Director of Our Lives

Well folks, this is the end of the road for Sister Lynch. It actually has been for a while, I think I'm just finally ready to admit it now! Haha

I have been home for a total of three weeks now! How crazy is that?!? I still can't believe it.

If you haven't been able to tell, I love being a missionary! I am so grateful for my mission, everything I learned from it about the gospel and myself. I have gained so many wonderful friends, my testimony has grown and I am just happier all around. I am so grateful for this experience God has given me that will shape and define the rest of my life.

Because of my love for the mission, I was sad to go. Not because of disappointment, regret, feeling like it was unfair or not my time. It was perfectly clear to me that it was my time to go, God has things planned for me and He has spent the last 18 months preparing me to face the rest of my life. My sadness came from not wanting to leave such special friends, family almost, that I had grown so close to. And it came from having to leave the place that had changed me, that helped me grow into something I finally feel I could be proud of. It left me wondering if I would still be able to keep growing, or if I could possibly continue to be that happy. But because our God is our loving Father in Heaven, I knew the answers to those questions. My purpose would be a little different and I would never have experiences again quite like on my mission, but I am still His beloved daughter and He will continue to guide me and shape me if I allow Him.

Not going to lie, it has been tough. This world paused for me when I left, but for everyone else it kept moving full speed ahead. Everything is so different and it has been hard to know where I fit. Some places I feel I don't. But it has been so good for me. Like I said, God will only be the director of our life if we allow Him. Sure He is ever present and knows what is going on and is capable of affecting our life, but He can only help us grow and make miracles happen with our consent. I have seen that the more diligent I am in the small and simple things, like prayer and scripture study, the better He is able to show me who He intends for me to be and what His will is for me. I'm just happier all around. But that happiness can only exist if we are patient, just keep smiling and recognize that it needs to be a growing PROCESS. That's a lesson I keep having to relearn, but He is teaching me!

I would like to leave you with the words of Ammon, a great missionary, at the end of his service. "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever" (Alma 26:12)

These words have kept me going and kept me humble. I have seen some incredible things and have been allowed to be a part of many miracles in the land of The Ohio. I know that this was only because of the grace and power of God that He would put so much trust in such a humble servant. I intend to see many more mighty miracles as I live the lessons I learned on my mission, strive to be the person God has helped me to become and do all I can to make Him the director of my life.

I love you all so much! Thank you for your love support and prayers. I felt you with me always.

With love, for the last time,

Sister Ashley Lynch

California?....

Well everyone, you read it right I’m headed to California. As in New California, here in Plain City, Ohio.

Just kidding :) I have served for just about 18 months here in The Great Ohio Columbus Mission and my time has come to an end. But I am not sad because I am satisfied (and extremely tired) and I know that the Lord is satisfied with the work I have done on His behalf. I have met so many wonderful people who I have had the opportunity to teach and see change their lives, and some that I have only met once. They have all impacted me in one way or another, and most importantly have helped me build my testimony. Recently President Stratford told me that when I step off that plane the only thing my friends and family will recognize about me is my face. And he is absolutely right. I have become a new person through Christ, through having to rely on Him through trials and struggles, seeing others change their lives and find joy, and recognizing that everything good I could possibly have comes from Him. I want you to know that I know that my Redeemer lives, that He loves me and each one of us. He has a perfect plan that allows us to have a fullness of joy, and if we follow the path He has so carefully set for us we can experience that now. Yes, in the midst of a world of sorrow and confusion I promise that we can have joy through Christ. His path is definitely not the easiest, nor does it always look most desirable, but it is the only way that we can have true and everlasting hope and peace. I have seen this for myself,  and I am excited to continue on that path He has helped me find while serving as His missionary. Because of my service and what I have learned, I will never stop being a disciple of Jesus Christ. 

This is only a portion of my testimony and I can't possibly put everything I feel into words. I would echo Ammon when He says, "Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel." (Alma 26:16) 

I do rejoice that I have gained an undeniable testimony of my Savior, His redeeming power, His mercy and patience with me as I try to figure life out. I cannot tell you the smallest part of the blessings and miracles I have seen while serving as an instrument in His hands and I intend to do so for as long as I live. 

If you need more joy in your life, more hope, direction or purpose, I invite you to make the necessary changes in your life to come closer to Christ. Talk to a missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they are anxiously wanting to help others have the tools they need to build their relationship with Christ. I promise you it will not be easy, but nothing of consequence in this life comes easy. But I do promise that Christ is not just a way, but He is the only way, the truth and the life that can bring you true joy.

