Today was weird.
Sort of overwhelming.
I went home for the weekend and now I am sucked back into the life of college, being constantly swirled around by homework and stress.
I came home to a wonderful surprise.
My beautiful, talented, spiritual, best friend wrote me a letter from all the way in Ohio where she is serving her mission.
I had written her a letter about 3 weeks ago and was worried she hadn't gotten it. I was elated to see her handwriting on a stamped envelope addressed to me.
She reminds me of the happiness that comes from serving the Lord. I can tell that she is being blessed beyond compare for the work she is doing in Ohio.
She uplifts me in the little ways. I always remember how she always focuses on other people when she talks to them, never herself, which is a trait I believe is difficult to truly obtain.
Ultimate selflessness.
I mean, that is one of the most Christlike attributes we can ever obtain in this life. It means showing love and interest in something other than yourself, in ANY circumstance.
That's hard.
But look at the Savior's life. Never about himself. Never making His life more important than others. It was making sure those around him were loved and cared for in ways that only He could provide.
There are people out there in the world who need our love and care because we are the only people that can give that particular kind of love to them. If we don't, not only do we miss out on the blessings of service and charity, but that individual misses out on that blessing of YOU.
I love Taylor and am grateful each and every day for her wonderful example to me and how I want to be more like her.
Showing posts with label mission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mission. Show all posts
1.21.2014
11.22.2013
Day 22
Today I got a letter in the mail from a girl who has become one of my best friends. We were roommates last year and for some reason, her and I just seemed to fit together and get along better than anyone else in our apt.
She is now in Ohio. Serving the Lord and doing fantastic.
I am grateful for Sister Taylor Byers.
She is such a righteous daughter of God. I love her and pray not only for her, but for all the missionaries of the church. May they be blessed and protected for their sacrifice and obedience.
She is now in Ohio. Serving the Lord and doing fantastic.
I am grateful for Sister Taylor Byers.
11.06.2013
Day 6
Today I am grateful for fried egg sandwiches.
In Nauvoo, we made our own dinners. We had to be creative and it worked most of the time. :)
My favorite meal was made by my companion. A fried egg sandwich, with the yolk popped. SOOOOO GOOOD! And sometimes we would get herbs from the Lyon Drug and Variety Store and added it to the meal. It was so simple. I think I loved it so much because she wanted to make it for me. The desire to serve on her face was so real and it was something as simple as a fried egg sandwich.
I made one today.
It wasn't nearly as good as Sister Reid's. I miss her.
I am grateful for service, for sister reid and for a fried egg sandwich.
In Nauvoo, we made our own dinners. We had to be creative and it worked most of the time. :)
My favorite meal was made by my companion. A fried egg sandwich, with the yolk popped. SOOOOO GOOOD! And sometimes we would get herbs from the Lyon Drug and Variety Store and added it to the meal. It was so simple. I think I loved it so much because she wanted to make it for me. The desire to serve on her face was so real and it was something as simple as a fried egg sandwich.
I made one today.
It wasn't nearly as good as Sister Reid's. I miss her.
I am grateful for service, for sister reid and for a fried egg sandwich.
9.05.2013
I didn't actually need the batteries...
So I had an amazing experience today.
The sort of experience you read about in books or hear a general authority tell.
and I can call it my experience.
So here is how it starts.
My statistics class requires an iclicker for all the in class quizzes and such. I already had one, but I had to register it again online. When I got home, I saw that it was out of batteries. "Flip!" Now I had to remember to buy some Double A batteries after my D&C class the next day (which is quite difficult.... so many things to remember....).
So I go to class and when I leave, I make sure I leave through the other exit so I can head towards the Bookstore. I am just walking, minding my own business while trying to navigate the overpacked hallway, when I hear someone say "Emily?" I turn to see my friend who I haven't seen in a year. It feels weird to say that, but really I think it has been a year since I have seen her face to face.....
