Why Are We Here?

This quote describes my motivation when things are tough as a missionary. There are so many days when I'm tired or worn down and don't think I can go any longer, and then I think of this and I find myself with just a little more energy and little more will- power. I love it! Doesn't mean it's easy to do, but it's worth it.

 

"When my body begs for rest, I give to myself this rallying cry, REMEMBER HIM!" -President Henry B. Eyring

 

This past week Sister Stoker and I were blessed with many miracles! It's been awesome! We started teaching a part memeber fam- well 2. The first one is a 13 yr old girl who's mother has been less active for many years but is trying to come back. She is just the sweetest and truly wants to know how she can come closer to her Heavenly Father. Her parents were just recently divorced and is trying to get through this trial in her life. (Boy, do I know how that feels). I honestly feel like I was meant to meet her and teach her because I can relate to what she's going through, but also I can teach her how the gospel helped me to get through my trials at that age and how it helped me to gain trust in my Father in Heaven.

 

Next, we started officially teaching our cute little friend from the middle east. Ahh, we love her so much! She started reading the Book of Mormon on her own last week, and wants to learn how to pray. We talked a lot about our similarities to her beliefs and how through the Book of Mormon she will come to know and understand the divinity of Christ. It's amazing what the spirit can do. Her husband, who is middle-eastern as well, is a member of the church, but has been struggling to stay active because of the hardships he gets from his family. So we are trying to work with him as well and help him to remember why he joined in the first place so that they, together, can be a strength for good. The other night we were at their house teaching them and he was telling us how hard things are with his family, and then the spirit just overwhelmed me. I started asking him some questions and then testified of the power of the Book of Mormon and how I KNOW, without a doubt, that if he reads faithfully with his wife he will be able to stand as a witness to his family for the truth that he knows. It was awesome. Afterwards, Sister Stoker said, "I can't belive how blunt you were with him. You asked some pretty bold questions." And then I said, "I don't know where it was coming from, but it definitely wasn't me speaking!" Ah, being a missionary is the best. I love having the spirit speak through me. He knows way better than I do what God's children need. 

 

So, this week I've been thinking a lot about my purpose as a missionary. Like, why I chose to come here, and why I'm still here. I have come to realize that why I chose to come here is totally different from why I'm staying here. I chose to come here because I knew it was the right thing to do, and I knew I would gain experiences that would last an eternity. I must admit, my reasons were a little more self- motivated. As I've been praying this past week to remember and really know why I'm still here, I read this scripture that sums out exactly why I'm here and why I will keep going. It has become my most favorite scripture and I wish this was the one that was on my mission plaque. It says:

 

"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." 2 Nephi 25:23

 

That is why I am here. That is why I am a missionary. My purpose is to serve HIM and only Him. I am here to persuade others to believe in Christ and I am here so my children will know that Jesus is the Christ and that this is His Restored Gospel on the Earth. I invite all of you to know why you are here, wherever or whatever that may be, and then act upon that. I love you all so much!

 

Love, Hermana Conrow :)

 

   

There Is Sunshine In My Soul Today! :)

So my time is almost up here at the computer center so here is a quote that has put some things in perspective for me over this past week-

"Heavenly Father seeks those who do not allow the trivial to hinder them from the eternal." -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I know that is so true! This work I am doing, is an eternal work. I went to a Dr. appointment last week, and the doctor asked, "Is there anything that you've been stressing about lately?" And I said, "Yes, being a missionary can sometimes be stressful work." And then he said, "Well, what do you have to be so stressed about?!" Haha, how do you explain to someone who has never served a mission the stress (as good as it is) that comes from being a missionary? I wanted to shout- "Only stressing over helping others gain and understand the importance of having eternal life, that's all!" Thank goodness I have a Heavenly Father who knows exactly how I am feeling and can help relieve me from the stress the comes in caring for the flock. But not only that, thank goodness that I feel the stress and great importance it is to spread His message of the Restoration. I hope we all have that kind of stress and realize the call our Heavenly Father has given us to gather His children.

There is a talk that I would like all of you to read who are reading this blog right now, and who are thinking about serving a mission, or who have served a mission. 

 http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-opportunity-of-a-lifetime?lang=eng

What a blessing it is to be a participant, and not just a spectator, in this everlasting work of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I hope all of you turn in prayer to your Father in Heaven, and study his scriptures diligently. I know that if we want answers, we must go to Him and His words that He has given us. There is another quote I read this morning that I really liked concerning this:

"It is contrary to the economy of heaven for the Lord to repeat to each of us individually what He has already revealed to us collectively. The scriptures contain the words of Christ. They are the voice of the Lord. Studying the scriptures trains us to hear the Lord’s voice." - David M. McConkie

How true that is. The Book of Mormon is my best friend. It is my guide and strength to the trials of this life. 1 Nephi 2:16- Read it. The Lord is there, use Him.