I love you all so much. See you real soon, and just keep smiling!

Change=Joy

Exciting news of the week: KERRY HASKINS GOT BAPTIZED!!!! I cannot tell you how happy I am. This past transfer has changed me so much. It is my final one and I felt like it has been a culmination of everything I have learned so far on my mission. I have been seriously stretched, I have had to rely on nothing but my Savior for guidance and strength and I have needed to exercise a lot of faith. Like any other situation that requires these elements, we have seen a lot of miracles come from it. But the greatest miracle of all is Kerry and this step she has made to bring herself closer to Jesus Christ. She has experienced so many changes in her life as she has worked hard to more closely align her life with Christ's gospel and has received so much joy. This is our purpose in life, to receive joy! And Christs ways is the way to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. I am so grateful that I have been able to watch Kerry and so many of my other friends begin their journey on that path through baptism. 

I love you all, have a wonderful week. And remember, just keep smiling!

He Shall Teach You All Things

This week was fantastic! I feel like we didn't do a whole lot though. Honestly lately, I feel like it's just God teaching our friends the things they need to know and we are lucky enough to be along for the ride.

Kerry is doing amazing! She is so excited and prepared for her baptism this Saturday! That's three days from now! In three days she will make essential, sacred covenants with her Father in Heaven. Since I last talked with you Kerry had her baptismal interview. I think I told you how powerful it was for us preparing her for that, and Elder Bagley felt that power as he was conducting the actual interview. He told us that it was the most incredible interview he has been able to be a part of. He shared with us one thing that she said. She told him that she would give up anything in her life if it meant she could partake of the sacrament weekly. I love Kerry. I am so excited for her testimony to grow and deepen even more moving forward.

Our other friend Gladys is still doing amazing :) honestly, she lights up my world. I adore her. This week we taught her the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is to have faith, repent, be baptized and receive the holy ghost, and endure to the end. Then the next day she was able to attend a baptism, and the next day she attended church with us. She is amazing :) it's a wonder she doesn't get sick of us! Haha. But then we had another lesson with her this week and she had so many insights and thoughts, and experiences where she knew the spirit was teaching her and reminding her of things. All of her experiences this week linked together and they haven't been able to leave her mind. There are a few obstacles in her way, but she knows she is on the right path and is going strong! She inspires me.

Gladys

Like I said, I don't really think we have done anything. We have just been the vessels and provided opportunities for them to have spiritual experiences. I know that the Holy Ghost is the real teacher. And I am grateful for that. His witness is more powerful than anything that I could ever say or do on my own and it is how these friends I mentioned are experiencing true conversion. 

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:26-27)

Love you all, and just keep smiling.

A Pure And Delightsome People

This week was so totally awesome! Do you want to know why?! Because experienced incredible miracles. And the types of miracles this week are the reason I am a missionary and why I love it so much. We experienced many instances where we were able to see the evidence of conversion in those we are working with.

First I would like to tell you about Gladys :) She is amazing! The sweetest little lady and just a party to be around. When I first met her, which is just shy of three weeks now, and her intent and desire for meeting with us has completely changed. It started with her saying that she was just curious, then she had experiences feeling the spirit so strongly during a chapel tour and from coming to church that she told us this was an option for her. She actually called us this week pretty upset and told us that she was so sad she couldn't make it to church this week. She didn't know about some Father's Day plans that had been made and was so excited to come again and stay for the second and third hours. We made her day when we told her we would attend an earlier ward with her :) In our last lesson with her a few days ago she was talking as if this was the option and something she knows God wants for her and is praying about a baptismal date! I know that the spirit is the real teacher. When we teach by the spirit and when those we teach have real intent, hearts can be changed.

Ready for some more exciting stuff? Our dear friend Kerry is getting baptized on the 30th of this month! I have probably told you that before, I just can't get over how exciting it is! And what is even greater is that her excitement matches ours. We have just been trying to do all we can for her to build her testimony and integrate her into the ward. This week we had another picnic with her and some ladies from the ward and it was awesome! It just makes me so happy to see her creating real friendships with people, for the members to truly care and offer support and for them to be excited to see one another at church. Just so awesome!

