Arrival- CCM (MTC) in Lima, Peru

From March 24th

¡Buenas dias!

I have met 5 people total going to my mission, 4 hermanas! Peru is beautiful!! We arrived at 11:30 last night, went through immigration and stuff for an hour, drove in a cool bus for an hour to the MTC, and then fell asleep at 3.. its been a long day! 

I don´t have too much time but my P-day is on wednesday! I,ll have more time next week, we have to do a bunch of stuff today.

On the plane to Peru (7 hours) I sat by this really nice man 'F', who was absolutely awesome! I shared with him about the church and the Book of Mormon and he told me he met with the missionaries, 11 years ago!! And he was happy he was sitting next to me! So I told him to go to church, and offered him my El Libro de Mormon but he already had one. Yay! It was really cool!

I have to go now, love you all! byeee

Farewell Talk

From March 15th

First, I would like to thank all who came out to be here today, especially my nonmember friends! It's exciting to have them here.

My talk is on the Youth theme of this year. Which would be kind of weird since you're receiving this three months into the year and not by a youth, but since it is so missionary minded I guess it makes sense.

This is on Doctrine and Covenants section 4, focusing on embarking in the service of God. It's interesting that the word "embark" is only mentioned once and all the scriptures or standard works, because of the great importance it has. To "embark" means to board a ship, train, or other vehicle, meaning to start a journey of great importance. When you think about a train, or a plane, something you can embark on, you have to be on or off. You can't put half of your effort into getting on the plane because something will definitely go wrong! :-) That's why this chapter is so critical towards missionary work because it tells you that you can't do anything halfway, all of your effort you put into everything needs to be at 100%.

Going into the Scriptures, this chapter looks really short. Just seven little verses. But this chapter, as said by Joseph Fielding Smith, "contains sufficient counsel and instruction for a lifetime of study. No one has yet mastered it. It was to be of benefit to all who desire to embark in the service of God. It is as broad, as high, and as deep as eternity." So obviously I can't teach you everything but I hope to enlighten you of some of it's doctrines and promises.

"Now behold, a marvelous work (which I am so excited to be a part of!) is about to come forth among the children of men. Therefore, o ye that embark in the service of God, see that you serve him with all your heart, might, mind, and strength, that you may stand blameless before God in the last day."

Going back to what embark means, being on or off, can also be in or out. I immediately thought of the journey our stake did with all the youth last summer. The theme for that was: "Who's All In?" When we first heard about the journey, being like three months away from the actual camp, we were given a fireside kick off. That's where we watched a video reflecting on our past track and introducing this theme. They also introduced the "rating "system on what to write ourselves on up until we actually left. It was on our selective obedience (choices we make), attitude, how we were doing with scripture study, prayer, on our missionary work and testimony.

I honestly couldn't fill it out. I struggled with that little piece of paper. I kept wanting to lose it, but kept getting a new one passed out to me from my young women leaders. I was embarrassed, and I was not all in. If we allowed it, and worked toward it, this journey or youth conference would be a life-changing experience and a huge testimony strengthener. But I was having a hard time with it. And then I was called to be one of the senior companions. Those were the leaders of the "families" who led in spiritual discussions, gave devotionals, kept everyone together, and most importantly: one to be an example to all those in our family.

I was put under a lot of pressure and really stressed about something that I shouldn't have been stressed about if I was doing the right thing. But I was able to change. I was able to look past myself, and my temporal needs, and focus on what really needed to be done to be "all in". I had a great change of heart that week from experiences we all went through. That week was when I had a great desire to serve a mission.

Verse three says: "Therefore, if you have desires to serve God, you are called to the work". It is so important to know that this isn't for called or set apart missionaries. This is for everyone. Especially those in high school because your teenage years, and the impacts you have over others, are the most critical. This is a perfect theme for you.

Sadly, being truly called of the Lord did not come easy for me. When Satan knows you want to do the right thing, especially to serve a mission, that's when he attacks you the most. This time, even after such a spiritual week, was my hardest struggle and trial. I went back to not reading my scriptures every day and praying. It was really hard. And then, I added the fact that I was going to wait a full year to serve. I would go to school and continue working. It's not smart for me to put something off, especially if I wasn't doing my part and actually making a mission happen. I have never doubted myself more.

