Monday, November 30, 2009

When You Have a Gratitude Attitude

Lets begin with a fun, random note: I just found out my companion also was raised with the "Standing Tall" tapes!! Last week, she was teaching a lesson about Thanksgiving and mentioned how we needed to have an attitude of gratitude. As soon as she said that, I got a song stuck in my head! Unfortunately, I only know one sentence..."when you have a gratitude attitude!" As soon as we got into the car, I started singing that line over and over again. Sis. Moore was so confused, so I told her about the "Standing Tall" tapes: Gratitude, Obedience, Happiness, Work, Honesty, etc. The more I sang tidbits of songs, the more she started to connect them in her head and she realized she knew them too! Yay for childhood memories! It's amazing what we carry throughout our lives that we had learned as a child.

This week we really did focus a lot about gratitude, especially as we help teach others about how a family can be together forever and expressing our gratitude through sharing the gospel. It was so much fun. Sis. Moore and I had a lot of fun thinking up cute ways to share these teachings. My, did we get creative! Our first idea was to create "turkey pass-a-longs" for the members that was a turkey body with pass-a-long cards for its feathers. So cute! All the members we give it to put it somewhere so others will be able to see it. The turkeys had two meanings we hope all the members remember. First, that gratitude is best shown by sharing it so we must all be willing to share the gospel with others for there is nothing to be more grateful for than to have the knowledge of the true, restored gospel. Second, we asked each member to dedicate one of their prayers each day to express only what we are thankful for. Usually, we do thank God for what we have been given, but then we ask a lot from Him. We need a time to really look inside ourselves, see what it is the Lord has done for us this day, and only express these feelings of gratitude to Him. I think a lot about how this goes along with noticing the tender mercies in our lives. When we write them down or vocalize them, we better understand how much the hand of the Lord is in our lives.

Our next idea: sharing our gratitude for our families and knowing we will be together forever, we decided to go caroling on Thanksgiving. Isn't that so cute! I mean, who would say no to a song? Even if we are interrupting their family Thanksgiving dinner? So, we wrote up handouts of "I am a Child of God" and "Families can be Together Forever" and stapled them to the mormon.org pass-a-long card with the Salt Lake Temple. We spent the day contacting people and knocking on doors to share a song with them and give them the words to remember them. It was so much fun! We are hoping to do it again when it gets closer to Christmas. Music has always meant so much to me, so to be able to sing a song we have known since Primary, and so see people willing to stop and listen to us was a great experience.

I truly am grateful for everything that the Lord has given me. I know life is not easy. I myself get discouraged constantly, wondering if I can really make a difference. But it's about working towards pushing away doubts and discouragements and keep looking for the tender mercies of God and noticing all the things we are truly grateful for. This earth was created for us. We are here to learn and to grow. Our Father will not abandon us. His arms are always open to us. We just have to remember that and not turn away from His opened arms.

TENDER MERCY: THE GREATEST COMFORT I CAN FEEL IN THIS LIFE IS KNOWING I HAVE PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT ME. I GET FRUSTRATED WITH MYSELF, I LOSE ALL SELF CONFIDENCE IN MY ABILITIES, AND I DOUBT THAT I CAN REALLY ACCOMPLISH WHAT I WHICH I COULD, BUT WHEN SOMEONE CONTINUES TO STAND BY ME AND HAS PATIENCE WHILE I STRUGGLE INTERNALLY, IT BRINGS ME SO MUCH COMFORT AND PEACE. I'M ABLE TO SNAP OUT OF MY FOOLISH DEPRESSION. I FORGET ABOUT MYSELF AND LOOK TO WHAT I CAN DO TO HELP THEM. THERE IS SO MUCH JOY IN THIS WORLD THAT CAN BE MISSED IF WE DWELL ON OURSELVES. I LEARN TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO PUSH PAST MYSELF AND FORCE MYSELF TO JOIN IN WITH MY FRIENDS AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS, I FIND JOY. THEY LIFT MY BURDENS, MAKING ME FORGET WHAT I WAS WORRIED ABOUT. I FIND MYSELF THROUGH OTHERS. THAT TRULY IS HOW THE LORD TOUCHES OUR LIVES. THAT IS WHY FAMILY IS SO IMPORTANT IN THIS LIFE. WE NEED SUPPORT FROM OTHERS. WE NEED FELLOWSHIP AND COMPANIONSHIP. I AM THANKFUL EVERYDAY FOR MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS, MY COMPANION. I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SURVIVE IN THIS LIFE ALONE. THANK GOODNESS THE LORD GAVE US SUCH AMAZING PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES TO LIFT US UP AND THAT WE OURSELVES CAN UPLIFT OTHERS. CHARITY NEVER FAITHETH. HOW TRUE THE WORDS ARE THAT OUR LEGACY IS PASSED FROM HEART TO HEART.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Monday, November 23, 2009

A Day of Miracles!

