I'm a Helper

I've said it once, and I'm gonna say it again and again: I LOVE SERVICE!!!

Nice hat right?  It is the official "blackberry picking" hat.  The other day my companion and I helped someone in the area pick some blackberries in her yard.  In all actuality, I think she helped us more than we helped her.  My stomach has never been happier!  Once the blackberries were picked, my companion and I reaped the reward of a wonderful blackberry cobbler (mmmmm).

Okay, I promise there is a good reason I am wearing the wig and water aerobics belt.  1) Before the mission I practically lived in a pool, so it was my way of "pretending" I was there.  2) It's a wig.  You're supposed to wear them on your head.  What other option was there really?  These two items were found while cleaning out a members home.  We were moving boxes around and helping to organize things a bit.  My muscles got a good workout with all the lifting.

Now this service, is what it's all about.  This is a woman we have been teaching and sharing the gospel with.  We, as missionaries, get to go out and share the message of the gospel with others.  No matter who you are, where you're from, or what you've done in your life, the Gospel and it's teachings will bless you.  What I've noticed as I have been doing this, not only are others blessed, but I have been blessed.  This has been the general theme for all the service that I have rendered on my mission.

"1And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."

I know that as we serve others, God blesses us.  We are helping His children, our brothers and sisters.  Not only is this what He expects of us, but it is how we draw nearer to Him. 
What have you done to help someone this week?

Please let me Help!

As missionaries, we are asked to look for opportunities to serve and help those around us each day.  It is part of our calling, along with teaching and proclaiming His gospel.  Usually, we will ask those we meet if there is anything we can help them with.  You can probably guess what the reply is about 99% of the time; "no, we're good.  But thanks."  I feel like Russell does a lot of the time.  There must be something I can help with.
In the Book of Mormon, a great king and prophet named King Benjamin gave us this counsel.  "1And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."  Likewise, the Savior taught this parable in Matthew to emphasize the importance of service.

34 Then shall the King say unto them..., Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

As we serve others, we are serving God.  After studying about the Savior and everything He has done for us, I have come to discover for myself that his whole life was one giant act of service.  Jesus Christ never had one day of being selfish.  He never stopped serving.  We can learn from His example.  “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).  May each of us go out and serve.  Show God that you are willing to help His children and be a disciple of Christ. 

Filth, filth, and more...hey, a floor!

Yesterday I embarked on an adventure few have ever experienced.  Yes, there were many obstacles, foes blocking the way, danger around every corner, and a looming feeling of inadequacy.  But, don't you fret, there was a happy end to the adventure.

Life of a Sister Missionary part 4: Sunday Best

Before the mission, Sundays were the only days you could find me wearing a dress.  While on the mission, I wear one every day.  This did not appeal to me whatsoever when I was younger, but I now realize how important this is.  We are representatives of our Lord and Savior.  Each day as missionaries we put on the black name badge that bears the name of Jesus Christ.  Usually, we wear dresses on Sundays because it's our day to serve the Lord and it shows respect for Him.  As missionaries, we serve the Lord every day as we share the gospel with others.  So every day we wear our "Sunday best." 

 D&C 42:40-41 "And again, thou shalt not be ^aproud in thy ^bheart; let all thy ^cgarments be plain, and their ^dbeauty the beauty of the ^ework of thine own hands; And let all things be done in ^acleanliness before me." 

Life of a Sister Missionary part 3: Exercise Time!

1 Corinthians 6:19 "What? know ye not that your ^abody is the ^btemple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your ^cown?"  Our bodies are gifts from God.  He wants us to keep them in the best shape possible.  To serve with all our "heart, might, mind, and strength" we exercise for 30 minutes each morning to be able to maintain our health.  Not that we are trying to be body builders, but we need to be in shape to be able to do all that our calling entails.  "Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness"-Edward Stanley.  Be healthy, be strong.

Christlike Love

John 15:12-13
12This is my commandment, That ye ^alove one another, as I have ^bloved you.

13Greater ^alove hath no man than this, that a man lay down his ^blife for his ^cfriends.

We are commanded, not asked, to love one another.  This man is incredible!  He left his job so that he could serve others.  These people are hungry, homeless, and lonely.  They have nothing.  There are many like this all throughout the world.  We don't have to drop everything like Naryanan does, but we all can drop something to help another.  There is always service to be done.  There is always someone who needs a friend.  Reach out to those in need.  Show the love that our Father in Heaven and Christ have shown to all men.