Week 12: Christmas Week

Hola friends and familia!

(I only know about that much Spanish so don't ask for more.)

I had such a good week! Slow when it comes to the work, but I made memories that will last a life time :) 

On Tuesday sister Lewis went over to C's because she needed help baking cookies. For those of you who don't know... I'm a pro at making chocolate chip cookies. In 7th grade I made them almost every day, and C didn't know how!? Weird. So we taught her! And let me just tell you. They were superb :) she's the sweetest. She told us we were going to be friends forever, and she wants us to go to the temple with her when she goes for the first time! I will be able to because I'll still be on my mission, and I am allowed to, but sister Lewis might be home already :( we love C :)

That night we went to a couple members homes to help wrap presents! A sister in our ward had a 3 page list to accomplish by the next day and there was absolutely no possible way she could do it by herself, so we offered to come over the next morning to help out. We got to her house at 9:30ish and didn't leave until 2:30ish! We wrapped the rest of the presents, helped her finish moving in (they moved into this house on July), moved furniture around, cleaned (including vacuuming) every room, cooked, baked, and set up the table for Christmas dinner because she had a lot of family coming over that night. I can honestly tell you that I've never had a better Christmas Eve! I spent the majority of it serving, and you really can't beat that! :) she kept asking why we picked her to help. Of all the people we know, why did we ask her if she needed help? The spirit knows, and when you're listening, he tells you where to go and when to go. She had been in tears from being so stressed, and we were more than happy to lift her burden! I love being a missionary :) we went caroling that night with our district, and that was fun :) 

Christmas Day was AWESOME!!! Sister Lewis and I didn't sleep a wink the night before. We were too excited :) but we did get to sleep in until 7:30 as a gift from our mission president!
We opened presents from our families and then SKYPED them!! Woohoo!! It was so good to see and hear from everyone. I am grateful for technology. When it works ;) after that we just went to members homes to play games and share a Christmas message :) 

Oh I almost forgot!! This week sister Lewis and I went to a sisters house to learn how to index! Surprisingly, it's SO FUN! I can see how people get addicted to it! Sister Lewis indexed over 40 names while we were there! I thought of Caden because I know he was in charge of that for our ward for a while.

The day after Christmas, we had another half mission conference. There were a lot of super good talks given but one of my favorites was by Sister Riggs. She told the story of a school teacher, Joshua Chamberlain, who ended up being a leader in the battle of Gettysburg. During the war he found that they were quickly outnumbered and had given their all over and over again. He was exhausted, as were his fellow troops, but he refused to give up. Chamberlain stated, "I had deep within me the inability to do nothing. When faced with the choice to do nothing or something, I will always choose to act". Joshua and those who were left to fight with him were ALL IN. They gave their ALL one final time, and ended up winning that battle. Now, this was the choppy summed up version of the story, but the point was that he chose to DO SOMETHING about the situation by giving every ounce of his effort. Even if, "one more time" was said twelve different times. 

From Mr. Chamberlain I learned that missionary work is just that. Work. And life is hard sometimes! It's a battle, but we have to stay focused on the goal and give our all in order to see results. If I don't do something, nothing I want to have happen will happen. Make sense? 

One goal I have is to come home in 15 months as a better Kailey. A changed Kailey, but in the good way. I want to BE more Christ-like (I could give you a list of things I'd like to be by the end of my mission, but I'll spare you). 

Everything in this world challenges us to KNOW something. The gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to BE something. I love that! Grow. Change. Become! It's a process :) 

My favorite phrase said at this conference was, "He will bless you both temporally and spiritually as you turn your life over to Him". As I match my will up with the Lord's will, and as I give my all to Him, I will change. I invite you to apply this to your life! BE something! DO something! And ask for guidance from your Father in Heaven because he is just itching to help you :) 

I feel like every week I say the same thing. "Do all you can... Do your part... Give your all..." But that just shows how important it really is! God gave us agency (the ability to choose for ourselves) and it's so important to use it wisely. 

I know my savior lives. I know that as I try my best to do only those things that please my Heavenly Father, my wishes and wants will be aligned with His. I don't think it gets any better than that because God's plan for each of us individually is the best plan :) 

I love being a missionary!! I love Jesus Christ, and I love my Father in Heaven. 

Have a safe, wonderful week, OH! And HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! :) 

Love,
Sister Chandler 

Ps. We didn't take any pictures this week. I know. I'm surprised, too.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Family!

If you ever want to slow down time, send one of your children off on a mission! Kailey's only been gone for 3 months and yet it feels like at least 6! It will be a long 15 months at this rate.

Hearing her voice made us all cry, but seeing her cute little gestures and expressions made us smile and laugh. It's so good to see that she is still "Kailey". Here are some bullets from our conversation...

• She told us that the church is reducing the missionary numbers to 200 per mission from 250, so they are losing 7 sister companions in her area. The members are sad because they really work well with the sister missionaries.
• We asked her what she'd learned the most since she'd been in Virginia and she immediately replied, "The Atonement". She finally understands what it means to apply the atonement; to live the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, to obey the commandments, to repent. She has one current investigator who is applying the Atonement to her life during her conversion process.
• We asked her if she has struggles because she doesn't tell us about them. She said it's because she shares them with her companion and works it out by the time she writes. Her companion, Sister Lewis, was quick to stand up and tell us the thing that Kailey is good at and even helps her with is, the ability to not take rejection personally. Kailey is quick to put it in the Lord's hands and let him work it out for those who are not interested in their message. She doesn't allow herself to get discouraged.
• The other difficult thing Kailey deals with in Virginia are people who are flat out rude. She told us a couple of stories where doors had been slammed in their faces. The sisters tell people that "it was nice to meet you," and the strangers reply with "it wasn't nice to meet you." 
• She sometimes has a hard time keeping both feet focused on the mission, especially this week since she knew she would be talking to us. She got a little homesick, but has committed to be more focused with both feet in her mission.
• Transfers will happen on January 8th and it looks like Kailey will stay where she is at and get a new companion, but Sister Lewis will be moving on. Thank you, Sister Lewis for treating Kailey so well.
• Kailey stood up and showed us what she was wearing, and then Caden told her he was now 5'4". She didn't believe him so he stood up next to me and Erica ,and Kailey gasped with astonishment - he's taller than both of us....and still growing...finally!

