Kimber Mail 5-30-2016: "Gem Status: Referrals!"

   Guys. Words cannot begin to describe the glorious week we had. This week was legit SO AMAZING. Ahhhh, God is so good and so are referrals!

   Okay let me just ramble to ya a bit about the miracles that happened.  You ready for this?!:)

   Brother and Sister Glunt:  Alrighty this story actually starts a couple weeks ago. A couple Tuesdays ago we get a call right as we are nightly planning.  It was our mission president! He starts off by telling us he has a big task for us. He tells us that he received a call from Elder Gibbons (a previous member of the quorum of the 70) and that he has a friend here in Pittsburgh who's very well off, knowledgeable and one of the head architects in the U.S.A., but whom was ready to hear the gospel. PJ told us that even though he was in the elders' area he wanted Sister Taunima and I to go and teach them.

   Talk about intimidating right?! Ha, ha, ha that is a HUGE deal to get a referral from a member of the 70 (General Church Authority)  and your Mission President. So shaking in our boots that morning, we prayed as we got out of our car with our accompanying church member, Sister Eichenmiller, and trekked his stairs, praying not to mess things up. Sister Taun and I turned to each other before knocking, smiled and quoted 1 Nephi 3:7 at the same time. We KNEW that this was a big job but most importantly, we knew that the Lord had provided this opportunity and would provide for us to teach to the Glunts' needs if we would listen to the spirit.  And let me tell you, that was one of the coolest lessons I've had the privilege of being a part.  I really have come to know that if I stop trying to be perfect and listen to what the investigator, my companion, our members, and the Spirit says, then just like the scripture says in D&C 100:6, we will have the "words given to us in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what [we] shall say". It was a powerful lesson because I know we all were able to listen to the Spirit and help them feel truth as we testified.

   Ah,  I am so grateful I had the opportunity to have this first initial contact and hopefully more to come! Brother Glunt and his wife were so sweet and had such good questions. They said to give them a couple weeks to read through the Book of Mormon together and come back so we can answer their questions.  So stayed tuned... ;)

   Okay another monument moment in my week! So Friday Sister Taunima and I were planning for our upcoming week which takes foreverrrrrr... and we hear our doorbell go off a few times.  Well in the complex we live in, they are fixing our steps and so sometimes they come ask to fill up their buckets.  So lazily we get up to go answer and Sister T says "Someone just left a bunch of stuff!"  I run and look at our heart-attacked door and food-filled porch and start crying.  She looks at me super weird and I'm like "Sister T....that's my family!!!" So yeah my family was so sneaky and it MADE my day. Shout out to my Gamette fam (Uncle & Aunt) for the heart-attack and all my favorite things. Ha, ha, ha, ha, I love you all so much :)  Also another huge shout out for being missionaries wherever you go. They had stopped at a grocery store down the road from me and talked to a man named Harold who seemed interested in finding the peace of the gospel so BOOH YA! Another gem referral from my fam. 😘

   Can you see why it's been an awesome week?!  Such testimony building experiences and times I will never forget  :)

   Other gems that happened this week:

   Monday we went to the zoo and Bucca di Beppos (fancy Italian restaurant) with the ritzes! Ah, I love them so much they take such good care of us and it was SO fun!

   Thursday I got to see Sister Simpson again. She was my roomie in the MTC! It was so fun catching up. She's been on the east her whole mission so it was fun to welcome her to the west 😜

   Love you all!! Have a fabulous week 🎉

   Much Love, Sister McDonald.

