Yet Another Fabulous Week in Paradise B)

I'm going to quote Sister Holtermann's email for the story about L_____:

"So last Monday, we met with an investigator of ours named L_____. We were planning on dropping her because she wasn't keeping commitments and appointments, but when we talked to her about it, she just said she was having a tough couple of weeks. So on Monday, we had a lesson with her (my first one with her, by the way), and it was INCREDIBLE! She was finding how the Book of Mormon was speaking directly to her and how she receives answers to a lot of her questions through reading. The Spirit was so strong, I know that she knows it is true. We committed her to coming to church on Saturday night, which she has always been nervous about, and she didn't come on Sunday. *Cries* It was so hard to not see her there! But my goodness; she KNOWS it is true! I know that when she does come to church, she will FOR SURE be baptized. Church answers prayers, y'all. That's why it is so important. Alright, off of my soap box."

Hahaha I LOVE Sister Holtermann- I have a few stories to tell, but next week, since I left my camera at home...

But this was a good week. I think I say that just about every week unless it was really hard, but it really was good. We have amazing leaders, especially our stake president and of course President and Sister Hancock, and we've got MLC coming up again this week which I'm really excited about.... My greenie is a professional, we have our Idaho Falls Temple Open-House pass along cards now that we're handing out to EVERYONE we see, and General Conference is coming up.............. HOW IS MY LIFE SO CRAZY AND YET PEACEFUL AT THE SAME TIME?!?! I'm very, very happy :)

Life is so good when you rely on Christ for everything. It'll all work out. Even the crazy tough times, you'll look back and marvel at how much peace you had in the situation. That's what is happening to me, right now.

Pres. and Sister Hancock (Mission president and his wife)

Pres. Kunz (stake president in the area who texted Sis. Clark's mom late at night to let her know her daughter is a great missionary)

I'm having some amazing experiences with the scriptures, lately. I've been reading the D&C backwards, kinda like a countdown reading a section a day (I'm at 134 days left on my mission today! D: ), and I'm also trying to finish the Old Testament (Ezekiel is cray!), and I'm also trying to read two chapters of the Book of Mormon daily with the topic of Faith in mind..... I am learning so much. I'm AMAZED at how much ties together in all the most inspiring of ways. There is NO WAY a young boy/man could have written the BOM in the time it took to get it published, and there is NO WAY that those words are not from God.

I ponder sometimes what my life would be like if I hadn't been born into "Mormonism". Would I listen to the missionaries? Would I believe this church is true like I do now?

My answer came to me this week- the more I come to know how to speak to Heavenly Father, and how He speaks back to me individually, the more I understand that He's telling me "THE GOSPEL REALLY HAS BEEN RESTORED TO THE EARTH- YOU HAVE IT IN YOUR HANDS TODAY, SO GO AND SHARE IT!" I love it. 

Absolutely, even if I'd never heard of Christ before in my life, when I read the words of the Book of Mormon combined with reading the Bible, I KNOW in my soul that they are of God, and they teach me how to speak to the Most High, and what He wants me to do to be happy. The Gospel of Jesus Christ restored to the earth again today is REAL.

If you don't know it for yourself, or if you're not sure how God speaks to you personally, I challenge you to find out like I have.

Love you all!! Have another fabulous week!

Love,

Sister Clark

WE CAN SEE GRASS AGAIN!

THE SNOW IS FINALLY GONE.  GONE!! Praises be.

I found a scripture that really, really helped me out this week- Matthew 28:19-20 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto to the end of the world. Amen."

God is behind you at every second with His hand on your shoulder, no matter what! It lifted my spirits when I was a little down about not having many people to teach, currently. But even if I never teach another lesson again for the rest of my mission, if that was God's will to test my diligence, then I will happily carry through. I'm filled with the Joy of Christ- nothing can keep me down or hold me back for long. The Gospel makes everything worth it!

President Thomas S. Monson said, "The road signs of life enticingly invite every traveler: This way to fame; this way to affluence; this way to popularity; this way to luxury. Pause at the crossroads before you continue your journey. Listen for that still, small voice which ever so gently beckons, ‘Come, follow me’.” 

Whatever God asks you to do, I PROMISE YOU that following His will, especially when it isn't convenient or easy for you, causes blessings to flow your way like a torrential river. It's not a sprinkle of nice things that happen, but it's a FLOOD. It's never easy, but it's all worth it. I promise. I'm seeing it in my life right now :)

Last P-Day, we had an epic Nerf war as a zone. I looooooved it, ah, my heart... also, Sister Holtermann and I are picking up a little Spanish from exchanges this week, so at random we'll say "MI CORIZON!" or spout random phrases like "gracious, de nada, por favor, que, por que mi amor...." but when you translate them out loud all together it doesn't sound near as fancy haha! 

