Kimber Mail 1-25-2016: "Winter is Hereeeee"

   Well, well, well... winter is finally here! We woke up Saturday morning to a BUNCH of snow. Not as much as other areas around us... so I guess we are blessed. Fun times in the snow!

   Ha, ha, definitely shaking up ways to serve. We got off the bus once with snow up to our knees almost and this Asian couple had their little baby in a stroller with like 50 million bags of groceries.

Obviously we live to serve...so we carried their groceries while they hoisted the stroller above their heads. I'm sure it was quite the sight!! But honestly, one of the things I've really learned this week is that even though it may be cold outside, serving always warms our souls. Super cheesy I know, but really I love serving and being able to forget my whining and put other's needs first. Even just the little things can brighten people's day. Every Tuesday and Friday we get to stand on campus and try to find people that want to learn more about Jesus (aka- forums). One day just before we went to forums we passed by this guy who just looked totally depressed trying to pass out fliers to people. I went up to him and was like "hey, I'll take your flier and hope you have a great day!" I think he was shocked but he actually smiled and was like "man, you are the nicest!!" So again it's just the little things.

   Also this week I was greatly reminded of the great blessing of knowing that God still speaks to us. We had a great lesson with this girl that claims to be atheist but she told us she just feels like religion is confusing and haven't found any answers to her questions.  As we taught her about prophets and testified to her that we still have a living prophet it was cool to see light and happiness come into her life. She even accepted a Book of Mormon! That night we had a restoration video movie night at the church and one of our investigators came. It was awesome and I think was exactly what they needed. 

   Basically this week was a gem and I am so blessed to be on the Lord's errand right now spreading the truth of His gospel. I know that Jesus Christ and Our Heavenly Father restored the lost truths and teachings to Joseph Smith so that we don't have to wander. I know that we have a living prophet on the earth today that gives us revelation and word from God. How blessed we are to have that! And I know the Book of Mormon and the Bible are the word of God and if we ponder them daily we can and will find answers to life's questions. :)

   Love,

~Sister McDonald

Ponderize: "Our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall" ~ Alma 56:46

Quote: "If our lives are centered in Jesus Christ, He can successfully mold us into who we need to be...Despite their hardships, they {Nephi and his fam} were able to live after the manner of happiness because they were centered in Christ and His gospel." ~ (Elder Maynes, Oct. 2015)

Kimber Mail 1-18-2016: "The Lord Answers Prayers"

   Be careful what you pray for folks! Jokes. But really guys the Lord listens to every prayer you say and he answers. Sometimes I think he likes a good laugh. Cuz this week has surely been a toughie but one we can look back at and laugh. Only good things coming right? Well here are a couple prayer experiences from this week:

   1) We texted Merve to see if she made it back from Turkey. She didn't respond all that day. In my prayer before bed I prayed real hard she would respond. I guess I prayed so hard that I just wanted to keep praying in my dreams...special I know, don't judge! Haha! I dreamed that we were walking on campus I just stopped walking and knelt down on the ground and started praying that Merve would text us and we could meet with her again. Guys I love Merve. She's the greatest!! So I'm praying and I wake up to our phone obnoxiously buzzing. Its 2:30 AM. I go to turn it off and it's MERVE!! Prayers guys, prayers. She's been busy figuring out her schedule this week so we didn't get to see her, :(  BUT pray we get to meet with her this week!

   2) So at the end of every week we get the lovely pleasure of planning for our next week. At the end we have companionship inventory (where we talk about strengths and weaknesses and goals and great stuff!) Anyway, Sister Thorson and I were talking, I was kind of sassy and discouraged because this week has been one of the toughest in my mission and I'm sure more to come... but I was asking Sister Thorson why she thought we had such a fabulous week. She says, and I quote "Maybe it's because we pray for challenges!" Me: "um...when have we been constantly praying for that?!" She just starts laughing and points to herself... Oh Sister Thorson....ha, ha, ha good timessss! But really though challenges humble us and refine us to who we need to be! So glad I have her to keep me humble ;) 

   3) This experience happened a bit ago but fits with the theme- we were walking a LOT this day and I really had to use the bathroom. Normally when it's break all of campus is shut down and locked. But I truly know we can pray to the Lord for what we need. I needed one door to be unlocked so I could find a bathroom. I prayed. We were walking back and Sister Jarvis (other Sister that lives by us) asked if we tried one door. I responded I already did but thought we should try it again. We did and it was unlocked this time! We came back out walked around and came back and it was locked! #blessed 

   So moral of the story, pray for whatever things you stand in need of and the Lord will bless you and bless you and bless you so much what what we need and more! Have a great week :) 

Love,

~Sister McDonald

Ponderize: Matt 14:31 "...immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"

Quote:"Don’t give up. … Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead. … It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.” ~ Elder Holland (Nov 1999) 

Month #5 complete... #missionnotes

Way to go Sis. McD!  Month 5 done... bring on month 6!

