Email: 21 May 2012

Hey family,

I'm glad you got to talk to Bishop Huff! I love him and his wife! They are just the greatest people ever! I'm sad I don't get to say goodbye to them before I leave the area on Wednesday. Sister Buckley and I were both very shocked about me leaving. We both thought for sure that I would be staying. So when transfer calls came and I learned I would be serving on OU (Oklahoma University) campus in Norman, I was a bit shaken. I went through all the stages of the grief process in the matter of 2 or 3 hours. Denial, grief, acceptance. (there may be one more step... i don't know) I'm good this morning though. I had better get use to transfers and getting new companions because it's going to happen. haha! I will miss Sister Buckley, but I know the Lord needs me in Norman to serve on campus.

Sister Buckley and Sister Record

We just had zone conference last week! That was awesome! I love President and Sister Taylor! They are so inspired and love us missionaries SO MUCH! President Taylor introduced to us what they called "The Heavenly Gift". This is an amazing thing!!! One of the biggest problems about missionary work, especially here in the South is that people view us as "takers" and they don't see us as people bringing them a gift.

So, President and Sister Taylor introduced this "Heavenly Gift." When we go to a door, instead of the same old introduction we get to say, "We are representatives of Jesus Christ and we are going around sharing a gift with people." or something along those lines. Then we get to offer to say a prayer with the person and their family. The great thing about the people in Oklahoma is they love to pray! :D

Sister Record says, "A store that will buy me!"

We are able to offer to pray for people and their families and offer to pray for specific things for them. After the prayer, when the Spirit is strong, we ask them if we can come back and teach them more about how to feel this way and how to strengthen their relationship with God. (or something a long those lines) IT IS SO AMAZING!!! I love it!

Sister Buckley and I tried the "Heavenly Gift" the other day and it was incredible. We were able to pray for a woman and for her family. After the prayer she was very very grateful that we said that prayer for her. She told us that was really something she needed. :) Sister Buckley and I were talking about how even if people let us pray with the, but don't want to learn more, it still has a better impact on them than if we just threw out the regular door approach. I love it and can't wait to do it some more. :)

Sister Missionaries in the zone at the zoo

Sister Buckley and I were talking about how much a mission is like a mini lifetime. You prepare for you mission your whole life and then you go on a mission. Your first area you serve is where you were born. Then you serve a couple transfers and move from an infant to a young teenager (this is the point we decided I was at). You move along in your mission and get older and older. You learn and progress with each experience. Then you get to be Sister Buckley's age were you're about to die. You reflect back on your "life" and think about all the things you have learned, all the people you've met. You have to figure out how to be yourself after your mission.

So, you die. Then you move on to the "next life" (post mission life) and get to apply everything you learned on your mission. Anyway, hope that made sense. I am finding it is just easier to talk about my thoughts than write them down. haha! I love what Sister Buckley told me at the beginning of the transfer. "You have 18 months to live it and an eternity to remember it." The things you learn as a missionary really are things you will use for the rest of your life. I know the things I'm learning are things that will help me when I have a family of my own.... 15 years in the future. ;)

Oklahoma Sunset

I am so excited to see what happens over the next 15 months! I'm excited to keep meeting people and teaching them the Gospel!

Love, Sister Record

Email: 14 May 2012

Oh my goodness!!! I LOOOOVVEEEE THESE PICTURES!! They totally just made my day. I'm going to print them off and put them on my wall. :D When I went to the Aladdin stage show last year and had just drunk tons of water to I had to use the bathroom so bad! It didn't help that I was laughing really hard in the show. :) I would love to see more. Chris is looking so grown up! And so is Eric! Annelise, you still look the same. haha!

So I was reading in the Book of Mormon this morning and was reading the story of Ammon and King Lamoni. I'm at the part of the story when King Lamoni and the Queen and all his servants fell to the earth because they were all feeling the Spirit really strong. This is in Alma chapter 19. What really stood out to me when I read it was the servant of the queen, Abish.

In verse 16 it tells about how Abish had "been converted unto the Lord for many years, on account of a remarkable vision of her father—" first off I want to know who her dad is and what his vision was. haha!

As I read, the next verse more stood out to me.

“17 Thus, having been converted to the Lord, and never having made it known, therefore, when she saw that all the servants of Lamoni had fallen to the earth, and also her mistress, the queen, and the king, and Ammon lay prostrate upon the earth, she knew that it was the power of God; and supposing that this opportunity, by making known unto the people what had happened among them, that by beholding this scene it would cause them to believe in the power of God, therefore she ran forth from house to house, making it known unto the people. ”

I love how this servant of the queen recognized a missionary opportunity and took it! I just love that! I believe Abish was definitely following the promptings from the Spirit. So because of Abish all these people were gathered around the King, Queen and their servants. Some were angry, some were confused, some believed Ammon was "the Great Spirit" and others believed he was sent by that "Great Spirit." (Alma 19:25-27)

Abish, probably being a very sweet and tender hearted woman, was hurt by the contention among the people. (Alma 19:28)

I love the faith shown by Abish in the next verse. She wanted the queen to rise up again. So she went and touched her and the queen arose and started to testify of Christ. Then the King arose and seeing the contention among his people rebuked them but also taught them what Ammon had said. (verse 31)

Finally everybody had arose from the ground and taught and testified to all the people who were there. Many people were baptized and joined the church. The chapter doesn't mention anything more about Abish after verse 28. I have to wonder though if all those people would have even had the chance to hear the Gospel if she had not recognized the Spirit telling her about a missionary opportunity and then ACTED. :)

I love y'all! It was so great to talk to you yesterday! I just loved it! Thanks again for the pictures! I loved them!

