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!

Mission Log: 31 December 2012

Fare thee well 2012. 

I say this at the end of every year, but 2012 was an amazing year! It went by so quickly I don't even really know what happened! I lived with some of my dearest friends/family out at BYU-Idaho and graduated, I spent a week in an RV with all my crazy family, and then I came on a mission. It seems like I just blinked and it now it's the end. 

This year will be wonderful. The best. It will be better than any year before it. There really is no other option. When you've lived a life so full of joy, as I have, then you can do nothing but expect and plan for more joy. More intense, more abundant, more than ever before. Joy really does seem to be completely wrapped up in our choices, and for 2013 I am choosing to be happy!

I'm focusing the new year on purification. Maybe I'm too eager and naive, but I want to jump into the refiners fire with both feet and let all the impurities just burn off. I want to give up all my sins to know God. I want to give up all my desires both those I think wicked as well as those I think innocent and willingly accept my Heavenly Father's plan. I want to be a consecrated disciple of Jesus Christ. 

It sounds like a painful experience, but pain is funny in that it always seems to bring with it some measure of clarity that never existed before. I think back on some of the hardest experiences of my life. There have been times where I was certain I would die. I was certain the pain was too great, the change too demanding, and myself far too weak for the challenge. I was wrong. I have done many great things in my life. I am a growing, changing thing and I continue to grow and become something wonderful each day. I will forever. You should too. 

Every person we know and meet have infinite potential for greatness. Seek greatness. Fill your life with the greatest books, the greatest ideas, the greatest activities. Surround yourself with those you love. Seek to love others more fully. Expect joy in your life! 

I wish everyone the happiest 2013. 

All my love,
Jari

Mission Log: 26 December 2012

NYC

Mission President and Wife

Christmas Sombrero

Presents

Christmas Dinner

First, I want to thank everyone for the extreme kindness that has been shown to me over the last few weeks. Thank you for all the cards, all the candy, all the gifts. I am truly blessed to have so many caring and wonderful people in my life. Thank you, so much! 

If you're interested in what I was up to over the holiday it went a little something like this:

On Christmas eve we had a little Christmas party with missionaries in close areas. We had a white elephant exchange and everyone brought the most random things they found in their apartments. I have never seen so many broken, creepy, ceramic animals in one place and one time EVER! We also had the most random assortment of food I've ever seen. Everything from Costa Rican chicken and rice to gingerbread to peanut butter. It was great. I love all the men and women that I serve with in this mission. They work each day to be their very best selves. I am grateful for the examples they are to me. 

Christmas in the mission. It was so wonderful. It makes a difference to spend Christmas completely devoted  to serving others. It feels more right. I know that the entire purpose of the Savior's life is to bring joy to others. I love that I am able to participate in small ways to share that joy. 

We were only able to visit a couple families because our area is so large that driving time in-between homes takes up quite a bit of time. But with the people we did visit we "talked of Christ, we rejoiced in Christ, we preached of Christ." (2 Nephi 25:26) What better way to spend Christmas? We invited everyone to try to be more like Jesus. We invited everyone to think well about their new year resolutions and how they will try to better apply the doctrine of Christ. It was interesting to hear differing perspectives and plans. I have come to the conclusion that all people have an innate longing to be with God. 

I know that Christ lives. I know he is the Savior of the world. It is an honor to serve others daily and help them grow in their faith in Christ. 

I hope you simply had a wonderful Christmas time.

All my love,
Jari

Oh yeah, I went to the temple in New York.

You can see the Mormon.org sign in the back, super cool!

Mission Log: 17 December 2012

As of yesterday I have been a missionary for 7 months. I’m not quite sure how I got from the MTC to 7 months on a mission, but here I am.

Things like this always feel differently than you expect them too. It’s like when you wake up on your birthday and expect to feel different, but you don’t. Growth is such a gradual thing, if it weren’t for the occasional sharp growing pain I wouldn’t even know it was happening. I do know that I’ve changed though. I know that I feel differently about things than I ever used to. I don’t know how to explain it. I think my happiness is less flighty than it was before.

Anyone who knows me well knows that I aim to change the world. It has been my life long dream and I fully expect to accomplish it. The other day while I was studying I found this quote in Preach My Gospel: “Only the gospel will save the world from the calamity of its own self-destruction. Only the gospel will unite men of all races and nationalities in peace. Only the gospel will bring joy, happiness, and salvation to the human family” – President Ezra Taft Benson.

If it isn’t already apparent enough the world is crazy. We all have a responsibility to do something about it. Would you like to know my suggestion? Be more like Jesus.

Video: http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/sermon-on-the-mount-the-beatitudes?lang=eng  

Mission Log: 11 December 2012

Sorry this is a week late... but better late the never right?

New companion Sister Roper

New area

& New wetsuit given to me by a nice brazilian lady.

Surprise, surprise, another crazy week. 

I love teaching the gospel. I love meeting new people. I love listening to stories of faith. I love learning how I can better put my life in harmony with God's will. 

This is a beautiful time of year where people's thoughts are directed to the Savior. Learn of him, apply his teachings, strive to help and lift others. It's important, and it will bring you joy!