Anyway, we step off to the side to avoid the massive migration of people. We hug, we laugh, and we just talk. It was so wonderful. She started asking me a lot about Nauvoo. It made me so happy to talk about it. None of my roommates ask me about it so I never really get to talk about it and in a way, relive the experiences I had.
While I was describing to her all the things I did, I recalled a moment when I was watching the Stage Missionaries perform and I thought of my friend. I remember thinking that it would so cool if she came and did this the next summer. So I told her of my memory. When I said it, she was very excited and happy and she wanted to know more. So we meandered over to the bookstore continuing catching up and stuff.
We stood in line to buy the batteries..... let me just comment on the RIDICULOUS pricing BYU has. 5 dollars for a package of 4 batteries. Wow, just wow! Anyway..... After I bought them, we found some seats and sat down and just talked. We talked about missionaries, old roommates, friends, boys, majors, future plans, etc. Ya know, everything girls talk about. :)
Well, when we talked about future plans, she mentioned her consideration of performing in Disney World or Sea World, but she hadn't really decided. I told her the url address to find the audition information for Nauvoo and said that auditions are due sometime in November.... I kept telling her that her future was up to her. And I shared with her something that I learned while in Nauvoo.
The Lord takes into consideration our desires, what we want for our future. If those desires are righteous and in accordance with His plan for us, then He will make a way for us to achieve it. He doesn't throw out what we want. I told her that if she wanted to perform in Walt Disney World more than anything else, and the Lord thought it was okay, then she is going to be performing there.
I have no doubts that she will make the decision that is best for her, even if it isn't Nauvoo. But my side of the experience was amazing.
After we said goodbye, I called my mom for the day and told her of this experience. While I was telling her what happened, I got the chills, and I was outside in the heat. It was the "Whoa" chills sensation. You probably have no idea what that is, but it felt so good. I stopped and told my mom that I had the chills just by telling her the story.
When I made it home, I opened my batteries and tried to put them in only to find out that it required Triple A batteries, which I already had.
The Lord works in mysterious ways. No doubt about it.
Whatever decision she makes, it will be the one that God wants her to take. He will provide a way for her and I am confident she will do great, wherever she goes. And I can be grateful for the experience that I had that testified to me that God is grateful for my service to Him in Nauvoo and He knows that my testimony of my experience is strong.
The sort of experience you read about in books or hear a general authority tell.
and I can call it my experience.
So here is how it starts.
My statistics class requires an iclicker for all the in class quizzes and such. I already had one, but I had to register it again online. When I got home, I saw that it was out of batteries. "Flip!" Now I had to remember to buy some Double A batteries after my D&C class the next day (which is quite difficult.... so many things to remember....).
So I go to class and when I leave, I make sure I leave through the other exit so I can head towards the Bookstore. I am just walking, minding my own business while trying to navigate the overpacked hallway, when I hear someone say "Emily?" I turn to see my friend who I haven't seen in a year. It feels weird to say that, but really I think it has been a year since I have seen her face to face.....
Anyway, we step off to the side to avoid the massive migration of people. We hug, we laugh, and we just talk. It was so wonderful. She started asking me a lot about Nauvoo. It made me so happy to talk about it. None of my roommates ask me about it so I never really get to talk about it and in a way, relive the experiences I had.
While I was describing to her all the things I did, I recalled a moment when I was watching the Stage Missionaries perform and I thought of my friend. I remember thinking that it would so cool if she came and did this the next summer. So I told her of my memory. When I said it, she was very excited and happy and she wanted to know more. So we meandered over to the bookstore continuing catching up and stuff.
We stood in line to buy the batteries..... let me just comment on the RIDICULOUS pricing BYU has. 5 dollars for a package of 4 batteries. Wow, just wow! Anyway..... After I bought them, we found some seats and sat down and just talked. We talked about missionaries, old roommates, friends, boys, majors, future plans, etc. Ya know, everything girls talk about. :)
Well, when we talked about future plans, she mentioned her consideration of performing in Disney World or Sea World, but she hadn't really decided. I told her the url address to find the audition information for Nauvoo and said that auditions are due sometime in November.... I kept telling her that her future was up to her. And I shared with her something that I learned while in Nauvoo.
