Week 16: The Fundamentals!

Sister Elle Jackson

This last week has for sure been a fun one! I haven’t really realized how emotionally and spiritually I am pushed, every day of my mission, until I was finally in the mission field. We have had so many great experiences this week that continue to remind me of how important it is to put my whole self, body and soul out there on the line every single day. When I do this I accomplish so much more then I could ever have even imagined! I am able to go home at the end of the night and feel as though I have done everything I could possibly do that day and once my head hits the pillow I am gone. But then when the alarm goes off at 6 am somehow and for some reason I am able to get up and start this amazing lifestyle again. The only reason I am able to keep going and not get sad, not be too tired, and not have the willpower to go on is because this Gospel, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It gives me the strength that I need to be able to continue on in my day to day life and not let the world get the best of me.

Hermana Webb and Elle

This last week the weather has played some crazy games with us. On Tuesday we were on exchanges with Hermana Gonzalez and Hermana Webb and it is always so much fun! But the weather was crazy! I have never in my life seen it rain so hard and seen wind as strong as it was! The weather was so crazy that it blew full grown trees over and the power went out for a long time. Some people still as of yesterday don't have their power on. On that little note the sun has been out almost every other day!

This week we had the opportunity to knock on a few doors! Let me tell you something....it was the most fun thing we could have ever done! We went to visit some people and decided that we would just knock a few neighbors doors before we headed off to our other appointments. So we turned around and looked at the doors all lined up (we were in an apartment complex).  We stood there for a second and then Sister Foster said, “That one”, and pointed to a door that was on our left. So that is what we did. By doing so we were able to meet Kyle! We were able to teach Kyle the Restoration Pamphlet at the door and he wanted us to come back when his family was home so we could talk with all of them! He has never been really religious and so he had not heard a lot about what we talked about, but thinks this might be a good thing for him. We set up an appointment and that was that. We were super excited after that! So we decided to put Heavenly Father to the "test" and we walked back to where we were originally standing and said a prayer and asked Heavenly Father to show us which door to knock on next. We stood there for a minute pondering and waiting for an answer and we got one! At the same time I pointed to a door on our right and Sister Foster said, “That one”. So that is what we did, we walked over to the door knocked on it and Jessica opened the door! She has been Christian her whole life...which is ironic because we are Christian also! So we started talking to her and were able to get a return appointment! We left that apartment complex happier than ever! How cool is it that Heavenly Father will give you an immediate answer if you take the time to ponder and see to where he would like you to go! 

Scripture Study and Breakfast

On Friday we went on another exchange with Hermana Clark and Hermana Hubner. This time I went to their area and was able to be a part of the Hispanic culture for a day! My stomach wouldn't be able to handle an entire transfer, but it was so much fun. I was able learn how to say my testimony in Spanish and also be able to say a prayer! One of these days I am going to be fluent in saying both of them. But I had so much fun with Sister Clark! She is such an amazing person and an even better missionary, it helps that we are a lot alike. I also was able to appreciate what I have been given a lot more! 

Elle and Hermana Clark

This week though I have had a hard time with not being the best and why can't I just be given all the experience I want now, why do I have to work for it?  Well I received my answer. I was listening to a talk given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf in 2010, (Click Here) Of Things That Matter Most.  He talked about Vince Lombardi and when he would get his new football team every year he had a ritual he would do. He would gather them all together and show them a football and say, "This is a football." and would explain a little about it. Then he would take them out to the football field and do the same thing he did with the football. Even though the team were experienced football players who have been playing for years, he would start at the beginning and explain the rules, the game and all of the little things. President Uchtdorf explained that it is important to understand the Fundamentals before you are able to move on and become even better than you thought you could be. It was almost a smack in the face because I was able to realize that I have to learn the fundamentals of anything before I am able to become the best. 

I love you all so much and hope that you have an amazing week!

Weekly planning meeting at Taco Bell!

This is the front yard of Elle's duplex.

Either a little snow or frost.