8 Months Out...Yep, I Love My Life!

My dearest family and friends, 

This week was a roller-coaster. It was full of multiple different emotions, but in all it was wonderful! I love my Savior with everything I have. I am truly, immensely grateful for the atonement and its application in my daily life, as well as the guidance of the Holy Ghost. My testimony of the love that God has for us grew exponentially this week; mostly this weekend! I have felt the spirit much more abundantly in my life this past week than I have for a long time. I'm not sure why, but I'm grateful for it :) 

I testify that God IS there and that He IS aware of you. 

So very aware of you :) I am so grateful to be on a mission!! I wouldn't trade this experience for anything :) Training is so much fun :) I absolutely love my companion :) 

Monday was pretty relaxed! We didn't do a whole lot until it was time to head out for the night! We had dinner with a member who is getting married soon, and we shared a message on aligning our will with the Fathers will. It was not the lesson we had planned and prepared, but as soon as we started talking, we knew what we needed to share. The spirit is the coolest :) After dinner we got a call from an elder in our zone saying he had a referral for us! I'm telling you.People keep dropping at our feet. Heavenly Father is so good to us! Then we went to check on a different referral, but she wasn't home. So we left a plan of salvation pamphlet and a note at her door, with our number in case she had any questions :) 

On the drive to and from different places that night, Sister Jones and I practiced street contacting people :) This means I would give a description of a person and situation and give her 5 seconds to approach me with more than, "Hi! How are you? :)" 

• The first scenario I gave was of a big, buff, African American with head phones in walking past her.  (because this is real life. We see them everywhere and they're the coolest people!)  She goes, "Hey! I have a question for you! ... Where'd you get.... Your shoes??" :) hahah I love Sister Jones :) 

The rest of the night we spent with an investigator, T, who we always seem to run into when she needs us most. We were actually at her apartment complex to check on a potential, but she walked her dog outside and as soon as she saw us she said, "Are you here to see me??" The hope in her sad eyes melted my heart. "We have all the time in the world for you, T. For the next hour :)" so we taught the plan of salvation and invited her to church! She's older than our ward, so we will have to pass her soon, but that will be sad for me because I genuinely love her so much. Oh well. Same team! 

Tuesday morning after studies we went to interviews with President Riggs! It's his last set of interviews with everyone before he leaves next month. It went so well! I am grateful for all he is and all he does. He is a fantastic mission president :) The rest of the day was so fun! 

• We went to a lesson with a member but it canceled, so we went to check on a potential who didn't answer the door. On our way out we said goodbye to the lady at the front desk of the apartment. Her name tag said, "Robbin", and just as we were about to push on the doors to leave, I turned around and asked, "Robbin, are you religious at all?" Turns out she was baptized a while ago, had her kids baptized, and then fell away. We had a good chat and shared a Mormon message with her :) sweet sweet lady :) 
• We then needed gas in our vehicle, so we got some. While we were at the gas station we talked to the guy on the other side of the pump, and as we drove away we rolled down our window to stop and talk to a guy on his bike :) I love doing this 24/7! It's the coolest :) 

Wednesday was so interesting. We went to drop Sister Jones off at a new missionary meeting from 9-1; while she was there, I went to district meeting with sister Todd (who was my MTC companion) :) that was fun! She let me borrow her ankle brace until I don't need it anymore!! Can anyone say blessing!? Inspired.

When that meeting was over, we went to pick our trainees up and go home. After 3 hours of studies, we went to dinner!! The lesson we shared during dinner with a member was so special. The spirit was so strong, and I was filled with gratitude for the gift of discernment. She needed the message we shared, and there is no way we would have known if it wasn't for the direction of the spirit in preparation for it. 

