Missions don't end when the nametag comes off.
It has been a rough morning for me. It's been hard to focus and I can't think straight. I just knelt down and asked God to help me focus this last week. I felt prompted to write my testimony of the purpose of this work and to help me refocus.
This is what I came up with: Love.
I could have told everyone before my mission that i knew the church was true, but i couldn't explain why. I could have said that I knew our Heavenly Father loved us, but I didn't fully understand what that meant. I'm not implying that I even fully understand it now or that I ever will while in the mortal existence- but I do understand it just a little bit more.
I have felt the love our Heavenly Father has for the people we have talked with and listened to. I have felt the spirit guide me to someone who God loves and have watched them either reject or accept God's outstretched hand. I know that sometimes we mess up and it brings sorry or unhappiness and God will never stop forgiving us- and neither should we.
There is no room for chaos or contention among the members of the church. In a society where we are conditioned to focus inward, we must take every opportunity to focus outward; to find those who need to feel God's love for them.
Our Heavenly Father loved us so much that he sent His son, He called a prophet in these last days, and restored the Church to the earth. We invite people to repent and be baptized by someone who holds the RESTORED priesthood authority so that they can feel their Heavenly Father's love and return to a loving Heavenly Father. All that's going to matter in the end is love. I love you all. Go help someone to feel the love that their Heavenly Father has for them.
Love, Sister Mahaffey
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
BAPTISM! (April 22)
I wish I could come up with really cool email subjects like Elder Mahaffey does. Something like Mayong Butang... but I can't. All i got to say is BAPTISM! CHEEEEHOOOO!
Oh goodness. The lord provides. no doubt. All the glory goes to God. This couple is amazing. I will just show you pictures when I get home, but truly they are amazing. They are young 22 and 24. they have two little kids. The husband was able to quit chewing. It was so cute to watch them watch each other on both sides of the font. Their family came and we gave them a church tour afterwards. They said that they just felt comfortable being there and everything made sense. The ward was really supportive and great! My heart. God is good.
The missionary department called again and they want to follow me and Sister Nicholes around for a day. Awesome! These experiences are so good. WE have been so busy lately which is such a blessing. We are finding new investigators almost everyday and the ward is really excited about missionary work. Every one is racking their brains thinking about how they can share this message. The fire is spreading! So excited.
We took our recent convert to a relief society function earlier this week and someone came in and told us to follow them. She took us out to the parking lot and there was this girl on a motorcycle just sitting there waiting. She said that she felt prompted to stop by because she used to go to this church when she was REALLY young but never got baptized! we gave her a book of mormon and got her number. MIracles.
Then we were getting out of our car another time and hadn't even had time to open our mouths and this guy shouts, " what your mormon and you're not going to say anything to me?" haha. People know and people are watching. Always open your mouth!
Sum, I'm so happy you are in the city! You will LOVE IT! i'm sure of it.
I love this gospel, so much. I love your testimonies. I love the atonement and our savior's sacrifice. This is all true. The End.
Love, Sister Mahaffey
Oh goodness. The lord provides. no doubt. All the glory goes to God. This couple is amazing. I will just show you pictures when I get home, but truly they are amazing. They are young 22 and 24. they have two little kids. The husband was able to quit chewing. It was so cute to watch them watch each other on both sides of the font. Their family came and we gave them a church tour afterwards. They said that they just felt comfortable being there and everything made sense. The ward was really supportive and great! My heart. God is good.
The missionary department called again and they want to follow me and Sister Nicholes around for a day. Awesome! These experiences are so good. WE have been so busy lately which is such a blessing. We are finding new investigators almost everyday and the ward is really excited about missionary work. Every one is racking their brains thinking about how they can share this message. The fire is spreading! So excited.
We took our recent convert to a relief society function earlier this week and someone came in and told us to follow them. She took us out to the parking lot and there was this girl on a motorcycle just sitting there waiting. She said that she felt prompted to stop by because she used to go to this church when she was REALLY young but never got baptized! we gave her a book of mormon and got her number. MIracles.
Then we were getting out of our car another time and hadn't even had time to open our mouths and this guy shouts, " what your mormon and you're not going to say anything to me?" haha. People know and people are watching. Always open your mouth!
Sum, I'm so happy you are in the city! You will LOVE IT! i'm sure of it.
I love this gospel, so much. I love your testimonies. I love the atonement and our savior's sacrifice. This is all true. The End.
Love, Sister Mahaffey
Emotions (April 15)
Oh HELLO!
Haha, Sister Mara here. I am on an emotional rollercoaster. Fo' rills. Poor, poor sister nicholes lol. She is so cute though. I love her to death and she is growing so so much! I'm so proud of her! She put two people on date this week while tracting. I was so proud!!
Our progressing investigators are awesome.They got interviewed on Saturday night for their baptism this week. We went over thursday and the husband had cut back from a whole can of chew a day to one dip. We told him he needed to be clean for at least 24 hours before the interview. I asked him to give me his cans of chew so it wouldn't be a temptation. and he did! He had such bad headaches and looked pale. I have never prayed and fasted so hard for someone in my life. He got a blessing and is doing better. His wife is so cute and such a good support. Our ward mission leader has been keeping him busy. honestly, they are a gift from God. I feel so humbled to be able to teach them. I can't wait to be able to tell you all about them face to face. There is so much to tell. I just thank God every day for being able to be apart of their conversion.