This P-Day we'll take it easy, though. I'm looking forward to a wonderful nap and some time to write out letters, relax, wear sweats all day..... life is so good. 

We saw a really neat miracle this week!!! On exchanges we tried to knock on a house, but the moment we got out of our car this HUGE beautiful Doberman came running over and only an electric fence stopped her, but her hackles were up and her big white teeth were bared and they had her voice-box removed, so she was barking like crazy but she sounded like a furious possessed chicken. It was terrifying. We couldn't even approach the door, so we left.

The other day, however, when I was back with Sister Holtermann, we came to the house again and I explained it might be impossible and the dog might try to eat us, but Sister Holtermann said, "Well, let's say a prayer and then God will help us." So we did. We got out of the car, the dog was chilling in the sun and perked up when we came over, and she trotted over as we tried to casually walk in her territory telling her "hello puppy, please don't eat us, puppy...." And she came up and wanted us to pet her, she wanted to sniff all the other dogs she smelled on us, she was so friendly and just wanted some loving.............

Compared to Daniel 6:22 saying, "My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt." .... sounds pretty familiar, doesn't it? Modern day lions' mouths can be shut too, when you use a little prayer :)

Thank you everyone for supporting me! Keep on keeping on, or rather, siga adalente!

Love,

Sister Clark

Cool Answers Come

This week has been really slow in a proselyting way. We've knocked on a ton of doors, talked with everyone we passed by, we've been striving to be diligent and obedient and met a few neat people who might be interested later. One lady we met named C____ L____ talked our ear off for an hour and a half about all her experiences with God and how she's been looking and praying for a church to come to when she moved here and how we're an answer to her prayers... but she's staying in N_____ for a month!! She's taking her Book of Mormon with her, and we'll talk when she gets back, so until then we'll just keep praying for her! And we found a blind woman named A____ wanting to come back to church who plays the piano like Mozart, all by ear!!! She's so cool.

Although the amount of lessons we've taught has been low, my personal growth in the Gospel has been booming. I feel like I've learned so much. It's been snowing and bleh outside but we still keep going, and it's been really hard to find people to teach or for others to keep their appointments with us, but at the same time.... I'm learning diligence, and patience, and how to have joy when nothing really is going on to be ecstatic about. I understand that true success is in the invitation to come to Christ, not in whatever the other person's response is. I just kept asking Heavenly Father to stay near me this whole week and to talk with me throughout the days, and He has. I'm HAPPY, in all this week that normally would've been a little depressing, thanks to the tender love of the Lord and His kindness to me. The Gospel is desperately needed in everyone's lives, whether they know it or not!!

I've learned a lot about personal revelation and how God talks to me personally. It's been a neat journey. One thing I know for certain is that fasting and prayer WORKS, especially when you combine your efforts to know God's will with reading His word- even if you're just flipping through the pages. I found so many amazing scriptures answering my questions about various things I hope to do with my future; one of which is in 2 Nephi 32:9 saying, "But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save it in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul." This scripture, in addition to many others, helped me understand what I need to do about where I want to go for school and how it'll work out, and what I can say in letters sent to some friends I want to be there for... we just have to ask Heavenly Father. Truly, "ask, and ye SHALL receive."

I love being a missionary. This has all been so worth it, and I'm so glad I still have some time left to keep going!! And I'm so glad I have Sister Holtermann to share some of this time with me- I adore her, and she can make any bleh day a day of laughing and smiling. I love everything about my mission!!!

~ Now for a message from our current prophet that really boosted me up: 

"Occasionally discouragement may darken our pathway; frustration may be a constant companion.  In our ears there may sound the sophistry of Satan as he whispers, 'You cannot save the world; your efforts are meaningless.  You haven’t time to be concerned for others.'  Trusting in the Lord, let us turn our heads from such falsehoods and make certain our feet are firmly planted in the path of service and our hearts and souls dedicated to follow the example of the Lord." ~President Thomas S. Monson

Till next week!

Love,

Sister Clark

Another Week in Paradise- aside from the bi-polarness of everything

This was one bi-polar week! Yeesh! 

Concerning the weather, we went from flooding to really sunny days, and then suddenly we had a blizzard and got 4" of snow in a day. The next day it was super sunny, then it downpoured rain, and then it snowed again all the next day and we got another 6" or so. And THEN, it was sunny, rained for an hour, back to sunny, then snow and screaming wind, then back to sunny.......