• Then we went to a lesson with another member! Here's where it gets weird, but so cool at the same time :) First of all, parking is impossible in Virginia. They tow everywhere, and the streets are full of cars, so you can only park on the street if you get lucky enough to find a spot. There wasn't a spot, so I just decided to brave it and park in a possible towing zone, just for a couple minutes while we went to see if this guy (George) was home. While walking to his apartment complex, we say hello to a couple guys hanging out on the street. Ky and Fr. They believe in God but then from there they have their individual beliefs. Ky has been surrounded with different beliefs his whole life, while frank doesn't really believe in anything. He thinks the bible stories and Jesus Christ are all just fairy tales. At first it seemed contentious and felt like if we stayed any longer talking to him, it would be pointless because it wouldn't go anywhere. Then I felt impressed to ask if they've ever wondered where they came from, or why they're here. Ky said, "I've always wondered what my purpose is! Why are we here? I always get stuck on that". Oh how I love my calling! :)) For whatever reason, Fr invited us all to go inside and learn more. We asked if they had a parking pass so we wouldn't get towed, but it turns out we had parked in the lot that Ky lives at! He said we wouldn't get towed, and if we did, he'd tell them we were cousins :) Ky is 6'3 and African American :) hahah That made me laugh :) 

• On the way we ran into some more of their friends, so we invited them to come, too :) one of them said, "Sisters! :)" another said, "my grandmother goes to your church! You're Mormon right? I went to church with her on Sunday!" Basically. All I'm thinking is.... What even is this!? #miraclesanyone??  So they came. We taught the plan of salvation. We bore testimony and invited them to pay attention to the feelings of their hearts as we taught. The spirit was strong :) we gave them pamphlets for the plan of salvation and before inviting them to read them, Ky said, "Thank you so much! I'm going to read this before I go to work!" These kind fellows walked us out to our car, and on the way frank told me that he had never trusted women because of what he grew up with. He said he knows he can trust us because of the look in our eyes :) He said, "I can see your loyalty when I look in your eyes. You're genuine, and when I shook all of your hands! You can tell a lot about a persons character in a hand shake. I trust and respect you. I want you to come back". I don't know if anything will come of this. All of them wanted our number (and wanted to know if I had a boyfriend :) hahah) BUT they seemed genuinely interested in the gospel as well :) I love being a missionary. 

Thursday was rough! We were inside a lot of the afternoon because we had studies and had to take an online survey for Sister Jones that we didn't even finish because it's so long. Also, I was exhausted! Mentally and physically. Training hurts my brain; I feel like the majority of the responsibility is on me (though I know we share it) and it consumes my head until I'm worn out. You know when you're so tired that your body is so weak and it's hard to find the energy to move? That's how I felt aaaaalllll stinking day! And we had zero success that night. But the lord blessed me with a tender mercy the next morning by turning my alarm off so we could sleep an extra half hour. Usually we wake up at 6 to have more time to exercise, and I am positive that I set my alarm!! But when I naturally woke up at 6:24 I noticed that my alarm was turned off! Weird. But I felt so much better! 

Friday was weekly planning... In the park :) remember my sunburn from a couple weeks ago?? Well my sweet companion currently suffers the same result of planning in the park :) I'm broken and she's a lobster! We look so good. ;)

• In the evening we went out to dinner with a member, and then cold stone was right next door so we HAD to stop there, of course. When we were satisfied we traveled to see some investigators. The GPS took us through an airport maze and basically we were completely lost for a solid 10 minutes. So stressful. Good thing I have a companion who knows how to laugh at everything and helps me find the humor in it all :) Once we got out of that mess, we followed the GPS to a potentials house. Turns out he lives in Maryland?! Ya. Whoops. We drove across the Potomac river (which meant we were officially outside of the mission boundaries). Sister Jones was crying laughing and I don't think I've ever been so stressed out in my life! THEN we went to see someone else and the GPS took us to the wrong address -_- at this point I'm ready to go home to bed, but it was one of those moments where you smile through it and think, "Ohhhh my gosh. What a day..." Because you can't do anything about it :) haha missions! They're the greatest! Needless to say, we didn't have much success that day either. 

