Farwell talk!!

The word Atonement means to set at one; one with God. James E. Talmage in Jesus the Christ said, “Through the Atonement accomplished by Jesus Christ – a redeeming service, vicariously rendered in behalf of mankind, all of whom have been estranged from God by the effects of sin both inherited and individually incurred – the way is opened for a reconciliation whereby man may come again into communion with God, and be made fit to dwell anew and forever in the presence of his Eternal Father. This basal thought is admirably implied in our English word “atonement,” which, as its syllables attest, is  at- one- ment , “denoting reconciliation, or the bringing into agreement of those who have been estranged.” End quote.

When Christ atoned for our sins, he provided a way that we can repent and return someday to live with Him again. He is the advocate to our Father, interceded our judgment between God and us out of love and complete submissiveness to the will of the Father. Which love is a Christ-like charity as described in Moroni 7:45-47.

“45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

 46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

 47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.”

With this love that Christ has for each and everyone one of us, he atoned for our sins.  And completed the entirety of the Atonement with so much love, that I like to describe as charity, so that we may be able to repent and be forgiven. And as we continually strive to live worthy and follow his commandments.

The atonement as described in Preach My Gospel, “this triumph of Jesus Christ over spiritual death by His suffering and over physical death by His Resurrection is called the Atonement.”

In two parts He overcame two deaths: Spiritual and Physical. The suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and His suffering and death on the cross, with the physical being His resurrection. In Luke 22:39-44 and D&C 19:16-19, the first being an account of the Savior in the Garden, and the latter of the Savior revealing some of what he experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane.

“39 ¶And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

 40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

 41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

And in Doctrine and Covenants:

“16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

 17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

 18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

 19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.”

Through this suffering that Christ went through, so much that we can’t even comprehend, He completely submitted His will to the Father’s, so that we can be able to come clean as in Isaiah 1:18:

“18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

And this is through the wonderful Atonement, which was made possible by Christ being submissive to the will of the Father. In a devotional given by Elder Bednar, he shared a story of young couple that learned the power of the Atonement and submission to the will of the Father.

“Describing a faithful young couple, married only three weeks when the husband was diagnosed with bone cancer, Elder Bednar related several journal entries written by them. They expressed the “eternally important lessons” learned through the difficult and challenging experiences associated with the cancer.
Elder Bednar told of visiting this couple in the hospital, being asked to give a priesthood blessing, and asking the husband an unplanned but inspired question. “If it is the will of our Heavenly Father, do you have the faith not to be healed?”

As Elder Bednar counseled with this faithful couple, they “increasingly understood” that a blessing of healing could only be received if they had the faith not to be healed and were “willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon [them]” (Mosiah 3:19).

“In other words, they needed to overcome, through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, the ‘natural man’ tendency in all of us to demand impatiently and insist incessantly on the blessings we want and believe we deserve,” Elder Bednar explained. “We recognized a principle that applies to every devoted disciple: strong faith in the Savior is submissively accepting of His will and timing in our lives—even if the outcome is not what we hoped for or wanted.”

Elder Bednar shared the words of the young husband from his journal: “Having faith is not necessarily knowing that God would heal me, but that He could heal me. I had to believe that He could, and then whether it happened was up to Him. As I allowed those two ideas to coexist in my life, focused faith in Jesus Christ and complete submission to His will, I found greater comfort and peace.””

Although the situations were completely different,Christ was the supreme example of never doubting and having complete faith to say unto the Father, “Not my will, but thine be done.” For each of us, it probably would take a lot of faith to be able to be completely submissive to the will of the Father, especially when the outcome is unknown, new, or different. Like the young couple in the true story given by Elder Bednar. They both had to put aside the “natural man” through the Atonement of Christ and learned/became submissive to the will of the Lord.

Upon this submission to the will of the Father, Christ then suffered/atoned for our sins and afflictions; so that we can become whole and be perfected through Him. Like Brad Wilcox said in his book Continuous Atonement “Perfection is our long-term goal, but for now our goal is progress in that direction – continuous progress that is possible only through the continuous Atonement.” In John 3:16-17, and 3 Ne. 9:21-22, we read of how God loved us so much, that He gave His only begotten son to redeem us from the fall and to be able to repent and return to live with Him again, in accordance to the Plan of Salvation.

