Personal restorations

June 30:

Sister Evans & I have really fun roommates! Sister Inagaki loves the color yellow and Sister Niska has a hilarious fake laugh.

I got to help Sister Niska and Sister Inagaki reply to a gospel packet that was given to and filled out by an inmate. We found a gem of a quote the senior missionary had written in the packet: "Jon Huntsman said, 'Difficulty is one excuse history has never accepted.' You already know it is 'difficult' to be in jail; it is 'difficult' to disappoint your loved ones. Why not start doing 'difficult' things that are positive?"

I've been going out with members and our Sister Inagaki & Sister Niska because Sister Evans is sick. Please keep her in your prayers!

Something I've been pondering upon is how just like we can have personal apostasies, we can have personal restorations. Do we say we have done enough or that we have work to do? Do we say all is well in Zion or do we continually serve our brethren? (2 Ne 28)
30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.
31 Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.
32 Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts. (2 Nephi 28:30-32)

I love you all!

Transfers again!

June 23:

I cannot believe so much has happened since the last time I emailed y'all!

Sadly I just realized I don't have any normal pictures of my new companion, Sister Evans. She is super fun! We have laughed so much together.

This week I met a bunch of people that confirmed to me that this is where I'm supposed to be. Which is really nice because leaving my last area was not very fun

The first picture is with Heather, she was my splits buddy I would go out with just about every week, we had a ton of fun! YSA is the best!

Our ward mission leader has 2 huge racks of hats, so on my last night we took a bunch of pictures with hats! And the pictures in the car are very descriptive of our companionship. Goofy and laughing all the time. I was very blessed to be their companion :)

2 Nephi 29:8. Replace nation with person or missionary :)

Transfers, miracles, day to day, treasures, & pictures

June 16:
This transfer has been a whirlwind! I feel like the relief of staying happened just last week. I'm getting transferred on Wednesday to 1 ward with Sister Evans. She seems really cool, and she was companions with my trainer last transfer.

So many miracles this week! We just found out that the awesome girl we got to teach before she went to Chicago is getting baptized soon :) Remember the nonmember who invited us over for dinner? Miracles just keep happening with her and her family. We met one of her daughters who is really really interested and has tons of questions! Yay! Another huge miracle, elders were teaching a YSA in our area and decided they should pass him off to us--the guy wants to be involved and asks really deep questions.

Mom asked for me to talk more about my day to day life. The dry heat, even though it's usually 110, is not as bad as humid heat. Weird fact: Sometimes the parking lots have sticky tar because it's so hot. Also, Sister Henretty & I put sunglasses on over our prescription glasses because we want to keep seeing & not get blinded--it looks pretty hilarious! We have listened to the Lower Lights' music every day in the car this week, and singing along is highly entertaining. Sister Henretty made up a funny voice/character, "Egbert Kitecutter" and we get to have standup comedy in our car rides too! Sister Snyder has a really distinct laugh that makes everyone happy--after sacrament meeting, if someone said something funny and she laughed, 2-3 people usually comment on how much they loved it. Life  is wonderful :)

There were some golden treasures of knowledge from church on Sunday. "Commandments aren't given to us to change them. They are given to us to change us." And "daily scripture study isn't always about the understanding, more often it's about the sacrifice." I have been noticing more and more the subtle blessings of obedience to the small things. When I'm consciously doing the small things (like not getting distracted by the wall during church--way too easy for me) to invite the spirit, I really do feel better and I'm more edified. It is amazing.

In every spare moment I'm reading the Book of Mormon with the question of how do I get my faith to lead to action--repentance, change, progression (don't worry, I'm still reading PMG over the  summer too).

What is your favorite scripture story?

Pictures:

Members are the best

exchanges are the best

funny looking pictures in the Sunday school manual are the best

Mesa "greenery" at its finest

Exciting Changes!!

This week has been full of so many changes! On Tuesday, we found out 2 sisters had to move into our apt. So we have another companionship living with us. Then, on Friday, President Jenkins calls us, and told us we were getting another companion! All of the missionaries in the Eastern most mission of Ukraine got emergency reassigned to other missions, so we are in a trio! Sister Henretty is my new companion, and she is so sweet.