However; I have been blessed with a companion who still has fire and who isn't mentally exhausted. She has new ideas, and her spirit hasn't been dulled by the rejections and trials that come with a mission. She had the idea to sit down at the end of every day and write the blessings that take place. On days like Thursday and Friday, this is a super good idea to help us see the good and remember to be thankful :)

My shoes decided to break! It's cool.
 I just pulled that metal thing out and they still work :)

Saturday was good! We had a lesson with an investigator and had a member with us. This investigator was found by sisters in November, so I had never met him, and he had some really good questions. He really wants to know how to feel that God is there, but he isn't patient enough to wait for an answer. He wants to know right now, and if he doesn't get it, he gives up. We taught him how to pray, and we taught the atonement to explain that he is understood; Christ knows how he feels and Heavenly Father is very aware of him. It was good! We have another lesson with him on Thursday and he's coming to church on Sunday! :) 

• When we got home we had a text asking us to teach gospel doctrine on Sunday (yesterday), so in addition to writing a talk (I was asked to speak on Sunday) we created a lesson plan. We also had to finish companionship inventory and the online survey for Sister Jones. Our Saturday was BUSY! But good :) We taught T that night, too which went well! T is my favorite :) We were talking about the Book of Mormon and reasons why I loved it; one of which was that it brought pure happiness in my life every day, and she said the most random, sweetest thing. I totally got teary eyed. She said, "You impressed me that first time we met. You just radiated something and I kept looking at you trying to figure it out". Heavenly Father is so good to me. Once again the man answered my prayers and then blessed me with a tender mercy moment. 

Sunday was a big day! I gave my talk in sacrament meeting, sister Jones and I taught gospel doctrine, and it was my 8 month mark :) 

• In preparation for my talk, I prayed fervently to be directed by the spirit so that I would prepare the things that the congregation needed to hear. I really only wanted to say what the Lord would have me say, and I prayed that the spirit would teach as I spoke. Afterward I received a handful of comments from people saying they needed to hear the message I shared (The topic was missionary work). Later in the evening a sister in our ward told me my talk inspired her so much that she posted a comment on Facebook inviting anyone to ask her questions about her religion, and it opened a couple really good conversations!

•  After church we ran into sisters in a different ward who are teaching J! (We taught him the restoration but had to pass him because he was too old for our ward). Anyway, they had just gotten out of a lesson with him and they said the coolest thing. They told us that he went to his catholic mass and after about 15 minutes he felt like he needed to come to our ward, so he did, and he said he needed to hear the talks that were given. What a testimony builder to me! I don't share these things to boast and let you know how awesome I am for preparing a talk that everyone needed. I share this with you because it strengthens my testimony to know that the lord hears our prayers. He works through us, and we are privileged to be tools in His hands if we so desire :) God is good :) 

For dinner we ate with a recent convert, her non-member fiancé, and mother in law who is also not of our faith :) The message we shared was on love and everyone was in tears. The mother in law said that us coming over was inspired because she needed our message. Again!! The Lord truly is amazing :) 

Today we had the opportunity to go to the temple!! :))) I haven't been to the temple for about 7.5 months; I was temple starving! We can only go once every 6 months and the last time I went was the first month I got to Virginia. I should have made a paper chain for that ;) All week I have been telling sister Jones, "Guess what we get to do on Monday?? :)))" My heart was and is overflowing with gratitude. I LOVE THIS GOSPEL!! It's true. I know it. I live it. I want everyone else to know it. So I'm on a mission :) 

I could keep writing, but if I do it would be repeated words of gratitude and genuine love for my Father in Heaven. So just know that I'm happier than I ever have been because of the Lord and the privilege that I have to be an instrument in His hands, and I'm grateful for your continuous prayers on my behalf :) I hope you can feel my passion in this email because I'm bursting over here just writing everything :) Have a good week!! 

I love you!! 

Sister Chandler 

Sister Jones

Happy Happy Pday! :)

A lot happened this week!! 

It started with a zone activity all day Monday. 

We played volleyball in a sand pit, passed a football around (because yes, I can throw quite a mean spiral), and ultimate frisbee :) 

Sister Morris and I didn't get home until 4:30 so our email sesh was a bit short! We quickly ate dinner and went to work! 

