Saturday, August 19, 2017

Post Mission Life

It's been a while since I last posted something on my missionary blog (almost two years). I just had an impression to talk about how my life has been since I've been back from serving a mission.
Something that has motivated me to make a post is how I thought my life would be after I had come back. I had this mindset that the problems I had in my life before I had served would disappear, or change, or that life would be a bit easier after I had served. While in many cases this has been true for me, it isn't true in its entirety and I wanted to share what has been on my mind.

My hopes in writing this would be for those who may have a desire to serve a mission, for those who have served missions, and for those who have not served missions who would like to understand what it may be like for some returned missionaries. My goal is to share my personal stories in hopes that it may inspire and help someone.


Being Released
When I was released, I felt like something very special had left me, when the words hit me from the Priesthood leader releasing me, literally, from my calling. I felt like a part of me had died. I felt sort of empty. I felt the same way when I had to take off my nametag. It wasn't so much of a physical feeling of removing something, but more of something within me was gone. I didn't know what I had until I was released. I still had my missionary mannerisms and I was still very happy. I still felt the same love for people as I did, just as much as when I was a missionary. It's very hard to explain this to someone who has never experienced the type of feeling I felt. It's almost like a death, but not quite.

At Least 6 Months From Being Home

Being a returned missionary is somewhat a joyful, and an awkward experience at the same time. I still had the desire to share the gospel, to give cards out to people in the airport when I returned home, and I had this expectation that I would be able to do Family Home Evening, Scripture Study, and talk about the gospel as much as I pleased. I thought the things I learned on my mission were normal, and I thought that people would be happy to know that I learned more about the gospel on my mission. I soon came to realize that what I wanted to do with my family wasn't the norm for them.

When I went back to visit the YSA ward in my area, I was very excited to see some of my friends. There was one instance I remember after being home where there were these people sitting out in the hall, not going to their classes. I remember mentioning something that I loved about the Atonement and to one of the girls and she had no clue what I was talking about. I felt like I was the outsider, and I had to remember that everyone else is at different levels on their testimonies.

When I watched a movie with my Fiance, I would want to relate so many key points of the movie to the gospel, and I could not un-see the gospel principle which I found. I would point out faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the holy ghost, enduring to the end; I would point out points of the Plan of Salvation or find resemblances in the Christ figures and I would write my testimonies about these principles I found.

When I got married a little over a month of being back home, I still did not feel comfortable dancing or listening to music that wasn't about God, Jesus, or the gospel. I enjoyed listening to hymns, and I wasn't ready to transition yet. I still did not feel comfortable playing video games, and I realized that after taking many things out of my life to focus on the gospel, how more sensitive I was to spiritual things and how sensitive I was to things of the world. Swearing bothered me more than before. I was more cautious of what media I let into my life - movies, songs (I paid more attention to the lyrics and I didn't want to listen to Avril Lavigne's song "I'm With You" because it sounded provocative. I also wanted to avoid more of Katy Perry and any song that talked about provocative things. I got really annoyed when people said the Lord's name in vain. I was more sensitive to what clothing I wore, and how I wanted to avoid wearing super tight clothing because 1.) it wasn't allowed on the mission (to help others remain focus on the mission) and 2.) I related tight clothing to pride and flaunting off a figure wasn't something I wanted to do anymore. I thought humble people cover themselves up.

Something I noticed was how I felt when my husband's mission had different rules than my mission. He wasn't allowed to visit the beach, while I was, but under certain circumstances. I can't remember every rule at the moment, but I remember on my mission when he sent pictures of him doing something that was against my mission, I would get upset, thinking he was being a disobedient missionary. But, in reality, many cases he was doing fine, according to the rules within his own mission.

Living with a non-member not of my faith after getting married was a trial for me since I had never really lived with someone who wasn't really for the church in a huge way. When the topic came up, it became an awkward situation for me and I became frustrated every time since I learned I wasn't allowed to bring anything up without there being a disagreement from both sides. Instead of being on the mission where missionaries can leave or 'drop' someone when the person wasn't progressing, or who really was bashing the church, I had to make the transition knowing that I couldn't leave and I had to live with someone who was really against the religion. I grew up in an LDS home, so this was certainly new to me for me to overcome.

Going Back to Work
When I went back to work for the first time since being home, I really felt like I was in an apostate environment. Working in automotive, there was plenty of swearing, tattoos, vulgar language, and being belittled because I was a woman working in an automotive shop. When a male customer came in and laid down the f-word too many times, I felt like I was an air filter and I felt like the bad particles in the air were sticking to me. I had to walk out, and I decided to clean. I felt so degraded because of how much nasty talk there was occasionally around me. It was also awkward with such immodesty and how some of the guys, who were also married, would get together and peek around the corner to look at some of the immodest ladies.

