progressive post:My Mission Life!

  As I pondered about what area to write about in my progressive post, I started to think about all my area's and what I've learned in each one of them.  Now that I'm coming to the close of my mission I've been reflecting back on my mission a lot.  I've thought about the things that I've learned, felt, accomplished, failed at, and grew from.
    In Vacaville, My first area, I experienced a lot of trials! But they all helped set the tone for the rest of my mission.  I also learned a lot about prayer.  Something that I did not like to do at the beginning of my mission was to do weekly planning, in fact I hated it! At one point I hit my peak and took a little brake to go into our room and kneel in prayer and offer up the feelings of my heart to my Heavenly Father.  Asking him to help me to like planning, and from then on it has been a blessing to plan, I feel much better about my week when I can plan for the things that are going to be coming up in the coming week.  Those trials helped me to rely on my Heavenly Father.  Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."



Bessy and I, when we were doing service at a pig farm!

    In Fortuna, I learned not to judge people.  I went to Fortuna with a preconceived image of what it was going to be like there... I've never lived in a small town or ever visited one, so I was thinking like "hillbilly" type people, like the worst things about small towns they show on t.v.  But when I got there I found amazing, wonderful children of our Heavenly Father.  A very close family.  I felt truly blessed to be rebuked by A loving Heavenly Father, that he taught me that doesn't matter if you are from a small town or a city, God loves his children. Moroni 7:18
"18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged."

   Santa Rosa: I learned a lot about relying full heartedly on my Heavenly Father.  Sister Beefelt and I "whitewashed" into an area in Santa Rosa, Whitewashing means they took the 2 missionaries in that area out and put 2 different ones in, instead of just taking 1 out and putting another one in.  So we were both new to the area, the area was "struggling" a bit and just needed an extra push for missionary work to get going.  We worked very hard! to get the work going, to help the members get excited about doing missionary work.  It came over time. 





had some of my favorite dinner apointments here!

 Fort Bragg:  If there was any place I did not want to go in the California Santa Rosa Mission it was Fort Bragg... It was way more tiny than Fortuna, I heard crazy stories about people feeding you really nasty food there and people were strange... So I reluctantly went to Fort Bragg, I LOVED IT there!! The people were amazing, although sometimes we did have really terrible food, but that doesn't matter, that shouldn't change my feelings about it.  A phrase that came to my mind as I thought about my time there was "come what may, and love it!" And thats exactly what I did! Not only was it a beautiful little town, but the people were amazing as well. 

Petaluma: to be continued... I still got 3 weeks left to find my purpose here.

In closing, I love being a missionary! And working hard! I've learned so much on my mission it is hard to fit it all into one blog post, so I will probably continue to blog about my mission for the rest of my life! I will now be passing the Progressive Post to Hermana Martinez.

Armour of God!

   A few weeks ago Sister Tu'ifua and I had dinner at one of our member's homes, they have like the coolest house ever!! so many things to play on or with, from Alpaca's to a trampoline 50 feet in the air, and a water tower to run up and down on!
  They had this really awesome armour like from way back in the day when they did jousting and sword fights, but it was made by one of the members.  So we had the opportunity to do a little photo shoot with the armour! it was so awesome,

here are some of the pictures from it and a Scripture to help you understand why we thought this was so awesome!


Sister Tu'ifua




Sister Kenemore



1.Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

 

We had so much fun putting on this armour and taking pictures with it.  I was able to reflect on how important it is to keep all the armour on, to make sure we are protected from the top of our heads to the bottom of our feet.   My favorite piece of armour is the shield of faith, because that is your defence, that is what we use to protect us from the blows of our opponent, Satan.  May we all be able to hold strong to our shield of faith.  I know that as we do so,that we can withstand the temptations and attacks from the Devil.

End of the World, May 21st 2011! What will you be doing?

   According to many people around the world, the End is coming on May 21st, 2011.  But good news to everyone, according to some recent articles God will not COMPLETELY destroy the Earth until October 31st, 2011. 
 As I have reflected on this matter the last few weeks, I've thought to myself,
1-"how do they know?"
2- "what brought them to this conclusion?" There are a lot of people out there that got this from doing math from the Bible and other resources, but as I have studied about this and pondered about it, a scripture kept coming to mind, the scripture is found in D&C 49:7 

"I, the Lord God, have spoken it; but the hour and the day no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor shall they know until he comes."

Also in Matthew 24:36  

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."

 Only God knows when Jesus Christ will come! and that is what I rely on! I have faith in my God and know that He is preparing His people for that time,which no man knoweth. 
 

  I know that we have a prophet! His name is Thomas S. Monson (check out the link to find out more about him!) and I also know that as it states in Amos 3:7:"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."
 I know that as we continue to listen to the Prophet and follow his counsel, we need not be afraid! He will prepare us for what will happen. Trust in him. He cannot lead us astray!

Mother's day!

  I love mother's day! I am not a mother, but I appreciate all the mothers that have influenced my life.  I can honestly say that I am not the person I am today without my mother!