Thank you to all our friends and family who are writing and keeping in touch with Kailey. That support for her is the most important thing we can do for her. She's a long ways away from home, so letters help her to know we are thinking of her and keeping her in our prayers. You can also post on her facebook page: Sister Kailey Chandler.  

CAN'T WAIT FOR MOTHER'S DAY!

Repentance & Pig Noses

HELLO!!! :)) 

Guess what?? 3 more days until Christmas!!! Just thought I'd help you count down :) 

Alright. Now let's get serious :)

Being a servant of the lord 24/7 for 3 months has really expanded my knowledge of the gospel. Duh, right? Even though I wear Jesus Christ's name on my shirt everywhere I go, I am human; I still have reason to repent. Whether it's because I'm lazy, unmotivated, don't follow a prompting, or seriously lack charity for an elder I serve around, I have reason to repent. 

I get to study on my own for an hour every morning, and this week I came across a talk from October 2013 conference by president Boyd k. Packer, The Key to Spiritual Protection. In it he mentioned a short story that I'd like to share :) He said,

"President Joseph F. Smith was five years old when his father, Hyrum, was killed in Carthage Jail. Later, Joseph crossed the plains with his widowed mother.At age 15 he was called on a mission to Hawaii. He felt lost and alone and said: “I was very much oppressed. … I felt as if I was so debased in my condition of poverty, lack of intelligence and knowledge, just a boy, that I hardly dared look [anyone] in the face.

While pondering his plight one night, young Joseph dreamed he was on a journey, rushing as fast as he possibly could. He carried with him a small bundle. Finally, he came to a wonderful mansion, which was his destination. As he approached, he saw a sign which read, “Bath.” He quickly went in and washed himself. He opened his little bundle and found clean white clothing--“a thing,” he said, “I had not seen for a long time.” He put them on and rushed to the door of the mansion.

“I knocked,” he said, “and the door opened, and the man who stood there was the Prophet Joseph Smith. He looked at me a little reprovingly, and the first words he said [were]: ‘Joseph, you are late.’ Yet I took confidence and said:

“‘Yes, but I am clean--I am clean!’"

This made me realize that it's never too late to repent. Better to do it right away, yes, but never too late. I had always known that, but I love that Joseph is confident and joyful because he knows he is clean! Never mind that it took him a little longer than others; he made it, didn't he? 

I am so thankful for a merciful, just, loving father in heaven who gives us a trillion second chances. Despite the disappointment and sorrow He may feel when we mess up, His arm is continuously outstretched and His love is ours to feel if we but come unto Him.

Something about the LDS faith that I love, is the knowledge we have that children, even babies, that die before the age of accountability are safe. In the Book of Mormon, Mosiah chapter 3 verse. 18 tells us, "... And the infant perisheth not that dies in his infancy; but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children...".

One of my all time favorite scriptures is Mosiah 3:19 which says, 

"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be forever and ever, UNLESS he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father". 

Repentance simply means change. If God is on the left and you're walking in the opposite direction, turn around. Put off the natural man and come unto your Heavenly Father. If it's not easy, you're doing it right :)

In other news....

This week wasn't all that exciting, although, sister Lewis and I did get matching pajamas. And we also had a little extra time left to ourselves after dinner one day, so we thought we would make pig noses and take pictures... The entertainment you find when you're a missionary... Hahah :) 

We helped a sister clean and organize her home again. That was sweet because she repeatedly expressed her appreciation and love for us :) we love to serve :) 

On Wednesday we learned that one of our investigators fell :( she is 85 years old, so sweet, and definitely very witty. We went to visit her at the hospital and it was fun talking with her. She went home the next day. BUT, while we were there everyone thought sister Lewis and I were sisters or twins!?! Yeah, what?? So weird. Every nurse that we passed or talked to asked us if we were sisters, or twins :) 

C has been struggling a lot because her mom will basically disown her if she gets baptized, but she knows this is what she needs to do, so it's a big emotional battle. She's decided to wait until January so R (her husband) can baptize her, which we think will be better because at this point there is too much stress and contention. She's super strong though, and we still meet with her, so it's just all in the Lords timing :)

Fun fact: Virginia has zero street lights. ZERO. Okay maybe like 2 per neighborhood, but seriously. It's so dark at night!! They really should invest in street lights for idk... Safety!? Sheesh. Also, u-turns are legal pretty much everywhere here, which is new to me because in Idaho they aren't :)

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Email me! Or shoot me a message on my Facebook account; Sister Kailey Chandler.

Did I mention that I LOVE being a missionary?! If anyone is even considering it, I highly recommend putting those papers in :) best decision of my life. 

Thanks for... Everything!! Have a merry Christmas!!! :))
Sister Chandler

Week 10: Paper chains, parties, and patience

Hello!! :) 

Wow I had such a good week!! I'll do my best to recap :) 

C has decided to be baptized on the 27th! So we made her a paper chain count down with scriptures and quotes written on them :) she is going through a lot of struggle right now and if you could keep her in your prayers, that would be so great! My sister got me hooked on the paper chain idea after I made one to count down to my mission, so sister Lewis and I made one for Christmas :) it's almost here!!!! :))

We taught the lesson on Sunday and it went so well! The spirit was really strong, and I learned a lot while preparing for it! My mom was blessed with the gift of teaching; she is such a good teacher, especially when it comes to the gospel. I am discovering my own love for teaching as I am out here :) the spirit has been so strong for me this week and I think it's because I am applying the following principles in my life: 

On a mission you are encouraged to set goals, and do all you can to accomplish them. Goals that are set for both personal reasons and as a companionship. During the Christmas party this week, we had a member of the 70 come speak, and stressed the blessings that come from doing ALL you can do and trusting God to do the rest. In high school I really stuck to this, and out here on a mission it brings that phrase to a whole other level! In the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 25:23 tells us that, "... We know that it is by grace that we are saved AFTER ALL WE CAN DO". 

