It's Getting Hot

Happy Memorial Day!

This specific week, has been very.. interesting. People these days are very quick to be offended.

but as my favorite ward mission leader Bro. Harris would say and did say just a few days ago:

"Man.. You could poop on my head and slap my face and I wouldn't be offended."

I would have to agree.  Only not. 

Because as much as I have had it up to here with easily offended humans, I would definitely consider myself so if someone were to excrete on my head and/or slap me across the face.

Offendedception: When you are offended because so many people are offended because you got offended about something.

It's a real thing.

but that's another story I will not disclose.

I met my first real live Alabama old man with one and a half tooths.

We were out contacting people and oyming 

and we came across this sweet old dude putting an American flag in the window of his truck.

We talked to him and got to know him a little bit, he joined the military when he was 18 and he loves America.  He informed us he was not interested but told us he would read the Book of Mormon we gave him.  Then as we were leaving, he gave us some handy information about the neighbors across the street.

"Don't ya'll go no further.  They might shoot ya.  They been robbed a couple a times so they is really tough on anyone.  Ya'll is nice people, but they don't know that.  Don't go over there seriously.  They might shoot ya."

Yes that actually is legal in Florida. 

Shooting people on your property, not robbery.

Needless to say: We did not go to that trailer. 

Had a humbling but learning experience Monday. 

We set out because I felt led to a certain street we had passed in the car a few days before on the way to a lesson.

I forgot which house exactly it was so we knocked the street.  First door, a lady, very not interested in the gospel right off the bat.  I stumbled over finding a Book of Mormon or my planner and the words were not flowing very easy from my mouth. 

SOMETHING WAS MISSING

We left and I felt like poo.

My trainee said "We forgot to pray before we left"

duh. 

Reason number 48 why the greener greenie is training the trainer

;)

We prayed and then..

dun dun dun..

we met four more people three of which are interested in meeting us again and get this.

The words flowed for all of them, the Spirit was there not to back us up, but for us to back up.

and I saw especially one particular man glued in as we spoke, I knew without a doubt he could feel it.  It was so cool. 

Prayers are important because we can't do anything without the Spirit and the Spirit can't do much if we don't invite it, live by it, and allow it to be the teacher. 

We were able to have our last interviews with President Smith on Saturday. 

It was only my second, because I've only been here since February.  It was so powerful, I know that mission presidents and their wives are some of the most amazing people in the world.

They give up their life for 3 years

they leave family 

and they didn't even sign up for it like I did.  They were called straight from the prophet, and they accept that call to serve.

What amazing people, I am so sad to see them go but I know that God chose the new mission president and wife to guide and direct the Florida Tallahassee mission just like He called the first President and Sister Smith (fun fact my new mission president is also President Smith, but his first name is not Brad;)

I sure love this mission, my zone, the area, and my leaders near and far. 

Happy moment this week: Nanny and Grandpa sent me a bunch of tootie fruities. hahaha I love you two, so happy grandpas surgery went well.

Funny (terrible) moment this week: The head sister training leaders called me this morning and said

"Hi Sister Saunders, we just wanted to talk to you for a minute.. We were so sorry to hear about your mom. Are you okay?"

my heart dropped.

There are a couple of things that cause missionaries hearts to about stop in their chests.

1. Calls from the mission head quarters area about family.

2. Looking around and not knowing where your companion is. 

(I promise both of these things are very rare)

So on this phone call a million things went through my head. 

What is wrong with my mom.  

Is she okay.  Is she alive.

Your mind truly goes to the worst case scenario at times like this. 

"I'm sorry? What?"

"We heard about your mom. Are you doing okay?"

"I'm sorry... What."

"We heard your mom has cancer.."

OH MY GOSH sigh of relief 

for those that don't know the doctor found some pre-cancer spots on her skin that to my knowledge are just about taken care of.  Nothing too serious.

I explained this to the stls and they were relieved as well.  Miss-communications are no bueno.

 They had heard through the grape vine somehow the word cancer associated with my mom and were led to believe it was worse than it was.

They then apologized for scaring me so bad, but there was no way they could have known.  Then they promised to pray for her anyway like they already have been the past few days.  I seriously love them.

Mom: I am glad you are alright.

Here are some fun facts about life right now 

I lost my camera charger

my mom sent a new one

I found my old camera charger

I left my camera at Paul and Paula's

so pictures are very limited right now... tune in next week to see this weeks pictures because why..?

 I have been running faster than I can chew that's why. 

That's a saying right? 

;)

so no pictures unfortunately, but I do have this awesome update on my fathers life to share.

"Im sore from sleeping in the tent in a downpour after our outside movie fail on Ryannes old computer... the movie froze at the key battle in Narnia and then I woke up to a crow going Caw Caw Caw.  If I'd a had my samurai sword that crow would have died this morning.  I would have tomahawked his feathery behind with one swipe."