We checked on some referrals when suddenly I spotted a snow cone shack!! Sister Morris has never had a snow cone before. .....Yeah. That's what I said! So we totally went and got a snow cone! It wasn't that good :/ lame sauce. We need a Hawaiian Shaved Ice!! 

Anyway, while we were eating them a man walked past us so we said hello :) he said hi back and then followed with, "Mormons??" Um yes! How did you know?? (You think it's the name tag, huh? ;) well, it wasn't!) He said, "Your demeanor! You're happy :)" 

Every day I pray that the people we come in contact with will be able to see the light of Jesus Christ through our eyes, and feel of His love for them. Prayers are always answered :) 

When we got home for the night, I received a phone call saying that the lord has called me to
{ T R A I N }

Yep. I knew it was coming :) The spirit gave me a heads up a couple days prior, so I was mentally prepared for this phone call, and quite excited!! I'm not a perfect missionary, and I still have a lot to improve on!! But I will do my best! :) transfers didn't come until Thursday though so you'll have to scroll down to Thursdays info if you want to get those details :) 

On Tuesday morning after studies, sister Morris started packing. 

While she did that, I decided to get a little creative and try to make the new sister feel welcome! 

Later we went to an appointment with a referral, but it fell through, so we went to an appointment with a recent convert who is Bolivian and gave us Bolivian food (which wasn't too bad!).

When that lesson was over we headed to dinner with a member! She had just pulled in the driveway when we got there, so we helped her grill steak, make funeral potatoes, rolls, and a salad for dinner :) This meal was totally upon request :) it was delicious! 

Ben and Jerry were there for dessert, as they should be ;) 

Right after dinner we went to a lesson with an investigator (Abby) whom we haven't been able to meet with all transfer! She is so darn busy! But, we were finally able to see her. We talked about the plan of salvation and the gospel of Jesus Christ. I felt impressed to slip a "Plan of Salvation" pamphlet in my bag earlier in the day. While teaching the lesson I asked if other missionaries that taught her had ever given her that pamphlet; they hadn't. I was grateful to have followed that prompting :) 

We also discussed baptism because she has been praying and thinking a lot about it. I asked if she felt that this was what God wanted her to do, and she said yes :) she said she is thinking about being baptized next month! With Abby, you can't push her. If we give her a date she will feel rushed and back out. I also felt prompted to ask if there was anything we could do to help her progress, and to my surprise, she said yes! She asked us to text her a Book of Mormon scripture every day so it would remind her to read :) She is the best! SHE was teaching US gospel principals! She's read the entire manual. Golden. I know. So that was a perfect way to top off the night! 

When we got home, the sisters we live with wanted to take pictures of everyone in our matching elephant/tribal pants, so we did :) 

Wednesday was zone training! 

Oh how spiritual that was. I love my zone. Half of them were transferred though, so I'm excited to see how the new one goes! :) we all had lunch together at the church and then took pictures 

In the evening we had dinner with a recent convert, and then a member lesson in which all of the songs on sister Morris' flash drive were converted onto mine :) BOOYAH!! So grateful :) now I have music :) 

When we got home we all did those face mask things that you do on girls nights.... Ya know... It's rejuvenating for the skin ;) I miss those girls so much! We all agreed that we were so incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to serve around one another, and become such great friends :) Wednesday night was sad, but life goes on! And it's wonderful! :) 

Thursday morning we got ready to leave nice and early to a trainers meeting all morning. 

At around 11am I was assigned to train Sister Jones from Centerville, Utah! :) She enjoys ice cream, hiking, outdoorsy things like boating and 4-wheeling, and she's just the cutest thing! I seriously love her and I'm SO EXCITED to see how the transfer pans out :) 

The entire week leading up to Thursday, I kept reflecting back to my first day in the field. I thought about the things I expected my trainer to know and do, and how my trainee probably feels the same way towards me! Before transfers I was assigned a few things to study in preparation; of which was Alma 37:14 & 47. I realized that this is a sacred assignment. It's not a calling, but it's an assignment and Heavenly Father expects me to take care of this sister! He trusts that I have the capability to "raise" her in such a way that will help her become her best self. I'm not perfect by any means, but I know that with the Lords help, we can do it :) I'm not stressed/nervous/worried because I know He will train her with me :) The lord carries new missionaries, and miracles come with their passion/desire! I'll just do what I know how to do, and make sure we have a blast doing it :) 

We then went to the big transfer meeting with the rest of the missionaries, came home for dinner, had a member lesson, bought bedding for sister Jones, and we had some luggage for an elder in our car that we had to take to him. That was our night! It was lovely :) 

Friday was weekly planning and we didn't even finish! Our day was nuts. 