Love Sister Record

Questions: 7 May 2012

Eric: How is the weather, and do you like it?

The weather here the past few days has been HOT AND HUMID. It feels like summer time in Utah, just add humidity. I'm not looking forward to summer. Last summer the heat was pretty intense. It was 115-120 degrees outside for 3 weeks straight. I guess July and August here are pretty brutal. haha! People keep telling me that even at night it doesn't cool off. I will be drinking quite a lot of water! :D

Dad: What is Sister Buckley's first name and where is she from?

Taryn from Kaysville, UT

Dad: Did you here any tornado sirens during the storms?

A few weeks ago the sirens went off at 2am. Every Saturday the siren go off at noon as a test, so I hear the siren once a week.

Dad: Please tell Sister Buckley I think she is a wonderful artist.

I think so too. I will tell her that :)

Dad: Does Sister Buckley have a blog?

No

Dad: What are Sister Buckley's greatest qualities?

Oh where should I start! Sister Buckley is so much fun to be around and always makes me laugh. She is a very powerful teacher. She loves to learn new things. She calls herself a "scripture nerd" she loves the scriptures. She loves to talk about the gospel. Our companion studies are always great! :D

Dad: I posted the 50 questions to your blog and challenged everyone to read the Book of Mormon and find the answers.

AWESOME!!!! I love it! Thanks so much dad! Will you also find on YouTube the song Come See the Light by Freddie Ashby and post the link. Sister Buckley showed this song to me and I LOVE it! It is beautiful!

Dad: Will you please share one of your own defining moments?

I feel like have had quite a few defining moments in my life. The biggest one is kind of personal, so I will share another defining moment for me in my life. I would have to say my decision to move out and go to Snow College was a defining moment. I had to choose for myself if I wanted to keep doing the things I had been taught all my life. I had to choose for myself if I wanted to strengthen and develop my own testimony of the Gospel.

Nobody was around to tell me to go to church, to read my scriptures, etc. When I chose to do all those things because I wanted to and because I loved the Lord. I started to CHOOSE to become the woman God needs me to be. I'm still on that path, and will be my whole life. There isn't going to be an end to learning and growth. Life would be horrible if we weren't growing and learning all the time. I think thats why I love a mission. It is helping me learn so much about myself, about family, about my Savior, about Heavenly Father, about life. Things I wouldn't have learned by staying home. I love y'all so much! Thank for all your support and love! I love you!

Love, Sister Record

Email: 7 May 2012

Hey everybody!! Hope all is well in good ole' Utah! :D This week was another great week! I can't believe how much I love missionary work! I never want it to end! It's definitely not easy and most of the time is just emotionally, spiritually and physically exhausting but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I can't imagine my life if I didn't come on a mission to be honest. To anybody who is wondering if they should serve a mission or not.... SERVE A MISSION! There is absolutely no reason not to. :D

Sister Buckley and I were talking about how a mission is like spiritual boot camp. Its so true! There is no better way (in my opinion) to become the kind of person the Lord wants us to be in such a SHORT amount of time! Of course you have to be willing to let a mission change you. I could go on and on, but I will spare everybody. Just know that I love missionary work. I love the Lord and I love how much I'm learning out here. Tomorrow is my 3 month mark in my mission and it is just flying by! It just keeps going faster too. I realize today it's been 8 month since I decide to serve a mission. crazy!

We are teaching a guy named [name withheld]. HE IS AMAZING!!!!!!! Sister Buckley and I taught him the Plan of Salvation last week. He is just soaking everything and is scheduled to be baptized on May 19th. He has been reading the Book of Mormon and loves it! Each time we meet with him he reads at least six chapters and remembers everything. When he first started the Book of Mormon he told us that he really didn't like Lamen and Lemuel. haha! Brandon is awesome! He has been to church twice now and is well on his way to being baptized.

Keep Sister Buckley and her family in your prayers. She goes home in July and is really really not looking forward to it. If President Taylor let her stay for 2 years she would totally do it. She is an amazing missionary! We joke around that she can just come back to OKC and just come teaching with me all the time. ;)

Mom & Dad, will you send me a letter (snail mail) with your thoughts on the power each individual person has to choose who they want to become despite difficult circumstances in life. Its something sister Buckley and I have been talking about and I'd love your thoughts on it.

Love, Sister Record

50 Questions

Sister Record wanted me to post this mission handout about the 50 questions answered in the Book of Mormon. Sister Record has challenged all of us to read the Book of Mormon and write down the reference for the answer to each of these questions.