Sister Lewis and I set a goal to talk to everyone we see. Everyone! So we do! We talk to the people behind us in line at the post office, or at target. We talk to the guy smoking on his porch, and the lady in the computer room in our complex.

We never know what will come of it, if anything at all, but we know that God will bless us with finding someone who wants to hear the gospel after we do ALL we can do; after we do our part.

This can apply in anything! Whether it's studying for a test, practicing your tail off for a basketball game, memorizing a speech, running 2.6 miles, etc. as long as you do your part the best you can, Heavenly Father WILL take care of the rest :) BUT you have to ask for help, and have faith that He will help you. I testify that he will :) 

There were a couple other phrases that were said that day that I want to share:

"God has all power over us, yet still lets us choose"

This is so special to me! I was blessed with parents that gave me guidelines, but still let me figure things out on my own. Our Heavenly Father is the same way! He gives us scriptures, prophets, prayer, and church leaders (as well as parents) to guide us throughout this earthly life, but still lets us choose the path we take, and lets us figure things out. 

"Fear and faith cannot dwell in the same heart" 

As a missionary, you can't have 100% faith that you're going to find someone while knocking doors if you're too scared to approach people and knock doors! 

"All the blessings of the Lord are yours if you call upon him, and you CAN call upon Him". 

Not everyone in the world has the same gifts. I wish I could sing like my sweet companion, but.. No such luck. Something I've always wanted to try was softball! But I'm sort of scared of the ball, and for some reason I can't seem to ever hit it with the bat, so that talent skipped me. We all wish we were more patient, or loving, or motivated, or this, or that, but guess what?? Something I've learned while being on my mission is that you can ask Heavenly Father for these gifts and you can receive them! Like mentioned before, you have to work at it and try your best, but God will always help you out :) This week I invite you to put your trust in God while making any decision! Test it out! You will find just how much you really can do with the Lords help :) 

On Tuesday we had the usual district meeting, but we practice-taught and focused on teaching with the power of the Holy Ghost. I had SUCH a good experience!! I taught boldly but with love, and it was to another missionary but it was SO effective! Loved it. 

Earlier this week when sister Lewis and I came back from the gym, it was so cold outside that the stairs to our apartment had a nice slippery sheet of ice covering them, but we didn't know that until we stepped on them and slipped into each other. I got a cute bruise on my ankle for a few days :P oh my! And sister Lewis is a beast! An elder in our district can break an apple perfectly in half with his hands, so she tried it and after about 5 minutes she did it! I was impressed :) 

Another thing that impressed me was the fact that I ran 2.6 miles one morning!! I haven't done that since college this summer, so I was feeling great!

And then I got a package from my mom full of fudge and my favorite Italian cookies EVER!!! So much for running :) haha I LOVED this package!! Thank you to everyone who wrote me a Christmas card!! That made my day, and the stocking!!? Where on earth did you find such an adorable stocking, mother?!? SO cute!! :) I hung up my garland and stocking above my bed. Our apartment is looking more and more like Christmas every week!! 

On Friday we had a mission Christmas party!! :) this was so fun! All 250 missionaries got together and had a talent show in the beginning. But it wasn't a cheesy talent show at all! The people in my mission are sooo talented!! Oh it was so much fun :) we had good food and goodies served to us, and a wonderful spiritual message. I'll share it later :) 

Every year president Riggs likes to make a "yearbook" for the mission so that people can find someone they were attracted to when they go home. President likes to play match maker, but tells you to lock your heart while you're here. He is funny, but the point to this is that you know how it's extremely rare for anyone to take a decent yearbook picture?? Ya. Same goes for this mission yearbook picture! Sister Lewis and I look like we just woke up... From the dead. hahaha good thing everyone else does too ;) 

I love being a missionary. I love my family and I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have that families can be sealed together for time and eternity. I know my savior lives, and I need Him EVERY. HOUR. of every day. 

I hope you have a fantastic week!! Merry Christmas!!! :) 

Sister Chandler 

Pictures: 

The first one is all the places that people that I've met/taught come from. 

The second is a picture with all those important people when they pushed the button at the temple to turn the lights on. (From left to right: mr. And mrs. Marriott- the guy who owns the hotels, yours truly ;), the member of the 70 that spoke, I don't have a clue who that girl is.. Maybe his wife?, ambassador of Bulgaria and her husband, then just people in my ward, including sister Lewis) 

And then the typical selfie for the week! 

Week 9: Christmas Lights and Christ

Hello! :)

This week started out so great with a referral from headquarters!! A lady requested a bible and we like to get those requests contacted within 24 hours. So we went to give it to her, and Sister Lewis asked why she wanted one. Her name is L.   She said she was trying to grow closer to God because she once felt the holy spirit and she wants it back. Immediately my heart overflowed with love for this woman and I was like, "Well thats actually our job! We are missionaries for Jesus Christ, and it's our job to help people grow closer to Christ! Is that something you'd be interested in??" She shook her head with big eyes and said, "Oh yes! Can you come by tomorrow??" This is a miracle. I love Heavenly Father!! :) When we went to visit her we found out that she has Lupus and a sickle cell disease, AND she was SHOT in the leg in June!!?? All we could think about was the plan of salvation, but there wasn't any time to teach her so we are going back this week. She also told us she couldn't find a church anywhere that had a daycare because she wanted to take her kids with her to church! I was like, "Our church has that!" I never thought I'd be so grateful for nursery.

Tuesday was AWESOME!!! So get this. At the temple over here in DC they string 600,000 lights all over the trees, and every single night in December there is a concert; different people come from everywhere to perform here, and its a big deal. The first night is the night they push one single button that lights all 600,000 of them all at once! BUT it's invite only because important people are at this one. People like the Ambassador of Bulgaria, and an area 70, and congressmen, etc. Sister Lewis and I were blessed with a wonderful ward, and Sister Egbers is a lady in the ward who's mother was in charge of the whole thing! So she invited us to go!! It was so cool!! The Ambassador of Bulgaria talked about how impressed she was with the missionaries in her country, and how much she respects members of the church for the service they give to her people. I felt so great sitting in the audience wearing Jesus Christ's name on my shirt :) We sang Christmas songs with people from all over the world, and you know that little 12 year old girl, Lexi Walker, who is an amazing singer?? She performed and we got a picture with her :) We felt cool ;) It was BEAUTIFUL!! I am a sucker for Christmas lights so I couldn't have had a better night. 