I love all of you, and I love what I am doing. It is a privilege and an honor to serve my Master, Jesus Christ.

Love, Hermana Conrow :)

Wove, twue wove!

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

Here is a quote that sums up how I feel about V-Day-

"Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

I am so grateful for this quote because I tend to make a lot of mistakes. Ha ha, I am definitely not perfect, even though I thought that as a missionary I would all of the sudden become this perfect person and do everything right, I don't! Ha ha- I don't know what made me think that!

This week has been full of love for me. The other day, we met Denise- the sweetest lady ever who has had more trials, death, and hardships in her life than I could believe. She was a referral from her brother who has been an active member of the church for over 40 years, and Denise has never joined. We talked to her for a very long time and taught about how the gospel can truly bless and change her life and fill the emptiness she has in her heart. Even though the lesson we taught wasn't anything out of the norm, my heart was filled with gratitude to my Heavenly Father. I had been praying all week that Sister Stoker and I could just get into 1 home and teach 1 lesson. That's all I wanted, because I was starting to forget what it felt like to teach and to fully feel the spirit testify as I spoke. Well, my brothers and sisters, Heavenly Father heard my plea and granted me that sweet lesson with her. Ah, I was just so happy. 

Opening up an area, being double transferred in, working with Elders, and learning Spanish is hard, in fact, really hard. I've never felt so frustrated on my mission. But at the same time- I've never seen the Lord's hand so abundantly in my work. It's amazing what He will do for us, when we are willing to do for Him. I know I am being refined and that I am where I am supposed to be for a reason. Sister Edwards (who we live with) came home from church yesterday in tears and couldn't stop thanking us. I was so confused, I had no idea what we had done to deserve such tears and admiration. Ha ha. Finally she said, "Do you sisters realize how much you do? Do you realize that you are meant to be here?!" Sister Stoker and I just kind of looked at each other and shrugged and said, "What did we do?" Ha ha, S. Edwards said, "Today, at church, one of my very good friends who has been less active for years and years came to church today!" I said, "Well that's so awesome, but what do we have to do with that, we've only been here for a month." She said, "You sisters went and visited their house the other day, talked to her husband (who, by the way, didn't seem to excited about us being there) and her daughter, who was listening in the other room, called her mom and told her sisters were here!" She went on to say how because we showed up, her friend thought about church and came. I honestly couldn't believe it when she told us that. Miracles do happen, according to our faith- often when we least expect, or ask for them. 

Well everyone, the church is still true. Jesus is still the Christ, and this is still His work. I love it. Every minute of it. Good or bad. I hope you all have a lovey dovey mushy gooshy valentines day. Ha ha love you all!

Love, Hermana Conrow :)  

Es el fin del mundo! (joking)

Hola mi familia!

Sister Stoker & Sister Conrow

(So, the title says, It's the end of the world! sister Stoker and I thought it would be funny if we walked up and down the streets saying that- I'm sure people would want to listen to us then, right?? Ha ha joking) I hope all of you are doing well! I miss you lots, but loving the mission, even with the hard times :)

I have been trying to think of an awesome story that has happened last week, but the only thing I could think of were all the many thoughts I had as we walked for hours and hours in the sunshine and the rain. This week I have really grown to appreciate all the pioneers went through, and I've also seen what an amazing companion I have. Through her silent example of endurance and positive attitude, I've realized I have a lot of work to do. Ha ha. As we walked and walked and walked, I couldn't help but think of my Savior, and how much He means to me. I thought about all the people in my life that have blessed me with their examples, and I thought about how grateful I am to have the atonement in my life, and how if it wasn't for that, I wouldn't even be on my mission. My love for the gospel has grown immensely, and with my 9 month mark fast approaching, I can't help but think about how fast my time is going here, and how I really want to be able to enjoy every precious moment that my Heavenly Father has given me to be here. Even though I have been drained in every aspect, I know I am becoming who the Lord needs me to become to prepare me for future experiences in my life. How grateful I am for my challenges I have been given. 