Oklahoma Oklahoma City Mission

50 Questions Answered by the Book of Mormon

1. Does the Bible contain all of God's word?

2. How can we judge between good and evil?

3. Is there a God?

4. Who are the “other sheep" spoken of in John 10:16?

5. What should I do next in my life?

6. Why should I attend church?

7. How can I avoid sin?

8. Are we saved by grace or works or both?

9. How can I improve my marriage?

10. What will our bodies be like in the resurrection?

11. How can a person know if the Book of Mormon is true?

12. What does Jesus Christ expect of me?

13. What is the Doctrine of Christ and why is it important to me?

14. How can a belief in God and Jesus Christ help me?

15. What should I pray about?

16. How did ancient prophets describe our day?

17. Why should we not put off repentance?

18. How can I avoid the evils that threaten me and my family?

19. How can I strengthen the relationship with my companion and future spouse?

20. Why should I keep a journal?

21. How can I be a better friend?

22. How can desire turn into faith?

23. How can God be both just and merciful?

24. Is there life after death?

25. How can I balance family and career?

26. What is the purpose of life?

27. How should I react when someone is unkind?

28. What happens to our spirits after death?

29. Why does God allow evil and suffering?

30. How can my family be happier and more united?

31. How can the Atonement help me repent and change for the better?

32. How can I fulfill my calling?

33. How can I protect my family from the evils of the world?

34. To what extent are we accountable for our choices?

35. Why was Jesus baptized?

36. How can I turn weakness into strength?

37. What happened in the Americas when Jesus was born?

38. What happened in the Americas when Jesus was crucified?

39. What do we witness to the Father by being baptized?

40. Why was the Atonement necessary?

41. How can I find peace and joy?

42. Does God know me?

43. Does God answer my prayers?

44. Does an infant need baptism?

45. What is the relationship between the creation, the fall and the Atonement?

46. Who is the central figure of the Book of Mormon?

47. Do the Bible and the Book of Mormon refer to each other?

48. Why must “Israel” be gathered?

49. Can a young man with little formal education have written this book?

50. For whom was the Book of Mormon compiled and preserved?

Email: 30 April 2012

Hey everybody!

Oh how I love missionary work! It is the best thing ever! I love the area, I love the ward, I love the bishop and His wife, I love my district, I love my companion, I love the Gospel, and I love my Savior. That about sums things up. Talk to you next week! Just kidding. ;) I want to share as much as I can with everybody about whats been going on. I'm sorry if I repeat myself in the email. I don't remember everything I said in my audio update.

This week started out pretty.... yucky. Especially compared to the week we just had. We keep track of our miracles that happened during the day and on Wednesday our miracle was that we got a slushy from 7/11. (we decided to start a slushy fund. We have been collecting change we find on the street and put it in an empty film canister. We have 25 cents now. haha!) Sister Buckley and I weren't reaching our daily goals and it was frustrating for both of us because we were working so hard. On Thursday we went and knocked on doors for three hours. One of two things would happen. First nobody would be home or second nobody would want to talk to us. After three hours we decided we better go to Walmart and get what we needed for district lunch the next day. 

We were at Walmart and ran into Elder Christinson and Elder Edmunds. We talked for a couple minutes and then a lady started walking towards us. I recognized her as a lady sister Bowles and I had met a month ago. Her name is [name withheld] from Germany. She is atheist. Sister Bowles and I talked to her and bore our testimony of Christ. We gave her a hug and went on our way. Before we drove away, she ran back to us as we were in the car and she thanked us for the hug because she really needed one.

Well here she comes walking past us in Walmart. I said hi to her and her eyes just lit up! It was amazing! I gave her a hug and introduced her to Sister Buckley. We set up a time to meet with her again this week. :) She told us she is still atheist, but wants to talk about it. She told us she only wants to talk about it because she likes us. She is such a sweet lady! Sister Buckley and I left Walmart with goose bumps. It was such an incredible experience to be in the right place and the right time. I can't wait to teach her.

The day just got better! Sister Buckley and I were able to teach three of our investigators and each of those lessons we had members present and it was fantastic! Friday and Saturday were great as well! On Sunday THREE of our investigators came to church. That is the most I have ever had come to church in the 9 weeks I've been in OK! The Lord truly has been blessing Sister Buckley and I with members to come teach with us, people to teach, and people with baptismal dates.

We are teaching another young lady who is so excited to learn about the Book of Mormon. She told us how she knows God sent us to her to teach her about the Book of Mormon. She even told us she wants to learn so she can go teach others about it. She is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! We are also teaching her neighbor who came to church with us yesterday. Oh man oh man! I can't say it enough. I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK! I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY AND I NEVER WANT TO STOP. :D Its amazing that even though our week from Monday to Thursday was kind of disappointing, Thursday evening, Friday Saturday and Sunday were incredible and now I am so happy those rough days don't even matter. The Lord sure does love each of His children. :)

One thing I've learned in the last three weeks is how FUN missionary work is and should be. Sister Buckley has such a positive outlook on missionary work and life in general. I have a hard time describing what I have learned in the last three weeks with Sister Buckley. I have learned that as we obey with a WILLING HEART the Lord blesses us with miracles, and I don't think applies just to missionary work. As we do the things the Lord asks us to do with that WILLING HEART he will bless us even more than if we just obey because thats what we're supposed to do. It is something I'm still working on, but I know the Lord is really helping me to have the willingness to do the things he asks of me as His servant.

