Updates and Daffodils

 

The worm we named Elder :)

 


Hey Family,

First of all, Happy Birthday Mom!!!!!!! Don't worry I did not forget. I hope you got the card I sent in the mail! Do you have any fun plans? I hope you have a great Birthday today!!!

This week whizzed by and I am trying to remember what happened. We had one lesson with Jose, as all other appointments with investigators fell through, so Sister Patterson and I were able to exceed our goal for member visits. We've been using tactics she discovered in her past area as well as talks from this past General Conference to motivate them to be engaged in the work, including starting from their own desires in life. We've also been busy visiting less actives and finding ways to serve in the community.

On Saturday we planted Daffodil bulbs in Ashland, right along the Marathon route. There will be more flowers planted all along the route over the next few weeks and they will bloom yellow in honor of the incident that happened during the last marathon, right in time for next year's marathon. It was fun to help out with the other missionaries and there were a few photographers--we might just be in the Deseret news at some point soon so you can keep an eye out for it.

Sister Patterson and I are getting along well. I'm still learning by her example as she seeks to understand the needs each person we visit. We've had some great planning sessions and have been able to fulfill most of our goals. I've also been teaching her some basic recipes and we even made a superb pizza with ingredients a member family gave us for left overs. I'm glad she's also been asking questions when they come because I want to make sure we communicate clearly with everything, including about CF. It's starting to get colder here and some illness is starting to go around, so we briefly discussed what we would do in case exchanges would come in need.

I am striving to be patient with my weaknesses again and again, but I know that through prayer, our Heavenly Father can help out. I'm still learning new ways and approaches to try to be able to address each individual's needs to help them progress at the right pace. The mission has its stressful and overwhelming moments, especially since I feel the large responsibility to help each person, but the Lord is continuing to help ease the load. There are several times in the scriptures where we learn about how our Heavenly Father created a new perspective and mindset, providing the encouragement and strength needed. For instance, Enoch did not feel qualified for his calling and responsibilities, so then the Lord told him how he would strengthen him, and then instructed him to walk with him. He then helped open Enoch's eyes as he saw with a new perspective, which gave him the strength to continue on. I love this story and I feel like it's something we could all use as we feel incompatible, insufficient, or discouraged. We can all pray for help and walk with the Lord, which can allow him to strengthen us and help us see with a new perspective.

There are sweet moments here on the mission where the Lord has opened my eyes as there have been some  unexpected, but sweet experiences--whether it be applying a few things I learned in my articulation and phonological disorders class while teaching English, remembering the drama with the Health Insurance prior to the mission (which assures I am here in this mission for a reason), feeling the Spirit bear witness that what we teach is the absolute truth and seeing others come closer to our Savior...the list is endless.

I wish you all the best week.

Love you,

Sister Roy

"When You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello"

Goodbye hug

I have a new companion!  Meet Sister Patterson.

"When you say goodbye, I say hello."

Sister Patterson is actually from California, north of LA, but has moved many times from California to Utah (sounds a little familiar.) I came to quickly realize that we are very different in what seems to be all aspects, but she is awesome and we are learning more each day as a companionship. She has a cute country accent and must be one of the sweetest girls to live. I still miss Sister Gledhill, but I am continuing to learn from Sister Patterson. I've also been able to help her with cooking healthily and helping with work outs in the mornings. She seems to have a desire to learn more healthy habits and I'm not forcing her into anything, but I've noticed how is slowly following after the ways I shop at the grocery store, cook, and work out in the mornings.

Before Sister Gledhill left, I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to carry on all the appointments and responsibilities and be able to help out Sister Patterson. I'll admit that it was overwhelming. However, through planning and praying, I've felt an increased, burning desire to carry on the work and help out each individual. I wish I could explain the feeling, but I've felt our Savior lift the load as I've done my part and strive to work with Sister Patterson. I just hope that we can continue working hard and not lose hope.

As for other shenanigans and happenings...