Each time someone in our Zone has an investigator accept a commitment to a
baptism date, they send out a mass text to all the other companionships in
the Zone and to the President. It always starts with "MIRACLE!"

Truly each moment is a miracle when someone is ready to accept that step to
commiting their love to God by being baptized into His Church. One of our
days this week, we committed two people to baptism. I was able to extend
one of those dates, and it was just amazing the feeling I had while doing
it. To feel that love for that person, and the desire that they will be
willing to accept that commitment to themselves and to God. They now have a
goal to look forward to and they continue to know that we are there every
step of the way to help, guide, and support them. Of course, not all
accepted dates will actually occur, but it is amazing to feel those small
moments of God's love being expressed to our investigators as we share with
them a date we have prayed on and that God has let us know is a time that
they can be ready for baptism if they have the willingness and determination
to continue and improve their knowledge and understanding of Him and His
Gospel.

Not only did we have two "miracle" texts to send out that day, but our
companionship experienced another personal miracle. We are told that each
encounter we will have with a Deaf person is going to be a miracle. It
really is true. We were blessed, while tracting, to run into a woman who
was Deaf. She was on her way to school at the time, so we didn't have a lot
of time to talk with her, but it was a small moment that expressed to us of
how much Heavenly Father is watching out for us. We are here in Boca Raton
to teach these amazing people in English, but when we are willing and
dilligent in our efforts, He will show us little miracles about why He has
chosen to put a companionship of ASL Sisters in an area that many believe
there are no Deaf. The Lord has many plans for us we do not know of. And
He will not share it with us until we ask Him and show Him our willingness
and dilligence to hear and accept and act upon those plans He has in store
for us.

A great thought we as a Zone were given at Zone Conference (which was truly
an amazing experience) was to have at least one of our prayers each day be
dedicated to everything we are thankful for. This isn't something to just
do during the Thanksgiving holiday, but through our lives, have one prayer
that doesn't ask for anything. It is just a time we can express all of our
gratitude to our Heavenly Father. I think it is a truly amazing experience
to really meditate on our day and express in words what it is that we have
been given and express that gratitude to our Father that has given it to us.

Another great experience we had at Zone Conference is when we all gathered
together at the end to kneel in prayer. All of us held the conference in
the chapel, so to kneel together, we spanned the isles and made a half
circle around the seating. It was a powerful experience because it was
something I have never seen before. The more I think about it, there is so
much more power and reverence to a prayer when we kneel. I don't just mean
for personal or family prayer at the beginning and ending of the day, but
when we are in class, together as friends, and those moments where we decide
to kneel instead of just staying seated. Every now and again, when we as a
companionship or apartment decide to stop what we are doing, and take a
moment to kneel together, it creates a greater bond between us, and also
with our Father in Heaven. It just has really touched me this week.

TENDER MERCY: MY TENDER MERCIES HAVE ALREADY BEEN WRITTEN IN THIS EMAIL: TO
MEET WITH A DEAF WOMAN ON THE STREET CORNER, THOSE FEELINGS OF COMMITING ONE
OF GOD'S CHILDREN TO BAPTISM, THE POWER THAT COMES FROM KNEELING TOGETHER IN
PRAYER. ONE WONDERFUL THING ABOUT THANKSGIVING IS HOW IT HELPS ALL PEOPLE
REMEMBER TO REFLECT ON THIS PAST YEAR AND REMEMBER WHAT THEY ARE THANKFUL
FOR. ALL PEOPLE ALL OVER THE NATION ARE EXPRESSING THANKS FOR THE LIFE AND
BLESSINGS THEY HAVE AND GATHERING TOGETHER WITH THEIR FAMILIES. IT IS ONE
TIME THAT OUR NATION COMES CLOSE TO EXPRESSING A JOIN BELIEF. WE CONNECT
TOGETHER WITH THAT REALIZATION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY AND SHOWING
GRATITUDE FOR OUR BLESSINGS IN THIS LIFE. IT'S A GREAT THOUGHT!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Monday, November 16, 2009

Taking the Time

I cannot believe it is Monday again. Time goes by very quickly here. The
work is going well. We have struggles with getting a hold of people because
of the business of life, but we continue forward and pray that they will
realize the importance that the gospel will have on their lives if they will
take a few minutes out of the day to seek the Lord. Everything does fit
together and works out if we first spend our day showing our willingness to
pray, read the scriptures, and continue in spiritual learning and growth.

