Week 18: Blessings, Blessings, Blessings

Hello! :)

I apologize (mostly to my mother) for the lack of words sent home the past couple weeks! I know it's like a drought in a desert, so I'll do my best to quench your thirst today :)

This week was proof that miracles happen when we endure and press forward with faith. It started off with L on Monday. L was the referral from head quarters a little over a month ago who asked for a bible. This was with sister Lewis, and we were never able to catch her at a good time. We would set up appointments but something would come up. Nevertheless, we persisted!! :) 

Finally, we brought a member with us and the appointment followed through. L is a mother of 4 or 5 little kids with a military husband who won't be home until summer. She has been through a lot of terrible things... You name it, she's experienced it. SHE NEEDS THIS GOSPEL!! Everyone does, but she REALLY does. 

She said she got so desperate for help that she heard a guy on the radio say he would pray for her, so she payed him X amount of money for him to pray for her per month. My heart broke. THEN she
said that someone told her that God is too busy to hear her problems so she doesn't ask for anything in her prayers!! Dear goodness! I'm pretty much crying inside for this woman! 

Because of her questions and concerns, the lesson didn't follow a super smooth outline. It was choppy on topics but met her needs and the spirit was strong. She accepted the baptismal invite, but doesn't have a date yet because meeting with her is near impossible due to her schedule. We are shooting for the beginning of March though! Please keep her in your prayers! She is depressed and just really needs to have the time to hear the lessons. I know it will bless her life immensely. Also, she is dying to go to church!! But couldn't make it yesterday because a mechanic was working on her car and she had to be home to pay him, but she is trying! Gah I have so much love and compassion towards her! It's a blessing and a curse ;) 

We met with C on Tuesday and her husband had his last interview with the bishop yesterday so we see her tomorrow and hopefully can set a date! :) it's been a looonnnggg process but worth it! She is so ready and anxious to be dunked :)

**When you have a minute, look up this talk on YouTube, "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior" by Todd B. Parker. It's way cool :)

Wednesday and Thursday were FULL of service!! We helped a sister in our ward clean her empty house that she is moving from. So like the baseboards, windows, bathrooms, floors, doors, cupboards, etc. it was fun! :) 

There was only one way to fit in this small space to wash the baseboards.

The weather is like spring here so I didn't even need a jacket most of the week! Even this morning running to and from the gym was pretty warm! :) 

Ohhhh funny story! So the hermanas we live with have had the flu all week, but we made sure to be out of the house as much as possible so we didn't get sick! I decided to fast for an investigator yesterday and felt sort of sick but just thought it was because I hadn't eaten anything all day. Turns out I worked through a fever all day! Whoops! I'm good now though :) 

Sister Liu and I are doing pretty good. We are really good at companion inventory and the weeks have been going a lot smoother than the first couple. I know that I needed her as my companion though because she has taught me so many things, and I have been quite humbled throughout this transfer, which is good :) I do love and appreciate her so much despite the challenges :) transfers are on the 19th of this month, so next week. Just a heads up, and I'm most likely leaving. I'll find out for sure in a week. 

This week we taught a super cool lesson that was definitely inspired! Matthew in chapter 14:24-31 talks about when Peter walked on water. My favorite word EVER in all those verses is, "immediately". Jesus stretched forth His hand IMMEDIATELY. He always does! Now when you think about your testimony and where you are in your conversion (which is a life long process), use this analogy: 

We have Peter in the boat, not really going anywhere. Then there is Peter walking on water, DOING SOMETHING in faith to get to where he wants to go, and finally we have sinking Peter, which we all experience at times. 

In your process of conversion, what area can be strengthened? Which Peter are you? How can you improve? No matter which Peter you are, Christ has his hand reaching towards you with a smile on His face. So reach back and take advantage of His help! I attached a picture that is my all time favorite and represents this really well :) 

I know that having a testimony is so important, and it's by experience that we gain one! A strengthened testimony leads to conversion which is the ultimate goal, yet like I said before, it's a life long process. 