I also worked in a Sandwich shop for a little while, and the music wasn't to my taste, I was working with people who didn't live the gospel to many degrees, and I felt out of place, more than before when I was working for the same company four years earlier. In my mind, I just wanted to preach the gospel to hear the good news, that God lives, and that there is a way to find true joy in this life. Because of work policies, I couldn't just sit and preach but I could say a little here and there if the person wanted to hear what I had to say.


6 Months to a Year 

I slowly started to play a few games, but I didn't want to play any shooting or violent games. I was also more for using Vid Angel and I didn't want anything vulgar entering in my life, especially that was promiscuous or degrading. I was at a point I didn't even want to hear sarcasm, or anyone call anyone names. I still called my previous companions or the people from my mission by their Missionary titles, such as "Elder," "Sister," "Brother," or "President." It felt so weird to call them by their first names because sometimes their first names were discovered later after knowing them; sometimes even after the mission. When someone talked about one of the Elders by their first names, someone would ask who that was, and then they would say, "Elder so-and-so." and then we would understand. Another thing about still calling the missionaries 'Elder' or 'Sister' after the mission is also a sign of respect, and it's actually normal for returned missionaries for them to continue to say their titles. Our mission President will continue to still be called 'President' after the mission. This is how we know these people by. It's normal for many returned missionaries if you ask them. It takes awhile to call them by their first name.

When it comes to a year, I feel like the mission experiences are still fresh on my mind. I didn't want to lose anything. I still felt like I wanted people to know I was a returned missionary because I thought people would treat me differently if they knew that. Many people in the church still assume that the males went to serve a mission, and when I'm with my husband, many don't ask me or assume I did because it's not a requirement for women to go on missions.

I still want to keep myself in check with many of the things I've learned on my mission, such as my scriptures, prayer, going to church, going to the Temple, and keeping the covenants I've made with Heavenly Father. I'm annoyed with myself sometimes when I don't get to my scriptures right away, or can instantly see the difference when I don't read in the morning.

Some Pains Discovered 

Since I've been home from a mission, I feel like I am a better person than I was before serving a mission. I feel closer to God and my Savior, I feel like I can form stronger relationships with other people, and I feel like the mission has helped me to grow to become a better person. Before I was a missionary, I would look to returned missionaries and think they are these perfect beings with sharp testimonies of the gospel and that they couldn't fall. When I dated a few, I realized they still had weaknesses but they had a strong knowledge of the gospel. I expected returned male missionaries to keep the Law of Chastity, to live up to their covenants, to be better than they were before, and I thought they would continually hold the Priesthood. I thought they would be more outgoing and not afraid to talk to people. They had a glow about them I couldn't describe, other than I thought they were more pure. After being home and keeping in contact with some other returned missionaries, especially some that I've served with, I have realized that there is more to the story than meets the eye of what it's like to be a returned missionary.

Here are some things I have found out, first-hand after serving my own mission:


1. Many People Hold Returned Missionaries On A Pedestal And They Expect More From Them

While I do agree that Returned Missionaries should be held to higher standards, something I disagree with would be how people respond and treat returned missionaries after they see some kind of flaw in them. "Returned missionaries should be the LEAST judgmental people in the world." Or some are expecting returned-missionaries to never say anything mean, aggressive, or to pretty much ever fall away from the church. Some will assume that returned missionaries have it easier, or that they will be the most Christ-like people in the world. Some expect them to have certain mannerisms. Many people may think that when a missionary serves a mission, they become this perfect being and suitor for finding a spouse. In reality, returned missionaries have trials and challenges, just like everyone else. Everyone's timeline is different, and some will not get married right away - which is normal. Having the gospel helps to get through the hardship, but sometimes the Lord will give returned missionaries a 'tug' and for them to know where they're at spiritually in their life. Even after returning from a mission, the Lord still needs to polish them up with trials and tribulations, which will help them become who He wants them to be. If all returned missionaries were perfect, they would be translated instantly.

2. Many Think Returned Missionaries are Exempt from Satan 


Let's be realistic here. Satan tempts a returned missionary just like he would tempt anyone else. Satan will especially tempt returned missionaries to try to get these people to fall away after doing something so great for the church. I heard that Satan tempts Returned Missionaries the most. If a returned missionary falls instantly, then they weren't converted in a certain area of the gospel in their lives. I have seen and heard of missionaries who were divorced soon after they were married, seen RMs fight with other RMs about living the gospel principles after their missions; I have seen Returned Missionaries swear, and have seen one fall away from the church and want nothing to do with it. I have also seen returned missionaries hang out with the wrong crowd and go a different direction. Everyone's life moves on from a mission, but whether they stay on the path, that is their decision, and in the end, serving a mission does not protect anyone from evil if the person is caving into the temptation that is placed before them.