We also had the opportunity to attend a baptism with Kerry and that was a sweet experience. After the ordinance was performed she was beaming. She was almost giddy with excitement for her own baptism in a few weeks and as she shared her feelings with us she got chills. I know that day the spirit witnessed to her that what she is doing is right and good.

On Monday we were able to have a family home evening with an absolutely amazing family in the ward. Their home is filled with the spirit and was wonderful for Kerry and her family to be there. We watched the Restoration movie and because of the safe environment created Kerry shared her testimony without prompting, at least none from us :) She bore testimony of the sacrament and how much that means to her in her life. It was beautiful and I could not be more happy. My mind kept going to President Daines, before he left the mission field he told us that if we are converted to the sacrament we are converted to Christ. I know Kerry has experienced conversion.

Last, but definitely not least yesterday we shared the sweet experience of going over the baptismal interview questions with her. This is an opportunity for her to share her testimony and the changes that have occurred in her life and that she is ready to make this step of baptism. Kerry is absolutely amazing. She told us that of all the hard things she has had to do, the changes she needed to make the hardest thing was that initial step of opening her mind. Once she did that, everything changed and she was able to find greater hope and joy in her life through the gospel.

That really struck me. How often in our lives do we struggle to open our minds? I feel in life we get so comfortable with what we know, or our pride sets in and we assume that what we know is right. How often do we get in our own way of finding more? I have been thinking about this often lately and was reminded of it again while reading these verses in my studies this morning.

2 Nephi 30:5-6

5 And the gospel of Jesus Christ shall be declared among them; wherefore, they shall be restored unto the knowledge of their fathers, and also to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, which was had among their fathers.

6 And then shall they rejoice; for they shall know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God; and their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes; and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a pure and a delightsome people.

No matter who we are, what we know, where we are in life, or even more specifically where we are in our walk with Christ, there is always more. If we but open our hearts those scales of darkness, whatever keeps us from seeing the world around us clearly, will be removed. I would invite each of you to pray and ask God what you can do to be a little more open, a little more humble, or to have a little more real intent and then to act. I promise that as you do so you will rejoice. You will find that greater joy, hope and peace that the Lord is waiting to bless you with and like the scripture says, you and the generations to follow will be a pure and delightsome people.

I hope you have a wonderful week! Just keep smiling!

Life Changing

This week has been fantastic! So many miracles have come our way and I could not be happier!

First of all, as a mission we have what are called the standards of excellence. This is a way we can track and be accountable for the work we do each week. Well, this week we reached those standards! In Dublin! All that people said when I was transferred to Dublin was how hard of an area it is. I declare that to be false! It is honestly just like any other area, it's what you make it. I truly have a testimony that whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve! And through that kind of faith, we are seeing miracles!

I want to tell you briefly about a very incredible and life changing experience we had this week. Honestly, this experience about sums up why I chose to come on a mission and why every day is worth it for me. I was on exchanges with Sister Edmunds, who is honestly one of the coolest people I know. We had a blast. But the best part of our day was when we didn't really know where to go. We only had a few minutes, and our plans had in this person a bit out if the way and just thinking about it, it didn't make sense to walk all the way over there with the amount of time we had. But something told us we should, so we listened. In case you are wondering, that something is called the Holy Ghost. And I am so glad we listened. We were only about half way down the street and we hear someone call out to us "Sisters!" We see a man in a garage and as we get closer he says "do you wonder how I know who you are? I used to be mormon." And then we proceeded to have the most wonderful conversation I can ever remember having. He told us about his life, how he walked away from that path, what his life was like now, and how crazy it was that we met him today. He went from being surprised at seeing us, to confused, to realizing there must be a purpose, and then finally to knowing that because of this interaction his life would never be the same. He commented on the power of the spirit he felt in our conversation, the amount of time it's been since he has had the privilege of feeling that, and showed a bit of despair as he told us that he was too far to be able to come back. We testified of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, how there is no where that is out of Christ's reach. He loves us perfectly. No matter where we are in life, if we have a desire to change He will be there to make it possible. And that is exactly what our friend, Raul, wanted to do. He wanted to change to feel the spirit again and find peace and satisfaction in his life. He just kept saying how excited he was to call his son, who he knows has been praying for him. Raul said he will never forget us and the conversation we had, and I know I never will either. It was a great reminder of why I am here and of the reality if our message. The gospel of Jesus Christ changes and saves lives, and it is the only sure way to find peace and safety both in this life and the life to come. I am so grateful that I get to be an instrument in the Lord's hands to spread this life changing message.

