The Challenge to Become

Hello!




So, I haven't written on my blog since I have been home from my mission in Bolivia. So, over 10 months ago! (obviously I'm still Bolivin' it up...just in Idaho now) And I am going to honest, I was only inspired to write on here again because I have a project for one of my classes at school. But don't worry! This is going to be good. Haha.

We have been assigned to read "The Challenge to Become" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks , who is one of the general authorities of the church I attend. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints , or, the "Mormon" church) . This talk helps us to understand the idea of actually living the beliefs that we hold, and how it can be a blessing to us and those around us.

In the New Testament, Paul said "1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 9 (1 Cor. 11:1) .And in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, Christ said "27 And know ye that ye shall be judges of this people, according to the judgment which I shall give unto you, which shall be just. Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am." (3 Nephi 27:27) And honestly... that seems like a lot to ask!

I know that God loves us, no matter what. He is literally our Father. And, like most fathers, He wants to give us all that He has. But, he has a lot. And I don't know about you, but I feel like I definitely need to prepare more to be worthy and capable of receiving all that God has.

The previously mentioned talk by Elder Oaks teaches us through a parable a little bit of what I am talking about.

"“All that I have I desire to give you—not only my wealth, but also my position and standing among men. That which I have I can easily give you, but that which I amyou must obtain for yourself. You will qualify for your inheritance by learning what I have learned and by living as I have lived. I will give you the laws and principles by which I have acquired my wisdom and stature. Follow my example, mastering as I have mastered, and you will become as I am, and all that I have will be yours.”

If we want to have all that God has, and receive a fullness of blessings, we need to go the extra mile. Again, God loves us, no matter what we do. Just as the father in the parable loved his son. But, if we want to receive all of the blessings He has in store for us, we must obtain them through our actions. By making promises with God, like baptism. By doing the things that he has commanded of us, like frequent prayer, going to church, and loving and serving others.

The more we do to show our love for God, the easier it will become. We have infinite power to become. We can literally be anything when we grow up! And all I want to be is a hard-working daughter of God. And even though we will never be perfect in this life, we can always do our personal best. And, even a little bit better with the strengthening power of the Savior.

Since I have been home from my mission, I have experienced a lot of changes. I am going to school away from my family, struggling to balance my social, academic, and work life. Trying (and failing) to resist the temptation of eating ice cream every time I go to work at Dairy Queen. For a while I was playing the dating game, trying to find someone who I could spend time and grow with. (Luckily I have found the best boyfriend and don't have to worry about that mess anymore!) And I have been working on trying to have spiritual experiences everyday now that I am no longer a missionary. Although these may not seem like much compared to the trials that others may be facing, but I know that my Heavenly Father know that they are important to me. And He knows what is important to each of us.

So, to anyone who actually read this thing from start to finish, I hope it give you a little extra hope, and extra motivation to look for opportunities to live your beliefs more fully.

Have a great week!

Last Blog/Testimony from Bolivia-Homeward Bound

Family And Hermanas at the Bolivian LDS Temple.

Well, this is the last time I will really be writing home. Next Monday, I leave Bolivia, and next Tuesday, I will be home. It is bitter sweet. I am really excited to see my family and friends, but sad to leave behind all the people I love here in Bolivia. I know I will come home to you guys, but I don`t know when I will come back to Bolivia.

I wanted to write my testimony out for everyone today. Through this time in the mission, I have learned so much about the church, about myself, and about my Savior Jesus Christ. I have become more familiar with the scriptures, and found strength and comfort

   

in them. I have learned to really, sincerely pray and speak with my Father in heaven.

I know that this is the true church of Jesus Christ on the Earth. I know that we have a living prophet in these latter days, who guides us, under the direction of Jesus Christ himself. I know that families can be together forever, and that temples are literally the house of the Lord. I don`t only believe these things, but I know them, with my entire heart.

I am leaving a lot behind here. I am probably coming home to a lot of changes, and with a lot of changes. But I know that God has a plan for me. This was a refining process. I am so grateful that I served a mission. I can`t imagine my life without it.

I hope everyone has a great week. I will see you soon.

..."and he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting." Ether 3:19

Some people are really starting to progress here in Cala Cala! First, our ward mission leader`s friend, J, is really progressing! He has been reading the Book of Mormon, and has a lot of desires to be baptized. He wasn`t able to go to church this Sunday, because someone in his family was in an accident Saturday night. But, on Saturday in the afternoon there was a ward activity, and he danced with the other YSA in a traditional Bolivian dance.

President and Hermana Hansen!

Then, the family we found a few weeks ago, C and N, went  to church together for the first time yesterday! We starting teaching them, and they were really excited, but then they were having some problems, and we lost contact with them for a few weeks. But, we found them again, and they are still really excited about the church and getting baptized. We are going to go to the temple with them this week to be in the gardens, and talk about eternal families. 