3. "Returned Missionaries Should Be [insert a word to represent perfection of a Certain Quality]"


This type of phrase bothers me to no end after coming home from my mission. It's not like I did not serve with all of my heart, might, mind, and strength, but it's just the fact that some people expect a returned missionary to be perfected in a certain type of Christ-like Attribute. By no means was I this disobedient missionary who wasn't perfect because I broke the rules. The reason why I am not perfect in whichever Christ-like Attribute someone expected me to have was because Heavenly Father is not finished with me yet. On my mission, I was bent and stretched in so many ways, and I am closer to being a better version of myself than I was before. The reason this phrase is still said to me today is because they did not witness the changes of 'Before' and 'After' my mission. Before my mission, I was so scared to publically share my testimony of the gospel with the fear of being belittled or have people being rude to me. I used to be sarcastic and I used to struggle with one of the gospel laws. I used to have a hard time remembering what someone said in a conversation and I used to be very bad at remembering what to say in lessons. After my mission, I am not as afraid to share my testimony, I have been harassed by many people from door-to-door contact, and yet my testimony is still intact. I have felt closer than I had ever been with my Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and yet I am still not perfect. Not being perfect does not mean I do not deserve anything less of Heavenly Father's love, or should be treated any less because I'm not what others expect me to be. It just means I'm human like anyone else and I have other things to work on. Just because I'm not perfect doesn't mean I need all the criticisms and reminders from other people on a quality I'm still trying to work on. No one sees the struggles behind the weaknesses and the prayers at night to break certain habits, which I'm sure everyone does. Heavenly Father sees the 'behind-the-scenes' while the critics do not. If someone holds a grudge because a returned missionary did something and they 'can't believe' that they would ever say, or do something, well, Heavenly Father doesn't love them any less.

Luckily my main issue I have after my mission is how I speak my thoughts and how sometimes I'm not afraid of people to hear them. I cannot choose how people feel, or control if people get offended.


4. It's Easier to Point Out How Much a Member Knows About the Gospel By How They Share It


I can't completely describe it. I can now see how a person understands the gospel, based on how they talk about it. Before my mission, I didn't think twice but after studying out of Preach My Gospel, the Scriptures, True to the Faith, and other church material, I can point out where someone is struggling in their testimony. I can sense when someone hasn't read their scriptures for the day, I can sense what part of the gospel they don't understand, based on what I have studied wholeheartedly.  And it's not like I'm trying to be this rude person that wants to correct people all the time - it's just this natural ability I've learned and it helps me to know where people are at in their lives.


Conclusion 

In all honesty, when I came home from my mission, I expected people to be kind to me because I was treating them kind. I also held higher standards with the missionaries I have served with.  I expected my family relationships to be stronger after striving to put in so much effort into them. I thought I wouldn't have as many struggles to love others that disagree with me and that I would be able to fit into the church better because I had more knowledge of the gospel (there was a portion of my life where my family was less-active and I felt ashamed for not knowing as much as the other members when we came back when I was a teenager). I felt like I would be able to have the spirit more abundantly and be able to quickly get past my shortcomings. In reality, people will treat me how they feel about themselves, family relationships take all parties to help strengthen, and I feel like I have to explain myself why I do things that relate to the gospel. I feel like because I know more about the gospel, I feel like an outsider and it's sometimes hard to relate to people who haven't taken the time to study it as much as I have (not saying I'm prideful, but it's hard to talk about a subject when someone hasn't taken the time to put a lot of effort into it). I also feel like an outsider for people who cannot even fathom what it was like to be a missionary - having health issues, following a very, very strict schedule - strict thoughts and conversations. I once had a companion who felt a similar way when I was brand new in the mission field, so I know that others are not alone. My mission has strengthened me in so many ways, and I wouldn't exchange it for anything.




Monday, October 26, 2015

I'm Coming Home

This is my last Monday in the mission field! I arrive home Tuesday, October 27th, 2015. 

Exciting Moments: 
-While driving, we felt prompted to go and talk to a lady who was taking out her trash. We drove around to find a place to park and she went back inside her home. We knocked on her door, and she didn't answer. We continue to tract until the very end of her complex (which was about 5-6 doors)... when we got to the last door, a man answered and he was surprised to see us. He told us that he has ran into us three times. Sister Brakey and I didn't remember. He said he had one of our cards that we gave him (The 'Because He Lives' card). He told us, "Hold on a minute," and then he showed us the card in Sister Brakey's handwriting. "Yup, that's my handwriting!" And she told him that since he has ran into us so many times, that God is telling Him that [he needs to meet with us.]. This experience was pretty neat!




