Kimber Mail 02-15-2016: "Serving with love!"

"The Lord needs valiant servants,

To do his work in the latter day,

Who follow the teachings of Jesus

And serve his people in a loving way.

I will be his servant

And keep my cov'nants valiantly.

I'll stand for truth. I'll stand for right.

The Lord can depend on me."

I Will Be Valiant, Children's Song Book 

   Feel like you're going through the motions? Feel like no one loves you or is aware of you? Well dear friends I'm here to tell you that this week I have been reminded thousands of times that we are all precious and loved by our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. They are more than aware of our situation and the challenges and blessings we all have right now are precisely what we need, to become who they need us to become! 

   This week was a tough one for the whole PPM (name of our mission). I'm sure many of you have already heard but just to catch everyone up to speed:  Tuesday on the way to transfers 4 sisters were hit by a bus, one died at the scene, two were pretty hurt but are out of the hospital and resting now and the other one is still in the hospital having surgeries for the internal problems and can't currently speak. My heart and prayers go out to these sisters and their families. It made me flash back to 7 months ago when me and two of my closest friends were involved in an accident and what a humbling experience that was. I have a firm testimony that Sister Wells is continuing being a valiant, strong missionary up in heaven. You and I are still here today meaning the Lord needs more from us! What are we doing with the life we have to live?  I want to ask you all to do two things: 

   1) Pray for the Wells family, and the other sisters that are recovering. I have seen in the short 6 months that I've been out that prayers are miracle workers. They all need them now more than ever

   2) Take the time right now to stop and reflect on what we could be doing more with our life. None of us know if today will be our last day on this earth. How can we more fully use the time we've been given for good? 

   Being asked to be an STL still freaks me out but at the same time I know it's what I am supposed to be doing right now. It's like the Lord kicked me in the pants or umm..I guess skirt...? Ha, ha, and said "Sister McDonald, it's fine that you don't feel qualified. Just love these girls, especially now when they need it most and I'll help you out like I always do!" And I have seen so much help this week.  I love the sisters I get to watch over so much! I feel extremely blessed to get to see my mission "momma" (Sister Hansen), my MTC companion (Sister Campbell) and Sister Smith (who I served with in State College)!!! We just need to get Sister Thorson up here and the 'fam' would be complete. ;)  There are so many other great Sisters that I can't wait to get to know and meet.  :) Thank you all for your love and support! Keep reaching out in love to those around you and I promise you will be blessed. 

   I know that this time here on Earth is the time to prepare to see God again. We need to continually be striving to be better than we were yesterday. I know that the atonement is real. Jesus Christ suffered for us and went through all that he did so that he could know how to perfectly help each of us individually. Turn to him. You are never too far gone. He loves you so much and is proud of the efforts you make to come closer to him. Keep up the great work!! 

Love,

~Sister Kimber McDonald 

 Ponderize: "Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren {and sisters}; and on, on to the victory!" ~ D&C 128:22

Quote: "What areas of my life do I want to strengthen so that I can strengthen others?"~ Elder Hales, Oct 2015 





Month #6 complete... #missionnotes

Month #6 Complete!  1/3 of journey accomplished!

Kimber Mail 02-08-2016: "You Ready For This?!"

This week feels like so much has happened guys...but here we go! Highlights of the week: 

   1) Forums was great this week- We were able to talk to this awesome guy Chris for like an hour. Sister Jarvis and Elder Calaway and I had an awesome discussion with him and were able to just bear testimony about the things we've come to know are true. It was one of the coolest experiences I've had in a while. The spirit was so strong as we testified of things we've come to know. He even came to church!! Also I ran into one of our investigators that said she isn't sure if she wants to meet anymore. The last time we taught her we left her with a pamphlet but when I saw her we were able to talk about the Book of Mormon. I shared how I personally have come to find answers from prayer and study of it. She said she would read it and that us talking already gave her a lot of peace. So awesome!  :) 

   2) We have been in a trio since Thursday. Our other Sister is Sister Chuah!! She's from Malaysia and is so cute!! She speaks great English, Mandarin and Malay! So sad I can't get to have more time with her but Sister Thorson is in good hands. Also it's going to be such a big help with all the Chinese speakers here. Such a blessing! 