A lot of my tender mercies that are recorded in my journal this week are the
blessings of being able to meet with our investigators. That they are at
home and able to wecome us in and to hear the message of the gospel.
Reflecting back on my life, I never realized how many times I may "push
aside" moments when I could be having spiritual learning but I just say I'm
too busy or I'll do it later. While tracting I think, "We are wanting to
share a message about Jesus Christ, to discuss about our love for our
Heavenly Father." If we are truly Christians, why would we say no to that?
Maybe we do not have the same beliefs, but if one truly loves Christ, why
not talk about it, and find joy in discussing with others about that love
(even if it is at the front door or on a street corner). It is a fast-paced
world. We do put our spirituality on the back burner. First, we must have
money, education, work, family ... and then we'll take time out to worship.
That's not our purpose here. We are here on the earth to gain knowledge.
Not knowledge of worldly/earthly matters; but knowledge that will improve
ourselves, help us gain our potential, and remember that we are becoming
like our Heavenly Father. Christ should be first in our life, then
everything else will fall into place. Just take time out to talk about our
love for our Savior, our knowledge of our beliefs. Don't let the idols of
the world keep us too busy to take out those small moments of joyful
celebration of why we are really here, what we truly believe, and who we are
able to become.

This past week, all the sisters of the Florida Ft Lauderdale mission were
able to gather together for a bi-annual Sisters Conference that the Mission
President has so generously given us the opportunity to have. We gather at
the mission home to feel that joy of sisterhood and create that greater
unity that we have as being women of Christ. The theme was "Walk Tall -
You're a Daughter of God." First, I ask everyone to read and meditate on
the lyrics of that song. My favorite verse is the second verse where it
says:

"Long before the time you can remember
Our Father held you in His arms so tender.
Those loving arms released you as He sent you down to earth
He said, "My child, I love you, don't forget your great worth."


As I envision that, I see how hard it must be to say goodbye to us as
spirits, to know He will have to watch as we struggle through this life and
strive to remember Him. But after He gives us that last hug, He willingly
allows us this opportunity to come down to earth, to have experiences of our
own, and find out who we are. We just must be willing to look for Him and
always remember "He's closer than you know, reach up; He'll take your
hand."

It was a truly amazing experience to be together as Sisters. To have Shawn
and Annette Bradley speak to us. I couldn't believe how strong Sis. Bradley
is. She is the role model for how we should share the gospel with others and
teach our children the same. She would always have a Book of Mormon ready
in her car - two stacks actually (of English and Spanish) that had a family
picture and their testimony already written within the cover. No matter who
it was, whether it be a friend, co-worker, grocery boy, post office
assistant, she and her children had the desire to share that special gift we
have. We know the gospel blesses lives. Why not have that eagerness to
share it. To show our greatest love for others by giving them our dearest
possession - knowledge of the true Church of Jesus Christ.

TENDER MERCY: MY TENDER MERCIES ARE EACH TIME WE ARE ABLE TO TEACH A LESSON TO OUR INVESTIGATORS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET A HOLD OF THEM. FOR MANY, SETTING UP AN APPOINTMENT DOESN'T MEAN WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET A HOLD OF THEM. LIFE GETS BUSY, PEOPLE FORGET, BUT WHEN THE LORD GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO RUN INTO THEM, TO VISIT THEM WHEN WE STOP BY WHILE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, IT'S A REMINDER TO THEM HOW MUCH THE LORD LOVES THEM AND A REMINDER TO US THAT AS LONG AS WE ARE WILLING TO WORK HARD IN HIS WORK, HE WILL GIVE US SUCCESS. THIS IS NOT ABOUT US. IT IS ABOUT HIS CHILDREN. ABOUT EVERYONE REMEMBERING WHO THEY ARE AND BEING WILLING AND EAGER TO TAKE THOSE STEPS TO RETURN BACK TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AGAIN.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Sisters Luncheon


Mission Sisters Luncheon with guest speakers Shawn (former NBA star) & Annette (former FL FTL missionary) Bradley

Monday, November 9, 2009

Mighty Prayer

Well, here I am!  I have made it the the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission!  Travels went well and life is going great! 
 
