Rocks, and the Last Miracle

Sister Crowley brought me a bag of rocks and shells on Sunday from their backyard along the ocean. She told me to pay attention to the rocks as she handed me the bag. Maine is built on rocks, she said. In New England, where there aren't trees, there are usually rocks (or farms). We are BUILDING upon rocks. Nature is the great parable, so it'd make sense that the nature that surrounds me is my great parable to learn form. The rocks are beautiful, and often show thousands of years within their layers. Rocks are the most common material on earth (if I remember correctly). I just find it profound that they surround me. It leads me out to the shore to a living water with all its creatures and connections. It amazes me that one body of water connects us all together. Simply beautiful. (Elder Morgan, you're not far!)

I've felt a lot of anxiety leading up to the past week. It's interesting, the closer I get to leaving, the more peace I feel. I've attained the vision I set out to accomplish. What I'm realizing more and more is that when we give our all, so does the Lord. When you sacrifice for Him and put Him first, He will fill you with what is BEST (because He is the BEST). When you're giving your all, it's easy to expect all from the Lord. He wants you to succeed! I feel free and confident that I have done what I came here to do.

My goal on Wednesday is to filter the noise that will enter into my life. I want to stay lifted, and not adjust back to who I was. I have to make my life who I am now, because it currently represents who I was. Repentance, it's never ending :) 

I felt so strongly that there was a family I needed to find before I left. I prayed, He heard, then He answered. A few weeks ago we helped move the Fackrell family out of their home. On the other side of their driveway was the home (or barn) of the family who was ready to move. The Fackrells asked if they needed help. They accepted. We never heard anything more. Thursday we went tracting. I was with Sister Collins and Hoffman. The neighborhood was new to the area, but most of the homes had new families living there. The first house we knocked on was empty. We knocked the rest of the houses on the street and were making our way back to our car when we noticed a moving truck in the driveway of the empty house. We started unloading the truck. We got talking and they told us they knew a family who went to our church, the Fackrells. They were the family we were originally supposed to help move. Ashley is 7 months pregnant, and Adam herniated a disc in his back just a few days prior... What were they thinking unloading an entire truck alone! Ha! God sent us their. They have a two year old named Reagan. This family is adorable! Kingdom builders is what I call 'em! She grew up Catholic, him Methodist. They've been trying to decide where to baptize their children. They are "searching." We shared the gift (#sharethegift) with them and the sisters are going back this week to teach them. Ashley and Adam are good friends with most of the people in our branch, so they're already fellow shipped. I can't wait to hear how it goes, I know they are in good hands!

I asked Chuck early last week if he was ready to flock the nest with his new eagles wings... He looked as if he was going to panic that I was leaving! I told him that he is an EAGLE, and he can fly! What a goob, he responded by telling me he was the bird who would fall right onto the ground (jokingly). He is an eagle. Chuck is so funny, I ask him what he needs to do and he tells me what he can do better with! He's the most transparent man I've ever met. He's almost read the entire Book of Mormon, again, since September. Agh. It was amazing to hear the branch lift both Jesse and Chuck as they BOTH passed the sacrament (Chuck for the first time). Chuck and Linda are always ontime for church, so I suggested to President McEntire that he prepare the sacrament as his assignment. He is so excited to do his "priestly duties" (Nacho Libre). Our theme forever more is Isaiah 40:31. Chuck is the eagle. I know he can do this, and he knows it too! I especially love watching the Atonement work in his life as he changes every day.

The Ortega's are splendid. We had an early Christmas the other night. I'm amazed at how much they give. They give in work, action, gift, and in every way they can. I was thinking about it, I don't know if outside of my mission I ever got to know anyone the way I know these people, and the way they know me. We know each other's souls. They'll be out to Utah in October for their sealing. Until then, we can skype and do studies there! The nice thing about going home is I can communicate with the people I love so much easier than if I got transferred. Ariez is set, she is serving a mission. She's having her friends ask more questions about the church, she's comfortable answering them honestly! She wants to make her church life and her school life the same, and the Spirit will guide her in that. How grateful I am to my heavenly Father for placing these people in my path to teach me charity.