Doctrine and Covenants 6:36 says: "look unto me and every thought; doubt not, fear not." I obviously was not doing what I needed to be doing. Those personal doubts were not from the spirit, Satan was putting them in me.

Last year, I had the opportunity to listen to conference while I cleaned my room. It was just kind of in the background until I heard, "on a scale of 1 to 10" and of course I'm thinking, "oh great another rating system." But he went on to say, "how would you rate your spiritual confidence before God? Can you say within yourself that Heavenly Father is pleased with you? What thoughts come to mind if you had a personal interview with your Savior one minute from now? Would sins, regrets, and shortcomings dominate your self-image, or would you simply experience joyful anticipation? Would you meet or avoid His gaze? Would you linger by the door or confidently walk up to Him?"

I had never been hit so hard from words and the spirit. That was a talk given by Elder Klebingat called, "Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence." I listened intently to the word spoken. As I did so, I had a strong impression to go to the bishop. I also had the thought that I needed to go on a mission because the Lord needed me, and I was not to wait.

This talk was the exact thing I needed to hear. He was so straightforward and bold, I just couldn't stop listening. If you haven't heard it or forgot it, listen to it today.

In his talk he shares: "keeping your eyes on the Savior, care more about what he thinks of you, and let the consequences follow. Spiritual confidence increases when you voluntarily and joyfully repent of sins, both small and great, in real time by applying the atonement of Jesus Christ." That is what I experienced.

Repentance is actually a beautiful process; though it may seem scary but if you think about it, why would the Lord give unto us something as great and important as this, if it was scary? If it was supposed to fill us with fair? Once again, He said "doubt not, fear not." Satan puts those fears and you. He knows how to get to each of us. Look past him and realize The love God has for us and how He wants us to return to Him, that we may stand blameless before Him.

In verse for it reads: "for behold, the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul." I get asked a lot how long I will be gone, (to which people freak out), what I will be doing, what happens if I get sick, and if I get paid. It is so important to recognize that this is the Lords work, and it is selfless work. It's not for fame or money but for the salvation of our souls. To bring others to come unto Christ. That they may know of Him and His role in this world.

That leads into the next few verses: "and faith, hope, charity, and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work. Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patients, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence." Missionary work is so important in the world today, it always has been. Anyone can be qualified for the work when you fully and bark in the service of God, forget yourself and your needs, and help others. Do the Lords work and what is important for your salvation.

"Ask, and you shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." If you have any doubts, as I once had, pray to your Heavenly Father. He knows what you're going through, your struggles, your times of joy, but he also knows your answers. Ask him with a sincere heart and real intent, this can be used if you're contemplating a mission, too. He will make it known unto you when the time is right. Be patient with him. Keep your faith strong.

I need to sincerely thank sister Martin for giving me this CD as a gift, John Bytheway's talk on "Embarking". I know she gave it to my sister and I through inspiration and I studied it a lot for this talk. John Bytheway shared an amazing story in it that is used to focus on the strength part when serving with all your heart, might, mind, and strength.

Coincidentally, it took place in Bolivia. It was about a group of men going to Pres. Ballard's workshop for the priesthood. When the men arrived, Pres. Ballard noticed that their white shirts were discolored from the chest down. When they came up to Pres. Ballard they said, "Elder Ballard, you are one of the Lord's Apostles. We will do whatever is required to be taught by you." These men, in order to hear Elder Ballard's workshop, had to leave in the morning to cross two rivers, while holding their scriptures high above their heads, and then get a ride in the back of a pick-up for two hours.

I am really looking forward to serving in Bolivia where I can meet such humble, faithful, and strong people like these men. I don't think I will need to cross any rivers, but my strength will definitely be tested in many other ways.

I am prepared to serve him obediently, with all of my heart, might, mind, and strength. I will press forward with faith. And most importantly, I will fully embark on this journey with all my heart. I know this church is true. I know Heavenly Father’s love for us, and the Atonement that He gave us are real. I know the BOM to be the true word of God. I sustain Thomas S. Monson as a true prophet of the Lord today and I know Joseph Smith was a true prophet of Lord who restored this gospel upon this Earth and translated the BOM. I’m so excited to serve. Thank you for everything that you’ve done in this ward, I love all of you.