Love you all, Just keep smiling.

My Wrestle With God

Oh boy, what a week! I don't think I have ever been so excited, exhausted, anxious, or joyful as I have been this week. Let me see if I can sum it up for you real quick (it probably won't be very quick). I am now serving in a place called Dublin, Ohio. I don't think I have ever served in a place quite like Dublin. It is a beautiful place, full of beautiful homes and nice families. Life is so good, which sometimes makes it a bit hard for people to see why they need the gospel in their lives. Or at least that is the reputation this area has received. But coming into this transfer, my companion Sister Tolman and I decided we were not going to let those stereotypes and past results get in our way of seeing miracles!

One of the biggest things weighing on me lately is a goal we have as a mission. President Stratford received revelation that each companionship in the mission can help someone to be baptized before July 1st, and since then it has been confirmed to me multiple times that this is possible. So I have faith that this is possible because God always fulfills His promises. But upon arriving in Dublin, there was no one on date to be baptized in the month of June. And in case you forgot, it's already June. So we seemed to be in a bit of a pickle. To be totally honest, I was frustrated and a bit angry. I don't know what at, but I just felt like it wasn't fair. But God gave me a good kick in the pants and an assurance that all things are possible through Christ. So I picked myself up and we made goals and plans to find someone and make this happen. 

I think my theme for the week has definitely been Alma 8:10

"Nevertheless Alma labored much in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he would pour out his Spirit upon the people who were in the city; that he would also grant that he might baptize them unto repentance."

This is literally me. Every time I would read in the scriptures about individuals wrestling with God or struggling in the spirit, I obviously recognized that whatever it was they were praying about was something they really wanted and it took effort. But this week, I think I truly have come to understand what that means, the kind of desire that comes from understanding the eternal consequences of what needs to happen to the point that it consumes you and leads you to struggle in prayer, and the type of energy and effort that it takes. It is more than just physical exertion that we experience when we work hard, but it is spiritually and mentally strenuous. I don't think I have ever wanted anything more, and I think what heightens that desire is knowing that it is what God wants as well.

We have been working so hard, meeting and teaching many wonderful people and looking everyone for those who are prepared for baptism. Yesterday evening Sister Tolman and I both felt like we should see a woman in our area book. We went to her home and actually met her daughter who is about our age :) She is so cool!!! She immediately opened up to us and found interest in our message. We taught her about the Book of Mormon and she said that it would be so important to her to know that there is more scripture about Christ, because she wants to be able to learn as much about him as she can. We shared more of the restoration and the conversation shifted to baptism. What she said made my heart fill with joy "I have always wanted to be re baptized, so that this time it would be my own personal commitment to follow Christ" Friends, she excitedly accepted a baptismal date of June 30th, is looking forward to church Sunday and reading from the Book of Mormon. She is a miracle. I gave her the biggest hug before we left her doorstep and could not help but tear up as we walked away, practically jumping for joy that our prayers had been heard and answered. I know that at this point she can't possibly know the magnitude of the commitment she just made, or how hard the adversary is going to work against this. But we know these things, we know how impossible a task this may seem, so we are going to keep struggling in the spirit and wrestling with God to make this happen. We will continue to find those that God is preparing and do all we can for those we have already found, because they are always there and God will always provide a way.

Remember that God loves you. He hears your prayers. He knows of your worries, fears, concerns, anxieties and trials. It may not always come in your timing, but an answer will always come. So keep praying, and while you wait Just Keep Smiling!

Change is Good

This is going to be a real short one folks! Well, like I said, change is good. That's basically what I have been telling myself all day. We found out that I will be transferred to Dublin, and that is where I will spend my last transfer. It is hard to go. I am going to miss Sister Tobler like crazy! She has become one of my best friends, we have shared so many laughs, experienced some serious challenges, have grown together, and I can honestly say she has changed my life. I am especially sad to go with all the miracles we are experiencing lately.

