Kimber Mail 3-21-2016: "Service, Symbolism, Smiles.

   Tues(15): I had an exchange with Sis. Morrison! She came out here the same time I did. So it was fun to see how much of an even more amazing missionary she's become! We stopped by a less actives house - Sister Boyer- and had a sweet experience! She was fixing her car this last week and the hood fell on her face. It was as bad as you can imagine... But she told us that she has received groceries and meals from church members and estranged family that haven't talked to her in years. She testified that it was all because she's started to come to church again and has been reading her scriptures and praying more. So people, putting God first is the way to go! 

   Wed (16): While waiting for the elders to show up for dinner at the Z's we decided to climb their back yard hill to the stream at the bottom. Okay you have to understand this place is called "Penn Hills" for a reason...they are crazy steep!!! So we are all climbing down and their 12 year old John is zipping down, bouncing from tree to tree like a pro. Meanwhile, Sister Roberts and I are on our bums stuck on tree roots complaining about how hard it was. John shouts to us "if you would just stop complaining you could get up the hill!" While his mom is dying laughing. But my take away applies to every day life. No matter where we may be on the 'hill' of life if we focus on the positives rather than all the wrong we can make it up any hill! 

   Thurs(17): Happy Saint Patrick's day!! Luckily we didn't run into too many drunkards... ha, ha but rather we had an awesome lesson with our recent convert, Mary Lou about how we should value and make the most of our life, enduring forever. A question that's been constantly on my mind is - how can we make every day count? For dinner we went to a charity dinner and "proselytized". We met some hilarious and awesome Jesus lovers! God is so good!! 

   Fri(18): Everyone. RITAS IS BACKKKKK! So you know what that means?! We took part of our dinner hour got some delicious Rita's!! It was a fabulous day! After Rita's and dinner we moved the Ritz' new dishwasher in. 'Sister Power' is a real deal. I'm pretty positive I'm  going to leave Penn Hills with some serious muscles!! 

   Sat(19): Hey guess who were queens of dusting, painting, mopping, cleaning, singing to Jesus Jams at the top of our lungs?!  Sister Roberts and I!! We helped Momma Z clean up and fix the rental house they have because they are trying to sell it.  It was a party. The Z's even gave me the little Kool-aid Squeezies that you squeeze into your water because my Kool-aid ran out and they love me, and I love Kool-aid. So basically I was very happy! 

   Sun(20): Okay Sunday is always the best! Well this week especially :P  So last week our bishop got released but now he's still really trying to help us any way he can with our missionary efforts. Well he texted us about an hour before church and asked if we had anyone that needed a ride to church. That was so inspired because we totally forgot but in that moment remembered Lauren needed a ride! Okay back up - who's Lauren right?  Well Lauren is this legit awesome black preacher who is currently trying to find the truth and a new job. We tracted into him a while ago and every time we've stopped by it's never been the right time.  Well Lauren comes to church!! The members welcoming him and making it the best experience was on point. I asked how he liked church and he said that our service was different. Which is the typical answer we hear. I asked him what was different. Expecting to hear the usual "it was long" but he said that it was a good different and that he already loves Jesus Christ and the atonement but we take that to a whole 'nother level and the people are "humble and cool". It was such a cool experience! Members even invited him over to dinner this next week the same night they are feeding us so- booh ya! Hang onto your seats to see what happens next. 

   Well I hope you are all well and have a happy spring break (shout out to my fam for chillin' in Hawaii!) and getting excited for Easter! Love you lots!! 

~Sister Kimber McDonald.

Ponderize: For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  1 Corinthians 15:22

Quote: "Christ is perfectly positioned to lift us and give us the strength we need to endure our afflictions. We have only to ask." ~ Dallin H Oaks (oct 2015) 

Easter videos: FollowHim.mormon.org 

Mission Life vids - (catch up on belated posts)



Month #7 Finished! #missionnotes

Month #7 complete!  #Hallelujah  #missionnotes

Kimber Mail 3-14-2016: "A Few of my Favorite Things."