I had to leave with sister Kennedy from the another ward to go to a pass off lesson in the afternoon, and then when we came home we only had a little time before dinner and then we were out the door!! Sister Jones met our ward mission leader so that was good! 

Saturday was also crazy busy! 

I'm pretty sure my brain was going to explode!! But that's okay :) busy is good :) 

Sunday was so fun!! 

We had church, more meetings with our ward, studies, dinner with a member, and then an open house at our building! The open house consisted of a tour of the building for anyone and everyone to see what it was like. We had posters about missionaries, eternal marriage, self reliance, relief society, temples, etc. all over the building. There were booths people could go to, along with refreshments of course ;) 

Sister Jones and I manned the Book of Mormon booth! We weren't allowed to proselyte because it was supposed to be a relaxed environment where people could feel comfortable and not attacked with information. We were allowed to answer any questions people may have had, and gave out multiple copies of the Book of Mormon; even in a couple different languages! :) it was so great :) 

I really really love my companion!! She is so sweet. She just wants to do her best, she is genuine and kind, very laid back, happy, and just so fun to be around :) I'm grateful for her!! She makes training easy!! :) we have a BLAST with the sisters we live with, as well :) 

This week we received a handful of referrals again and have a few appointments for this coming week with them! The lord truly is hastening the work. Members of the singles wards are on fire!! They're giving out so many copies of the Book of Mormon, and inviting their friends to so many activities- including church. Blessings are pouring out from heaven and I am beyond grateful! I love my father in heaven, and I love being apart of this work :)

I hope everyone is having a splendid week and following the promptings they receive from the spirit as they come :) Because they do :) 

Love,
Sister Chandler

Mother's Day... and more!

Happy Mothers Day!! (Sunday) :) 

Skype is probably the best invention ever invented in the history of missionary life, and I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to Skype home :) It was so good to see and talk to everyone :) 

But ya know, the work continues with or without me, so back to being a missionary I go! :) 

Monday was good! 

• We took care of the basics and wrote some letters. Nothing too crazy, and in the evening we went street contacting! After checking on a less active, we drove past a group of guys off to the side of the road who yelled hello at us, so we turned around. One, because I was bored. Two, because who am I to judge who is and isn't ready for the gospel. And three, because the spirit didn't say not to! So we parked our car and walked up to them :) It turns out they had actually seen missionaries in that area a lot, but they are mostly elders, and they've talked to them before! We weren't able to share a message but gave them some pass along cards with the ward info and such, as well as our number just in case they are ever interested :)... in the gospel :)

• We kept walking and found a park!! It was kind of dark outside, so people were starting to head home. We were able to stop and have a couple little lessons with people we saw, and it was so much fun!! We meet the coolest people everywhere we go! :) It's awesome to be able to find common ground with someone and build off of that!  A lot of the people we talked to had just got done playing soccer, so I would tell them I grew up going to soccer games for my little brothers and my family on my dads side loves the sport! Also my companion is from England, so that's a plus! ;)

• Making friends comes so easy to me, and it takes less than a whole 2 seconds for me to feel comfortable around someone,so it's cool to be able to watch people go from hesitant to talking to these girls in skirts and name tags, to, oh they're actually pretty normal and hilarious ;) just kidding, I don't know if they think we are funny or not :) haha But the transition is neat to experience :) 

Tuesday was the day we have all been waiting for! 