“16 ¶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

And in 3^rd Nephi:

“21 Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin.

 22 Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved.”

President Boyd K. Packer said in an Ensign article, “Before the Crucifixion and afterward, many men have willingly given their lives in selfless acts of heroism. But none faced what Christ endured. Upon Him was the burden of all human transgression, all human guilt. And hanging in the balance was the Atonement. Through His willing act, mercy and justice could be reconciled, eternal law sustained, and that mediation achieved without which mortal man could not be redeemed.

He by choice accepted the penalty in behalf of all mankind for the sum total of all wickedness and depravity; for brutality, immorality, perversion, and corruption; for addiction; for the killings and torture and terror—for all of it that ever had been or all that ever would be enacted upon this earth. In so choosing He faced the awesome power of the evil one, who was not confined to flesh nor subject to mortal pain. That was Gethsemane!

How the Atonement was wrought we do not know. No mortal watched as evil turned away and hid in shame before the Light of that pure being. All wickedness could not quench that Light. When what was done was done, the ransom had been paid. Both death and hell forsook their claim on all who would repent. Men at last were free. Then every soul who ever lived could choose to touch that Light and be redeemed.

By this infinite sacrifice, “through [this] Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel” (Articles of Faith 1:3).”

Through this selfless act that Christ did for us, He made it possible for us to saved, as according that we live the laws and ordinances of the Gospel (Articles of Faith 1:3). The Atonement included when He died on the cross and His spirit became separated from His body.  And on the third day, His spirit and His body were reunited, never to separate again. The reuniting of the spirit and the body is called resurrection and a gift promised to each of us, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Though Resurrection is promised to each of us, in order to receive that blessing we need to become clean from sin. This was made possible through the Atonement of Christ.

And this completed the Atonement. That He overcame Spiritual and Physical death for us, overcoming all of our sins and affliction, suffering all things out of complete love. All we need to do is to show Him that we accept His Atonement and we will follow His commandments. Only through this we may return and live with God. A story, which may be true, illustrates Christ’s love, submissiveness, and Atonement towards us. This story is known as Seminary Donuts.

There was a boy by the name of Steve who was attending Seminary in Utah. In Utah, Seminary classes are held as part of the curriculum. Brother Christianson taught Seminary at this particular school. He had an open-door policy and would take in any student that had been thrown out of another class as long as they would abide by his rules.

One day, Brother Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. After class, Brother Christianson pulled Steve aside and said, "You think you're pretty tough, don't you?"

Steve's answer was, "Yeah, I do."

Then Brother Christianson asked, "How many push-ups can you do?"

Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."

"200? That's pretty good, Steve." Brother Christianson said, "Do you think you could do 300?"

Steve replied, "I don't know... I've never done 300 at a time."

"Do you think you could?" again asked Brother Christianson.

"Well, I can try," said Steve.

"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I need you to do 300 in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it." Brother Christianson said.

Steve said, "Well... I think I can... yeah, I can do it."

Brother Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday."

Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, Brother Christianson pulled out a big box of donuts. Everyone was pretty excited - it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an extra early start on the weekend.

Brother Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want a donut?" Cynthia said, "Yes." Brother Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?"

Steve said, "Sure," and jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Brother Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.

Brother Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?" Joe said, "Yes." Brother Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?" Steve did ten push-ups; Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle. Steve did ten pushups for every person before they got their donut. And down the second aisle, till Brother Christianson came to Scott.

When Brother Christianson asked, "Scott do you want a donut?"

Scott's reply was "Well, can I do my own pushups?"

Brother Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them. "

Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."

Brother Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"

Steve started to do ten push-ups. Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"

Brother Christianson said, "Look, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it", and he put a donut on Scott's desk. Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down, and a little perspiration appeared around his brow.

Brother Christianson started down the third row.

Brother Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?" Jenny said, "No". Then Brother Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?" Steve did ten; Jenny got a donut.

By now, the students were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks. Steve was also having to really put forth a lot of effort to get these push-ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, and his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.