I know my savior loves me, as does my Father in Heaven. I am beyond grateful for His hand in my life and for the knowledge that I have of the gospel. Truly I don't know where I'd be without it! Everyone needs it, even if they don't think they do :) which is why we persist! 

I am so grateful to be on a mission! There is nothing I'd rather be doing with my life at this point in time. The gospel blesses families! I am thankful to know that I get to be with mine forever :)
I hope you had a week as good as mine!! 

Happy Valentines Day (on Saturday) <3
Love you!
Sister Chandler

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.

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 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

Small Acts of Service

This last Sunday I spoke to friends, family, and ward members for my farewell talk (10 more days!). In case you missed it, here is my talk:

Good morning brothers and sisters!

My name is Kailey Chandler and I have been called to serve in the Washington D.C. South Mission. I report to the MTC in a week and a half, on the 24th and will serve for a period of 18 months.

In this conference talk, “Be Anxiously Engaged”, LDS Apostle Elder Ballard discussed the life of Honeybees and their individual work efforts combined to get the job done. He stated,
“Over its short lifetime of just a few weeks to four months, a single honeybee contributes one-twelfth of a teaspoon of honey to the hive.

Like these honeybees, we too can contribute to our “hive” by simple acts of kindness, or service.

The first and great commandment taught by our Savior is to, “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind…”, and the second is like unto it; “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”. We can do both of these things at the same time while serving others! 

I hate unloading the dishwasher. The secret is out. But I do it because I love my mom and appreciate all she does for me. Mosiah 2:17 in the Book of Mormon tells us that when we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are only in the service of our God. Boom! Double whammy. So while I unload that dishwasher, I am not only serving my mother because I love and appreciate her, but also because I love and appreciate my Savior. Small and simple words or deeds like unloading the dishwasher can go a long way.

Just the other day I was on my way home from my grandma’s house and my mom called saying she needed me to stop at the store to get cheese for the lasagna that she was making. When standing in line to check out, I noticed that the woman behind me was just gorgeous. She didn’t look like a model or anything, she actually looked like she spent the day chasing kids around, but I noticed that her facial features were really pretty, and I wanted to tell her. I am the type of person who really enjoys complimenting random people, so this wasn’t unusual for me. As I continued to stand in line and swipe my card to pay for the cheese, the thought, “She is so pretty! Tell her she’s so pretty!” would not go away. Finally I couldn’t take it anymore. The compliment came out like word vomit, and after I had told her, she just looked at me like… are you talking to me? After what seemed like an awkward long pause, she said, “Oh! Thank you? I don’t feel pretty”. I then smiled and told her that I thought she was. Her response caught me off guard, “Thank you. It has been a really rough day”. She didn’t say my compliment had made her feel better, but judging by the smile on her face, I’d like to think it helped.

Christ sees us as children of God rather than just another person at the store, like we often see each other. I think that by viewing each other as children of God, especially while serving, we are strengthening our Christ-like attributes and becoming closer to our Savior. Not to mention adding to our teaspoon of honey.

Not only do we serve because we love our fellow men, but we do it to lift one another’s burdens.

On my way home from college this summer, by car broke down about an hour and a half into the trip in the middle of nowhere. Luckily I was following my roommate, so I wasn’t alone, but somehow we had both missed the turn off between Utah and Pocatello, so we weren’t even going the right way. You’d think that someone would pull over to help three girls sitting on the hood of their car, but we weren’t so lucky. We got a couple honks but, no Good Samaritan. I called my parents and told them what had happened; my car simply stopped accelerating. My mom was like, “Kailey you know you can’t go anywhere without gas right?” so I responded with a firm, “Mom. It’s a full tank”.

After about 45 minutes of waiting for my so loving parents to find a tow truck near us, I squished in my roommates car, left mine (full of everything I own) on the side of the road, and drove an hour back (in the right direction) to a hotel. My roommates showed love and compassion as they took me to subway and bought me dinner. Turns out I ordered the sandwich of the day so I got a free drink. After multiple words of comfort and long hugs, they then dropped me off at a hotel in Pocatello, leaving me all by myself with my cell phone, charger, and chapstick.