This week we had interviews with our mission president. Gosh, I just love him to death, he is just the biggest sweetheart. He is so humble, patient, and full of love. When he prayed before we started our interview, I cried. That's how in tune with the spirit he is. Anywho- during interviews we talked about the temple open house and he told me that because Sister Stoker and I are so close to the temple and we don't have an obligation to the Visitors Center, we'll be able to go often to help out at the open house. Man, I was so stoked to hear that. I honestly cannot wait. I keep praying that I'll get to shake the prophets hand. That is like my school girl dream. I feel so so so so blessed to be here at this time. I know that it isn't coincidence. I cannot wait to step inside those sacred walls and to feel more fully the presence of my Savior. President also told me to be patient with our area. I guess it takes longer than 3 weeks for an area to get going when you come into it with absolutely nothing to go off of. I'm so grateful for the ward though, they are helping us sooooo much, and the Edwards are just peaches and cream. For real. They are the sweetest, funniest things.

Saturday night, I was having a bit of a rough night, so Sister Edwards says she's going to the store and comes back. When she comes down the stairs she says, "So I know I always bake you something when you have a bad day, so this time I decided to buy you these little flowers to brighten up your day." Ha it was the cutest thing ever. It's to the point now where I just call her mom- ha she is so great. And she loves us! Even better! Ha ha.

Well, I better get going, but I love all of you so much. My Spanish is still coming along, slowly but surely. I'm getting pretty good at understanding what I read, but still working on speaking it. I love being here in Platte City, it really is so awesome! I feel like I'm home. I'm hoping I stay here until summer. That would be sweet! I hope all of you are doing well- stay strong!

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Conrow :)

Middle Eastern Joys!....

Ah man, this last week has just been..... really long. I'll be honest. Ha ha, but- it's been full of spiritual experiences that I have loved!

 

So first off, I stinkin' love Sister Edwards. She is hi-larious!!!!! Every morning I am dying laughing at all her funny comments. I feel like I'm living at home. It's so great. Wouldn't have it any other way. I don't have a whole lot of time to write this week because a member is waiting for us because we don't have a car. So really quick, I will share with you a really interesting experience that I had with a girl named, Medea. (Straight from Pakistan)

 

So we go over to this part member family's home and Medea is there and can hardly speak any English. She was super hesitant to speak English with us at all. She was embarrassed that she couldn't speak well and so I tried telling her I knew how she felt because I was trying to learn Spanish and couldn't say anything. After that she opened up to us so it was really neat. She even showed us her Curran, or however you spell that, and did the whole ritual and everything. For a brief moment, I wondered if I was back in the middle east. Ha ha, needless to say, she really loved talking with us, and supposedly we were the first people she had talked to since she had moved from Pakistan last year. Her husband is a convert from the Muslim faith, and hasn't come too often, so we told Medea that we would come over every week and teach her English. Man, I've never heard anyone say such a cute thank you in my life. Ha she was just thrilled to pieces that we were so willing to help her. While we were there she offered us her Pakistani food, and so we graciously accepted. However, my stomach did not graciously accept it that night, let's just say... Ha ha. Hopefully, while we teach her English, we can also teach her about her Savior, Jesus Christ. (And my stomach will become a little stronger).

 

Well, I'm super super super excited about the temple. Everyday we get a little bit closer to the open house. Sister Stoker is still a killer missionary and she teaches me something new everyday. We have the best chats every night, and somehow everything we talk about the night before, always seems to come up in questions from lessons we have the next day. The spirit is a glorious thing. I'm working really hard on my Spanish. I still have a lot of work to do but I love it. The branch we serve in part time is amazing. Their branch President is my hero, as well as the Bishop of the other ward we serve in. Gosh, I just love it here, and I love being a missionary. I know this is the Lord's work, because if it wasn't, I wouldn't be here. And that is my testimony to you! Fight the good fight!

 

Love, Hermana Conrow :)

 

 

 

Hello Platte Citaaayyy!

Oh my gosh, I LOVE MY NEW AREA!!!! It is just the greatest thing in this whole world.

Platte City is in Missouri and it's 20 min from the Kansas City Temple- which is going to be dedicated on May 6th. And the temple open house is the first of April, so I will totally get to be there and answer people's questions that come through the open house. How stinkin' awesome is that?! I seriously cannot wait. It was Sister Jone's first area, so we just swapped places. She's now in Indy training a sister from Samoa, and I'm here in Platte City doing the full pros business. When President told Sister Jones and I that I was opening Platte City back up for sisters we were both stoked out of our minds. She talked about Platte City all the time, so I knew it had to be great.  

