Christmas Memory

I am grateful to have a great Christmas memory. I've always been one to just see a holiday as any other day, especially as a missionary as we continue to do the usual work. We had the morning study, an appointment scheduled for the afternoon, tracting planned for the day, and meals with members and part-members. Not being surrounded by the commercial aspect of Christmas, there really wasn't anything to differentiate Christmas from any other day. I don't want to say Christmas isn't important, but it is to be a day to celebrate Christ's birth and life and what that means for us personally. When we work every day to invite people to come unto Christ, we are already celebrating His name every day.

What really helped me feel the blessing of Christmas day was when our lunch in a member's home became a melting pot of many people. We had started out inviting a few of our investigators to come and have a Christmas meal with our members, but everything seemed to have fallen through. Somehow, at the last minute, our investigators and some of their family decided to come and join us. Already at the member's home, we had two wonderful recent converts there. Our Christmas lunch ended up to be a total of nineteen people: the member family, the recent convert family, and two sets of investigator families! We were all gathered together in one home, spread across three tables. It was amazing! I truly felt that Christmas spirit as we gathered together as family and friends. And to top it off, I got my first mission ornament while there (Santa riding an alligator) to remind me of this festive Christmas meal!

Year of Jubilee

We have started a brand new year! I will be a missionary for the full year of 2010 and it is the 50th Anniversary of the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission!! This is going to be an amazing year! I am so excited to see what it will bring! Everything we do is to celebrate this year of jubilee by being more intune to bringing people unto Christ. We will search for new and better ways to be efficient and effective, we will strive for exact obedience in all we do. We will prepare for the temple by establishing Zion within the hearts of the members.

The year did start out a bit rocky as our planned baptism for Jan 1 fell through because it didn't "feel" like the right day. We continue to pray that we may have success with our investigators that they may be able to push aside their fear and uncertainty and finally take that leap of faith.

We do have changes occuring this week that came to quite a shock! Boca Raton has had a change of missionaries, in the fact that Sis. Eland is being transfered to Hialeah. Sis. Gardner and I will truly miss her, but continue to wish her the best of wishes. We're hoping she goes Spanish speaking - something she simply loves to do!

Working the full city of Boca has been a great adventure, especially since I am the driver. We've taken a couple of scenic routes every now and again as we search for our potentials. One day, we actually drove nearly the full circumference of our area as we went from our apartment to Camino Real east to Military, north to Atlantic, west to the 441, south to SW 18th St, and back to our apartment. Surprisingly, it only took 50 miles. We were shocked the mileage was so little. So I guess Boca really isn't too big of a city. Just comparing it to my old area of East Boca, it's huge. It's been a lot of fun to seek out our potentials and work to gain new investigators and find those people who are ready for the gospel.

A big thing in the mission right now is getting Sisters on bike. We are all excited about that! So now we'll be paying attention to how we can best make Boca into a biking area if that day comes. East will be easy enough, and the southwest corner. We'll have to start doing more finding activities to see if there are any other locations that can become a drive and park - then bike area!

Something I have really been working out this transfer is truly understanding my missionary purpose. We are to invite others to come unto Christ. We are to find those people willing to keep their commitments and progress towards baptism. Therefore, we have had to stop progressively teaching a lot of investigators due to their unwillingness to keep commitments. It was hard for me at first, until I realized that our work as missionaries is to gather those that are ready. As Bro. Wilcox put it, we are all working to gather together the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim so when the Second Coming arrives, the missionary forces will be ready to gather the other ten tribes of Israel. I didn't realize we are working to gather the elite. We are gathering the support system of this church, the souls that are to take part in the building of Zion and preparations for the Second Coming. I am trying to make sure that everything I do is focused on that purpose. Are my words helping them accept the gospel? Are my actions helping them keep their commitments? Is everything I do inviting others to come unto Christ?

One reason why I love to have Sis. Gardner as a companion is the fact that she understands her purpose. Everything she does is geared towards keeping her missionary purpose. It's something I want to do for myself so I will becoming a missionary, not just do missionary actions.