This is why I love my dad. 

I also love the gospel.  I'm starting to understand what Elder Jorg Klebingat, a member of the Seventy, said in "approaching the throne of God with confidence" when he said,
 "Become really, really good at repenting thoroughly and quickly. 
Because the Atonement of Jesus Christ is very practical, you should apply it generously 24/7, for it never runs out. Embrace the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance as things that are to be welcomed and applied daily according to the Great Physician’s orders. Establish an attitude of ongoing, happy, joyful repentance by making it your lifestyle of choice. In doing so, beware of the temptation to procrastinate, and don’t expect the world to cheer you on. 
Keeping your eyes on the Savior, care more about what He thinks of you, and let the consequences follow. Spiritual confidence increases when you voluntarily and joyfully repent of sins, both small and great, in real time by applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ."

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/approaching-the-throne-of-god-with-confidence?lang=eng&_r=1

Joyful repentance. That's hard to do when we feel weighed down with discouragement for what we have done wrong. But discouragement comes from the adversary, and hope comes from the Savior.  What greater joy can we have, than when we are repenting regularly and feeling that freedom of the burden of sin being lifted off of our shoulders by Jesus Christ and doing better the next moment we have the opportunity to repeat that wrong? 
NO GREATER JOY.  I love the gospel.

I am so happy, even when I'm not.

Make it a good day,

love me. a sister missiona(ry)

Sea + Sun Has My Heart

Sea + Sun Has My Heart

but especially the sea

Hi. This weeks email is going to be a little different than most.

it starts with this:

A tribute to Sister C.

In one sentence I can without hesitation say she knows what the word Charity means, and she lives it. 

In many I will say this.

Kymmber Christiansen is one of the most selfless, knowledgeable, kind, Christ-like, Christ centered, passionate, talented people I have ever met.

More importantly she is one of my very best friends. ;)

She trained me how to

1. Mission

2. Life

She taught me what it feels like to depend on someone for everything, and be one hundred and ten percent satisfied with everything I got.

I literally relied on her for so much being the "greenie" I was (am) from the beginning, and I still rely on her and what she taught me so much.

Kymmber if you are reading this, just know that I love you.

Know that I may or may not be crying as I type this.

Know that I am definitely shedding tears rn.

(remember when I taught you what rn means?)

Thank you for allowing me to feel important in the role I have had as your personal "real world" guide as you went through your last two transfers with me.

I am so incredibly lucky to have you as my three month trainer, and eternity long friend. 

(yes you're stuck with me five ever)

To say I miss you would be the understatement of the year, to say my heart hurts would be accurate, but to say I am beyond happy for the things you are experiencing as a returned missionary and all that that entails would be the truth. (mostly)

For everyone else.  Just know that this last week I said goodbye to Sister Christiansen and I won't be able to say hello to Kymmber Christiansen for another year + but I am so lucky to have someone that made saying goodbye so

painful

because I love her.

I am eternally grateful for this amazing human being that I could literally talk to about anything under the sun and she would listen. She would listen to the spirit and tell me exactly what my older Brother would tell me if He had been sitting there Himself. 

I LOVE YOU KYMMBER 

(still not used to that name?  Me neither.  Might not ever be.)

another thing:  I am about to be very honest. 

#NOSUGARTOTHISCOAT

the fact that she got to see my family and Lindsey during her lay over on the way to Fresno, just about tears my heart to bits. 

but the fact that my family and Lindsey got to spend time with this special human being in my life (who I have known much longer than three months btw) is JUST AS PAINFUL

I am so happy they got to see each other

but it hurts.  I will be honest.

Something I did expect about being a missionary:  Being away from fam that initial few weeks is hard.

Something I didn't expect:  Having to go through that all over again with someone I have grown to love just as much. 

(Sister C. I got you fam)

So that's the trip everyone. 

As a missionary you never get used to painful goodbyes and unfortunately hellos are not as fulfilling until the hello develops into another goodbye.

"you never know what you've got until it's gone"

unless you do, but it takes time.

prepare for more mush.

unless you want to skip the parenthesis because this mushy parenthesis part is just for Kymmber.

(yes I sleep with your blanket and yes I have the dinosaur you gave me and it's one of my most prized possessions.  Sorry the only thing I snuck into your suit case was that creepy statue of baby Jesus)

okay it wasn't that gushy. ;)

Now I know what some of ya'll are thinking.  Hello.  You are a missionary, buck up and whatnot. 

yes.  I am a missionary. 

And I love for a living.

My living is not a temporal one it's a spiritual living and I earn it by loving people.

and I love Sister Christiansen. 

change is hard

but so good.

Now to introduce my cute new companion whom I ALREADY love very much, and I'm sure will grow into a relationship that when we part will hurt my heart again.