So my new companion is Sister Stoker from Henderson, NV and she's been out about year. We both got double transferred into our area and we have part time car with the Elders here. We double cover a ward and a branch, so similar to my last area. It's craziness. We are living with members and they are seriously so much fun. It's the first time they've ever had missionaries living in their house so they've been really good and gracious to us. I guess Bishop called them last Sunday and said, "Hey, Sisters are coming this Thursday, would you be willing to house them?" Ha ha, poor things. Didn't get much of a notice. So they are totally awesome, and Bro. Edwards sacrificed his office room so we could have a bedroom. Platte City is the bomb though, for reals. It's country side but not. All of the people here are so friendly and nice, I feel like I am back in Bigfork. My ward is amazing. So missionary minded. I honestly don't think I've ever seen a ward that is so focused on helping the missionaries. However, I do miss the Polynesians. It's super weird not to see any Polynesian brothers or sisters. I'm back in polyangi land.  

Saturday Bishop gave us a warm welcome and asked to speak in church the next day. Ha ha, gotta love the mission. So get this- after Sister Stoker and I spoke in church, we got like 3 referrals from the members. Ha ha, it blew me out of the water. And then, everyone kept coming up to me and telling me how much I looked like Sister Jones. It was pretty funny, we got that all the time in Independence. I miss her, but being here I feel like I still have a part of her with me. PLUS- Sister Stoker is whipping me into shape and teaching me how to do the whole full pros thing. She's awesome, such a hard worker and a great example of what a missionary should be like. 

Funny story- Friday morning (our first day in PC- great initials BTW ;) S. Stoker gets out of the shower, comes back to the bedroom and says "Oh, by the way, there's no hot water." Ha ha, so I get in there thinking, "Oh, there will be some more hot water I'm sure." Ha ya right!!! That was the coldest shower I've ever taken. Ha ha, it woke me right up! I don't think I've ever prayed in the shower before until now. Ha ha. Oh the joys of living with members. The next day Sister Edwards says to us, "I'm sorry if the water was cold yesterday, was it?" And I said, "Let's just say, I definitely wasn't tired anymore after my shower." Ha ha. Saturday morning we were careless and completely unfamiliar with the area of course. So we decided we'd do the whole missionary thing and go walking. We bundled up and braved the 15 degree cold- sorta. Ha ha, we walked a good 6 hours up and down hills with our clunky boots on and runny noses. We were able to get to know a few members, but no new investigators....yet. I'm finally gonna have some muscle in my legs. Ha ha. After sitting so much for 8 months, my poor legs are sorer than sore. Ha ha, all is well in Zion though, I love it! 

Oh my goodness- I totally forgot the best news of all this past week- Before I left Independence, I met with one of my recent converts, Tina. She's just the greatest. She is married and her and her husband have the cutest little poly baby Marie, I love her. Anyway, they came to the Visitors Center and so Sister Jones and I took her through God's Plan, and at the end we were just both in tears because Tina had been going through a lot the last couple of days and was struggling. Well after we talked about what was going on, we brought up the temple and how this summer she can be sealed to her family. Sami (her husband) says to me, "Sister Conrow, we're really going to miss you but we have one more favor to ask of you before you leave.... August 24th Tina is going to go through the Kansas City Temple and we are going to be sealed as a family. We want you to be there. Will you be there?" Man, tears just stared running down my face. I honestly don't think I've ever been happier in my life. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. At that very moment, in between the sobs, I knew that I was supposed to teach her and to be here. I knew that this is what makes all the hard times worth it- seeing families become eternal. It was the greatest going away present I ever could have received. I love them so much, and I feel soooo blessed to be apart of their lives. If that was all I was able to do in Independence, it was totally worth it. Anyway- later that night, the Olamaleva's came in (my old ward mission leader from Indy) and Tina and Sami came back. We all got around the Christus and they sang me songs and we all prayed together. We took tons of pics and Tina & Sami made a recording for me and thanked me. It was just soooo great. I honestly couldn't stop smiling and crying. I love them, and I will miss them, but I know I'll see them soon- in the KANSAS CITY TEMPLE!!! 

I love being a missionary, I love serving here. Life couldn't get any better. I don't care if I have to walk all day in the freezing cold and get blisters on my feet- it's worth it. The experiences and love are all worth it, I promise. I love this Gospel, I love my Heavenly Father, He is the man! I love you all! This is His work, truly it is! 

Love, Hermana Conrow :)

So long, farewell, to Independence Zone! :(

Well everyone, the dreaded news came...

I am getting booted out of Independence :(

I know it's just part of mission life, but when you spend almost 8 months in one area it's kind of hard to say goodbye. Sunday I wore my homemade beaded lei (one of the members made for me, and its turquoise;) to church. It was great! I love, love, love the ward that I have been so blessed to serve in for so long. I had my last Sunday dinner with my fav family, the Kettlewells, they've been like a second family to me and have fed me about 24 meals we figured since I've been serving here. Ha ha, how crazy is that?!