Two Baptisms! 
Ciara and Skye got baptized! Each baptism was very unique, and I loved being apart of both of them. 

Ciara's baptism was precious! I felt bad that the font  didn't get filled up all the way, though. We filled it up an hour before and the water was shallow. Luckily, Ciara was able to go down all the way in the water. She was beaming, as well as her mom, and family members. Ciara has set a great example for the rest of her non-member family and siblings. So far, only her mom and her are now members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (I can give more details on this later!). 

Skye was my last baptism - it was such a great way to end my mission. Almost the whole ward at sacrament meeting flooded into the Relief Society room. There were so many people, and some were even standing in the hallway. The spirit was strong, and there were so many tears. When we asked Skye if she was baptized, and if she wanted to be baptized, I had no idea how long she had been wanting to be baptized. This meant so much to her family that her grandmother, with her special sewing machine, sewed both sets of Missionaries who have touched sky on a handkerchief; the vision of this handkerchief was for Skye to take this to the Temple when she is [sealed to her husband for all time and eternity] (if I remembered correctly). All sets of missionaries were here: My companion and I with the Goldsboro 2nd Elders , the Goldsboro 1st Elders and Sisters, and the Goldsboro 2nd Hermanas (spanish). 

When Skye's Grandpa was there to baptize her, he got so choked up - he has told us before that he felt honored that he got to be the one to do that for her.

My companion and I got to speak on the Baptism. I tried so hard not to cry, but I did when I bore my testimony about the Holy Ghost and how this world is so dangerous that we need this protection 


Testimony: There is so much to say, with very little time. I truly know that this is the true church that has been restored on the earth in these latter days. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior; I know that this missionary work is real and I know that it is so important to serve with all heart, mind, might, and strength. I know that even though I have weaknesses, the Lord can make up for what I cannot do on my own. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet, and I know that he has been called of the Lord. I don't doubt it for a minute. For anyone who is considering if a mission is right for them, it is. Go and submit your papers now. If you have a desires to serve God, ye are called to the work. 

I love knowing that in order for us to know how to make right choices, there has to be opposition (2 Nephi 2:11). If we lived only in happy places, or made sure we never have to encounter the world, that would defeat the purpose of why we are here in this life (to grow in strength of our Character and to also show to us and to God that we will follow Him, and his Son Jesus Christ). Although it is good to stand in Holy Places, and to do wholesome activities and be with wholesome friends who can uplift us, without those moments of trial when someone offers us something we shouldn't do, or being around someone who doesn't hold the same standards and we have to make a decision, those moments ARE truly what tests are character. We cannot - ever- check our religion at the door, as Elder Holland has put it many times before. When those trials arise, turning away from Satan is what we need to do. 

For example: 
-When friends/a group invite us to watch a rated R movie, we say no. 
-When someone says, "would you like a cigarette?" we say no.
-When someone suggests us to wear immodest clothing, we say no. 
-When someone starts swearing, we politely ask them to keep it to themselves, because swear words dull our spirituality and offend our spirit. 

. . . 

Anyways - I love this work. I love being able to teach people about the gospel, and about Christ. I love watching people grow in the knowledge of the gospel, and how it has truly changed their life for the better. I love watching people change and glow after they have been baptized. 

I love being companions with great people. 

I love serving. 

I love watching myself grow as a better person. 




Quotes: 
President Uchtdorf: 
"My dear brothers and sisters, if we look at ourselves only through our mortal eyes, we may not see ourselves as good enough. But our Heavenly Father sees us as who we truly are and who we can become. He sees us as His sons and daughters, as beings of eternal light with everlasting potential and with a divine destiny."


For any of those who have denied the existence of God, Jesus Christ, or any of the LDS beliefs...

have you prayed about it? 

With a sincere prayer, God will answer you. 

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen. 

-Sister A. Marshall 

Monday, October 19, 2015

Re: Investigators, Pick Pickin', Free Cheese, Groceries, Sickness, and Miracles

Also: 

--There was a time earlier this week where I felt prompted to turn around in the car and tract a street near by our last appointment. The prompting was ["There is someone prepared on this street... go now"] and my companion also got the prompting to 'go now' after we had discussed it. We went, and we may have found the person - he was walking around with headphones on and we talked about our message and gave him a card. I tracted with so much diligence and I just knew that we were going to find someone. Having the Faith to Find is real. 


On Mon, Oct 19, 2015 at 12:01 PM, Alissa Marshall <alissa.marshall@myldsmail.net> wrote:
Well, My companion and I have two new investigators this week: Misty, and Tonsel (Tron-sell). 