The Lord takes into consideration our desires, what we want for our future. If those desires are righteous and in accordance with His plan for us, then He will make a way for us to achieve it. He doesn't throw out what we want. I told her that if she wanted to perform in Walt Disney World more than anything else, and the Lord thought it was okay, then she is going to be performing there.
I have no doubts that she will make the decision that is best for her, even if it isn't Nauvoo. But my side of the experience was amazing.
After we said goodbye, I called my mom for the day and told her of this experience. While I was telling her what happened, I got the chills, and I was outside in the heat. It was the "Whoa" chills sensation. You probably have no idea what that is, but it felt so good. I stopped and told my mom that I had the chills just by telling her the story.
When I made it home, I opened my batteries and tried to put them in only to find out that it required Triple A batteries, which I already had.
The Lord works in mysterious ways. No doubt about it.
Whatever decision she makes, it will be the one that God wants her to take. He will provide a way for her and I am confident she will do great, wherever she goes. And I can be grateful for the experience that I had that testified to me that God is grateful for my service to Him in Nauvoo and He knows that my testimony of my experience is strong.
8.19.2013
A quote that changed my life
“Give me all of you!!! I don’t want so much of your time, so much of your talents and money, and so much of your work. I want YOU!!! ALL OF YOU!! I have not come to torment or frustrate the natural man or woman, but to KILL IT! No half measures will do. I don’t want to only prune a branch here and a branch there; rather I want the whole tree out! Hand it over to me, the whole outfit, all of your desires, all of your wants and wishes and dreams. Turn them ALL over to me, give yourself to me and I will make of you a new self---in my image. Give me yourself and in exchange I will give you Myself. My will, shall become your will. My heart, shall become your heart.”
― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Sometimes I think we can forget that the Atonement is more than just being able to be clean again. It can give us strength to overcome the scariest of trials. His grace is sufficient. We can become the people He needs us to be, but only if we give Him our self. Our imperfect self.
I have experienced this firsthand. I can't deal with everything on my own. If I do, then I will fall.
There was a song that we played in Nauvoo called "Pennsylvania 65000". The French Horn section had this big soli part that was very difficult to master. I spent 2 hours on this section with no improvement. I felt so discouraged. I thought to myself, "I know how to play this instrument. I know what this part is supposed to sound like. Why can't I just put it together??? Why?" We went to dinner that night and when we came back for evening rehearsal I said a prayer. I told my Heavenly Father that I have done all that I can do. I feel so discouraged. Please help me. Take it from me and help me. I reread that entry in my journal. I read how that evening rehearsal was one of the best rehearsals I have had. Pennsylvania 65000 was one of my favorite songs by the time I left.
Something as simple as not being able to play a part in a song, He took care of it.
5.02.2013
Leaving
Alright folks, it is goodbye for now.
I am headed to dinner with my family, then I will be set apart by the wonderful President Todd. After that, I will not be allowed to use any sort of electronics.
I cannot describe the happiness I am feeling. I am about to burst!!
Before I go, let me leave with you my testimony.
I know that Jesus is the Christ. He is my Redeemer. He suffered for me in the Garden. Because of what I did, I can repent and be clean again. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. He restored the Gospel on the Earth as it is today. I know that the God the Father and His son, Jesus, appeared to Joseph. I love this gospel. I know that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God. I know that the Lord listens. He knows all and wants for us to do the very best we can do each and every day. I know that we have a living Prophet on the Earth today. He is President Thomas S. Monson. He leads and guides us. I know that if we are obedient to the laws and covenants we make with our Heavenly Father, He will bless us immensely.
I know these things to be true.
I thank each and every one of you for your constant support.
If you would like to write me while I am in Nauvoo, feel free. I would love any correspondence.
