July 6th- HAPPY FOURTH!

P-Day Selfie. HELLO FROM OREGON!

Oregon Fun Fact of the Week:

On July 1, 2015, marijuana was officially legalized.

This week was great, we are seeing a lot of success in this area. God has prepared the hearts of so many people. I can't remember who I have talked about, but we are working with the greatest people.

Fourth of July was great! We had three dinners that day (I have never eaten so much in my life.) We had a dinner with a lady we do service with at the soup kitchen. We love her to pieces, and she loves us! She brought a friend, and we found out that they both have members of their family that go to our church. That was pretty cool! One of our dinners was also with another family in the ward. Celeste is the mom and she is HILARIOUS. She invited her neighbors, and as she was calling people she would say. "Come have delicious food. The sister missionaries are also here from our church, and we want you to come so we can convert you." HAHA, she cracks me up! She doesn't beat around the bush that is for sure. 

TEACHING HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK:

The Gandy family came to church finally! WOOT WOOT! We had a really spiritual lesson with them on building our foundation on Jesus Christ. Keep them in your prayers!

Shadee agreed to be baptized this last week and is inviting his whole family to our lesson with him later tonight. He is on probation since he just got out of jail six months ago... BUT miracles happen.

How do you spell Mufasa (like from the lion king)? Well, the other week we found a new investigator who is a huge man with a super gnarly chain tattoo around his bicep. For a living he is a glass blower and he makes drug paraphernalia. He is a pretty cool guy mom, so don't worry. I am amazed at his honesty and integrity. We taught him the plan of salvation this last week and we love working with him. 

LOTS OF GREAT THINGS, MIRACLES GALORE, GOD IS GOOD, SAME OLD SAME OLD :) 

A reoccurring spiritual theme of the week seems to be darkness vs. light.  A lot of people are upset the world seems to be turning towards darkness. I always share this scripture with people who see this way, "(Mosiah 16:9) He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless that there can be no more death." It doesn't matter how dark things get in our world, our families, or our lives, the light of Christ will NEVER fail us. In this last conference Elder Quentin L. Cook said, "If the grim realities you are facing at this time seem dark and heavy and almost unbearable, remember that in the soul-wrenching darkness of Gethsemane and the incomprehensible torture and pain of Calvary, the Savior accomplished the Atonement, which resolves the most terrible burdens that can occur in this life. He did it for you, and He did it for me. He did it because He loves us and because He obeys and loves His Father. We will be rescued from death-even from the depths of the sea."

Jesus Christ really is the light and the life of my life! Without Him I wouldn't be able to put on foot in front of the other day after STINKING HOT day. He is the reason I keep knocking doors even when no one wants to listen. He is the reason that I am HAPPY amidst the trials and tribulations in my life! He is the reason I can face opposition with a grin! I love His gospel, and I feel so privileged I have the opportunity to share is LIGHT with the people of Oregon!

Love you all, have a great week!

Sister Jones

June 29-GP

Temple Trip:

I love this place :)

So on Monday I had dinner with Sister Sill (from Mtn. Green) and her friend from the ward. They asked me my deepest darkest secret and I couldn't think of one other than I always wet my pants (which I have only done once on my mission). So guess what they do? Text mom and ask. Mom told them about the time I got a ticket for weaving in and out of construction cones. Darn it. She also told them about the gold fish story at college... If you haven't heard that story, ask me after my mission. Way to build member trust right? ;) 

Tender mercy of the week: we were on our way to an appointment and there was a grandma and her kids going on a walk. As we drove by the Spirit said, "Stop and talk to them." Silly spirit, we are late for an appointment. Our appointment fell through and so we were driving back and the family was still walking. The Spirit said, " Really, talk to them." This time I obliged; we pulled over and I talked to them. Guess what? The grandma was less than enthused I had stopped her. She was REALLY not interested, but one of the grand daughters was named Bekah, and the other went by Gabbi. That was pretty cool. I didn't think anything of it and we drove away. 