   Tracting. Rambles. Service. Laughing. As the great Julie Andrews once sang "These are a few of my favorite things"!! Life can pass us by if we blink to fast and this week sure felt like it just flew by! We need to remember to stop and smell the roses and appreciate the important things in life! So here's me, smelling the little "roses" of my week-

   Tracting- Okay here's the deal- I seriously have grown to absolutely LOVE tracting. Call me crazy if you will but every time I've gone tracting with a prayer in my heart, I see miracles whether they be big or small, miracles none the less. This week at zone conference my District Leader, Elder Redd, gave his departing testimony and told us how tracting has changed his mission and that we shouldn't be afraid to tract. *Meanwhile I'm fist pumping the air in the back YES, YES, YES,* So tract even more than normal this week? I think YESSS! Here's just a few examples: 

    On exchanges with Sister Thompson (she trained Sister Campbell my MTC comp and is the sweetest girl you'll ever meet!) We went out to McDonald, PA - Whoa! Hold up... Yes folks there indeed is a city called MCDONALD. It was legit. We tracted and had some awesome long conversations about the gospel. I love that this gospel is for everyone- single, married, happy, sad, whether you know where your going or not! One thing I love about PA is when it's warm everyone and their dogs and cats and legit EVERYONE is outside. It's so nice!! Makes finding people easier ;). 

    Sister Roberts and I decided to go tracting even though it was rainy and super humid...joyous! Ha, ha, well we knock 4 doors in a row and let me tell you the spirit works wonders. A Jesus lover, Shy Guy, Previous Investigator, and Stressed Mom all were able to feel the joy of our message and accept a Book of Mormon and want us to come back! Like what?! So. Good. 

   Rambles-  The PA ramble never ceases to amaze me. EVERY time. How does one unload their whole life on anyone and everyone who they come in contact with? How does one go from church to cats to the beach to outer space? And all in one single breath!!! Ha, ha, jokes. But what I've really learned is to listen. Several times this week I have listened and the spirit will prompt me with something to say or a scripture to reign in the ramble and to help that specific person. Man it's taken 7 months to figure out something as simple as listening but it makes a difference!

   Service- My 12 year-old self would not be happy hearing this but... I've truly come to love doing service!!  It is one of my favorite things to do! Working side-by-side with hilarious people is the best. This week we swept out a leaky sewer spill in a basement, made cookies, helped the Elders at the food pantry because they hurt their backs and organized houses to get ready for people to move. It made me so happy! 

   Laughing- laughter makes the world go round and makes days brighter! Is there more to say? If you know me you know I love to laugh. I've had some good laughs so far out here but my abs have been especially sore this week from all the laughter. Two great experiences come to mind-

   We went to empty nesters family home evening last Monday. It was HILARIOUS.  Elderly people are a hoot! One man decided to teach us how he thought we should be drinking barley water and water with rocks in it. Oh man I guess you just had to be there but I was laughing so hard at the response from the other empty nesters. :)

   While following up with people we met a while ago this old man comes to the door and shows us his phone which clearly displays a text on the screen. He picks it up shouting "HELLO?!" Into it. Then says "girls I'm on the phone can't talk- HELLO? - AHH LOOK WHAT YOU DID. YOU MADE ME MISS THE CALL!" He got angrier when we asked if he wanted to talk about Jesus "NO!" Hahahahaha we were dying. That was by far one of the best lies I've heard yet! 

   Basically it was a great week and I'm grateful for this time to serve the Lord and his children here in good ol' PA! I cannot wait for Easter. I am so grateful to know that the Jesus Christ did in fact rise from the dead and that one day we as well as our loved one will also live again. There is so much more that awaits us! Death is not the end. The church has made another amazing video to share with friends and those who need uplifting. I encourage you all to watch it and share it with at least one person! :) 

<3 ~Sister McDonald

Ponderize: Luke 17:19 "thy faith hath made thee whole."  

Quote:  "Get on your knees and pray and then get on your feet and work!"~ Gordon B Hinckley

Easter video: FollowHim.mormon.org 



Kimber Mail 3-07-2016: "Let the Spirit Guide, friends."