On Wednesday we went out with a member to teach lessons, and we were talking about Christmas! I mentioned that one thing I am really going to miss is decorating a Christmas tree. The next day she bought us a baby one with lights and little decorations! :) Best gift ever!!! :) I love that tree! 

One morning while sister Lewis and I were running to the gym, I said something funny and she turned to look and laugh at me but she turned too quick and threw something out in her neck, so now her shoulders are literally uneven. I thought about how nice it would be if my dad were here, but we called sister Riggs and she just told us to ice it and see how she feels on Monday (today). I don't think she understood when we said that her shoulders were clearly uneven... poor sister Lewis! Hopefully we can find a Chiropractor soon! 

The ward Christmas party was on Friday, so we helped set up for that and Sister Lewis and I decided to match! It was a hit :) Also, we took a picture with Santa because why not? 

Church was SO good yesterday! I was so spiritually filled, and then we watched the Christmas Devotional yesterday at a members home so that was even more spiritually filling!! I love my savior so much. I am so grateful for the atonement, and for the love my Heavenly Father has for me alone. It's so great to know that I am a daughter of God, and he knows me better than I know myself :) Being on a mission has helped me discover Jesus Christ. I no longer simply know OF Him, but I KNOW Him, and it's the coolest thing ever! I recommend watching "He is the Gift" on mormon.org/christmas. It's a beautiful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas :) 

Sad Fact: C is the woman who is on date to be baptized, but is no longer on date because she wants her husband to do it... but we talked to the bishop and he said in order for that to happen we are going to have to wait until next month :( We are going to talk to them tonight, but as of now we don't have a baptism anytime super soon anymore. 

Missions are fun despite the rough patches! I love being a missionary so much! :)
Thank you Thank you for all the love and support!! I love my Heavenly Father, and my earthly parents for making it possible for me to serve this mission :) It's truly the best decision I've ever made. 

Mom: I got your little package and letter! Thanks for making parker write me 2 paragraphs :) hahaha Also, I felt something in my boot this week so I took it off to tip it upside down, and out came a little note that you wrote before I left! 8 weeks later... hahah thanks :) Love you :) 

All my love,
Sister Chandler

Week 8: Turkeys, Snow, & Yarn

Happy (late) Thanksgiving. I had such a good week!

Last Monday we walked past a man who was sitting in his car with the window rolled down, so we said hi and asked how he was doing. We started talking, and then he asked if we had a card! He said we'd be hearing from him after Thanksgiving week so cross your fingers that that means this week! :) 

Later that night we taught a family home evening lesson with a family of 8 kids. We taught being thankful during trials and based it off of the story when Nephi's older brothers tie him to the boat. He was tied up for 4 days straight, and when they let him go his wrists and ankles were swollen! BUT Nephi is such a good example. He didn't complain or murmur even a little bit the entire time; he just thanked God for his blessings and praised Him all the day long. Anyway, while teaching this, we had the kids act it out and it was so fun :)

When serving a mission in the states, it's easy to get fat :( so you really have to watch how much you eat, and how much you exercise. I kept limiting myself to running a mile every morning, but Sister Lewis had the brilliant idea of using my jacket to cover up the numbers on the treadmill so that I couldn't see how far I'd gone. I did just that and had to stop because it was time to go home, so when I took my jacket off of the numbers, I found that I easily ran over a mile and a half- almost 2 miles! So now that's how I run :) We can apply this to a lot of things in life; limiting ourselves. We can all reach so much further if we stop putting limits on the things we do! This includes missionary work.

I had a proud moment in District meeting on Tuesday. In elementary school I would always win when we played limbo in music class, and this week we did an object lesson for district meeting. We split the zone up in districts and needed one person per task to perform. I chose the limbo (which represented reaching/stretching/growing) and am happy to report that I kicked butt :)

Wednesday was fun! We helped a sister organize her house after she moved in, and then IT SNOWED!!! My FIRST snow away from home and it was.... pathetic. It was wet and only stuck to the grass, which we counted as a blessing because when it snows here people just stop their cars, get out, and walk. (that's what we hear anyway) But I love snow! It was gone the next day, and today it's like 73 degrees. Oh well.

Thursday was Thanksgiving! Funny story. As missionaries, we have to be awake by 6:30. Sister Lewis naturally woke up around 6:05 and thought to herself, "Heavenly Father. I am not feelin' it today. Im going to need some help waking up this morning". Then the next thing she knows, I'm shooting up out of bed saying, "Sister Lewis! We forgot to set an alarm!!" Luckily it was only 6:45, but still. Her response after processing what was happening, "Whoops! Happy Thanksgiving!" hahah then we sat there and laughed for a good 3 minutes before we got up. After studies we went to a members home and made pies, as well as veggie trays that looked like turkeys! That was so fun! :) 

For dinner we went to an investigators home. We talked about the plan of salvation (because it just came up in conversation) and ate a wonderful dinner with them! It was so great :) EXCEPT!! NO rolls!! WHAT?! Ya. Lame. Thanksgiving is not Thanksgiving for me without rolls. I thought of Grandpa and how he would be just as devastated as I was. But don't worry, we had another dinner right after that with a member family and they had rolls :) We also shared a message with both families... As always :) We also took some dinner over to an older lady. She's sweet :) It was such a great Thanksgiving! I hope yours was just as good :)

Sister Lewis and I were dropped a couple weeks ago by an investigator, but we thought it would be nice to make him cookies for the Holiday, so we texted him and asked if we could bring them by. It was snowing that day, so he replied with, "You don't need to bring me a plate of cookies in this weather. How about I get them from you at church on Sunday?" ..... um.... YES!? So he came! Along with 4 investigators and 1 less active! Sister Lewis and I were shocked! There were also a few members who happened to bring non member friends to church on the same day so we were so busy! It was such a good day!!

