"Called to Serve" - September 14, 2021

 "Alrighty everyone! Our flight to West Virginia will be leaving shortly. Please go ahead and put your personal items under the seat in front of you and place your trays back in the locked position. At this time please also fasten your seat belt and we will be taking off shortly."

Hello everyone! 

What a week! So many wonderful things happened! 

First, the devotionals here are absolutely amazing!! Last Tuesday we had a devotional with Elder and Sister Kearon. They spoke about doing everything we do with love, not comparing ourselves and living the message we share. One thing that really stuck out to me was how when we live what we say people can see it in us. Elder Kearon told us the story of how he converted to the gospel. He said he doesn't remember what the Sisters said to him but he does remember the light was shining from them because they lived the message. That is how I want and hope to be on my mission. Words do matter but who we are matters more. 

On Sunday we had a devotional with President and Sister Porter. The topic was Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. It was just what I needed. As a missionary one of the first things we talk to people about is Faith. It is a huge part of knowing who Jesus Christ is. Sister Porter talked about how when we have faith, even just the smallest amount, we can see miracles in our own lives. She told a few stories from missionaries she knew who had faith and were able to then see miracles performed. She challenged us to look for the miracles in our lives and to then keep track of them. Brother Porter talked about how we can be purified through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He talked about how a big aspect of purity is having clean thoughts. When we think good things, we feel good. But we are all going to still mess up, no matter how hard we try. The Atonement can then help us to get back on track. What a beautiful blessing God has given us!!

Back tracking a little: On Saturday we had our last class!!! It was so crazy! Three weeks of learning and we are prepared to go forth! In Brother Gonzalez class we had a testimony meeting for the last hour. It was so amazing. I love my district so much and they are all such amazing people! An Elder in the district talked about how in the scriptures it always says "And it came to pass." It doesn't say "And it came to stay." No matter what we may be going through in life it will eventually pass on. Nothing is here to stay. One thing Brother Gonzalez said was to always look for the small things in life that brighten our days. Maybe a flower, a smile, a text or just the sun shining in the sky. These are all little miracles that Heavenly Father puts into our lives each day to help us see Him. In Sister Ball's class we did mission predictions! Each person flips quickly through the Book of Mormon and stops when told to. Then a scripture from that page is randomly chosen. This scripture then predicts (sorta) what your mission will be like! My scripture was Mosiah 25:16. The class then predicted that from this scripture I would help others see the Lord in their lives. I guess we will see if it comes to pass!!

So! Guess what! I leave for West Virginia tomorrow morning!! I am soooo excited! Sister Brady and I leave for the Salt Lake City Airport at 4:30 AM! It will be an early morning and a long day of flying but it will be so worth it in the end! Also, one of the elders in our district got reassigned to the West Virginia Charleston Mission!!! His name is Elder Skousen. He was supposed to go to Durban, South Africa but has not yet received his visa. So! He's coming to West Virginia with us!! Sister Brady and I are both so excited for him! As missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we are called to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are then assigned to a place. Where we go does not matter as much as the message we share. Which brings me to...

The Song of the Week! "Called to Serve" This song is amazing. In our church it is known as the "Missionary Song." It kinda relates to the song from last week. The third and fourth lines of this song read, 
"Far and wide we tell the Fathers story,
Far and wide His love proclaim."
As a missionary part of my purpose is to tell others of Heavenly Father and the love He has for each of us. I have been called to serve and I am going to serve the people of West Virginia with everything I have in me. I am so excited to be leaving tomorrow morning! 



I hope everyone has a wonderful week! It's going to be an exciting one over here!! See y'all next Tuesday!!


-Sister Francis


Pictures!!
My district at the Provo Utah Temple

Philippines flag! Both our dads served in the Philipines!!

Sister Ball and I

Brother Gonzalez and I

Cookies and Cream milk!

The Disciple Ship

Artists rendering of the Casper Wyoming Temple!!!

Graham Canyon Ice Cream



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