DON'T REMIND ME, I KNOW I'M AT MY YEAR MARK

From Alyssa's email sent August 4, 2014

Did I tell you about Virginia, the Chinese lady we tracted into? She moved here from China about 3 weeks ago with her 13 year old daughter named Knowledge-Youth. But in Chinese. That's the English translation, and I just couldn't pronounce it no matter how hard I tried. Haha. But we went by on Sunday, then went back Monday night, and we were able to pray with them, and I played the harp for them, and her daughter picked it up and played it like a pro. It was incredible - I put the hymn "Sweet Hour of Prayer" in front of her, and she started by plucking the strings all the way up a couple times to figure out the Tonic, and then she sang through the solfeg of the first line a couple times, and then she just played it! She plays something that they don't know the English word for, but it's a long board with 21 strings, and it's Pentatonic, so they only use do, re, mi, so, la. SORRY IF THIS IS ALL NONSENSE, I WAS JUST REALLY EXCITED OKAY. We gave them a Chinese Book of Mormon and a video to watch. ALSO Virginia made us homemade noodles that she stretched out and were really really long, and they were yummy. Salt, flour, water. I hope I can learn how to make that one day. :) 

"Knowledge-Youth" Playing the Harp

Also on Monday, we had an awesome Doctrine of Christ lesson with Veronica. Sister Waters brought in a bunch of kinesthetic ideas to teach it, like dropping backwards into a blanket for faith, and trying to rinse off butter, or sin, in plain water (the soap came in later as the priesthood power) for baptism. She did pray on her own, but didn't feel super comfortable with it so we just urged her to keep trying. The Spirit was strong. It was good.

In other news, there's not other news. Because NO ONE WAS IN STILLWATER THIS WEEK! We're in this super weird transitional period where people have all moved out so that apartment owners can clean apartments before the new tenants come in, so really. Nobody lives here this week. There were definitely some days it was hhard to drag our feet out the door, but we made it through, and it's only one more week before people actually start moving in. 

We were able to do some Campus Booth preparations, though. The board the previous sisters had used for the booth was cute, but it was more like a high school project trifold than something that could catch the attention of busy college students. So we started brainstorming, and we're excited to hopefully begin executing those ideas, with the combined effort of the ward council. 

Our Campus Booth Brainstorming

The miracle of this week is Heidi. Oh Heidi. She's been less active for quite a long time, but she surprised us by starting to be active in making changes in her life for the better. She's an avid book reader, more than me, haha, and when she comes, she usually brings one of the books she's reading to church because it "keeps her attention." But when we walked into church yesterday and saw her with scriptures in her lap, marking them and totally into them, I just wanted to cry. I did a little. Haha. But really, I don't know if you'll understand what this means, the weight of it, but it was beautiful. I love her, and I love seeing her make changes. There's nothing, nothing better than it. Really. The gospel changes people. Miracles happen.

Sorry if this update is lame or boring or whatever, but the work is going, even if it's slow. Heavenly Father is teaching me patience again, and again, and again, and again. And then I'll get married and have kids and He'll teach it to me again, and again, and again. Patience must be really important, and God must have a whoooooollllleeee lot of it. 

The Church is true. I love yer all's guts. 

Love, Sister Clark

PS did I mention Sis Waters is amazing? She's so Christlike and I hope I'll be like her one day. But really. She's teaching me so much, just by her example. 

PPS Ever heard of city-owned goats? "The Goats of Stillwater" are placed in different parts of Stilly and fenced in and they let them "mow" the grass. Hahaha. We spotted them the other day. And then Sis Waters caught a firefly, her first one, and took him home and bottled him and named him Greg. But then he died. Dangit. 

ALLONSY, ALFONSO!

From Alyssa's Email sent on August 18, 2014

And by Alfonso, I mean summer. I know, I'm not funny [But the Stillwater Goats are!].

I'll start out with some sad news.

Veronica dropped us on Wednesday. Kindly. She didn't even really know she was dropping us. But she told us she wasn't ready to make the commitment. She's not ready to change, and I could see that. I wept later on, really wept. I just love Veronica SO MUCH. I just love her to death! I want so badly for her to know the truth, specifically the eternal truth that GOD LOVES HER. He has a plan for her. But she told us that even if she "could" know the truth, she worried that she wouldn't agree with it. She doesn't understand faith yet, but she will. One day, I really hope she'll accept all this. I testified to her of that truth, and the Spirit was strong. I'm hoping she'll keep coming to church and activities and such, because she said she'd still like to. 

Now for the miracles. Ready? Cause there's lots.