To be brief, WE FOUND A FAMILY!!!! They are some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. They are so prepared for the gospel and they know it. That brings me the greatest joy, when people can instantly tell that what we have to share is something desirable and can change their life. We met them by what anyone else would call mere chance, but I know it was by divine design. We were led to them because God knows they are ready, that they need the restored gospel, and that we specifically could help them find it. They are just so excited to make these changes in their life and work towards baptism! They are planning to be baptized this next month, and that is a day I wouldn't miss for anything in the world :) 

I think it is amazing how even though as missionaries we change locations so often, we do not have to be worried about losing the bonds we form because they have truly changed us. The experiences we have change our nature and who we are, we will never be the same again and those we meet become a part of us. Even though I only met this wonderful family a week and a half ago, they will be a part of my life forever, along with so many others that I have come to love while serving the people of Ohio :)

 I am ready to face my next adventure head on, and give my all to whatever comes my way!

Have a wonderful week everyone, and just keep smiling!

The Worth Of Souls Is Great

What a week! We have just seen so many miracles! There are a few families that we are teaching that I am just oh so excited about.

There is this cute little family we met recently and all the girls talk about is coming to church! Seriously, IT'S ALL THEY TALK ABOUT! We are so excited to have them there this Sunday :) and they are all reading the Book of Mormon together. It is just a beautiful picture, and I know that this is the best thing they will ever do as a family. I'm so happy to be able to teach them these amazing truths that will bring them so much happiness in life!

We met another woman lately that I am very excited to teach. She was standing outside waiting for the bus, and I'm glad she was because she said normally she would have just ran the other way. She currently doesn't have a belief in God because of some hard things she has experienced in her life. But by a miracle we were able to meet her and taught the Plan of Salvation to her. She said it would be amazing to know that there was someone out there who knew her perfectly the way we say Jesus Christ does. It really hit her and now she is doing her best to read the Book of Mormon  and said she would even say a prayer! It is amazing how simple and profound truths, like the Plan of Salvation, will help people make small but significant changes in their lives. I know she will never be the same because of it. I love being a missionary!

That leads me to something else I learned this week. Elder Nielson of the seventy came and visited our mission! It was amazing!!! As he and his wife were teaching us at zone conference, they stopped and said "Well, we didn't plan to talk about this, but I guess we need to" and by divine design they talked for a good long while about what it means to be a child of God, how we can understand our divine worth, and how important it is for us to remember that everyday. That is something my companion is helping to teach me right now, something that we are blessed to learn from the Plan of Salvation, and something that if truly understood will change our whole outlook on life. I urge each of you to get on your knees tonight and pray and ask God what he thinks of you. Spoiler alert, I already know the answer. He thinks the world of you! He wants you to succeed and cares about your every need.  

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" 

(Doctrine and Covenants 18:10)

I love you all, just keep smiling!

Just Love

This week I want to talk about love. Everything in life that means something comes from our loving Heavenly Father. When we understand his perfect love we are better able to love others. Sometimes it's hard to love. It's especially hard sometimes to love yourself. But that's ok, because His love makes up for it. It makes up for everything. It makes up for those times when we don't have the motivation to do anything, when our own fears and doubts keep us from doing anything, or when what we do doesn't seem good enough. But thats ok, just do it anyway. God loves that you are even trying. And the most important thing that He wants us to try and do is to love ourselves and those around us.

Love is smiling at a stranger. It is doing what you know is right. It is lending a helping hand. It is finding ways to serve those you love, and maybe even those you don't. Love is making sure people know how special they are. It is really listening to people. It is buying a slurpee for your companion when they are down. It is washing the dishes so someone else doesn't have to. It is talking to people about Jesus Christ's gospel, even when that task seems impossible, because you know it will bless their life. 

Something I have been reminded of this week is how important it is to just love. Just love myself, love the Lord enough to do what He has asked, and love those around me. When We learn to do that, life is happier. And if it doesn't seem happy right now, just do the things that show love anyways. Christ's love will make up the difference

I love you all, Just keep smiling

The Greatest Battle We Will Ever Fight

I don't have a lot of time this week sadly, because I feel like this week was such a roller coaster. I was honestly very down at the beginning of thi
s week, but now life is looking good :) I don't really like who I was at the beginning of this week, but I am grateful for the lessons that I learned in the process of getting over all of that.

I learned two major things:

1) happiness is a choice

2) that choice is only possible because of Jesus Christ 

If you have read all of my posts you will notice that those are things I have claimed to learn before. Something else that I have learned from my mission is that life is a cycle. We literally learn the same lessons over and over again. Sometimes it's the same exact thing that we just can't get, so our Father in Heaven mercifully gives us more opportunities to get it right, and sometimes we are just prepared to learn a new part of that lesson. I feel like I have experienced both of those circumstances this week. 