Hanover taught me diligence and knowledge.

Manchester taught me patience and knowledge.

Yarmouth taught me love and more knowledge.

I believe this Gospel is true because of the physical evidence of the Book of Mormon, and the raw feelings the Gospel brings me. It opens the "mysteries" of life to those who seek to know them. I'm grateful for a fully atoning and comprehending Savior, who lived a life full of principles that we can strive to make our own. He is the prefect example. The way He empathizes with me personally is remarkable. We all deal with the same, redundant sins (Satan isn't creative, he only does what works), but in such unique circumstances. I struggle to talk about the Atonement because I feel it is so general for something that is universal and individual to the human race. There's so much I don't know about it. Thank goodness for the Book of Mormon that teaches us about the purpose of the Atonement, and its application into our lives. The Book of Mormon is full of principles the bring this power into our lives. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is its name, it is the recipe of God! Along with the Book of Mormon comes a testimony of Joseph Smith, the head of our dispensation. He revealed to the people the true Doctrine of Christ, and the character of the Father and the Son. Accompanied with these truths is the Priesthood. My testimony of Joseph Smith has come gradually throughout my mission, and will continue throughout my life. The more I learn about him, the more I realize how heavenly Father can work through all of us. He uses us to do His work, we are the kingdom builders, laborers in the vineyard. As we labor we run, lift, serve, and love!

I am grateful for the means the have allowed me to have this experience. The only one who will understand what it was like is my Savior. It's something special we can share together, no one else will fully understand what the mission was like and what joy has been brought to me. I'm overcome with joy for the people I have served, but who really have served me. Heavenly Father has given me the GREATEST mission anyone could've ever asked for. I needed to come here because I needed the people here to teach me what they know. I had to come here to be on the sacred soil of the Restoration of the Gospel, to learn what it's like to fulfill prophecy. Eventually, just as in times of old, these people will come to know Joseph, and when they do, they will never fall! We need a testimony of the Savior, and of Joseph Smith,. which for me has come through the Book of Mormon. It's a sacred place to be and I'm grateful for that. I have been given more than I could have ever imagined. I had no idea the joy I could feel, the capacity I had to love, and the ability I had to serve. God has answered every prayer I've sent up His way. My mission has opened the portal to heaven for me.

See y'all Wednesday!...

THE HOLY DONUT in Portland

Chuck gave me a gift his grandma gave his mom about 70 years ago from Arizona when I was departing from their house. Oh so special.

Be Still.

Before my mission Adrian gave a lesson on serenity and reverence that changed my relationship with Christ from the inside out. "Be still, and know that I am God" Psalms 46:10. He broke down "serenity" and "reverence."

Serenity:

-STILL-CALM-PEACE

Reverence:

-RESPECT-HONOR-AFFECTION/LOVE

Being still is allowing yourself to experience a full range of knowledge through your thoughts, emotions, and surroundings. I read a talk where it talked about how your first thought isn't usually your best thought. If you really want to learn, you musty continue until you reach your own bank of knowledge, not someone else's. The Spirit will teach you and guide you as you use your mind to get past the initial thought. Being "still" must be accompanied with gratitude. In D&C 59 the Lord instructs the saints as to how to better keep the Sabbath. He lists many of the commandments, then ends with a sweet promise. Verse 15 and 16: "inasmuch as ye do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances, not with much laughter, for this is sin, but with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance - verily I say, that inasmuch as ye do this, the fullness of the earth is yours..." The Lord then lists his creations, the earth, the animals, etc. He wants us to experience, in full, all that He has created for us. He wants this for us so badly that He has promised it to us if we but do what He asks! We are blind when we aren't grateful. "When we are grateful, we can see things that would normally be invisible" (I can't remember where I heard that, sorry!). When we are still, we experience the "fullness of the earth." It's honesty with all that is around us! It's living with transparency!