Ponderize: "O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever." ~ 2 Nephi 4:34

Committment: Adapt to learning and language of a child (SIMPLIFY!) ~ Sister Durham

Kimber Mail 5-23-2016: "Spiritual Studs"

   This week was rough but so good! A lot of our plans fell through but we were able to be where we needed to be and work hard. I have really come to know that when we are obedient and follow the promptings of the spirit (being where we need to be) the Lord will show us miracles. Big or small, miracles are miracles! 
   Every week we have the opportunity to meet with our ward mission leader, Brother Clark, to talk about our missionary efforts from the previous week and get some Brother Clark inspiration and wisdom. 💁 I hope to be like him and his wife one day. The Clarks are such spiritual studs!!! Ahh I just love them so much. This week as we met up with him before a lesson, he reminded us simply that what matters most is remembering we are set apart to carry the mantel of "missionary" and that as we listen to the spirit like we are promised in the scriptures we "cannot be confounded". And let me tell you it was a POWERFUL lesson. The person we were teaching was trying to bash with us and instead Sister Taunima, Brother Clark and I just bore powerful constant testimony and his whole attitude changed! I walked away being reminded once again that we must always have the Savior's name on our lips and never be ashamed to testify. Our testimony is our most powerful tool and we should never be afraid to share it. We never know just who might need to hear the truth that has changed our lives. 
   We were able to miraculously touch a few more lives this week with our testimonies- a couple examples stick out to me: We were visiting a couple different ladies who haven't been active in the church in many years. Both times we visited each one we testified of the Gospel and Christ. Both times a peace filled the room and they both, smiling, shared with us that it was just the thing they needed to give them hope to endure and pull through. 
   I know the Jesus is very real and that He lives! He is closer to us than we realize and if we let him into our lives He can lift and help and brighten them unlike anything else. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the same church that Christ established when He walked on earth. I know that He still is the head and that if we hold onto his teachings and stay close to him we cannot be lead astray. I know that He knows us each personally and is there even when we may think we don't deserve him. He never leaves. I love him with all my heart and love this gospel! I am grateful to be on his errand and help in his work! I invite you all to reach out to him and let him help you in every aspect of your life this week  :) 
Love you all!
💕Sister McDonald 


Ponderize: 1 Ne 21:5 "My God shall be my strength" 

So instead of quotes, In conference I noticed a commitment or an invitation in each of the talks so I'll be working on one of those a week (man I'm such A missionary) ha, ha :) 

Commitment: President Eyring- "pray with full purpose of heart and draw closer to Christ" 

Kimber Mail 05-16-2016: "Doin' the Lord's work 💪🏼"

   This morning in companion study, Sister Taunima and I talked about the story of Abinidi, in the Book of Mormon, and how it related to our week perfectly and just missionary work in general. It's no joke that being a missionary is tough work. Sometimes it may feel that we, like Abinidi, are testifying and preaching but seeing no results. (Get ready for a spoiler alert...😱) At the end of Abinidi's story we see that one person was touched by his message and in turn, many were converted! Our week played out just like a version of Abinidi and taught us a lot! 

   Lessons learned:

- Always follow promptings even if we don't see immediate results it means we are being obedient and doing what the Lord needs us to

- Be humble and willing to keep working even on the tough days GREAT stuff is comin :)

- Let Smiling be your favorite! You never know if that's all someone needed

- Testify boldly and defend your beliefs, show love but be bold! 

   Even though our week was super slow Saturday and Sunday had some great results:

1) Remember a couple weeks ago how we tracted into this guy Mario and had a first lesson on the spot?  Well he invited us back Saturday night for dinner, to meet his family and have a lesson!  Like WHAT?!?! #NeverHappens :D   It was awesome! Not quite what Sister Taun and I expected the way the lesson to go but it was awesome to answer he and his wife's questions with stories from the Book of Mormon. We taught and bore powerful testimony of the truth of the Book of Mormon and the power of prayer. The spirit was so strong! 

2) We had several less-active members that we've been working with finally come to church! WOOO! It made us so happy to see them walk in the chapel and be welcomed by the ward, just like coming home  :) 

   My ending highlight comes from our Bishop, Bishop Snow. HE'S THE GREATEST BISHOP!! Ahh... I just love this man. He helps us so much! His family had us over for dinner Sunday night and after we finished our dinner thought he told us how sincerely proud he was of our efforts especially this week. He noticed we did a lot of service for members of the congregation and just anyone that would let us help.  He shared that we may never know what will come out of that but that several people contacted him sharing how they were struggling and what they needed was help and we were able to do just that. 