Misty loves to learn about other religions, and she is Lutheran. 

Tronsel is in high school but is a spiritual giant. He doesn't have a phone and he lives all the way in Grantham (over 30 minutes away?) and so it may be a hit and miss if we come and see him. 

Last Monday, I wanted to by dairy-free cheese over at Harris Teeter. A man came up from my companion and I and he said [he can mark an item each that we wanted for free (by marking off the bar code with a sharpie) and to tell the cashier that it was from Dennis]. It was part of their marketing where people get to try an item for free and see if they like it. He said a lot of people haven't heard of this stuff (this was at a section with a lot of vegan/vegetarian options). My companion got Vegan Bacon (she tried it later and she said it tasted like dog food. But - there are a lot of good vegetarian options out there! I promise!). Heavenly Father blessed me because I was certainly low on my MSF funds. 

On Tuesday, we had a temporary exchange that lasted over 24 hrs; we also had service with a Part-member family, and another service project with an investigator. 

With our investigator Skye, we were able to teach all of the commandments (this is more than just the 10 commandments!) within 4 lessons. She passed her baptismal interview and her baptism date is October 24th. 

Ciara will also be getting baptized on October 24th (She will be a child of record since she is 8). Two Baptisms scheduled before I go home! I couldn't have hoped for anything better. 

We went to the Bishop's Pig Pickin' on Saturday. Skye's grandma brought me food that I could eat, and it was delicious!  Right after that, she took my companion and I out and bought 3 pints of ice cream for me, a brownie mix, some cereal and milk. She also bought Sister Brakey 2 pints of ice cream, red velvet cupcakes and a cake mix, frosting, and cereal. Skye's grandma told us it was the least she could do for us! She is very sweet. 

We did a lot of driving this past week, and we also felt very sick. We feel better now, though, which is good!

I weighed my luggage and I need to get rid of 20 pounds of items in order for me to not go over the weight limit for my luggage (I pretty much weighed all of my items, and also subtracted the weight of the suitcases on how much weight is allowed for the whole suitcase). 

. . .

Sister Brakey told me something wonderful to me a few days ago that has really stuck with me.

"...It seems like that's how it goes for the people who accomplish amazing things, everyone tells them they'll never amount to anything. Sister Marshall if you've experienced a lot of opposition in your life, then it sounds like Heavenly Father has a lot in store for you!" It stuck with me because for most of my life, I have been going through a lot of opposition, especially when it comes to me following Jesus Christ and developing my talents. This just reminds me that the people who matter, don't mind, and the people who mind, don't matter (to a point. God loves all His children and we should too). 

Anyways - I know I should leave with my testimony, and this is also my last full week on my mission. My mission has been very difficult, and very rewarding. It has been hard being out of contact with friends and family, but it has certainly been worth it. I would recommend a mission to anyone who wants to quickly mature, grow spiritually, wants to become a better person, and who wants to find more of a purpose in their life, and to those who wants to grow closer to God. A mission is pretty much like spending one-on-one time with our Heavenly Father.  I feel like I have become a better person from being on my mission, and I have truly come to a larger understanding of the Gospel Principles, the purpose of missionaries, the covenants I've made in the Temple, more knowledge, and I have learned even more so on listening to the Spirit's promptings. 

I may be young, I may be 23 years of age, but I believe that if ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work. I have served to the fullest.

I come home October 27th. 

I may be on emails next week! I'll be sure to have a closing testimony. 

9 days to give my all.

-Sister A. Marshall 







Investigators, Pick Pickin', Free Cheese, Groceries, Sickness, and Miracles

Well, My companion and I have two new investigators this week: Misty, and Tonsel (Tron-sell). 

Misty loves to learn about other religions, and she is Lutheran. 

Tronsel is in high school but is a spiritual giant. He doesn't have a phone and he lives all the way in Grantham (over 30 minutes away?) and so it may be a hit and miss if we come and see him. 

Last Monday, I wanted to by dairy-free cheese over at Harris Teeter. A man came up from my companion and I and he said [he can mark an item each that we wanted for free (by marking off the bar code with a sharpie) and to tell the cashier that it was from Dennis]. It was part of their marketing where people get to try an item for free and see if they like it. He said a lot of people haven't heard of this stuff (this was at a section with a lot of vegan/vegetarian options). My companion got Vegan Bacon (she tried it later and she said it tasted like dog food. But - there are a lot of good vegetarian options out there! I promise!). Heavenly Father blessed me because I was certainly low on my MSF funds. 

On Tuesday, we had a temporary exchange that lasted over 24 hrs; we also had service with a Part-member family, and another service project with an investigator. 