 

Later in the week we received a member referral and as I knocked on the door guess who answered? Bekah! I was super confused, and her mom came to the door and she said, "Bekah told me about a missionary who had sisters named Bekah and Gabbi! Come on in!" So we came in and talked to the mom and Bekah. Long story short, I adopted Bekah as my younger sister, the mom Holly cried, and they want us to come back. The Lord works in marvelous ways! Moral of the story: I should listen to the Spirit the first time around! 

 

Another tender mercy. During sacrament meeting, Lilly, our 9 year old going on 20 investigator, leaned over, gave me a hug and whispered, "Thanks for teaching me about my loving Father in Heaven." I wanted to start crying. If that isn't joy, I don't know what is. 

 

Other highlights: Shadee, (pronounced Shawtie in a gangster voice) is super golden and remembered the whole restoration. 

Bobby, the father of the Gandy family, is reading the Book of Mormon like crazy. The rest of his family isn't as into it. Keep them in your prayers! 

Good things are happening in Beacon Hill! Remember how I said I am never leaving Corvallis? Well, now I am never leaving Beacon Hill. I need to learn to trust God. You think I would have it figured out by now don't you? 

 

Miracle: did I mention last week our house had an ant problem? When we showed up, no one had lived in our apartment for three weeks. There were dirty dishes in the sink... And ants everywhere. Not like an ant here or there... Our counters are black so you could t actually see the ants, you could just see our counter top moving. Ha ha! We finally got rid of all the ants this week :) Hallelujah! 

Also, I am still alive even though this week it hit 113 degrees. No joke. I am some wicked awesome tan lines though! Walking around in that kind of weather builds character :) 

Good things are happening in Oregon! 

I love you all! The gospel is true! 

Sister Jones 

June 22- Borderline

Nia Hao!

Grants Pass, Oregon

Speaking of mandarin, this week I ALMOST got to use my mandarin on an Asian looking man. I ran down the street to talk to him, but he had disappeared. It is going to come in handy one of these days!

Our zone has decided that our theme for this transfer is "borderline." We need to be doing things as a missionary that are "borderline" of our comfort zone, and the more we do those things the more our comfort zone expands and we can be tools in the Lord's hands! Sister Petersen and I put this into practice this week and did a lot of things that were "borderline" our comfort zone. For example, there was a thug basketball game going on, and we stopped them and shared the gospel. Half said they would listen if we played them in a game to 21, and the other half stopped to listen. (We had five minutes before we had to go in or else I so would have played.) Later we were tracting and there was a number on the front door of a house of an old man who wasn't answering. We called him and told him to come to the door. HAHAHA the sweet old man took a pamphlet. It keeps things fun and entertaining! Sister Petersen is bold and fearless, it is going to be a great transfer!

Things are going great, my companion and I were double transferred in (meaning that neither of us have been in this ward until now.) It has been an exciting week of trying to figure out the area, the ward, the investigators, as well as adjusting to a new companion's style of teaching! Oddly enough it hasn't been too stressful. We also get to do a lot of street contacting which I am excited about, most areas in the mission are in the country so the houses are far apart. I love serving in city-like areas. 

The area: Tiny. We walk everywhere. I am so excited to get my sister missionary foot tan back. This next week it should get up to 106 degrees. Bring on the sunscreen and the tan!

The ward: SO missionary minded! Every prayer in church they prayed for missionary opportunities. They are giving us referrals left and right. I think it is hands down the best ward in the entire mission. 

The investigators: There is a wonderful family, The Gandy's, who are on date for August 23rd. From the sound of it the father really wants this move for their family, but the mom has never had religion so she isn't as enthused as he is. We got to meet and teach them yesterday. The way this lesson turned out was a MIRACLE, and as we look back God had been preparing us for this lesson all week long. We brought a member whose son had recently passed away. Originally we were planning on teaching them about receiving answers to prayers, but we ended up talking about eternal families. The member talked about how she gets to be with her family forever, and momma gandy started bawling. I think that is the first time she has ever really felt the spirit. We testified that the gospel blesses our family in the eternities, as well as blessing them right now.

My companion: From Erta, Utah. She went to Stansbury high school. She is staying pretty focused, and we are going to work hard!! 

