Challenge Accepted

This is a phrase I heard on my mission. This morning as I attended the temple, I say this phrase was accepted from the youth there.

After receiving my mission call I started doing other ordinances in the temple so today was the first time in almost 2 years I went to the baptistry. Arriving early on Monday morning wasn't a foreign idea to my school schedule, in fact, the semester before my mission I went regularly. The difference today however filled me with gratitude and happiness.

Upon arriving I needed to print out temple cards and one of the sweet temple ladies told me to go downstairs to the baptistry and she would bring them, and I needed to "get in line." I headed down the stairs and there was a good number of youth in front of me. There is a small chapel near the baptistry and it was filled, not only was it youth of the church but most of them had brought their own family names to the temple. I would say they accepted Elder Andersen's challenge to the youth of the church to prepare as many names for the temple as you perform baptisms in the temple and help someone else to do the same. I later found out, there was at least one ward that gathered the youth and brought them to the temple every Monday morning. In attendance with them was the bishop, young men and womens leaders and parents.

The temple was full and once I had my spot in line, there were about 30 people in front of me. That is 140 ordinances performed within 90 minutes of the temple opening. My heart was full with gratitude as I watched these youth enter the water and perform these ordinances. I can't even imagine how diligently the missionaries are working to help these people accept the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I was also grateful for the peace I find in the temple. It is a refuge for me. Right before the youth got started a member of the temple presidency, President Ashton, addressed those present and asked them, "what questions do you have about the temple?" He assured us we could think about it as we discussed baptism. After the devotional finished, the front row of youth stood up and went to work. They knew exactly what they were doing. It looked likes bees at a beehive. 

Nothing says first day of school like your dad wanting to drop you off. (He didn't want to smile.)

Other challenges being accepted is the one to get a higher education. Today was day 1 back at BYU. First class was family history and we discussed missionary work, most of the class members were returned missionaries. We also talked about temples. It was fabulous. 

Next stop was computer science and we discussed missionary work again. I think I am going to like these classes. There is a very large diversity of majors and goals in this class. 

Middle class was Ballet. Well, on the bright side I can still walk. Just kidding. There were pros and cons and lets just say, "yikes!" There is definitely lots of room for improvement. It felt so good, but not dancing for 21 months is evident. 

(studio on campus)

Next class: ASL. It was so much fun. Lots of stories, deaf humor, and laughs. It is a good class. I am excited for the assignments we have, like talking to deaf people one-on-one. Going to the deaf ward doesn't count. Good thing I know a couple people who would fulfill that requirement without it being for a class. #Communicatewithourhands

Last class was music and you might not guess which room we were in...

I didn't know they had an ALMA lab. Such a BYU thing (#BookofMormonStories). Inside the ALMA lab is super cool.

Keyboards connected to computers. It was pretty hi-tech.

This last picture is something I found in the bookstore, which I thought, "Where do they come up with this stuff?"

After not being in school for a bit, I forgot the family tradition of a fathers priesthood blessing before school starts so, we got that done too. I love the Priesthood. Nothing can compare to it. 

I can't help but think how incredible everything else, all the small things, all the big things. Life is wonderful. 

Three months changed my life

The past 18 months have had and indescribable and incalculable impact on my life. Today I want to focus on the last three months of my mission. When I was called to be an American Sign Language missionary, I was excited, and nervous. I didn't feel like I was able to fulfill that calling in the way I pictured "fulfilling my calling." During those three months I learned many lessons but I am grateful for the impact it has had on the last 6 and a half weeks of my life.

Today was a beautiful day, not uncommon. The sunrise was beautiful and I have many pictures to document my enthusiasm as the sun rose today.

That wasn't what impacted me the most. Yes, I knew that God had started another beautiful day here, but upon returning home from my mission, some feelings haven't been the same. Returning from a mission is different than I thought, but today I had an opportunity to participate in TRC (Training Resource Center at the Provo Missionary Training Center). This TRC wasn't in English, It was in ASL. Upon my arrival at the MTC, I was immediately joined into a conversation with 3 others, who were there with the same purpose as me. I followed them to my the area where we would have a devotional. As I conversed with one of them, I learned she has been in the same MTC district with a dear companion of my about 19 months ago. So we did what any excited person would do and we took a selfie and sent it to our mutual friend. This dear companion of mine, was one companion from 1/2 of this precious 3 months. She wouldn't be the support she is in my life, her influence/example and love for life, wouldn't be the same as it is today without those 6 weeks with her.

Then, there were SO many ASL volunteers they combined some of us into a room and we were taught by missionaries. I was combined with this dear sister. Instantly friends, we were edified together from 4 different companionships of missionaries. Some might think, "if there were extra volunteers, why not go home?" The truth of the matter is in a couple different things.

1. I really wanted to volunteer and help the missionaries. I miss being a missionary and I am grateful I was able to be serve the Lord. I know my time is finished, and I want to help those missionaries by giving them the best experience they could have and an opportunity to learn and grow before they enter the unknown of "the field."

2. There are two cute sisters who are going to the greatest mission on the planet and I was so excited to meet them before they depart on Tuesday. They have such a love and enthusiasm for the work of the Lord. I know both of their trainers, and wards where they will be serving. I am so excited for them to start this journey.

3. Along with these sisters who are entering the service of the Lord, I got to see a sister who I had the pleasure of serving along side with. I love seeing familiar faces.

4. As I mentioned earlier, Sister Jess Turley and I were instructed by 4 amazing and different companionships. Our purpose as members was to be edified, to listen to the missionaries and to let them teach us. The Spirit was in abundance as these missionaries spoke. Each message had the same theme, with a different approach, articulation and execution. These faithful missionaries are going to influence the lives on many people. I know as I sat and watched these missionaries express the thoughts of their hearts, I was lifted, edified and inspired. How do I know? at the end of this 2 hours session, I felt the happiness of missionary work.  The happiness of bringing souls to Christ. I felt myself come closer to the Savior through them. I know I would not have gone and participated in TRC had it not been for the three months I was able to serve as an ASL missionary.

(in the TRC room)

5. I didn't know it before it started but I was introduced to ASL resources I had not previously known about. such as Uplifting Messages ASL (Facebook), as well as YSA deaf activities - Which  I can also guarantee I would not be going to if I had not been called to serve ASL for 3 months.

After the MTC and spending time with these missionaries, I headed to another missionary activity with missionaries from my mission. It was a blast. I love how Heavenly Father is involved in the details of our lives.

(Me, Cheyenne Dials, Talin Shick, Rachel Cox, Callie Jensen, Laurel Williams)