With our investigator Skye, we were able to teach all of the commandments (this is more than just the 10 commandments!) within 4 lessons. She passed her baptismal interview and her baptism date is October 24th. 

Ciara will also be getting baptized on October 24th (She will be a child of record since she is 8). Two Baptisms scheduled before I go home! I couldn't have hoped for anything better. 

We went to the Bishop's Pig Pickin' on Saturday. Skye's grandma brought me food that I could eat, and it was delicious!  Right after that, she took my companion and I out and bought 3 pints of ice cream for me, a brownie mix, some cereal and milk. She also bought Sister Brakey 2 pints of ice cream, red velvet cupcakes and a cake mix, frosting, and cereal. Skye's grandma told us it was the least she could do for us! She is very sweet. 

We did a lot of driving this past week, and we also felt very sick. We feel better now, though, which is good!

I weighed my luggage and I need to get rid of 20 pounds of items in order for me to not go over the weight limit for my luggage (I pretty much weighed all of my items, and also subtracted the weight of the suitcases on how much weight is allowed for the whole suitcase). 

. . .

Sister Brakey told me something wonderful to me a few days ago that has really stuck with me.

"...It seems like that's how it goes for the people who accomplish amazing things, everyone tells them they'll never amount to anything. Sister Marshall if you've experienced a lot of opposition in your life, then it sounds like Heavenly Father has a lot in store for you!" It stuck with me because for most of my life, I have been going through a lot of opposition, especially when it comes to me following Jesus Christ and developing my talents. This just reminds me that the people who matter, don't mind, and the people who mind, don't matter (to a point. God loves all His children and we should too). 

Anyways - I know I should leave with my testimony, and this is also my last full week on my mission. My mission has been very difficult, and very rewarding. It has been hard being out of contact with friends and family, but it has certainly been worth it. I would recommend a mission to anyone who wants to quickly mature, grow spiritually, wants to become a better person, and who wants to find more of a purpose in their life, and to those who wants to grow closer to God. A mission is pretty much like spending one-on-one time with our Heavenly Father.  I feel like I have become a better person from being on my mission, and I have truly come to a larger understanding of the Gospel Principles, the purpose of missionaries, the covenants I've made in the Temple, more knowledge, and I have learned even more so on listening to the Spirit's promptings. 

I may be young, I may be 23 years of age, but I believe that if ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work. I have served to the fullest.

I come home October 27th. 

I may be on emails next week! I'll be sure to have a closing testimony. 

9 days to give my all.

-Sister A. Marshall 






Monday, October 12, 2015

Multiple Interviews!

This past week was full of excitement, focus, and the spirit. 

I also had two interviews with my Mission President; the first one was a regular interview, and then the second one was my exit interview. I have learned great advice from him and he also told me two secrets to a happy marriage. :) 

Some of the questions he asked me, were:
-Do you feel like you have served a successful mission?
-He asked me more about my wedding plans



We also have been keeping ourselves busy with teaching appointments! We have been working to help Skye and Ciara come closer to baptism. 

One of the investigators we found the other week, dropped us and told us she wasn't ready yet for the message. I know she will be ready at some point! The message the restored gospel brings can truly make us happy! 

What would you do if you knew there was more out there about Christ, and about the Plan of Happiness that God has in store for us? 



In Church:
In Relief Society, the lesson was on Pride; I loved the emphasis on how a lot of sin is stemmed from Pride, such as: 

-Contention 
-Feeling like one can be above the other, or feeling like someone is beneath the other
-jealousy 
-competitiveness 
-Critical 
etc. 

. . .

This week was also another sick week for my companion and I. We had a sick day together and I made some home-made soup. It lasted 3 days for the both of us for about 6 meals. It was wonderful! 

. . .

I made some pear-apple sauce this week from boiling the apples on the stove and then putting them and the pears in the blender with some sugar, ginger, and cinnamon. It was delicious, but the sugar intake is way too much. I plan on making it into a filling instead (adding cornstarch and then cooking it on the stove later). 

. . .

This is all I can say for now!

Enjoy the rest of your week! 

-Sister A. Marshall 
15 days left to give my all. 



Monday, October 5, 2015

If Someone Convicted You as a Christian, Would There Be Enough Evidence to Convict You? - Elder Hales

Oh, what a week! 

Since it has been hard to find people to teach, and we weren't having much success, we decided to fast for almost 24 hours. We had hope that we would find success and that we would see miracles. During that day, the first person we encountered was someone who told us that Mormons were Satan Worshipers. He asked us who's car it was in front of his house, and we said it was ours. He asked us if we were married, and my companion and I looked at each other. I don't know if he meant if my companion and I were married to each other, or if my companion and I were married separately to someone else. When we told him to have a good day, he told us "Well, I don't know about a good day.... Have a day!" As if we didn't believe in good things. This was rather a most interesting experience, and something to learn from. 