• The half mission conference! We talked a lot about building and being bold. Seriously I can't get enough of being bold :) We were instructed to study Nehemiah chapters 1-6 before the conference, which was super cool! I love applying scriptures to my life :) Anyway, those chapters talk about how the wall around Jerusalem was destroyed and Nehemiah gets a bunch of people together to rebuild it! A lot of little groups spread out and worked on a section of the wall; this symbolizes working in our areas within the mission. Nehemiah was bold, and that's how we need to be :) We talked about being bold in: 

                     1. Prayer

                     2. Scripture

                     3. Obedience 

                     4. Bearing Testimony

                     5. Invitations

                     6. Goal Setting

           Nehemiah and the people who helped rebuilt the wall in 52 DAYS

Well, 52 days from the 1/2 mission conference .... Is the WHOLE mission conference.... And it's president and sister Riggs last day in their mission!! So we were asked to set certain goals to accomplish within the next 52 days to rebuild our mission. I guess it needs some work :) It was a good conference! Afterward we had to take some elders home, so we ended up driving for 2 hours stuck in traffic and heavy rain! That meant we had to cancel dinner and an appointment, but we were starving! So we ran to Five Guys before going to institute with a less active :) 

District meeting on Wednesday was so good! 

• We had it outside because it was such a nice day, and our zone leader sneaked a picture of us from inside. (See below). When that was over we went to a lesson with a recent convert who is already less active. He said he misses us and wants to have the spirit in his life again, so we have been able to see him a few times within the past couple weeks! He used to be super flaky but now he asks when we can come over, and he wants to come back to church :) It went well! We are helping him get back into the habit of prayer and scripture reading so he can feel the spirit more abundantly in his life. 

• The rest of the day was so busy I didn't even have time to think about what I wanted to eat for lunch! It was beautiful! :) we went to AFAC for an hour, then came home to plan out a couple lessons before we went to dinner. After dinner we picked up a member and went to Oscars for a lesson! Everything was so great :) my heart is full, and though it could have been a stressful day, I was so calm and relaxed. God is good! :)

We needed to take our car in for a safety inspection Thursday morning. That took a whopping 10 minutes! :) Blessing!! Then we planned for the day because we didn't have time Wednesday night. We have received a handful of referrals from other missionaries this week (6) which is such a tender mercy! I feel like Heavenly Father is handing us people to teach. He truly does take such good care of us when we put our all into the work :) This reminds me of a quote I learned while I was being trained! 

"When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place

 or drop out of our lives"- Ezra Taft Benson. How right you are President Benson! :) 

Later that day we went to the church for wifi so sister Morris could help me learn the boundaries for our area; they're really choppy and awkward. While we were sitting in the foyer, a man knocked on the door! We let him in and in all seriousness he said, "I'm a catholic man but I hate my pastor. I want to convert to Mormonism. How long does it take??" 

It took all I had to not let my jaw hit the floor. I was in awe! Was this really happening??? 

I explained that it didn't have to take very long if we met pretty often throughout the next couple weeks. He said, "why do I have to take lessons?? Do you believe in Jesus? (Yes)

Do you believe that he is the savior of the world? (Yes) 

Do you believe that he's the son of God? (Yes) 

Do you believe that the true church is restored on the earth today?

Do you believe in modern day prophets and in the priesthood power?" 

Pretty much at a loss for words, shocked, I said, "have you already had the lessons??!" 

And then the obvious came. He responded....... "I'm a Mormon! :)" .... 

That would happen to me -_- hahaha 

Sister Morris knew as soon as he walked in that he was a member, but for some reason I just didn't catch on! 

Oh well. Pat on the back to me for doing my job ;) haha 

The rest of our evening was busy with members and recent converts. 'Twas quite swell I'd say!