So many miracles happened this week!! We had a Mother's Day miracle--thank you for all your prayers! After we finished talking to our families, we went to go teach a referral at his friend's house. It was amazing!!! Everyone testified with the spirit, including him and his friends! There is peace and joy in righteous living. Sister Snyder invited him to be baptized, and he accepted!!!! He is committed to working towards June 14! He was adopted from Romania and is a model for Adidas. No big deal.

A missionary told me the 12-step addiction recovery program can be used to help one overcome anything. So, I started doing the 12-step addiction (bad habit) recovery program to help me apply the gospel more fully in my life. The process of change and becoming more through the atonement is glorious. I hope I'll get a stronger testimony of it so I can help others overcome temptations and addictions with their faith.

The first step is honesty. When we are dishonest with ourselves/others, we are being prideful. It is so easy to loose sight of the truth when we stop looking for it in the right places. “Pride is a very misunderstood sin. ...“Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart, or core, is still missing.“The central feature of pride is enmity--enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means  ‘hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.’ It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us.“Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will against God’s. When we direct our pride toward God, it is in the spirit of ‘my will and not thine be done.’ ...“Our will in competition to God’s will allows desires, appetites, and passions to go unbridled (see Alma 38:12; 3 Nephi  12:30).“The proud cannot accept the authority of God giving direction to their lives (see Helaman
12:6). They pit their perceptions of truth against God’s great knowledge, their abilities versus God’s priesthood power, their accomplishments against His mighty works” (in Conference Report, Apr.
1989, 3–4; or Ensign, May 1989, 4). (Step 1: Honesty) (Pride)

I have learned more about humility in this week from simply focusing on a scripture and question a day. My faith has grown, I am becoming stronger, and I am happier. I know this is because of the atonement of Jesus Christ. I'm still learning, and need help. I would love love love to learn from you, because I lookup to each of you. How have you been able to put more trust in The Lord?

I'm praying for y'all! Though we are not perfect and all face individual struggles, let our faith in a loving Father in Heaven & the assurance of the atoning sacrifice of the Savior permeate our lives :)

We are going on exchanges twice a week, it's been really fantastic learning from and working with other companions! We get to see miracles every time! One of my favorite miracles this week sprang from Sister Snyder's sacrifice--while she was serving with another companion in their family ward,  they came across a potential for our YSA-ward (which covers that area)! I know we are blessed as we serve others.

Sister Snyder and I got to teach an investigator's mom while he was getting interviewed for his baptism--it was incredible. This church building is brand new and has amazing paintings in it, so we walked around and looked at them. As we testified of the Savior, her heart was touched by the testimonies of each painting. After the interview, President Jenkins told her that it was no coincidence that so many of her children have become Mormon, and told her that there are probably ancestors tugging from the other side at her family. He told us to look at the paintings of faithful women in the R.S. room. He left because he had to be somewhere. Then after a few minutes, he came back, and burst into the room with tears, and hugged her, and told her he was impressed to come back and tell her it was her time to listen to what we have to say, and to join her family. It was incredible. After we finished looking at all the paintings, she gratefully accepted a Book of Mormon! Later on in the week we went to the Easter Pageant with them, and she loved it! She's also very excited about reading the Book of Mormon, and cannot wait to go back to the temple grounds!!

Yesterday a member brought a friend with him to church, and she is excited to learn more about our church, her whole family has been looking for a new church to go to!!! It was amazing.

Thank you all so much for your prayers. I know that as we pray continually, many mighty miracles will happen because of faith. I was studying patience and thought about how sometimes we cast others or ourselves "out" because of exceeding poverty--not only monetarily, but when poor in spirit, emotionally, physically, mentally. See Alma 34:40-41:

40 And now my beloved brethren, I would exhort you to have patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions; that ye do not revile against those who do cast you out because of your  exceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto them;

41 But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions,with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.

Sister Snyder & I got to see a banana tree!

Antonio got baptized!!! We are so happy for him!