  There is one mother I would like to focus on today, more so than any other mother, Mary, mother of Jesus! from the beginning of Christ's life, she knew that hard things would be coming to her dearly beloved Son.  She loved him Unconditionally! She taught him how to pray.  How to be kind to one another. She was there by his side throughout his entire life! Even to the very end or his mortal ministry. in John 19: 25-30 it says:

 25.Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26.When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple Woman, behold thy son! standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, 27.Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. 28.After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. 29.Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. 30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."

 As I read this, it came to my mind that the last thing that Christ had to do before he could "give up the ghost" was to make sure that his mother was going to be taken care of.  Oh how Jesus loved his mother. 

  I am so grateful for Mary, for her raising him in righteousness.  

 I am also grateful for my mother for her raising me in righteousness!  I'm grateful for all the sacrifices that mothers make on behalf of their children, from being a shoulder to cry on, to being a taxi driver, to a good listener! I say THANK YOU TO ALL THE MOTHERS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED ME TO BE A BETTER ME!  

The Civility Experiment

  -How often do we look at people and assume what they are like?
  -How often do we compliment someone that we don't know?
I know that I am guilty of judging people wrongfully... but something that I have learned on my mission is that complimenting someone is:
A. a lot of fun!
B. makes them and you feel good.
C. Is something Christ would do if he were here.
  A few month's ago one of my companions and I decided that we were going to go a whole week with complimenting as many people as we could! it was very hard at first, but it got easier as the week went on, pretty soon we just did it as an everyday thing because we wanted to.  We felt so good to just notice something good about everyone, instead of looking at the negative side of everyone, like if they have ugly hair, or the smell funny, or even if they don't match! just finding something was worth it, and helped me to think more positively about the people all around me.  I challenge each of my followers to do this; to compliment all the people they talk to, or see, if you think they are wearing something cute, tell them! don't be afraid! I know that as you begin to notice the good qualities in people that you will feel better about yourself and the people all around you, that you will think of the glass half full, rather than the glass half empty.
 

Easter Freedom

     Hey, this is Sister Fulton! Sister Kenemore asked me to do a blog today and I am so excited to share one of life's greatest lessons. Since the time I was very young I would hear comments like, "It's a free land-you can't tell me what to do," or "I'm free to be whatever I want to be." Freedom really is a gift and one that's overlooked way to often. My dad has always been very passionate about the American flag and what it truly stands for. He's done many flag ceremonies and even flag retiring that have made me come to love the flag and the precious ideal of freedom it holds.  Hundreds and thousands of courageous and brave men and women have given their lives to bring freedom, and now after so much war, we can finally stand and say we live in a free land! Even the sound of that makes us so happy.  We really are so blessed to live free.  but even while being so blessed, living in a free land doesn't give us complete freedom.
  So many times we all experience heartbreak, sorrow, frustration, guilt, shame and there is only one key that would unlock the chains of the soul and bring us incredible peace and joy. That is in turning back to Christ, our Master Healer.  At this happy Easter time we can remember Christ and His Atonement and Resurrection.  He died for us so we can all live again, but he also suffered for us so we can live free and happy.
  As described in the bible dictionary under "Atonement," when we sin, we lose control over our own will and become a "slave to sin" and that's what gives us all the those bad feelings.  But whats amazing is that through Christ's sacrifice, if we have faith in him, Repent, be baptized by immersion, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, we can be made completely clean and pure.  now this is freedom.  Christ lived for us, He suffered and died for us, and now lives again for us. 
  So during this Easter time, lets remember the cause of our freedom and the incredible joy it brings, and as said in Galatians 1:5:

"Stand Fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

The Power of Sincere Prayer

  Many times in our lives we hear the term "Power of Prayer". This in my head has taken on a completely new meaning. As a missionary I have never prayed more in my life than the past 6 months. I have needed it. But it's not just power of prayer I have noticed, but the power of sincere prayer.
  We were visiting a lady the other day who told us she hadn't been praying. This made me very concerned because she understood that prayer was important but hadn't for some reason. There are a few reasons why we don't pray. Maybe we forget or we're tired or maybe as in her case, as she shared with us, she didn't feel 'worthy' to pray.
It hurt me to hear her say that she felt unworthy to pray. She had made some mistakes and felt like she couldn't talk to her Father in Heaven. I knew what she meant by that but those thoughts are only from the Adversary. Our Father in Heaven would never tell us we are not worthy to pray to Him. We can ALWAYS pray to Him.
  He is our loving, kind, ever patient Father in Heaven. No matter what we have said or done will change that. It reminded me of the scriptures in the bible in Psalms 38 when David had sinned greatly. He had a man killed and he also committed adultery and knew what he had done was very wrong. He knew that he would have severe consequences but this is not the point today. The point I am trying to make is that David still prayed. He knew he had sinned but he still prayed and begged the Lord for forgiveness. If anyone was to feel unworthy to pray it would have been him.
  We talked with this lady about this. We told her she needed to pray. Prayer is not an easy thing sometimes. But it is necessary. The past 6 months of my mission would have never been possible without sincere prayers to Him daily.
  We need to pray. Always, everyday our hearts should be turned to our Father. He is waiting to help us. We should be showing our love and appreciation for Him in everything we do and say. Prayers are our time to be alone with Him. To tell Him our frustrations of the day, to tell Him our joys and our sorrows. He is ever listening no matter who we are and what we've done. I know this is true because I have felt it in my life time and time again.
  If there is anything going wrong or missing in your life, take 10 minutes every morning and night and set it aside for a personal, private prayer with your Father in Heaven. It will change your day, your mood, your outlook on life, and feel closer to Him.
-Hermana Skroski