We had a sister's-only meeting this week. It's crazy all the changes that are taking place. They had to call 3 sister trainers a while back (like sister AP's) and I am one of them. It's so fun to be able to work with the sisters and try to help them in their areas and companionship. I love it, truly. I love all these sisters!
Thank you for your emails! Sum! Keep it up over there :) those filipinos will come around! haha. I love you all so much!
Love, Sister Mahaffey
Haha, Sister Mara here. I am on an emotional rollercoaster. Fo' rills. Poor, poor sister nicholes lol. She is so cute though. I love her to death and she is growing so so much! I'm so proud of her! She put two people on date this week while tracting. I was so proud!!
Our progressing investigators are awesome.They got interviewed on Saturday night for their baptism this week. We went over thursday and the husband had cut back from a whole can of chew a day to one dip. We told him he needed to be clean for at least 24 hours before the interview. I asked him to give me his cans of chew so it wouldn't be a temptation. and he did! He had such bad headaches and looked pale. I have never prayed and fasted so hard for someone in my life. He got a blessing and is doing better. His wife is so cute and such a good support. Our ward mission leader has been keeping him busy. honestly, they are a gift from God. I feel so humbled to be able to teach them. I can't wait to be able to tell you all about them face to face. There is so much to tell. I just thank God every day for being able to be apart of their conversion.
We had a sister's-only meeting this week. It's crazy all the changes that are taking place. They had to call 3 sister trainers a while back (like sister AP's) and I am one of them. It's so fun to be able to work with the sisters and try to help them in their areas and companionship. I love it, truly. I love all these sisters!
Thank you for your emails! Sum! Keep it up over there :) those filipinos will come around! haha. I love you all so much!
Love, Sister Mahaffey
Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words To Each Other (April 8)
Oh my lands. This week... i don't even know what adjective to use. haha. We saw so so many miracles. I loved conference. Learned a lot about not gossiping.
Our progressing investigators who are getting baptized on the 20th are doing amazing. Living all the commandments. They weren't sure about a living prophet or Joseph smith- they watched the restoration and came to conference at a members home and said they felt the spirit. They are doing so good! I love them so much.
We had a meeting this week with all the new missionaries- SO MANY SISTERS. Oh my goodness. There was a lot of gossip and drama going on in that short time and I felt the spirit leave immediately. I hated it. There was a spirit of contention. I don't ever want to speak negatively of others or TO OTHERS. It'd probably be good not to even think negatively of others either. President Larkin called us to repentace and said "If you don't love each other, find a way" I felt so much love and respect for that man as soon as he said that. I always say it, but Charity is the answer. Beg for it. Plead for it. 2 nephi 26:32- it is a commandment to NOT have envy or malice or contention. I love that our family doesn't talk bad about one another and that we are so open with each other! I love it!! Let us all support and love each other forever.
Conference was AmaZING. I wish i could talk about everything i liked...
I had a couple of break downs this week. It just keeps hitting me that this time is SO short. Oh, my heart is hurting. I was crying during conference and just praying that God would lead us to someone who needed our help that day. ON our way home from conference on saturday we saw a guy holding an advertising sign. The thought occurred to me that we need to talk to him. SO i told sister nicholes to write it down and we would go see him another time. We were almost home and the spirit constrained me to speak with him NOW. So I proceeded to have an argument in my brain about whether it was me or the spirit thinking this haha. WE turned around and pulled up. Even still i was thinking, we are going to freak this guy out maybe we should come back later. But I was moved to speak to him. Sister Nicholes, thought I was insane. Rightly so. aha. SO get out and ask him how he is and if he goes to a church. He said he was trying to get his life back in order because he just got out of jail yesterday and needs to change his life. OH MY GOODNESS. We testified of the truth of our message and how it would bless him. He gave us his address and we went back that night. He is preparing or baptism on may 4th. Best part is.... he came to conference the next morning with fellowship. MIRACLE. Things have been happening like that ALL week. I can't share all the stories, but just know I love this work. I love it. Entirely. Do good and be good. Talk with everyone. Mom wrote me last week and says that she prays to be led to people who need help each day. I challenge you each to do that, and god will open up the possibilities for you to be someone's saving grace that day.
Love you! Have a great week :)
Love, me.
Our progressing investigators who are getting baptized on the 20th are doing amazing. Living all the commandments. They weren't sure about a living prophet or Joseph smith- they watched the restoration and came to conference at a members home and said they felt the spirit. They are doing so good! I love them so much.
We had a meeting this week with all the new missionaries- SO MANY SISTERS. Oh my goodness. There was a lot of gossip and drama going on in that short time and I felt the spirit leave immediately. I hated it. There was a spirit of contention. I don't ever want to speak negatively of others or TO OTHERS. It'd probably be good not to even think negatively of others either. President Larkin called us to repentace and said "If you don't love each other, find a way" I felt so much love and respect for that man as soon as he said that. I always say it, but Charity is the answer. Beg for it. Plead for it. 2 nephi 26:32- it is a commandment to NOT have envy or malice or contention. I love that our family doesn't talk bad about one another and that we are so open with each other! I love it!! Let us all support and love each other forever.
