Mission Log: 28 January 2013

This past week was the coldest week that New Jersey has had for the past two years (at least, that's what they tell me. let's be real I don't get to check the news so I'm just assuming that this is correct information, and you know what they say about assuming). Anyway, it was stinking cold! On Tuesday we had a couple appointments fall through and we were in a part of our area that we haven't really worked before. So, we started knocking doors. In 19 degree weather, and it was windy to boot. I actually thought I might die out there. I seriously don't think I've ever been so cold, ever. I mean I lived in Rexburg, but I think this is worse. Did I mention that it was cold? IT WAS SO COLD! So we're knocking doors and my companion was laughing at me because my door approach was getting more and more pathetic with every door we knocked. So I tried to be more enthusiastic at the next door. What ended up happening was the woman opened the door just slightly wide enough for me to fit through, and the next thing I knew I had ran right into her living room without even introducing myself...probably not the best idea I've ever had...but I don't even remember thinking it through, so I'm not going to feel guilty about it. She ended up being a really nice woman who let us teach her about the restoration of the gospel and then she asked us she could have a copy of the Bible and the Book of Mormon for herself. We said "OF COURSE!" and now we're teaching her, and hopefully her husband soon. 

So in case anyone was curious, yes I still am just as ridiculous as I have always been. It works for me.

In other news, I love the Book of Mormon. I started reading it again at the beginning of the year. I am reading with a theme of miracles, how to recognize them and how to invite them into my life. Miracles are everywhere! I love what it says in the Bible Dictionary about miracles: "...they are powers or mighty works, because they are the acts of One who is almighty; they are simply works, or the natural results of the Messiah’s presence among men; they are wonders, marvels, because of the effect produced on those who saw them." 

For real, miracles are happening in your life every day. If you ever doubt it, take some time to think about your day before you go to bed. Pay attention to how you have seen the hand of the Lord in your life. I promise that if you look for miracles in your life, you will find them! 

All my love,

Jari

Mission Log: 21 January 2013

This week I have learned that I can, in fact, eat at a Chinese buffet for both lunch and dinner and not fall over dead at the end of the day. Though, I did feel like dying.

I've grown to really appreciate those few months I spent at home before going to South Africa. It was a time of my life when I needed answers to questions that weighed heavy on my heart. I needed to know that there really is a God, that He really does love me, and that He does in fact have a plan for me. When I was living at home for those few months I chose to really read the Book of Mormon for the first time, and suddenly the words on those pages spoke to my heart, they haven't stopped since. I chose to pray to find out if God really is there, and if Christ really is my Savior. I chose to ask if the atonement really was sufficient to save me. And God did hear my prayers. I know that trusting God is pivotal. I know that reading the scriptures helps us to understand God's will and our own purpose in this life. I know that reading the scriptures provides guidance, direction, and answers to prayer. I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that the sacrifice he made will fulfill the demands of justice and offer each of us perfect mercy if we will only choose to follow Him. And how is it that we choose to follow him? We exercise faith unto repentance, we are baptized and renew those baptismal covenants often. We receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and live worthy of it. Simple things, life changing things. 

I'm grateful for the gift of agency. I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves me enough to let me choose, to let me mess up, to let me learn. I love that He provided a Savior so that I may overcome all weaknesses and mistakes. I look forward to all the blessings that God has promised. 

I don't know what else to say other than I'm happy. Life is good. Miracles happen every day, God is in the details of our lives. 

Have a great day!

Love,
Jari

Mission Log: 14 Jan 2013

Just another week in the Garden State teaching people about God and when we follow His plan for us we are so HAPPY! 

More than anything this week I learned that God does hear and answer prayers. This week I've been focusing on having more purpose when I pray. Throughout my life I've always been really selfish in my prayers and I didn't really realize it. For the past little while I've really been seeking for ways to serve those around me and for inspiration and ideas on how to better align my life with what Heavenly Father wants for me. 

I've had some incredible experiences. If you weren't already aware, know this: if you are in a constant state of prayer it is nearly impossible to feel negative or doubtful. Praying continually, especially praying for others, adds value and purpose to your life. As we seek the Holy Ghost in our lives we find guidance, inspiration, and love from our Heavenly Father. 

I like what the Bibile Dictionary says about prayer: As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.

I hope you're having a wonderful week!

All my love,

Jari

Mission Log: 07 January 2013

Here's my new address:

10 Commercial Ave Apt. ULC
New Brunswick, NJ 08901

So, send me mail... :) 

Hello all. I hope each of you are breaking in the new year in exciting ways. I started my new year by being transferred to a new area with a new companion. What fun, right? It has been an exciting week getting to know the area and trying to remember how to speak Spanish (the my previous area we mostly worked in English). I am always amazing by how diverse New Jersey is. It's not a very big state but the whole world is crammed into this little place. Everywhere I go is vastly different then the place I had just been. New Brunswick is a little bit suburbia, but it's fun. The people are really nice and just the right about of Jersey crazy. I knocked on a door the other day and the woman who answered says "Giiiirl, what are you doing out there with no clothes on?" I told her that I was wearing lots of clothes. I had on at least 4 layers. But she wasn't having it. "No girl, no, you is out there practically naked, gonna freeze to death, what's the matter with you." I had to laugh and she appreciated a good smile. She told me to go sit in my car with the heat on and not come out, and I went ahead knocking more doors.

Then I knocked another door and a man answered wearing nothing but his underwear...He immediately recognized who we were and was so embarrassed that he slammed the door right in our faces and started yelling "Sorry! So Sorry! Wait! SORRY!" he went and got dressed and we had a nice little lesson in his home. People make me laugh.

I like learning about new cultures and appreciating different people. In that way New Jersey works really well for me. Everyone I meet has a different life story. In Subway the other day our sandwich extraordinaire was from Egypt. He was such a sweet man. The second he started helping us he said "You are very happy girls!" So we told him a little bit more about who were are and that we share a message about Jesus Christ, and then his face lit up. "I LOVE Jesus Christ." He told us all about how much he loves Christ and that his life completely changed when he found him. We gave him a card with a picture of Christ on it and he just hugged the card and kept telling us about how happy he was that he met us. Such simple encounters, but they are full to the brim with happiness.

How about a different tangent now?

President Harold B. Lee has a quote that I like a lot. He says, "Missionary work is but home teaching to those who are not now members of the Church, and home teaching is nothing more or less than missionary work to Church members." When we report on the progress of our recent converts and less active members we are almost always begging that they have home and visiting teachers assigned to them, and that they actually receive these monthly messages. I know that I haven't always been the best about my visiting teaching, but I hope to change that when I go home. It is so crucial. There are lonely hearts that desire company. There are dampened spirits that need lifting. The calling to serve as a home or visiting teacher is a sacred trust given to us that allows us to bless the lives of our brothers and sisters. Love is the why of the gospel, and home and visiting teaching is just another way to show and develop greater love. Do yours this week!