What is your desire?

    I'd like to start by apologizing for not blogging in so long! It has been a crazy week! There has been something on my mind a lot lately from a talk given by Elder Dallin H. Oaks in this last General Conference.  He answered two questions that I had before General Conference:
1. How can I be a better missionary?
2.  How do I reach my full potential?
Elder Oaks answered my two questions with one simple word, and that word was DESIRE! Since then, I have been so intrigued by his talk and by the word "desire"...what does it mean to have a desire? what should we desire?
   Elder Oaks says: "In his sermon on faith, Alma teaches that faith can begin with 'no more than [a] desire to believe' if we will 'let this desire work in [us]' ”
   He talks about 3 physical desires that our bodies have:
1.  food
2. shelter
3. sleep
  We all have the desire to eat or to sleep in a nice comfortable bed all snuggled and warm and sleeping without being interrupted. All physical things, but if we have a DESIRE for something more than just eating, like fasting for someone who really needs help, or giving up sleeping so that we can make sure that everyone else is taken care of when you are in the middle of war, then we ascend beyond ourselves.

  There was a talk given by Elder Bruce C. Hafen titled: The Atonement: All for All.  He said, "We can have eternal life if we want it, BUT only if there is nothing else we want more." When we truly desire something, we set our sights on that, and reach for the stars!
  I have come to realize that anything we do in this life takes a desire and when we let it work within us, and we begin to take the action necessary to reach that goal, it's not always easy, but it is so worth it! For instance, I have struggled my whole mission with getting up on time so I enlisted the help of a fellow Sister missionary to call me every morning till I am awake and going for the morning.  I am so grateful for caring people that want to help, and if there is anything that I can do to help my followers on this blog I will do it!

GET EXCITED!!

  I didn't want to write to much today, but more or less just wanted to give some advice about the upcoming General Conference this weekend!

1.  have Pen and Paper ready so you can take notes on what the spirit prompts you to do.

2.  have some questions written on your paper that you need answers too.

3.  say a prayer before you start to watch. prepare yourself by listening to uplifting music.

4. EAT A GOOD BREAKFAST! so you can pay attention to the spirit and not your stomach!

  I know that this will help prepare you for this AMAZING  weekend we have ahead of us! so be prepared and enjoy! I hope that we all receive the answer's we need.
I'M SOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!

the Small things that make us happy!

  Yesterday I came the the realization that it's the small things in life that truly make me happy!   this is how i came to this conclusion... every other Tuesday Sister Fulton and I drive down to Willit's to have your district meeting which composes of 4 missionaries.  It takes us about an hour + to drive 33 miles down the hill through a road that has NO straight parts in it.  So we are constantly turning.  So as we were driving yesterday morning it was really cold and of course RAINY, since that's all it has done since I've been here in the Beautiful town of Fort Bragg!  So as we were driving yesterday it started to SNOW!!! It was super exciting, we both looked at each other and instantly thought "SNOWMAN!" So we continued our journey down the hill ever so slowly because I'm always nervous about driving in snow...but we eventually made it down safely. We made it to the church and found a big patch of grass with lots and lots of snow on it.  so we jumped out of the car, and started to build a snowman, he didn't get to tall, but we were super excited.


We named him Will

    So i was thinking to myself, why does this make me so happy and excited? Is it because we are in California and we didn't expect snow? Is it because we are both from the desert and never spent much time in the snow?
  I'm not really sure why it brought us so much pleasure, In the scriptures the Lord tells us "Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart;"
   I know that Heavenly Father gave us the snow yesterday to gladden our hearts! even though we froze the rest of the meeting, it was so worth it just to be able to play in the snow! I know that My Heavenly Father loves me, and want's me to be happy.  I know that he created all things for, not only to benefit us, but to gladden our hearts as well.  I love my Heavenly Father and know that he loves all of his children!

I've Been There Before

  What I wanted to share with everyone today was a Poem given to my by my dear companion Sister Fulton when we were companions in Santa Rosa a few months ago.  I has really touched my heart and I know that it will touch the hearts of all those who read it.