MIRACLE OF THE WEEK: I was in relief society and someone said, "you must be Corinne!" (What?? I haven't heard someone call me that in 18 months.) I turned to see a smiling face, and Sister Still is supposedly from my home ward in Mtn. Green! She told me all about my cute family and how everyone is doing great. It was such a tender mercy to get to talk with her! She used to live here in Grant's Pass, but two years ago moved to Mtn. Green! 

OH and hey, Happy Fathers Day! 

Sometimes in church we sing, "I'll go where you want me to go,  dear Lord." Throughout my mission I have started to notice at times that I will add on my own ending to the song...,"I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, [as long as it is where I want to go and what I want to do]." This is a selfish attitude which I have had to repent of many times. I asked my President during interviews one time, "I have a desire to turn my will over to the Lord but HOW do I do it?" He responded with, "who is someone you know in your life which has turned their will over to the Lord?" I immediately responded, "My father." We then listed all the attributes which my father had which qualified him to be a servant of the Lord. Some of them on the list were obedience, humility, selflessness, and charity. (All attributes which I am trying to encompass) I am so grateful for the example my father has given me for what it looks like to be a disciple of Christ, as well as teaching me what qualities are important to encompass.

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Sister Jones 

On Wednesday's, we walk Dogs... This is Gracie the Great Dane! (I don't HATE large dogs like I used to..)

There are these drinks called phosphates that are $.50. We have a goal to drink ALL of the phosphates this transfer!

Jun 15- TRANSFER to Grants Pass

Ni Hao!

I don't have a whole lot of time.. I GOT TRANSFERRED. I had an inkling
of a feeling that I was leaving, and I thought I was mentally
prepped... I wasn't. It made the move a lot easier since school was
over and everyone was leaving for the summer. Corvallis changed my
entire mission. I love the YSA. I also have grown to love the Asian
people in corvallis! I am forever going to miss them! Anyone want to
go with me to China after my mission?

It is a bummer to move, but if I had to move I said it would have to
be grants pass. Guess who got her wish? THIS GIRL. I am in an area
which is four miles by four miles, but it is going to be the best area
in the mission. We will still get to do a lot of street contacting
which I am really excited about. My companion is sister Petersen (not
to be confused with sister Peterson) and reminds me SO MUCH of our
beloved Mikkel rock. She is hilarious, I love her all ready. This is
her last transfer, so I a, going to be killing a companion for the
first time. (Is is the term we use when your companion goes home after
you are their companion)

First off, a couple of items of business.. A little old couple from my
first area moved to good ol mountain green! Anyone heard of the
hassell's? Also, if they don't remember me... They are old. But I do
love them! Also, anyone heard of Van and Meghan Wallace? They also
live in mountain green. (It was our dentists friends, I told him I
would ask.)

Sorry it is transfer day, so I don't have a whole lot of time. But
this last week was pretty crazy. We had zone conference, and sister
Yeung had been having really bad intense pain in her mouth, so we
spent some time in the dentist. That is a miracle for another day.

Most of my week was spent prepping people for the summer! The YSA is
going to be teaching a lot of people over Skype which is pretty
cool... That is about all that I can really remember.

I love you all and will give you a more detailed update next week!

I LOVE THE GOSPEL.

Sister Jones

June 8th- HEEEEEY!

 

 

EMAILS.

Sister Yeung LOVES icecream, this is at Baskin Robbins! 

We had a lesson with an investigator, Nicole, and our member Nancy fell asleep. (We were watching Joseph Smith prophet of the restoration)

My two wonderful companions and my very favorite member Lyndzi!

 

 

HELLO FROM OREGON! 

Sister Yeung quotes of the week:

This week I asked Sister Yeung, "When you think of Americans, what do you think of?" She responded without missing a beat, "Fat." 

Later I asked her, "How do you like those Cheetos? (she is always eating Cheetos)" She said, "I will repent later." 

This week was dead week! That is the week before finals here at OSU. The students on campus LOOK dead. The busier the students get, the less there is for us to do as missionaries! We did a lot of finding and found ALOT of people to contact after finals week, but for now everyone is busy! Finals week will be even crazier. 