Oh man. I wish I could express how incredible our Mission President is. #celebritystatus I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but he's given experiences during these past few days that were unbelievable--trials and hardships, what he's learned, and how his testimony has grown from diligent scripture study. I won't share much, but he's had experiences that you would not believe. It was such a treat to hear from him at Transfer meeting and Stake Conference, and at both meetings, people were in tears and the Spirit was incredibly strong. During Stake Conference, President Packard told the story of the Prodigal Son--how the son was lost, but once he came back, his father ran to him, tenderly kissed him, and embraced him. It's a beautiful imagery for how our Heavenly Father feels about each of us. I've been able to feel his love for those we are teaching--it's one of the best parts of this work. The two greatest commandments have stood out to me this past week, while striving for unity between Sister Patterson and I, to care for those we visit, to constantly be focusing on their needs and how to help them progress. There's a lot of responsibility that comes with being a missionary, but it all comes to the simplicity of loving our Heavenly Father with all our heart, might, mind, and strength, and giving our time, care, and attention to those around us.

 Sister Patterson and I were also able to finally go to the temple yesterday! One thing I've missed is being able to attend the temple more regularly--don't take it for granted! Half of our mission goes every other Monday holiday, and then the other half goes for the following Monday holiday.  We were able to watch the new film for the first time as well and it was so special to be able to attend for the first time in months. It was much needed and I encourage anyone who can go to the temple to go.

The autumn weather here is still beautiful and we've heard it's the best that's been here in years. The leaves are staying on longer than usual. We haven't had many rainstorms and it isn't too cold yet. Hopefully it won't be a long winter like last year's.

Well I better go. There's not too much to talk about since it was a shorter week. I wish you all the best week.

With much love,
 Sister Roy

Ch ch ch changes and Conference Time

Ch ch ch changes, face the strange.

Oh man, Sister Gledhill is leaving.

A lot of changes are going to happen.

I'm staying where I am, but I'm getting a new companion? I'll soon be the one driving? (Whoever even came up with the idea for these roads to be constructed after the shape of pretzels and have them cross over each other with streets extending off of them was off their rocker.) I'm actually pretty nervous for what may happen but am having to lean on faith. Luckily President Packard devotes a lot of time to pray about what to do for each transfer--if each missionary should stay or go and where they will be assigned to, who their new companion will be, if they're training, new positions...all that jazz.

My new companion will be Sister Patterson from Springfield, Utah. I've seen her before since she came out here at the same time, but have never met her. Since President Packard tells the assigned missionaries what to send out in the transfer texts, I don't even know if Sister Patterson knows what Cystic Fibrosis is. I'm willing to work with her to help everything work well but there are the responsibilities I have to keep up with to stay healthy. I also hope I can keep everything rolling with everyone we've been meeting with--all Investigators, less actives, the members...the whole crew. It might take some time to adjust but I'm hoping for a smooth transition.

I'm going to miss Sister Gledhill. However, she will be in a great area that we've heard some good things about. She's influenced my life in many ways as I was constantly learning more about devotion, dedication, and much more.

One thing is for sure: missionary life is a crazy shindig.

Now I'm going to put that aside for now.

General Conference this last weekend? Ya? Can you say it was rock-awesome?

Watching it as a missionary with our district was a whole other deal. The spirit was strongly felt during each talk and I was amazed how every question I had was answered directly. Since I'm a quote-geek, here are a few that stood out to me:

"Look ahead and remember faith is always pointing to the future; look ahead and believe."- Edward Dube

"Be equally yoked in the Work of Salvation."- Edward Dube

"A grateful person is rich in the spirit of contentment."- Elder David A. Bednar

"God is perfect and His doctrine is pure, but he works through us, imperfect people; condemn not the things of God."- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

"God will not allow His church to drift from its divine course or destiny."- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Since we are all on the Lord's team, do we each have our own game plan?!"- S. Gifford Nielson! :)       (P.s. He's going to speak at our next Zone Conference. We're ready for some great pep-talk.)

Too many from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's. It's not worth writing them down.

