How were my questions answered?
Conference edition!
1.How can I be happy now?
This answer came from President Uchtdorf's talk. Obviously! His words about being grateful really touched my heart. I love how he made it clear that your counting your blessings is good, but there is a better way. There is a higher law that Jesus Christ has asked us to live. In this aspect, when Christ asked us to come follow Him, He wants us to be grateful in all circumstances. A thankful heart can surpass 1) disappointment 2) discouragement 3) despair. To me, it feels like those three are in descending order. It is normal to feel disappointed, but we can overcome that, and even completely avoid discouragement and despair by applying his teachings and being grateful in the moment. What a hard concept to apply, but one that will bring so many blessings into our lives.
2) How can I be enabled through
the power of the Atonement of Christ?
This one was answered so
beautifully by Elder Bednar's talk. It was incredible. I loved his story
about the truck, the load, and the traction. For a few days last week, I felt
the overwhelming load of my life seeming to overtake my optimism and my ability
to endure. This talk helped me to realize that I absolutely need the
load. I need the "spiritual traction." To say it as a double
negative, "Happiness is not not carrying a load." To be enabled,
changed, improved, purified, and ultimately, sanctified through the Atonement
of Christ, we must overcome hard times to get there.
His reference to Mosiah 24:14
really hit home for me. His reading of it word for word made it so special to
me. The first interaction I had with this verse was with my trainer. I had
never particularly noticed this verse until she showed it to me as a
wonderful contacting verse. Her testimony and love for the Book of Mormon
still impressed me to this day. We could see the change in people's
countenances as we promised alongside the scripture that God really would
help them in their time of need.
A second impression that has been
impressed upon me is when my sister, Jenn, shared this as a meaningful
scripture she loved on her mission. It's funny to realize now how little I
know about my sister's, mom's, and dad's missions. Now that I am serving a
mission, I find myself curious and anxious to hear how they accomplished this
enormous task of serving a full-time mission. Likewise, I'm sure I'll be way
more interested in the how and why of how my sister, Julieann, and my
parents, decided to get married. When I choose a lil eternal companion for
myself, I will be ready and on deck to hear all of those insights as well. I
think it's interesting how at different stages of our life, what things
really impact us and matter to us. Relevancy is everything! (ie when you are
a kid and you HATE adult talk [if you were a lil brat like me lol])
The third interaction I had with
this scripture is when my 2nd companion and I starting memorizing scriptures
about the Atonement to help us stay focused. We really had a lot of fun
together and we sometimes had a few other things on our mind if you know what
I mean. SO... we decided to recite a scripture each time we realized we were
not thinking about something super missionary minded. Anyway, this verse, was
one that I chose to memorize and has helped me through a lot of hard times
(mostly biking... lol).
3) How can I help this area/ get
the members more involved?
The first part of this answer came
from Elder Scott's talk. The part that answered my question was when we
talked about how we must sincerely love those we want to help. Obviously this
is TRUE! But, answered personally for me, it was a miracle to see how I truly
need to love the people in this area more. IT was so easy to love the people
of Durham and I know I can have a similar experience here in Knightdale. All
the members I have met here have been kind and enjoyable to be around. I need
to take the advice from Elder Scott and help them feel of my love that way
they can begin to figure out God's love for them. When our mission mom spoke
once, she talked about the way we treat our companion is the way they feel
God's love for them. WHAT A STATEMENT! I have tried to do better since
hearing that. I'm sure this applies to friendships, relationships, and with
complete strangers too (which goes on to President Monson's talk about
charity, or the pure love of Christ). Anyway, I pray consistently for charity
for the people of this ward and I can feel it already beginning to grow.
The second answer for this
question was found in Elder Bednar's talk (I LOVE HIM!). He spoke about how
we need to be agents who act and are not acted upon. This too can apply to
the work in this area! We have the power in us, through Christ, to be able to
see this area blossom! I know that is true! We can ask the members to serve
us, we can do our best to gain their trust (super-trust at that) with the
ward and to find new investigators. WE can be agents and make things happen!
What a beautiful concept! I know that is a lot easier said than done, But I
know that Sister K and I are ready for the joys and challenges that lie
ahead.
4) Why am I serving a mission?
Let me tell "y'all" a
lil background story on this one... When I first chose what questions I
should bring to conference, this was one of them I planned to ask. Why? To
strengthen my commitment and dedication to bring out here on a mission.
But... as hard times came (and they always do), I had a very, very low point.
