Even the Perfect Missionary Struggles

The perfect missionary: 

Is there such a thing?

We, as humans, are not perfect. There is no way for us to be perfect, and we will never be perfect on this Earth. So, what we are to do then, is to strive to be perfect. Even missionaries are not perfect. Even the most perfect of missionaries struggle. 


       "Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses, applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more. He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit." 

-Richard G. Scott.

No matter where we are in life, consequences and trials will face us. As we obey the Lord and his commandments, blessings will persue us. However, that doesn't mean the Lord will not allow us to grow. When these challenges come upon us, when they are not consequences of disobedience, the Lord is hinting to do more. To find more investigators. To serve more. To pray more. To think of new strategies. There is always room for improevemnt. When times get hard in the mission field, remember there is more to be done. The Lord is hinting that we are doing well, and can do even more. 

Mission Call Update

Hey, everyone! MORE mission calls. We are now the Army of Helaman! Let us join together and build God's Kingdom.

Sister Tiffany Ross from West Point, Utah has been called to the Asuncion, Paraguay Mission!

Sister Celeste Wheelwright from Plesant View, Utah has been called to the Scottsdale, Arizona Mission!

Sister Carly Welch from Pleasant View, Utah has been called to the Jackson, Mississippi Mission!

Sister Arielle Judd from Gilbert, Arizona has been called to the Morristown, New Jersey Mission!

Sister Karly Catto from North Ogden, Utah has been called to the Washington Federal Way Mission!

Sister Emily Kitchen from St.George, Utah has been called to the Eugene, Oregeon Mission!

Sister Rachel Wilding from North Ogden, Utah has ben called to the Adriatic North, Mission!

Sister Paige Himmelton from Pontiac, Michigan has been called to the Milwaukee, Wisconsin Mission!

Sister Jaycee Leighton from Panama City, Florida has been called to the Barcelona, Spain Mission

Don't forget to e-mail your name, where you are from, and your mission call to sistermissionariesoftheworld@hotmail.com

Your Wonderful Journey Home

Sisters,
Here is a beautfiul message from President Uchtodrof . Remember missions are so hard, but they are so worth it. God will lift us up so that we are able to go to work.

Advice for the MTC- Sister Chase

Hello, Sisters!

Getting ready to pack and wondering what to bring to the MTC?

On Sister Amanda Chase's blog, she put up some great advice on what to bring. It is so beneficial to hear it from someone who is there now. Here is a link to her blog, follow for more wonderful updates on her journey!

:)
http://sisteramandachase.blogspot.com/

• Bring a watch
• Bring a small calendar (it’s nice to know what the date is)
• Bring some pictures of friends and family
• Bring stamps, envelopes, paper, and cute stickers to put on your letters
• Good pens and pencils
• If you get cold really easily at night, bring a small blanket
• Definitely bring a pillowcase
• A laundry bag you can carry (the place where you do your laundry is a totally separate building than your residence hall)
• Hand sanitizer, tissues, small lotion to carry in your purse
• Mints ( you can’t chew gum at the MTC)
• Tell your family and friends about dearelder.com (if they send a note before 12pm [Monday-Friday], you get it that night.
• You won’t get any mail until the first Friday you’re here
• Study the Book of Mormon, mark it, read it, know it, love it
• Camera with 2 SD cards-- to be able to swap one back and forth with your parents
• Bring more garments than you think (you get sweaty during gym and service time, it’s nice to put on a clean pair)
• A little hymn book (though not completely necessary)
• Smallish notebook to take notes and Band-Aids!
• Be prepared for some weird people
• The days are super short and super long at the same time, time is so crazy here at the MTC
• Try to have fun and remain normal. If you’re not laughing, you’re not doing it right
• Your emotions will be up and down all the time
• Bring melatonin if you think you’ll have difficulty falling asleep
• Be prepared to sit A LOT. All you do is sit.
• Just make it to P-DAY. You can do it!
• You won’t get to check your email for over a week after you report
• Don’t be nervous to teach investigators—as long as you’re prepared and have the spirit with you, you’ll do great :)
• When it’s hard, remember that it does get better—if you look, you will see tons of tender mercies from God during the hard moments
• Pray for your future investigators ALL the time—it helps to stay motivated and happy :)
• The elders in our district wish they would have remembered to bring their journal and a couple cans of mountain dew :) [What?! No caffeine at the MTC??]

Special Discount For SMW Followers!

Hello, Sisters!

http://www.sis-miss.com/

This amazing website, Sis-Miss that I just adore, has created a Special Discount just for Sister Missionaries of the Word Followers!!!  AMAZING, right?!?!

At checkout, you can enter the code SM15 to get $15 off orders of $75 or more.

Spread the word and check them out! Don't forget to FOLLOW Sister Missionaries

So ever since I decided to serve a mission, I've noticed i've had this stalker dude. He's super creepy and follows me everywhere I go. His name is Satan. I knew the fear and doubt would come along with being a Missionary, but what I didn't know was how to deal with it. We are all going to struggle with this throughout the mission process.
When I came across President Uchdorft's talk, I was reassured and comforted. Look at Uchdorft's advice for the Hesitant Missionary.
It reminded me that the Work is good and with God, we can be granted a restraining order.

http://www.lds.org/liahona/2013/02/a-word-for-the-hesitant-missionary?lang=eng

A Word for the Hesitant Missionary

By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

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A Word for the Hesitant Missionary

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Disciples of Jesus Christ have always been under the obligation to take His gospel to the world (see Mark 16:15–16). Nevertheless, sometimes it is difficult to open our mouths and speak about our faith to those around us. While some members of the Church have a natural gift for talking to others about religion, others are a little hesitant or may feel awkward, embarrassed, or even fearful of doing so.