Whatever life throws at you, just remember to keep moving forward. When you are doing a good thing you will inevitably receive just as strong of forces trying to push you backwards. Never forget though the strength of who is behind you. Do the Lord's work: serve others, love, forget about yourself, and be happy. The adversary will put untrue things in your head, roadblocks in your path and do anything he can to keep you from spreading good. In those moments, rely on Jesus Christ. He wants more than anything for you to succeed and if you do your part, just your small part to look to Him, you will receive Heavens help in your life and see miracles! This is the greatest battle we will ever fight, the battle for our own happiness, and with Jesus Christ we will always win.

I love you all, have a wonderful week! And just keep smiling!

 

 

Look To Christ and Live

What a week! Here are some highlights:

I finished reading the Book of Mormon again! What was even more fun is that Sister Tobler and I finished on the same day :) I cannot tell you how much I have learned from this book. This time through I learned a lot about how to receive answers to prayers. It has shown me so much about faith, God's plan for me, His commandments. Most importantly it has pointed me continuously to Jesus Christ. Through it I have developed a stronger testimony of who He is and why I need Him so desperately in my life. And through consistent study I am grateful to know that testimony will never stop growing.

 

 

Other exciting news, my friend James got baptized! I first met her in band and she is just so great! She is one of the most caring people I have ever met. Well, while I was still at home I found out she was meeting with missionaries! She was actually preparing for baptism, but the timing wasn't right. A few months ago I felt prompted to reach out to her and discovered she was still meeting with missionaries! She attended church regularly, read the Book of Mormon often. Her testimony had grown immensely, and even though I only had the opportunity to chat with her through Facebook I could tell that she was filled with such a different light than she had been before. This Saturday she made the step of being baptized! I could not be happier and I am so proud of her!

Another highlight of my week was that on Monday I got to go on exchanges with the amazing Sister Clark! Boy have I missed her sweet spirit. It was an honor to be able to serve with her in Lancaster again for the day :) One of the biggest miracles we saw was Amy. Sherry Price, who was baptized recently, had invited her Sister-in-law Amy to attend. By attending that baptism Amy realized that this gospel is what she has been looking for and what has been missing in her life. She is absolutely amazing and so dedicated and excited to learn all she can about Christ's restored gospel. Elder and Sister Thompson have been working closely with her, and Sister Clark and I had the wonderful opportunity to help her accept a baptismal date! She is so prepared and I know this is going to change her life!

Baptism is such a special and exciting thing that helps us to look to our Savior Jesus Christ!

 

 

There have been many miracles that have happened this week, but it has honestly been a crazy one! I feel like we were constantly running all over the place, trying our best to help people, and still never feeling like anything would go according to plan. BUT this week was a great reminder to me that it's not my plans that matter, but it's God's plans that will really make the difference. There were countless times this week that I was stressed feeling like nothing was working out or that I was not being successful. But then right after those moments, or sometimes even during, we would experience some huge miracle like finding three new investigators in half an hour or because we were running later than planned we would pull up at just the right moment to see an investigator we really needed to get in contact with who got home at that exact moment. It is moments like those that confirm to me that I am exactly where God needs me, doing exactly what He hopes I will be doing. 

Sometimes though that confirmation would not come. There were moments that I felt like I was supposed to be somewhere else, doing some other thing, or that no matter how hard I try I can't possibly do the task the Lord has given me. Those moments are really hard, when I know I could be more successful. What do we do then? Well, we learn from our mistakes and keep on trying. This week I have been studying my favorite talk from this most recent General Conference titled "Until Seventy Times Seven" by Elder Lynn G. Robbins. There is a question he poses very early in his message that really related to how I have been feeling lately. He says, "We may wonder—if both Nephi and Moses were on the Lord’s errand, why didn’t the Lord intervene and help them achieve success on their first try? Why did He allow them—and why does He allow us—to flounder and fail in our attempts to succeed?" I have been wondering that same thing, if I am on the Lord's errand and doing His work, why does it seem like everything is against me or that I can't accomplish this work? Elder Robbins made another point that helped answer my question. He teaches us about the necessity of having real intent as we use the Atonement of Jesus Christ to become what He wants us to be. He says that when we do this we change. "That kind of change results in spiritual growth. Our success, then, isn’t going from failure to failure, but growing from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm."

