Kimber Mail 10-26-15: "Destined for greatness!"

   Happy Monday everyone! Hope you have all had great weeks and been able to feel the Lord's hand in blessing you no matter what kind of week you may have had :) 

   This week I learned so many lessons. I guess the main one I'm seeing reoccur (which must mean I stink at it and need to really work on) is patience. Man has it been a week filled with patience and love or what?! Well this week started off rough we needed to find more people to teach so Sister Hansen and I set off Tracking. Even on exchanges (which were awesome). We knocked on so many doors. #PracticallyAPro. After 3+ hours of rejection we were finally able to give out a Book of Mormon. Now this may not seem like much and you may be thinking "wow Sister McDonald what is your life?!" But let me tell you, after a hard day, it was an extreme tender mercy of the Lord. I have come to really appreciate even these trying times because it's through the though times my testimony grows even stronger. I know that this gospel is the one way of sure peace in this chaotic world. Through the Book of Mormon I have come to not just know OF my savior but to really KNOW Him. And for that I am forever grateful.  I love getting in any portion of my testimony in the short moments at the door because any chance to testify of truth is the best!! 

   We were able to have President and Sister Johnson (Mission Pres and wife who ARE THE ABSOLUTE BEST MAN I LOVE THEM:D) come and have one on one interviews with all of us in our zone. When I met with President Johnson he said something that really will stick with me. He said that just because our outward results aren't the same as other missionaries it doesn't mean we are failing. As long as we are doing what the Lord asks- to be obedient, to teach and preach to the best of our ability and work our hardest we are doing the right thing. We will be blessed. Those of you that know me know i'm a perfectionist and it's super hard for me to not see things work out perfectly right way. But, shortly after this meeting we returned home and were able to set up 4 lessons for the next day. Guys this is huge! More than I've ever taught in one day before! It was such a blessing and I truly have a testimony that when we stop comparing our results/ outcomes in life with those around us we see what the Lord has in store for us. We just have to keep being diligent in staying close to Him and working our best and hardest. He IS the difference and is ready to help us if we just reach out. May we all better reach out this week and personally reflect our own lives to see what He has in store for us. Have a wonderful and blessed week! 

Love, 

~Sister Kimber McDonald 

Ponderize: Moroni 10:32 "Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ..." 

Quote: "Don't focus on what we can't do, instead focus on what we can do!" -Elder Stevenson (Sat Morning session) 

Kimber mail 10-19-15: "Let the Holy Spirit Guide!!!"

   Well this week has been a toughie because Tuesday mine and Sister Hansen's stomachs started hurting (along with a majority of the missionaries here in state college). We think some sort of stomach bug was going around (which is lovely because my stomach is already awesomeeee) but I'm feeling a lot better today! Should be a better week. I learned real fast being sick on the mission is no bueno!! For one your mom isn't here to make you feel better and two you don't wanna put a halt or slow down the missionary work - BUT resting up really did help. 

   So some quick experiences where I really saw the spirit working and helping this week: 

1) we are trying to be better about sharing the gospel on the bus (It's a major toughie!) so normally we will split up so we force ourselves to talk haha. Well Tuesday night going to institute I somehow kinda fell asleep...(i know bad missionary but no one was by me and I really wasn't feeling good) and all the sudden something doesn't feel right and the spirit is telling me to open my eyes. Turns out I missed the stop!! It's the weirdest feeling not having your companion right there. Plus downtown at night is sketch so I freaked out a bit. But I hurried and got off and frantically prayed and raced to find Sister Hansen. Our reunion was joyous I'll tell you what! 

2) At forums I prayed to know what to better say.  It was awesome to be talking to people and really feel like I should say something. with 2 people I met as we talked about things specific to them I was able to share my testimony and give them a Book of Mormon promising that if they read it it will help with ___ problem or whatever need may be because it has done that time and time again for me! 

3) I have noticed the spirit prompting me throughout times of teaching what to say or what not to say, who to talk to and when I need to immediately leave. Simply put the ultimate teacher is the spirit and when He speaks we NEED to hearken. To hearken as I learned in seminary years ago is to listen and promptly obey and I have seen times this week especially where I have and haven't promptly obeyed and I can tell you it's just better to obey first off!! 

   Hope you all have a great week and ask the spirit to prompt you and guide you and hearken!! 

~Love, Sister McDonald 

Ponderize: Alma 17: 31 "My brethren, be of good cheer and let us go in search of the flocks, and we will gather them together and bring them back unto the place of water" 

Quote: "If you are there for the Lord, He will be there for you!!" -Elder Hales (Saturday Afternoon) 

Kimber Mail 10-12-15: "Conversion the Continuing Cycle!"