"I'VE BEEN THERE BEFORE."
The alarm rings at 6:30, I stumble to my feet.
I grab my companions bedding and pull off his sheet
A groan fills the room, is it really time to arise?
It seems like just a second ago I was able to shut my eyes.

The Morning activites follow- study, prayer and such.
When it's time to elave the apartment, you feel you haven't accomplished much
"We have a super day planned." My comp says with a grin.
I lowly utter a faithless breath. "yeah, if anyone lets us in."

With the Word of God and my faithful schwinn, we ride off in the street.
Prepared to face another day of humidity and heat.
It's 9:30 in the evening, the day is almost through.
My companion and I riding home, not accomplishing what we thought to do.

We run up to the mailbox, hoping to receive a lot.
Only to look inside, and hear my echo reverberate, "air box"
We go up to our apartment, the day is now complete.
The only thing to show for your work is a case of blistered feet.

Its Past 10:30p.m. My companion is fast asleep.
Silence engulfs yet all about and I begin to weep.
In the midst of sadness I kneel down to pray.
I need to talk to father, but I'm not sure what to say.

"Oh Father" I begin, "What happened to us today?"
I thought we'd teach somebody, but everyone was away
My hands, my aching hands-worn, hurt and beet.
If our area was any smaller we'd have knocked every street"

"Why on missions are the days so much alike?
The only difference about today was the flat on my bike.
Will you send me some cooler weather? The heat is killing me.
I sweat so bad, it gets in my eyes, it's very hard to see."

Sister Gorder & Sister T.

Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn't your protection enough?
People always laugh at me and call me stupid stuff.
Please send us investigators so I may tell them what they lack
I want to give them Book of Mormons, the weight of them hurts my back."

"And what about my family? They don't have much to say.
I'm sick of not hearing from home day after day after day.
Oh Father why am i here? Am I just wasting time?
Sometimes I just want to go home. I'm sorry but that's on my mind."

My Companion, Heavenly Father, What are you giving me?
The way he rides his bike, I don't think he can see.
Now you have it I can't go on, I don't know what to do.
That, my Father in heaven is the prayer i have for you."

My prayer was finished, I stand up, then jump right into bed.
I need my rest for tomorrow, we have another long day ahead.
Sleep start to overcome me, I seem to drift away.
Taken it seems, a vision, takes me to another time, another day.

I'm standing alone on high, the view is very nice.
A man walks toward me, and Say's, "My name is Jesus Christ."
Tears of joy well up inside, I fall down at his feet.
"Arise," he states, "follow me to the shade, you and I need to speak."

My attention towards my Savior total and complete.
He says,"Your mission is similar of what happened to me,
I understand how you feel.  I know what you are going through.
In fact, It would be fair to say, I've felt the same as you."

"I even know how you felt when no one listened to you.
At times I felt not quite sure what else I could do.
I know you don't like to ride a bike; for you a car would be sweet.
Just remember the Donkey I rode wasn't equipped with 21 speeds."

I understand you don't like sweating, In fact It's something you hate.
I remember when I sweat blood from every pore, oh the agony was great.
I see you don't like your companion-you'd rather have someone else.
I once had a companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth.

It's hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you."
I remember when they put thorns on my head and called me "king of the Jews"
So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack.
I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed in on my back."

Your hands hurt from tracting and knocking on doors all day.
I guess when they pounded nails into mine, I ached in a similar way.
It's hard not to hear from home, When your family's not there to see
I lost communication on the cross. And cried, "Father, why hast thou forsaken me?"

We have a lot in common, but there's a difference between you see.
I endured my mission, so follow and do like me."
He embraced me with his arms, his light filled me with his love.
With tears in my eyes I watched as he went back to the father above.

I stood with awe and wonder, When a beep rang in my head.
I listened and heard the alarm, than realized I was in bed.
My companion let out a groan, "6:00 already, NO WAY?"
I sat up and said, "Come on I'll even carry your scriptures today."

No matter what we go through, when we feel we can't take any more.
Just stop and think about Jesus Christ-he's been there before.

I leave you this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Are You Rebellious?

    Last Sunday Sister Beefelt and I went to go see a family in our ward after church, we had this AMAZING lesson of what we wanted to share with them!  So we started by reading in the Book of Mormon in Alma 24.  This is where some of the Lamanites, the wicked people, are converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  They changed there Names to the "Anti-Nephi-Lehi's".  So these Anti-Nephi-Lehi's used to be very wicked and used to kill people and do all sorts of bad things, so when they were converted to the gospel, they decided to bury all there weapons of rebellion! (good people!)   

   " and all the people were assembled together, they took their swords, and all the weapons which were used for the shedding of man’s blood, and they did bury them up deep in the earth."  

  So as we were preparing this lesson we cut out little paper swords for all of us to to write down something that we rebel against that we can bury deep into the ground!  The Kids and all of us wrote something that we wanted to bury deep into the ground. 

And thus we see that, when these Lamanites were brought to believe and to know the truth, they were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin; and thus we see that they buried their weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war, for peace.

