornbread. Free English class. Street sweeps. Service. Lessons.
Walking. Knocking. New people. Old people. Companions. Training.
Heartbreak. Happiness. Joy. Excitement. Baptisms. Knowledge.
Airplanes. Trains. Buses. Smells. Growth. Prayer. Learning. Listening.
Not understanding. Feeling the Holy Ghost. Transfer meetings. Trio. I
am a new person. My journey is only beginning. I want to also talk
about the Book of Mormon. This book has changed my life the last nine
months. I get an hour everyday to read it on my own. Before my mission
I didn't fully understand it. But now I can say I do. A book of only
530 pages has changed my life. Every time I read it the same
scriptures mean different things because I am changing. When I have
questions I read it and they are answered. When I am sad I read it and
I am happy.

I want to know how the Book of Mormon has changed your life! So tell me below:)

{Three Peas in a Pod} 8/19/2014

On missions you usually have one companion at a time. But sometimes
you get lucky enough to have two.

 

 Meet Sister Johnson and Sister Wang. Two of the very best friends I
have ever had. When I say The Lord knows what you need when you need
it. This is one of those instances. We are all so similar.

 

Our days consist of hard work. Constantly out doing something.
Laughter. So much laughter. Oreos. Brownies. Using a hair dryer on
rice. Massaging each others feet at night. Learning. Having story
time.

 I am so grateful The Lord gave me an opportunity to serve with these
two sisters. I learn and grow with them everyday. They are so much
more then companions to me they are my sisters.

{Transfer Meeting} 8/19/14

Every Six weeks we have transfer meeting. Everyone who has ever served a mission knows what I am talking about. But for those of you who haven't I will explain. Five weeks go by. Everyone starts whispering. Am I staying? Am I leaving? Am I getting a new companion? Am I training? Saturday night comes. Three days before the transfer. We do a conference call with our Zone. They go through each District. Staying. Going. You don't know where you are going. You just know you are leaving. Monday you pack your bags. Tuesday you go to the office. New missionaries coming. Old missionaries Departing. Others going to new areas. Getting new companions. We all sit in the Chapel. We listen to President and his wife talk. We listen to departing missionaries sing. We cry. We say a closing prayer. This is when everyone gets on the edge of their seats. The Zone Leaders in each Zone stand up and annouce who's in their Zone. This is when you find out where you are going and who your companion is. It is truly our of inspiration. Every companion you serve with. Every are you go to. Is meant for a reason. The lords hand is in this work.