Also, this week we went to the temple, and then had a zone conference. it was really great! I love going to the temple. Even if we have to be there at 6 in the morning. And in the conference, all of the missionaries going home in the next 3 months gave their last testimonies. And, of course, I went last, because my last name starts with W. And the spirit was already pretty strong from all the other testimonies given. So, you know... I cried. Not a big deal.

I really cannot believe I have so little time left! Next Monday will be the last time I write home! I am so grateful for this experience of being a missionary. I have learned so much about myself, about the church, about the world, and most importantly, about my Savior, Jesus Christ.

I hope everyone has a great week!

North American Food

Calzones!

This week Hermana Giles and I made the best decision of our missionary careers... We changed pensionistas! (the sister that gives us lunch and dinner) And our new pensionista is PERFECT! It is right in front of our house, the sister is super nice, and... she cooks AMERICAN FOOD!!! She lived with a North American couple for a few years and cooked for them, and learned how to cook every thing they liked. This week we ate roast beef and mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and pie!!!! We are seriously in heaven.

Also, this week a young man came to church by himself, and told us he wants to get baptized!!! We were like... Okay!!!! Haha. He said he just moved to our area this week, but where he used to live he knew the elders and went to church. He knew a lot about the church, and is ready to get baptized. So we have an appointment with him this week to visit and get to know him better. But what a miracle!

This week we are going to temple, and we have a Zone Conference. And it will be the last time I go to the temple here in Bolivia. The last time in my mission! So I will have to take advantage and pray for my future husband this week. ;)

I hope everyone has a great week!

Exchanges.

Hmn Hullinger and Hmn Wingate.

The three of four Hermanas from beginning to end of their mission.

Exchanges Two by Two

This week we did 2 exchanges with sisters, and next week we will also do 2. And every week for the rest of my mission basically! Haha. I am pooped. But it is really fun! I love doing exchanges with all the sisters. And I got to see Hermana Lopardo this week! She is so fun.

Cochabamba Temple

Also, we have a new ward mission leader who just got back from his mission like...3 week ago. He is really excited to work with us and help us out. And we are very excited to work with him! He served in Santa Cruz, which is still in Bolivia, but his mission was WAY different than here. It is crazy how different it is, and it´s in the same country! I can´t imagine how different missions must be throughout the world.

We got to meet a lot of great people this week, and we are hoping that some of them will really be able to progress. We just keep talking to everyone, and trying to find the people who are prepared to hear the gospel.

I hope everyone has a great week!

Exchanges, So fun!

36 Days until Homecoming!

This week went really well! We didn´t do any exchanges, since it was the first week of the transfer. So everything was pretty calm. Just working in my area with Hermana Giles like normal. But, starting this week, we have 2 every week. We have to do 7 exchanges in the next 4 weeks, plus we have a zone conference, and a leadership counsel. It will be SO BUSY!

 And we have to get it all done before the last week of the transfer, because it will be my last week in the mission, and I will get to go visit my old areas, and do some activities with President and Hermana Hansen, and the other people who are going home this transfer. So, we want to get everything done before that happens. We´re going to be so tired! Haha.

This coming week we are going to go on exchanges with Hermana Lopardo, the sister I trained. I am so excited! She is so awesome! I won´t be going with her, I will be with her companion. but I will still get to see her for a little bit! It will be fun.

I hope everyone has a great week!

Final Transfer in My Mission!

This week was transfers week, and Hermana Giles and I are staying together! We are so excited! And, I`M GOING TO BE A GRANDMA!!!! my daughter (the sister I trained) is going to train!!! I will live to see my future generations. And she is going to a different zone, and she will be one the sisters we are over to do exchanges with! I am so excited!

So, on the 4th of July is was rainy and cold here all day, and nobody wanted to receive visits from us. We knocked on one door, and this lady came out of her door, but said she couldn`t come out of her house because it was raining. We talked to her a little bit from her door, and it turns out that she is from Hungry, and her husband is Bolivian, but lived there to study. She didn`t seem super interested, but said we could come back another day.

So, this week we went back. She was very surprised! She was like, I didn`t think you guys would come back! And she let us in her house. We talked to her, and her 2 sons, who are 15 and 18 years old, and spoke English

really well! It was really cool, and they seemed really interested, especially her sons.

But, then the next time we came back there dad was there, and he said we could talk to his wife, but we were not allowed to talk to his kids. Which is kind of lame. So, I don`t know what will happen with them! But it was such an interesting family. I never would have thought we would meet someone from Hungry here in Bolivia.

I hope everyone has a great week!