I am so grateful for my friends. Heavenly Father puts in our lives the people that we need when we need them. I had the opportunity to see three of my very best friends—Justine Banks, Jacob Trotter, and Todd Corbett—this weekend for the first time in a very very very long time. I loved being able to see how they’ve grown, to feel of the power of their spirits. They are each remarkable and will always have a special place in my heart. I am reminded of Alma and the sons of Mosiah, when they run into each other. It’s the first time in 14 years that they’ve all been together. Of the experience it is written, “…Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God. But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting…” (Alma 17:2-3). I felt like Alma. I feel like Alma. My heart is full of gratitude so great I can hardly contain it. My friends have grown in their testimonies. They know Whose they are. They understand their purpose. They are disciples of Jesus Christ, now and for forever. I love them for it.
I learned something this last weekend. I learned the power of “I Am.” It was something I learned on my mission, but it hit home a little bit more. When Christ presented Himself, oftentimes He did so by saying that He was “I Am.” He knew Who He was, He understood it, and He applied it to everything He ever did. There is power in knowing who we each are. “I am good for something,” so why not find that something and run with it? Who are you? What makes you YOU? Are you a child of God? Do you know it? Are you a pianist, an intellectual, a temple attender, a peacemaker, a leader, a disciple of Jesus Christ? Who ARE you? It’s been a struggle the last week and a half. I realized the things I was doing didn’t have much meaning because I didn’t really understand what I was off to accomplish, I didn’t understand my purpose. My training wheels are off now. I’m riding solo. There is no more book that tells me what I am to do, how I am to manage my time. I didn’t want to wait for something like work or school to define my purpose. It needed be something within. That way, no matter what happens, I will always have it to guide me. After study and prayer and a bit of pondering, I came to the conclusion that I must continue to be an example of the believer and Father will use me as His instrument. I must do all that I do in order to build up the Kingdom of God on the earth—consecrate all of my time and talents to His work. So, I made myself a post-it and stuck it in my planner. It reads, “Did I help build up God’s Kingdom today? What can I do better tomorrow?” The best part is that I know Heavenly Father will use me. I know who I am in His eyes and therefore understand that I am good for many things. My life will be patterned after that knowledge.
As I was talking with Jacob the other day, I said something about making sure I would teach my children the importance of obedience, that it brings blessing and safety. He then turned to me and asked, “Kaity, how many people do you think you taught on your mission?” I thought for a second and said, “Well, I hope at least a couple” (I didn’t quite understand his point at first). He shared with me something he learned on his mission, and since that little talk, I’ve learned it too. He said mas o menos, “I learned that we do not actually teach anyone anything. Heavenly Father helps them to learn it when they’re ready.” It is so true! How many times have you heard people teach about the Atonement? You’ve heard what it is, but you never learned what it really meant until you experienced Its power for yourself. We each have experiences so that we can share them with others; but, Heavenly Father will help them learn those principles through their own experiences in His timing. And, not very often will it be in the self-same moment. We cannot be frustrated when others just don’t seem to “get it” even though you have told “it” to them a million and one times. They will understand not because of what you say, but because of their own encounters with the Spirit—He will teach them those lessons when they’re ready to learn them.
I learned about the importance of agency, of using that agency to make decisions. A friend bore his testimony today and just briefly mentioned something about making decisions. I wrote those two words down—“making decisions”—and decided I was going to go home and ponder it a little more. I learned that I don’t want to wait on other people and their decisions before I choose to be happy. It is important that we are who we know that we are, that we trust that everything will work out as it should, that we just “let go and let God” as another member put it in her testimony today. Opposition must needs be remembered when making decisions. There will be an opposition in all things. Opposition, however, isn’t always bad—it simply opposes. If my favorite color is blue, then my favorite color cannot be green. That doesn’t mean that it is bad for it to be green, the two just cannot be one. Decision making would not be decision making if there wasn’t an opposing choice to be made. It means taking a stand, it means acting. Heavenly Father trusts me to do that which is right; however, that doesn’t necessarily mean there’s always only ever one right decision to be made. Things get harder and significant growth can take place when we have to choose between many good things. It is in doing so that our faith grows.
I don’t know. I’m not sure if what I’m writing makes a whole lot of sense, but I hope you can get out of it what Father would have you learn. I love the Gospel with my whole heart. I am grateful for the lesson Heavenly Father teaches us each day if we will but listen.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Ya regrese!