Sister Lewis also taught me how to crochet, so I totally made an infinity scarf and now I'm slightly addicted. I feel like an old lady in my spare time but its fine ;)

Random fun fact: Every so often I will have a dream where I come home for the weekend and see my family or friends, and then go back out on my mission? haha

Happy Holidays!! :))) This is my favorite time of year!! God is good and I love Christmas :)

Sister Chandler

Serving the Members

Dear parents of these Sister Missionaries:

We are the Whitaker's in Centreville 2nd ward where your daughters are serving.
We love having them in our home and our five children just adore them.   

They are amazing missionaries. They came today and helped us make pies and turkey veggie trays. In fact the sisters basically created and made the veggie trays themselves.

        

 We are thankful for them and all their service and love. 

Here is a video of them with our kids and a few pictures from today.  

We hope your family is blessed through their service. Sincerely, Karla-Ann Whitaker

Week 7: Everyone can be a missionary. Be Bold!

It feels like I've been out here for 6 months, but at the same time 2 months flew by!! :)

On Monday we taught a family home evening lesson with a member who's house is MASSIVE. Their home has 8 living rooms and about 3-4 kitchens. So many tv's and dear goodness it's so big! The owner is a convert and is a rockstar member missionary! She invited one of her friends (who isn't of our faith) over to hear the lesson! We taught the plan of salvation, and when we were wrapping up towards the end, I asked if she would be interested in hearing more about the gospel of Jesus Christ. My companion looked at me like, "what are you doing?!" Because later I found out that sister Lewis wasn't planning on that, so she thought I was crazy, butthe woman said, "yeah, I'd like that :)".

Tuesday night we had a lesson with L and J who are very logical and scientific. They struggle with faith, and tend to go off on different subjects during the lesson, but they're way sweet! We decided to have a lesson with them in a member's home, where the husband is also scientific and logical. That was a big help, and the spirit was way strong! :)

We had our last district meeting before transfers (sister Lewis stayed) so we took pictures with our district.

On Saturday we moved a sister into her new home! That meant PANTS ALL DAY!!! So great :)

They had stake conference over here this weekend, and Saturday night

was AMAZING! They talked so much about missionary work, and how

everyone can do it. Whether you are wearing a name tag or not, it is

your duty to share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It was sweet

though because it was interactive. We got to send a scripture that we

liked (with our thoughts about it) to a certain number or email and

they would appear on the projector so everyone could read them. The

stake president would ask a question and people would be given a

microphone to answer when they raised their hand.

One young woman who is a junior in high school gave a talk and said

that she wrote her testimony in a Book of Mormon and slipped it in her

best friends bag at school one day. She didn't even have to talk to

her friend, and she still did her part in sharing the gospel. EVERYONE

CAN DO IT :)

I am a bold missionary. I do not fear in asking people to read the

Book of Mormon, or pray, or if they're religious or not. I do not

hesitate to share my testimony of Jesus Christ because the restored

gospel is not anything to be ashamed of! We have something precious

and good as members of the church; we mustn't be shy or hesitant to

share it! We are asked to be bold, but loving, because bold without

love doesn't work. I love my savior, Jesus Christ. I know that the

church he established when he was on the earth is yet again restored

to the earth in its fullness because of Joseph Smith. That same power

that Christ used to perform miracles is once again on the earth, and

we DO have a living prophet on the earth TODAY who receives direct

revelation from God to lead His children on the earth in these modern

times. I know this because I have prayed about it, and I invite you to

do the same, to know for yourself. This isn't the Church of Joseph

Smith, or the Church of Thomas S. Monson (the prophet today). This is

The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, because Christ is the

head of our church.

THANKSGIVING plans: 

1. We are making pies with one of our favorite members in

the morning, and eating dinner with a member family at 4, but didn't

really know what to do with the rest of the night.

2. Sometimes you have days where you really don't want to be a missionary

anymore. I've had my fair share of those days, and one day this week

sister Lewis wasn't feeling it. Luckily I was though! I knew we needed

to find someone to talk to that night but didn't know who. We pulled

into the church parking lot, said a prayer, and looked through the

names of potentials/investigators/members. I came across Joe, the boy

we went to visit when I first got in the field and his dad wasn't very

happy at first. Though it's a 30 minute drive, it felt good. So we

went. He wasn't home but we talked to his parents on the doorstep,

just catching up. The dad then asked what we were doing for

thanksgiving! He asked if we got to spend it with our families... No

:( so they invited us to eat with them! That's why we felt the need to

drive all the way out there that night :) Heavenly Father knows best,

and the spirit never leads us astray as long as we listen :)

I am so thankful to be a missionary :)

Fun fact: my sweet companion has a bad habit. Whenever she opens anything (chips, the bread bag, a cupboard, a jar, etc.), she NEVER closes it or puts it away. It doesn't bother me, surprisingly, but I like to point it out to her every time so that one day she will change this habit :) anyway, this morning I left out the syrup because we made pancakes for breakfast, and she thought it would be funny to say something to me about it :) so she did and on her way to put it where it goes, she smacked it against the cupboard door (that she left open)and put a big hole in the bottom of the syrup, and then sat there in shock as it gushed out onto the floor! Good thing we are both pretty laid back people, so we just cracked up laughing. And THEN after she throws it away, so gets a plastic spoon to scoop it up hahah :)I took pictures of the moment for the memory :) we have great fun ;)

Thanks for the updates! I love emails and letters! 

Love,

Sister Chandler :)

Ps. Christmas lights are my FAVORITE and they are already being out up

on trees, so this made me happy :)

Week Six: Frozen

Hello! :)

Sister Lewis and I were waiting for the elders because we went on another blitz, but while we waited, 

we sang along to the music in the car and made a video. So here are some screen shots of that video :) 

How is everyone?