Even though this week was crazy, we did manage to put two people on date. (Well, we didn't really do anything, it was all the spirit.) 

Mei- I talked about her a couple of weeks ago? I wasn't there for that lesson because I was at MLC, but she is on date for August 15th. Kind of far out because she is going to China all summer, so we are going to be having skype lessons with her.

Amber - We have been trying to meet with Amber the past 4 1/2 months, and we FINALLY MET WITH HER. She is basically LDS, she pays tithing to her church, lives all the commandments, grew up with mormon friends, has always wanted to read the Book of Mormon, and we found out has watched conference when they broadcast it online! She asked us to come help her out, and before we went in I prayed, "Heavenly Father, we need a miracle." When we showed up she said, "Ok, can we just talk about where your church came from right now." Thank. You. Finally. We taught her the first discussion, and I was AMAZED at how she believes all of our doctrine. She goes to another church, but she told us that she doesn't believe all the things that they teach! She also has been praying about baptism and God told her it is in her near future. AUGUST 22ND! (ambers is so far out because she is trying out for the Voice. She made it through the first round all ready.)

Seriously, we are teaching the coolest people right now. Amber is going to be on the Voice and Jonathan is the OSU basketball manager. Could life get any better? We did teach Jonathan this week, and he wants to talk to his aunt before he gets baptized. He also wants a friend to get baptized with him. That is ok with me :) 

God also lead us to two chinese families this week.

I JUST WANT TO STAY IN CORVALLIS FOREVER. 

I DON'T HAVE A SPIRITUAL THOUGHT THIS WEEK, other than the gospel is true, AND I LOVE IT! 

Our entire mission, in one picture! I am sitting down second row from the front on the right.

Sister Peterson is my favorite! She CRACKS me up! This picture makes me super happy, so I thought you would all enjoy it. 

Love you all! MWA!

Sister Jones

Jun 1- DESIRE GOOD THINGS!

We found 2 new Chinese investigators this week, which was exciting! (don't let that fool any of you, I stop them, Sister Yeung talks to them!)

OH, funny story! We were teaching a Chinese lesson, and an Asian looking man walked into our lesson looking confused. He was looking for the chinese elders. I said, "hello!" and when he still looked confused I said, "Ni Haoma!" (Hello, how are you.) He said, "I don't speak Chinese." Awkward. I said, "Oh, where are you from?" He said, "Where do you think I am from?" (in my head I was thinking, OBVIOUSLY NOT CHINA.) "ummm.. Portland?" (in my defense, anyone who looks chinese but isn't from China is normally from Portland.) Later I found out he was from Indonesia. HAHAHAHA those awkward missionary moments.... ok, actually that was just an awkward moment. 

Also, this week our DL and his companion were in a car crash. We were told that one of the elders was "realeased." We thought he was released as a missionary. We all cried and baked them cookies. We found out later that he got released from the hospital... (sisters are always SO DRAMATIC.) haha, but they are both doing fine, they just have to sleep a lot. 

We taught Corey, a Chinese investigator, and he wanted to know what Christians always get emotional when they talk about Jesus Christ. That was the coolest question I have ever received on my mission!

MIRACLES OF THE WEEK:

We taught Lexa, an investigator, and when we got to the restoration she said, "Why have I never heard of this before?" She then wanted to watch a movie about Joseph Smith, it was awesome.

We also went tracting, and we tracted into Trudy who is 54. Not YSA age, but she let us right in! We were all in tears as we talked about how Christ has helped us in our lives. We left her with a Book of Mormon, and she told us to come back anytime!  She reminds me of my sweet Mary Ann Sackett from my first area. I miss that woman!! 

It is really easy to find new investigators in the YSA ward, and these people are so open and humble! We always have ROCKING first lessons with them, but then they disappear since school is hard and stressful! They are also easily persuaded by their peers! We are hoping we can set up all our second lessons this next week! 