   So basically you never know what the little things could mean to someone. I invite you all to reach out and do something little for those around you to lift their burdens. Have a fabulous week yinz! 

💕Sister McD 

Ponderize: "He spake with power and authority from God "~ Mosiah 13:6 

Quote: "whatever our age, capacity, church calling or location, we are as one, called to the work to help HIM in His harvest of souls until he comes again!" ~ Pres. Eyring 

!! HUMP-DAY !! Half-way through the journey, month #9 complete! #missionnotes

Month #9 Complete!  HUMP-DAY :)

"What I've Learned in the Last 9 Months..."

 #missionnotes:

Kimber Mail 5-09-2016: "Missionaries = Superheroes in disguise"

   Listening to the spirit. Swooping in, just in time. Greatest job in the world! Must've guessed it- being a missionary! 💁   I sure felt like being a superhero this week. Not tooting my own horn, trust me...  I'm far from "super."  But this week especially I've seen just how important listening to the Spirit is, to reach out and be the Lord's hands here in Pitt 3rd.  Better get ready for some "Super" daily highlights:
   Tuesday: After exchanges with the "beaver sisters" (I was with Sis. Bartlett who is like superwoman, seriously she's amazing and a pro teacher, navigator and just basically...#TheBomb) We may or may not have pranked the Zone Leaders to get them back for pranking us #TakeThatElders.  But cool experience guys- the outside door to the complex was locked and we prayed we would get in.  Next thing we know this drunk lady gets off the bus and lets us in HALLELUJAH the lord answers prayers  ;) 
   Wednesday: I got to team up with my very first super hero of a companion, Sister Campbell, from the "Greenie" MTC days!!  It was so fun to go on exchanges with her and see how much we have grown since day-one.  We still are pro teachers together and had so many great laughs.  We swooped in to this ally to tract and found this awesome gem, Woodrow who we were able to teach about the Plan of Salvation right on the spot.  BAM salvation to all! 💥
   Thursday: your favorite Pitt 3rd heroes were on suicide watch. Okay really. All joking aside I never thought I would have to deal with this, but as a missionary you deal with a lot of sketchy things and gotta swoop in and help like the Lord would.  So this lady we having been working with texted us cancelling our lesson for the night saying how she didn't want to meet, that she wasn't worth our time or anyone's and frankly said she didn't know how much time she would even have left. We rushed over to her house just in time. We sat and listened to her release all the anger and hurt and tried to get her to calm down and think about what she was doing. It was tough but it was probably one of the most amazing experiences of my mission so far.  Sister Taunima and I were very loving but very bold with her and testified and listened.  As I've been at this whole missionary thing for a decent amount of time I've learned that when the Spirit speaks you listen immediately.  As things started to escalate again the Spirit told me to open my mouth... So I did and asked her (we will change her name to Rose) "Rose, have you read your scriptures and done the challenge for today?" To which she responded "No. God doesn't love me.  It won't work." (Okay so to catch you all up a few lessons ago we had challenged "Rose" to do this 30 day challenge along with us - where for each day for 30 days you pray asking a specific question and open the scriptures randomly and keep reading until you find your answer.)  So back to the story- she said she hadn't done it because she didn't think it would work.  So the next thing I hear is "Rose I promise you it works. It will work. God loves you and has an answer for you right now. Let's kneel and pray and you ask God what question is in your heart right now and let's read.  I promise you will find it!"  I look at Sister Taun and she's smiling and nodding.  Woah- those words just came from my mouth.  Thats a big promise!  Definitely from the Spirit.  Nine months ago I would've hesitated to promise such a thing or be so bold but I know without any doubts the scriptures are God's words and he WILL answer. So we knelt in prayer each saying a silent prayer for a solid almost 5 minutes. She huffs and picks up the scriptures and reads out loud. I may never know what exactly struck her from the chapter or what her question was but I do know that she closed the book after the chapter ended and with gentle tears in her eyes said "I got my answer. It works. He sent you to me, and I got my answer."  AHHH! Isn't the Lord so great?!?!  I want you all to know He is there ready to answer.  Test it out for yourself.  He loves you and will always answer... in his time but it will come.  :)
   Friday: we went all the way out to no-mans-land, the furthest spot we cover and visited a less-active member, Sister Riggle.  We shared a mothers day message with her and it really touched her heart to see that her efforts weren't in vain.  She showed up to church on Sunday and was telling everyone we were "her girls" ha, ha, ha!
   Saturday: We did some good yard work and let me tell you the humidity in the summer is going to kill me.  Talk about sweaty gross.  Blehh! But service is always a partayyy! We also go to go to a catholic testimony meeting to hear our investigator Mario give his testimony.  That was a first. They had great food and were nice people it just kills me how close people are but how stinking stubborn and set in our ways we can be.  I came away feeling so much love for all those around me and encourage us all to be a little kinder and more open to those around us.
   Sunday: bet you all know what today's highlight was: MOTHERS DAY SKYPING!!! Ahh man I miss my family so much. It was so great to hear from them and see them. It seriously is the little things that we take for granted. Also shout-out to my fam for letting me ramble...#sorry but basically I love my family and am so grateful that if we keep working hard and progressing in the gospel together we can be together forever! How great is that?!?!
   Love love LOVE you all! Have a fabulous week!

