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

**A Pause-in-the-Post**

Kimber's regular post this week will be paused as her preparation day will be moved to Saturday this week to give her an opportunity to attend the Columbus, OH Temple.  - So for now - enjoy our silly girl - as we catch up a few of her vids:

Month 12 Finished! #missionnotes

Congratulations!  One Year Completed!!  On to #13!

#Missionnotes.

Kimber Mail 8-8-2016: "The power of: Prayer, Greenies and the Work!"

   I'M ALIVE!!! I made it to West Virginia and Ohio! Man is it weird not being in PA... :P Okay really AWESOME fun fact that I spaced to mention last time (which I'm not sure how I did...) BUT GUYS I AM FINALLY CLOSE ENOUGH TO A TEMPLE TO GO!  Brother Orum (a super awesome member in this ward is going to take us to the Columbus temple in a couple weeks) and I am PUMPED!!!! I haven't been able to go to the temple in the last year and I finally get to gooooo! So stay tuned!!

   Okay but serious now- Thank you so much for all the prayers and support. In the training meeting on Tuesday, one of the Elders there said something to the extent of "as we go out to train we need to remember and help our new missionaries remember that we are not alone in the work. There are more prayers being uttered in our behalf than we realize and those prayers back us up 100% as we do the work!" So true! I felt those prayers more this week, than ever- THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Looking back I see how crazy, stressful, awesome, hard and miraculous this week was. So, not to make you 'hold your horses' any longer...ha, ha here's what our first week in the Wheeling West area looked like:

   Tuesday: After a tough adios to my 3 transfer llama homie, Sister Taunima, Sister Penrod (from Greensburg) picked me up and we travelled to Green Tree for the trainer's meeting.  It was so awesome to see Sister Thorson and other missionary buds I haven't seen in a while.  We had lunch and mingled with the new greenies and not to brag... but I totally guessed who I would get.  J  So without further adieu: my new companion is ~ SISTER JACOBSON! She is from Rexburg, Idaho (#Idahome  #SpudBuds) and is such a great missionary.  Like really.  She already speaks up and talks to everyone, helps out a ton and testifies at every opportunity and has a heart of gold.  We call that- the greenie fire!  I realized early on that the Lord knew I would need Sister Jacobson's hard work, patience, love and chill-ness, to help me as i figure out what in the world I am doing in this new area.  Ha, ha!  Time and time again I see that the Lord really does know what he's doing.  He knows how to put just the right people in our lives to help us grow and accomplish what He needs of us at that very moment in our lives!  It's awesome!!

   Wednesday: We went early in the morning to help a lady in the ward, Sister Oliver, to pull some weeds. I think my highlight from this whole experience besides talking with Sister Oliver, was us all getting locked out of the house.  The new Elder, Elder Noyes, decides he's going to Spiderman-parkour his way up their two story balcony.  And by golly he did! It was hilarious! 😂👌.  We also had district meeting and got to meet the new district. Our district leader, Elder Mills, is so inspired and funny and just plain awesome! #TenderMercy.  One of my favorite things about district meeting is making the district prayer list. Sister Jacobson and I decided we need all the help we can get coming into this area trying to pick it up and work with what we've got, so we asked to put our own names on the prayer list. Here's kind of a spoiler alert- THE PRAYER LIST WORKS MIRACLES GUYS. After district meeting we went and helped pass out watermelon at a rest home.  We met a few members there - you gotta love sassy old people! Always a hoot!

   Thursday: We went and helped at a food bank with the Elders in their area (WV) in the morning.  It was really fun and I seriously have grown a love for doing service.  Is there a better way to start the day?!  It was awesome because with all the people coming through that I was talking to, I met two less-active members, and two ladies that were interested in learning more about the gospel!🎉.   After lunch we went out to tract!  :D  I put in the wrong address to try a member but I told sister Jacobson we were going to tract anyway where we were at, because there was someone prepared there.  So we start knockin’. No answer. No answer. No answer. I'm praying like crazy that someone will answer because I really felt like someone here was ready to listen.  So we knock the 3rd door, and this awesome guy named Jared answers and actually comes out on his porch to talk to us! We had an awesome discussion about the Book of Mormon and families.  We are going to go back this next week and teach him.   After that, we were able to go meet some members that aren't very active but they were all really nice!

