All that I have...

This week has been full of hard work---I'm beginning to understand what all those people meant that told me before I left that this would be the hardest thing I ever loved doing :)

We spend so much time at the temple, and it is SOOO amazing. I love the Spirit that is there, just on the temple grounds. We gave a tour to one of the districts of missionaries, as practice and to help them know what it would be like when they bring their investigators. I love testifying that the sealing power is on the earth, that families can be together forever, and that, because families are so important, they must be "organized" in the temple for eternity, rather than in a church where other groups are organized for "time".

We go to the members' homes and teach them the lessons. Last night we went to a sister's house and taught the Restoration. I love saying the First Vision in Joseph's words. EVERY TIME the Spirit is there and testifies to me and us all that Joseph is a prophet. He saw God and Jesus Christ. It's wonderful to feel my testimony growing more rapidly than it ever did at home. 

Plus, I just feel the Spirit more clearly. I think it was yesterday, I was reading an Ensign article about the Atonement (https://www.lds.org/ensign/2008/03/the-atonement-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng). I felt the tingling and I thought "goosebumps?" but I looked down at my arms that the hair wasn't sticking up :) and I thought, the spirit is inside. I don't know how to explain that stream of consciousness, but, yeah. The Holy Ghost speaks to our spirits. Which is just so cool :)

A consecrated missionary gives her ALL on the table of sacrifice. At the end of the day there is nothing left to give. That is my goal everyday.

I pray everyday to be exhausted. Which might have been a bad idea, but He's answering it :) 

I invite you all to give your ALL to Him. I know it's harder in the real world where there are less than spiritual things to worry about, but I know that we can consecrate our every moment to Him (see 2 Ne 32:9). And He will gives us His ALL in return.

Focus

Did I tell you we are doing temple grounds tours? We spend a lot of time at the temple, which is so great. every time we get to the Celestial room windows I get to say that "This place is representative of being in our Heavenly Father's presence, and is the closest place on earth that we can ever get to Him" ---every time I do, the spirit rushes through me and I get excited to go in, and also to see Heavenly Father one day.

A lot of our goals focus on becoming consecrated missionaries (giving all that we have) and on developing a celestial culture. As I have thought about what that means, I have come to the conclusion that it means: to be progressively obedient, not perfectly obedient. To be a little better now, than I was a moment ago. My goal today is to go home so tired that I can barely keep my eyes open. I want to give my ALL to Him.

California Irvine Mission aka...CIM

 When we first got to California we each had an interview with Pres Orgill and that was sooooo wonderful. I think (KNOW) he's going to be a great mission president. We talked and laughed a lot. Afterward, I took a nap with Sister Fetui and some of our elders in the chapel (they brought pillows for us :)) And then had to walk into a chapel fullllllllllll of Called-to-Serve-Him...singing missionaries. THAT was overwhelming!

 

Off to Serve !!

If there is one thing I have learned the past 12 days, it is that the Lord is aware and in the details of our lives. He has sustained me when the thought crossed my mind to "just give up, this is too hard" but I can't! you know? A mission will be the best thing that ever happens to me and I love all that I have learned, esp about the spirit and about talking to people-- I have taught more lessons and talked to more strangers than ever before in my life and am so ready to go talk to Californian's!!

The reason we teach the doctrine of Christ (the missionary purpose) is so that we can "help others come unto Christ which means helping them access the Atonement. That really struck me and has stayed with me these last couple of days. I know that that is the greatest gift I can give anyone, and is what Ibhave strived to learn here at the MTC and what I am going to strive to do in the field.

Irvine CA

8-5-14

With Pres. & Sister Orgill