Today Sister Buckley and I read a talk by Elder Holland ("Lessons from Liberty Jail", Sep 2009). I love this talk too stinking much! Elder Holland talks about how "you can have sacred, revelatory, profoundly instructive experiences with the Lord in any situation you are in. Indeed, you can have sacred, revelatory, profoundly instructive experiences with the Lord in the most miserable experiences of your life—in the worst settings, while enduring the most painful injustices, when facing the most insurmountable odds and opposition you have ever faced." It's all about our attitude. We have the ability to choose who we want to be and what we want to learn from each and every experience in life.

I love you all so very very much! Thank you everybody for your prayers and support. I wish I could just share every little detail about how amazing being a missionary is and every single little detail about what happens and how the Lord is using us to share the Gospel with His Children. I love this Gospel! I KNOW it is true. I love the Book of Mormon and I know it is the work of God. :D

Love always, Sister Record

Email: 23 April 2012

Hey family! I am sorry I don't have an audio update for you. I had a headache yesterday and went straight to bed as soon as Sister Buckley and I finished planning.

This week as been INCREDIBLE!! We reached and exceeded everyone of our goals for the week. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve in this area at this time with Sister Buckley. I am constantly amazed at how the Lord works. Sister Buckley and I have been talking a lot about how the Lord stretches us and tries us in order to build us into the women we need to be. A lot of the times in the moment, it's hard to see that the trial of my faith is going to help me or is for my benefit. However, I have seen how after I get through something and look back on it that the Lord was really there to "ease [my] burdens that have been placed upon [my] shoulders." (Mosiah 24:14)

I have learned so much about how important having a good attitude about missionary work is. I have learned a lot in the last week that it is possible to be myself and still be a missionary, something I struggled with my 1st transfer. Missionary work is fun and exciting! I have had no greater "rush" than by asking somebody in the first lesson, "Will you follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized by one holding the priesthood authority of God?" I LOVE being bold like that! The Spirit is always so strong whenever I get the chance to extend this invitation to somebody. :D

Recently Sister Buckley and I went to Sister [name withheld] home and invited her to come out teaching with us. We have had her our a few times. She is great! She is so willing to come out with us. She LOVES going out with the Sisters. We were out with her on Saturday and she told us how hard the last year has been for her. He life isn't going the way she had planned. She is a single lady and taking care of her dying brother. She told us that we are her guardian angels. She said that whenever we show up at her house she feels it is God's way of telling her, "I haven't forgotten about you. I know what you're going through."

I love the moments in life when you realize that you were following the Spirit and you were able to be an answer to somebody's prayers. I feel like a lot of the time we don't always know when we're an answer to a persons prayers. I feel like every now and then the Lord lets us know that we were that answer, just to assure us we're making a difference. It is such a great feeling! 

 

I can't even put into words how fantastic this week has been! I will attached the picture I took of our weekly goals on our white board.

Something really cool that happened this week was on Thursday both Sister Buckley and I had the impression that we needed to go over the missionary lessons with a couple in our ward who joined the church a few years ago. We finally met up with Sister [name withheld] at her house on Saturday. We got to talking about the Gospel. As we're in the middle of this discussion her friend walks in the door who isn't a member of the church. Both Sister Buckley and I had a strong impression that we need to invite her friend to learn more about the Gospel. We told Sister [name withheld] that we wanted to go over the missionary lessons with her and Brother [name withheld]. We invited their friend to be there as well. Sister [name withheld] just started laughing after we mentioned sharing the lessons with them again because Brother [name withheld] had been saying how he wanted to retake the missionary lessons but just kept forgetting to tell us. It is an AMAZING feeling to follow the Spirit. That is all I have to say.

This going to sound redundant, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE being a missionary! I love how much I have grown and the things I've learned about people and about myself in the last two and a half months. If I were to go home tomorrow (thank goodness I'm not) I would have learned so much from serving a mission. I am so excited to see the things I will learn in the next 16 months. I don't expect it to be easy, but It will be worth the trials if I learn from it and come closer to Christ.

I love this Gospel! The Gospel changes lives! I have felt it change my life and I know it can change each person's life who applies that. I love that the Gospel is so simple. As missionaries we say our purpose every day. "Our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ, by helping the receive the restored Gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end." That is a formula each of us must follow as well. Have faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repent, be baptized (and then weekly partake of the sacrament), live worthy to have the Gift of the Holy Ghost and endure to the end. 2 Nephi 31 outlines this doctrine, which is the Doctrine of Christ.

I know this church is the Lord's church here once again established on the Earth. It is only in and through Jesus Christ that we can be saved. I am so thankful each day for the opportunity I have to serve a mission. I'm so thankful for the people I meet and being able to see the Lord's hand in my life. I love the Book of Mormon! IT IS AMAZING! I have such a stronger testimony and love of it. I know its true and I know that anybody who reads it with a sincere heart with a willingness to act on the answer they receive through prayer will gain that witness that the Book of Mormon is true. I love you all very very much! Have a great week!

Love, Sister Record

Email: 16 April 2012

Hey everybody!