I think we all learned a very good lesson that day! That when we bury our weapons of war for peace, God will deliver us, he will protect us because we are keeping the covenant that we made with our Heavenly Father.  I know that there are things that everyone can bury deep into the ground and never dig them back up and we all will be blessed beyond measure for it! I know that God lives, I also know that He loves me!

What's your glass look'n like?

   I LOVE getting the Ensign magazine.  A week ago Sister Beefelt and I got our Ensign, secretly we fight over who gets to read it first, this time I was lucky enough to sneak it onto my desk to read (mwahaha).  The first thing that caught my attention was the "First Presidency Message" by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf  the first counselor to the Prophet Thomas S. Monson.  the title of his message was "Looking for the Good".  He says in his message "Have you ever noticed that people can usually find whatever they are looking for? look hard enough, and you can discover both good and bad in almost anyone and anything.  People have done the same with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since its beginning.  Those who look for the good will find a kind and compassionate people-a people who love the Lord and desire to serve him and bless the lives of their fellowman.  But it is also true that those who look for the bad will certainly find things that are not so ideal." 
  So my friends... I ask you, how are you viewing your life? your family? your community? this world that we all live in? Is your glass half full or half empty? are you looking for the Miracles that God gives us, or asking why me?   I know that as we change our view about God, ourselves and the world that we will see everything in a brighter light! We will see the good in everything!  I know that God gives us Miracles daily but its up to us to find them!  I pray that we may all be able to see the goodness of God in our lives more fully, and to always give thanks to him for what he has done!

Truly Converted

  Yesterday morning I was doing my personal study, and was looking in the Bible Dictionary, boy do I love it!  I came across Conversion.  The definition is "Denotes changing one’s views, in a conscious acceptance of the will of God (Acts 3:19). If followed by continued faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism in water for the remission of sins, and the reception of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, conversion will become complete, and will change a natural man into a sanctified, born again, purified person—a new creature in Christ Jesus (see 2 Cor. 5:17). Complete conversion comes after many trials and much testing"

  As I thought about this I was thinking about this scripture in Ether 12:6 "... faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith"  Sometimes its scary to think about things that are going to test us, that might cause us pain. I try to always remember that all the trials that I go through are for my own benefit,  that Heavenly Father will never give me anything I cant handle!  I know that sometimes we don't remember that principle as we are going through the pain but after it's over and we look back and see that God's hand truly was with us, and makes the trial seem not so bad!  For example:  way back yonder about a year and a half ago I was prompted to go on a mission...and followed through with it.   As my report date for my mission neared my immediate family and I went to go visit some family in St. George Utah.  My dad and I went for a joy ride in his truck and I wasn't telling him how nervous I was, that I knew it was going to be hard and I was second guessing my decision...  He gave me some great words of council about when he join the Military and was scared too, but that the Military helped shape and mold him into a better father, husband and worker.  He told me that my mission was going to do the same for me! It will help mold and shape me to be a better mother(when the time comes) a better wife, and disciple of Jesus Christ.  I am truly grateful for his words of wisdom! they have stuck with me since the beginning.  I know that this has has changed my life, even though I have faces many trials and challenges.   I can honestly say that I am truly converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that makes me happily endure all my trials!

hey, where's the phone?

     Yesterday we did an exchange with Hermana Martinez and Hermana Rupp, I had the  privilege to go with Hermana Rupp for 24 hours, every time I've been with her, we always have an adventure, the first time Sister Beefelt and I along with Hermana Rupp got locked out of our apartment for about 3 hours...stranded with 2 cell phones and that was it! so we made good use of our time and played with the little kids in our apartment complex until our landlord came to our rescue with a key! I knew from that experience that we were going to have fun together.  So as we went about our day, I had the phone while she was driving because that's the passengers job!  Before long it was lunch time and we were hungry! So as we got to Subway she asked where the phone was, as I reached into my pocket....it was empty.... "OH NO!" I shouted.

This is how we found our lost phone!





Step 1: PRAY!



step 2: take action and SEARCH!



step 2: and search some more!



step 3: listen to where the spirit directs you to look



step 4: be grateful that you found it! and thank Heavenly Father!

    I'm so grateful for the Spirit and being in tune enough to listen to where it directs us to look! We were so happy to find the phone and we know that the Spirit directed us to where it was.  I've found that if we can't find something or have questions about anything, the Holy Ghost will direct us when we ask him for the help to find it. It leads us to take action.  To search the scriptures (or the car in this case.)



 


 


 



what happened?