TENDER MERCY: I HAVE BEEN WORKING SO HARD TO FIGURE OUT HOW I CAN GROW WHILE ON MY MISSION. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO? WHAT GOALS DO I NEED TO SET? IT'S ALWAYS BEEN HARD FOR ME TO SET GOALS, BUT I HAVE BEEN ABLE, IN THIS PAST WEEK, TO SET A FEW GOALS FOR MYSELF. IT'S STILL NOT A MISSION VISION OF WHAT I WANT TO BECOME, BUT I AM REALIZING HOW TO MAKE GOALS AND SET PLANS. IT'S SMALL ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT PROVE TO ME THAT I CAN REACH HIGHER. I AM EXCITED TO CONTINUE ONWARD AND SEE WHAT I CONTINUE TO LEARN EACH DAY, EACH WEEK, EACH TRANSFER, EACH COMPANION. OF COURSE SOME DAYS ARE HARD AND FRUSTRATING, BUT I THINK, WHEN ISN'T LIFE HARD? AND HOW MUCH MORE REWARDING IT IS TO BE HERE ON A MISSION. ALL THE STRUGGLES I MAY EXPERIENCE WILL TURN INTO GROWTH AND BLESSINGS IF I APPROACH THEM IN THE RIGHT WAY AND USE IT FOR MY GOOD. I AM EVER BLESSED TO CONTINUE FORTH AS A SERVANT OF THE LORD HERE IN THE FLORIDA FT LAUDERDALE MISSION!

Christmas Zone Conference '09

Remember Who You Are

Hmmm... to make it more personal... unfortunately, I am so bad at that! Writing itself has never been a forte of mine. It's amazing I've been able to come up with anything to write. I'm not humorous like Allison and Nori. I just write what comes into my mind - which is more spiritual in nature because I'm trying to gear my mind towards gospel teaching. Oh, and it's because I have an awful memory. Even with my journal in front of me, I can't remember the more personal, fun moments I have done during the week. Well, let's see ...

With transfers, we have combined Boca Raton East and West into one area. Sis. Eland (from Colorado) and I are now together in a companionship representing the east side and the west side, then we are blessed to be in a trio companionship with Sis. Gardner (from Washington). I am enjoying our companionship so far as Sis. Eland is focused on the charity and concern for each person she comes in contact with as Sis. Gardner is focused on making sure our actions are in line with our missionary purpose and following the exact obedience that all of us missionaries have been asked to follow so we may continue to be blessed by the Lord to our fullest capacity. Still being new to the mission, I haven't had a specific focus so it will be interesting to see what I will be like further into my mission.

Florida has been quite cold recently with a lot of rain coming down, which I have been told is unusual for Florida winters. A fun new change is that I have become driver! On my second transfer, and I'm able to drive around the whole of Boca Raton. It's been fun so far. We've had rain and a lot of wet roads, but all has been going well.

The greatest part of the week was our Christmas Mission Conference. We were able to hear from Pres. and Sis. Hale and Bro. Brad Wilcox. They were amazing talks! We are all reminded to ask ourselves each day, "How Have I Seen the Hand of God in my Life Today?" as each of us was given a pen with those words printed on it. Also, we were reminded of our goals as a mission to:

become a mission of miracles
have ministering of angels
receive vertical revelation
have a 3x3 companionship with the Holy Ghost
notice the thinning of the veil as we connect with the spirit
experience the blessings of mighty prayer (we now have twice a day - 9:30 AM/PM.)

The lesson by Bro. Wilcox really made me think a lot of my family history - something I always love coming back to! He spoke of the "Birthright of the Latter-Day Children" as we recognize who we are, and realize the extra portion we have been given with our birthright to govern the affairs of our Father and continue setting up the structure of the Church to prepare for the Second Coming of Christ.

I Am a Child of God
Saved for this Latter-Day
Given to me this Birthright
That I Must Now Repay
Lead Me so I Can Lead Others
Guide Me so I Can Guide Others
Help Me so I Can Help Others
So We May Live with Thee Again.