I’m home?! These past couple days have been an adventure in and of themselves. I loved being in the Mission Home last Tuesday night before I came home. I learned some very valuable lessons, things that I will forever implement in my life and in the lives of those in my future family. I love the example of love that is my Mission President and his wife. They’ve taught me a lot, whether they’ve realized it or not, just by being who they are. We all have those people who have impacted our lives in ways that words could never explain. Aren’t we all so grateful for them?! I loved the missionaries I came home with – Elders Rosas, Larsen, Watkins, Roberts, Kreiger, Breur, Althouse, Cardoso, Gomes. They were some powerhouse missionaries and I’m grateful for the time I had to serve with them. I haven’t a doubt that they will continue to serve the Lord with all the fervor with which they served Him the past two years. Tuesday night ended late and Wednesday morning started early. It was hard to say goodbye. I was grateful to have Elders Tilley, Maughan, and Erikson take us to the airport. I have grown to love each of them for the caliber of missionaries that they are.
The plane ride home was a hard one. It was strange to be waving farewell to a place I felt I had only just been saying hello to. “New Jersey is my home,” I kept saying to myself. It is to me like the waters of Mormon to the people of Alma. New Jersey is where I came to know my Savior, it is where I experienced pure joy for the first time in my whole life, it is where I grew to love myself, it is where I found my closest friends. I love New Jersey.
When I got to Las Vegas, my heart was pounding just as hard as it had been for the past week. I was nervous. I was excited. I was sad, but I was happy. It was an interesting little roller coaster of emotions. I came to the escalator only to find my Daddy waiting at the bottom. Mommy had told me they’d wait by the carousel, so I was a little thrown off. It was a joyous reunion. Little Brother is like 6 inches taller. My sisters are beautiful. My mommy and daddy look great. I asked a lady if she would take a picture for us…I ended up giving her a mormon.org pass-along card afterwards :-). She seemed pretty excited about it, actually.
From the airport we drove straight to my Stake President’s Law Office in downtown Las Vegas. It was there that I was released from my full-time service. That was a difficult experience for me. I expected to feel a change in the Spirit that I felt, but I didn’t. I felt that same peace that I’d felt during my mission, and I was grateful. My ability to remember things seems to have decreased however…but that’s about it. I am determined to live worthy of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, for that is the only way I know how to live.
The days since have been a little adventure. It’s a whole different world. I’m not used to it, but I’ll be just fine. I find joy in my scripture study. Prayer continues to be my refuge. I couldn’t do it without my Father in Heaven. I read a verse this morning that hit me pretty hard. It reads, “But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words.” This is where I need to be right now. He knows why I’m here, His wisdom is so much greater than mine. I trust Him with all my heart and know that He will guide me as He works to bring to pass His eternal purposes. It’s here. Reality has hit. And I’m going to live it.
Monday, March 12, 2012
New Jersey Times - Un tiempecito. Amor incontable.
KAITY'S LAST MISSION EMAIL
Mi Querida Familia,
What a remarkable feeling it is to arrive at the close of my mission and have such a sense of peace and love and pure joy fill my heart. I met with my Mission President for my final interview. President and Sister Jeppson flew back to New Jersey yesterday. I got to have my interview with my President! I found out for sure last Wednesday that he had been cleared and would be back before I left. God is a God of miracles. He answered the door to the mission home this morning sin maletas. He's doing great. He's walking. He just has a glow about him. He's grateful to be back. And I'm grateful that he's back...both of them. The tender mercies of the Lord!
I apologize because this email will not be an update of any events that have happened this past week. I feel impressed to share with you a little about what I have learned through my service. It's that last opportunity I'll have to write you as a set apart representative of my Savior.
I have learned that I am a daughter of God. I have inherited divine qualities from the Father of my spirit as well as a right to become like Him. I am royalty. I am precious in the eyes of my Maker. I am His. As I've grown in my understanding of that pure truth, I have grown in my ability to love myself. I have received witness after witness after witness that my Heavenly Father loves me, that I am noble, that I am righteous. I have been freed from myself because of the Greatness of my God.