My companion/trainer is Sis Moore.  She is from Bountiful, Utah and is the oldest of ten children.  She is about to hit her year mark here in the field and has only served in two areas, Boca and Hollywood.  She is simply amazing!  I could not ask for a better companion.  What can I say more?  We just jump into the work and do what we can.  My area is Boca Raton East.  Our work this week was a bit slow, but going well.  Our apartment has two companionships (one for Boca East and one for Boca West).  We are just perfect for each other.  It's amazing!  I am truly blessed to have such great Sisters surrounding me.  The Boca West sisters are Sis Eland (from Colorado) and Sis Denson (from Utah).  Although we all have different personalities, we fit together so well and have the greatest times together.  Yay!
 
So, although I am an ASL Sister, Boca does not have many opportunities for that, yet.  Most of the Deaf work is done in Hollywood and interpreting is done in two other areas where there are wards that hold other Deaf members.  Boca is not one of them.  But the Lord keeps sending ASL Sisters here.  It may be to rest from interpreting and get experience teaching the gospel in our native language, but I am curious if He has other plans for us if we will search and constantly ask Him for guidance.  We focus here in Boca on the wonderful people who speak English, but Sis Moore and I have set a goal to start asking if anyone knows any deaf - just to see if there is another purpose for us to be sent here.
 
One great thing that I really enjoy is the mission goal to gather together as companionship and have "Mighty Prayer" to pray for each other, our investigators, and the expansion of missionary work around the world.  We are also asked to invite the members in our area to join. So now I wish my family and friends to join us in Mighty Prayer.  We like to share the scripture in Enos as he knelt in mighty prayer to God, but it is interesting to read how many times the scriptures state those words.  Just today, I read about Captain Moroni kneeling down to pray mightly to the Lord for his people.  What a great opportunity for ourselves to gather together and pray mightly for each other.  As a mission, we gather at 9am to kneel to our Father.  We pray for many things.  We ask for the Lord to give strength to the people who we hold dear.  We pray for the leaders of the Church.  We pray for the expansion of missionary work - for new areas to open, for political leaders to soften their hearts to opening their borders (especially Cuba).  Then we ask for each companionship in our Zone and by name state those investigators who we care about and ask God to give them more strength for the desire to learn and accept Him.  What a great opportunity to feel that spirit.  To know that all missionaries are gathering at the same time, sending their prayers and expressing their love for these people we meet for our Eternal Father to hear and bless.  It is something I wish to continue. There is nothing wrong with writing a list of people you want to remember in prayer, and look at it as we kneel and as companionships, families, and friends to mention each of them by name. 
 
One of the greatest things about our church is the love we have for each other.  The unity that is shared for each and every member at church.  It is not only bringing people to know God and return to Him again, but bringing us all together to realize our connections as spirit brothers and sisters.  The Christ-like attribute that I think of is Charity.  When we know and understand the Lord's love for us, how can we not continue and share that love with others.  It is truly amazing to just meet a person for the first time and feel that strong emotion of love for them.  Not just a love to bring them to the gospel, but a love for them personally, as a child of God.  All of us must work towards understanding that "pure love of Christ" and really applying it to ourselves to it becomes our own attribute.
 
TENDER MERCY:  EACH EVENING, WE GATHER TOGETHER AS AN APARTMENT AND TELL EACH OTHER ONE THING WE LOVE ABOUT EACH INDIVIDUAL PERSON.  IT BRINGS US TOGETHER AS COMPANIONS AND FRIENDS AND IT MAKES US THINK MORE DEEPLY ABOUT EACHOTHER AND WHAT REALLY MAKES US LOVE THEM. ALSO, IT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM ANOTHER WHAT QUALITIES THEY SEE IN US AND WHAT MAKES THEM LOVE US AS A PERSON.  IT IS JUST SO SWEET AND TRULY THE BEST WAY TO END THE DAY.  I AM GRATEFUL FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE THAT STRONGER BOND OF SISTERHOOD BY SHARING "I LOVE YOU TODAY BECAUSE...."

Sunday, November 8, 2009

With President & Sister Hale

Sister Ellsworth with President & Sister Hale in Florida

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Fresh from the field

Sister Ellsworth made it to Florida!


‘Make no small plans: They have no magic to stir man’s souls.’ This is the vision I have for the South. I believe that one day the South will baptize more people into the church than all other English speaking missions in the world together. There are great hosts of marvelous Baptists, and members of the church of Christ, Methodists and Catholics who are honorable people, and have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and love him. As they see their church veering off to the right or to the left of these basic teachings, they will begin to search for the truth. And as pivotal teachers come into the church and have influence, we will see the time when we baptize hundreds and thousands, tens of thousands. In your day you will see a million members of the church in the South. There will be Temples plural in the Southern States. What a great call you have to serve with these marvelous people. ~Spencer W Kimball (1974)