P.S.  this movie is really really good: http://easter.mormon.org/?cid=HPTU041514694

Love & patience

Elder Marvin J. Ashton is amazing. Every talk I have read by him has been especially awesome :) I highly recommend his "FamilyCommunications" talk it has helped my companionship so very much :) Jones Stephens wrote, "I have learned that the head does not hear anything until the heart has listened, and that what the heart knows today the head will understand tomorrow."

I pray our Heavenly Father will help us to communicate more effectively in the home through a willingness to sacrifice, a willingness to listen, a willingness to vocalize feelings, a willingness to avoid judgment, a willingness to maintain confidences, and a willingness to practice patience. "How forcible are right words!" (Job 6:25.) Yes, how forcible are right words shared at the right moment with the right person.

May our gracious and kind Heavenly Father help us in our needs and desires for more effective family communication. Communication can help build family unity if we will work at it and sacrifice for it. For this goal, I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.  (Family Communications)

I know that what Elder Marvin J. Ashton taught can help everyone, for he is a man who teaches after the manner of Christ. We can always grow in our love, faith, and other capacities with the Savior's teachings. Following him improves the quality of our lives.

Pray with your whole soul for others. We must. In good days, in bad days, in so so days. All days. Doing so will make all days miraculous. Even if it's not easier, it's better!!

You're in my prayers, I love you all dearly

With love to eternity & beyond!

Remember who you are,
Sister White

P.S. We are teaching the coolest people, and our bishop is incredible!!!!!

Pictures again!

Quoting my mission president: "Rather than end my letter with a spiritual message, I would like to begin with it. It comes from President Packer's General Conference talk titled "The Key to Spiritual Protection". He said, "The scriptures hold the keys to spiritual protection. They contain the doctrine and laws and ordinances that will bring each child of God to a testimony of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer."

President Packer added, "Be not afraid, only believe. Righteousness is more powerful than  wickedness". Never lose hope (don't be afraid). Never give up or give in. You are stronger than you think. The power of the scriptures, of our personal righteousness, and of our faith and belief in the Savior, combined with the enabling power of the Atonement are sufficient for all our challenges, trials, heartaches, addictions, tendencies, and weaknesess. I promise you that this is true."

Uploading pictures was not working for a few weeks, and Sister Sallstrom got transferred, so we got a bunch of pictures (this isn't even a fraction of them, we love taking pictures)

I cannot recall if I told you about our super fun lesson! The Cenatiempos helped us teach the blessing of obedience to Tyler. We raced, and then raced with one person being weighed down with weights (being weighed down with sin). We basically did a bunch of relays. Seeing who could shoot the most hoops first with a basketball and then with a yoga ball. One of my favorites was when we did the wall sit competition, Sister Cenatiempo "kept the Sabbath day holy" so she got a 7 second break every 7 seconds, & then a longer one for "General Conference."

"Consider on the blessed and happy state of those at keep the commandments" Mosiah 2:41

Also, meet Antonio, he may look scary, but he accurately describes himself "like a big teddy bear". He is so cool! We had the best time teaching him, he is so funny. The new elders in the area love teaching him. He is trying really really hard to quit smoking by the end of this month so he can be baptized, we are praying for him! Many many miracles have happened as we have had the privilege to teach him, he loves loves loves the gospel!

Shada invited us to her son's birthday party this week. We got to meet a ton of her awesome family, they are awesome! she is one of the sweetest women in the world :) she's the one we got to teach with the elder who passed away from muscular dystrophy.

I just realized I only have a few more minutes, but just so you know, Tyler's mom, Terri! is one of the most amazing people I have ever met (someday you might be lucky enough to be her friend)

I love you all!!!
Stay strong in the faith,
Sister White

Missions are fun :)

Transfers are happening on Wednesday! Since there has been so much work in both of our wards, they are putting a set of missionaries in each! I will no longer be covering 2 wards. We are going to miss the stalwart saints in that ward so much!! I'll miss Sister Sallstrom, I'm getting a new companion. She has been soooo amazing!!!! I cannot believe all that we have seen together!!!!