No worries about me, I'm safe and sound here in Oklahoma. :) We were communicating regularly with the DL/ZLs who communicated with President Taylor. On Saturday night we spent the night in the other Sister's apartment since it is right next to the church. Just in case we needed to take shelter from any tornadoes. We had some pretty intense thunderstorms and lightening on Friday. That was just cool to look at. :D Saturday night we had 60Mph winds were I am at apparently.... I slept through it though. All the missionaries and ward members here in OK are safe though. To be honest, I never felt worried or scared that something would happen to me or my companion. We figured if we were in real danger the spirit would let us know. ;)

We taught one of our investigators more about the Book of Mormon on Friday. He told us he feels inspired and feels comforted when he reads the Book of Mormon. He says its unlike any other book he's ever read. We had him read Helaman 5:12. It was cool because when he finished he just stopped and said "wow!" as he put his hand on his chest. He said the verse was very powerful. The spirit was really strong! I was able to point out the feelings he had was the holy ghost testifying of truth. :)

Sister Buckley and Sister Record

My new companion, Sister Buckley, is incredible! Our personalities just fit together so well. She is going to teach me how to play the Ukulele. She goes home in July, so hopefully we will be together until then. We have had a pretty crazy week!

The next morning we were on our way back from the gym when I felt something hit my head. It was bird poop. A BIRD POOPED ON MY HEAD! Sister Buckley and I were laughing so hard! It was a good thing I was on my way to take a shower anyway.

Yes, she took a picture

Then all the severe weather warning going on this weekend has been insane! I really don't think I've had more fun on my mission than I have in the last 5 days. Sister Buckley is crazy! :D Think of Kelly Fullmer....She reminds me of Kelly Fullmer. haha! This transfer is going to be amazing! Sister Buckley is a great teacher and I have already learned a lot from her. By the way dad, she says to tell you she thinks you are awesome. (I let her read your letter you sent me about the Tabernacle of the Congregation and all the symbols you used) 

I love you all so much! Thanks for all your prayers! I love being a missionary! I am learning so much and growing so much. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Sister Bowles and Sister Record on transfer day

This is a Happy Hippo. Sister Buckley's sister sent it to her.
This Happy Hippo is from Germany and had German chocolate on
the inside.... IT WAS DELICIOUS! :D

Love, Sister Record

Storm Update: 15 April 2012

We just received another update this morning at 8:48am.

"We’re happy to report that all our missionaries are safe and well. 

The storm was less severe than forecast except in Woodward, Oklahoma where a large tornado nearly quarter-mile wide caused five confirmed fatalities, massive damage and injuries early this morning.  We have a Senior Missionary couple there; they are fine.

Thank you for your faith and prayers."

Storm Update: 14 April 2012

"This morning’s update is good.  All are safe and well."

Storm Update: 13 April 2012

We received an email from the mission office regarding the severe storms that Oklahoma is having. It says:

"We are happy to report that all of the missionaries serving in the Oklahoma Oklahoma City Mission are safe and accounted for and that there have been no injuries due to the storms and tornadoes that have hit this area. 

There was a slight break in the storms, but they have regenerated and are currently passing through various parts of the mission.  We will give you another update in the morning.

Tomorrow is forecast to have even stronger storms.  We are continually sending texts to your sons and daughters to let them know of storms heading their way.  We will keep you updated with statuses tomorrow as the storms pass through.  

As always, we appreciate your faith and prayers."

Questions: 9 April 2012

Eric: What is the funniest thing that has happened this week?

This happened last week, but I forgot to tell everybody. Sister Bowles and I were driving in the car on our way out for the day. We had just gotten outside of our apartment complex when we saw an old man walking on the side of the road. We had a feeling he was lost. So we pulled over to ask him if he was okay. As soon as he started talking i knew he was lost. We pulled over and he just got right into our car. He thought we were going to give him a ride. Sister Bowles and I got out of the car and went to help him. This guy had somehow gotten out of the Alzheimer's and dementia unit that is right next to our apartment. :) It was so funny!!! The Elders just happened to be riding their bike past us and ran over to help us. They took our car and parked it somewhere safe since it was just sitting in the middle of the road.

Dad: When do you think we can get an audio update? We would sure love one. As far as I know, I have sent all SD cards. I sent both the SD and microSD card together.

Like I said, I promise to give you one by next Monday. :) You still have one of my SD cards. I sent pictures to you on it. You have sent me back one SD card and my microSD card for the audio recorder. I have one more card that goes to my camera. It is black.

Dad: What is the most unusual thing you have eaten so far?

On Saturday I had bratwurst, fried cabbage and German potato salad. I also had fried okra the other day. They weren't strange, just things I'd never tried before. I loved both of them though. :)

Dad: "By small and simple things, are great things brought to pass." How have you witnessed the hand of the Lord through small or great means this week?