Kimber Mail 1-11-2016: "Miracles! Miracles! Read all about 'em!"

   Hey howdy hey all! So this week, I decided to stop focusing on the bad and look for the miracles and there were SO many! It's been something I'm trying to work on and it's not always the easiest... so thanks for being patient with me and laughing along with me. Ok here we go people, miracles by the day:

   Tuesday (5th): We got to do service and pack up some people's home that are moving. Such a great kick start to the week (Thankfully the film crew of "Hoarders: Buried Alive" didn't have to make an appearance) 

   Wednesday (6th): We had a not so dandy lesson...in the which we were referred to as Satan..ha, ha good, good times! While this conversation was taking place I glanced at sweet Sister Thorson, whose mouth slightly hung open. My eye caught on her name tag and I saw the biggest words on the tag "Jesus Christ". Immediately I was filled with overwhelming love for this person that was speaking such kind words. I bore witness of Jesus Christ and just that He loves them. I know that it's all part of the experience and one day it'll all click.  :)  BUT... plus side, we both talked to awesome people on the bus.  The guy Sister Thorson talked to actually texted US first #MiracleCuzItRarelyHappens .

   Thursday (7th): We were tracting and as a lady was shutting her door, I saw a bag of garbage waiting to be taken out. Well, we live to serve so... naturally I reached down and told her we would love to take her trash out! Well she was astonished but agreed. Ha, ha only problem we couldn't find the dumpster.. finally after like 10 minutes we found one by an apartment complex. Hey more doors to knock! Yippee! So we knocked all the doors in the building... down to the last two doors. And this girl named Cayt answered. She is Buddhist but let us in! We got to talking and she said she had a Book of Mormon but hasn't read it. We were able to read about faith with her and leave her with a prayer and it was so awesome to see light spring to her eyes as we read.  Also that night, Sister Thorson and I stepped into the institute class thinking it was religion class... but actually it was Pathways' math. We found our math skills are a little rusty! 

   Friday (8th): After sass and sass and more sass on campus at forums I said a little prayer. It went a little something like this: "Heavenly Father, I'm cold, tired, sick of these sassers but lovely Children of yours and now I'm getting a little sassy. Please give me someone to talk to that really wants  to listen..."  Right then I was humbled and the first person I talked to was so kind and open to learning more!! *cue prayer of thanks and sorry for sass* Also at dinner I got the hottest hot sauce known to man (not a joke- their son is a chef and he made this 'dragon' hot sauce) in my EYE! So while the elders are giving a spiritual thought....I'm having a swollen eye and a waterfall running down my face! Good times... HA! Don't worry I'm good now!

   Saturday (9th): Today was like Disney Land. Sooo great! We got to have district meeting with President and Sister Johnson-whoop whoop! I love them so much. They are just like my own parents, it's so comforting. My favorite part as always was my one-on-one interview with President Johnson. In my interview we talked about how grateful I am for my "momma" Sister Hansen (who is training AGAIN! Like a champ... she's the best no big deal) and for my "daughter" Sister Thorson. Her sass and her faith keep me going! I know they will be friends for eternity  :)  it really touched my heart that President kept saying how I radiate light.. ha, ha, ha, not sure what that means but makes me feel special.  He said how I remind him a lot of Sister Johnson and just have a great capacity to love everyone and keep being positive even through the tough times. Such a great day. We also had an AWESOME lesson with a girl that took lessons from missionaries a year and a half ago! As we talked about families she started sobbing we just sat there until she composed herself and then she said how comforting and happy that made her feel. I love my family so much and am beyond grateful to know that death is not the end, we can be with our families forever! 

   Sunday (10th): Church and dinner with Loveday was oh so fabulous! We also got to watch the CES devotional by President and Sister Nelson. I loved the messages that were shared about making this year the best year yet and reaching our full potential as "Millennials".  It just gave me renewed determination to work even harder! 

   So if you made it through all that YOU are a champ and deserve a pat on the back and some cookies or something! But really guys, God is GREAT and he wants to bless us. Trying to see the good and miracles makes a difference. I know good things are headed your way. This week make an extra effort to thank the Lord in your prayers for the miracles he's blessed you with. 

Love,

~Sister McDonald  :) 

Ponderize: "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" ~ John 11:25 (Inspired by my wonderful mother) 

Quote: "May we see all of our brothers and sisters the way God sees them, with love and compassion." ~ Elder Clark (Sunday Afternoon) 



Kimber Mail 1-4-2016: "Keep Moving Forward!"

Happy New Year everyone! :) Can you believe it's 2016?! SO CRAZY. 