This week I learned how tricksy our minds can be. I have started paying closer attention to my thoughts, and it seemed every time I left them to themselves they would wander to the realms of negativity or pride. I'm learning that it is so important to have control of our thoughts. The way we think determines everything else we do. I want to always do everything I can to have positive, productive, and virtuous thoughts. I want my thoughts to lead me to better actions; and I want my actions to shape my character. I want to be more like Jesus every single day. 

Mission Log: 3 December 2012

So it's December now. Weird how fast that came up. It's been a great week. Crazy in every sense of the word, but great. We have been involved in so many Christmas programs already, and it's barely the first few days of December. We've also been finishing up our last bits of hurricane clean up.

This week we went back to Union Beach and were helping people part ways with every earthly possession they've ever had. It's a weird feeling to try a pry a wet, moldy, broken beyond repair yard doll out of the hands of a sobbing woman who has just lost everything. She can't have it...it's poison to her, but all I want to do is let her bask in all the happy memories associated with it. So that was my Saturday. Stomping around in sewage and mud, gutting houses, trying to help throw away all the things that were being confused as salvageable. Natural disasters really do a number on people, and it breaks my heart. We even saw a house that was half way blown away. It's just so devastating. It's been over a month and it's still just a sorrowful sight.

This week I have learned the importance of being a good friend. Be the type of friend that invites others to be their best selves. Lovingly invite others to change their lives when it's needful. Be uplifting and positive. Choose to be happy. On my mission I have made some of my greatest friends. I am grateful for who I am becoming thanks to their encouragement. Everyone deserves such loving and helpful friends, so be one!

Mission Log: 26 Nov 2012

Transfers happened this week. I'm now in a new area, I'm second half training a new missionary, and I'm in charge of all the Spanish for our area because she's an English speaking missionary. So much crazy. My new area is really wooded and full of crazy expensive houses. It looks like the scene out of any typical horror movie. Which is great because I'm a super jumpy person, so every time we're outside at night I'm completely convinced that an axe murderer is behind every tree. I'm sure that I'm a sight to see. 

To make things more fun it was a holiday week. So Thanksgiving as a missionary...just a little bit weird. A lot of missionaries got together at the Princeton stadium and played football. I did not play football, because let's be real that sport is completely over my head. But I did wear jeans. Also, we ate tons and tons of food. People are sometimes under the impression that sister missionaries can handle as much food as the elders...that is false. Either way, we did a lot of eating. The best part about Thanksgiving is hearing people say what they are thankful for. I JUST got to a new area, so I didn't know anyone we were eating with, but I loved hearing their testimonies. Everyone we spoke to said how grateful they are for their Savior Jesus Christ, for the gospel, for the scriptures, for their families, etc. It makes me so happy to hear that when people really think about the things they are thankful for it always comes back to the most important things. 

If there were ever any doubt let it be known now that I am immensely grateful for the blessing of the gospel in my life. I am grateful to parents who raised me to appreciate the principles of faith and repentance. I am grateful for the scriptures, for the answers to prayer that I receive as I read from them daily. I am grateful for family and friends that encourage me to be my best self. My life is rich with blessings and I could not be happier. I know that God lives, that He loves me, and that I can do all things when I trust Him.

Then we did hurricane clean up. Hurricane Sandy did quite the number on this state. It is so sad to see how much devastation people are having to deal with. I wish there were more I could do to help them than just rip out their floors and tear down insulation, but I'm not actually allowed to share the gospel while we're serving, so I spend a lot of time singing or whistling hymns and hugging crying women. It's the best I can do. 

We also had a missionary Christmas fireside yesterday. I love that it is time to prepare for Christmas. I love that people's thoughts are drawn toward Christ at this time of year. I wish it would last. As missionaries we sang Christmas hymns, shared scriptures, and our mission president and his wife shared their testimonies. To close we sang "This is the Christ." I love singing my testimony. While we were there Sister Roper (my new companion) and I met a recent convert who wants to serve a mission. She told us all about her experience with the missionaries and how much happiness she has experienced since joining the church. If you want others around you to be happy, share the gospel with them. It changes lives! Be thou an example of the believers. Do those things Christ would do. Be kind. Be patient. Seek knowledge and encourage and uplift others. It will bring you greater peace and joy that you can handle...but that's okay because God always makes more room for joy in our hearts. 

I love you all and I hope you have a wonderful week. 

All my love,
Jari 

And Jari's new address is:

200 Flemington Arms
Apt # C2
Flemington, NJ 08822

Mission Log: 19 Nov 2012

1st NY and Jersey City at Night

Marisol, one of the young women that always comes out with us, and her mom who always makes me delicious mexican food

But for real, my city rocks. 

My favorite little family. Felipe, Maryella, and Montserrat

My miracle family. Giovanni (Son) Misael (father) Hno. Veliz and Hna Veliz (the members that introduced us to them) me, Amelia (mom) Isela (daughter) Bryan (littlest brother) LOVE THEM! 

my city 

Missionary life is crazy. I was told this before I became a missionary. I've already experienced it, but still so stinking crazy. Monday our car decided to be a punk and breakdown...and some how we ended up at the mall while it was getting fixed. I've decided that the mall is the meeting place of all things ridiculous. What are people even wearing since May? These clothes are ridiculous! Everyone looks like the early 90's threw up all over them. Keep it classy people, c'mon.