   Friday: We did some glorious weekly planning. Gotta love those days... they take forever! But it is much needed. So after we did that we went to try to contact a lady that referred herself to get a Bible!  We knocked on her door and she came right outside as well and told us she'd been waiting for us! Cool beans, right?!  Well we had a sweet discussion with her too and shared both The Bible and Book of Mormon with her and she excitedly set up a time for us to come back this next week! Woo woo! See, success all around!  Well I got the feeling that we should keep tracting around her house. It was off a main road so there weren't a ton of houses by her. But the last one we tried (always gotta save the best for last right?😜) we talked to a girl named Shelby that isn't very religious and pretty young but was open to learning more about the restored gospel. We also shared a Book of Mormon with her and set up a time to come back this next week as well.  Then we went to dinner with the Lawsons and met our investigator Gay (Sister Lawson's friend!) She's super awesome and told us she's working on the Word of Wisdom and giving up some bad habits and is excited to keep learning more.  She wasn't feeling very good but still tagged along to the relief society activity.

   Saturday: We tried some contacting down by the library after we did our mormon.org time and nothing too grand happened but you never know what a smile or a simple question can do for someone! We also got to go out and try to contact some less-active members with the relief society president. We met this awesome lady, Julie, who has been through a lot but was so positive about her situation.  In my studies earlier this morning I watched the bible video "for God so loved the world" and felt strongly that we needed to share it with someone today. Well while I was listening to Julie's story I realized that she was the person that needed to see it, and it was powerful! I was reminded once again- always listen to the spirit.

   Sunday: We had a meeting with the Bishop before church. He is super nice and just reminded us of our purpose and working the hardest we can! Church was awesome - our investigator Gay came and really liked it. She's come a couple times before and we are going to try to keep her comin’! J  After church we got to go do a little church service with the Elders, for the nursing home we went to earlier in the week. A sweet older lady named Barb (who's a member) spoke up at the end and testified of the Church and the Book of Mormon. It was awesome to see and really reminded me- everyone can testify no matter where we are at in our lives!  J  Then we had Family Home Evening at Sister Folmer's house with some members from the ward.  I decided that I want to be a 'Sister Folmer' and make Family Home Evenings a life-long priority.  Then we had dinner with Bishop Orban's family. Their kids are so stinking cute! I love that family already J. 

   And today we are just taking it easy, going to get some pie from Brother Oliver's famous pie shop in a bit!! Can't wait. :) But I really just want to end by going back to my spoiler alert earlier:

   Guys, prayers work. I have seen, this week more than ever, the strength, help, comforts and miracles that prayers bring.  I love Sister Jacobson for having such strong ‘greenie fire’ and love for everyone she meets.  Honestly it's like she's training me ha, ha.  I've learned so much from her!  I know that even though this area is a huge tough adjustment that there is work to be done here and if I can just brighten lives and help them come closer to Christ, then I will be a happy camper.  As happy as I am to realize that this week marks a year of being out on my mission... it's sad realizing that I only have 6 more months! I promised the Lord I'm going to work hard and do the things that help me stretch and grow.  I've come to see that attitude is everything.  I'm going to work with Sister Jacobson to bring happiness and love to this area like never before!  And I invite you all to do the same wherever you are in your lives. Be happy and make the days count instead of counting the days! I love you all and hope you have a great week J

💕 Sister McDonald

Ponderize: "Pray always, that you may come off conquerer" ~ D&C 10:5

Commitment: "Ask God any question weighing on your heart (daily!) " ~ Elder Mazzagardi



Kimber mail 8-1-2016: "Life the Constant Climb!"

This week was filled with so much!  I don't even know where to begin....ha, ha, sometimes mission life is a blur! So, bear with me as I try to summarize but get you up to date on all that's going on in my life!