   There's this awesome scripture that we as missionaries have on our minds often and it's a gem.  It's in the Doctrine and Covenants 42:14 and says "the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach." 

   Pretty straightforward and bold right? Well I've come to know for a fact this is 100% true. The Spirit is the ultimate teacher and we are more just like his side-kicks. I've had my fair share of lessons these last 7 months where the Spirit did the teaching and witnessing of truth and where the Spirit was absent and I really could not teach...there's a HUGE difference. I testify that the Spirit will never ever lead us astray. We just have to do like the scripture says by 1) praying and doing the things we need to do to keep the Spirit with us on the daily and 2) once we feel the impressions or promptings of the Spirit follow them! No matter how weird or out of our comfort zone what we are being asked to do may seem; once we recognize that thought or prompting is from the Holy Ghost, we need to listen. Here are just a few amazing examples from this week: 

   Sister George is an amazing woman and less active that has been struggling with many trials throughout her life. We felt like we should text her and have a spiritually uplifting "girls night" with her. Ha,ha! It turns out that's just what she needed. I mean who doesn't want some quality time with the best sisters in good ol' pixburg?! ;) We went to Taco Bell and to a baptism for the bishop's daughter and had a really good discussion after (all by the Spirit) about trials. Tears were shed, hugs were given and the Spirit was felt. 

   This week I got to go on exchanges with the Greensburg sisters: Sis. Penrod (came out with me) and Sis. Smith (from the State College days!) Man it was so awesome. They are spiritual power houses and miracles happened I tell you what! We felt like we should stop and talk to this one young guy that was with his dog on the road we were on. We got to share our testimonies and the Book of Mormon with him. Man I love sharing this Book with people. It is my favorite to testify that it truly has helped me come to know my Savior on a personal level and has helped me in every situation I've been in. We also were trying to follow up with people we've talked with before but no one would answer the door #StoryOfMyLife. Anywho, so I decide that we should tract around where we were at cuz 1) I felt super strongly that someone would listen in that complex and 2) I really do love tracting! Well Sister Penrod, Smith and I decide to tract the houses with cars out front. The 3rd or 4th house we knock a guy named Devin answers and we were able to teach him a little bit about the restoration of the gospel and of course- the Book of Mormon. He excitedly told us that he had already read part of it in South Carolina but hasn't been able to get one to finish it since. Well...*cue missionaries with copies of the Book of Mormons for days* ha,ha he was super kind and I'm excited to see what happens hopefully we can go back soon and his schedule will work out so he can learn more! 

   As a perk of having a leadership position (being an STL) we get to go to this awesome meeting once a month called MLC (missionary leadership council). Besides all the great food and friends I was reunited with and made, the spiritual feasting was a real deal! As I was reflecting on my notes the spirit reminded me of the simple truth that as we turn to Christ and see how he handled things then we are better able to handle the things/trials in our way and press forward! I know that whatever you may be going through at this time, as you turn to our Heavenly Father in prayer and open your "door" to let Christ in to help you you will be able to have the strength and the answers you need to keep going! You got this :)! 

Love you all! 

~Sister McDonald 

Ponderize: Acts 17:27 "That they should seek the Lord...he be not far from every one of us!

Quote: "Prayer, combined with fasting, will provide so that when we “call, … the Lord shall answer; … [and when we] cry, … he shall say, Here I am.” ~ Elder Stanfill, oct 2015 

Kimber Mail 2-29-2016: "Tornado's-a-coming!!"

Tornado's-a-coming!!

Ha, ha - jokes, no tornado is coming...but it sure feels like it's been a crazy whirlwind of week. I'm exhausted. But wow it's been one of the best weeks I've had in a while and for multiple reasons. Probably one of the biggest was that I got to see my mission "momma" SISTER HANSEN! But we will get to that in a bit so stay tuned ;)  I feel like so much has happened, so lets take it day-by-day, get ready for some laughs (maybe you just had to be there.. but I don't care I'm going to share anyways and if anything just picture me laughing and it'll probably make you laugh) and  of course some spiritual goodness too!! 