Friday was the usual weekly planning, and we tried to do it in the park again but we were sweating puddles after the first hour, so we decided to go into the air conditioned church building of ours for the rest of the time :) For companionship inventory we decided to write each other a letter instead of verbally discussing our strengths, that way we can have it forever :) which is awesome to have on a day where you need to remember how great you really are :) 

Sister Morris will most likely be transferred on Thursday (for real this time) and I am so sad! She has been a wonderful companion and truly has helped me develop the Christ like attributes I so desired to cultivate. She said I can come to England any time though, so I'll definitely take her up on that offer! I told her she can come to Idaho, too, but she wasn't as excited ;) 

In the evening we checked on some referrals, met with a less active, and then had a lesson with an investigator- T- for the rest of the night. She's one of the miracles that we will have to pass soon :) 

Saturday wasn't amazing, but Sunday was :) I love my family! I am so grateful for the knowledge I have that we can be together forever :) I wouldn't want to be stuck with anyone else for eternity :) I know I said it already, but Skype truly is fabulous :) 

So good to SEE everyone again!

No more chains left for Mother's Day

The gospel of Jesus Christ truly does change lives. Before my mission I noticed a handful of my weaknesses, and left for my mission determined to overcome them throughout the 18 months that I serve. Through deep studies of the Book of Mormon, wonderful companions, service, and lots of goal setting, I have grown so much closer to Jesus Christ. I have become more like Him! I understand, to an extent, the automatic love that He has for each and every one of us! Especially when we are far from the straight and narrow; He never gives up on us. 

When we taught D., the guy with serious word of wisdom struggles, I was FILLED with immediate overwhelming, genuine love for that kid. I wanted to do all I could to help him because I KNOW he can become clean, full of peace, and a whole new person through the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He just had to be willing to do his part. I felt the love that God has for him, and I also felt the sorrow that God feels when we give up, or don't at least try to do what we can. 

| I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY |

It's the greatest thing in the history of ever :) If you're even considering serving a mission, DO IT. You will become, "your best self. Your real self", as President Uchtdorf so happily reminds us :) 

Ohhhh dear goodness. My heart really is so full :) Skype is awesome, and so is our Father in Heaven :) 

If I can do anything for anyone, let me know :) Have a beautiful day!! 

Sister Chandler 

Bring Others To Christ. Find the One

Hello :) 

**Sorry if this is a little jumbled; I wrote it throughout the week***

I wish I had exciting news to share with you for Monday, but it was pretty normal. Although, we did meet a sweet lady while checking on potentials with a member! We started talking to her and she asked, "What sets you apart from other denominations?" As we told her our belief about a modern day prophet, she seemed so genuinely interested and asked if we had a card that she could take. She is married with a baby and one on the way, so we would have to pass her, but we felt blessed to be able to introduce her to the truth :) 

Tuesday was my first ever sisters conference!! :) we had lunch and then listened to some sisters speak, as well as sister and president Riggs. The theme seemed to be, "don't be so hard on yourself, you're doing a great job, perfection is good to strive for but don't be a nazi and over do it to the point where you're feeling like a failure..." Etc. it was great :) I saw sister Lewis :) always a good time :) I also got like 7 compliments on my hair! I just curled it. No big deal, but it made me feel good :) sisters are the best when it comes to building each other up :) 

We passed our Spanish friend later that evening. We had the Spanish speaking elders teach and it was SO COOL to see him be fully engaged in the lesson because he understood it! He had so many questions, and just by observing, he seemed happy and intrigued! I love this gospel!! Being a missionary is the coolest :) 

During my studies this week I was reading over the notes I took from the Sisters Conference. One thing that really stood out to me was the phrase, 

"Our purpose, even after a mission, is to bring others closer to Christ". 

Even if you didn't serve a mission, or haven't yet, this is your purpose; especially as a Latter-Day Saint. 

Do your words, actions, thoughts, and desires bring others closer to Christ? Do they bring you closer to Christ? 

After hearing that phrase, I pondered on the things I did before my mission, and decided that I did a decent job! I feel that I tried in all I did to be christ-like, although I am mortal, so there are definitely areas I could have improved ;) Even now, as a full time servant of the Lord, I still have moments where my words or deeds or thoughts don't bring myself or others closer to Christ.

Secrets out. I'm human.