That which surrounds me is a reflection of what is inside of me, how my mind is organized, what my priorities are. Our surroundings has a great influence upon our spirituality. The way I organize my clothes, my desk, mark my scriptures, it reflects who I am. I want to make sure that my surroundings always make room for the Spirit to flow, so that I can be taught. Knowledge FEEDS me. In my exit interview, President Stoker talked about how the deeper on knowledge is, typically the deeper our conversion (second witness to the bible dictionary). 

I am having a hard time allowing myself to be open to the up's and down's of this last bit. I don't know if I feel peace, or denial. I have asked for the Lord to help me lose myself for ONE LAST WEEK... Just one week... I am grateful that I've found those I needed to find so far, to teach me all that I needed to know, to experience the joy of the Gospel WITH ME. I truly didn't think I was capable of experiencing so much, but that is the promise when we obey and remember (both associated in all our covenants and open an increased capacity of love). 

This week was VERY busy indeed. I went on exchanges with an angel. Sister Farrally is different than anyone I've ever met. I honestly believe she has angels surrounding her, I could feel it. She's been out for 5 weeks, this was her first exchange. I want to serve with her so I can learn from her. She radiates love in humility. She is MEEK in its element. I just have never met anyone like her. I love her. It was her dream to step into the Atlantic ocean, so at 8:55 we dipped our toes into the Atlantic, the temp was in the teens, then rushed home just before we turned into pumpkins! Toes frozen! We went over to the Seymour's for dinner, Sister Farrally pops open her scriptures after the lesson and reads Mosiah 24:12-15 to Sister Seymour... Sister Seymour just LOSES IS. Tears EVERYWHERE. Hugs. Answers to prayers. It was everything she needed, it was incredible watching Sister Farrally's confidence grow in such humility as we soaked it all in.

I remember the same feelings when I first went on exchange with my current companion, Sister Tarawhiti. She has been an example from the beginning. I knew the Lord knew there was more I had to learn from her. Our companionship is divine. We've needed to be together to witness what we have. We have become one in unity with this branch (to the point where all I feel like I do is EAT and teach). These members adore her because she is herself in all circumstances. I adore her because she listens, supports, and allows me to be who I am! I love her respect for all. I just love her.

We had interviews this week an an incredible training on our new mission vision.... RESCUE 1000 IN 2015! A rescue is a baptism or reactivation. It breaks down to 20 rescues/unit. We did a training on the oval chart, and some of the records we'll have to dust off from the closets (new and returning record forms). It was hard giving the training knowing I wouldn't be there to see it happen, but I knew how important it was to get this information out. It's the best way we can accomplish our purpose next year! I love how goal oriented President Stoker is. I had my exit interview, it was more peaceful than I thought it'd be. I love President Stoker, he has such mercy and meekness.

Jesse Ortega passed the sacrament for the first time yesterday. What a PRIESTHOOD MAN. He held the tray as if he was holding something of great worth. He acted as the Savior would if he were administering it himself. A man got up and bore his testimony on all that he felt as he watched Jesse pass. Jesse and Silvia both taught US this week... We've been asking them to do that, they learn more that way. Silvia gave me a faith peptalk, that I can do ALL things through Christ. Jesse focused on life before we came to earth. They were both fluid in their use of scriptures, from the Bible to the Book of Mormon. They bring me so much joy, just seeing their progression.

My surroundings, these people, they've brought me more joy than I've ever felt before. I have been able to act as the Savior would to help them. I know this is His work, because He's been able to do it through me. This is His work. I believe that with my whole heart because I feel it! As Sydney said long ago, the Gospel is real because it beings such raw emotions out of us. I don't know how to convey the LOVE I have for the Ortega's, or the Smith's, or the Segar's, or any of the people in Hanover, or Yarmouth, or JoAnne, I just love them so much! They bring me JOY. 

Talk to you next week! Oh, please, if you're going to send me a letter please send it to my house...

Sister Farrally

MY MISSION POSTERITY!!! (Sister Collins, Sister Bee)

The Spirit CANNOT Lie

Where to start... These past few weeks have been like days. I can see God up in Heaven saying you me "silly mortal, why are you so obsessed with time?" I've been trying to let lose, but the harder I try the more anxiety I feel. This is harder than I ever imagined. I apologize for not sending out a weekly email the past few weeks, every second I have is crammed with a to-do list.