   Tues (23): I went on exchanges with Sis. Oliver, in Wexford. She has been out 14 months and is training like a pro right now. She's really quiet but super sweet and a spiritual giant. (She reminds me a lot of Natalie Hamer. ha, ha, ha.) She taught me: not to be afraid of silence (I still kinda struggle with that one). Who would've thought these PA ramblers would be silent?!? ha, ha, but it happened a few times. Specifically, one lesson we were teaching we would ask this man a question and he would turn to his dog and not answer it. We just sat waiting and it was so cool to see the spirit do his work! After like 5 minutes this man bore powerful testimony of living prophets and the comfort and help he's received from the Book of Mormon. It was sweet!! Sister Oliver also taught me to always show love. We really tried to tell everyone we talked with that they were loved because ITS TRUE!  It was amazing to see just how a little love can soften even the toughest hearts. Sometimes it's just a nice reminder. To you reading this: YOU ARE LOVED! :)
   Wed (24): HANSEN and MCDONALD REUNION! I cannot tell you just HOW excited I was to be reunited with Sister Hansen!!!!!!! AHH I LOVE THAT GIRL SO MUCH.  3 months away from each other is too long! She seriously has become one of my best friends and my family out here. Ahh... but really being companions with her for the day was just what I needed. She still is one stud, amazing missionary. I still don't get how she's so amazing at everything she does! Ha, ha, but it was a flash back to week 11 (where I was in charge) just with a car instead of walking and it went a lot better than week 11! Well for the most part ;) But she came Wednesday afternoon and stayed till Thursday afternoon and it was the best day(s) of the week! We got to teach Book of Mormon class. We were trying to do an object lesson about listening to the spirit and well...#fail. Ha, ha, ha, ha, we made Elder Redd be blind-folded and long story short- the people we had pretending to be the "adversary" and "spirit" to guide him started helping each other... but hey we eventually got there! Ha, ha, ha, it was hilarious!! 
   Thurs (25): When appointments fall through- what do you do? You tract, tract...just keep tracting, tracting, tracting! Ha, ha, and yes ladies and gentlemen we still got our tracting skills! Just like old times. Then we had a super awesome lunch hour at Chick-Fil-a, trip to the pet store and the most legit cheap store out here called 5 Below and got matching shirts 'cuz...we are best buds we got to show it off.  :P   Then we did a jam sesh to vocal point on the way to service. And we pulled out our muscles to move a heavy hide-a-bed couch up the hills of PA to the top of this family's drive way. Ha, ha, just kidding it wasn't too bad! And we topped it off by helping Sister Eichenmiller make temple cookies for Ward conference. Seriously how much better can the day get?! 
   Fri (26): Sister Roberts and I weekly planned all day....so much joy I can't explain it. Ha, ha, ;) But we had the funniest dinner with Giglotti family. They are an elderly couple that are hilarious! He went on and on about how good their water was. Which was true the water here isn't the greatest....but man it was a good ramble. But he did comment on my self confidence and how I hold myself "taller" than I really am. Which was nice because that's something I think I've really struggled with on the mission is being confident in myself. But hey bit by bit right :)  Then he is trying to get us to eat more- sister Roberts and I aren't the porkiest pigs on the farm... Well I tell him "no brother Giglotti, I am getting chubs, no more!" And he responds "no sister, it looks good on ya!" Like WHAT?! Ha, ha, so moral of the story bring out the salad...
   Sat (27): In the morning sister Roberts and I were tracting and no joke 3, count it, 3 people yelled from their window (the door is too far to walk to) that they couldn't hear me as I'm yelling to them who we are so they can hear ha, ha. But when sister Roberts talks in a normal tone they hear! Seriously cracked me up. We ended up at this less actives house talking to her outside and this HUGE shot rings-out and we freak out. She comforts us by saying "oh that's just the neighbors...they have a cannon!" HA, HA, HA, WELCOME TO PA!  Then for dinner we went to the Badalis and brother Badali gave us some insight into telling where people are from- it's all about the voice! He told Sister Roberts she has a Southern California squeaky voice and I had a deep Idahoan voice...whatever that means. Ha, ha, ha, to top off the events of the day we ended with a  Skype sesh with the Zone Leaders to prep for upcoming meetings which turned into a huge ice cream planning party as I pulled our ice-cream out and start eating it :P 
   Sun (28): So a while ago one of my best friends Mikalai (Sister Weibye now) wrote a weekly stating how Sunday was not a day of rest for us missionaries ha, ha, so true! I really felt that this week. We were running around crazy but reminding everyone of Christ's love so...good crazy. We had two sisters we haven't seen in a while come to church: Rose and Sister Emmett. It was hilarious because Sister Emmett walks in and tells everyone she sees that we are her daughters! Ha, ha, ha, ha. I'm glad I'm loved  :P  To top it all off we went and saw Sister George (a less active member we are working with). It was the COOLEST lesson. SHE was the one bearing testimony to us and it brought tears to my eyes because honestly that's what I want for the people out here is to tell me that they know God loves them. I feel his love for them but all I want to do is help them feel that for themselves so they can say "Sister McDonald, I testify that I have felt and know without a doubt that my Father in Heaven loves me." That is worth all the trials and bad days to me. 
   I want you all to know that I love my Heavenly Father so much and know for a fact that He loves you more than you can even know! So take the time to kneel down and vent to Him, ask to feel His love surround you, and you will. I promise. I've felt it many times and it is the thing that keeps me going!  :) 