This isn't a direct quote from Bro. Wilcox (my pen isn't fast enough to write), but about the right concept of what he thought would be a great additional verse to our beloved song. I really liked it and wanted to share it. Not only am a begotten spirit of God and have the literal blood of Ephraim in my veins, but I have been blessed to have to blood of my ancestors: Ellsworth, Cluff, Hadley, Blalock ... and all the many branches that follow back. I am here because of them. Not only am I here physically, but in my spiritual level of growth by learning from them and their experiences. It's amazing what families do for each other: those we have now, and those that have long passed away.

I am sorry I have been unable to send off a tender mercy. It's so hard to choose one tender mercy to write about, one reason why I always end my emails and my journal entries with one. I am just so grateful for this opportunity to put spiritual growth and learning over career growth. I know this was the right decision for me and I am glad to continue to learn and grow here to prepare me for the rest of my life. A lot of this decision came from my family! Thanks! You are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Gifts of Love

This has been a wonderful week! Although it has been slow with making
contact with all our investigators, we had some great lessons and
experiences with those we were able to meet with. I love those moments
where we are able to see an investigator really internalize what we are
teaching. When they come to church and feel that spirit, it is amazing
to see them have the Lehi and Tree of Life experience and they truly feel
that "as [they] partook of the fruit thereof it filled [their] soul with
exceedingly great joy; wherefore, [they] began to be desirous that [their]
family should partake of it also; for [they] knew that it was desirable
above all other fruit."

Another great part of the week was the feeling of Christmas! I received the
gifts from my immediate family and extended family which is so
wonderful! It means so much to me to have these small acts of love
- opening a small gift each morning that coincides with scripture and a
mission story to read; reading love notes that contantly remind me of the
love I have for my extended family. How true the words are that "the family
is central to the Creator's plan" for what would we be like without that
love and unity with our family and friends. This past Sunday, I had the
opportunity to teach the Gospel Principles class. It was something I
was asked to do last minute, but it went so well for we spoke on charity:
the pure love of Christ. People are more prone to remember to be charitable
during the holiday seasons. It brings so much joy into our lives when we
express that love to others. It is during Christmas time that we need to
really look deep into how charity changes our lives so we can remember how
important it is to continue to live with charity the whole year long. A
great observation was about the rewards in heaven we will receive as it
depends on the sacrifices we have here. If we show love to someone who
already loves us, how hard is that? Why would we gain a great reward from
an act that was easy? It is through reaching beyond ourselves to help
strangers and enemies, that we can really see that change within our lives
and truly experience the blessings and rewards that charity can have on our
eternal progression and personal potential. Christ himself continued to
love those that took part in causing the suffering of His crucifiction. He
plead with the Father to "forgive them for they know not what they do."
What love He has for us to still hold that constant hope that we all may
return to God again. If the Father has everlasting love for each of His
children no matter our actions, and Christ, His Son, has such great love for
us to suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane and upon the cross for us, that
means each of us have that same ability to feel that love for each person we
meet. We are to be like the Father. What He is, we can become. Each of us
have the potential inside ourselves to have that pure love. Let us work to
truly and fully obtain it by constantly showing our love to all our brothers
and sisters upon this earth. That is the greatest gift we can share with
others.

TENDER MERCY: THE PEOPLE WE MEET ARE TRULY A GREAT BLESSING IN OUR LIVES. A
HIGHLIGHT OF THIS WEEK WAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE WARD CHRISTMAS
DINNER PARTY. WE HAD SIX INVESTIGATORS (FIVE FROM THE EAST, ONE FROM THE
WEST) COME TO JOIN THE FESTIVITIES. IT WAS AMAZING THE FUN WE ALL HAD
TOGETHER. ALL THE SISTER MISSIONARIES WERE SERVERS FOR THE DINNER SO WE GOT
TO SEE EVERYONE THAT CAME, TALKING WITH THEM, AND WATCH ALL THE INTERACTIONS
BETWEEN THE MEMBERS, PART-MEMBERS, AND INVESTIGATORS. THEN WE ALL GATHERED
FOR THE PROGRAM WHICH WAS SO CUTE, SHOWING THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRIST BEING
THE CENTER OF OUR LIVES. THERE WAS A LOT OF MEMBER INVOLVEMENT AND WE HAD
SO MUCH FUN AND LAUGHTER. WHAT JOY IT BRINGS TO OUR LIVES TO HAVE THAT
FRIENDSHIP AND UNITY. OUR INVESTIGATORS ENJOYED BEING THERE AND IT REALLY
TOUCHED MY HEART TO BE ABLE TO SPEND THAT TIME TOGETHER, CREATING A CLOSER
BOND OF FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE WITH EVERYONE THERE.