In a few hours we are going to meet 2 of the coolest people in the world for dinner. We were teaching them last week, and it was amazing how strong the spirit was. Their questions were answered through the spirit, it was so miraculous. Corey even said he should've been a missionary, he could easily "sell" the Book of Mormon: Just read it, every answer you ever need, it's in this book. Jacob 2:18-19 :)

I know you can experience the joy from missionary work as you go out with the missionaries in your area. Just last night, we were going out with a member, and everything fell through! Then, we were led to where the Lord needed us, and we were able to see why nothing else worked. Our faith was strengthened so much--the members that come with us are able to relate in ways that we cannot because they have had experiences that connect them to the people we are teaching. Members are a key part for an investigator's conversion.

We can learn more as we go to the temple, we can feel more of Heavenly Father's love. Everything exists because of his love.
Heavenly Father created this world out of love
He sent his son, because he loves us
We love him because he first loved us
We serve him & keep his commandments because we love him
We love others because we love him

"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved." Thomas S. Monson.

Love you all!
Sister Rachel White

P.S. please pray for Terri & Tyler, they know the gospel is true, but coming to church is hard for them. Also, please pray for Troy.

Puppies, lunch

I went picture crazy this week since I forgot to do it last week.

A less active member has puppies, and she let us take pictures with
them, aren't they adorable? (she has 11, and I think they are all sold already, wow!)

I had so much fun making breakfast for Sister Sallstrom, and she
wanted a picture of it :)

Sister Sallstrom lost her contact container, so I told her what I would 

do when I forgot mine--use teaspoons, haha.

Oh, and that last picture? Especially for Hannah :)

We got to go to the Gilbert temple open house!! It was so incredible!

I hope you all are having a wonderful week!

The work is going well, everyone is getting sick though! Geneva, (I think I sent pictures of her earlier with the gingerbread houses) is getting baptized on Saturday :)

I love you all.

I know that our Father in Heaven loves each of you very much, I hope the Spirit impresses that upon your hearts as you remember all the good things in your life (Moroni 10:6).

Remember Who You Are,
Sister White

Christmas Pictures

The Hall family sent a gingerbread house making kit, so last week we made them with Geneva and Alnita :) Alnita was baptized a year or so ago, and her granddaughter, Geneva has a brother on a mission. We have been teaching Geneva and love sharing the good news of the gospel with her :)

We also happened upon a droll Santa saguaro cactus.

Whoa!

My wonderful, dearest family!!!

Wow. Missionary work is just the best. Last week I was good and wrote down what I wanted to say as I was going throughout the week... I left most of my notes at home this day though, so this email will be a lot more random. Sorry!

One big thing I learned during a personal study is this: As we get to know someone better, the more we love them, the more we love someone, the more we want to make them happy--the more we love them the more doing things for them makes us happy. The more we love someone, what makes them happy makes us happy. Likewise, when we love God, we grow to love his children.

As I have born my testimony practically every moment I have been out here, it has been growing at an accelerated rate. I am working very hard, praying and relying on the Lord, and turning to Him for help. I know that this gospel is true, we are so loved. We can be healed. Jacob 2:8

Also, Mosiah 18:7-11 is powerful. Why not get baptized and have access to a fullness of joy through the atonement?

I am SO blessed!!!! I am in the 7th mission to get ipads and do online proselyting. Every single sister missionary gets to help give tours during the Christmas lights show at the Mesa Temple, it is such an
exciting time of year! The Lord really has His hand in everything.

My companion, Sister Sallstrom, knows Elizabeth Moss!!! Apparently she was her visiting teacher in SVU!

So, where to begin! The first night I was in Mesa, my day training companion let me share the spiritual thought after dinner--it was completely directed by the spirit. It was a witness to me of how I was in the right place at the right time, and showed me how prayers are answered. It also showed me
how much my past experiences can allow me to testify of the divinity of Jesus Christ and His gospel.