I'm not sure well I'll be shipped off to just yet, all I know is that odds are, it'll be Kansas. Other missionaries tell me that Independence has a totally different feel than anywhere else you serve, so it'll be interesting to see how I feel wherever I end up. I hope that I have the opportunity to serve in a Spanish area to really learn the language. I'm really, really going to miss my companion, Sister Jones. She truly has become my best-est friend and I love her guts. We are sisters forever, as cheesy as that sounds. We've just gone through so much together, and laughed so much- I'm grateful for the time the Lord gave us to serve together. We hope that one day we'll be able to serve together again- ha maybe! 

This past week has been an interesting one. The Lord has really been trying to teach me patience. Sister Jones and I have been teaching this "almost homeless" couple in our area. The wife is just the sweetest thing you've ever met. So patient and loving and willing to do the Lord's will. Her husband on the other hand has been trying all of our patience. It's been hard to get a word in edge wise when we teach them because he's so focused on his temporal needs and that's all he can talk about. Whereas his wife truly wants to know more about the gospel and just very spiritually focused. The first lesson was impossible. Our member team up was so great and so patient, picked them up, and then after our appointment got them food, and helped them with a lot of their basic needs. That to me, was a huge example of what the Savior would do. I just love this sister in our ward. She's awesome! We couldn't have done that lesson without her. This couple came to church, which we were pretty excited about, and we hope and pray that the husband will humble himself and see that when we put our trust in the Lord and keep his commandments he will ALWAYS bless and prosper us, we just have to put him first, nothing else! 

After we met with this couple, I found this quote and I really like it 

It has been my motto as of late:

"Often the deep valleys of our present will be understood only by looking back on them from the mountains of our future experience. Often we can't see the Lord's hand in our lives until long after trials have passed. Often the most difficult times of our lives are essential building blocks that form the foundation of our character and pave the way to future opportunity, understanding, and happiness." -Elder Deiter F. Uchtdorf (love him!)  

Don't get me wrong, this past week hasn't been awful and horribly trying- I just really liked that quote and it helped me put things in perspective. We can't control everything, nor should we. All things should be left to the Lord, as hard as that is to accept sometimes. I'm learning that we need to be happy with where we are, because if we're not, we'll never be happy. I feel like this past week my thoughts have gone to home a little bit and I've thought, "why, why can't I be there for that, or why this?" And then I remember that my time is NOW. My time is HERE, and there is no where else would I rather be.  I'm learning that if we want to become someone, or something, we consistently try to be that person we want to become each day.

Yesterday I had a lot of time to reflect on my past time here in Independence. I wondered if what I had done was what I was supposed to do. I wondered if I had made a difference in any one's life here. And then- our member came to the Visitor Center to drop off dinner. Unfortunately, I was on the phone and missed talking to her, but she came and gave me a hug and said goodbye really quick. Well, after she left, we went downstairs to eat- and by our food was this card addressed to me. I opened it up and read, and I just started to cry. This note was from this member who dropped off our dinner. She told me how when I would get up to bear my testimony in sacrament meeting, she was touched, and that I always seemed to say the things that she needed to hear at that time. I never expected to get a letter from her just because I never got to see her often and we hadn't ever really conversed a lot, just the occasional, "Hi, how are you?" and a hug here and there. She went on to say a lot of other very sweet things, but it was then that I knew I had done what I needed to do here. My heart was so full of love and gratitude, and I couldn't help but feel so happy that I was here serving the Lord. Ahhh

This time in my mission is bitter/sweet. My heart is heavy to be leaving my sweet Independence, and my ward, and my lovely companion. I feel as though a chunk of my heart is being torn out and being placed in this area. However, I am also excited for the unknown, excited to get to know a new companion, to serve in a new area, and to be out full proselyting. I know it's going to be a huge change in my mission- but that just means the Lord loves me enough to allow me to grow, and I know that I'll love wherever I go because it's where I was called to go before I even got here! How great is that?! Next time I write you, I will be somewhere else- so crazy to think. That also means all the mail you send me will take a little longer to get to me because I won't be living so close to the mission office. Ha ha, bummer! 

I love all of you! I love this gospel. I wish time would slow down, seeing as next transfer puts me at my halfway mark in the mission field. I can hardly believe it myself. I feel like I really am on this slippery slope of time and there's nothing I can do to stop it, only enjoy the ride and pick up all that I can for when I come to a stop, aka, reality. Ha ha. Don't give up, don't look back, serve gladly, and be happy! If you want something, go out and get it. Faith without works is dead. There is no time for excuses. Don't live with regrets. This is His work, and His glory! 

Signing off from Independence, Missouri-

Love, Hermana Conrow