Brother Christianson asked Robert to watch Steve to make sure he did ten push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. Robert began to watch Steve closely.

Brother Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students had wandered in and sat along the heaters along the sides of the room. When Brother Christianson realized this; he did a quick count and saw that there were now 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.

Brother Christianson went on to the next person, the next, and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.

Steve asked Brother Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"

Brother Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your push-ups. You can do them any way that you want." And Brother Christianson went on.

A few moments later, Jason came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!" Jason didn't know what was going on.

Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come."

Brother Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push-ups for him."

Steve said, "Yes, let him come in.

" Brother Christianson said, "Okay, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?"

"Yes."

"Steve, will you do ten pushups so that Jason can have a donut?"

Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down. Brother Christianson finished the fourth row, then started on those seated on the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift him against the force of gravity. Sweat was dropping off his face and, by this time, there was not a dry eye in the room.. Brother Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a donut?"

Linda, too choked up to talk, just shook her head. Brother Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?" Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda. Then Brother Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?"

Susan, with tears flowing down her face, asked, "Brother Christianson, can I help him?"

Brother Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, he has to do it alone."

"Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?" As Steve very slowly finished his last pushup, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 pushups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.

Brother Christianson then said, "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, pleaded to the Father, "Into thy hands I commend my spirit", and with the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, collapsed on the cross and died - even for those that didn't want His gift."

Quote by George Q. Cannon, “The principal question before us is not do we comprehend the atonement, but do we accept it.”

How can we learn to accept the gift of the Atonement?

By letting Him in, trusting Him to help us in our lives; as Christ willingly and lovingly atoned for us, we too must do the same to let Him in. He is waiting on the other side of the door for us to let Him in and accept Him and His Atonement.  In a personal way, I had to learn this single principle. To be able to have enough faith in Him, and trust in Him to know that He knows me and what’s best for me.  I had no idea that I was not letting Him in until I had asked for a blessing, because I was having a hard time with something, in the blessing I was told that the only thing stopping Him from helping me was me. That I was the one on the other side of the door, wanting help and trying to find answers through scriptures and my prayers were just routine, I didn’t realize that all I had to do was open the door and actually let Him in; by meaningful prayers and scripture study, accepting Him and His wonderful Atonement. By letting Him in, doesn’t just mean going to church, reading scriptures, and prayers. But actually listening, having faith and strength through Him to know that everything will turn out and that He knows what you are going through.  He wants to help and is constantly there to help, we just need to let Him and accept Him and His Atonement. He can help us endure all of our trials, sicknesses and pain through the Atonement. That by Letting Him In, we let in something so wonderful and great; the Atonement.

To conclude, I would like to read the words to the hymns “ I stand all Amazed,” and “I know that my Redeemer lives!”.

“1. I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,

Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.

I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,

That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

2. I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine

To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,

That he should extend his great love unto such as I,

Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

3. I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!

Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?

No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,

Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet. (Chorus)

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me

Enough to die for me!

Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!”

 

And

“I know that my Redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever-living Head.
He lives to bless me with his love.
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.

2. He lives to grant me rich supply.
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint.
He lives to hear my soul's complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart.
He lives all blessings to impart.

3. He lives, my kind, wise heav'nly Friend.
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives, I'll sing.
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath.
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare.
He lives to bring me safely there.

4. He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
"I know that my Redeemer lives!"
He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

Bear testimony.

 

October 15

How has everyone been in life? I hope all is going well :)

This week was really interesting! I have definitely learned a lot! First bit of news: my companion is getting transferred tomorrow! And I am taking over my area. Yay!! It will be great, and I am excited to see who my new companion is!

This past week has been tons of fun!? I have been sick, so much that we stayed in 4 days with the exception of going to church on Sunday. I really hope we can figure out what is up with my health, but all will be well. I was able to finish the Book of Mormon for the first time on my mission! I love it and I know that it is true! I also was able to start it again and get through half of Mosiah. Wow! I just realized how much I have read...jeepers! This time through I am using one of the ones we give out and highlighting all of the times that Jesus Christ is mentioned. Truly incredible! There is not a page that goes by that He is not mentioned or referred to.