But repentance is REAL and we can always try a little harder to be a little better on a daily basis :)
Another thing I've learned recently is that God GAVE me weaknesses. Sometimes I forget that, and wonder why I'm not perfect yet ;) just kidding. But not, at the same time :) I think we can be so hard on ourselves and try to do everything the best we know how, even when sometimes the expectation for the best we know how isn't always within reach. This goes back to the theme of the sisters conference; don't be so hard on yourself, perfection isn't attainable in this life but patience in trying is. We have weaknesses so that they can become strengths as we seek help from our father in heaven. It's okay to fall short :) we are supposed to :) That's the whole purpose of the Atonement/Plan of Happiness! 

Wednesday was pretty good! We had district meeting in the morning and after that we went to AFAC with the sisters we live with for a couple hours to help out over there. Then we had dinner with a member and checked on a few people. It was a good night! 

 
Thursday wasn't too exciting, although at dinner we had cutie oranges, and later I saw this tiny, skinny, green stem looking thing moving around on my plate. Um. Worm?? Yep! That would happen to me. It's fine :) we threw him away :) 

Friday was weekly planning which went so great! I am full of gratitude and charity towards my companion. It's been a good couple months :) We had a lesson scheduled in the afternoon but it fell through, so we just planned, and then in the evening we checked on a couple people before we had a member lesson. 

Side Note:: Can you believe it's MAY already?!? What?! I'm pretty sure sister Lewis and I just got done celebrating New Years like... Yesterday! Time is cruising, I swear. In 2 months I'll be half way done with my mission, and that's going to FLY!! I love my mission though, and I'm SO grateful for the experience that it is :) I almost don't even want to ever leave :)

Saturday Sister Morris was able to go do Baptisms for the dead with her recent convert and the companion she taught him with! 

So I was with Sister Rossi for the afternoon which was SO FUN! :) We have a TON in common, and got a lot done :) She's also a dancer, and told me that their apartment complex has a studio with a ballet bar and everything!? Pretty much I died and remembered how much I love to dance :( oh well. The things we do for the God we love ;) 

We swapped back around 4pm and went to stake conference that night. The theme was on how ward council can help with retaining new members, reactivating less actives, and fellowshipping. They had multiple sets of "new member and ward council member" as well as "returning member and ward council member" sharing their stories of how the two roles worked together. It was neat to hear conversion stories, and how the ward council did their part. I love that as Latter Day Saints, we truly strive to live what we believe.

There was a video clip shared of Elder Bednar talking about an experiment he did while he was President at BYU-Idaho. About 250 students came to a devotional one day out of 1,200. President Eyring was going to be speaking the next week, and Elder Bednar knew that if the students prepared themselves spiritually and showed up in their best Sunday best, President Eyring would speak by the power of the Holy Ghost those things that they needed to hear. But he knew most of the student body would be there, and only 250 heard the promises. So he challenged the students to tell 5 people, who would then tell 4, who would then tell 3, and so on. That way the word would get out. By the time the next devotional came around, he said there were about 6 students who didn't know what was going on and went home to change because everyone else was dressed so nice for devotional :) President Eyring asked, "What is this??" Elder Bednar told him, "This is for you! We are ready to receive revelation". 

Elder Bednar continued to talk about "the one". Go and get the one, who will get the one, who will get the one, etc. 

Doctrine and Covenants 18:15 tells us, 

"And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!" 

As Latter Day Saints it is our duty to reach out to the one. We promised we would when we were baptized, and how great are the blessings from doing so :) 

Sunday was really good. We had stake conference and I am just so spiritually filled! Heavenly Father is so good to me. We fasted as a mission on Sunday for strength and consecration for something big coming up on Tuesday, and it was the easiest, most peaceful fast I've ever had. My heart is full! I am so grateful for this gospel in my life and for the happiness that it brings me. Not a lot of teaching happened this week; a lot of lessons canceled, but we did all we could, and my personal prayers were answered every day. I see the lords hand in my every day life, especially the tender mercies, and my love for my father in heaven is gigantic :) everyone needs this gospel!! And that is why I am here :) Thanks for everything :)

Love you!!
Sister Kailey 

I literally made a paper chain to count down to Mother's Day :) I'm SO excited!! :)

My awkward, "I can't believe it's already May, is this real life??" Picture :)