This week we decided to head over to an apartment complex in our service clothes and offer to help people move in. There were 3 takers, and it was good to just show them that we were there to help them. :) We went back to the same complex a couple days later to do some knockin, and we met Jenna! I have to tell you I did NOT want to tract. I love tracting cause it's fun, but I hate it because it's just such a waste of time it seems. But Jenna was a miracle. She was a little iffy in the beginning, but Sister Waters connected with her on their mutual love for playing soccer, and after we prayed with her, we had a fantastic discussion about families, the preexistence, prophets, and church. She has a good friend who's a Mormon, and she's moved here from a different state and knows NOBODY. That would be so scary! So she's excited to come to church and FHE and learn more. Her beliefs were very much in line with the gospel, and I'm excited to teach her more.

Another miracle - we met with Zach again, this time with Elder and Sister Anderson. The Spirit was strong as we testified together of the truth of the gospel, and especially of the Priesthood power. I think the Andersons stirred something in him. He's so ready - and I told him that. He laughed. "You thought I was ready 4 months ago!" "That's because you were!" I said. He knows what he needs to do.

AND THEN THERE WAS CHURCH. Guys. Church was amazing. There were so many new people there, mostly freshman. It was so fun and exciting to have them! I just hope they stay active forever and ever. And everyone else. Everyone just go to church! Haha but really. All these new girls are especially cute - they were all dolled up for church, and getting ready for their first day of class at the university, which was today! I've said a lot of prayers for them. They're getting me excited for school, even. And that's a feat. Two of them were still 17, and moved here for school! Ah! They're so brave!

Here's the really cool part - 2 of the girls that came weren't even members! One was a BFF of two members, and came with them yesterday - she loved it! "This is the first time I've been to anything Mormon," she said. "I actually had heard a ton of weird things about the Mormons, but my friends cleared that up pretty quickly for me." Can you believe she even loved that it was 3 hours long? And she's bringing her boyf next week!! WHAT?!

Then another freshman came COMPLETELY ON HER OWN VOLITION. She'd been investigating the church in Duncan (her boyfriend put his papers in yesterday) and then moved up here for school, and decided to come to church. It was her first time EVER, minus stake conference. "I was so nervous!" she said, "I even said a prayer in the car before I came in that I would find some people to sit by." And as soon as she walked in, who did she meet but the other nonmember and her two friends. Miracles. When we went by that afternoon, she told us how excited she was that we contacted her, because she wanted to keep taking the lessons. She's absolutely golden.

Sister Anderson gave an inspiring talk yesterday. She is a master storyteller and teacher. I felt like I was in general conference! Those are skills I'd like to develop. I'll send you a copy of the talk when I get it myself! She reminded us that Satan knows his time is short. He's pulling all the stops now, and his purpose is to destroy our faith. HOWEVER. He has NO power over us unless we let him in. How powerful is that?

I think that's it for this week. I've seen tender mercy after miracle after blessing. It's still not easy, nor will it ever be. But I'm empowered by my testimony of the Savior and the truth of His restored gospel, and by all the prayers and sacrifices made that I can have the opportunity to share it. I love you all.

Love, Sister Clark

Feeeeeeelings

From email sent on Monday, August 26, 2014

Dear Everyone,

We met lots of new people this week and it was glorious. We had exchanges on Monday - and Sister Waters made miracle after miracle happen at OSU while I was gone. I knew she was a powerhouse - I just have to keep up with her. :) One of the miracles was that Zach came to FHE! They played Gladiator Dodgeball and he had a grand time. Plus lots of new peeps. 

Wednesday was the highlight of this week, definitely. We had the chance to go to the temple and do a session there, and it was incredible. 

I'd been thinking a little bit about school and plans for after the mish this week, and I was stressed out about it and praying a lot about it, and decided I would take it to the temple to find an answer. As I was sitting there in the quiet peace of the celestial room, I had a wrestling with the Spirit. I was asking where I should go to school, and what kinds of things I should focus on, and when, etc etc. As I was asking, I looked around at the other missionaries in my zone. 

"You need to help your sisters," came the impression.

Perfect, I thought. I already know I want to do that. But where can I do that? BYU? SUU? OSU?!

And I wasn't getting any answers. So I paused and rethought things for a minute. Am I asking the wrong questions? I asked.

"No, now. You need to help your sisters now. Really, right now. Help them. And learn from your companion."

How? How do I help these sisters in my district? 

"Give them lots of hugs, and lots of love, and study the scriptures. Expound on them to your sisters."