   I hope you are well and this year brings blessings galore. If you are struggling, hey it's okay, I'm right there with ya! As a missionary there are good weeks and not so good weeks. This last week was one of those not so good weeks. I'm positive we will all have those weeks sometime during this next year. My advice, just like in the movie "Meet the Robinsons" is, "KEEP MOVING FORWARD!" Don't freak out or let yourself get in a rut. Just breathe. Rely on God. Eventually you will get past the rough spot and see that somehow there was at least some little lesson or good to come out of that. 

   A little while ago I was reading a talk by President Eyring from April 2012 entitled "Mountains to Climb". It was a great talk! He shared a story about how this lady was struggling for years with trial after trial but the thing that helped her endure and keep moving forward was repeating over and over "I know that my Redeemer lives!" As I have been reflecting on this last week, although it was a toughie, I noticed that the rays of happiness in the week came when I was bearing testimony of my savior. We had a really awesome testimony meeting at church yesterday and I think it will be one I never forget. As I took the bread and water I offered a silent prayer to help me see the good this week. My heart was filled with happiness, comfort and love as I reflected. I realized that even though at first glance it seemed rough and I was kind of a grumpy gus, that Heavenly Father blessed me with experiences to testify and smile as I spoke because I knew that what I was saying is so true. Even though I may not have the most eloquent testimony or ability to speak, I know that Jesus Christ lives and is there every step of the way. We are never truly alone. Now back to the awesome testimonies part! So every first sunday of the month members of the congregation have the opportunity to stand up and share how they have come to know different aspects of the gospel are true. We didn't have too many members there yesterday (all the college kids are gone) but after someone would get up to bear their testimony, they would choose a hymn for the congregation to sing. The spirit was SO powerful and it made me so happy to be reminded that no matter where we go or where we may be at in life- the gospel of Jesus Christ unites us all around the world!! And that is something to smile about! Here's to a week full of smiles:) 

Love,

~Sister Kimber McDonald 

Ponderize: "[Sister McDonald], I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction" ~ 1 Nephi 20:10 

Quote: "Small efforts sustained over time can produce significant results." ~ Elder Durrant (Sun Afternoon) 



Kimber Mail 12-28-2015: "Who's that Crazy, Smiling Girl?!" (belated post)

   There's just something about being a full time servant of the Lord, especially around Christmas, that makes the season unforgettable for sure! This week I just couldn't wipe a smile off my face! It just gradually got bigger and bigger as the week progressed. Even the littlest things brought so much joy to me. Here are some highlights:

   - Sister Thorson and I went tracting and OYMing (knocking doors and opening our mouth to anyone who passed us by) and we didn't have too great of success BUT I did notice a few people walk away with a smile instead of a frown so hey, progress!! We saw this mother near her last straw with her rowdy, disheveled children and we walked up and talked to them and her kids asked for candy-canes. I think they thought we looked like Santa or something ;) ha, ha, but we had little chocolates to save the day! 

   - We had a great time celebrating Christmas together as missionaries with many families in the wards. We spent Christmas Eve with a less active member named Alice. She was a hoot!! I love that the Lord knows exactly where we all are on this journey of life and places people in our path for a reason. Alice may have thought she needed us to brighten the season but truly she put the cherry on top for us! 

   - I felt such overwhelming love from loved ones at home that sent cards, letters, presents and love and prayers my way. I'll be honest it was tough being away from family during Christmas but the Lord sure comforted me more than ever and you all helped to lift my spirits so thank you so much! I love and appreciate you all.  :) 

   - I GOT TO SEE MY FAMILYYYYYY!! :)  This really should've been first but, best for last right?  ;)  he, he! Guys, I don't think you can fully realize how HARD it is to be away from the people I love the most, geez Louise! I can't even fully put it into words myself. But seeing their sweet smiling faces and hearing about what's new and exciting to them.. And them letting me PA-ramble on... Seeing friends who mean the world to me... I was filled with the reassurance that I'm where I need to be. I know that Jesus Christ was born, lived and went through all He did so that when we face our hardest, best, lowest or any time in-between He is right there to comfort! We are NEVER alone. I am so grateful for the plan of happiness that we know because of the restoration of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the very same things Christ taught when He was on the earth, all restored. I do not know everything but this much I do know- He loves me, He loves you, He cares about us and wants us to be happy, to find peace and achieve our full potential! He has never and will never leave us alone. This Christmas season I really truly realized that more than ever that when we put other's first, we are blessed beyond measure! May we continue to keep the spirit of CHRISTmas with us. I love you all! Have a happy and blessed new year! 

~Sister McDonald 

Ponderize: "yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the exhausting of his strength!" Alma 27:17 I hope to be even more diligent this week!:) 

Quote: " Are we doing what matters most? Press forward even amid affliction!" ~Elder Bednar (Sun Afternoon Session)