Another thing that I have learned this week, that faith is action. If I want to be healed and to go back to work: I have to actually go to work. So that is what I am doing, despite the pain and the sickness that I am in. It is hard, but if I continue to keep a smile on; it is possible. I don't know when this will get better, but hopefully in a couple of weeks! I know it will.

We had an investigator come to church with her son this Sunday! It was the first time we met her, and she is amazing! She was a temple referral, and we heard that she has the most incredible story! I am excited to hopefully continue to work with her, Sayah: she is from Iran and needs to be interviewed first by a member of our Mission Presidency. But she really enjoyed church!

I really don't have a lot to say this week. A lot of it (since Wednesday) has been me so sick lying in bed, and my companion keeping herself busy with study or watching church movies. Definitely a fun week :) It wasn't too bad, we were still able to teach some lessons.

I love you all and hope to hear from you soon!

love,

Sister Shelby Twitchell

Oct 8

Another week has flown by!! This is getting unreal on how fast time is flying here on the mission. I am finding more than ever that we have the longest days and shortest weeks... even shortest transfers! Transfers are next week, which is super crazy! I still remember last transfers! Anyway, I am loving it here... at least trying to. Life as a missionary is crazy. We had an interesting week:

We have one progressing investigator, he is from China. He is incredible! He loves to learn and has been pretty solid so far. We have had only 2 lessons with him so far, but we know that he is accepting of the message we have to share. His name is Yan Wang, he has no American name (most of the Chinese people here that we talk to choose an American name), and he is married with a son. So far it has been only just him at the lessons, but we are hoping to have his wife join us! Unfortunately every time we meet she is always busy with work or studying/school. But it will happen!

We are also working with a returning less active member, Chet. He is overcoming smoking and drinking. It has been a long struggle for him, and he keeps on relapsing. But he is willing and we are going to try something new. The problem is that he gets trials in his life and that is his way out. So we are going to have him "bury his weapons of war" and do the 13 step program with him (which if he dedicated to it, it has been proven to work with in a week or two). We are going to talk about the Anti-Nephi-lehi's in the book of Mormon and how they buried all of their weapons and promised to never take up their arms of war again. Then we are going to watch him dig a big hole somewhere and bury all of it. I have faith that doing all of this will work!

Had another fun filled Monday night! We had a dinner appointment right before, and it was crazy! It was with our Relief Society President and her family, so she took the time to tell us all of the sisters we should go visit and different things like that. It was most helpful!

We then went over to the FHE, after spending 5 or so minutes looking for parking. We met up with another sweet lady we were working with, they happened to park near us. Her name is Wendy Yeomans, and she is less active physically, but is spiritually active. She has a lot of phobias....so coming out of her house is hard. We are privileged to be able to walk with her twice a week, and share a message. She is so great! She has a bit of a short-term memory loss; so reading scriptures is something she does, but doesn't remember what she read the day before! She is wonderful and seemed to have fun last night! Yes!!! (her husband who is also less active came too!!!!)

This week has been crazy for me. I have been sick and am slowly recovering. I am trying to do the work at the same time, but when you don't feel 100% it is hard to give a 100%.

Conference was AMAZING!!!!!!!! I absolutely loved it! and I cannot wait to be able to read all of the talks in the Ensign next month :D I feel so rejuvenated from it and am excited to improve and do the work. I absolutely loved all of the Sunday Morning session, and Holland, Bednar, and pretty much every talk given. How amazing it was!

I have noticed how stressed and discouraged I have gotten lately. This area we are in is different. We don't have a lot of lessons planned each week, so we are doing our best. I am trying to stay faithful and to be optimistic, but with being sick this past week it has been hard. Being on and off sick with the same thing since August has been a trial. I know that there is something that I am supposed to learn from it, but I haven't figured it out yet. Maybe to have more fun? To be more patient? to be hopeful and to continue to be happy all the time? I try to be optimistic about everything, but lately that has been a little difficult. Anyone have any advice?