Comic of Alma & Amulek and there journey in
Ammonihah



  This morning I was studying for an investigator of ours, she is such an amazing lady! and we truly love her a lot!  She has a ton of concerns that we are trying to help her resolve.  One of her questions I've thought about frequently! her question was "why do bad things happen to good people?" something we have been asked a lot... yes it's true that it is unfair to have bad things happen to good people, but God never said that this life would be fair, He only said it would be worth it!
   As I was pondering about this question a story in the Book of Mormon came to my mind.  Its in Alma 14 there is a story about Alma and Amulek, two very great missionaries! At this point in their mission, they are in the land of Ammonihah preaching to the people there that are willing to listen.  Some believed and some where very hard hearted and confronted Alma and Amulek.  These hard hearted people take them and threw them in jail, then take all the believers that haven't left from Ammonihah and there scriptures and burn them, they take Alma and Amulek to watch what was happening.. Its very hard for the both of them to watch.  Amulek wanted to do something about it, To stop them from burning them and seeing the pain.  Alma than said this:
        "But Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day."
  Sister Beefelt and I talked about this subject during our companion study and came to the conclusion that just like these scriptures say.  Even though bad things happen and Heavenly Father allows it to its only so he can punish the wicked.  God doesn't punish someone for their thoughts.  He judges us according to our actions. 
  So in conclusion; I know that God is always there for us, even when we have our trials.  He always has his hands stretched out to us and we can choose to let him help us or not, the choice is ours! I know that God lives, and that he loves us!

A Baptism & Temple trip in 1 week!



Celeste's baptism!

   What an eventful week this has been and the week isn't even over yet! I'm whiped out!   We started out this week with a baptism of Celeste, she told us last Friday that she wanted to be baptized on Monday, its kinda hard when someone only gives you 2 days to prepare for a baptism! but it all worked about just fine! it was awesome to have a baptism with just the young woman in our church, they gave talks, played the piano and where just all very welcoming to her.  It was a great way to spend out Monday!


L-R Elder McBride, Elder Bohnet,
Sister Kenemore & Sister Beefelt

    Next up we had our temple trip which we just had today! We rode up with Elder Bohnet & Elder McBride and of course our lovely Driver Brother Thomas! We had such a great time with them, feeling the spirit and talking about the gospel and how much it blesses our lives! Oh how I love to go to the house of the Lord to do his work! the temple is a place where we can do work for our ancestors, and also feel of Heavenly Father's love. The Temple to me is where Heaven and Earth meet. 
   I'm so happy to be a missionary and to share the gospel truths that I know with all the people here in Santa Rosa and the online world! I'm grateful for the knowledge I have that my redeemer lives and loves me!  I know that all people can feel this way too, if they will but open their hearts and let the Holy Spirit help them have a mighty change of heart.
                                                                    Always,
                                                                                                                   Sister Kenemore

Hawaiian shirts, lei's and a memorial

  On Saturday February 5th  Sister Beefelt and I walked into the church and all we saw was Hawaiian shirts and lei's on everyone that was in there! you might be wondering why we were at the church and why everyone was  wearing Hawaiian attire...It was the request of our dear friend Kent Hauge, Who passed away January 23rd 2011. he is a great man! so lovable, even though we only got to know him for about a month he left such an impression on our hearts. 


Kent Hauge and his 2 girls from their childhood


  All the people that spoke that day, smiled and laughed at all the amazing things that he did in his life.  It was so touching to see so many people who were there for his Memorial, he truly was loved by all people that he came into contact with!
  We had some amazing speakers too! Brother Lance Ensign talked about the Plan of Salvation and how this was not the end for him.  In fact it was the beginning of a new life.  He was in the Spirit World, resting from all his cares.  He lived an honorable life.  We also had Sister Kathy Cook who spoke about families and how they can be together forever.  She talked about temples and how sacred they are.  She had a great relationship with Brother & Sister Hauge, and how she would just talk Brother Hauge's ear off about nothing and he was listen and talk with her. 
  What a great experience this was for me to see.  Even though I'm only 22 I've been to a lot of funerals for people that i have know, never have i seen so many people laughing and rejoicing about one man's life and how he affected them.  The feelings of togetherness and families was present the whole time!
   When it is time for me to pass from this life and begin the next i want my funeral to be exactly like Brother Kent Hauge's!
He was an inspiration to ALL who came into contact with him!

ChOoSe ThE rIgHt, Say what??

    On my 20th birthday, my Best Friend Dianna came to my work and had a present for me, I was super excited like I am anytime I get a present! she pulled out of her pocket a little baggie that had a ring in it, it was a CTR ring! I've wanted one for a long time!! CTR stands for Choose The Right. 


what my CTR ring looks like.

 How do we choose the right? what does it mean to Choose The Right?   We choose the right by doing the right thing, if we see someone drop there book bag, help them pick it up.  If someone is getting picked on, stand up for them.  Choosing the right means having good works , Charity ,and virtue (what you choose to think and do when you are alone and you believe no one is watching is a strong measure of your virtue) Preach My Gospel pg. 118.  I feel so much better when I know that I've chosen to do the right thing. I know that everyone who follow's this simple phrase CHOOSE THE RIGHT will feel so much better about themselves and the people around them, I know that they will draw closer to there Heavenly Father, and have an increase desire to continue choosing the right.