I love how Faith works. There was a man that we came in contact with, and he said that he doesn't believe in working our way to get to Heaven. Well, this concept alone is missing something. It's missing a deeper understanding of faith, Heavenly Father's plan, the Atonement, and the point of keeping God's Commandments. I love what James says about how our Faith needs to have works. He says in James 2:17-18, 24, and 26 (KJV):  

 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.


We need to act on the faith that we have. It has been said in this analogy about turning on the light. We have faith that the light is going to come on if we flip the light switch on. Faith is an action word. Making the effort and finishing the effort to turn on the light switch with a flick of a finger - that is the faith. 

Having the faith that miracles are going to happen during and after a fast - the fast, is the faith. 

Keeping God's commandments is the faith that we are going to be blessed, and have the spirit with us. Acting and keeping them is the faith. Faith is not something that we just hold in our hearts and believe that something is  going to happen. Faith is making it happen (according to God's will, of course). 

Well, because of the faith of my companion and I, we now have 3 new Investigators, and one with a Baptism date of October 24th. We are also feeling the spirit more strongly, and we have a stronger desire to do what the Lord asks. 

We have also encountered a miracle. A non-member, who is married to a member, said he was praying 5 minutes before my companion and I showed up at the door to help. He prayed to Heavenly Father for Him to send someone to help him and his wife complete a difficult task. Well, here we were! He also said that he had the desire to be baptized, and that he would be a member eventually. He also told us that with every member that he's met, they have been so nice. We helped them out in their task, and serving people brings such a good feeling into my heart. 

...

Hurricane : It missed us! We have been receiving a lot of rain, though. 

...

A stumbling block in the work: I pondered for a bit on something I've frequently come across on my mission. I've come across a lot of people who love history, and who have taken many history classes. I've noticed how a lot of these people have learned a little bit about the LDS (Mormon) faith from their textbooks, and also about the Prophet Joseph Smith. The paragraphs written about the LDS church are not written by LDS people, but from a far off standpoint of non-believers. The way these books have worded about the Prophet Joseph Smith have that he have 'claimed' to be a prophet, and then other words have been based on what 'seemed to be the case'. I can testify, right now, that I know that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet of God. He has all of the qualities of what a prophet entails. I encourage each of you to read/listen to this great talk by Hugh B. Brown, titled "The Profile of a Prophet". You can find it here, at: 


A lot of people have been misinformed about Joseph Smith, and the LDS religion. Many churches today preach against other churches, and the LDS (Mormon) church is one of them. The LDS faith does not ever hold a meeting about going against any specific form of religion - bashing other religions is not something Christ would do. He doesn't stir up hearts of others to contention - that is what the devil does. 

. . .

General Conference: 

Oh, this General Conference was great! Here are some of the highlights I have written on my heart: 

-We all need to have Charity, and love one another; being 'nice' is not enough if we don't truly mean it
- Simplify the gospel - it  doesn't need to be complicated! 
- God's secret weapon in preparing the world for the second coming is Women. Our voices need to be heard! The age change in November 2012 happened for a reason. From last April, we had about 89,000 missionaries across the world; by November 2015, we have over 200,000 missionaries. The Lord is indeed hastening His work. :) 
-The only way we can succor and comfort those, truly, is when we see people through the eyes of a parent - especially through Heavenly Father's eyes.
-Keeping the Sabbath Day - there so much more than meets the eye. This even means being on time to our meetings!
-Ponderize! Study a verse every week and find out ways on how you can apply it daily. :) 

. . .

Oh! Before I forget - on Saturday - it was raining very hard just before the second session of General Conference. When we were driving to go and watch the conference at a member's house, we noticed a homeless man who sat on the ground in a thin yellow poncho, with a sign next to him in cursive that said 'Homeless.' I instantly thought of the scripture which read, ['..if I had, I would give']. Instantly my being was filled with the spirit, and I knew I had to help this man. My immediate thought was to go to the grocery store and buy him some food. My companion, Sister Brakey, insisted that we stopped off at Mc Donalds (because she was hungry). I thought that would be nice, but I thought after that meal, he was going to need another one. I also thought about how the member we were going to see was going to feed us. So - we went to the grocery store, and we bought mixed fruit, a couple boxes of granola bars, allergy medicine (just in case), a toothbrush, a Water Jug, and some candy (just to spoil him). We drove as quickly as we could to the man after shopping. He was at an awkward spot at an intersection, but somehow, with the thick rain, we got to him. He told us that he was trying to save money for a room; we told him that as missionaries we can't give out money, but we bought him multiple meals to last him a while. I felt good about doing this kind act of service. 