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!!!

love, sister shelby twitchell

p.s. we have made a game out of the work. for every person that we pass that we don't share the gospel with, we have to do some sort of leg workout while holding the 45lb weight in our apartment. Each person= 10. and when we get up to 50, each person we do we get to deduct. Wow!! I am sore.. we have done 80 two nights in a row. I am learning to be more bold in contacting!

Does anyone have any ideas about how to make missionary work fun?

Love you all!!!!

sister shelby twitchell

Pictures!

Oct 1

Hello again! Can you believe that it is already October!!! So crazy! Where did the summer go? I am stoked for General Conference this weekend! Hope you all enjoy it as much I will :)

Well this week has been kind of crazy! We had Zone Conference this past week. Learned on how to be better missionaries and fun things like that. I would give quotes this week and explain more, but my journal is back at the apartment. but, it was amazing as always and I loved it! That same night we had one of our members, the Fullers, invite someone over for us to teach. It was their neighbor and her son. The husband had a meeting to go to so he was not able to be there. The lady is from China (? I believe..) and brought over pear vinegar for us to drink. It tastes better than it sounds! Trust me! Just don't smell it first, because all you will smell is vinegar and that does not smell any good. The lesson was on prayer and how God loves us. It was alright, brother and sister Fuller weren't exactly on the same page with each other. And they kind of took over the lesson. Which is great that they know the gospel, btw they are both return missionaries, but I left there wondering why they wanted us there. Next time we meet will be better! That was the first member lesson like that, and I plan on doing things different next time. We had district meeting the next day and our district leader had us think of the reasons why we were out on our missions. Why am I here? What is the driving factor of me being here? I know what it is like to fall away, and not do the simple principles of the Gospel : prayer, scriptures and church. I know how much peace and happiness is in this church. And that is what I want to invite others and help them find. Peace, joy, and the knowledge that we all have a Savior.

On Saturday we had the amazing opportunity to do service! Our district leader organized it and invited us and another set of sisters (and more people but we were the only ones that showed up) to go help do some landscaping at a park. What looked like it would potentially be a easy fast project ended being the exact opposite. It was super fun though! I really enjoyed it! We took 4 1/2 hours of digging holes and planting plants. The ground was super hard, but we enjoyed working and serving. I have no complaints at all! It was definitely nice to do some service.

The same day was the amazing Relief Society Broadcast!! How did you all like it! I loved it! I really enjoyed all of it and can't wait to read it in the next months Ensign :)

We had the amazing opportunity to teach Sharing Time in Primary this week! So much fun!! I absolutely loved teaching the little kids. they are soooooooo cute!! and fearless! We committed them to find a way each day to be a missionary. One of them (Ward Mission Leader's son keep in mind) said to give a Book of Mormon to a friend. Wow!! Fearless I say! These children are amazing and I am growing to love working with them. At first it was a bit weird, but I am getting used to it now.

Yesterday was a crazy day!! We drove by the ocean to go see a lady in the ward who ended up not being home. But! We do know now that our area ends with our mission boundaries.. the beach!! wow! it was an amazing view :) loved it! We had a crazy evening with a bunch of appointments and the dinner appointment running over because the food wasn't ready. And then we had to book it over to FHE, which we teach and run a good quarter mile to their apartment. It was crazy fun! We showed the Mormon Message: Dare to Stand Alone by President Thomas S. Monson. And had them do something that scares them the most but would take a lot of courage to do this week. To stand up for your belief's and yourself.

Well.. that is the life of this crazy missionary! From running to appointments to seeing the ocean to companionship things to everything else you can think of!! I love it!

I love you all and I hope to hear from you next week!!

with love,

sister shelby twitchell

Sep 24

How are you all doing?? How is life?

This past week seems like a blur of craziness! I can't believe that I am sitting here writing to you all again. Time is flying by! I am already heading towards my 6 months mark, waaaay to fast!!! But anywho.... I am truly loving my mission. This has been the best decision I have ever made in my life!!! This week has been crazy: we taught a total of 19 lessons! Yes! that is improvement from last week. We had 13 lessons the week prior! and this week we have already have taught 6. Anyway, the work is definitely picking up; we have seen so many miracles already happen in our ward and in the area that we are over. I have learned that even on the days that we teach no lessons and knock on over 20 members doors; that I love it! That I am becoming more optimistic about everything in life,in some areas more than others. But I am trying to do the best I can. I know that the Lord is seriously on my side helping me.