I can't believe it SNOWED over there!!? What?!? It's still fall over here. Cold, but not snowing. I can picture my mother sitting by the heater in socks, a hoodie, and still eating her crushed ice :) hahah that's my mama!! :) 

My week was pretty good! We haven't been allowed to do any activities with the elders for a few months, but they okayed it again so on Monday sister Lewis and I played ultimate frisbe with our zone! That was so fun!! Much needed :) 

That same night we watched the restoration video with C! She made my favorite brownies with ice cream so it was a good night :) after watching that video, my heart was overwhelmed with gratitude for Joseph Smith. He went through so much torture and persecution for the sake of the gospel. Did you know Joseph Smith only had the education of a 3rd grader? Often people here think he wrote the Book of Mormon, but there is no way on earth he could have done so! The Book of Mormon is a record of ancient writings from prophets in the Americas. The language on those plates was ancient Egyptian! Joseph Smith didn't write the Book of Mormon. He translated it by the power of God :) If you haven't watched that video in some time, I recommend doing so! 

The next day we got with some elders in our district and chalked the plan of salvation!! While doing so, a man pulled up to me and asked what we were doing. I told him we were simply, "chalking the plan of salvation!" :) he was like, "why are you doing this? We have kids that walk here after school to get home, and this will just cause questions. Can't you just go to houses instead of this? People live around here and you don't need to do this". I was at a loss for words and felt alone. I hate contention and forgot that there were 3 other missionaries standing along the side walk with me. Thankfully Elder McDonald had my back and helped me out. We weren't doing anything wrong. The man didn't even know what it is that we were drawing! Nor did he have an interest in learning. Sometimes I think if people would just listen, then they wouldn't be offended. He left and we kept on chalkin :) the truthfulness of the gospel WILL be spread throughout the world somehow, if not on the sidewalk of a neighborhood :) 

This week in the mail I received letters from the activity day girls in my home Ward!! Here were a couple of my favorites:
"I hope you're making friends over there"
"Have a fun time on your trip!"
"I hope you don't get too cold. Good thing your spirit is so warm." Hahah that was my personal favorite ;) 

Our house was FREEZING on Friday! It was cold outside and couldn't figure out why it was so cold in our apartment. So for studies we just put long fuzzy socks on with a long sleeve shirt and our skirts and wrapped up in blankets. Then I got cookies in a package from my grandma!! Woohoo!! :) anyway, I went to see if the heat was on and turns out the AC was on.... Nice. No wonder we were freezing! hahaha whoops :) 

We went tracting Saturday night. One guy opened the door and said, "elders!" Hahah nope :) try again ;) it was so cold. My toes were frozen and my lips became numb, so forming words quickly became difficult, but we kept going! and we were happy :) 

Sister Lewis sang at a fireside last night where new members tell their stories and share their testimonies. That was so wonderful!! I was grateful to be able to hear those :)

I ate a hen for dinner at a member's home, and it looked like they do on tv! It was good :)

I am thankful for all of my many many blessings! Thanks for keeping me in the loop :) 

Love,
Sister Chandler

Week Five: Becoming a Consecrated Misssionary

Hello :)

Sister Lewis and I watched an hour and a half of missionary videos
(because we had to) so we grabbed our pillows and got comfortable :)
these pictures capture the moment :)

This week we had zone conference! At every zone conference, the person with the cleanest car inside and out gets to choose the car (out of every missionary's car in the zone) that they want! Our car was the coveted car, and we didn't want to lose it so we went so far as to hand wax it, and definitely took it to the car wash guys so they could vacuum it out. That's not cheating, don't worry, WE WON :) just look at that shine! You could see your reflection!

At zone conference, President Riggs and his wife talked to us, mainly for the purpose of teaching new ways for us to teach, and to fill our spiritual tank. I took good notes and wanted to share a few good phrases that were said:

• Nothing can stop the work. No matter how discouraged you may get, or if you want to quit, the work will continue. The gospel of Jesus Christ will be spread throughout all nations, to every person and what an adventure and privilege it is to be apart of that!!  

• Accept others agency, but use yours to continue to teach. Everyone has the ability to choose for themselves, and nobody has to accept what we teach them, so when they choose not to listen or learn more, we (as missionaries or anyone with the knowledge of the gospel) need to use our agency to choose to brush it off and knock on more doors. Find more people. Teach everyone!

• You cannot get a 1 million dollar answer for a 5 cent prayer. Prayers need to be sincere and with real intent - meaning you will act on whatever God tells you to do in order to get an effective answer from the Lord.

• Part time Christians cannot overcome full time Devils 

• Have you prayed about it as much as you've talked about it?

I also read a talk entitled, "Becoming a Consecrated Missionary" by Tad R. Callister, Sunday School General President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. A consecrated missionary is someone who is willing to lay everything on the alter of sacrifice. This means your fears, pride, laziness, weaknesses, and disobedience can't hold you back from spreading this glad message! You can't keep one foot at home and the other in the mission.

Nephi is a prophet in the Book of Mormon who felt that the power of man was inconsequential. It was only the Lords power that counted. I hope to grow to have that much faith and trust in the lord. Another prophet in the Book of Mormon, Mosiah, (chapter 4 vs.19) states, "and now, if ye believe all these things, see that ye do them". Eventually we must do more than tell the stories of the Book of Mormon; WE MUST LIVE THEM.

As for the rest of my week... We had 5 people drop us, and almost all lessons canceled. We really felt and followed the spirit really well! We found 2 families, but they used their agency and chose not to listen. Sometimes the spirit will lead you somewhere and it all looks really good until the next day when the people call you and say never mind. That doesn't mean we didn't follow the spirit, or hear him right, it just means we did what we were supposed to and if anything we planted seeds. I love being a missionary!! Despite the drops and cancellations, we didn't feel the drag of them. This week actually flew by, and we constantly counted our blessings :)

One of those blessings is C!! She is getting baptized on the first or second Saturday of December. My favorite part of a mission is watching the gospel of Jesus Christ change lives. As a missionary, all we can do is teach what we know to be true, and the spirit of God is the one who testifies of truth. We can't force anyone to believe what we are telling them; it's their choice, and when they choose to listen and act, miracles happen :)

[Sister Lewis said I sleep walk!?  ...This is new!!]