I went in looking for answers, but I was reminded that my focus is here, now, with these people, and this calling. It was humbling. I'm glad I learned that. I think I get caught up so often in the trap of, "when THIS happens, THEN I will be happy." I forget that while planning for the future is very important, I can plan, and then leave it, while I do what is asked of me now. AND LOVE IT. Because this life is awesome. :)

At Boone Pickers Stadium

That night we went to an event called "Lights on Stillwater" at the stadium, where there were vendors from all over Stillwater giving away free stuff and bands and food trucks etc. So we took full advantage of it. We came prepared with cards and BoMs and pamphlets, the whole works, and I ended up following Sister Morrell around like a lost puppy while she handed out cards like a crazy person. I had my bag full of 10 copies of the Book of Mormon... and that's all I had.Why didn't I bring cards?! I thought. Cards are so much easier! You can basically throw them at people and run! So after following her around for awhile and trying to muster up the courage to do a BoM contact, I did it. There was a guy handing out mini copies of the new testament, so I traded. And then I was sure I was good. One Book of Mormon, that's awesome! But I was addicted. Maybe one more, I thought. And then by the end of the hour I reached into my bag for another, and they were all gone! 

Maybe that doesn't sound like a lot, but to me it was quite the miracle. I've been on an emboldened rush ever since. And we met several potentials and a few less active members, too! I know the courage was from Heavenly Father. He truly gives us the strength to do terrifying things. 

Lights on Stillwater, OK

Speaking of terrifying things, we went to LIFE CHURCH yesterday morning with a potential (who didn't end up even showing up). It was a party! We missed the band, unfortunately, but the broadcast of the sermon was so funny and uplifting,  and everyone wore jeans, and there was free coffee, and free kids services where the kids played on a rock climbing wall and listened to fun loud music and played games and everyone got a wii to themselves, and if you want to be saved you just check a box in your program that says "I accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior" and turn it in and you can think about getting baptized, and it was so nice and fun and

EASY.

It was so easy. 

"Think not that I am come to send peace on Earth," Christ says, "I came not to send peace, but a sword." And Elder Holland told us in general conference this spring that "if people want any gods at all, they want them to be gods who do not demand much, comfortable gods, smooth gods who not only don’t rock the boat but don’t even row it, gods who pat us on the head, make us giggle, then tell us to run along and pick marigolds. 

Talk about man creating God in his own image! Sometimes—and this seems the greatest irony of all—these folks invoke the name of Jesus as one who was this kind of “comfortable” God. Really?"

This is not easy, and it's not meant to be. This life is about learning and progressing. 

When I went into Sacrament meeting after this experience, I basked in the beautiful peace of the organ, and the sacred silence of the sacrament. I felt grateful for the primary and youth programs, that I know helped me in the beginnings of my testimony. And especially for the Spirit. 

Veronica came to church yesterday, probably a lot because I mentioned I was playing the harp in sacrament meeting. But the talks were just for her, I felt; about prayer and faith, and scriptures. The basics, the ones she needs. It was wonderful. I can't tell you how many times I've sat in church when there was supposed to have been an investigator there, and the lessons would have been perfect for them.  But she was there! And I was so grateful. :)

I love you all dearly. Sorry my emails are more about my feelings than what actually happens. Haha. I just have a lot of those. Feelings.

Love, Sister Clark

The closest I'll ever get to Disneyland on my mission...

Original Date: April 28, 2014

I CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU HOW MUCH I WAS FREAKING OUT YESTERDAY. Transfers are so intense these days! Oh man. I felt like I was in line for Tower of Terror, in that little creepy room, with the video, and the lightning crashes in the window? Yeah, just like that. I seriously felt the same as when I was waiting to open my mission call! So ready for the news?

 

OSU STILLWATER WITH SISTER NEFF!

 

Sorry, that was dramatic. But it will be grand and exciting and everything. I'm really, really, REALLY sad to leave Quail Creek though. These are my people! I feel like I'm leaving for my mission all over again, they're like family. I've seen everyone grow and change so much. I remember when I first got here, it was so dead. We prayed and prayed for miracles to happen, for people to teach, and along came Sarah, and Brad, and Kyle, and Johnny, and Megan, and Matt. Heavenly Father answers prayers. All of them.

 

Our lesson with Matt and the Word of Wisdom:

"No more coffee?"

"Nope."

He said it might be hard, but he committed to be done right then, and went home and threw it away, and hasn't had it since!

So after we talk about coffee, he got really serious again. He leaned forward and said,

"Okay, here's a question. So... you guys know how much I love Oreos. Is that going to be a problem?"

 

Hahaha he was so concerned, more so than about the coffee! We assured him Oreos were fine! The lesson was with the Hicks fam, and they are just incredible. And hilar. They'd fit right in my fam. :) We had two lessons with him this week, and he's just so prepared! He's so excited for the baptism, too. And everytime we ask him one of the baptismal interview questions, he just gets so excited to say "Yes!" It's awesome.

