May 25, 2011

Mom! Dad! How art thou? So, well, I have only 30 minutes to write this. First thing first: do you want to look in my blue bin thingy on the bunk bed, looking for a small brown-orangish notebook that has my mission prep notes in it and send it to me? I would appreciate that greatly, hopefully I explained that well enough. So life is going well here. First full day here at breakfast, I was just eating, enjoying my food, and guess who came up to me? Elder Brent Borgerson! He's such a nice, friendly guy... Elder I mean. :) Then later during the day I heard my named called out "Sister Walston"! It was Dan Stephenson. He told me about Chris's call. Zimbabwea! Crazy!!! That is so awesome!!! And I do know that I spelt it wrong. Bad speller of Africa names... yep. So what exactly is fifth disease? I got your letter Mom and 2 from Trevor. Eric and Angela sent me a package of cookies :D my first full day here... well I don't think I got it until Friday. but my roommates and I enjoyed them. So my companion is from Wyoming. Her name is Sister Fairbourn. She's nice. I feel though I get along better though with another roommate. Well, I feel more myself and very comfortable with her: Sister Dodge. She's nice. Talkative. Friendly. Random. she's from Washington. The other Sister is Sister Hansen. She's from Arizona. All 3 of them are going to San Bernardino. Or however you spell it. I'm the only sister going to Roseville,that I know of. all the Elder's in my district are also going to Roseville and there are more of them here as well. So one of the Elder's I briefly knew from BYU. He was in the play Persuasion that Shannon and I saw this last semester. Right after I saw it I talked to him at the Testing Center. He said he remembers me... but yeah. I thought that was really cool. He's actually 21 as well. The rest of the elder's all just turned 19 this month of May. Actually one of them was 18 when he entered. A day and a half later he turned 19. Crazy. They are all so young. I've also seen and talked to Elder Justin Wade. He definitely seems to be enjoying the food here. Ha, yep. Classes are going well. I really like my teachers. They really try to help us with anything we need or are struggling with learning. We do a lot of eating and studying, and more eating and studying, and then more eating and studying. Ha. Yep. The first few days were long. Brent actually warned me of that. He said after Sunday, everything was a lot better. He was right. The days don't seem so long anymore. So Dad, you would be proud. Monday I ran close to 2 miles! Yep. I decided to try running with Sister Dodge, she's a runner. She kept going, so I kept going with her. It was good to have someone push me, but not really push me. She didn't tell me to run with her, I decided it myself. The other days of gym we've played 4-square. And boy, I forgot how fun it can be. The Elder's are competitive, but that's boys for you. But they still make it fun. I had a few pretty good hits, getting the Elder's out. One elder next time had it out for me. I think I showed him up again. I don't think he liked being shown up by a sister. But some of the other elder's congratulated me and cheered me on. IT was fun. Yep. So, I feel like I have learned lots. The first few days I felt really confident in my knowledge. But yesterday we experienced the Training Resource Center for the first time and it was flustering. They asked questions I didn't know the answers too. That's why I want my mission prep notes. I think that they will help a bit. Yep. So because of that, yesterday was kind of a down day, but my teacher read us a scripture in Alma 32:41-43 which tells us all we have to do is have faith, diligence, and patience. I know I can do this if I exercise my faith, diligence, and patience. I know I can do it. The Lord is there to help me. I know this is the right place for me to be right now. It feels right. I know it is right. There's no other place I would rather be. And I'm excited to get to understand the gospel better like this. It really is a teaching experience to me. I really hope that I will be able to touch the lives of others. it is so important. I want to help other's come unto Christ. That is the whole purpose of missionary work. To come unto Christ. I was really surprised at how well I am able to do. There are the moments it is hard to know what to say to an investigator, but I have been able to have an easier time of memorizing things. I finally have been able to memorize the first vision. And it only took me about a day. Wonderful!!! I was way thrilled. Life is good here. I hope you are all doing wonderful. I love you all so much. And don't worry about me. I am strong. Most all of the sisters and elders have experience way more ups and downs than I have had. Yesterday was really my only down day. Except for nights when I felt as though I didn't connect with any of my roommates. But that has changed. Sister Dodge is great. The reason I got to know her better is because Sister Hansen has been sick and has had tooth problems. Sister Fairbourn is the coordinating sister and has been taking care of her. so we've been going on "splits." But yep. And just like President Bowan said in the blessing he gave me. No homesickness. I love you all. But I know you're out there and love me and I'll see you again. And its way better this way. I think that's why so many of my fellow missionaries are struggling. But yep. All is going well here in the MTC. Oh, and I got to go to the temple today. And walk and observe the temple on Sunday. It was raining the first few days I got here, but the sun is shining now. :D Oh! And I've seen Leah Clayton! Waved and said hi. And yesterday we actually talked for a few minutes. It's been great seeing people I know. Well, my time is about up.
Love you bunches and bunches and bunches!!!! Keep the letters coming!!! I love receiving them from my District Leader (who is the youngin' who just turned 19 here in the MTC.)
Love always,
You dear sister (daughter) missionary,
Kristi
*I miss my name. I feel very deprived of it. Love you!!! And I really don't want to stop writing, but I must in order to send it! Love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Farewell: Spiritual Meaning in All Acts of Life