💕Sister McD

Ponderize: " I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things" 1 Ne 11:17

Quote: "Acting on that hope, reach out to Heavenly Father. God will extend His love toward you, and His work of rescue and transformation will begin." ~ Pres. Uchtdorf (April 2016)

Kimber Mail 05-02-2016: "It's a Good Life!"

   Hey everyone!! Hope you are all well and super pumped for MOTHERS DAY!

I know I am: Just a tad trunky to see my family....😆💕 Sunday needs to come faster.

Okay as I reflect on this week two major things stick out:

   1) I got to go on exchanges with Sister Kwasney, she's serving in the Pitt 4th area. Fun fact- she is my "daughter," Sister Thorson's MTC comp and is just as sassy and funny.  But Sister Thorson still gets the Gold medal there.  Fun fact #2- Pitt 4th is a walk area. Man it kicked me back to the State College days and boy do I miss it.  We had so much fun talking to everyone on the street, handing out Books of Mormon like birthday cake and testifying like it was nobody's business.  It was such a great exchange and really reminded me how AWESOME it is to be a missionary and testify boldly at every opportunity.

   2) Well near the end of the week I got some weird bug and was feeling pretty cruddy.  Sister Taun took good care of me and I was able to be reminded of the great power behind prayer and priesthood blessings.  Guys it WORKS! It really, really works. With lots of prayers, bathroom stops and an inspired blessing from my awesome ward mission leader I was able to carry out the work without missing a beat.  I truly know and testify that the Lord helps his servants when we are willing to work hard and diligently.  As I am coming up on my half way point it is INSANE to look back and see how far I've come and how blessed I have been. I thought I would be giving back to the Lord these 18 months ha, ha, ha... but have honestly learned that's not possible.  He just keeps giving and giving and loving and helping us to become even more awesome.  No complaints though! But really I am so grateful for all the love and support. I want you all to know, that I know that our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ love us more than we could ever imagine. They love us regardless of how many times we mess up, make silly choices, or make good choices. That great love is always there! As a missionary it is the greatest to be able to feel just a portion of that love- and man is it amazing! I want to encourage you all to take the time to pray and ask to feel God's love for you this week as well as to feel it for those around you. I promise it'll make all the difference. I love you all! Talk to you Sunday fam.  :)

💕Sister McDonald

Ponderize: Isaiah 49:16 "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."

Quote: "Remember that He is always welcoming us home." - Elder Gong (April 2016 conference)