 

We met with Brad this week too, a less active member who's coming back strong! I'm just so proud of him. He got his patriarchal blessing recommend, and he'll be ordained a Priest in the coming weeks. He's so ready - he's already doing so much good and being a great example to this whole group. I can't wait to see how far he'll go. He can even be ordained an Elder in the coming months! He's come so far. :)

 

We had a lesson with Pam, too. She put the Plan of Salvation together for us, and did such a great job. And then she told us all about her drama and the movies and such. Haha I love her so much!

 

OKAY OKAY, let me tell you about Friday-Saturday. I'll start with District Meeting.

It was amazing. We all read John 15 together, and talked about what Dr. McLaughlin refers to as "Next-ing," forgetting about the past and looking forward.

 

Sis. Cardon and Sis. Clark with the Olsen Family

So then we had lunch, and practiced the songs we sang in Village Ward and our ward yesterday (it went awesome!). It was quite the experience. We got all the missionaries who go to church in that building to sing the EFY medly for our ward! Then for the other one (Come Unto Christ), I was missing the last page of the sheet music (I was on the piano), so when we got to that part, I had to wing it and I did a really bad job and it was hilarious. Elder Beus and SisLeav busted up laughing, and my comp was NOT amused, so she marched off the stand. I guess E Beus was up there telling everyone to calm down and it was okay, and I gave a look to EVERYONE WHO WAS SITTING THERE (a bunch of Elders in the pews) that was like, "Oh-my-gosh-I-can't-believe-my-companion-is-so-ridiculous-and-dramatic-I-am-so-horrified" and they looked back at me with an "I-am-so-so-sorry" look, and one of the Garwood girls asked S Car what was so funny, and in her Queen Elizabeth "I AM NOT AMUSED" voice, she replied, "I don't know. Why don't you ask Sister Leavitt."

 

I just had to laugh. It was just so awkward and dramatic. Good heavens, and good bye.

 

SO THENNNN EXCHANGES WITH SIS LEAV.

 

Oh man.

 

So we went to try a LA, and we OYMed some people and knocked some doors! It was AMAZING I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK. We met William, a devout Roman Catholic who had the coolest truck ever. It had baseball figurines screwed into every spot you could find. 

We also prayed with Heather, and then we saw a fire hidrant shooting out water across the street and a guy fixing it, so we stopped at Sister Leavitt's request and told him he did a good job, and after he walked off she said, "HURRY GO GIVE HIM A CARD" so I jumped out of the Escalade (hahaha we were in an Escalade) and gave him a card and invited him to church. he was so sweet. :) 

We also prayed with Terri, and saw Tina again! Remember her? She's still not interested, but she will be ready one day.

 

Then we had dinner at the Sanchez's house, and it was incredible. So after dinner we shared a message using the "Because of Him" video, and talking about Christ. We had each of the four teenagers talk about who Christ is to them, and the Spirit was so strong as Sister Leavitt testified of the Atonement (Isaiah 53:3-5, replacing "we" and "our" with "I" and "my"). After we were finished and were closing up, and after Adam (15) had asked for a Book of Mormon to give to his friend, Adam piped up again and said, "Wait, I wanted to say something." He paused. Rachel (17) laughed, "are you gonna cry?" and Ashley (14) started giggling, while Sister Sanchez said, "It's not funny guys!" Adam leaned forward with his elbows rested on his knees, and gripped his mouth in his hand, obviously trying to hold back tears. I watched and listened intently. His voice cracked as he said, "So when Christ was in Gethsemane..." he broke off and the tears came. "He asked Heavenly Father if there was another way. He didn't know it would be so hard till then. But... but He did it anyways. He still went through with it." We'd talked about how He was perfect, but that it didn't mean He didn't feel things like we do. He still got tired, and hungry, etc.

 

It was just so powerful. He finished by saying, "It just... it means a lot."

 

He's going to be an incredible missionary.

 

You guys, this is the best part of being a missionary. Seriously. To see people grow and change and gain their own testimony of Christ is the most moving thing you will ever witness. The work is hastening, but it's not just non members! More than anything, those less active members who need a little help and guidance to come back, and the youth of the church. I never understood it until I wasn't a youth anymore. But it's such a pivotal time!

 

So then.... aw man, confession time. SO THENNNNNN we stayed up till 2:30 IN THE MORNING talking about life and feelings and best friend stuff and making saugages and pushing our beds together. Oh man, I just love her guts. I'm SO SAD I'M LEAVING!!

 

Yesterday at church, I just looked around at everyone and how much I love them and everything, and I'm just going to miss them so much. I had a feeling it was my last Sunday, and it was. I wish I could stay here the rest of my mission! It's so crazy, I've never not wanted to be transferred before, but here I am! Oh man.