My wonderful companion, Sister Pagel and I are getting along great! We have grown closer this week and are loving the work each day. I can't think of a day within the past weeks that we have not laughed or have had fun in. We talk about the most random stuff! From dreams and things we want to do when we get home to our childhood memories :) (those are the funniest ever!) to the random things we see each day. We have seen a change in the ward so far. They have been wanting to do missionary work along side us; well a little bit. But! We will use it for all that we can.

We love teaching lessons on the temple grounds, there is such a special spirit that is there!

I don't have much time to write this week....sorry! I hope all is going well with you and can't wait to hear from all of you!!

Love you soo much!

"You don't realize how strong you are, until being strong is all that you have left."

Being brave doesn't mean I am not afraid. Being brave means acting in Faith; when you know that you have to do what scares you most because it is the only choice you have."

Have a great week!!!!

love sister shelby twitchell

p.s. I love you!!

Sep 17

How are you all doing? How was your weeks? Any miracles or adventures? Or just anything you would love to share?

Missionary work and life is amazing! I love seeing miracles happen through obedience. Tender Mercies of the Lord :) This area/ward when we got into it 3 weeks ago was dead.. nothing happening. (by the way, that feels just like yesterday when I was at transfer meeting!! Crazy! It is seriously true when they say that your days feels like weeks and your weeks feel like days.. ) But now through diligent work and obedience we have seen so many miracles! We have a few people who are investigating, how we found them was amazing! We were street contacting, we happen to live in the Elder's area (which is great! but everyone that we find that is interested is theirs..), and we found quite a bit for them to do. The next day we were blessed with somebody who was interested, that lived in our area! We met with her, her name is Rakshya she is from Nepal, and she brought a few friends. We met at the temple, and had a lesson on who we are and what happens in temples. We kept it brief because it was late at night and we had a curfew, but they want to know more! Which is amazing! I have seen so many miracles already in this area. Our members are beginning to trust us and to realize that we are here to work. What else would we be doing?

If any of you want pictures sent to you, let me know what kind of photos you want and I will try my best. :)

My companion and I are getting along better and better each and every day. We have a lot of differences on how we both do the work, she was trained to be a Mormon Battalion sister, she was half proselyting and half in the historic museum. She didn't know anything about full proselyting. Which is way different, one you have soo much more time on you hands. but we have been working things out smoothly. It has definitely been a learning experience for me to be her companion. I feel like I am training without actually training. It is weird and kind of hard to explain, but it is good. I love it here and I am loving the people we serve each and every day. Service is the way to love anyone.

I love you all! Hope to hear from you soon :)

love,

sister shelby twitchell

Sep 10

Hi!

How are you all doing? How is life treating you all? So... I am in my new ward and area now! This was my first transfer and my second white-washing of an area that I have done so far on my mission. I am located in the University City 2nd ward in La Jolla,CA... it is beautiful here! well for the city at least. the best part about it right now is walking outside our apartment or even looking out our apartment window and having an amazing view of the temple!! I love it!! I will be sending a picture taken at nighttime of the view that we are privelaged to have. Love it!!

This week has been crazy busy, well for the most part, with a lot of organizational things to do. To start off with, transfer meetings are always exciting! If you go with the right mind set and everything you can really learn and take away alot that will help you later on.

"Greatest joys will come when you forget about your troubles and focus on others."

"Prepare now for the future." "I am here called of God, a holy calling, to do His will."

Those are a few of the things that I took away from transfer meeting. So, a little background story is necessary to help you all understand my shock and suprise with what happened at transfer meeting. When your Zone Leaders give you the call, and tell you that they love you and to pack your bags and be at the transfer meeting; they will tell you if you are training or whitewashing. Well, I was just told that I needed to pack my bags and be there. When President Clayton was calling off all the new companionships and everything he said the ward UC 2nd first and followed by saying it will be whitewashed and the new missionaries that will be there are: going full Prosselyting (she was a Mormon Battalion sister, they do half prosselyting and half at the Mobat. they each have a chance of spending two transfers being full pross) Sister Pagel and (he started to tear up, which is Not normal) Sister Twitchell.