That is a really great question! We met a lady from Germany on Saturday who claims to be atheist. She said she use to be Christian but doesn't understand why God would let bad things happened to innocent people. It was an interesting conversation. Sister Bowles asked her if she was happier when she believed in God or now. She said she was happier when she believed in God. We asked her some other questions on her belief in God. We invited her to come to church with us on Sunday. She said she would, but only because she liked us and thought we were interesting. haha! (she didn't end up coming to church. just for the record.) As we were leaving we gave her a hug because that's just what we do. We hug people A LOT. She walked up to her porch, we walked to our car. Next thing I know she turns around, runs down the stairs and to our car to tell us thanks for the hugs because she really needed them that day. :D It was such a sweet moment. It was great to know the Lord showed Ute His love for her through us. I told Sister Bowles that if that is all that results from that visit, it is totally worth it. There are so many other "Small and Simple Things" that happen all the time. I am going to start paying even more attention to those things. :) Thanks for the idea dad.

Dad: What did Easter mean to you this year?

Great question as well. I hadn't really thought of that. In Sunday school Sister Bowles and I taught the lesson and read the Easter story from the New Testament with the class. We talked a lot about Christ's atonement. Easter to me is a reminder that I would not be able to make it back to Heavenly Father with our Christ. It wouldn't matter what efforts I put forth, I can't make it back without Christ's grace and mercy

I love you all! Have a great week!

Love, Sister Record

Email: 9 April 2012

Hey Family!

Sister Record's Birthday with the Burke's

Sorry I haven't sent you an audio update. I will repent and get one to you by next Monday. ;) I tried sending the first one I ever did directly from the audio player and it didn't work either. I think it's to long to send in an email (it's almost 20min long) So I will make sure to do a shorter one or multiple short ones. I promise to make the effort to get one to you next week. :D

Transfers are coming up on Wednesday. My new companion is Sister Buckley. She has two more transfers before she goes home I think. Sister Bowles and I figured I will probably be in this area for at least another four months. Sister Bowles is experiencing her first transfer of her mission on Wednesday. 10 MONTHS in one area! haha! It's crazy! She will be greatly missed. She has had such an impact on the area and has really made a difference.

We got special permission to go with one of the Sisters we have been working with to the temple. It was her first time back in over 5 years. She has just started to come back to church. She is such a great woman! I love her! Going to the temple with her was such a special experience. She was there, we were there, Bishop and his wife were there, her friend who was there the first time she went to the temple was there, our relief society president was there. It was so great! :D

Sisters in my district on April 1st right after conference.
Sister Ewell, Sister Nelson, Sister Record, Sister Bowles

Also at the science museum on pday.
Sister Nelson, Sister Record, Sister Bowles, Sister Ewell

At the science museum! Sister Bowles and Sister Record

We went with Bishop and Sister Huff to a place
called "Pops" off of "historic Route 66".
This is the giant soda bottle in front of the place we were at.

Oooooooooooooooooklahoma!

Our district just goofing off. :)
Sister Nelson, Sister Ewell, Sister Record, Sister Bowles,
Elder Christiansen, Elder Shumway

Meeting the Preacher

Something interesting that happened on Saturday (Saturday April 7th 2012 is going down in my journal as the WEIRDEST day of my mission up to this point.) Sister Bowles and I were on our way to see an inactive member. We got out of our car and this minister asked us if we were talking about the Lord. We said yes and he came over to talk to us. What followed for the next hour was him telling us that our church was false and that we were deceived blah blah blah blah blah. (I don't think he had ever read the Book of Mormon to be honest or really knew what we believed) We didn't even get a chance to say anything. That being said, I have to give him props for knowing the Bible very well and being a very enthusiastic and energetic guy. However, I left that encounter not having any desire to be a better person, to change my life for the better or to follow the teachings of Christ more. I felt absolutely nothing as we left. 

Sister Bowles and I talked about it afterwards. He wasn't speaking by the power of God. He was speaking by the power of man. We also talked about how things that are eternal truths stick with us and we remember them. The things that are false fade away. I can hardly remember a thing that minister said to be honest. It was a very interesting experience. I'm glad it happened. Sister Bowles and I just had to laugh about it when that was all over.

Love, Sister Record

Email: 2 April 2012

I loved seeing the pictures! I'm so excited for Josh and Jenni! Chris does look great!

I definitely felt the most direction from Elder Andersen's talk. I loved the point he made about "What does Christ think of me?" That really got me thinking about some of my fears about missionary work. I realized it doesn't matter what ANYBODY in the world thinks of me. What really matters is what Christ think of me. There were so many things I learned from conference about faith. Which is something I'm working on.

I had a great birthday! Sister Bowles filled the apartment with balloons while I was taking a shower. :) We also made crepes on Sunday morning for breakfast. She also texted all the missionaries in our zone and some of the ward members. They all wished me a happy birthday. It was nice! As you now know, we went to the Burke's home for dinner. I'm glad you got the picture they sent you. They are an awesome family! Sister Burke made lasagna for dinner and it was AMAZING! I guess the meet in the lasagna was wild boar that Brother Burke had hunted. It was delicious!

Also, the picture you sent on the SD card.... well there were no pictures. Could you please resend pictures on a different SD card as soon as possible? If you could send pictures of the family (mom, dad, siblings, dog). You don't have to take new pictures, you can just send some you've already taken. :D Also any pictures you originally had sent that I didn't get. I would love to have pictures from the temple just before I went into the MTC (you still have my other SD card. The one you sent back to me was for my audiorecorder). Sister Bowles is being transferred on the 11th and I want to show her pictures of everybody before she leaves.