One of the lowest of my entire mission. Was I disappointed? Yes. Was I
discouraged? Deeply. Was I in despair? Almost. We got back around 8:15 (we
aren't allowed to be out past dark without a member) and I was feeling
physically heavy and mentally exhausted. I laid on the floor in utter
exhaustion (#toomuchbiking) and fell asleep with my face planted into the
unvacuumed carpet. I woke up about later... in probably one of the lowest
states I've ever been on my mission. After planning, we got in bed as soon as
possible and I was OUT COLD. I woke up in the morning refreshed from the physical
exhaustion, but in a similar mind set. My heart was heavy and I rephrased my
question for the following two sessions of conference, "Why should I
stay on my mission?"
Basically, this was my plea with the Lord begging him to let me know why I should stay. An important word in this question is, "WHY." Ultimately, I knew I would stay and that I would overcome this trial. But, I need to know why I should stay. And like always, the Lord, through the Spirit and His chosen vessels, came through for me.
a. The first part of this answer
came during the last few minutes of Music and the Spoken word. The very last
song performed was, "I Believe in Christ." The Spirit hit me SO
hard! It was the most amazing feeling. I wrote in my story journal, "It
all boils down to... I believe in Christ." And that is true. I LOVE
being an official representative for Christ and His Church. I believe He is
the Son of God. I believe He completed the Atonement and established His
Church on the earth. That is just one reason I am serving a mission.
b. Another reason was found in
President Uchtdorf's talk that I wrote about earlier. I wrote in my study
journal, "Stay because I'm grateful." And I truly am. I am so
grateful for the many miracles He has allowed in my life. I am grateful for
this time I have with this calling and the chance I have to represent Him.
c. From the same talk, "Stay
because of your testimony." I wrote these words in my journal after
President Uchtdorf spoke about how NOTHING could keep the apostles of Christ
from finishing their missions. I want this to be the case for me too. He
spoke about changing the lives of everyone everywhere. I LOVE THAT THOUGHT. I
know that it is true. SHOUTOUT to my college friends in Washington, Kentucky,
and Ghana (I didn't really have that many friends in college... #lol) and my
friends from high school in Oklahoma, Madagascar, New York, Arizona, and
Fiji! And an even bigger shout out to my friends who have recently been
called to serve in Chile, NYC, El Salvador, Hong Kong, Argentina, and Zambia.
This gospel will be preached to all the world. And I'm so grateful to be a
part of it.
d. In Elder Ballard's talk, he spoke
about how there are few harvesters and I wrote, "I need to be one!' If
the number of missionaries is the highest it's ever been and it is still a
low number in the eyes of an Apostle, I NEED TO BE A MISSIONARY! The Lord
wants my testimony to be able to touch the lives of these people out here.
I'm so blessed to be one of His chosen "few."
e. Ultimately, the last answer was
an impression I wrote down as follows: "Because He will help me." I
will stay on mission because I know He will help me. I know He will. There is
no doubt about it in my mind. Christ has already helped me this whole time.
It is incredible the things He will do for us. This goes back to the verse in
Mosiah 24:14. "...this will I do that ye may stand
as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety
that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in
their afflictions." he
verse
I know He will comfort you in your
afflictions just as He has in mind. I love when President Monson closed the
conference by telling us how personal and real God is. He mentioned how close
God can be and how far he is willing to go with us. Let us all figure that
out for ourselves. I mention the heartache I went through not to worry
anyone, but to let everyone know that GOD IS REAL. There is opposition in all
things. But God will always provide a way for us to be led back to his arms
with love and happiness.
Revelation is real. God has chosen a prophet. He leads and guides this church under the direction of our Savior. The prophet and His apostles bear witness of Him. Do we realize what that means? We are so lucky.
How blessed we will be if we
follow the commandments. We need to testify of him as well. As said in
conference, we need to bear testimony of Him at every opportunity we get.
SHARE THE GOSPEL! It will bless you. So, so much.
I love being a missionary! :) |
Add on: Sometimes people talk about
conference and having a "theme." My sister, Julieann, has her own
opinion about that... (HAHA) I think the theme you notice in conference is
directly related to the revelation you need. But anyway, Sister Klingler and I
thought the theme for US for this conference was that hard times will come. And
that we will be able to be happy and be grateful during them.
THEN... a text from President. We will be in a trio for the next four weeks until both of my companions will finish their missions and go home. We will cover two areas. It will be an interesting adventure to say the least.
WE ARE EXITED THOUGH!!! :) Also, p.s. my companion now, Sis K was MTC companions with the companion who is coming, Sis S. YUP! So they were MTC companions and they were companions when they were both 6 months out in the mission field, they were in a trio and trained... and now they will finish their mission together (and with me too haha).
WOW WOW WOW! Not what I expected!
haha
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