Love,

~ Sister Kimber McDonald 

Ponderize: " the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith"~ 1 Nephi 1:20 
Quote: "God doesn't give us what we can handle, he helps us handle what we are given"~ Pres. Monson 



Kimber Mail 2-22-2016: "Family is FOREVERRR!"

   Wow, where to begin with this week?! It seemed to fly by with so many things happening. One "theme" kept popping up it seemed. Which is: families are indeed together forever! Being out here in Pennsylvania my eyes have been open to see that I have a lot more "family" than I realized. I also have seen this last week just how grateful I am for family and the knowledge that  if we live righteously we can be together in eternity! Here are just a few moments where this truth hit home this week:

   People we Teach are "Family": Sister Roberts and I have been doing a lot of less active work (members that haven't come in a long time to church) and between all the PA rambles (man people loveeeee  to talk) and sidetracks *squirrel!* with people, it's amazing to see people's testimony fire rekindled. One of our less actives bore testimony of the atonement and how it's given her strength to overcome so many health challenges. To see the desire to endure even more awaken in her was amazing. We had an exchange with the sisters in the Monogahlea area this week! WOO FIRST EXCHANGE AS AN STL! I was with Sister Welch who is a hoot we got along great!! We had lots of good laughs and funny experiences..(See sidetrack thing wearing off on me already...) But we taught one of the coolest less-actives ever! She teared-up in the lesson and firmly stated how she wanted to change her life and not be less-active anymore and how she felt so much love from the ward 'family' and her scriptures, that it helped her push through the trials! WHAT A GEM!   :D 

   The PPM (my mission) is "family": I love this mission so much. I love my Mission President and his wife, my fellow missionaries, the ward members.  Ahh... I am just very blessed and a little biased that this is truly the BEST mission  ;)

   This week we had a memorial for Sister Wells and it will be something that I always cherish. As a zone (big group of missionaries in surrounding area) all of the Elders and Sisters sang a medley of songs and I can't begin to explain the experience that it was. I know angels were singing with us! It was one of the most powerful moments I've experienced out here. 

   Family back home: I have truly felt so much love for my family, extended family and ward family as I am no where close to home anymore. The thoughts, prayers, random notes of love are what help me through the challenging, as well as the happy days. Thank you all for your support in any way you are able to lend it and helping, inspiring and showing the purest love to me. I love family SO much and am so grateful for you all and that's just the #StoryofMyLife

   So moral of the story- don't forget you're loved and remember to keep showing that love to those around you even if they 'deserve' it or not!

Love,

~Sister McDonald

Ponderize: "Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good" Alma 37:37

Quote: "Tomorrow’s blessings and opportunities depend on the choices we make today." ~Pres Faust