Conference was AmaZING. I wish i could talk about everything i liked...
I had a couple of break downs this week. It just keeps hitting me that this time is SO short. Oh, my heart is hurting. I was crying during conference and just praying that God would lead us to someone who needed our help that day. ON our way home from conference on saturday we saw a guy holding an advertising sign. The thought occurred to me that we need to talk to him. SO i told sister nicholes to write it down and we would go see him another time. We were almost home and the spirit constrained me to speak with him NOW. So I proceeded to have an argument in my brain about whether it was me or the spirit thinking this haha. WE turned around and pulled up. Even still i was thinking, we are going to freak this guy out maybe we should come back later. But I was moved to speak to him. Sister Nicholes, thought I was insane. Rightly so. aha. SO get out and ask him how he is and if he goes to a church. He said he was trying to get his life back in order because he just got out of jail yesterday and needs to change his life. OH MY GOODNESS. We testified of the truth of our message and how it would bless him. He gave us his address and we went back that night. He is preparing or baptism on may 4th. Best part is.... he came to conference the next morning with fellowship. MIRACLE. Things have been happening like that ALL week. I can't share all the stories, but just know I love this work. I love it. Entirely. Do good and be good. Talk with everyone. Mom wrote me last week and says that she prays to be led to people who need help each day. I challenge you each to do that, and god will open up the possibilities for you to be someone's saving grace that day.
Love you! Have a great week :)
Love, me.
EASTER (April 1, 2013)
happy easter everyone! isn't life so good? We taught the primary yesterday about easter. So funny. i completely lost my voice this week so i was like whispering/yelling at the kids to listen to me and they thought it was funny. NOT. Haha, i got a virus that like half the people in FW have and there isn't a remedy for it. All the members have been taking such amazing care of me and giving me all sorts of medicines. I don't even know what I'm taking. It's amazing the strength the lord is giving me to be able to work hard during the day still and muster some kind of noise so I can talk to people. lol.
Oh goodness. I love easter season. I love how it focuses everyone's attention back on the Savior. It hit me really hard this week that we celebrate Easter because he IS risen. That is present tense. While sometimes others may focus on his death and sacrifice, we can focus on a living savior and allow him to be alive in us. We can feel him and his presence everyday by living by the spirit. It's beautiful. I was feeling bad because I always thank Heavenly Father in my prayers and I wanted to thank Jesus Christ too ( in know it sounds juvenile lol) but then it hit me that they are ONE! haha, I preach it all the time, but it finally clicked in my lil head. Oh, i love the simplicity of this gospel. I Love our HEavenly Father and Jesus Christ so so much. Words can't do it justice, but I will try my best to live in harmony with my feelings for as long as i live.
Sister Nicholes is my new companion. One of the younger sisters. She is from Cedar Hills, Utah! She had a REALLY hard time this week. I know that this mission will be amazing for her. She had a really hard time talking with people and sharing the gospel. We did A LOT of roll playing. I could see her hitting a mental block- our minds are so powerful. She just got so frustrated and I wanted to take it from her. The atonement is real, we can give it to our Savior and continue on. Happiness is a choice. This week was just such a testimony builder of the power of CHOICE. we get to choose to control circumstances and be happy or let them control us. I love it. She will do great things! I'm proud of how she has grown already!
K, well CHOOSE to be happy and make good choices this week! I love you all!!!
Love, ME.
Oh goodness. I love easter season. I love how it focuses everyone's attention back on the Savior. It hit me really hard this week that we celebrate Easter because he IS risen. That is present tense. While sometimes others may focus on his death and sacrifice, we can focus on a living savior and allow him to be alive in us. We can feel him and his presence everyday by living by the spirit. It's beautiful. I was feeling bad because I always thank Heavenly Father in my prayers and I wanted to thank Jesus Christ too ( in know it sounds juvenile lol) but then it hit me that they are ONE! haha, I preach it all the time, but it finally clicked in my lil head. Oh, i love the simplicity of this gospel. I Love our HEavenly Father and Jesus Christ so so much. Words can't do it justice, but I will try my best to live in harmony with my feelings for as long as i live.
Sister Nicholes is my new companion. One of the younger sisters. She is from Cedar Hills, Utah! She had a REALLY hard time this week. I know that this mission will be amazing for her. She had a really hard time talking with people and sharing the gospel. We did A LOT of roll playing. I could see her hitting a mental block- our minds are so powerful. She just got so frustrated and I wanted to take it from her. The atonement is real, we can give it to our Savior and continue on. Happiness is a choice. This week was just such a testimony builder of the power of CHOICE. we get to choose to control circumstances and be happy or let them control us. I love it. She will do great things! I'm proud of how she has grown already!
K, well CHOOSE to be happy and make good choices this week! I love you all!!!
Love, ME.
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