This life isn't about being perfect. That is what we are all striving for, but we will never get there in this life. And we certainly won't get there very quickly if everything is handed to us. That is why, even when we are doing the work of the Lord, it requires great effort and sometimes what even appears to be failure, otherwise there would be no growth. We are successful simply by getting up after we fall. Each failure or hardship that we experience, if we rely on Jesus Christ to give us the strength to rise from it, will be an opportunity to grow one step closer to success. I urge you all to focus on Jesus Christ in your daily lives. As you do so, you will gain the perspective you need to never lose enthusiasm as you are given the experiences necessary to grow spiritually in the ups and downs in life's journey.

Look to Christ and remember, just keep smiling!

 

 

Whatever the Mind Can Conceive and Believe, It Can Achieve

 
WHAT AN AMAZING WEEK!

Seriously,  insanely awesome miracles included. Be prepared :)

Our area has been doing pretty well, we are finding awesome people to teach and have a few people working towards baptism. It's a bit of a struggle helping people come to church but overall things have been great!

But of course there are always ways we can make things better. Last week Sister Tobler received some inspiration from her sister who recently returned home from her own mission. Her and her companion really wanted to find a family to teach so everyday, in every prayer they said, they prayed that they would find a family of five who were prepared for baptism. In case you don't know, we pray a lot as missionaries. We pray when we wake up, before and after we study and plan, every time we go out the door, get out of the car, need help and guidance, before a lesson, before we eat. ALL THE TIME! Well they did find that family of five like they had prayed for and all of them were baptized.

Sister Tobler and I were inspired by this story, so we took this challenge ourselves. In every prayer we would ask to be led to those that the Lord is preparing for baptism. At first it seemed like a little much and I didn't really know what would come of it because I already felt like we were praying for these things. I am so grateful that the Lord looked over my lack of faith in those thoughts. We had done this for five days and on four of those we had found someone to teach and helped them to accept a baptismal date! Four more people are now working towards making sacred covenants with their Heavenly Father because we acted on the inspired words of her sister. I know that it had little to do with us, but because we were humble enough to listen and had the faith to work diligently, we were able to be instruments in the Lord's hands to bring about miracles. 

I know that this is true for each of our lives. I have learned a lot of things from this experience this week. Some of the big  ones are

1) The power of prayer is most definitely real

2) When our greatest desires match the Lord's greatest desires, we will see miracles to make them happen

3) Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve

Number three is a quote by Napoleon Hill that President Stratford loves and has invited us each to live by. I have definitely gained a testimony of that principle this week and I absolutely know it is true. Whenever we put our mind to something, and have enlisted the Lord's help, we can accomplish it.

I love you all! Just keep smiling!

 

 

Multitude of Tender Mercies

 

This week was jam packed, we were crazy busy and saw so many Tender Mercies! We started off the week with an exchange with my good friend Sister Norman :) She is in training and has that greenie fire :) She is so cool, and we met so many awesome people! I love when the weather starts to get warm (don't get your hopes up though because it snowed again later in the week...) One of the coolest people we met that day was Tina. She has a cute little family and as we talked with her and started teaching things began to sound familiar. She was excited to tell us that a few years ago she had actually met with missionaries! They lost contact because life got crazy, she doesn't remember a lot of what they taught but she does remember that it all made sense. How cool is that?! We went back for our return appointment and they are just so sweet! We found a real gem here in Lancaster. We even got to meet their pet pig! haha. I am so excited to teach their family :) It is such a tender mercy to meet people who are so prepared.

 

Exchanges with Sister Norman

Like I said, I love the warmer weather! This week we did our weekly planning outside at the park, and then we climbed mount pleasant and had the picnic we packed as we did our companion study at the top of mount pleasant (don't be fooled, it's really just a big hill. It sure is pretty though :) It is such a tender mercy to be able to enjoy the beautiful weather and God's creations.

 

View from Mount Pleasant

 

We had Another exchange this week! Party! It was with our Gahanna trio, I love those gals :) I had the opportunity to attend two baptisms that day! It was a very special experience to have the spirit witness to me two times in a row the same feeling of confirmation that this is true and that these amazing people truly did make a covenant with their Heavenly Father. One of the baptisms was in Hilliard, my first area. It was really fun to go back and visit almost a year after I had served there! How crazy is that?!