Elder Widstoe said, "There is a spiritual meaning of all human acts and earthly events... It is the business of man to find the spiritual meaning of earthly things... No man is quite so happy... as he who backs all his labors by such a spiritual interpretation and understanding of the acts of his life."

I absolutely love this quote. It’s a true statement that makes life more clear that everything happens for a reason and that there is a lesson to be learned in every moment of life. All we have to do is “to dig a little deeper” (Dig A Little Deeper from Princess and the Frog) and we can find lessons within our experiences.

My college years have helped me prepare for a mission. My freshman year I learned that often we will encounter people we have trouble getting along with. My sophomore year I learned that communication is important, especially how to communicate my feelings openly with others even though it was hard. My junior year I learned the importance of friendship and the strength that friends can have if you both try to make it work. These years have been very important in strengthening my character. Even though I experienced hard things through each of those years, I wouldn’t trade them for anything: not an easy life, not … anything. Those years have been fundamental in building and strengthening my character, not only for life, but also for my year and half mission.

During those years, I have pondered whether or not I would serve a mission. My freshman year, I really wanted to be a boy. I think they are way lucky. One year of college, mission, come back, then decide on a major. Lucky. That’s what I think. Instead, I had to just dream about it. And wait and see since I didn’t “have to” go on a mission. Freshman year passed, with hopes of one day me turning 21 and being able to go on a mission. Sophomore passed with my forgotten dream until one day my mom reminded me. That weekend I decided that I needed to decide. I prayed about it. My mind was in a fog. Secretly deep inside I was scared. I was kind of upset that my mom had reminded me. But I thought about it anyway because after all, she is my mom and I respected her. I thought that because my mind was in the fog, maybe that meant that I shouldn’t go on a mission. For a while, that answer was fine with. I had already signed up for a mission prep class for the coming fall. I decided I would still take the class. I figured it couldn’t hurt and would probably be beneficial in other ways. I had people who knew I was in that class ask me if I was going to serve a mission. Usually I said no, but every time I said that, I felt guilty. I started questioning my original answer. Did I really feel like I shouldn’t go?

February rolled around. It was the day before Valentine’s Day. All I remember that evening before was getting frustrated at impatient roommates who then made other roommates grumpy, which made me grumpy. Haha, yeah, I know not the greatest start. But I don’t like getting grumpy, but others feelings always seem to impact me. Anyways, I was grumpy and tired. Tired of life. Just plain tired. For I had been thinking that I wanted a change in my life. I didn’t know what kind of change, but then it came to me. I wanted to serve a mission for the Lord. I prayed about it that night. The next morning I had made my decision. I was going to serve a mission. Then and there I seriously started to prepare and I was beyond excited. For about the next month, I was continually smiling. Every time I thought about it, my smile got bigger. Now, I know I am doing the right thing and I’m not questioning it.

I know that the mission will be hard. I know that. I don’t expect any less because life is hard. That’s just the way it is. Like we’ve heard before, “I never said it would be easy, only that it would be worth it.” Life is suppose to be a learning experience from the challenges we are given to face. Alma 34: 32 reads, “For behold, this life is the time for meant to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.” This life time is our time to prepare. There is more reason to this life then just meandering through it. There is so much to learn from our daily lives and our trials. For the things we learn help create and strengthen our character, which will help us prepare to make it to the Celestial Kingdom. Further on in Alma 34, verse 41 reads, “But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.” Patience is a key to our trials. If we have it, we can be a happier people. Elder Groberg said, “Much of my subsequent happiness and joy can be traced back to some of those so-called “unwanted” experiences. We don’t need to seek these experiences. They find us more often than we may desire. All we have to do is try with all our might to live the way we should… and leave the rest to the Lord…. [All you have to do is] take charge of your life now and move in a positive direction.” Don’t ask me why, but I am excited for those “unwanted” experiences that will come. I think it’s because I am excited to see myself overcome and see what I will learn from them. I know in the moment I won’t like it, but in the end you can find deep meaning through the experience.