 

The church is true, and it's Christ's church. He lives. Go tell your friends.

 

Love,

Sister Clark

The Lamb of God

Original Date: April 21, 2014

Let me start out with a major miracle and tender mercy I experienced two weeks ago, on Monday night.

So I was having an awful day. Which is weird, because I love PDAY! But I was just in an awful mood. During dinner later at our apartment, I decided to pick up the talk "The Tender Mercies of the Lord" by Elder Bednar. My dad sent it to me awhile ago, and I'd read the other talks he'd sent, but this one hadn't felt right until right then. It was really good, and I wondered where I'd receive such a tender mercy. I felt alone - I knew God was there, but I felt so, so sad.

So off we went to our lesson with Megan. She told us that after her lesson last time, when we'd been talking about not needing a perfect knowledge but having faith, she told us it clicked for her. She felt like she needed to understand all the history and such before she was ready. Because any one could be a prophet, really, so how did we know? But after we left, the Spirit quietly told her that she just needed to trust God, and have faith in Christ, and make that first step, and everything would happen as it needed to.

As we taught her about the first principles of the gospel, her eyes glowed with understanding. She's already experienced repentance, and she continues to make changes every day. As she's made changes, and had more faith, she's been more pleasant to be around (as she says), so much less stressed, and just happier. She make the leap of faith to set a baptismal date, on May third, and then just a couple days ago to marry Johnny in a very simple ceremony (she'll have a bigger one later) so she could be baptized!!

As we talked about faith, she shared with us that for some reason, somehow, she just totally forgot to pay her rent! And even overspent a little. She said, "I was at the table figuring out finances, and I pulled out the jar from the cupboard that has extra change, and I had JUST enough to pay my rent... and I said a prayer, not like a formal one, but I just said a prayer, "thank you so much for letting me have enough, and thank you for all you've done in my life." And she compared it to Pres Uchtdorf's talk on gratitude despite our circumstances.

So we ended at 8:30 (she said a great prayer, as she always does- she even started using "Thee" like a pro!) and she told us Sarah was having a little family night and we were welcome to come! So we decided to stop by for a bit.

HERE IS THE TENDER MERCY. YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE WHO WAS THERE. So everyone's just chillin there, watching the game and talking and such. and first I see Sarah, and Johnny, and Brad, and then I spot the Myers, and Matt, AND THEN there's Kyle, and Sister Boggs, and Megan is there, and I JUST WANTED TO WEEP. We didn't even organize this, and here are all the people we're working with, together, having family home evening on their own volition.

After a little bit, Sarah gathered everyone together for the lesson. She and sister Boggs planned to talk about conference, and share what they learned. And one by one, each of these incredible people, all on their own paths of progression towards God, testified about different things they learned in general conference. As they were talking and sharing their experiences with conference and the bits of light and revelation they received, I looked around the room and I couldn't help but get emotional. I looked at each person, and thought about the places they were in their lives. All were different. I wish they could see it! It was a miracle in the making. All are making their way back to Christ, and they're helping each other do it!

Painting at Brother  Parker's House

So Saturday the 12th we started out by doing service at an older member's home, Brother Parker. There were two Methodist church groups there, Chapel Hill and Summit, and our mission district, and other members, so it was super fun and awesome! We mostly just painted, the inside AND the outside. They tore up the kitchen carpet and put in new (Elder Harnish measured it like a boss and E Roundy and I put it down and glued it. New experience, I probably defintiely shouldn't do it professionally...), and cleaned up the yard and such. Sister Cardon had like 6 little girls from the ward following her like ducklings and painting her. She was really cute with them and it was sweet. :)

The ministers gathered us and we signed a bible for him, and blessed the house: the minister from Summit said a prayer, and had us all face the house and extend our hand toward it or put a hand on Brother Parker while he prayed. It was awesome! Apparently these churches do a few houses every year! It was neat to come together with them.

So then we went to John's baptism at two (he's the elder's investigator).

IT WAS INSANE.

Basically, it included this:

John running around the church (he's 18) and refusing to put on a jumpsuit (he finally did in the end)

Brother Corey (his first time baptizing) didn't have any white clothes that fit, so he had to wear a white dress (I'M DEAD SERIOUS). 

John's mom did an a cappella musical # of amazing grace, and his sister did sign language, and she forgot the words but nobody knew the second verse so we couldn't help her out (just picture Napoleon Dynamite but at a baptism)

And as Bishop was welcoming him to the ward, he was in the back, holding his 3 year old niece and dancing with her.

That's all. Wish you were there.