   This week we finished off our exchanges for the transfer! They were back to back and I was in both Greensburg and Pitt 4th so P3 missed me all week 😜 ha, ha but we did it - Woot Woot!🎉  Here's some highlights from those exchanges:

   Greensburg: I was with Sister Stimpson, who is just finishing be trained. I love greenies, they are so enthusiastic about the work and are so fun!  Well we had a ton of adventures: the car got locked up in a parking lot and we had some awesome laughs.  Oh I love PA!  Also we had an awesome lesson with this recovering drug addict, Nick! I felt prompted to show him the “He Lives” video and bear my testimony of the atonement.  It was powerful having Sister Stimpson, I and our member team up testify and share experiences.  I know I've said it before but I really love the members!  You are more powerful than you think!!

   Pitt 4: I was a “walk Sister” with Sister Crisp all day!  In the rain!  Now, I don't know if I've told you about Pennsylvania rain before...but when it rains it POURS… so that is always fun J But man this was a great exchange to end on!  I haven't laughed so hard in a LONGGG time. Sister Crisp is a hoot and the lessons we taught were Spirit filled but had typical PA gems hidden in them. Like for example the classic ramble which consists of  "Toby! (This lady's cat) go look for Pokemen in the bathroom!"  Sneezing cats, and random tangents but powerhouse testimonies to bring them back!

   Then back to P3 to work with Sister Taunima and finish out our week with a bang.  We had lots of awesome members that took us to lessons and where we needed to be!  I just really love Pitt 3rd! :)

   Then Saturday came...We all got transfer boards at 6 PM! It's always a frantic race to find where you are at… but I did and.... BA - DA-DA- DAHHH:

 I am leaving Pitt 3rd to double in (or 'white wash' as many may know it) to Wheeling, West Virginia (bye PA!😭)

I will be training a new missionary.  My new area will cover parts of West Virginia and Ohio! The last year I have seen more than ever that no matter how inadequate or nervous I may be, the Lord is always right and knows what He is doing.  I am excited to see what this new adventure brings J   Also, my mission "family" is growing like crazy! Not only am I a "Mom" again but I am also a "Grandma" because Sister Thorson is also training in Sunbury! I'm so proud of her and wish we weren't on opposite sides of the mission.  But I'll see her Tuesday at the trainers meeting, which is the best. :D   I hope I get to see her and Sister Hansen again before we all go home!  I never would have thought I would make eternal friends out here but I have and I love the mission and the moments that the Lord takes our weaknesses and makes them strengths!  Thank you all for your prayers, love and support, they help more than you realize J   I have loved every minute of being an STL.  It's been hard but the Sisters I've been able to work with have taught me so much.   27 exchanges as an STL and 6 months later... I guess I'm ready for a new challenge.  Ready or Not! Hahahaha J  have an amazing week yinz!

Love, Sister McDonald💕

Ponderize: "...Was strong in faith, giving glory to God;" ~Romans 4:20

Commitment: "embrace the Lord's grace fully day to day to get you through whatever comes your way"

Kimber mail 7-25-2016: "Food Poisoning. Heat Exhaustion. Fulfilled goals- oh my! :O "

   Story of my lifeeeeee! Well as you can probably guess it was a crazy week but we survived and looking back it was pretty good! Don't worry we are totally back up-to-par now and we finished the week strong! Get ready for some laughs. Here are some memories from the week:

   Tuesday: we tried to heart-attack (where you put hearts all over the door) this family in our ward before our dinner with the Greenways.  But here's the thing, the mom and her kids were looking out the window and walked outside right as we were about to sneak up. #Fail ha, ha. Well then we decide to go the other way around the house. Then we decide to run.  Like full sprint past the window and just put the hearts on the garage and then jumping over the dividing hill in between the houses.  Ha, ha, ha, I'm pretty sure anyone that saw had a good laugh!  On the plus side I didn't biff it :P  We were so out of breath when we got to dinner. But a highlight was Elder Nelson, our Zone Leader (I served with him back in State College) was on exchanges and was with Elder Loreto and it was fun to catch up and have some good laughs with everyone!