Then the rest of the week was just a crazy run here, run there,do this, kind of week. We found 9 new people who want to learn more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Don't you love that. I love meeting people who really have a desire to change their lives and be more like Jesus Christ. We should all be more like Christ. We should all apply the principles of faith and repentance and become more kind and loving towards others. Sounds like a good idea to me. 

So we're trucking through this week. Then on Thursday we get a call to let both me and Hermana Herrera know that we'll be trainers for the next transfer. Hermana Herrera will be training a brand new missionary, and I'm going to a new area to finish training another missionary. WHAT THE CRAZY. So, we had to go to a special meeting on Friday and my brain is going everywhere because I have to leave my Jersey City that I love with all my heart. Sad. It's ridiculous how quickly I've come to love all the people here. I don't even really know what to do with all the love stuffed inside me. Now I'm getting taken away from all of it and I have to go love more and be more and do more in a different area. It will be interesting and wonderful, I'm sure. But AHHH my achy breaky heart (yes, I achy breaky, you caught that reference right). 

So while we're driving home from our meeting we get a call from our investigator to let us know that she will be getting baptized on Sunday. AWESOME! So we start making all the plans for that. But because all the missionaries spend our entire weekend doing hurricane clean up we had to track down different Elders (male missionaries) from different areas to help us get everything ready. The Elders who oversee us were getting all the wrong text messages. Lets just say it was stressful, and I threatened to throw our cell phone out the car window a couple of times, but somehow between Friday afternoon and Sunday night we managed to do 4 hours of hurricane clean up, had a baptism, taught a couple lessons, got me packed and ready to move out tomorrow, and we still fit in some eating and sleeping. Miracle week I tell you!

I don't have time to proof read anything I write ever, and my mind is going a thousand miles a minute at the moment so I hope all of this makes sense. If not I just hope that everyone who reads this knows that I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. I know that God hears and answers prayers. I know that when we have faith and keep the commandments that we can see miracles. I decided to pay special attention to all the miracles in my life this week and I decided that my whole life is one giant miracle. Even my trials, even those moments that I'm almost certain will kill me, are miracles that help me become the woman I was always destined to be. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart. Motto for life. 

Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving! 

Mormon Helping Hands

Just thought I (Annalee) would share this on Jari's blog. 

Mormon Helping Hands :: Hurricane Sandy :: Rockaways, NY from Joshua Brown on Vimeo.

Mission Log: 13 November 2012

Jersey Shore

Well, things are back to normal, or at least as normal as they’re going to be for the next who knows how long. Hurricane Sandy really did a number on this state. We will be working every Saturday for the next month at least to clean up the damage. This Saturday we were sent to Union Beach. What a tragic sight. The shoreline has been mostly washed away. Houses are completely destroyed by salt water damage, and sewage damage in some cases. People were throwing out every earthly belonging they’ve ever owned, down to the family pictures.

We helped throw out freezers full of rotting meat. We threw out filing cabinets, we destroyed desks with sledge hammers, we took out insulation, we mourned with those that mourned and comforted those that stood in need of comfort (but, for real!), and we sang hymns. It was one of the most heart wrenching yet incredible experiences of my life. And I get to replay it over and over for the next few weeks. There was one house we were working on that belongs to an older widowed woman named Stella. The boys were carrying out all of her furniture while the women wrapped up the few things she was trying to salvage. She told us about how she had won the yard beautification contest for her neighborhood just a few weeks earlier, and now everything was in shambles. There were a lot of us working there and we got the work done pretty quickly. Eventually she stopped us partly because there was no more we could do and partly, I think, because she was exhausted with the wreckage that had become her home. Before we left we sang "Called to Serve" and she broke into sobs on a kind stranger's shoulder. Her son also did the best he could to hold back his emotions. It just breaks my heart to see these people in so much pain, but then I see the ways that it turns them to God. These disasters are difficult and challenging and just no fun, but they bring people together. It's beautiful to see complete strangers offering support and love. It's beautiful to see people working together to deliver food, to clean up, to lend a hand in anyway they can. 

In my ward the members have been growing closer together by the necessity to care for each other. It's sad that we require such drastic measures to turn our thoughts toward God and our fellowman, but the results are glorious all the same. 

On a lighter note, lots of service all day long must have meant for some bored missionaries. While we were driving home we passed another car full of missionaries returning to their area. They ended up throwing bananas at our car for the next 10 miles. I don't know where they got all the bananas or why they thought it was a good idea to throw them at our car, but it made me laugh...and it also terrified me a little bit. 

We met an incredible man this week. He told us that he has been looking for truth and praying for an answer from God. We read the Book of Mormon with him and taught him how to recognize the Holy Ghost. I love meeting people with pure hearts. I just love them. 

I hope all is well at home. 

All my love, 

Jari!