Here is one of my favorite scripture passages about helping those in need. It's found in Mosiah, 4:16-27:

"16 And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.

 17 Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just—

 18 But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.

 19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?

 20 And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy.

 21 And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another.

 22 And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you but to God, to whom also your life belongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, nor repent of the thing which thou hast done.

 23 I say unto you, wo be unto that man, for his substance shall perish with him; and now, I say these things unto those who are rich as pertaining to the things of this world.

 24 And again, I say unto the poor, ye who have not and yet have sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean all you who deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say in your hearts that: I give not because I have not, but if I had I would give.

 25 And now, if ye say this in your hearts ye remain guiltless, otherwise ye are condemned; and your condemnation is just for ye covet that which ye have not received.

 26 And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.

 27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order." 

I love serving others. I love being a missionary. I invite each of you to find someone on who you could serve today, and who you could make someone's burden lighter. 

Christ lives - He loves us, and is there whenever we reach out to him in faith. 

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

-Sister A. Marshall

 


Monday, September 28, 2015

A Week of Faith

Well, This week was certainly a week of Faith. 

We worked hard in inviting people to come unto Christ.

We had Zone Conference, and the conference went great. We learned a lot about Missionary work and also about Tiwi, which is this device that goes in our car and tells us if we're speeding, driving recklessly, etc. It is a pain when I'm driving in a school area and it says to drive a certain speed limit between certain times, and I have the Tiwi. I have to go that school speed limit after hours or it will say I was speeding!

We're teaching a girl named Ciara the Missionary Lessons before her baptism. She is 8, and so all of the lessons won't need to be completed before she is baptized.

We also asked a girl named Skye, if she had been baptized in the church. She said she hasn't, and we asked, "Well, do you want to be baptized?" And she said yes. She is thirteen and she lives with her grandmother. My companion and I wondered why missionaries haven't talked to her before about this, but I guess we're going to find out when we have dinner with her family later this week. 

We also found a man who lives close to a member - he's in his 80s, and he wants to be taught more about our message of Jesus Christ. 

The week ended with me having Food Borne Illness/ or the Stomach Flu. I thew up multiple times Saturday at  3:00 am (the first time I've thrown up on my mission) and then for the next two days I had to rest, and be on the BRAT (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast) diet. We had the District leader go to Harris Teeter (not in our area) and get me the things I needed. Later on, I saw on the receipt that the gluten-free / Dairy-free bread by Udi's  cost $11.00, and then the Martenellis Sparkling Cider cost $5.00. The total cost of my bill was $21.14; Harris Teeter is expensive!

Anyways - I still went to Sacrament Meeting, but right after church we had to head home - I still didn't feel good. 

We got the highest number of IOS again in the district; 

[Whenever I'm on Emails, I find it overwhelming to constantly squeeze in all that I want to say within my emails, so I apologize if I don't give a full account of my days for this week!]

-Highlights in Doctrine:

I loved it when they said in Gospel Principles that the only way we can make righteous choices is when there is opposition. If there is no opposition to make the right choice, then how would we know it would be the right choice?

Someone also talked about the Good/Better/Best. There could be two great choices, but one of them has more of an eternal benefit than the other. 

. . .

This week has also been dry for us in teaching and finding new investigators. Well, I guess we'll just have to keep on working!


. . .

I want to end my email with some scriptures that I found in my studies this morning about being a disciple of Jesus Christ (with my commentaries): 

2 Timothy 3:12-17 

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. [This is very true!] 

 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. [A sign of the times - The wicked will continue to get wicked]

 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; [ Continue doing what is Christian, and what is right, regardless if the people around us do not approve or agree] 

 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. [We've been raised up in the Faith, and we've read these scriptures since youth - let us continue to be wise] 

 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [All scripture - is given by God - in the scriptures is our manual for life!] 

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. [To be perfect means to be 'complete, finished, and fully developed' ] 

. . .

I know that the work that I do as a missionary, is true, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored church of Jesus Christ. How do I know this? I have searched, prayed, pondered, fasted, and I have acted on my faith to know if the teachings are true. In Moroni 12:6, Moroni tells us "...dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith". If we are given a commandment, and we are not sure of it's promise, well, we test it. We act on it. Then, we will see the blessings, and the spirit testifying to us that the commandment is true. Also - on another note- God does not leave us. He says right in place. If we feel like He's moved away from us, it is truly us who has moved, not Him. He is always there, and the same yesterday, today, and forever. Don't you doubt it, and don't you forget it. 

This is all I can write for now!
29 Days to give my all! Wish me luck!

-Sister A. Marshall