TRANSFERS: Everyone keeps asking me about it so I'll tell you what I know. They are on the week before Thanksgiving. The zone leaders said they are confident that I am ready to take over the area (what?!?) which means I'll get a new companion and be the driver/person in charge. BUT Sister Lewis wants to stay for the holidays and she also is not done training me, so technically we should have 6 more weeks together after this transfer. Regardless of what happens to her; whether she stays or goes, I will be staying, so my address will be the same until January.

Fun fact: squirrels and wild bunnies are common here!! Like, we see them on a daily basis :)

A family took us out to eat at Texas Road House on Friday for dinner and that was weird!!! It felt so weird to be surrounded with TVs and so much business.

This week was spiritually uplifting and I am really working on becoming a consecrated missionary:) thank you for the
emails/letters/love!! :)

The picture of the clouds is cool because they looked like a painting!

I hope all is well with everyone!! :) God is good and I love being a missionary!! :)

Sister Chandler

Week Four: Baptism, Bugs, & the Atonement

Oh my dear goodness this week was full of hilarious/weird/sad/heart warming experiences. Let me just share a few :)

On Monday we invited C to be baptized! She said... YES :) She is praying for a date and so are we! She will be baptized before the end of the year and that makes us SO excited! :) We teach her again tonight :)

We taught a lady who was basically raised in the church, but less active. She doesn't see the point in coming to church, though we've discussed it with her multiple times. Then! We brought up baptism this week and she was like, "I don't know if you guys know this but my son (who is 10 yrs old) was already baptized. Sister Lewis and I go, "Oh! That's so great!" Then this lady says, "Yeah, I baptized all my kids when they were two in the catholic church to protect them. So they already have the holy spirit with them!" She gets offended super easily though so we aren't really sure how to approach this one yet haha :)

On Wednesday we ate dinner at a member's home and GUESS WHAT?? Her little girl's name was Evelyn, dinner was the same homemade chicken noodle soup that my mama makes, and for dessert, we had apples and caramel (which is my favorite snack). This totally felt like home. I loved it :) 

We had exchanges this week, which is where my companion spends a day and night with one sister training leader, and her companion comes to stay with me! We had no such luck teaching anyone that day, but I learned a lot from her and it was a really really nice opportunity :) 

Also, can I just say that I pretty much died this week doing service?? One woman needed help cleaning her house (which is the size of my living room). There was trash (like wrappers, empty McDonalds bags, empty bottles, etc.) scattered throughout the entire room. There were BUGS EVERYWHERE; inside the trash cans, around cups, flying around my face the whole time... and the dust was awful. We dusted a dresser and found a dead bug on it! hahaha oh my gosh it was so gross, but we were glad to help. I asked if she had a vacuum but she didn't know, and I said, "Oh, we will find one before we leave this place". So we did... but it didn't have a big attatchment like most vacuums do, so I totally just vacuumed the entire floor with the little hose thing! Yep. Im a beast. 

Also, as I was putting her laundry away, I smacked my head super hard on the closet door because someone said my name and I whipped around too fast to realize that I was too close to the door... ya ouch. haha I almost cried but I'm a big girl so I held it in ;) 

The people over here are filthy rich. Filthy. Rich. So for Halloween, we got together as a zone and went to this guy's house who is in my ward and has a theater in his home. Literally.... a theater. He bought us pizza and we got to watch two movies!! Space Jam and Dispicable Me 2 (boys picked these.. clearly). Sisters and Elders aren't allowed to play games together, but Halloween was an exception, so we played Uno and I won a few times! Still got it :)

Saturday morning was SO fun because my district (who is like family) helped a family move out, and at one point they needed me to stand on some furniture so I could shove things in the back; I was the only one small enough to fit. (I have a picture and it'll make more sense when you see it). It was super cold though!! It's getting pretty chilly over here :) That night we went on a blitz which is where everyone in your district gets together and knocks doors in a big appartment complex, or in a big neighborhood. Sister Lewis and I had some funny experiences :) 

**Side Note: The town houses here are like the ones in San Fransisco; pretty much glued together and built upward instead of outward.**

1. We knocked one door and this old Chinese guy barely opened his window above the door and yelled, "What do you want?". Sister Lewis was like, "We just want to talk about God!" but he didn't hear so he asked, "What?" Then I was like, "We just..... wanna ask you a question! What are you thankful for?" but then he said, "No no, not interested". Obviously he isn't very thankful for anything.

2. We knocked a door and this little boy opens. "Oh hey! Come on in!" he says hahaha :) So cute! We didn't, but we asked if his mom or dad was home. Two guys came to the door, one looked about our age and the other was definitely in his 30's. Long story short, the 30 year old is from Portugal so I was like, "Oh my gosh! No way! My dad lived there for 2 years!" Then we started talking about families and we told them that we believe families can be together forever. Immediately he goes, "Ugh I hope not". People here seriously do not like their families! haha Every time we say that, they always groan like that's an awful idea!? Before we left this door, we got a return appointment but we are pretty sure the kid is more interested in us than he is in learning the gospel, so we are going to send the elders over instead. Surprise! :) 

3. We saw 2 foxes sprint out of a bush! I've never seen a fox in person before so I was excited :) 

4. This was a super windy, cold night so we went to get hot chocolate before we went home. We went to Starbucks and the guy I ordered my hot chocolate from was like, ".... Hot chocolate?" As if he wasn't sure if I meant what I said. I feel like a foreigner sometimes :P 

I was pretty sick yesterday :( I felt like I had the flu, so I slept for 2 hours and flet soooo much better! We taught a really good lesson that night. We have a ton of things planned for this week and we are praying they all go through! I love being a missionary :) 

I told my grandma this last week, but when I think of the Atonement, I tend to automatically think that Christ was like a super hero and didn't feel the pains of the things He went through, too much. But then I sit back and remember that He was just like you and I. He was human, too and felt everything. He bled from every pore... do you know how many pores you have? A lot. I am so grateful for my Savior. He literally saved me, and continues to do so. So many things are possible because of Him! The hymn, "I Stand All Amazed" is basically exactly how I feel towards the Atonement. God is so good :) 

