Knowledge gives us wings to fly

June 9:

Just like worldly knowledge helps us fly in airplanes and other things, spiritual knowledge helps our spirits fly. I am so grateful for the blessings of scriptures (PMG & General conference included). As we read the scriptures, we come to know our Savior. We remember him. We remember who we are. We remember that we can withstand the power of Satan. We remember that our Lord will never forsake us. I know that studying the scriptures with real intent everyday can inspire anyone to fly. I highly encourage each of you to read a talk titled: “Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence” By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.

I love you all. The gospel is true. The formula to being successful and joyful is simple: Pray. Read. Go to church.

Remember who you are!

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

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 :)

Some Creative Subject

Transfers happened this week & my companion & I didn't get transferred!!!!!! I've never been so happy about transfer news!!!!!!!

During fast & testimony meeting yesterday, Camille, a YSA, bore testimony that she knows the Savior lives. She shared that she felt an undeniable spiritual confirmation for the first time of this truth as "the sisters" spoke the other Sunday. The spirit was so strong, undeniable. It made all the stress of giving a talk (in the silent YSA ward packed of incredible return missionaries all paying attention) very much worth it. I am so grateful for the companionship of the Holy Ghost that carries the truthfulness of our message to hearts. I know that our Savior lives, and that knowledge grows every day (especially yesterday).

Could y'all please pray for Elaine & her family? Last time there were so many miracles. Terri got baptized last Saturday! I know that by small and simple means the Lord brings to pass many miracles. Thank you for your faith.

Remember Who You Are,
Sister 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 :)

Our loving Father in heaven

I love you all, thank you for being awesome! Keep up the hard work!

I know that we are all blessed as we serve The Lord first. Sometimes it may not be obvious right away, but learning patience is one of the blessings. But he helps us along.

"He treats us with great love and respect, even when we make mistakes. He reminds us of our potential (see Moses 1:39) and our great worth (see D&C 18:10), which are based on our identity as His sons and daughters. He gives us laws so we know what He expects (see D&C 107:84), allows us to make choices (see 2 Nephi 2:15-16), and honors our choices (see D&C 130:20). He allows for learning and instruction to correct mistakes (see D&C 1:25-26) and for repentance and restitution to correct sin (see D&C 1:27-28)." (Raising Resilient Children)

Temples are a "sanctuary of serenity"

Stay strong, stay true,
Sister White

New Years Happened? / Testimony

Oh yeah, about that. Life as a missionary has been making me lose track of time. It feels like our New Year's activity was forever ago! I forgot about it until my companion brought it up. 3 funny things, we played do you love your neighbor, and a chair was broken. Our zone threw up some missionaries with a sheet, another blessing from being small. We did skits, I was Nephi, large in stature! I walked up to the edge of the stage and climbed onto the shoulders of a tall sister missionary.

Miracles are wrought everyday through faith. Prayer is incredible. Saturday night it was right for us to set a date for 2 wonderful, incredible people, a mother and her son. When we asked if she'd follow the example of Jesus Christ & be baptized, She said she was looking forward to it! And her son was ecstatic! (We've asked them before, but she said she was listening, and he was confused as to why he needed to be baptized again). The ward loves them, they love the ward, and we are sooooo happy. Being a part of this marvelous work is wonderful. The bishop was working with this family for ~20 years. Charity never faileth.

People keep calling me Sister Smith, because they remember my name is really common or something. My first Sunday I was introduced to the ward as Sister Smith (it got corrected). People we meet on the street leave saying, nice to meet you Sister Smith! Last week even Sister Sallstrom's family in emails called me Sister Smith!

Testimony
I know that our Redeemer lives, and this brings me great comfort. Remember the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the Way to have everlasting peace and joy in our lives. Faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, Enduring to the end. I love this gospel.

I know that we are able to do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Miracles happen. My prayers are with you.

Stay strong in the faith.
Remember who you are.
Return with Honor.

Love,
Sister Rachel White

You are loved, so so so much. D&C 121