#missionarylyfe

#drumrollforthegreenergreenie

SISTER PYPER

  

She is from Utah

She is taller than me by a mile

She is so cute

and one of the most soft spoken, kind people ever

She has already taught me how to be a kinder human, and what the word virtue means.

Sister Pyper is just pure.  

Pure in heart and pure in spirit.  Plus she has that MTC glow about her which I totally wish I still had.

More honesty.  Being a trainer is hard.  I would trade places with her.  I also wish I could go back and tell myself that. 

but I don't wish I could go back, why?

because being a trainer is so dang rewarding.

I have wanted to be a teacher since I was super young, and helping Sister Pyper figure everything out has shown me a few things

1.  All my weaknesses.  Literally all of them are on display now.

2.  I love teaching.  I love feeling Heavenly Fathers love and trust in me as her trainer and her as His daughter.  I love being able to work my butt off all day because at this time she is truly trying to figure everything out and doing an amazing job, but I definitely go to bed EXHAUSTED. 

(my appreciation for Sister Christiansen has increased ten fold)

It's hard work and it is so amazing.  Sister Pyper is training me in a lot of ways. 

God is good.

I love being a missionary.

Now for some amazing things that have also happened.

Sister P (not Pyper) is doing so amazing and her husband is seriously progressing so much.  We had a church tour with them yesterday and the spirit was so strong!  Her husband opened up and started asking questions and I know that he will be baptized very soon.

Church yesterday was an emotional roller coaster.

I haven't talked much about my mission theme I gave myself with the help of God, but part of it is a quote from President Monson "There are lives to brighten hearts to touch and souls to save" and someone in their talk said that.  I can't even explain the overwhelming feeling of love I felt.  

Such a simple thing, but it hit me hard. 

During the plan of salvation lesson this past week with Sister P's husband, he had some concerns about the commandments and not killing, I can only imagine those concerns come from his job. He is in the military.  I felt very prompted to quote the scripture "greater love hath no man than this except he layeth down his life for his friend" John 15:; 14 and I shared the story of Moses crashing the red sea waters on all of pharaohs army to save the people of God.  An act of defense so the innocent wouldn't suffer.

Then in church yesterday one of the speakers spoke of just about the same thing. She was speaking on service and quoted that scripture, I believe it was just for him.  He has been at church a month now and the light in him is growing. 

My testimony of the relief society was strengthened yesterday as we found out Gulf Breeze's long time relief society president, Sister West, is finally at peace from her long time battle with cancer. 

She fought a hard fight.  And no one knew she passed until the bishop came in having just received the news himself.  Everyone was in tears, everyone was comforting one another, and a spirit of love and unity was felt with a renewed appreciation for the plan of salvation and the peace of the Spirit. 

After church we had back to back lessons until about 8 at night, luckily at one of those lessons we were fed otherwise we would have missed lunch.  We ate dinner at 8!  Some days are just more crazy than others and that whole "Sunday is a day of rest" thing does not apply to missionaries for the record. :)

But it felt good.  God strengthened us.

My poor little sister Pyper probably wanted to kill me last night, but sweet as ever, she didn't and she is learning and growing so much! 

Funny moment of the month.

So it's been a while since this happened but I can't postpone such an impactful moment of my mission. lol.

A couple weeks ago Sister C and I get a call from our buddy Brother Coslow

"Hey come do a service project today at four thirty.  Other people will be there don't worry."

So we showed up to the church, walked in and he said

"Want to know what the service project is?"

"yes"

"I'm getting married.. Right now!! and we need a couple of witnesses."

whaaa....

Sure enough bishop is there with his wife and Laura, brother Coslows girlfriend was there as well. It was over in fifteen minutes, we snapped some pics, left and basically lost it because we couldn't handle what the fetch just happened.

Definitely a highlight of my mission: signing Florida state marriage papers as a witness to a four person wedding. 

lol I sure love those two love birds. :)

LINDSSSSSSS GONGRATS ON RECEIVING YOUR ENDOWMENT

You are amazing.  Also: Tell Grant congrats for me.

SHALAYLYN CONGRATS ON GETTING MARRIED but seriously ew.  You two are so darn cute.

WALLI CONGRATS ON GETTING GRADUATED.  Get ready, get set, go grow. 

MADSWAGG CONGRATS ON KILLING IT IN TEXAS at DCC try-outs and just so you know I read the letter you gave me the other day. Thank you from the bottom of my <3

anyway.  Read 2nd Nephi 31:20 for me 

pray

and go to church on Sunday

Love ya'll sooo big. 

Sister Kymmber, you're still a missionary. 

You have been recommended as one worthy to serve the Lord.  It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of infinity years and you are presently called to serve in Fresno California speaking the Valley Girl language. 

Roll Out <3

LOVE YOU ALL

make it a good one

then make it a good one again

love, me. A sister missiona(ry)

The McEwan family~a family in the ward Ryanne loves!

Meet "Felicia"