Letter 10/20/14

Dear Blog,

So, I was just thinking, my area here is just awesome. The members here are phenomenal! Like, for example, yesterday, in relief society one of the members here specifically prayed for Sister Powell and I and for the missionaries around the world. That's not all though. She prayed that we would have the opportunity to share the gospel and that "we as member's would bring those opportunities to them." It touched my heart so much! Do you all know what it means to us as missionaries to hear us prayed for AND for us to hear members asking for help helping us? It makes us feel so happy.

Another story; last week we had a dinner with some members of our ward. The Sister told us, as we chatted, about all the people she is working with and wanting to share the Gospel with. She expressed her love for President Keogh (our Stake President) for helping her see that missionary work was just inviting others to more fully feel the Saviors love. She told us how this changed her perspective of it, and now it was exciting and not something daunting and scary. She told us that her goal is to find someone for us to teach. I feel so blessed by her kindness, and I want to work so much harder because of it. 

So, I was really just thinking of how blessed I am. I am so impressed with the members here--they are simply AMAZING. I'm so grateful to be here as a missionary and to experience all of these things!

Also, one other thing; I feel so blessed to be companions with Sister Powell! I wish all of you could experience all the spunk that's packed into her! She's so sweet and awesome and just a powerhouse! 

Well, keep up the great work everyone! I'll talk to you all soon!

Love,

Sister Short

Letter 10/12/14

Dear Everyone,

I have a really cool story to tell! So we just had transfers this last Thursday and guess what?! I got a new companion--well sort of. See about four months ago in Clarksville my companion was the FANTASTIC Sister Powell--and now we are companions again!!!! I am so excited! I never expected this at ALL. Sister Powell is AWESOME!!! It was such a tender mercy!

Another cool story! We just found out on Sunday that we are not only covering the Sugar Creek ward, but also the newly created (as of like 2 or 3 weeks ago) Metfield branch! WE ARE COVERING TWO UNITS!!!! How fun is that?!

Last awesome news; we are having a tri-stake conference the end of this month in which ELDER BEDNAR is coming! I am SO excited! So basically--all this is awesome!

Love,

Sister Short

Letter 10/5/14

Dear Blog,

I've been thinking how funny it is how much we think we know. Sometimes we think we know. But as I watched conference I really got this feeling of how much God knows. I went with questions, and I can truly see that as I listened actively for those answers then God showed me what I needed to know.

 I am so thankful for our Prophet and his Councillors, the 12 Apostles, and the 70. I feel like I can feel the nearness of God's forever when I hear them speak His words. I don't know how I would make it without them. Without Prophets there would be no eternal views voiced to us as a flock--there would be no scripture. I am so thankful for all scripture--modern and ancient. Can we even begin to grasp the tenderness of God in this? Do we appreciate that the words we heard are our future--if followed we are heeding the words of God. If ignored or disregarded...we have chosen to walk on our own wisdom. It breaks my heart to think of this. It breaks my heart that so many don't know yet. It breaks my heart that so many that do know, don't care nearly as much as they should.

I pray that each of us took--and especially continues to take--full advantage of the word of God. Feel its peace; find your answers. Look and live. 

How tender God is.

Love,

Sister Short

 Thought for the day - 2 Nephi 10:16 "They who are not for me are against me, saith our God."  The cause of Christ does not need your doubts; it needs your strength and time and talents; and as you exercise these in service, your faith will grow and your debts will wane.  You need the Church, and the Church needs you.  The cause of Christ does not need critics; it needs workers. 

Letter 9/28/14

Dear Blogger Peoples,

You know, those of you with my email can write me questions and I'll answer on the blog if you want. I feel like I never know what exactly to say so it would help me!

So, lets see...news.....well for one; CONFERENCE IS COMING UP!!!!! I AM SO EXCITED--AREN'T YOU?!?!?!?!?!? It's going to be this Saturday and Sunday from....well here in Arkansas its from 11-1 and 3-5 :) you can get local times from LDS.org and watch it there live! 

So here's something I've learned really clearly about on my mission--every opportunity in the Gospel is what you make of it! So, if conference is less of a wonderful experience than you want it to be then lets MAKE something more of it on our end shall we? I mean, we are hearing from INSPIRED MEN, called of GOD, including the PROPHET OF THE LORD. That's AMAZING! That's like getting to hear from MOSES or NOAH or JOHN THE BELOVED! But in all seriousness it's even more than that. We know that Prophets are mouthpieces for the Lord. So, really, the things said will be the things that Jesus Christ would want us to know. Basically it's the things He would say.

So, here's a few questions for you to consider to yourself:

How do I prepare for this?

Some suggestions? :) How about getting plenty of sleep the night before? :) Having plenty of food/snacks? Taking a bathroom break beforehand? Making sure your viewing experience (TV, internet, the church building...) is all set up and your timing is right?

But more importantly, are we preparing spiritually for this experience will determine what you take from it. This question may be one to consider prayerfully over the next week:

If I were going to get to speak with God, and ask him anything I wanted, what would I ask?