I have learned that love really needs to be my motive. Love of my Savior first and foremost. My dear President once said, "The more you love Him (Jesus Christ), the more your capacity to love yourself and others increases." As our understanding and our ability to personally apply the Atonement in our lives increases, our ability to love also increases. I feel like this life is our opportunity to learn of our worth, to understnad who. we. are. in the eyes of God. There is power in knowing our worth as His children. It is real. I want for the rest of forever to help others remember Whose they are. We live in a world full of negativity, it easily finds its way into our lives if we're not careful to keep it out. Positive thinking, especially of one's self allows for the Spirit to always be present, it allows for life to be lived to its fullest. I believe that if we understood who we are as children of Deity, we would not be so quick to do iniquity. If we just took the time to get to know our real selves--the spirit that dwells within this tabernacle of clay--we would soar to great heights in all aspects of life. The Atonement of Jesus Christ, His Sacrifice, makes that possible. If we are weighed down by sin, our spiritual eyes are blinded and that hinders our ability to see those spiritual truths. As we repent and renew our covenants made at baptism, we are made to see clearly again. All that Heavenly Father does for us is to help us know of our great worth.
I have learned that Jesus Christ is my Savior. For the past 18 months, I have been trying to come to know Him better, that I might truly be Him for these people. I have loved learning of my Savior. It has been an honor to wear His name each and every day. That tag might be coming off in a couple days, but the Name will always be there. As we make covenants with our God, the Name of His Son becomes engraven upon our hearts even more than ever before. My service as His full-time Representative, as a Missionary may be over soon; however, my service as His disciple--His full-time disciple will never end.
I've learned that because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I need not fear. Because of my Savior, with my Savior I can do all things...ALL thing, even the hard ones. The Atonement gives me hope; and where there is hope, there is faith; and where there is faith, fear cannot reside. It is a trust. Sometimes fear begins to overcome me, sometimes I let it get too far; but, I'm always reminded of my Savior. No matter what the fear is, it can be swallowed up by an appeal to that Great Sacrifice. Fear comes because of uncertainty, faith because of a surety.
I've learned the beauty of true friendship--brothers and sisters united in the cause of Christ. You can pass much time having not seen someone and the moment you are reunited, the feelings of joy and happiness and peace are reignited. You may not even know a whole lot about each other's lives; however, you know what each other is all about, and that creates a bond between you that never can be broken. I think that's what it's all about. I have loved watching my dear brothers [and sisters]...grow in their understanding of spiritual truths, come to know on a more profound level who they each are as children of God and instruments in His hands. I love each opportunity Father has given me to feel of the power of their spirits, the power that comes from their righteousness. I love each of you for sharing this time with me. I encourage you to cultivate those kinds of relationships with all that you meet. We all lived together once, in perfect harmony. Our goals were the same. Now we get to help each other remember them.
My dear family and friends, I'm excited to see you again. I'm excited to see how you've grown. I'm excited to hear of your experiences. I'm excited to give you all giant hugs! I'm excited for what the future holds. I'm excited to put all I've learned into practice. My training wheels are coming off. My nets are put up and I'm going out for the harvest. I'm going to get dirty and covered and worn out in the work of my Lord.
I love you. Forever.
Hermana Word
PS My dear Corbett Family, I love you! Thank you for the birthday package! You are all angels!
Mi Querida Familia,
What a remarkable feeling it is to arrive at the close of my mission and have such a sense of peace and love and pure joy fill my heart. I met with my Mission President for my final interview. President and Sister Jeppson flew back to New Jersey yesterday. I got to have my interview with my President! I found out for sure last Wednesday that he had been cleared and would be back before I left. God is a God of miracles. He answered the door to the mission home this morning sin maletas. He's doing great. He's walking. He just has a glow about him. He's grateful to be back. And I'm grateful that he's back...both of them. The tender mercies of the Lord!
I apologize because this email will not be an update of any events that have happened this past week. I feel impressed to share with you a little about what I have learned through my service. It's that last opportunity I'll have to write you as a set apart representative of my Savior.
I have learned that I am a daughter of God. I have inherited divine qualities from the Father of my spirit as well as a right to become like Him. I am royalty. I am precious in the eyes of my Maker. I am His. As I've grown in my understanding of that pure truth, I have grown in my ability to love myself. I have received witness after witness after witness that my Heavenly Father loves me, that I am noble, that I am righteous. I have been freed from myself because of the Greatness of my God.