There's your alliteration for the week haha:P   Hey, hope you all have had good weeks and are looking for miracles and the good each and every day because it's there!! What a blessing it is that no matter what kind of day we have, we always have tomorrow to "try a little harder to be a little better" as a dear former prophet, President Hinckley, once said. :) 

    This week I've seen many lives working hard on the path of conversion including my own. We had lessons with a former investigator (person that was taught by missionaries previously), a recent convert to the church, and a new investigator. It was beyond amazing to see them all in different places in life and their conversion but still working hard to come closer to Christ. That's the beautiful thing about this gospel! The fact that we believe in daily conversion (or turning toward Christ and trying to become more like Him) brings a hope and peace that nothing else compares to. This week as we met with our investigator, Adi (from Dubai - can't remember if I've mentioned him yet but if not just know that he is the sweetest and a jewel!) He exclaimed excitedly how reading from the scriptures brought a feeling of great joy! I know that as we strive each day to read from the scriptures and pour our souls out in gratitude and questions to the Lord in prayer that we will become more converted to Him and his gospel (or teachings) and feel a peace that is unlike any other. It is not enough to just have a testimony, we need to be working at being converted daily!! This week I will be striving to be more humble in the hope that I will be taught what I can do to be a better servant of the Lord. Sister Hansen and I were able to reread through many conference talks this week and one from Elder Bennett from the Priesthood session really has stuck with me. He said speaking of failure "we fail only if we fail to take another faithful step forward. We will not, we cannot, fail if we are faithfully yoked to the savior- He who has never failed us and will never fail us!" I know that we cannot fail if we endure on our path to daily conversion and if we trust in the Lord whole heartily we won't be left alone! 

     I'm going to start a new tradition of adding my "ponderize" scripture for the week and a quote from conference that I will be focusing on for the week so here we go!:) 

Ponderize: Alma 26:12 "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things"

Quote: "There is enough that doesn't go right in life...folks that focus on all that is right- they are the happiest people I know!"- Pres. Uchtdorf (women's session) 

Love, Sister Kimber McDonald ❤️

2nd Month... done! #missionnotes

 

Month #2... done!  Smooooooth Sailing :) 

Kimber Mail 10-5-15: "Chirstmas came a little early this year!"

That's right who would've thought Christmas came early but it did folks, it really did!! In what way you may ask? Well in happiness, coldness and the gift of conference!! Such a great week!!

This week was filled with happiness as we served SO much this week. We were able to serve in the huge Pennsylvania tradition- Day of Caring on Thursday. We got to go to the Penn State basketball arena and had breakfast and then set out to serve at a local cemetery sprucing up the place! It was a blast! We also did our normal service at St. Andrews helping cook dinner for the community and sister Hansen and I showed our pro' knife skills by slicing our fingers (funny enough) at the same time. But we are good no worries! Ha ha :P Bob - one of the head chefs, bought us ice cream but told the Elders several time "it's just for the sisters!!!" #PaysToBeASister!

The weather has started to get super chilly so thankfully my momma's package with my warm clothes came just in time. Sister Hansen and I keep preaching even though the rain-rain won't go away! Today it's actually nice though, thankfully :) - also side note: how crazy is it that it's already October?! And guess what?! I'm half-way done with training wahooooo!

Conference was AWESOME!! So many awesome messages and truths. I think the emphasis on going back to the basics and holding on to the gospel truths no matter what comes was a fantastic reminder!! It makes me so happy to know that we are lead by a living prophet and apostles who are called of the Lord. When the 3 new apostles: Rasband, Renlund and Stevenson were called I just felt a wave of peace come over me and I know that they are called of God. I loved sister Marriott's talk about being patient with the Lord and ourselves and knowing it'll all work out!! I also loved Elder Hales talk about taking the time to personally reflect on our accomplishments and what we can do better and where we want to be in future years. It was sweet to see Elder Stanfill (came just a few weeks ago) and Elder Clark (former pres of

BYUI) speak and hear from them! :) I loved President Monson's talk about letting our light always shine. Prayers be with him as he is doing all he can to carry out the great work and help he does for the Lord! I love him so much!! Also I loved Brother Durrants talk about "ponderizing" and I'm so excited what comes of his challenges! Ahhh there were just so many great thoughts I just don't even know where to start!! I'm going to try to reflect on one favorite quote each week and try to better implement it in my daily life.

Have a great week everyone and keep reflecting and staying close to the lord!!  

~ Sister McDonald

Kimber Mail 9-28-15: "Smiles and laughter make the world go 'round!"

