A thought...

Missionary thought for the day! I love this one!

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"Investigators are not only hearing our testimony of Christ, but they are hearing echoes of their earlier testimonies, including their own testimony of Him, for they were on the side of the faithful who kept there first estate and earned the privilege of a second estate. We must always remember that these investigators, every man, woman and child were among the valiant who once overcame Satan by the power of their testimony of Christ! So when they hear others bear that witness of Christ's saving mission, it has a familiar feeling; it brings an echo of truth they themselves already know. "

-Elder Holland

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Challenge: Go bear YOUR testimony! To anyone!

Opportunities are plentiful if we just watch for them!

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No call yet. So cross your fingers for tomorrow. However, we've heard they don't send out calls the week before conference. Bummer huh. Patience, Carlee!

Did you know...

How are calls extended to missionaries?

Well if you didn't know, I will tell you.

All missionaries are assigned to specific missions by members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who have been authorized by the President of the Church. Each week, depending on the number of calls to be assigned, two to four members of the Quorum of the Twelve go to separate rooms at Church headquarters. After asking a prayer for divine guidance, they will sit down at a computer screen and one at a time, view prospective missionaries' pictures and information. Each missionary is then personally assigned to a specific mission and given a date on which to enter the MTC.

The way Elder Eyring described it: "We go into a room, and it will be a two or three hour session and sometimes longer. Because of technology, it is possible for us to have your picture and the information about you displayed. And then quickly, on that same screen, all the missions of the Church with all of their needs are displayed. Within minutes, and sometimes less than a minute, the impression comes so powerfully that it would be, if it were a single instance, something that you would never forget. Can you imagine sitting there for hours at a time, having that happen time after time without interruption? I testify to you that it is real...

...In a world so large, the Creator... somehow not only knows you but loves you enough to ensure that your call is where He needs you to go to teach the children of our Heavenly Father."

Um... wow.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

My papers have officially been submitted!

I will get my call in the next couple weeks!

Can you believe it?!?!

To guess where I'm going click HERE to see a list of all the current missions, then leave a comment! There will be something fabulous for whoever can guess the closest!

I can't even believe it! I am so excited!

Response to 2/25

I was reading this today and thought I would share:

"The Lord gives us a "new heart' (Ezek. 18:31). Our heart has to be broken, in a way, so that it can be re-made. By that I mean more spiritual sensitivity, more empathy, and more capacity to be responsive to people. The natural man's heart is pretty self-centered and hard. If we can put off the natural man (see Mosiah 3:19), we can be given a new heart, and it will be enlarged without hypocrisy (see D&C 121:42). Adversity can squeeze out of us the hypocrisy that's there. [So, for me,] its been a great spritual adventure, one I would not want to have missed."

-Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Isn't he cool! Man... I love that quote!

Today has been a...

College Life Part II

Pretty sure these speak for themselves... :)

College Life...

Before:After:Fastest way to get there:

Don't try this at home folks.

Goal #21

Goal #21: Make a difference to a child

This actually happened while I lived in Israel last year, but it just recently occurred to me as I was reading over my 100 Things To Do list.

After we finished a grueling set of mid-terms a few of us went out to explore the Muslim quarter of the Old City for the rest of the day. On our way home we happened to pass by these little boys playing with sticks when I saw one of them was crying. He was so sad! I asked him what was wrong and he just looked at me with these big crocodile tears. The older boy recognized what I had said and translated for his little friend/brother. Once the little boy had understood what I had asked he held up his pink swollen finger that had obviously been smashed. Thanks to working at Badger Creek the summer before I always carried a small first aid kit with me wherever we went (which- believe me- came in handy more than once). So I pulled out a bandaid and put it on his finger.

Did it really make a difference to him? I don't know. But it did teach me something. I realized how easy it is to reach past culture and language barriers to help someone, even if it is as small and simple as a bandaid. But come to think of it that might just be the answer to the world's problems. :)

You never know what can happen when you influence the life of a child.

Best part about Tuesdays...

Going on five years...

TAMALE TUESDAY

What?!?!

Alright Groundhog, do you realize I live in REXBURG, IDAHO! 6 more weeks of winter is 6 weeks to long! Seriously! How am I supposed to excel in school under these conditions? Do you understand my nose hairs continue to freeze as I slip and slide on the ice running to classes at 7:45 in the morning! Not to complain or anything, but that can't be healthy! I'm not trying to expose your bad judgements. I'm just politely insisting that you recall your prediction and try again. I would be ever so grateful!

Current Study: Angels

I can't stop thinking about them: the angels in my life.

I love Elder Holland's description of Adam and Eve's experience of stepping into mortality:

"They knew this telestial world would contain thorns and thistles and troubles of every kind... [And] God knew the challenges they would face, He certainly knew how lonely and troubled they would sometimes feel. So He watched over His mortal family constantly, heard their prayers always, and sent prophets to teach, counsel, and guide them. But in times of special need, He sent angels, divine messengers, to bless His children, reassure them that heaven was always very close and that His help was always very near."

I can't seem to get that out of my mind. Elder Holland continues, "Seen or unseen they are always near."

They are always near. My heart is full of gratitude for the many tender mercies I've received when I haven't been left "lonely and troubled." I have been sustained by angels, seen and unseen.

"Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind."

It blows my mind the many MANY times a friendly hug, a sincere greeting, a look of concern, a check-up call, a small note, words of encouragement, a quick email, a simple act of kindness, a long talk, an expression of love and hope, or just a simple post on this blog has been a tool of the Lord, and the giver-an angel. I don't have words to express the deep gratitude for the divine help I've received from both sides of the veil.

I add my own witness to Elder Holland's, "I testify of angels, both the heavenly and mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face." I know now I can face challenges to come, both global and personal, both great and small. And even I can act as an emissary for another in need.

"I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left... my Spirit shall be [with you], and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." D&C 84:88

Hearts

Do broken hearts heal?

You can do it!

"I salute you as kingdom builders and as a generation of destiny.

A whole nation can be leavened by a righteous rising generation... You bright spirits could not have chosen a better time to be born, with more neighbors waiting and needing to be shown the gospel.

I know you have been properly placed because God did it."

-Elder Neal A. Maxwell

BYU Devo "All Hell is Moved"

Dear Mr. President

Dear Mr. President,

Congratulations on making history today.
Please treat my country well.

A little concerned...

A note we had to write our apartment complex managers a few weeks ago...

To whom it may (hopefully) concern:
Despite our three previous urgent requests our stagnant water filled, disease infested dishwasher is now leaking toxic waste. As much as we appreciate its efforts in helping us wash our floor, the toxicity of the rank liquid is contaminating the IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) of our once beloved apartment.
To our great relief no serious side affects have developed (to our knowledge). However, we are afraid that any day now one of us will wake up with a case of severe vomiting, discoloration of the skin (green is not good for the complexion), and possible loss of limbs, which would greatly affect our finals.
We appreciate any prompt action concerning this smelly issue. Thank you!
Apartment #8