Im grateful to be out on a mission! J is the faithful woman whom we dropped because she dropped us, and I sent her a letter because one of the first times we met with her, we discussed how fun it was to receive a letter! She said shes never got one before, so I promissed I would write her one. Anyway, I did just that last week, and today she texted us super nice things! Which is a miracle because she's been ignoring us! Letters are the best :) 

I hope everyone is having such a good week, and SHOUT OUT TO MY BEST FRIEND WHO TURNED 18 ON SUNDAY!!!!! I hope it was the best weekend ever :) (as much as it can be without me) ;) I miss everyone so much, but I love it out here all at the same time :) Thanks for the emails and prayers! :)

Sister Chandler

Serving with a Smile

Dear Missionary Moms,

I am Sister Walter, a ward missionary serving with your daughters in DC. 

 I love and respect them so much. You have such reason to be so proud of the young women you have raised. Thank you for sending such faithful, articulate, prepared young women to serve. This is a picture of them with J---, the man they have been teaching. 

Week Three: Pictures, Member Missionaries, and Leaves

Hellooo :)

This week wasn't all that exciting, but I did take a ton of pictures :)

Sister Lewis and I ate dinner at a members house in the beginning of the week, and I really needed to go to the potty, so I asked where it was. When I got in there I saw a space ship. hahaha It was the weirdest toilet I've ever seen!! I took a picture that I'll attatch :) AND the seat was heated!? Weirdest experience of my life.

Sister Lewis and I have had a rough week investigator-wise. Though we taught 25 lessons this week, we had a lot of people cancel and the last thing I ever want to do is tract. I strongly dislike tracting, but we found ourselves doing just that a lot this week! 

We also have focused on members a lot because member help is HUGE! Just because you aren't wearing a name tag, doesn't mean you're not a missionary :) I never really knew how to help the missionaries when I wasn't on my mission, but now that I am, I see the importance of member help. Members can fellowship, sit in on lessons with investigators and even teach a little, offer their home for an invetigator to be taught in (the spirit in the home helps a ton), and especially give referrals to the missionaries! Member help is a treasure!!

Our investigator, J, is the lady that has a lot of faith, but she is baptist and we think she talked to someone because she is being weird now. She is unemployed but doesn't have time for us anymore... and she is super short in her texts to us. As much as we don't want to, I think we are going to drop her. We both feel like we should. 

Sister Lewis and I work really really well together!! Whenever we park somewhere, or start to do something, or plan a lesson for a certain person, we both have the same feeling! We are both so in-tune to the spirit and knowing your companion feels the same way as you do about a certain situation, is a confirmation that you were listening to the spirit, and that you know what to do, or not to do. Serving a mission alone would be ROUGH. I am so thankful for my companion :) We always sing Michale Buble songs.. those are uplifting right? :P 

Fun facts about Virginia: People ALWAYS wear pajama pants!? Like when you see someone walking down the street, they're in pajama pants. So weird. Also, people here can't drive. It's like the rules are nonexistent! It's sort of scary. They like to stop in the middle of the intersection, so when the light turns green for the other people, nobody can go because there are cars in the way. Annoying! But oh well. What can ya do :) 

This week we did service and I got to wear PANTS!!! Oh I was so excited :) I also learned that if you wash a window or a mirror with windex and news paper for the towel, it doesn't leave streak marks!! Cool, huh?? I didn't know that :) 

Sunday I was freezing in gospel principles and this old man was like, "would you like my jacket??" After debating on whether or not that would be weird, I told him that I was okay. But he then insisted
and said, "please, I don't get many opportunities to be a gentleman". So he gave me his jacket and I was no longer freezing :)

These cool people are from Haiti and speak FRENCH! I thought that was cool. Anyway, they are only here for 2 weeks for a leadership thing? And had a list of places to worship! They happened to pick ours and walked in! The lesson that day was on the post mortal existence, which sparked curiosity for them! They asked questions and sister Lewis and I happened to have a French Book of Mormon in our trunk!! So we gave it to them and taught a little more :) it was cool!!

Well that's really all for my week! We are inviting C to be baptized tonight, and we are confident she is ready :) We have a lot of other investigators but I don't have time to tell you all their stories, too :/ Maybe another day :) I have a ton of pictures to send so I'll get on that. 

The trees here are beautiful!! So many different colors, and the leaves are MASSIVE!! I was so impressed haha :) 

I hope everyone is having a good week and staying healthy!! (Lots of missionaries are getting sick but I'm fine) Thanks for all the love and support, and emails :) 

Sister Chandler

The Room

Read this if you haven't heard of it :) the atonement is too cool! I love my savior!!

The Room
By Joshua Harris

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in a
room. There were no distinguishing features in this room save the one
wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in
libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order.
But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly
endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew
near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that
read "Girls I Have Liked". I opened it and began flipping through the
cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the
names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless
room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here
were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a
detail my memory couldn't match.

A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within
me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some
brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so
intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was
watching.

A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed".

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I
Have Read", "Lies I Have Told", "Comfort I Have Given", "Jokes I Have
Laughed At". Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things
I've Yelled at My Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I
Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My
Parents". I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there
were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.

I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could
it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of
these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed
this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with
my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To", I
realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were
packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the
end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of
music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file
represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts", I felt a chill run
through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to
test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed
content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No
one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have
to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size
didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took
it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge
a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find
it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot.
Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying
sigh. And then I saw it. The title --- "People I Have Shared the
Gospel With". The handle was brighter than those around it, newer,
almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than
three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it
contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt
started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and
cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all.
The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must
ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him.
Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to
open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His
response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face,
I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the
worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?

Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at
me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I
dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again.
He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many
things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one
end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His
name over mine on each card.

"No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no,"
as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards.
But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name
of Jesus covered mine.

It was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign
the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so
quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last
file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and
said, "It is finished."

I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its
door. There were still cards to be written.