I also learned that day that I have an accent, not really sure where I picked it up or really what makes my speech different, but apparently it is! We had a lesson with one of their new investigators, probably one of the coolest lessons I have ever been a part of. He is from Africa and is English is pretty good but not 100%. Well as we were teaching he stopped us and said to the other sisters while he gestured at me, "This one, with the accent, can you understand her clearly?" Apparently he had the hardest time understanding what I said and we could not stop laughing. The other sisters assured him that I was speaking just the same as they were. We still haven't figured out what my accent it....haha  

Being able to be an instrument in the Lord's hands to assist in the work of salvation is a huge tender mercy!

 

Gahanna trio

 The biggest tender mercy we experienced this week was when we got our transfer calls and we were informed that Sister Tobler and I will be staying together!!!! We were so surprised and oh so happy! She has become one of my best friends and I love her dearly. I can tell that this transfer is going to be amazing!

I am always amazed by how merciful the Lord is. He manifests His love for us to often in the simplest of ways. I share the feelings that Jared and His family experience in the Book of Mormon when it says that "they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them." I pray that you each will take the time to look around and appreciate the tender mercies that the Lord is continually pouring over you, because an attitude of gratitude brings more joy to life than anything else.

Love you all! Just keep smiling!

 

Crazy Weather!!

 

"because she loves Jesus"

This week was crazy and so busy but we saw so many miracles!!!!

The biggest thing I would like to tell you about is our little friend Aries :)

She got baptized this week!!!!

It was absolutely incredible! When she was asked by our Bishop why she wanted to get baptized she said because she loves Jesus. How perfect is that? That is what conversion is, doing things out of love for Christ. She may only be eight and doesn't know everything yet, but what she does know are the most important things.

I have loved working with her and her family. There has been such a change in their home since her baptism. A greater peace and a greater evidence of the spirit in their home. It is truly amazing what happens in our lives when we keep the commandments and when we do the small and simple things that invite the spirit into our lives.

This is why I am serving a mission. I am here to help others find joy, greater peace, hope, and unite families. Most importantly, and how all of that is accomplished, I am here to help others come closer to Christ through sacred covenants like baptism. 

I am so grateful for my opportunity to serve. It has changed my perspective on life completely and helped have a greater desire to strive to be more like Aries, and do things out of my love for Christ.

I love you all! Just keep smiling!

 

 

I Am A Disciple Of Jesus Christ

This week was so exciting! We did a lot of walking in the rain, we have had some amazing lessons, we have spent a lot of time with one of our amazing investigators and her fun family, we got pulled over by the police (don't worry, he was just letting me know that I accidentally turned off my tail lights...), and we had another tornado warning (that makes 3 total on my mission) we experienced all four seasons in one week (not even joking), rode our bikes a lot, and we got to celebrate Easter! AND we had the opportunity to hear the words of Christ's modern day prophets and apostles! It has been a good time :)

What I want to talk about mostly is that last one. I just think it is so amazing that God loves us enough in our day to have called a prophet. He wants us to have current, easy to understand instruction on how to follow Christ and be happy in this life, and a living prophet is the most direct way we can receive that. 

To sum up the whole conference (a total of 10 hours of inspired words and counsel directly from God for us) we all received instruction on what it means to be a disciple of Christ, and the encouragement and exportation to go and do.

We learned a lot about love, the important of ministering to the one, forgiveness, meekness, the power that comes from understanding that we are a child of God, and how to better follow the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Following Christ is something inseparably connected to our pursuit of true happiness in our lives, so I am grateful for the constant direction on how to do that more effectively.

"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life" (3 Nephi 5:13) 

I think one of the greatest lessons for my life that I am learning while on my mission is what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. I am also grateful to know that even though this commission to declare his word is specifically for me as a missionary, that it doesn't have to stop there. I can continue to help those around me keep their sights on everlasting life. And that is all of our responsibilities as Christ's disciples, because that is what He would do if He were here. We can know a lot about Jesus Christ, but what matters most is that we are continually coming to know Him. How we do that is through very small but eternally significant choices, it comes down to every moment striving to be a little more like Him in our every day actions. 

I am so grateful for my Savior, and especially for His eternal sacrifice that we had the special opportunity to remember and reverence this weekend. Because of Him the ability to change is possible; we can heed to His plea to become perfect even as he is perfect by allowing Him to help us make our daily decisions.

I love you all! Just keep smiling!