The next day at transfers I was called up to share one of the miracles that happened the day before, so I shared that experience at dinner, the spiritual thought I gave was about the promise Elder Holland gave of the healing power of the scriptures--the healing words of Christ have been on my mind a lot. Because, I'm healing like crazy!!! When I got to the MTC, I could only run for half a minute without my knee causing me trouble, now I can run about 2 miles!!!! I have been getting sooooo much stronger and it is sooooo wonderful.

It is paradise here, perfect 70's weather right now. Funny--there were inch deep puddles!!! it rained a couple of days STRAIGHT here. Coming to the desert, I was expecting something different.

It feels like the MTC was FOREVER ago! Just because I have been learning so much I guess.

Wow, there is no time.

I know that Heavenly Father loves each and every one of you so very much. I know that the gospel is true. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and because of the prayer of that lad, millions have been blessed. I know that the Book of Mormon contains the words of God, and that through prayer, we may come to know. As we act with a sincere desire to know, and take it one step at a time, we can learn.

I compared it to a marathon. You cannot just take one step and say, woohoo, I'm done! Nope, it takes training and work and many many many steps.

Oh, and the members here love the missionaries and go to lessons with us all the time, we are so very lucky. They treat us like family. We are a part of the ward families. Oh, I'm pretty sure I've learned about 100 names already. I'm serving in 2 wards. We are sharing the love in Mesa!

Oh! and I met Kristin Connell's brother!!! He is awesome & he & his wife help the ward so much!

Ofa-atu,
Sister White

MTC Life

Here is encouragement and love from afar. You are amazing, I am recognizing so many things I have learned from each and every one of you while at the MTC. I cannot believe how quickly the time has flown, but at the same time it feels like we've been here for so long and know each other so well.


So, funny stories:

I found out I was too short to look through peep holes at the MTC.

Moser humbers me.
There is a tree that smells like orange cream soda (missionaries have been pouring soda on it). Recently it got closed off with rope and signs. On the tree was a sign that read: Jeremiah 12:10-11. Only at the MTC do we get such glorious humor.

We were taught that if we don't know something or if there was a concern we can rely the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. So, Sister Taylor asked her companion, Sister Laulusa if the relief society was held in a bigger room since the age change. Sister Laulusa responded, "I don't know. But I do know the Book of Mormon is true!"

Those two wonderful sisters, Sister Taylor and Sister Laulusa, Elder Spotten, Sister Smith and I make up our wonderful district. We have such a wonderful time in class learning from our awesome teachers.

I've learned so much! I cannot even try to give all of the lessons learned justice. Ether 2:13-14--praying from the heart. If in a rut, probably not having meaningful prayer. John 8:29. D&C section 88 is called an olive leaf plucked from the tree of paradise. Verse 119 we substituted companionship, district, zone, etc. for house. I highly recommend reading these :)

Sacred: "a piece of heaven we don't allow to get tarnished from the world"

I have been extremely blessed. I'm pretty sure I have the best companion in the world. On the first day, she suggested we memorize a scripture everyday so we can become better missionaries. It has definitely been a huge blessing in the small amount of time we have been doing it. Sister Smith lights up a room just by being in it. We sing everywhere we go. It's amazing how much we can grow to love everyone around us. Our leaders, teachers, missionaries in our zone, roommates, the people that serve us in the cafeteria.

Our Branch President, President Brown is awesome. He says awesome things like: "I'll flip you like a cheese omelet." and "love is always the key."

Oh, I gave a talk on the Atonement during church on Sunday. I used 2 scriptures, Alma 7:11-12, our Savior took on our pains, afflictions, temptations, sicknesses, not just our sins; because he loves us SO much. Mosiah 2:11, enabling power of the atonement to serve, despite our weaknesses. I love the atonement. I love Jesus Christ, this church, the MTC, missionary work.

We are going to the temple later today :)

Heavenly Father loves you!

'ofa atu

(goodbye with love)

Sister White

Oh and P.S.
Elder L Tom Perry came and spoke to us on Tuesday evening!!!! We were sitting about 20 ft away  from him :) He taught us how to be better companions during our mission and always. The principles he taught are: Learn the gospel, raise each other up, be a good listener, be patient and loving, and stay together.