I have learned that love really needs to be my motive. Love of my Savior first and foremost. My dear President once said, "The more you love Him (Jesus Christ), the more your capacity to love yourself and others increases." As our understanding and our ability to personally apply the Atonement in our lives increases, our ability to love also increases. I feel like this life is our opportunity to learn of our worth, to understnad who. we. are. in the eyes of God. There is power in knowing our worth as His children. It is real. I want for the rest of forever to help others remember Whose they are. We live in a world full of negativity, it easily finds its way into our lives if we're not careful to keep it out. Positive thinking, especially of one's self allows for the Spirit to always be present, it allows for life to be lived to its fullest. I believe that if we understood who we are as children of Deity, we would not be so quick to do iniquity. If we just took the time to get to know our real selves--the spirit that dwells within this tabernacle of clay--we would soar to great heights in all aspects of life. The Atonement of Jesus Christ, His Sacrifice, makes that possible. If we are weighed down by sin, our spiritual eyes are blinded and that hinders our ability to see those spiritual truths. As we repent and renew our covenants made at baptism, we are made to see clearly again. All that Heavenly Father does for us is to help us know of our great worth.
I have learned that Jesus Christ is my Savior. For the past 18 months, I have been trying to come to know Him better, that I might truly be Him for these people. I have loved learning of my Savior. It has been an honor to wear His name each and every day. That tag might be coming off in a couple days, but the Name will always be there. As we make covenants with our God, the Name of His Son becomes engraven upon our hearts even more than ever before. My service as His full-time Representative, as a Missionary may be over soon; however, my service as His disciple--His full-time disciple will never end.
I've learned that because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I need not fear. Because of my Savior, with my Savior I can do all things...ALL thing, even the hard ones. The Atonement gives me hope; and where there is hope, there is faith; and where there is faith, fear cannot reside. It is a trust. Sometimes fear begins to overcome me, sometimes I let it get too far; but, I'm always reminded of my Savior. No matter what the fear is, it can be swallowed up by an appeal to that Great Sacrifice. Fear comes because of uncertainty, faith because of a surety.
I've learned the beauty of true friendship--brothers and sisters united in the cause of Christ. You can pass much time having not seen someone and the moment you are reunited, the feelings of joy and happiness and peace are reignited. You may not even know a whole lot about each other's lives; however, you know what each other is all about, and that creates a bond between you that never can be broken. I think that's what it's all about. I have loved watching my dear brothers [and sisters]...grow in their understanding of spiritual truths, come to know on a more profound level who they each are as children of God and instruments in His hands. I love each opportunity Father has given me to feel of the power of their spirits, the power that comes from their righteousness. I love each of you for sharing this time with me. I encourage you to cultivate those kinds of relationships with all that you meet. We all lived together once, in perfect harmony. Our goals were the same. Now we get to help each other remember them.
My dear family and friends, I'm excited to see you again. I'm excited to see how you've grown. I'm excited to hear of your experiences. I'm excited to give you all giant hugs! I'm excited for what the future holds. I'm excited to put all I've learned into practice. My training wheels are coming off. My nets are put up and I'm going out for the harvest. I'm going to get dirty and covered and worn out in the work of my Lord.
I love you. Forever.
Hermana Word
PS My dear Corbett Family, I love you! Thank you for the birthday package! You are all angels!
Monday, March 5, 2012
New Jersey Times - Una semana aun mas rara
Familia,
Thank you for your letters, for your emails, for your love. I love each of you so much. Keep it up out there! I apologize because I have not time enough to right you much. My Mission President is doing alot better. We still don't know when he'll be back, but he's recovery at a miraculous rate and I'm ever so grateful for your prayers and your support. Shelby, thanks for your letter!!!! We did service with the New York New York South Missionaries back in September. I met your future mission presidents! Crazy! The East Coast is ready to receive the Gospel. Especially the Hispanics here. You and my sister are going to tear it up! ;-)
I get to go on an exchange tomorrow, to the temple on Wednesday, we have transfer planning on Thursday, a Stake Relief Society activity on Saturday, and a big ward fireside on Sunday. My last week as a missionary, and I won't be doing much teaching. It kind of makes me sad, but I'm excited for all the week has in store.
This last week was crazy. I'll tell you about it in a couple weeks. I learned that Heavenly Father gives us the strength we need in order to be able to overcome whatsoever thing comes our way. The refiner's fire is a tough one, but it's so worth it. Jesus Christ is my Savior. The Holy Ghost is my guide. I love this work. I'm enlisted for the rest of forever.
Stay safe. Keep praying. See you soon!