Let me tell you.... I was shocked!!! I had no idea that I was going to be whitewashing with a full pross Mobat sister!! but,I know that we as a companionship being here is meant to be, that we have a very real purpose of being called to this ward. Which everyone has told us that it is a tough area/ward, but I think it all belongs to the attitude that you have for it. I am determined to have a positive and optimistic attitude all the time about life. Why not? But! It has been really different so far. It is a FAMILY WARD!! Yay!! I get to learn how teach kids and all that instead of just single adults :) It definitly has been an adustment for both of us, we both have served our whole missions with YSA wards. Sister Pagel has to change the most of all, she is used to spending half a day in her ward; so spending a whole day is really different. But, so far we have worked things out: and will continue to do so.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to teach families? Like fun ideas to get the kids interested?

Church on Sunday was great! They had the Primary program, which was soooo cute!! Our members seem to be all really smart, they are either working on a Ph.D (or two of them at the same time), or working, or Post- Doctorates. It has been really fun getting to know all of them ;) A lot of them have served missions also, a few met on their missions. Crazy!! We are finding that the biggest success in this area is going to come from ditching the car and using our legs and feet! Street contacting!! yay! We are going to try to park the car somewhere and just walk everywhere for half a day or so, there are soo many people that walk around here! I am excited to learn something new and for this new experience. In fact, just before we emailed (we walked here) we contacted a girl from Nepal going to UCSD and she said she would love to have us walk around the temple grounds with here and to talk with her about what we believe. So amazing!!

I also learned this week that the Lord works in a lot of ways. Yesterday was a rest day for I got really sick. I slept for half the day, studied for the rest of it. I really didn't have an apetite to eat anything at all, so I just had bread. I called the Mission doctor and she told me to do the Brat diet (Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast).... and a bunch of other things. but I learned that the Lord wanted me to learn how to be a better teacher. I was reading in an Ensign a Leadership Broadcast about teaching. How to teach with the spirit and how to teach towards people and not at them. I also learned when studying that, that I think it will be amazing to be a seminary/ CES teacher. I learned a lot of other things, read a chapter or so in Jesus the Christ. But it is amazing how the Lord works. I ended up getting a blessing last night, which is a story within.

We walked and met up with our district leader, Elder Masse and his companion Elder Fraughton. They can't go in our apartment, so we were waiting to hear back from their ward mission leader, who lives in our apartment complex. But it was taking too long and there was a time crunch, so we walked towards the temple and to a different apartment area. Elder Masse walks up to a door and knocks on it. We all look at him kinda think 'what is he doing?' and he just says that he is trying a new kind of tracting. what?! I pushed aside all fears and just thought that if it works it works. A guy answers the door and Elder Masse says "Hi! We are missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, can we use your living room?"..... guess what.. the guy let us in! but we found out that he was already a member of the church. wow!! but seriously, good idea?? It was great and I know that the Priesthood Power is very real. I may not feel totally 100% better today, but I am going to go about doing the Lord's work; and He will carry me through it.

I love you all and hope that you have a great week! I know that no matter what, the Lord will watch over you :) Thank you for all that you do and for the love that you send through email or letter or however... love it! You all are amazing and I love you!!

with love,

sister shelby twitchell

p.s. my district leader is a chef! crazy!! and my companion is a hair styliest ;)

Sep 3

Hello from San Diego!!