To that end, may I suggest four things that anyone can do to follow the commission of the Savior to preach the gospel “unto every creature” (D&C 58:64).

Be a Light

A favorite saying of mine often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi reads, “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.”¹ Implicit in this saying is the understanding that often the most powerful sermons are unspoken.

When we have integrity and live consistently by our standards, people notice. When we radiate joy and happiness, they notice even more.

Everyone wants to be happy. When we members of the Church radiate the light of the gospel, people can see our happiness and sense the love of God filling and overflowing in our lives. They want to know why. They want to understand our secret.

That leads them to ask questions such as “Why are you so happy?” or “Why do you always have such a positive attitude?” The answers to these questions, of course, lead perfectly into a conversation about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Be Conversational

Bringing up the subject of religion—particularly to our friends and loved ones—can seem daunting and challenging. It doesn’t have to be. Mentioning spiritual experiences or talking about Church activities or events in casual conversation can be easy and pleasant if we invest a little courage and common sense.

My wife, Harriet, is a wonderful example of this. When we were living in Germany, she would find a way to work Church-related topics into her conversations with friends and acquaintances. For example, when someone asked about her weekend, she would say, “This Sunday we had an impressive experience in our church! A 16-year-old young man gave a beautiful talk in front of 200 people of our congregation about living a clean life.” Or, “I learned about a 90-year-old woman who knitted more than 500 blankets and gave them to our Church’s humanitarian program to be shipped to people in need all around the world.”

More often than not, the people who heard this wanted to know more. They asked questions. And that led to opportunities to talk about the gospel in a natural, confident, nonpushy way.

With the advent of the Internet and social media, it is easier today to talk about these things in a conversational way than ever before. What we need is simply the courage to do so.

Be Full of Grace

Unfortunately, it is so easy to be disagreeable. It happens too often that we argue, belittle, and condemn. When we become angry, rude, or hurtful with people, the last thing they want is to learn more about us. It is impossible to know how many people have either left the Church or never joined because someone said something that hurt or offended them.

There is so much incivility in the world today. Because of the anonymity of the Internet, it is easier than ever to say toxic or grating things online. Shouldn’t we, the hopeful disciples of our gentle Christ, have a higher, more charitable standard? The scriptures teach, “Let your speech be alway[s] with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6).

I like the idea of our words being clear as a sunny sky and full of grace. Can you imagine what our families, wards, nations, and even the world would be like if we could adopt this simple principle?

Be Filled with Faith

Sometimes we take upon ourselves too much credit or too much blame when it comes to others accepting the gospel. It’s important to remember that the Lord doesn’t expect us to do the converting.

Conversion comes not through our words but through the heavenly ministrations of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes all it takes is one single phrase of our testimony or about an experience to set in motion the softening of a heart or the opening of a door that can lead others to experience sublime truths through the promptings of the Spirit.

President Brigham Young (1801–77) said he knew the gospel was true when he “saw a man without eloquence, or talents for public speaking, who could only say, ‘I know, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that the Book of Mormon is true, that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of the Lord.’” President Young said when he heard that humble testimony, “The Holy Ghost proceeding from that individual illuminate[d] my understanding, and light, glory, and immortality [were] before me.”²

Brothers and sisters, have faith. The Lord can magnify the words you speak and make them mighty. God doesn’t ask you to convert but rather to open your mouths. The task of converting is not yours—that belongs to the person hearing and to the Holy Spirit.

Every Member a Missionary

My dear friends, today there are more ways than ever for us to open our mouths and share with others the joyful news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is a way for everyone—even the hesitant missionary—to participate in this great work. We can each find a way to use our own particular talents and interests in support of the great work of filling the world with light and truth. As we do so, we will find the joy that comes to those who are faithful and courageous enough “to stand as witnesses of God at all times” (Mosiah 18:9).

Teaching from This Message

One effective way to teach is to “encourage those you teach to set … goals that can help them live the principle you have taught” (Teaching, No Greater Call [1999], 159). Consider inviting those you teach to prayerfully set a goal to share the gospel with one or more people this month. Parents can discuss ways younger children could help. You could also help family members brainstorm or role-play ways to bring up the gospel in regular conversation and think of upcoming Church activities to which they could invite a friend.

Sis-Miss

Having a hard time finding clothes that are modest AND fashionable attire for the mish? Look no further!!!

I just found this AMAZIIIING online store called Sis-Miss- Sister Missionary Apparel.

Check them out because I found sooo many cute things! You even get free shipping on orders of $30 or more.

I put together some of my favorite outfits. Check 'em out!

Jaye.e Button-Up Blouse. Also in Blue!
http://www.sis-miss.com/collections/tops/products/jaye-e-button-up-blouse


Covet Chevron Stripe Skirt. Can go with sooo many colored blouses!
http://www.sis-miss.com/collections/skirts/products/covet-chevron-stripe-skirt


Ruffle Pocket Sleeved Blouse. Also available in black and coral. This is my favorite blouse. It is so simple yet adds a flare to any skirt.
http://www.sis-miss.com/collections/tops/products/ruffle-pocket-short-sleeved-blouse


Covet Multi-Colored Stripe Skirt. My Fave skirt! Love the yellow! So fun and not too crazy to match with!
http://www.sis-miss.com/collections/skirts/products/covet-multicolor-striped-skirt

Blue Bow Flats. So cute! With very good support.
http://www.sis-miss.com/collections/dress-shoes/products/blue-bow-flats


Check them out for more cute clothes!! :)
SIS-MISS
http://www.sis-miss.com/collections/dress-shoes/products/blue-bow-flats