Here will be my address
YPM Sister Jex
PO Box 215
Nauvoo, IL 62354
LOVE YOU ALL!!
I am headed to dinner with my family, then I will be set apart by the wonderful President Todd. After that, I will not be allowed to use any sort of electronics.
I cannot describe the happiness I am feeling. I am about to burst!!
Before I go, let me leave with you my testimony.
I know that Jesus is the Christ. He is my Redeemer. He suffered for me in the Garden. Because of what I did, I can repent and be clean again. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. He restored the Gospel on the Earth as it is today. I know that the God the Father and His son, Jesus, appeared to Joseph. I love this gospel. I know that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God. I know that the Lord listens. He knows all and wants for us to do the very best we can do each and every day. I know that we have a living Prophet on the Earth today. He is President Thomas S. Monson. He leads and guides us. I know that if we are obedient to the laws and covenants we make with our Heavenly Father, He will bless us immensely.
I know these things to be true.
I thank each and every one of you for your constant support.
If you would like to write me while I am in Nauvoo, feel free. I would love any correspondence.
Here will be my address
YPM Sister Jex
PO Box 215
Nauvoo, IL 62354
LOVE YOU ALL!!
4.03.2013
the countdown begins
Exactly one month until I leave for Nauvoo!
woohoo!
I can't wait to serve the Lord.
3.21.2013
NAUVOO!
So, I got an email the other day telling me that the YPM (young performing missionaries) are putting together a blog of experiences the preparation stuff. I took FOREVER to send mine in, but I finally did and WALLAH!
check it out!
enochsband-ourstory.blogspot.com
NBD!
Gah!
I am soooo excited!
check it out!
enochsband-ourstory.blogspot.com
NBD!
Gah!
I am soooo excited!
2.21.2013
Called to Serve.... everywhere!!!
A list of those whom I love who are leaving for 18-24 months to serve the Lord
Taylor Byers:
Cleveland, Ohio
Leaves for MTC June 26th
English
Christopher Langford
Kobe, Japan
Leaves for MTC May 15th
Japanese ;)
Micah Lund
Sao Paulo Interlagos, Brazil
Leaves for Brazil MTC July 17th
Portuguese
Larissa Merrill
Salt Lake City Central, Utah
Leaves for MTC June 12th
Spanish
Alissa Mitchell
Campinas, Brazil
Leaves for Brazil MTC July 17th
Portuguese
Brenton Jackson
Belo Horizante, Brazil
Leaves for Brazil MTC July 17th
Portuguese
Brexan Koerner
San Diego, CA
ALREADY THERE! :)
English
Preston Howell
Baguio, Phillipines
Leaves for MTC May 8th
Tagalog
Erica Moore
Retalhuleu, Guatemala
Leaves for Guatemala MTC June 12th
Spanish
And sooooo many more.......
This church is TRUE!!!
And I leave for Nauvoo in 73 days!!! AHH!!
Taylor Byers:
Cleveland, Ohio
Leaves for MTC June 26th
English
Christopher Langford
Kobe, Japan
Leaves for MTC May 15th
Japanese ;)
Micah Lund
Sao Paulo Interlagos, Brazil
Leaves for Brazil MTC July 17th
Portuguese
Larissa Merrill
Salt Lake City Central, Utah
Leaves for MTC June 12th
Spanish
Alissa Mitchell
Campinas, Brazil
Leaves for Brazil MTC July 17th
Portuguese
Brenton Jackson
Belo Horizante, Brazil
Leaves for Brazil MTC July 17th
Portuguese
Brexan Koerner
San Diego, CA
ALREADY THERE! :)
English
Preston Howell
Baguio, Phillipines
Leaves for MTC May 8th
Tagalog
Erica Moore
Retalhuleu, Guatemala
Leaves for Guatemala MTC June 12th
Spanish
And sooooo many more.......
This church is TRUE!!!
And I leave for Nauvoo in 73 days!!! AHH!!
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