Way Better than the Chevy Cruzes

Sister Leavitt's birthday was Monday!!! It was crazy. First of all, 30% of the 2013-2014 Chevy Cruzes got recalled due to a flaw in the axle... so that includes TONS of the missionary cars, haha! So Chevy is giving us all rentals till they get it fixed, and guess what we got? A SILVERADO. IT WAS RIDICULOUS. We ended up switching it out a few days ago for something smaller (an impala), but heck, it was fun while it lasted! So then Sisters Leavitt and Bishop have to take theirs in, and (because they have to switch it out for something GM), the only thing they had left? An Escalade. Hahahahahaha - Happy Birthday to Sister Leavitt! It was hilarious. We ended up having a birthday dinner for her at Golden Corral (a feast fit for a birthday queen!) and I ate TONS of salad with beets and peas and artichoke hearts. Also cotton candy. It was amazing. Hahaha :) And there's this guy, Brother Smiley, who basically lives at this restaraunt, and he always sings with the employees for birthdays because he's got a super loud voice. I think the Elders were teaching him at one time. :)

We also got to go to the temple this week with the Love family! They've been before, but not since several months ago, which was their first time.

Sister Love was kinda weirded out and didn't want to go back, but we finally convinced her to go, and it was marvelous. She felt so much better after the second time. (Also we saw the new-new video! Incredible!)

We had a lesson with Matt at the Olsen family's house. He brought his three little girls, and the Olsens have 3 girls the same ages, so they were just best friends. :) It was awesome, because the girls came to church the next day, and they already had friends so it made it lots easier for them. The lesson was so incredible - the Olsens bore powerful testimony about how the gospel blesses their family, and of the plan of salvation.

Then there was Sunday. How to explain...?

I'll start with the easy stuff. :)

So in the morning, I woke up on time (VICTORY!) and got ready and had great studies. Mom sent me an incredible day-by-day walkthrough of the final days of Christ, and I've been reading them in personal study. I feel like I've come to such a greater understanding of Christ through it all; yesterday morning I got to read about His resurrection. It was so powerful, all of it.

The talks in church were wonderful, plus two beautiful musical numbers (our ward is so talented!), and then we got to teach sharing time! We taught about how families are a part of God's plan. It was fun. :)

Then we came back and dyed eggs and had lunch, and I harped some, and later on we had a wonderful Easter dinner with the Myers and their friend Jennifer. We had chicken, vegetables, mashed potatoes and country gravy... it was seriously the best meal I've had in ages.

Then there was the Lamb of God.

I wish I could explain to you the depth of this production; it was so powerful, and so moving. From the first few notes, the first few words.... besides the fact that I was so surprised at how professional and polished it was, good heavens, it just pierced my soul!

I think I went into it expecting that I would be most connected with Thomas, or most taken by His Mother Mary, but PETER. His undying declaration of love and faith in the Savior, his thrice denial of Him, and his bitter cry of, "Oh, What have I done?" and then his oath to never forsake or deny Him again, but to declare even till death that He is KING.

And then Mary Magdalene, her sadness at the empty tomb, and all Christ had to say was, "Mary," and she knew Him. "Gloria, Gloria!" She sang, with such joy and fervence, and I felt it too! It's hard to describe, but I feel like my testimony of the Savior has multiplied tenfold. I feel like it might sound bold to say, but I now know, more than I have ever known or understood, that He lives. Our Savior. Our Brother. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, He lives! And I know it! I'll never be able to deny it or forget it, because it's true, and it's the most important knowledge I think I could ever have. I know I still have so far to go, but I just, I KNOW. There's nothing more I can say than that. And this knowledge is the most exquisite joy I have ever felt.

I feel like a new creature.

I love you all. I'm so grateful for your love and support. It means more to me than you know - My life is changed forever because of the last 9 months of my life here.

Love, Sister Clark

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME... NOT

It's definitely my 8 months today. Which means I only have 10 months left. Which means one month till halfway. It feels like when you go to Disneyland and you know that the park is almost closing which means the firework show is coming and that's awesome, but also that it's almost time to go home. So bittersweet.

SOMETIMES THE ADORABLE FAMILIES IN MY WARD MAKE ME SO TRUNKY. They're just so dang cute. And I'm definitely eating sugar again. But I'm also working out again! Fair? And we didn't do anything for April Fool's day, super lame. ANNNYYWAYYYSSS...

 

Giraffe Selfie with Sister Clark

I don't even know where to start, holy cow.

OH, MATT.  We taught him the restoration this week, and it was such a great lesson - he received everything so well, and had really great questions, and HE'S GETTING BAPTIZED ON APRIL 26th!! Gah!!