This is too much for my body to handle! Whoa! 

And then, we saw some epic miracles followed by sadness, all in a row. I think God is making sure everything is balanced out right for us, or something.

So on the snowiest day we had, we realized after a long time of proselyting that we didn't have the phone... it was just gone. We figured we dropped it in the snow somewhere at some point and didn't hear it fall. That's all our contacts, our everything, lost somewhere in a snow-pile as snow-plows make their rounds through the streets constantly.... We said a prayer, followed some ideas that came to mind and looked around, and then as we were walking back from one house Sister Holtermann SAW THE PHONE, the corner of it poking out from under a snow lump she'd kicked a few seconds earlier. What a cool miracle!!! And the phone still works!!! We were saved.

After that, our lesson with L____ fell through, we rescheduled, it fell through, we rescheduled, it fell through again..... so that was sad. We hope L_____ is still interested and not passively avoiding us.

BUT then at church yesterday, we had two people that weren't members of the church come! And we were able to set up appointments with the both of them later in the week!! We're so excited for that!

And then after that, we found out one of our recent converts had gotten into some bad things, and now his wife is divorcing him... we're devastated for their family. It's crazy how bi-polar this week has turned out.

But it's been a really good week. I think I'm learning how to fully lose myself in the service of others. I've felt major joy and some crushing sorrow... but this is an odd feeling of sorrow. It hurts but it's not destroying me- it's like a love based sorrow. I don't know how to describe it- I know things will be ok, I just feel sorrow for the ones I care about so much, but it's good for my heart at the same time to care so much and so deeply for other people. I hope that made sense! I'm still figuring it out! It's tough being a missionary when you give your heart away to so many people, but in the same instant, it is SO worth it. I love my mission, and I love Idaho, and most importantly, I love the Lord. He's so good to me and to my family, and to all my friends. Pray to Him! He hears you, like He hears me. He will help you.

Till next week!

Love,

Sister Clark

Ran out of time!

Sorry!! But my week went amazing, and Sister Holtermann is already teaching me so much :D We've had a ton of experiences teaching us how to follow the Spirit, and teaching me how to pray. It's been amazing. 

N____ was baptized!!! He made it!!! It was SUCH a good service, and the Spirit was so strong!!

I love being a missionary.

Stay tuned for more next time!

Love,

Sis. Clark

BIG Changes Coming My Way!!

I've gotten the call to train a new missionary!!! :'D I've wanted to train again for SO long, and I'm so excited I get the chance now!! And of course, God and President Hancock love to throw in little twists to life I never saw coming- President has asked that I also stay a Sister Training Leader but to be a solo flyer as I train. "Adventure is out there!!"

The only problem is that I'm losing Sister Archer... I only had the chance to spend one transfer with her.... I'm really sad. It's not enough time, but, she's also going to be training in Soda Springs, and we know this is what needs to happen. I'll end my mission only two transfers after her, so you best believe we'll be reunited soon enough! It'll all be ok :)

It was an odd tender mercy to be sick all this week too... in a way Heavenly Father gave us more time together before we'll be separated this Wednesday haha!

N_____ is going to be baptized this next Saturday!! His interview went great yesterday and he is all ready to go :D We are so excited for him!!! 

With all the warm weather we've been having (yup, now I'm an Idahoan so "warm" is 38 degrees...), all the snow has been melting really fast. Considering how much we've gotten this winter, it's been a problem. We had some flooding and we stayed up late one night helping the members we live with sandbag their house, but we didn't end up getting any water in the house so that was a miracle. It was like we had a big bubble around the house protecting us!

This has been another fantastic week, everyone! Thank you so much for always being there for me! Look forward to another email next week full of even more adventures! :D

Love,

Sister Clark

Sister Archer chilling by the fireplace when we were sickos

Flooding!

More flooding!  It was what I made in the yard when I found out Sister Archer is leaving me

District

Another Day in Paradise

This week went really well!! I don't have a ton to write about though, sorry mom!

I'm alive though! :D Life is good! I'm the happiest I think I've ever been on my mission. We went on exchanges this week, had our Zone Training meeting that went really well.  And Sister Archer and I talked about turning our hearts to the Lord, we had the flu for a little bit but recovered really fast.... Yeah!

And of course, Fast and Testimony Sunday is my all-time favorite Sunday of the month, and S____ bore her testimony and thanked us for being her missionaries!! I love Idaho <3 And I'm officially going to BYU-Idaho in the Fall, I don't have to leave when I go home!

Love,

Sister Clark