Letter 5/4/15

Dear Blog,

So this is my last Monday as a missionary, so it's presumably my last post. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure what to say. It doesn't feel real yet--it probably won't until I get a giant bear-hug from my dad and my mom cries. I think I might go into shock.

But do you know what? The wonderful thing is that today I have today. Today I am a missionary. I don't want to rob the present of anything with the future. So today I will do my best to lift, encourage, brighten, and share. Today I will be Sister Short and that's the best :)

I have been blessed beyond comprehension out here. I've been loved and helped and I've learned SO much. I love my mission; I love it so much. 

God has worked miracles which I have been blessed with a front row seat to. 

You know, maybe that's the trick of it all. God can do anything which is right--can work a thousand miracles. But maybe he wants us to see them. Maybe he works so hard because He wants us to be part of it.

I know that I have been blessed beyond comprehension, I know that the things I say are true, and I know that anyone who is willing to use their faith and won't give up will know all that I know. 

I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior so much.

Please, if you don't know these things, please find out for yourself.  

#BecauseHeLives

Love,

Sister Short

Letter 4/27/15

Dear Blog;

Can I just say that God is SO nice? I'm being blessed so much beyond reason here. I can't even tell you how much I'm being blessed.

So fun story--our zone out here has a goal to have this week be 100% member present lessons. This means we have to have members at every single lesson we have. So this last week we got to planning. We prayed a lot and tried really hard. And guess what? God told us we can do 26 member present lessons this week :) So, here we go!

I can't even describe all the tender mercies we have seen, but here are a few:

we had a member come to church that we've been trying to help come for months!

We talked to the young men about having a contest to give away Because He Lives cards. we didn't know how they would react BUT GUESS WHAT?! They are all for it! They even decided that they wanted to face off against their leaders :) Rules of the game? The have to see someone take the card. There are bonus points for other things--such as inviting someone to mutual :) The teams can recruit people to join their team. Also; there's a super awesome food prize at the end (the tides of liking this contest definitely turned in our favor when we told them that part). So the battle is on!

We have been having members come up to us and as US if/when we need their help. The members here are AWESOME!

One young woman we absolutely adore (we adore our young women a LOT) went to the temple this last week and we saw her looking so much happier when she came back. It was such a mercy to us.

To be honest, I have NO idea how this next week will work out. I really don't. But I just KNOW that God will help us. I've been praying so hard for peace. I know that He will make it work out.

God has just been so kind to me. I am so blessed.

Love,

Sister Short

Letter 4/19/15

Dear Blog,

I think my favorite part of this last week has been the Active Member Lessons we have done. It's been amazing to me to see the strong testimonies of the members here. I don't know if they realize how much power and influence they have for good in the lives of those around them. It just astounds me the power one member can have--especially a member with an understanding of the Atonement and the blessing that is in their life. When we understand that, we can't help but try and share it. We can't help but invite others to the happiness we have. But it's not just about the knowing about the Atonement: "The power of the Atonement is not limited to knowledge alone.  The Atonement also provides power to do...... And when we fail, it is the power to try again.  Faith of sufficient intensity will always lead to repentance.  We apply the Atonement when we have 'faith unto repentance' "  (Alma 34:15, quote by Brad Wilcox) 

Love,

Sister Short

Letter 4/13/15

Dear Blog

This week I've been thinking a lot about faith. Faith--trust and hope in God and His Promises, and most importantly a firm belief in the atonement of Jesus Christ--proceeds miracles. Truly I have seen even a glimmer of faith be fueled into a powerful force. On the flip side, though, I have seen that a lack of faith is more detrimental than almost anything.

There's a scripture in the Book of Mormon that says "Have miracles ceased?" Then it goes on to explain that if they have then it is because of people's lack of faith.

I've been working my entire mission on my faith. It's what most everything comes down to. That may sound strange but it is truth. As I increase my faith--and especially involve God completely in that process--I find that I am happier. I start understanding things that I hadn't before. I change. 

No matter what amount of faith a person has--no matter if they have even a fleck--they can exercise it and see it grow. That's where everything starts. Faith.

Love,

Sister Short 

Letter 4/6/15

Dear Blog:

Okay I don't know about you all but to me conference gets shorter and shorter every year! This year's was just way too short!

The best thing about general conference to me is that you get out of it what you put in. For example--if you treat it like pajama and snack and nap-time then you'll end up not getting dressed until later and probably feeling sleepy and full. On the other hand, if you go with questions and concerns, looking for guidance, and prayerfully approach conference as a personal spiritual feast then you'll leave spiritually filled. You'll know God is listening to you; you'll feel his love. You'll receive answers to questions and guidance for your life.

One of the talks I loved the most during conference was about "learning the dance" verses "hearing the music". (If you don't know what I'm talking about I HIGHLY suggest this linkhttps://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2015/04?lang=eng&vid=4153714715001&cid=9 ) It's not enough to know the gospel steps--it's not enough to recite the "primary answers" (churchprayread--yes we all say it as one word) in a monotone tone of absolute boredom as the answer to everything. It's not enough to give the easy answer. Because knowing the answer doesn't change our heart. Consistently doing those things is how we learn things we never knew we didn't actually know. It's so important. and nobody can make us do it--nobody can force us to learn and grow. Nobody can give or take our faith. We need to grow our own faith--that is how we become truly happy.

Love,

Sister Short

Letter 3/29/15

Dear everyone,

How are you all? :) Good I hope! 

I'm just brand new to my new area! It's weird because I know I only have six weeks here--so I know how long I have to work. I think it's making me somewhat frenzied. Six weeks is really not very long. 

Something I'm coming to be more and more aware of is how everything we are taught in the church are linked. It's easy to look at a doctrine and not understand it. It's so easy. But if we look at every teaching it will inevitably link to a doctrine which inevitably leads back to the atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And the reason for the atonement? The reason is, simply, because God loves us. God loves us and we are His children. Simple. Each and every true doctrine and teaching leads back to that central idea--so when we live that teaching we learn more about God's love and our Savior's atonement. It's not enough to spend our lives living the doctrine. We aren't saved by living the teachings of the Savior or any of his designated prophets. That's not the point. The point is for us to be changed in our hearts to become who we are meant to become. I have seen so much how people miss the point and it's so very sad. But when people get it? That's why I serve. Because when people actually get it they are forever changed. That's what makes it worth it.

I hope each of us takes the opportunities that God gives us to deepen our understanding of the Atonement and our Heavenly Father's love. 

Love,

Sister Short

Letter 3/22/15

Dear Blog,

I'm getting transferred! Off I'm heading to Arkansas and I'm so very excited :) I really feel like I'm meant to be there.

Something that I've come to realize is that when one prays for missionaries, one should specifically pray that they end strong. I've only recently come to realize this but it's a true true true. Our mission President had a conversation with us about ending strong and he told us that the last 3 months or so--the feelings and memories--are what stick with you. I want good things stuck to me.

I know I'm not perfect. I'm not even close. But I'm so glad I am serving as a missionary. I am so glad for the time I do have left. I know it's enough. I know God is in charge of all my life--and I know he is intimately in charge of this time in my life. I can't wait to see what miracles he has in store for me in my next area :) I'm so excited! :)

Prayers would be really appreciated :)

Love,

Sister Short