"Heavenly Father has made each of us unique, but he's made 1 plan of happiness--to follow all the commandments of God."- President Henry B. Eyring

"There is joy guaranteed for the faithful."- President Henry B. Eyring

"The first two great commandments remind us of our priorities...."- Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"Being in good physical condition comes at a price--dedication, perseverance, and self-discipline. The same goes for good spiritual condition." - Richard J. Maynes

"You must become the rock the river cannot wash away." - Richard J. Maynes

"This is what the gospel gives us: not an immunity to death, but a victory over it through the hope of the Atonement." - Richard J. Maynes

"Let us run with patience the race that is set before us." - Richard J. Maynes

"Shall I falter? Or shall I finish?; Those who remain of good cheer and face challenges head on keep the Gospel of Jesus Christ the center of their lives." - President Thomas S. Monson

"Don't neglect to look up." - Adrian Ochoa

"The Savior loves us so much He wants us to align our will his His." - Terrance M. Vinson

"It is personal, enticing, and inviting that we walk with the Savior's arm around us." - Terrance M. Vinson

"With your body being such a vital part in God's Eternal Plan, it is a temple. See it as a temple and your decisions for how you take care of it will affect your eternal destiny. How so? Your body is a temple as it houses your spirit"

"You were chosen in this precise time for bravery, courage, integrity of heart. Some of these attributes you may have developed in the pre-mortal life and some we can still develop." - Elder Russel M. Nelson

Anywho those were only a few but that way you can remember some of its awesomeness.

The work is picking up here, as Jose finally has a baptismal date for the beginning of November. We will also begin teaching a couple of kids of a less-active family. It's ironic how it seems to be the younger generation that is moving along quicker, but we'll see how everything plays out. I know their actions will affect their future families and generations. I'm so glad we'll be teaching more people while bringing them closer to our Savior.

I hope you all have a great week.

With love,

 Sister Roy

Mission Prep Tips

Words of advice to Rachel's brothers who are preparing to serve missions in the near future
 
I.  Mission Prep

In preparation for your mission I found the following tips to be helpful:

1.  Make sure you really study the Preach My Gospel manual (a lot).  I've found I don't have as much time to study how to be a better missionary, as we study for those we teach.  I'm still trying to balance what we study but I usually turn to Chapter 3 and find examples from the scriptures to help comfort others struggling or motivating examples to help members be better missionaries.

2.  Learn how to set goals and accomplish them.  You do it a lot as a missionary.

3.  Learn how to really organize.  I'm still struggling with this, but it helps when you know how to arrange notes, goals, planning and more.  My companion is a pro and I'm learning by her example.  I've found it also helps keep thoughts organized.

4.  Since you can only read approved material on your mission, read the Power of Everyday Missionaries by Clay Christensen found at Deseret Book (especially if you serve in the United States).  Take notes.  Make printouts and bring them on your mission.  No need to feel overwhelmed by everything in the book, but there are so many key points for helping members get involved in the work of salvation.

5.  Don't wait until the last minute to find appropriate music.  You may be stuck in the car, driving a lot, listening to the same songs over and over again.

6.  Start exercising and learn routines.  Bring plenty of exercise ideas and a few portable athletic gear (which you can possibly buy in the mission field) such as a jump rope, resistance bands, resistance tubes, or whatever you can think of.  I'm not kidding.  Even if you need to set up a file and print off workout ideas, do it. In the mission field we only get 30 minutes in the morning to exercise. Use your time wisely, but it can be easy not to know what to do if you don't have ideas or supplies.  Elders buy weights in the field and carry them around for transfers and leave them at their last apartment.  Sometimes they even have them at the apartment from previous Elders who lived there.  Remember members love to feed, I'm just saying.  I also made mp's of Insanity and put it on my IPod.

7.  Once you receive your endowment, attend the temple as frequently as possible before you leave on your mission.  Learn to love the temple and take advantage of the opportunity of attending.  Right now I'm only allowed to attend every other Monday holiday.  It's rough.

8.  Keep saving up money.  

 And what I find the most important:

9.  Spend quality time with friends and family.  Sometimes you don't realize how much you love someone until you're separated.


II.  MTC-Provo tips

1.  There seem to be a lot of rules that don't make sense, especially in the MTC, but it's important to stay obedient.

2.  The Cafeteria food can be good but it can make you gain weight easily.  In the Cafeteria, my favorite go-to's were the Wrap Bar, the Cart with Parfaits and Salads (and the parfaits and prepared salads are from BYU and are expensive there--love it while it's free).  Right next to the cereal area you can always make a peanut butter sandwich.  Tip:  If you want good BYU bagels in the morning, get some early...they run out quickly.  In  the corner area where the grilled/fried foods usually are, they have healthy options (nuts, granola, almonds, soy milk, etc.)  Also, every Wednesday and Sunday is ice cream night and Friday nights the Cafeteria serves Papa John's Pizza.

