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!

Charity brings clarity

Random fact: In Arizona it's illegal to refuse someone water if they ask for it.

We had Zone conference this week. It was incredible. I have greater desires to repent, change, become--to prepare to return to the presence of God. Considering why I am where I am made me remember my purpose. Taking personal time to reflect has helped me keep perspective and my priorities straighter. Becoming more forgiving and caring.

If you want to become more, remember who you are! "Remember who you are, you are more than you've become". You are a precious child of God. He loves you. All love emanates from God.

"What is it about true love that touches every heart? Why does the simple phrase “I love you” evoke such universal joy?

Men give various reasons, but the real reason is that every person who comes to earth is a spirit son or daughter of God. Since all love emanates from God, we are born with the capacity and the desire to love and to be loved. One of the strongest connections we have with our premortal life is how much our Father and Jesus loved us and how much we loved Them. Even though a veil was drawn over our memory, whenever we sense true love, it awakens a longing that cannot be denied.

Responding to true love is part of our very being. We innately desire to reconnect here with the love we felt there. Only as we feel God’s love and fill our hearts with His love can we be truly happy."
(The Power of God’s Love: John H. Groberg)

I type to you as a witness of the redeeming power of God's love. It changes hearts, it's changing mine. I know he loves you, no matter what. I pray that we may all let his love into our hearts each day, and rejoice in the glad tidings that our Savior lives!

Make good choices,
Return with honor,
Remember who you are,
Sister Rachel White

Prayers & pumpkins

This week I learned a little bit more about the power of prayer. If you ever need anything, pray, and you can receive divine help--we've gotta act in faith, and then we can stand still and see the arm of The Lord.

"Trust me, learn of me, do what I do. Then, when you walk where I am going," He says, "we can talk about where you are going, and the problems you face and the troubles you have. If you will follow me, I will lead you out of darkness," He promises. "I will give you answers to your prayers. I will give you rest to your souls." (Broken Things to Mend)

I had an incredibly spiritual experience this week over planting pumpkins! There is an incredible couple that has decided to get baptized in 1 year, and on exchanges Sister Mitchell and I got to learn from them--communication & teamwork are super important. One point he made was that no one can ever take away our ability to communicate with God. And we were sent here in families, so these are eternal principles for success--communication and teamwork. I know that these are very crucial in the best kind of work :)

Missionary work: joy

Yesterday, there was a woman who was too sick to give her talk, but had written it. I got it right before the opening prayer to sacrament. They announced they heard I do good accents. It was humorous, because I was able to read in a southern accent a poem about Jake the Rancher--it's  probably on the internet. I learned how to follow the spirit, and how wonderful it is to be able to rely on the Lord when we are trying our best.

Wow, so many good things.

Remember the incredible Elder with muscular dystrophy Sister Sallstrom & I got to teach the Plan of Salvation with? Saturday, Sister Sallstrom & I had the honor of singing (with divine help) at his life
celebration, "Each Life that Touches Ours for Good." (because we sang If You Could Hie to Kolob during the lesson, and the spirit was very strong). We have an angel watching us from up above, so y'all don't need to worry about us :)

Our mission president, President Jenkins sent this to our mission, and I thought it was too good not to share: "I love what Elder Orson F. Whitney once said: 'The spirit of the gospel is optimistic; it trusts in God and looks on the bright side of things. The opposite or pessimistic spirit drags men down and away from God, looks on the dark side, murmurs, complains, and is slow to yield obedience.' We should honor the Savior's declaration to 'be of good cheer'. Indeed, it seems to me we may be more guilty of breaking that commandment than almost any other." (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland) This has helped me understand charity more :) I know that if we turn to the Lord with faith, he will help us keep His commandments. 1 Nephi 3:7, He giveth no commandment save he prepares a way.

Prayers are answered in due time, I am so grateful for that. I was able to feel strongly the answer to a question asked many a time for many a year. I know that Heavenly Father loves us, and if we continue to press forward in faith, we will gain all that he has, step by step.

I love you all,
Sister Rachel White

P.S.

One of my new favorite quotes :)
"Happiness in...life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful [relationships] are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities."
-The Family: A Proclamation to the World