LESSON I LEARNED THIS WEEK:

How important the desires of our hearts are! I was reading in Alma 47 and 48, and it contrasts the desires of Amalikiah's hearts against those of Moroni's.  (Amalikiah: Alma 47:8, 20. Moroni: Alma 48:7, 10) I realized that in both of these instances, they both received what they truly desired. One had righteous desires, where the other didn't. That made me think, what are my TRUE desires? I will receive what I work towards, whether that is something good or bad. Dallin H. Oaks said, "Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. The desires we ACT on determine our changing, our achieving, and our becoming." 

I LOVE YOU ALL! HAVE A GREAT WEEK! DESIRE GOOD THINGS!
(does that even make sense?)

Sister Jones

May 25- RUNNING OUT OF CREATIVE IDEAS FOR HEADLINES

HEEEEEEEYYYYY!

 

                                  Classic Sister missionary selfie.

 

Highlights of this week:

1. Jonathan. Jonathan is the OSU basketball manager, is black, and has cerebral palsy. I don't think I have met another human soul who is as amazing as him in my entire life. He was suppose to be paralyzed and never be able to walk, but through some miracles he can walk. We taught him the restoration and he agreed to be baptized. He told us, "I know that the answers I am looking for can be found in this book." Yes they can Jonathan. The Book of Mormon Truly answers the questions of our soul. Since Jonathan knows the entire football and basketball team, we plan on baptizing them all soon. I will keep you posted.

2. Mai. Mai is from Hong Kong, and luckily speaks really great English! She started crying when we talked to her about the Savior's atonement. We asked her how she felt, and I have NEVER heard an investigator so perfectly describe the spirit in a first lesson. She talked about how she felt, "Warm, emotional, bubbly, almost sad but in a happy way." She also agreed to be baptized.

3. Lin Lin. She is from China, and we have been working with her for a couple of weeks. I have NEVER had someone ask me SO MANY questions. We struggle getting through any of the material we have planned because she has so many things she wants to know. She read thirteen chapters in the Book of Mormon last week and loved coming to church.

MIRACLES, MIRACLES, MIRACLES. They come in overabundance.

My mandarin is slightly improving. I now know five phrases instead of two. ;)  When you speak Mandarin you use sounds that don't exist in the English language. I didn't even know that some of these sounds are even possible... If any of you know a native Chinese speaker, ask them to pronounce the "pin yin" word Shue. I promise, it is not a pretty sight. No, it does not sound like "shoe." I sympathize for missionaries who have to learn a language. It is not all roses and butterflies! Our trio keeps chugging along, my two companions are the best companions ever. Really. (except I still can't pronounce Sister Yeung's name correctly...)

I read an amazing talk this morning called, "The Challenge to Become" by Elder Dallin H. oaks. I recommend it.

Here is a quote which I loved...

"The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts--what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts--what we have become." I love this quote! Sometimes in my life I feel like I need to have a "good deeds" checklist. If I rack up enough good deeds, God will be kind to me on judgment day! This quote helped me understand life isn't merely about doing good things, but it is about BECOMING something good. For example, it isn't good enough for my just to come on a mission, but I need to BECOME a missionary. There is a difference! One day I can't just be a mom, I have to become a mother,  a nurturer, a caretaker. This can apply to any stage of our lives! We can't just have a testimony of the gospel- we have to BECOME the gospel message. Someone who is caring, kind, compassionate, full of charity, selfless.. In short, we need to become like our Savior Jesus Christ. 

I remember I was struggling in school my second semester. I had signed up for a heavy load in order to apply for the communication disorders program before I left on my mission. I still remember my all knowing mother telling me a story she had read in the ensign about a man who had inherited his fathers business after his father had passed away. The business did good for a while, but it started to tank. This son kept praying for help, and felt as if heaven had abounded him. One day his father appeared to him in a dream and said, "no one on heaven cares about your business. We just care about the man you are becoming." I realized that day that it didn't matter what life would throw at me, that God is at the head and he is changing us into the people he wants us to become. 

Jesus Christ lives and loves each and every one of us!

Sister Jones

                                Sister Yeung had panda for the first time! She hated it.