We Believe Theme Song

this song is so touching! all we have to do it BELIEVE, have faith in our lord and savior Jesus Christ!
I bare my testimony that Jesus Christ lives and that he answers prayers, and that if we believe in him our lives will change in a way we never thought possible!

God Bless
Sister Kenemore

Endure To The End

    Yesterday we had District Meetings like we do every Tuesday! we talked a lot about the role of the spirit in conversion.  It was wonderful district meeting, but that's not what i really wanted to talk about today.  after our district meetings we had a zone meeting with ALL  the other missionaries serving in Santa Rosa, we were setting goals for the next month and discussing how we have done for our progress in January, We all worked very hard this last month except for this last week.  Elder Ames, one of our Zone Leaders asked why we didn't do so great last week, one Elder spoke up and said that he always get down at the end of each month, that he isn't as pumped as he was at the beginning. Elder Ames is a very wise Elder and started to talk about Jesus Christ, and how in his last week of his mortal ministry he didn't give up, he did say "oh well, we can try harder next month" CHRIST had the hardest last week anyone in the world can imagine!

  Jesus Christ was perfect, being the only perfect person in the world can be very lonely. there were things that only  Christ could do.  He was chosen to be our savior and Redeemer.   In a talk by Jeffery R Holland titled "None were with him" He talks about his last moments here on this Earth he says: "He ventured into the Garden of Gethsemane alone. Falling on His face in prayer, “sorrowful … unto death,” the record says, His sweat came as great drops of blood as He pled with the Father to let this crushing, brutal cup pass from Him. But, of course, it could not pass. Returning from such anguished prayer, He found His three chief disciples asleep, prompting Him to ask, “Could ye not watch with me one hour?” So it happens two more times until on His third return He says compassionately, “Sleep on now, and take your rest,” though there would be no rest for Him."
  Christ suffered that we may be able to live with him again, that we don't have to be alone as he was. Christ DID NOT give up in his last week! he Endured to the End. He didn't give up. He knew he couldn't.  I know that we cant either, we only have so many years to live, lets make it worth our effort, let us not undo everything Jesus Christ worked so hard for. 
2 Nephi 31:20  "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

God Bless! ETTE (endure to the end)

What's your Goliath?

   I've often thought of things that seem much bigger than I am, things that I don't think I can handle, or thing's that are just to big for me to be able to tackle alone! I Love the story of David and Goliath, how courageous David was to go up against someone much bigger than him and not fear him at all because he knew that he had God on his side.  "One man’s Goliath may be the stranglehold of a cigarette or perhaps an unquenchable thirst for alcohol. To another, her Goliath may be an unruly tongue or a selfish streak which causes her to spurn the poor and the downtrodden. Envy, greed, fear, laziness, doubt, vice, pride, lust, selfishness, discouragement—all spell Goliath."

  Even though we all go through things that are bigger than we are, or we don't feel like we can handle it, we can.  David was a Shepard boy, very small in stature, but had a mighty heart.
  I recently read a talk given by President Thomas S. Monson titled Meeting your Goliath.  In the talk, David prepares to fight against Goliath the giant, who has been in battles and wars since he was a youth. David is given all this armor to wear and cant seem to do much with it on,  so he takes it off. Goes and  finds 5 smooth stones from a small brook,  to use with his sling shot.  these 5 stones can help us in our fights with our own Goliaths.
STONE NUMBER 1: "The stone of COURAGE will be essential to your victory. As we survey the challenges of life, that which is easy is rarely right. In fact, the course that we should properly follow appears at times impossible, impenetrable, hopeless."
STONE NUMBER 2: "Next, I select the stone of EFFORT—mental effort and physical effort....

The decision to overcome a fault or correct a weakness is an actual step in the process of doing so. “Thrust in thy sickle with thy might” was not spoken of missionary work alone."

STONE NUMBER 3: "Then there must be in our selection the stone of HUMILITY, for haven’t we been told through divine revelation that when we are humble, the Lord, our God, will lead us by the hand and give us answer to our prayers?"

STONE NUMBER 4: "And who would go forth to battle his Goliath without the stone of PRAYER, remembering that the recognition of a power higher than oneself is in no way debasing; rather, it exalts."

STONE NUMBER 5: "Finally, let us choose the stone of LOVE OF DUTY. Duty is not merely to do the thing we ought to do, but to do it when we should, whether we like it or not."

  These 5 stones coupled with our sling of faith can help us to conquer ANYTHING that stands in our way.  I testify to these 5 steps.  I know that they work, I know that if we use them, we can meet any Goliath that stands in the way of our happiness! I've tried this! I've seen it work and I know that it can work for anyone who is willing and open to letting the Lord help them in any battle.