   Wednesday: You know you've been comps 3 transfers and your unity is on point when: before we head to district meeting, Sister Taun. says 'Just a heads up I'm fasting so you can help me avoid the food after District Meeting' and I'm like 'legit?? I'm fasting too' ha, ha, ha, ha😂 comp unity!

   Thursday: we got food poisoning from our lunch.  :/  No Bueno! to say the least. So Sister Taunima and I had more unity as we took turns in the closest bathroom wherever we were. It wasn't until the 100th time I head "Sister McDonald, where's your comp?" That I got tired of responding "the bathroom..." That we decided to go home and try to plan. Ha, ha, quite the day!

   Friday: We finally got to see the Glunts! (Referral couple from Elder Gibbons & P.J.) Woot woot🎉😎  We had the Clouds come out to their lesson with us and it was really powerful. They have been having some family health struggles and teaching them the Plan of Salvation was really good! We tried to extend them a baptismal date and they said they aren't quite ready for that and need to think and pray about it.  Which is awesome!  Wish more people were like that. So keep the Glunt family in your prayers! J  Then we did some service and got heat-stroke.  But after resting a bit taught some lessons that night!

   Saturday: went to Sis Badali's funeral.  It was sweet and it just made me so grateful once again to know the restored truth of the Gospel and know that death has no sting!  We can and will be with those we love again.  J  Then we did service, service and more service!

   Sunday we were deciding what to do because, surprise, plans fell through! I really wanted to reach the goal we set to visit and teach at least 7 less active members this week. We were one short. Then we get this text from my dear Sister Roberts and the Washington Sisters. They told us that they were going to meet with a less active member but she's actually in our area and would be expecting us at 3:30!  Do prayers get answered or what??  So we went and met with Sister Peck who's from Africa!  It was a powerful lesson about charity and helped me see that even though physically we struggled this week, we did our best to turn outward in charity and the Lord greatly blessed us.

   I just want you all to know that I am so grateful for the lessons the Lord has taught me here in Pennsylvania. I know that even the littlest of faith can be enough to pull us through whatever comes our way. With Christ anything and everything is possible! I know that Jesus Christ lives and that we too will live again! His love never changes for us and whenever we need him He is just a prayer away.  I am so grateful for loving heavenly and earthly parents who keep me going and constantly lift me up with their love. I am grateful for you, yes you, the one reading this. Because believe it or not you have changed my life in some way and helped me more than you realize.

   Know that I love you and am eternally grateful for your love and support! Have a fabulous week! Stay tuned for transfer news!

Love, Sister McDonald

Ponderize: "I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable… that Christ... may seal you his" ~ Mosiah 5:15

Commitment: "Heed the Savior's call to go to the rescue!"~ Elder Arnold

Kimber mail 7-18-2016: "And the Sisters Have it! 🌺"

   This week was a POWERHOUSE award goes to the sisters!! Sister Taunima and I were just patiently waiting for this.  On Friday, we were talking in weekly planning about what we did well and reflecting on the awesomeness of the week; Sister T. reminded me that last Monday I told her I felt like this week was going to be the best, and it totally was! I know a huge part of that was thanks to my mom! So shout-out to Mom for your inspiring email last week.  She shared how Brother and Sister Ralphs (in my 10-mile ward fam back home) gave talks in church last Sunday and a part she shared was just what I needed to hear: "We should replace “endure” with “perform.”  If we are performing and doing each day those things that will bring us closer to Christ, that is enduring."  SOOOO inspired.  So thanks Ralphs for being inspired and thanks Mom for sharing!  So I tried to do just that. We worked harder than ever and turned outward trying to even more fully do those things that brought us closer to Christ and helped us be that pure example of Him. Here's a snippet of just a few things we did each day this last week.