Just as we have a loving Father in Heaven who is willing to do all he can to help us, I have a loving father on earth who was willing to immediately drop his business plans for the night and drive 4 hours to my rescue. Not only did he do this, but he brought me clothes and necessities that would get me by the next day. I don’t have a clue why the Lord stopped my car because when we called the place where the tow truck left it, the people who worked on it said that there was nothing wrong with it. They took it out for a spin and it worked just fine. Despite the inconvenience that this was, I was able to see that the Christ-like characteristics shown from my roommates and my dad had truly lifted my burden that day. Mosiah 18:8-9 in the Book of Mormon tell us that if we are willing to bear one another’s burdens, mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, we may be blessed with eternal life.

In 1996 President Hinckley promised that, “Meaningful service can be a powerful antidote to feelings of isolation or depression”. Throughout my life I have faced many trials, as I’m sure everyone has, but as I prepare for a mission I find that the trials I face are bigger, and seem to last much longer. I wouldn’t say I’ve been depressed, but over the past couple of months life for me definitely has not been easy. To top off these trials, if you haven’t noticed, my hair is brown. For me, this goes into the “Trial” category of life and though it was something I wanted at first, it turned into an easy reason to feel down. I kept praying for a way out of the negative self-talk; I am generally a really positive person, so the amount of daily negative feelings I was having threw me for a loop. It wasn’t until I received this topic and talking with my sister that I realized my prayers have been answered. By forgetting myself and going to work; serving others, I am able to put my focus elsewhere and that feels so good; it brings great joy to the soul when being selfless. Heavenly Father blesses those who serve one another, and pulling us out of depression or negative feelings is one of the ways He blesses us. We literally need to forget ourselves and go to work, just as President Hinckley’s father counseled him. I could totally get fat on my mission, and I feel like my hair is going to look like a lion in the humidity, but this work is not about me. It’s about the Savior. It’s about service. I am SERVING a mission. No matter the imperfections I may notice every day, or the trials I will face while I’m out there, I know that they are only distractions or experiences to help me grow and that by forgetting myself and going to work, I will be blessed with happiness for serving with my heart.

The Savior is the prime example of service. The first thing I think of is when he washed his apostle’s feet. I remember being so confused when learning this for the first time, because I felt like if anything they should be washing his feet! However, he shows us by example that we are to serve everyone. That we are to show love, compassion, patience, mercy, and friendship while serving our brothers and sisters.

In Matthew chapter 14 we learn of the great
multitude that the Lord had compassion on. He healed the sick, and saw that they were hungry. Though His apostles noted that the only food they had to share was 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, and suggested sending the multitude away to find their own food, the Savior said, “They need not depart; give ye them to eat”. He looked up unto Heaven and blessed the food, making it possible to be distributed amongst 5,000 men, beside women and children, and for them to be full. Not only was this a service to fill their bellies, but Christ taught them the gospel which would bring them eternal life. Just as he taught the woman at the well that if she were to drink what he offered; the gospel, she would never thirst again. He was feeding them physically, but doing a service to them by feeding them spiritually that they may have eternal life.

I know that on my mission I will be faced with many opportunities to serve. Whether that be through volunteering, serving my companion; even those companions, or shoveling the massive amounts of snow that I hear Virginia gets. I know that as missionaries, we are not called to a place, but we are called in place of the Savior. I have an enormous desire to be so obedient, and to be an effective tool in the Lord’s hands. This is His work, brothers and sisters.

I want to serve a mission because I want to serve my Father in Heaven. This gospel has brought pure happiness to my life and I want to share this good news with everyone I meet! I know that small acts of kindness add up and as we contribute our one-twelfth of a teaspoon to the hive throughout our short lifetime, we will be immensely blessed.