Hermana Word
Thank you for your letters, for your emails, for your love. I love each of you so much. Keep it up out there! I apologize because I have not time enough to right you much. My Mission President is doing alot better. We still don't know when he'll be back, but he's recovery at a miraculous rate and I'm ever so grateful for your prayers and your support. Shelby, thanks for your letter!!!! We did service with the New York New York South Missionaries back in September. I met your future mission presidents! Crazy! The East Coast is ready to receive the Gospel. Especially the Hispanics here. You and my sister are going to tear it up! ;-)
I get to go on an exchange tomorrow, to the temple on Wednesday, we have transfer planning on Thursday, a Stake Relief Society activity on Saturday, and a big ward fireside on Sunday. My last week as a missionary, and I won't be doing much teaching. It kind of makes me sad, but I'm excited for all the week has in store.
This last week was crazy. I'll tell you about it in a couple weeks. I learned that Heavenly Father gives us the strength we need in order to be able to overcome whatsoever thing comes our way. The refiner's fire is a tough one, but it's so worth it. Jesus Christ is my Savior. The Holy Ghost is my guide. I love this work. I'm enlisted for the rest of forever.
Stay safe. Keep praying. See you soon!
Hermana Word
Thursday, March 1, 2012
New Jersey Times - Una semana rara!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Familia Mia!!!
It's weird. All of this is weird. I went to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty on Monday. I had what we call my "hot seat" yesterday. When a missionary leaves, they take 30-45 minutes after one of our meetings to ask the missionary questions about his/her mission, embarrassing moments, people who've had a great impact on his/her life, advice for other missionaries, etc. Two weeks and I'll be home. It feels strange, yet normal.
My companions are amazing. Hermana Fenn spent last Thursday to Monday in Fardale (about an hour and a half away from New Brunswick) with Sister Call while one of our Sister missionaries went home for her father's funeral. Hermana Simpson and I continued work in New Brunswick. We also had an exchange last Friday--Hermana Simpson was with Sister Lambeth in New Brunswick, and I was with Sister Schroeffel in Clinton. What an eye-opener it was for me! I was reminded of how grateful I am to have such a wonderfully supportive ward here in New Brunswick. All the members love the missionaries and they love missionary work. In Clinton, I found that there are a number of members who have fallen away and joined other churches and want nothing to do with anything "Latter-day Saint." There are a handful of members who are willing to help the missionaries but they're just not as open about it. Welcome to English work? The Church is true, it doesn't matter where you live in New Jersey, in the US or in the world...it will always be true. It broke my heart to know that so many people have forgotten about/neglected the witnesses they've received from the Holy Ghost. It made me excited, however, to do missionary work when I get home, to get to work even more with less active members and recent converts. Never forget what you know to be true. Keep the commandments and Heavenly Father will help you to know His will.
Hermana Simpson and I had a neat experience last Sunday. Veronica, one of our investigators, moved three weeks ago. When she was moving, she wasn't sure of her address. We tried to contact her for quite some time after having moved, but her cell phone is just a little weird and contact was never made. As we were walking out of our building last week, we found Veronica waiting in the lobby. We instantly asked her where she lived and set an appointment with her for Sunday. She told us, "718 Joyce Kilmer, Apt C1." When we walked into her building, we noticed that all the apartments on the bottom floor started with C1 and then had another letter after them: C1A, C1B, C1C...there were probably ten different apartments. Haha. Hermana Simpson and I decided to say a prayer and ask Heavenly Father where Veronica lived (we tried to call her, but she didn't pick up). We chose one end and just started knocking. We had knocked 3 doors before we got to C1C. I almost didn't knock it because I heard them watching English television, but Hermana Simpson encouraged me to do it anyway. It turned out to be Veronica's apartment; however, she was in the shower. The three guys sitting in the living room must have invited us to come inside 100 times, and each time we told them that we couldn't until there was a woman in the same room as us. :-) So, we stood at the door and taught a guy named Luis for 20 minutes. Veronica later came out, we talked for a minute, had a prayer and left. As we were walking out to the car, we met a woman standing in the parking lot. We told her who we were and she willingly gave us her address, told us her schedule, and committed herself to call the phone number to get a copy of the Book of Mormon. I love those little whisperings of the Spirit. It wasn't anything huge, any grand prompting...not any of them; nevertheless, we were guided to where Father would have us be. He works the same way with each of us. If we seek for His guidance, He will give it to us. Pretty cool, huh?! :-)
I love you family! Keep it up! I'll see you so soon!
Con amor,
Hermana Word
9949 - Elders Larsen and Rosas...my mission buddies.
9953 - The good ole Island of Ellis
9973 - Me trying to be artistic
00008 - Just outside of the ferry dock.
00015 - The Russian Tear Drop, a gift from Russia to us as a 9/11 memorial (Jacob, this is where your mission meets mine I decided. Haha.)