Honestly, most of our appointments cancelled on us, which was super lame, but it's okay because GENERAL CONFERENCE!! It was so amazing. Can we just talk about how incredible conference is for a sec? Kay thanks.

Can you even imagine? In ancient times this NEVER would have been possible, not even a couple hundred years ago, and yet here we are, receiving direct revelation from God, twice a year, to the ENTIRE EARTH. And all the spiritual preparation that goes into it, and the fact that it's not general information, but very particular to our needs and circumstances, and to preparing the world and its inhabitants for the coming of Jesus Christ, and I JUST LOVE CONFERENCE.

Now I'm going to talk about M. Russell Ballard's talk. Which is about missionary work. ;)

I loved the story of Peter helping the lame man - he didn't just exercise his priesthood to command him to arise, but he reached out his hand, helped him up, and walked into the temple with him.

Can you imagine how many people would come unto Christ if we were to follow the challenge given by Elder Ballard to invite at least 4 people a year to meet with the missionaries? And how much more you'll be prepared to share your knowledge of the gospel with others when you study the inspired words in Preach My Gospel? And as many times as I've asked you to share your studies with me, and missionary experiences, now an apostle of the Lord has asked you to tell ME (a full time missionary) about your studies, and ask me to share mine, too! I'll share something I learned about faith, right this minute.

I was reading about Faith in True to the Faith and Preach My Gospel and had the coolest revelation about it. So first of all, what is faith in Christ?
1. An assurance that He exists.
2. A correct idea of His character.
3. A knowledge that you are striving to live your life according to His will.
That's great, but so many of the people I've taught have this question: "HOW? How do I have faith, how does it start?" Besides the very seedling beginning of having even the smallest desire, I realized that there is somewhat of a cycle. In both TttF and PMG, we are told that faith promotes repentance, obedience, and diligent/selfless service. But as I was thinking about it, some people need a solid idea of action and reaction, if/then, attempt and consequence, etc. before the concept of faith will really make sense to them. Take service, the one I see as the least abstract concept with the most visible (temporal) blessings. When people serve, they feel good, and they can see the good they've done. They will receive natural consequences or blessings, and it will strengthen their faith. Take our LA Kyle, for example. We've tried to explain faith to him on multiple occasions. We've also tried to explain repentance, and the blessings and commandment to be obedient. But he keeps telling us it just doesn't make sense, and his progression is limited because of that. However, if we help him by giving him opportunities to SERVE, he might be promoted to have more faith in God, which will lead to a desire to change (repentance), which leads to more exact obedience, which leads to serving more diligently, etc, etc. 

I don't know if this all makes sense to you, but it was sure a great revelation to me, and I'm grateful for this further understanding of faith.

YOUR TURN.

In other news, I went on exchanges with Hermana Mitchell again this week! Except this time I went Spanish! It was super awesome, and I felt super dumb. But I did learn how to say, "La Iglesia es verdadera" or something like that, and "El Libro de Mormon is la palabra de Dios!" Except I kept accidentally saying "Limon" instead of "Mormon" hahaha! Also I learned how to say, "Soy wera" which means "I'm a white girl" so that was useful. ;) Also, Sister Mitchell is a heaven send and we talked a lot and it was so great. She's almost done, how crazy!

Main Street in Crescent, OK

Also, on another note, I think that humanity (or at least in our culture) has this idea that if you're not originally good at something, you can't ever be. But Heavenly Father's plan is one of eternal progression! Like President Uchtdorf said this weekend, "We are eternal beings. There are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings." There are really no bounds to what we can learn. I truly believe I can be good at math and science one day if I put a lot of effort into it. It will take a lot more strained/concentrated effort than it would if I were to be learning some art or music skill, but that doesn't mean it's not possible! We can truly learn to do anything, because this life is not the end! I hope that's a principle I can help my children understand one day. It's not, "I'm not good at this." It's "I'm not good at this YET."

OH man, you guys, I talk so much, sorry-not-sorry. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. If you didn't watch conference, please do. :) Make the time, it will be worth it, I promise.

Love,

Sister Clark

M.I.A.

Okay, Hi. Let me just tell you how my week started.

 

Call from the ZL's...

"Hey, Elder Powley, how's it goin?"

"Well, uh, we're actually pretty stressed."

"What's up?"

"Well, we were wondering... can you help us find Elder Harnish?"

 

What?! Yes, so I guess Elder Harnish left a note Tuesday morning saying that he was going to go make some videos of himself doing flips or whatever and he'd be back by two or three. SOOO off went the whole zone in search of an elder in sweats and a hoodie on his bike.

 

Anyway, several missionaries were prompted to go to the library, again, all at the same time, and there he was, chillin' at the computer. "Hey guys."