How are you all doing? How was your week? Guess what?!! I am being transferred!! Crazy!! I will miss my ward and area and all of the people here, but I am excited for the change. It is kind of mixed emotions right now. I didn't really email a whole lot last week.. so I will try to make up for it by doing 2 weeks worth in this one :)

The same day we heard about Tori, we taught some amazing lessons! We had breakfast with one of our members, Taylor Ford. She is amazing!! She is actually taking us out again for dinner tonight! ( I am really sad to say good bye to her!!) We talked alot about her wedding coming up next spring. She is not officially engaged yet, that will happen probably around December time frame. But! they are planning on getting married in the spring. I am excited for the two of them!! It is really weird talking about wedding's with someone while on a mission, but it is still fun? We also had a really good lesson with one of our Less Actives, lauren fowler who broke down to us and came to church!!! First time in a long time! I am pretty sure I was smiling like a maniac! But I don't care!! We were soo happy for her! We were able to finally make it up to Julian, which is about 1 hour car ride away from Poway. Can I comment and say that there pie is amazing!! If any of you want to come down and visit my mission, I will be taking you there and a thousand other places in Julian, Ramona, and Poway :) I love it here so very much! This ward and place will forever hold a special place in my heart. I don't think I have ever seen so many beautiful sunrises and sunsets in my life! I have so many memories here. From having apartment fhe's to all the lessons done at the picnic bench outside of the church. I love it! I have finally this week felt the most happiness I have ever felt and feel so much peace. This is all through the Savior. It took me praying for a long time, being submissive, and letting go of so many things. My life is His life, I will let Him shape me into who I need to be. Nobody is perfect, and I am included in that, but by each imperfect step I make: it will bring me closer and closer to God.

Have any of you ever seen dry lighting? It is truly beautiful!! Pictures didn't do any justice for it, but we watched it for about 15 minutes with one of our members and came to the conclusion that there is no way that there is no God. How could that be possible? How can we all look at something so beautiful and not believe there is a God?

This transfer has flown by and has been the best one I have ever had. The most celestial companionship ever!! We never ever got into one argument or fight. We became like sisters and will continue to stay in contact throughout the mission and after. Sister Palmer is incredible! I have learned so much from her! I have learned to be myself, to love myself, to love the work, to have fun, to be a leader, and so much more. She is the best companion I have had.

A few things I have learned from church:

One of our YSA's gave an amazing talk last sunday about Korihor in the Book of Mormon. She came up with a little rap about it...

-Melanie Roy

Korihor comes strollin’ into town,

Talking smack to e’rybody around

Foolish and vain THIS, rituals and frenzied thoughts THAT,

He said “all this religion’s walkin’ on you like a mat!”

From Zarahemla to Jershon,

True Christians replied “Out witchu son!”

But many indeed were led away,

Blinded by flattering lies…okay?

Giddonah and the high priests caught on,

Alma the prophet asked, “Do you even believe in God?”

With his hard heart, he kept on debating,

Korihor the smooth-talker, you just wanna shake him!

“A sign! A sign! First I need a sign to believe!”

So God struck him dumb, and THUS WE SEE…

Don’t pervert the ways of the Lord,

Wickedness flees…first try to UNDERSTAND The Word.

Brilliant!! It was a shocker but I love it.

"When the time of action appears, the time of preparation has disappeared."

"Prepare and make decision now for the future."

"Life is a ship, you set the sail."

"Don't fear, just live right." -Elder Maxwell

"You don't have a hero if you don't have bad things happening."

"ask yourself a question: what are you willing to sacrifice for what you believe?" -thor

"if you don't look at yourself as beautiful on the inside, you won't be outwardly."

"Inward beauty shines out."

" a person is not an attribute of character, but of choice."

I hope me sending you all things that I got from church doesn't bother you.

The weather here is crazy!! it has become really humid and hot, there was a day that it bounced from 99 to 100!! It was crazy! But I survived! With lots of water and perhaps getting a darker tan later, I came out of it! But! All is well with me here.. except for the fact that I am being transferred out of my first area!! I am sad, really sad, but I know that there is a bigger purpose somewhere else, and I will go where I am sent.

there is a quote that describes what I did on wednesday to feel so at peace and happy about everything. I was told this quote afterwards, but I love it the same:

"We must be willing to place all that we have- not just our possesions (they might be the easiest things of all) but also our ambitions and pride and stubborness and vanity- we must place it ALL on the alter of God, kneel there in silent submission, and WILLINGLY WALK AWAY."

Elder Holland

I know this is true and really hard to do, but once we do it: we can have greater peace and happiness :) I love you all! and I hope you all are doing well. Til next week!!

with love,

Sister Shelby Twitchell