Boca Raton Christmas Party

Learning and Growing

In two days time, I will turn three months old! Just five days ago, I finished my first month in Florida. It truly is amazing how quickly time passes us by. As we plan our day each evening, and review them again in the morning, I always wish we could add some more time to the day so we could visit a few more people, make a few more contacts, and see a few more members. We truly learn the importance of using our time wisely. With people's days full of work, school, housecleaning, errands, eating, etc. how can one find the time to "talk of Christ", "rejoice in Christ", "preach of Christ", and "prophecy of Christ" if we don't willingly make that time. It is not only saying to ourselves, "Today, I'll spend a bit of time reading the scriptures." or "Today, I'll talk to one of my friend about the gospel." We really have to make a goal and plan so we won't be content with ourselves and the day won't be finished until we do it. "Today, I'll spend 30 minutes from 7:30 to 8:00 this morning to read about the Christ-like attribute of diligence." "Today, I'll talk to Paul about coming with me to the Ward Christmas Party this Saturday."

To be totally honest, I do not understand how to set goals or make plans. A lot of times, I don't see the point because most of the time, things fall through, something else comes up, and the plans go to waste. Also, I may have vague goals, but have no idea how to set anything specific that I can gauge and accomplish each day to cause me to reach that goal. It's a huge struggle for me - that I'll admit - can really frustrate my companion. I use to prefer living in the moment, doing whatever I feel is best at that moment. "Why think about the next day or the next week." "It's too stressful to think of the future." "Right now is good enough." I don't know how I survived doing that - probably because I had school and work to keep some sort of structure to my day. But the more I am forced to set a goal and feel that joy of accomplishing it, the more I am starting to see how good it is for me and my life.

Right now, our Zone has set a goal to contact twenty people a day. Before that happened, Sis. Moore was telling me that I needed to contact people when we were at the gas station or in the store but I just hate "taking time out of others lives and bothering them." Good excuse, huh? ... No. It's not. I was rebellious for a time, but when I feel rebellious, I like to prove to myself that I could do it if I really wanted to. I'll admit. It's not that hard. So what if someone shrugs you off, gives you the cold shoulder, say no, give you weird looks, etc. Another person will stop and really get into a great conversation with you about beliefs and religions.

A good analogy we were told: Let's say you made some lemonade. Of course you would want to share it with your friends and family. There will be some people who don't want any at that time or just doesn't like lemonade, while others will accept it and thank you for it. The same should be with the gospel. We have the truth. We have a belief in Christ that gives our life purpose and makes us happy. Why not go and share it? Of course some will say no, but that is their choice. Not everyone is ready to hear it. That doesn't me we can't offer it to them.

So, now I enjoy going up to people and offering them a pass-a-long card. I still have much to learn about how to lead that into a discussion of beliefs and the gospel, but I'm learning each day. It is a line upon line learning for everything.

TENDER MERCY: I SIMPLY LOVE TO SEE THE SMALL CHANGES THAT ARE HAPPENING IN MY LIFE. OF COURSE THERE ARE HUGE THINGS THAT STILL NEED TO BE FIXED, BUT EVERYTHING MUST BE DONE LITTLE BY LITTLE. A STONECUTTER DOESN'T WACK AWAY AT THE STONE TO MAKE A BEAUTIFUL, DETAILED SCULPTURE. THEY CHISSLE HERE AND CHISSLE THERE UNTIL SLOWLY THE PIECE OF ART TAKES SHAPE. I'M PRETTY MUCH AN ODD-SHAPED PIECE OF STONE RIGHT NOW, BUT WITHIN THE NEXT FOURTEEN MONTHS, MY POTENTIAL WILL BEGIN TO SHOW AND I'LL START TO SEE THAT HIDDEN PERSON THAT THE LORD KNOWS I CAN BECOME.