 

Dunno what happened there, maybe he had a mid-mission crisis, but he's doin alright now. We did feel like super legit undercover agents though, so that was exciting. :)

 

And there are Oil Wells all over the place

SO A FEW OTHER THINGS THAT HAPPENED ON TUESDAY...

• I sent my package of stuff home... and then it came to my apartment on Wednesday.
• I dented the Lord's car. Like a lot. And scraped it. Like a lot.
• Washed the car and vacuumed it out... and LEFT MY HARP AT THE CAR WASH. What The Heck? It was still there when we drove back...don't tell my mom I did that.
• Had ugly hair
• dropped my cardigan button down the sink
• stuttered everything I said
• cried all day about nothing
• aaaaaaaaaaaand that's about it.

So when I was just a weepy mess by the end of the day because I was already feeling sad for no reason because I'm an emotional basketcase, I was laying in bed and praying that someone would come and help me be happy, and LO AND BEHOLD a knock came to the door. I think, "Wow, what an answer to prayer that would be if it were Sister Leavitt. But it's probably just our neighbor Kelly who comes over all the time." But then I hear "HELLO, SISTAS!" and in she comes, turns on the light, and I just cry to her. So she came and snuggled with me and I told her all about my horrible day and then she said an awesome prayer for me and made me laugh and gave me all the E. Harnish deets and I'M JUST SO GRATEFUL that Heavenly Father answered my prayer so fast. It was a huge reminder that He knows and loves me.

 

SO AFTER ALL THAT DRAMA, the rest of my week was absolutely incredible. We did service, harped for members, had an incredible and inspiring zone conference, worked our little bums off, and had an amazing lesson with MATT! Matt is Johnny's boss, and he's been in on a couple of the lessons with Megan, and he's so prepared. So we did a chapel tour with him. He came to a dinner at the Boggs (who are just awesome, B. Boggs was baptized in September after a long haul with the missionaries), and then the Boggs came with us to the lesson. B. Boggs answered all his amazing questions so well, and we invited him to be baptized and he said YES! He told us, when we were talking about the priesthood, "I WANT that." with so much fervency, and then when he expounded, he just said that having people come to him and ask him for blessings would be so humbling and it's such an incredible gift and such. And he's excited to bring his three little girls to church, and he just soaked everything in. IT WAS INCREDIBLE.

 

OH MAN, and then on Saturday! It started out with the Carlson's oldest boy's baptism, to which they invited the babysitter, his school teacher, and B. Carlson's coworker, and they all loved it! And his LA uncle gave the talk on baptism. The whole service was so wonderful. I remembered vaguely back to my own baptism, and being with my dad and such. He had so many family members there supporting him. I don't remember my baptism really well, but I remember it was special. I remember being surrounded by people I loved, and who I knew loved me, simply because they were there. I remember my dad asking me why I wanted to be baptized. I probably didn't know, but he told me why, and let me choose. :) Mostly I felt so overwhelmed at the greater understanding I received, of how blessed I was to be born into the gospel, and to receive the Holy Ghost at such a young age. I can't believe what blessed circumstances I was born into, and it just reaffirms to me that missionary work is what I need to be doing, now and for my whole life.

 

We were then able to attend Paula's baptism, Sis Leav's and Sis Bishop's investigator. Her testimony was so powerful, truly. She testified of the Savior, the Book of Mormon, of the Church, of everything. I just cried tears of joy as she shared it.

 

I was asked to play Be Still My Soul at her baptism, and I included the "I like to look for Rainbows" song in the middle. I'm so glad I got to play!

 

THEN THE GENERAL WOMEN'S BROADCAST. Holy cow. It was so powerful. I seriously wept through the entire thing. Like when they had all the 8-11 year olds stand and start singing "Teach me to Walk" and then Sister Wixom had EVERYONE else and sing the second verse! And when one Sister referenced that covenant that Women can raise children in a home "that are blessed by the strength of priesthood power." And when all of us, every LDS woman in the world sang together "I am a Child of GoD!" The lyrics had never hit me so strongly before. Just imagining being with Him in the pre-existence, and His love, and because He loves me He sent me here, and to SUCH a wonderful family. And the plea to Him to lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way. Teach me ALL that I must do to live with Thee someday!" AND THEN when we sang "Let Us All Press On" the words hit me so powerfully I couldn't even sing:

 

"But an unseen power will aid me and you in the glorious cause of truth!" And what a glorious cause it is to share the true gospel with all the world!

 

OH MY GLORY BE this update is so scattered, but I just... GUYS. I love the gospel. So much. IT'S JUST SO TRUE, okay? Okay.

Love, 

Sister Clark