That brings me to some big news.... Sister Bowles is being transferred. :( Sister Bowles and I are shocked she is leaving. We thought for sure she would finish training me. I will be getting a new trainer on the 11th. I don't know who it is though. I'm kind of nervous if I'm being honest. I have some BIG shoes to fill. Sister Bowles is incredible. Keep Sister Bowles in your prayers. I already know you pray for me. ;) She has been in this area for 10 months. This is her first and only area and now she is leaving it. Its been a little emotional for the both of us.

I have LOVED serving with her in the Village area. She has had such an impact on the area and the ward and it's members. She has helped to build the ward and the ward's love of missionary work. I hope and pray to be the kind of missionary she is. She is a wonderful example to me and a wonderful leader. I have learned more from her example than anything she ever told me about being a missionary.

Sister Bowles and I have become very close over the last five weeks. We have developed a friendship that will last throughout the mission as well as after we both return. It's going to be tough to say goodbye, but I have faith this is what the Lord want to happen. I am a little nervous about getting a new trainer, especially if she doesn't know the people or the area. However, I have felt strengthened through personal prayer as well as from the prayers Sister Bowles offers.

I can't express enough gratitude to my Heavenly Father for being able to serve with Sister Bowles in the last 5 weeks. She has taught me how to follow the promptings of the Spirit, how to exercise my faith that the Lord will provide, and she has taught me how to really listen during prayers for answers. She did all this by her example to me.

Sister Bowles has laid such a great foundation here in the Village area! I am excited to continue serving here and hope and pray to be able to continue in this great work with the same diligence and persistence as Sister Bowles.

I have a funny story for everybody! Sister Bowles and I were knocking on door yesterday before we went to our dinner appointment. The guy answered and I started off introducing myself as a missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints but then I said I was sister Bowles and without missing a beat, Sister Bowles introduced herself as Sister Record. I was totally thrown off and trying not to laugh. The guy wasn't interested anyway, but I couldn't help but laugh at what happened.

Thanks for all you prayers and love from home! I sure love y'all! :D

Love, Sister Record

Happy Birthday!

Today is Sister Record's birthday. We wish her a very happy birthday and hope she has a wonderful day!

Email: 26 March 2012

Hey family!! I sure love being a missionary! Even if it is hard and more or less the biggest roller coaster I've ever been on. haha! Sister Bowles and I have some exciting things up ourselves to help get the ward members more involved in missionary work. There are so many ways to do missionary work. It isn't just talking to somebody about church stuff. You can invite people to church activities, to church when you are giving a talk. There are SO MANY THINGS! :D Something I have learned while on a mission is that the full-time missionaries need the help of the members in finding people to teach. This work WILL NOT go forward as fast as it needs to without the members and the full-time missionaries working together in unity.

Dad, maybe for FHE y'all can have a lesson based from the finding chapter of preach my gospel, with an emphasis on the importance of members. There is such joy that comes from sharing the gospel. People may or may not accept the gospel, but you don't know until you share it with them. :D

This week has been great! We had six less active people at church yesterday!!!! It filled Sister Bowles and I with joy! I have learned that working with the less active people is just as important as working with the investigators, and active members of the church. Our purpose as missionaries is to build peoples faith.

We have been working with two less active Sisters and they are on their way back to the temple! I can't describe how happy Sister Bowles and I were when we heard this news. They are wonderful Sisters!

Working with less active members has also taught me how important visiting teaching is! I now understand how important it is. One of these Sisters had a great visit with her visiting teacher and us and the next Sunday came back to church after 5 years of not going and now is in the process of getting her temple recommend. :D During that visit Sister Bowles and I hardly said a word. Her visiting teacher really did the talking. She spoke by the Spirit and really connected with this sister. She was bold with her, but full of love and kindness. I have such a testimony of visiting teaching and I will not ever take it for granted ever again. I love you very much mom! I'm so thankful for all the prayers you say in my behalf. I am so grateful for the emails you send to me each week. :D I love to read them. I just wish I had more time to write more. So much happens during the week, its hard to keep track of everything. Have a great week! I sure love you!

Dad: Are you serving in the Village Ward with Bishop Huff?

I sure am! Bishop Huff is awesome!

Dad: So do you meet at the chapel on 5020 NW 63rd ST?

Yes

Dad: What are some of the street names you have tracted on and the major street numbers from this week? Yes, I would like to google earth stalk you again. For example if you tracted by the chapel, you might say tracted on 5000 NW 63rd street. This does not give away the location of investigators or anything, but lets me see the area.

We've tracted on Andover Court and in apartment complexes just east of us. It's hard for me to remember where I've tracted. We haven't spend more than 2 or 3 hours a day tracting on a particular road. We ride our bikes to and from places a lot and stop and talk to people on our way to wherever we're going (like appointments or the library).

I am hesitant to tell you this, but it is a neat experience. I just don't want you to worry. I do want you to know I am being protected. The south part of our area is pretty ghetto. Everything from about 15th street down to Reno (end of our area) is a place we don't go if its dark. And we don't do much tracting down in that area.