3.  Sanitize your hands often.

4.  You will grow to love your MTC District.  You will be with them all the time.  They will be your classmates all day.  Enjoy your time with them and have fun with them!

5.  Take good notes in the MTC (they really can help in the mission field).

6.  Every Sunday night you get to watch films of talks and Devotionals by Apostles when they addressed the missionaries at the MTC.  The Character of Christ by Elder David A. Bednar (April 2011) is an incredible talk and many talked about it afterwards, even out on their missions.

7.  You can upload pictures only on the computers in the laundromat.  For emailing pictures, have a SD card reader handy (plus, the computers in the laundromat don't have a time limit...shhhh...but many missionaries already know about this little tip).

8.  Bring healthy snacks to the MTC.  Classroom hours are loooong and then you won't have such an urge to eat a lot in the Cafeteria.

9.  BUY A CLIP FOR YOUR MISSIONARY NAME TAG IN THE MTC BOOKSTORE!

10. Be sure to take your picture by the world map, pointing to your mission.

11. Be sure to smell the tree that smells like orange cream soda near the laundromat.  It really smells like orange cream soda!

12. Lined along all the hallways of the main building are photos of missions around the world - they are neat to look at.

13. There is the large gym everyone goes to that has the gym floor and track and a few equipment machines, but then there is the small gym not many know about that's by the MTC Bookstore where they have a whole wall lined with free weights.  The small gym is also full of nice treadmills, ellipticles, and more.  You even get to watch church films and plug in headphones (they can be bought at the MTC Bookstore for $1-2).

14. On P-Day go to the temple early and eat in the temple cafeteria, too.

15. On certain days you can get a mini Freschetta personal pizza on carts outside of classrooms (afternoons?  I'm not really sure when - Sister Gledhill was just telling me about it).

16.  (Before MTC):  Take a little laundry detergent with you when you enter the MTC for as many loads as you'll do in the MTC.  I stayed two weeks and had to buy a box of detergent for $7 or $8 (that's all they had)...that's for two loads on 1 P-Day...not worth it!!!!

17.  Last but not least, always find opportunities to laugh.  Laugh at the awkward moments, make your companion laugh, etc.  My MTC companion Sister Barney and I were always finding ways to laugh and I believe it's what got me through the MTC -- making the whold experience more enjoyable.


III.  Missionary in the Field (Whoot Whoot!!)

1.  It really depends on where you go.  Your mission may have different priorities than another one...for instance, who you teach and how you use your time (in the Massachusetts Boston Mission tracting from door to door is our last priority).

2.  Take things one step at a time and take time to breathe!  I was a little surprised that a majority of Brayden's main advice was to take everything one step at a time and to not let the little things get to me, but oh, it is so true!  As you know I tend to often worry or stress, but missions can become stressful because it's a big responsibility and there's a lot to do.  However, the Lord will guide you step by step as you put your trust in Him and do His will.

3.  Make sure you receive the "Adjusting to Missionary Life" booklet when you enter the mission field.  Since dealing with stress is a little different on the mission (for instance, my coping strategies were mainly being with friends, running, working out and listening to music) it provides great advice, scriptures, coping strategies and more for when you feel overwhelmed, down, or stressed.

4.  Some other advice I've received from others that have helped are to think of the quote "By the end of your mission, which would you have rather faced...the pain of effort? or the pain of regret?"   Other things are "Don't look back," "Don't delay," "People don't care how much you know, they just want to know how much you care," and "What would the Savior do if He had your opportunities?"

3.  One last thing:  this way of charting and planning is incredible.  I encourage you and your companion to use it for weekly planning.  Clayton Christensen, the author of "the Power of Everyday Missionaries," came to our Zone Conference (he's in our Massachusetts Boston Mission Presidency) and expounded on the 3 main areas of conversion.  This means that yes, the missionaries teach lessons, but that's only part of the their conversion and we can help guide their whole conversion experience.  Yes, there is agency, but at least we can help in any way possible.  Here is the planning chart.  Don't feel overwhelmed -- it will make more sense when you're on your mission.  What my companion and I did was list the name of each investigator we are working with, their major specific needs, and how to get there.