   Tuesday:  President and Sister Johnson came and we had interviews with P.J. while Sister Johnson taught us. Ahh man, I just love them both so much!  Sister Johnson's training was about how the refiner’s fire is to test and prove ourselves (fitting for the week and transfer he, he) and then in my interview with President, it was just what I needed.  I am convinced the Lord called him to be my Mission President for a reason.  He gave inspired comfort and guidance and man, I just love him and Sister J. so much!  I feel bad not every mission gets to have them. We are lucky ducks! 😜   After interviews we had an awesome lesson with Asia and Edie (Asia's sister.)  The Spirit was strong and at the end they remarked at the spirit they felt. Something I try to tell people when they are not interested in learning more is to listen to the missionaries they will come in contact with in the future, because the message will be the same but they will be in a different place in life.  Something the missionaries say then will help speak specifically to their situation. To my surprise that was exactly what Asia told us!  She said "girls, I've had the Elders over many years ago and your simple message of Christ is the same but it's different... I can relate more now." Bam! So cool!!  Then we had a powerful lesson with our investigator Char.  I've been here a long while and it's been cool to see as she is in her scriptures daily she is able to have the ultimate teacher, the Spirit,  teach her. This lesson was great and we were able to set her on date for baptism! It's a long journey for her but its times like these that I'm so grateful to be a missionary and be on this journey with these people.  Lastly, we were able to OYM (open our mouths) to this lady named Janet as we listened we were prompted to teach her about the Plan of Salvation and it was another powerful lesson!

   Wednesday: We had a great lesson with Mary Lou & Grant and talked about Joseph Smith and the truth of the restored gospel.  It's been so amazing to see how much their testimonies have grown since I first taught them.  Then we went to help a less-active member, Pat, clean and move her many boxes. The member we brought with us was prompted to leave her with a special spiritual thought and it just reminded me that members bring so much power as well. We were able to get 6 members out with us this week and I know this work isn't possible without members!  So I invite you all to go out as a team up with the missionaries because you never know whose life you could touch.  And guess what?!?  I got to exchange with my twinner Sister Roberts!!!  It was so good to be with her one last time before she "dies" (she's going home in 2 weeks 😭.)  We visited some members who really needed uplifting.  One in particular: Sister Badali.  The other sisters showed up too so all 5 of us stood around her bedside as she was on the fringe of life and sang children's songs to her. It was something I'll never forget.  Sister Badali passed away Saturday night.

   Thursday: Sister Roberts and I went and helped the Gingeriches weed their lawn in the heat and humidity having some good laughs! And once again the members left us inspired probably more than we did for them.  Brother Gingeriches gave us advice to "love each area we are in and make it home."  So inspired!!  I love the Pitt 3rd ward. They really are like family out here J

   Friday: We were able to serve and uplift some members that we felt prompted to help. We also taught a less-active member, Kristin and her daughter Emily.  We have really been able to serve them and get to know them better and she fed us dinner!  It's been cool to see them make the decision to come back to the fold and do what they need to do to endure!

   Saturday: All of our plans fell through but we realized that that meant that the Lord needed us to do something else.  We ended up going to Mamma Z's to help her paint. She was super stressed and had a ton to do and Sister Taunima and I strongly felt that she needed to feel some love and that we needed to just help her to the best of our ability. I love being able to remind people that they are loved.  As a missionary, I've gotten this super sweet gift to see people how the Lord sees them. And it is so amazing! Today there was an extra touch of that.

   Sunday: After dinner we were walking down the members stairs and Taun rolled an ankle. So we kind of had to change plans and decided to try a newly received record - for a Brother McNair that Bishop Snow told us about in ward council this morning.  Well Bro. McNair came out and talked with us for a good hour and told us that (long story short) after growing up in the Church and much questioning, he is now an agnostic.  The whole time Sister Taunima and I just had the firm impression to just listen to him.  At the end, he expressed how grateful he was that we respected what he had to say and listened because people don't normally do that. He told us that we are the first Sisters he's seen out here- he said that it's just different with us, he wouldn't have talked to the Elders that much.  It was a super powerful experience!

   I know that the Lord blessed us with so many different experiences to help us push ourselves to be better. I really learned this week that performing always pays off. The credit all goes to the Lord and I'm grateful for another week to be on his errand!

Love always, Sister McDonald

Ponderize: Jarom 1: 3 "much should be done among this people"

Commitment: "Help those around us remember their potential and worth to the Lord" ~ Elder Anderson