The other day we had to go to 4th street. It was around 4 in the afternoon. As we drove down there to check on a referral, Sister Bowles and I felt very uneasy. We did contact the referral and they were not interested so we went to check on a less active in the area. As we pulled up to the house we both sat there. Sister Bowles said she just felt sick to her stomach about going to see the less active right now. I was also feeling uncomfortable and uneasy with the idea. So we left. As soon as we were out of the area we both felt like we could breath easy again. I know the Spirit was guiding us and protecting us. So like I said, please don't worry about me, but I did want to share that with everybody.

Also, the church is actually out of our area. Our area from east to west is May Avenue to Western Avenue. Our North to South Boundry is Coffee Creek to Reno avenue, more or less. :)

Eric: What did you not expect this week?

Eric, Something I didn't expect this week was to learn how important it is for members of the church to do missionary work. The missionaries have A LOT more success in finding and baptizing people when members of the church share the gospel with their friends and family and then invite them to have the missionaries teach them than if missionaries were to knock on a person's door. I also learned how important it is to really love others, even if they seem different. Not everybody chooses the right, but we still need to show them the same love that Jesus does.

Mom: Is there anything you need us to send to you or that you are missing?

Are you sending back my microSD card? Also, if you are going to Jenni's wedding, could you take a picture of them coming out of the temple. I would love to see a picture. :D Also, another towel would be nice. Tell Chris he can respond to my letter in an email if he wants.

Love, Sister Record

Email: 19 March 2012

Sister Record, Elder Hernandez, Elder Franco and Sister Bowles

 Hey everybody! This week has been incredible! It is amazing what a change of attitude and putting your faith in God will do! Sister Bowles and I had a great week! As President Taylor says, "we are in the faith building business".  As missionaries we are striving to build the faith of the member, other missionaries, investigators and less active members. I have learned a ton from Sister Bowles! She is absolutely amazing! I lover her so much!

 

We have been working with a less active member, Sister H. Sister Bowles has actually been working with her since October.  Two Sunday's ago with went with Sister H's visiting teacher and had a good talk about how important church attendance is and why making and keeping covenants is so important.  Really it was her visiting teacher that really connected with Sister H.  Sister H said that she was scared to go back to church for multiple reasons.  Sister C (her visiting teacher) was very blunt with her, but very very loving at the same time.  It was amazing to see the interaction.  Sister Bowles and I hardly said anything about coming back to church.  :D  Well... Sister H wanted to make an appointment with the Bishop to help ease back into going to church.

 

Well.... Friday the  16th rolls around and Sister Bowles and I both knew we needed to go visit Sister Humphries on that day.  We also knew she was at work, but couldn't remember were she worked and couldn't get ahold of her on the phone. We both felt like a particular street name rung a bell, so we headed south on that for less than five minutes. 

 

Sister Bowles then remembered that Sister Humphries worked in a Doctor's office. So we drove until we saw something that looked like a doctors office. We went into the parking lot and found her van and knew this is were she was.  It was incredible! Us being there visiting Sister Humphries reminded her that she needed to make an appointment with the bishop on Sunday. Sister Bowles, being the wonderful missionary she is, made sure Sister Humphries called and made the appointment while we were with her so she didn't forget.

 

Sister Bowles and I were standing in church at the end of sacrament meeting talking to people. I turn around and Sister H was just standing next to sister Bowles waiting for her to turn around.  It took me a minute for it to register that it was sister H standing there.  I was so excited to see her at church and this huge wave of love for sister H came over me! I went and gave her a hug. Finally Sister Bowles realized what was going on. :)  Having Sister H at church was incredible! I told her now that she has come back to church it will keep on getting easier and easier to come back.  She agreed with me. Sister H also got her temple recommend! Sister Bowles and I are praying we get to attend the temple with her sometime! :D 

 

Sister Record and the chicken that lays jelly beans

The week has been full of miracles! It is weeks like this were I just love being a missionary!  I have learned something too. (I'm always learning though)  I have always known this, but now I am seeing it.  Mosiah 2:41 says to look on the happy state of those who keep the commandments of God.  I have seen this so much on my mission! I hear of people's stories (I find it funny how random people we meet on the street with just spill their whole life story to us sometimes. Sister Bowles says there is something about the name tag we wear that gets people just to open up.) and I think to myself, "if you would keep the commandments of God all these heart aches wouldn't be happening."  

 

I love you all SO SO SO SO  much!  Thanks for all the prayers and support! I love hearing from everybody!  Have a great day everybody!

 

Love Always, Sister Record

Letter: 12 March 2012

NOTE: We received a letter from Sister Record this week dated 12 March 2012 that included several photos.

Yesterday I came across Jacob 2:8. I love that scripture. I wrote my thought on it in my letter to my mission President. I really do love being on a mission. I love talking to all the "okies." The weather is so beautiful today. It makes me oh so happy inside! Have a great week everybody! I love you very much!

Love, Sister Record

Sister Jenna Bowles and Sister Lorielle Record

Some missionary and Sister Record

Sister Record's current area, "The Village"

Great billboard from the South

Celebrating one month

Sister Record's apartment in Oklahoma.

Inside Sister Record's apartment.

Cockroach on the couch. "I thought of you mom when I saw it! =)"

Sister Record's kitchen.

Sister Record on P-day under the Utah Avenue sign.

Sister Record on the hunt.