Saturday, August 20, 2016

Kimber Mail 8-20-2016 : "A missionaries' Disney Land"


The Last 12 Months...
 Looking back over the year,

Months and weeks and days

Went so fast. Went so slow.

But with me, the mem'ries stay.

 

Entering the MTC-

Scared as scared can be.

Then to the perfect trainer

The Lord hand-picked for me.

Spreading wings and wingin' it

Sister Thorson brought the flame.

Lighting that "greenie fire"

His truth we did proclaim!

Then off to love and guide

With T-swizzle by my side.

I learned to love each moment

And that I can't deny!

McDon & Taun served 'em all

Through rise and fall, it was a ball!

It's time to grow, my time to go

Off to Ohio with Jacobson.

Working hard and havin' fun

To all, we'll share His light

After all, what good's a testimony,

If it's not a-shining bright?!

 

Through tears and laughs

The ups and downs

The sweat and tired eyes

I've pushed past my limits

I've laughed until I've cried.

This last year's not been easy.

In fact, it's the toughest thing I've done!

But I've learned that when we're on the Lord's side-

 The victory we've won!

So declare His love, with all my might,

Yes, that is what I'll do!

I'll finish strong,

I'll carry on,

I'll smile through and through.

This gospel's brings such happiness

And of this, I know: it's true!

   Well everyone, as you can see from the cheesy poem (#YousWelcome💁🏼- I made it a whole year and it's been the toughest but greatest experience and I am sad that it's starting to wind down. I don't want to leave!!
   Sorry for the lack of emails Monday. And if you're wondering, yes it's totally kosher that I'm sending this today😜  We switched our “P”Day to today so that we can... wait for it......... Go to Disney Land! Jokes - even better: GO TO THE TEMPLE!!! Guys, I am legit SOOOOOOO pumped. AHHHHH! I HAVE WAITED FOR THIS FOR SO LONGGGGGGGGGG.  Let me tell you not being able to go to a temple for a whole year has been tough but it's made me really appreciate the opportunities that we do have to go.  I realize there are those that have to wait longer than a year for the chance to make it to a temple and I feel that struggle.  How grateful I am for temples!!  Our goal as missionaries is to see everyone in the temple.  Just picture it! Isn’t that awesome?!  I love the peace, unity and pure joy that can be found at any temple.  God wants us to be as close to him as we possibly can.  The temple is a perfect way to help us achieve that goal.  
   I know that as we live our lives to constantly be worthy to go to the temple, regardless of how close we actually are to the temple, we will be blessed more than we can imagine!  So my simple message to you all today is: stay strong!  Keep smiling and doing what you need to do to be where you need to be at this very moment.  
   This week Sister Jacobson and I found this awesome quote from President Hinckley that I want to share with yinz- "If you do your best, it'll all work out....put your trust in God!  The Lord will not forsake us." (Oct 2015 general conference).  It's as simple as trust and do our best. The Lord is right there with us every step of the way carrying all we go through with us so we never EVER fall short with Christ.  I know that no matter where you think you are at in your relationship with Christ, His love for you is constantly there. It never changes.  Make the decision to turn more fully to him and let him help.  Change now.  Not tomorrow, or next week. Now.  Let's rise above the struggles and challenges of today with Christ by our side and hold our heads high looking to the house of the Lord!
   I love you all and am so grateful for the love and support I feel each day from all of you- know I'm praying for you too!!  Before I go - just wanted to share 2 quick awesome highlights from this past week: 
   - We were able to teach our investigator Gay, at a member's home last Friday.   She told us, as we were talking about her experiences at church, that every time she has come with a question and every time she has been able to receive answers to questions. She said she has never felt happier and feels pure love!  Even if no one were to talk to her, she would still come.  She said the 3 hours of church aren't even long, she loves every minute of it!  Like WHAT?!?!?  I wish we could all soak up church like that. Ha, ha, it was awesome J.
   - Alex! Okay, so this kid is such a tender mercy to me.  Many of you know that I have younger brother named Alex. Well we were visiting with this less active family and the mom was telling us about her sons. She said one (was in his room) has some mood swings and was in one of those moods today. She told us how they are struggling to help him out of it and aren't sure what to do.  Well as she kept describing him I'm thinking "wow he sounds like my brother! Same age, same hobbies, same name.." Ha, ha! And it was one of those moments when the spirit kinda hit me and said “You are here to help him.  You know how.”  Ummmm...hmm, okay Spirit, I guess we’ll just try our best and roll with this? Ha, ha,  …So she gets him to come out and I was able to talk to him and he reminded me so much of my brother Alex - it wasn't even funny.  Well it was awesome because at the end he was smiling and laughing and we made up a handshake.   Honestly I know it sounds like such a little thing but 1) it reminded me of my favorite little pal back home and 2) I really learned sometimes when we struggle with people all they need is a little love and to be reminded that they are awesome!
   So anywho…, hope I haven't bored you by now, but too late I guess!  :P
   Stay tuned for updates from this week on monday! Love ya  :)

💕Sister McDonald
Ponderize: "The prayers of His servants might be answered according to their faith"~ mosiah 27:14
Committment: "Become increasingly worthy!" ~ Elder Bednar





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