When I found the quote by Elder Widstoe (that I said at the very beginning of my talk), I was experiencing something very hard. The experience brought on a deep sorrow in my heart, yet I knew it shouldn’t over take me. When I read the words, “There is a spiritual meaning of all human acts and earthly events,” I knew that there was something to be learned from that great trial. As I thought about it, I realized that I was really blessed to have that trial because through the love and support of my roommates, I was able to grow closer to them. I was able to overcome the sorrow that had come in my life and still learned many other things that I was able to incorporate into my life. Even though things didn’t turn out the way I wanted them too, I learned some very valuable lessons from the experience. There are still times when I wish the experience hadn’t happened, but when I think about the good things I learned from it, I am truly grateful that it happened. Life in itself is truly a very valuable lesson.

So, instead of saying, “There’s no hope,” there is hope for a happier life. We just have to look for it. The 13^th Article of Faith says, “We hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things.” We can make it through. We just have to believe in it, believe in God. He will not ever leave us alone. A favorite poem of mine that illustrates that He will always be there is Mary Stevenson’s Footprints in the Sand. “One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there were one set of footprints. This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints. So I said to the Lord, “You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been on set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?” The Lord replied, “The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, is when I carried you.” He will not leave us alone. He will always be there for us. Through the good and the bad. My favorite scripture of all times is Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” All we have to do is believe in His love and power. He will be there for us. All we have to do is to make Him our anchor. Ether 12:4 reads, “Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.” Through God, we can withstand anything. We can do anything.

With all of this knowledge, I am ready to serve my mission. I ready to see what will be brought my way. Elder Groberg said, “In its simplest terms, a mission is living with purpose – whether for good or bad.” This can be applied even to our daily lives. Our life is a mission. We have more purpose here on this Earth than we sometimes realize. Heavenly Father sent us down here to learn how become more like him. And we can’t learn to be more like him unless we are faced with opposition. Doctrine and Covenants 136:31 reads, “My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom.” Things will work out. We just have to look for the good and look ahead with a smile on our faces.

Just like Ammon and his brethren when they served the Lamanites. Even though they experienced hard things, they stayed faithful and were rewarded with great success and knowledge. Alma 17:11 reads, “yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.” I’m excited! I get to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord. As long as I can be patient with the trials I am given, I will be able to accomplish a great work.

I am excited for my mission. I know that it is right. I am excited for the things it will teach me. Some of you may heard of my unique circumstances concerning my “mission call.” I actually received two of them. The first time I was called to the Oklahoma City Mission. I was actually really shocked when I first read those words and then I went into excessive laughter. I really thought it was hilarious because I had set myself to except something like Japan, where I would have to eat seafood, which I absolutely detest. It was really funny. But truly, in all seriousness, there was a reason for it. Currently, I do not know the reason why. I might not for many years. But there was a reason. Like God said in the Doctrine and Covenants many times, “it is wisdom in me.” He knows why. There was a reason to that. Finally a week later, I got my second call. I am going to serve in the California Roseville Mission. I am excited to go there. And for the things I will be learning the next year and a half.

Doctrine and Covenants 84:88 reads, "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you. up." The Lord is on my side. He will not leave me alone. With His help, I can withstand anything. I will be able to complete my year and a half mission. I am grateful for this chance that I have.

I know that this gospel is true. I know that the Savior came to this Earth to redeem us from our sins. Heavenly Father does love us and want us to be happy. I am grateful for Joseph Smith and that as a 14 year old boy, he prayed to Heavenly Father to ask which of all the churches were true. I am grateful for him for his patience to endure all the many trials he went through to bring about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And that he was martyred for this great and marvelous cause. I am grateful for our modern day prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and the apostles and for the words they share with us. I am also grateful for my family, the things they have taught me. I know this is the true gospel. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

*Basically what I said in my farewell talk.

Pictures of me and my call!