The Family

I love my family! it is the most important thing in my life! I remember this one time as a little girl, we all got together as a family to say a prayer,dad offered it... in the middle of the day...we thought it was kinda weird but we went along with it, and in his prayer he said something along the lines of "help us to have fun in Disneyland" my older brother and I just about fell out of our seats!and it felt like an eternity till he said amen, we packed up and left for Disneyland an hour later, and had a great time!
    I remember we would go camping all the time.  and this one time Corey, my older brother, brought his Bat-mobile car with him, we put some trail mix in it and watched squirrels for like 2 hours come and take the mix out of the car! It was so much fun just to sit there and watch. It is memories like this that i will remember for all of my life, and will tell my children about. This is what true Happiness and Joy is all about, creating memories with our family by spending time together, teaching eachother, learning, and growing.
   Yesterday we went to go see this wonderful lady in our ward, we felt impressed to share The Family: a Proclamation to the World. I absolutely love this Proclamation! it tells us the purpose of families, how they are supposed to function, and how we can have peace and harmony at home. It says in there:  "THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."
  I added the bold and underlined because this is what it takes to have a successful family!  I'm so grateful to have the family that i do! and that my home is founded upon principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Parable of "The vineyard and the field"

Sister Stebar here, Sister Kenemore and I got to go on exchanges today (thats where missionary's trade companions and learn how to become a better missionary) and she asked if I would do a blog entry, what a honor :) I wanted to share something I have thought alot about... Vineyards. Ha I love them. When I served in Cloverdale each week we made the 30 mile trip to Ukiah and we passed alot of vineyards. My sister and I use to play a game where, when we were driving we had to relate objects to the gospel, so I thought for old times sake I would play. There is a spot where there is a beautiful vineyard on one side of the road and then a untouched field on the other side. And I was thinking how sad that a whole field is wasting away when the vineyard is producing fruit. It all clicked and I came up with the parable of the "vineyard and the field". In our lives we can choose which one we want to be like. The vineyard is beautiful, its balanced and perfectly in line. The field has its own beauty but it doesnt really compare to the vineyard... But if we look deeper the vineyard is constanly being trimmed, dug, and mowed. While the field goes unchanged. We might think to ourselves I wish I was a field, so I didnt have to hurt always being trimmed, bothered.But that isnt the case. Do you get what I am putting out there to become fruitful, to become orderly we have to go through hard things. But the out come is breath taking and inspiring. Brigham Young said,"God never bestows upon His people superior blessings without a severe trial to prove them". We are here to be corrected this is our learning time, we just have unplanned tests sometimes...Thomas Paine says it beautifully, "These are the times that try men's souls, the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph, what we obtain too cheap, we esteem to lightly." I am grateful for trying times. I want to close with a quote by President Hinckley,"All of us have problems. We face them every day. How grateful I am that we have difficult things to wrestle with. They keep us young, if that is possible. They keep us alive. They keep us going. They keep us humble. They pull us down to our knees to ask God for help in solving them. Be grateful for your problems. And know that some how there will come a solution. Just do your very best". I hope next time you feel pruned you will remeber change is a process not a event. Let God mold and make you into something breathtaking.

Is our all good enough?

   This last week we have focused on the Atonement A LOT! It's been so amazing to study it! i feel like i draw closer to my Savior every time i study.  we were given a talk on Tuesday that President Bunker wanted us all to read, it is titled "The Atonement: All for All" by Bruce C. Hafen.  it is such an amazing talk!
  Elder Hafen talks about Adam and Eve, he says: "The Fall was not a disaster. It wasn’t a mistake or an accident. It was a deliberate part of the plan of salvation. We are God’s spirit “offspring,”  sent to earth “innocent”  of Adam’s transgression. Yet our Father’s plan subjects us to temptation and misery in this fallen world as the price to comprehend authentic joy. Without tasting the bitter, we actually cannot understand the sweet.  We require mortality’s discipline and refinement as the “next step in [our] development” toward becoming like our Father.  But growth means growing pains. It also means learning from our mistakes in a continual process made possible by the Savior’s grace, which He extends both during and “after all we can do.”
  He later talks about our "all" he says: "If we must give all that we have, then our giving only almost everything is not enough. If we almost keep the commandments, we almost receive the blessings."....Almost receive the blessing? that doesn't sounds good enough to me! I would like the WHOLE blessing... don't you? we talked about sacrifice...we were asked "what are you willing to put on the alter to sacrifice?" I have thought about that a lot since yesterday... what am i willing to sacrifice? Am i willing to give up my possession? my worldly things? are you willing to give up your worldly things? Elder Hafen continues..."

Some people want to keep one hand on the wall of the temple while touching the world’s “unclean things”  with the other hand. We must put both hands on the temple and hold on for dear life. One hand is not even almost enough."
    My fellow Brothers and Sisters... what are you willing to put on the Alter to sacrifice to become more spiritual? to become one with God? "When the Savior’s all and our all come together, we will find not only forgiveness of sin, “we shall see him as he is,” and “we shall be like him.”" I love you all and hope you are giving Heavenly Father your all!
 God bless all of you!

Elder Bruce C. Hafen's talk: http://lds.org/general-conference/2004/04/the-atonement-all-for-all?lang=eng