What's up all?! Hope you are all doing well, enjoying life to the fullest and smiling through the good and bad days!! This week I have seen so many blessings and the miracles from the hand of God each and every day and encourage you each to keep recognizing those and thank God for the blessings he has given you. It makes a difference! Ready for the synopsis of the week? Here we go:

Tuesday (22): I woke up and decided to climb out of the self pity hole of sadness I dug for myself and decided to trust God with ALL my being. I prayed that even though I am not perfect or know exactly what to do that I will just rely on the spirit and trust God will lead me to those ready to hear. And guess what?! A willing heart and smile to do what the spirit directs goes a long way. We were able to go tracting and meet SO many prepared souls and it was so awesome to just bear testimony and meet so many great people. A lot of them were super nice blackies and I just love them all so much!!! Ahhh!! Also Elder Scott who I've come to learn a lot about through my BYU-I class and loved deeply, passed away. I'm so happy he gets to be reunited with His wife. His funeral is today (the 28th) and we will be watching

that:)

Wednesday (23): more knocking doors in faith and more success. We met this awesome guy- Ricky from Jamaica and had almost an hour long discussion about the gospel with Him and help him see how much God loves him and how our church is different and it was SWEET!!!

Thursday (24): we had zone conference and Sis. Johnson (mission president's wife) talked about the story of Peter walking on water and how we are like that. We have to continually have our eyes fixed on Christ even when we start to freak out. It was when Peter took His eyes off Christ and noticed the bad that he started to sink. Also we were encouraged to invite our wards as well as ourselves to have a specific date to find someone by for the missionaries to teach. I'm excited to try this out I just know great things will happen!!

Friday(25): we were able to teach a black girl named Chantelle and we had a good discussion about the priesthood and prophets. It was awesome to testify boldly of the true gospel restored and that we do have a prophet today! :) also we went to a baptism for the other sisters (teng he's chinese- pronounced tongue) and sis Hansen and I were in charge of picking out the fake flowers for decoration. Sister Hansen goes "these are great they look Chinese don't ya think?!"

Hahaah! I love that sister!! She's so fantastic!

Saturday (26): we went to the Penn State football game! It was SO FUN!

Sister Busath also got transferred and now we have sis. Duncan who has like 4 months left but she's super sweet and from New Mexico!

Sun (27): we had a great sacrament meeting and after Bro Wilson (branch mission leader) comes running up to us and says I need you Sisters now! So we follow him not knowing what to expect and he introduces us to this awesome guy who just showed up to church and wants to meet with us to learn more

I'm so excited for conference and encourage you all to tune into the Saturday and Sunday sessions and think of questions before hand you need answers to I know you'll find the answers you need. Have a great week guys:)

~Sister McDonald 

Kimber Mail 9-21-15: "Bugs and Broken Hearts and Blessings, Oh My!"

Well not gonna lie, this week was TOUGH. It was ALL over the place! So much craziness happened I don't even know where to begin...I guess to start off - earlier this week Sister Hansen found a bunch of bites all over her legs one morning and kept finding more throughout the day. We kind of started freaking out that it was bed bugs so as you can imagine we didn't get a whole lot of sleep...bed bugs are a real deal out here folks!! NO JOKE. Takes "nighty night don't let the bed bugs bite" to a whole 'nother level!! But praying we don't have them turned out to be SO helpful so as of now we are golden and bed bug free. Lesson learned: The bugs here are just crazy... And prayer always works!! 

This week in our lessons, Kristy decided she doesn't want to meet with us anymore but she's prayed about the Book of Mormon and knows it's true. It broke my heart to see her get so close but give up when fear came. In 1st Nephi 11:17 Nephi is talking to an angel about what he sees and says "...I do not know the meaning of all things" and we need to know that's okay. We don't always have to know the meaning of all things but we have to keep walking forward in faith, the Lord NEVER leaves us alone. Another investigator, Emma, showed me an example of that great faith by praying at the end of our lesson to have patience in learning new things and having an open mind and heart to understand what God wants her to. Like who does that?! Whatta gem..:) I need to be better at accepting God's will and being patient in trying times. 

On Friday we had a big mission conference in Harrisburg. Elder Stanfill of the 70 came to talk to us and it was awesome! When I shook his hand he said "wow! You have such a beautiful happy countenance on your face! Keep smiling sister it makes me so happy to see your optimism!" So that lifted my spirits and made so happy, he's so sweet!! He talked about how we measure "success" on who we are becoming. He also talked about in 3 Nephi Chapter 11 (when Christ comes to the people) how we need to be like that. We need to testify and then invite to come and see for themselves and gain that relationship with Christ. The benefits of the Atonement can be extended to EVERYONE. If you think that you don't qualify, guess what?? You DO and it's already there for us we just have to reach out and accept those blessings. 

To all those struggling with whatever you may be, remember that God has a plan for you that even though it may be hard right now better times are coming. It's the hard times that shape us into who we are and I'm so grateful for those challenging times. No matter what - good times or bad - we should always be counting our blessings and staying close to the Lord through prayer. I know that Jesus Christ is there with loving outstretched arms, patiently waiting for us to come to him and help us bear our heavy loads. He wants us to build ourselves up, not tear us down. This week notice your good qualities, the good you are doing and as President Hinkley said, may we "try a little harder to be a little better" 

Love and prayers your way, 

~Sister McDonald