   3) I got to go on exchanges to Lock Haven and it was so eventful! I met a legit witch?~?. We taught an awesome lesson to a less active lady and her son about repenting and turning to the Lord in faith. It was so amazing. I really know that the Lord knows what we are all going through and when we do all we can to follow Him, He ALWAYS helps us. We also met some sweet elderly ladies tracting ha, ha, ha, seriously the people of PA are my fav! 

   4) Well for those of you who are just tuning into my life or may have forgot then here's a brief update: I'm almost 6 months out and I'm working hard trying to bring souls to Christ here in State College! I was trained here by my favorite - Sister Hansen and then I trained my sassy amazing 'daughter' Sister Thorson. Now it's time for me to move to another area.  I'm a going to the city of Pittsburgh to be an STL (Sister Training Leader) - (think district leader duties for the Sisters). I'm freaking out, but it will be a good change and I know it'll help me a lot. So wish me luck! Ha, ha, I'm praying for you friends and family and hope you're all doing well. Keep smiling and loving life! 

Love always, 

~Sister McDonald

Ponderize: 2 corinthians 12:10 ~ "When I am weak, then I am strong"

Quote: "To Him {Heavenly Father}, our direction is ever more important than our speed." 

Kimber Mail 02-01-2016: "Tables Have Turned!"

 

   Well one thing is for sure- week 11 is a lot nicer being a trainer than a trainee!! Ha, ha. :P  Sister Thorson was in charge this week and I tried not to be too hard on her... and she did fabulous! We had an awesome week!! Here's some of the highlights:

   Tues(26): Forums were amazing! I was able to share a Book of Mormon with this sweet girl named Katie and had an awesome discussion about how reading the Book of Mormon has helped me know how to be a better disciple of Christ. I also was able to meet this sweet Chinese girl named Moria and set up appointment for the next day which rarely happens! Also another cool forums moment. A few weeks ago Sister Thorson and I tracted into this girl that was Buddhist and she let us in to read scriptures with her.  Well, Sister Thorson saw her on campus later and talked with to her!  She said that she told her roommate about us and that she might be interested in learning more!  :) 

   Wednesday (27): we had 2 awesome lessons today! The first was with our investigator Ali that came to our restoration movie night. He said that he loved movie night and really felt a love for Joseph Smith and wished more people would take the time to learn about who he really was. Sadly, because he's from a country with religious restrictions we won't be able to keep teaching him.  :(  Our next lesson was with Moria (a girl I met at Forums yesterday) - and it was awesome. She wants to know if God is there. She even prayed for first time! It was the coolest thing and is my favorite to see people pray to their Heavenly Father who's been waiting to hear from them.

   Thurs (28): We finally were able to meet with Merve, woo!!!  She said she loved us and felt great coming to church but that she no longer wanted to learn any more. I was really sad, and am so grateful that the Lord has blessed me to meet so many wonderful people whom I hope to have been able to bring somewhat closer to Christ in whatever time we get with them.

   Fri (29): we shook up the way we do Forums and did them inside in the food court on campus. We got people thinking about family history and why families are important and it was actually really good. We also got to see a less active member named Bailey who we've become really good friends with. She is so sweet and sometimes all people need is a friend to remind them they are loved. I invite you guys to reach out to someone, maybe someone you haven't talked to or seen in a while and - in a non-creepy way - remind them they are loved! :) 

   Sat (30): we got to help one of our branch mission leaders make his wedding invites ha, ha, it was pretty eventful! Eternal marriage tho- it's the bomb!!

   Sun (31): Church was so amazing today! I was really reminded of our individual worth and that we all have something to say and can strengthen our personal relationship with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We also got to go to a combined Christian worship with one of the other Sisters investigators, who was in the bell choir. It was really interesting and different but awesome that all these people gathered to strengthen their relationship with Christ. 

   Alsoooo Jessica in the branch bought FREETOWNNN for us to watch! YESSSS!  :D So yes it was a great week! 

   We were told that this Thursday we will be getting 2 more temple square sisters that speak Mandarin and that I will be leaving this area, not this Tuesday but the next. My time has come to be transferred. It's real bitter sweet. Crazy that I'm almost done training! But we will see what the future brings!  :)

~ Sister McDonald

Ponderize: Psalm 7:1 "O, Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust!"

Quote: " As our trust in Him grows, we open our hearts, seek to do His will, and wait for answers that will help us understand." (Sister Marriott, Oct 2015)

 

 

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!