November 17th we took the Ortega family up to the Joseph Smith memorial. On our way up, we passed through each of my areas. Leading up to our trip was one of the most testimony shattering weeks of my life. I felt my testimony was turning into powder underneath my feet. Where was my rock?! The Gospel became a fable told to man to keep us happy. I took so many questions that people had asked me, and as I do to try to help them, I made them my own. I needed to go through each of my areas to experience the feelings I had felt in each of them. There's something VERY special to me about Hanover, I don't know what it is, but that area is sacred ground. Between Dartmouth and the Joseph Smith Memorial I felt a peace that completely surpassed my understanding. As we drive up to the memorial through the trees, Silvia starts screaming with joy. A few years ago, she had a dream where she saw a road lined in trees beckoning her towards the top. She continued to have this dream numerous times, in all different seasons. Sometimes the trees were skinny and other times larger. She has looked for them everywhere! We drove up and THOSE WERE THE TREES. It all became so real to her, and was beautiful to watch her testimony of the reality of this Gospel grow. 

We took the stake president with us to our last appointment with Chris and Jessica. It was interesting to observe their body language. Walking in was painfully awkward. They know they've missed church, and church has missed them! It's like a bad break up for the entire branch. We taught them about the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Leaving their home was a sweet experience, underlying it all was God'd time. Jessica said it herself that she is quite impulsive, and she wants to give this more time. They are not closing the door to this, only wanting it to come naturally as it came into their lives. We asked many questions about their journey towards God. Testimonies of God, prayer, and the principles of the Gospel flew from their mouths! They named each of the blessing we promised them in the beginning as promises they are seeing fulfilled. The Spirit was very clear to all of us, promising us that their time will come. I trust in that, because the Spirit cannot lie. 

In the sacred grove, just before the first vision, Joseph Smith feels a power so real and negative he feels he is about to die. It was necessary and God allowed that to happen because it forced Joseph to exercise enough faith in Christ to experience the first vision. Such things will happen in our lives in order to increase our faith in Christ to obtain all that God has in store for us. 

I feel like the powder that was left under me from a few weeks ago has turned into cement. I do believe this Gospel to be true, and the Restoration to have happened. I believe it because I have the Book of Mormon in front of me, standing as evidence that God does care about us, and that He exists. The blessing the Gospel has given me are real, and nothing could compromise my desire for them. President Stoker made us a strong promise, that we would remain in the church if we read from the Book of Mormon daily. I look forward to doing that throughout my life. I believe that you must study it at least until you feel the Spirit, if that is all you have time for. 

Oh yes, the Ortega's went to the temple for baptisms! Jesse has turned into the Priesthood Man. What a guy!

We had a massive snow storm that threw off all our appointments with our new investigator family! ...But it was beautiful. Snow storms always make me thankful for the men in my life who have always gone out and shoveled for me. Shout out to my dad and brothers!

We had an appointment with Nick and Kelly Villacci. We walked in with our member and Nick's cousin and his wife were there. This man looked like he could be a poster-man for the NFL. He was just massive. His name is John. His wife, Julia. We talked for a while and they start to ask questions about what we believe. Nick was sharp and taught them about the restoration, I didn't even know he knew it so well! He told him that he sees something different in us, we aren't like other people and he is drawn to that. It was wonderful to hear him testify of the Gospel! Sister Tarawhiti and I had to leave soon, and the conversation turned from the Gospel to a number of hot topics. We ask them if we can sing, then we sang Brightly Beams for them. We finish and John is in TEARS. This big burly man is in pieces! He gets talking and he tells us the story of how when he was fishing for lobsters one day his feet got stuck in the traps. He was in the water and just went DOWN. His lungs were about to pop, he looked up and saw the rays of light piercing through the water. He was at peace with leaving this life. Just as he closed his eyes to die, he was yanked out of the water by the boat. He lives. We had a closing prayer, got a return appointment, and then it snowed and we couldn't make it. John and Julia have two kids, 8 and 10 years old. 

#sharethegift