The invitation is this--over the next week, write down questions you want answers to. These questions can be broad such as "how can I draw nearer to you?" or "what do you want me to know/do?", situation specific such as "what should my major be?" or "how can I help fix ________problem?", or specific to gospel concepts like "How can I improve my scripture study?" or "How can I understand the atonement more?".

 I would specifically invite you all to ask for confirmations on spiritual truths which you would like to know the truth of yourself. As YOU pray for help with questions (for answers and to ask for help on what to ask), diligently study the scriptures (looking for answers and help), and do all other things you feel you should (perhaps fast? read other conference talks?), you will receive a much more spiritual experience at conference. Conference will be a spiritual feast instead of pajama church. It will be a testimony strengthening experience. Please take this chance! It's beautiful!

Love,

Sister Short

 Thought for the Day comes from the Ensign. V.T. message on "The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Comforter."  Because Christ suffered the Atonement for each of us, He will not forget us.  "Our Savior has taken upon Himself..... our pains and our suffering and afflictions so that He can know what we feel and how to comfort us."  

     "In visiting teaching we reach out to each other.  Hands often speak as voices can't.  A warm embrace conveys volumes.  A laugh together unites us.  A moment of sharing refreshes our souls.  We cannot always lift the burden of one who is troubled, but we can lift her so she can bear it well."  By Sister Elaine L. Jack - 12th R.S. general president.  

     "Our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our heart as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments.  There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us."  President Thomas S. Monson.

Letter 9/21/14

My mom sent me this thought this week:
      Thought for the day comes from Stand a Little Taller by President Gordon B. Hinckley.  D&C 6:10 "Behold thou hast a gift, and blessed art though because of thy gift.  Remember it is sacred and cometh from above."               You need never feel inferior.  You need never feel that you were born without talents or without opportunities to give them expression.  There is something of divinity in you.  You have such tremendous potential because of your inherited nature.  Every on of you was endowed by your Father in Heaven with a tremendous capacity to do good in the world.  Cultivate the art of being kind, of being thoughtful, of being helpful.  Refine within you the quality of mercy which comes as a part of the divine attributes you have inherited.

     So, I was thinking, God is really kind. God is so kind that he gives us exactly what we need when we need it. I so often feel weak, but I keep asking for help. I keep asking and trying, and I've found that the Lord gives me exactly what I need in exact second I do. Like yesterday; I have been studying the atonement so much! I'm trying to learn how to use it in my life more and understand it more. Yesterday I got my answer in a tender way. Also yesterday, we didn't know where to go at one point and we drove to like 2 places thinking they would be good. Finally, because we needed to finish planning, we drove to the Walmart parking lot. We were talking about how we can get members to participate more and things like that, and then I just decided that if I wanted everyone else to do hard things I needed to. So, I got out of the car and went and talked to a worker there. We got his number and everything and will be setting up an appointment soon. 

Love,

Sister Short

Letter 9/15/14

Dear Everybody,

You know what I've been thinking about? I've been thinking--isn't it cool that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Now this doesn't mean that everyone can't feel the Spirit--they definitely can and if you didn't think that you need to study up some--but to have the Gift of the Holy Ghost is a promise of His companionship as long as we are worthy. This is a promise that anyone can join in on--just ask the Missionaries how. Pray about it. Do you know why this Gift is wonderful? Because "the Spirit will tell you all things that ye should do"!!!!!!! So really, if we are ready and willing, we will do everything the Lord has asked!

Now, a question--do we keep our listening ears on? I know I don't always. It's something we have to work at. We have to consciously listen don't we? We have to seek out those words and feelings. 

Might I suggest that we each take some time--be it 5 minutes or 20 minutes--to rid oneself of all distractions and just listen? Pray and read the scriptures. Listen. Become accustomed to the feelings and nudging of the Spirit--that will do you much good in any situation and will affect all aspects of life. Know the voice of the Messenger of God--it will teach you of Him. This is how you'll know it's of God. 

With hope and love,

Sister Short

Thought for the Day - (from Stand a Little Taller) D&C 84:88  "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will so before your face.  I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."  Sometimes you pray to the Lord with great earnestness for help, for relief from your struggles.  You wonder why your prayers are not answered as you would like them to be.  We have all had that experience.  But we come to know as the years pass that our Father in Heaven does hear our prayers.  His wisdom is greater than ours, and we come to know that He answers our prayers even though the answers at times are difficult to discern.  (President Gordon B. Hinckley).

Letter 9/7/14

So this week we had Zone Training. It was a really tender experience as we all remembered the life of Sister Vea. I can't describe the Spirit that was there.
Our mission President told us that a young adult is 8 times more likely to pass away off a mission than on one. It's easy to worry when missionaries get hurt because we consider someone called by the Lord to be protected. I think we must be careful to remember that the Lord is in control, and the Lord understands. It's hard to comprehend why sometimes, but it's important to remember God's love for each of us and for us collectively. I'm trying to make this make sense, but I think the most important thing we need to do is simply honor those who sacrifice in the Lord's name--no matter what that sacrifice ends up being.
Love,
Sister Short

 Thought for the day comes from the PG East Stake Relief Society Newsletter.  Article written by Laura Bichon. " How willing am I to be taught by the Lord and His servants? How receptive am I to the inspiration I receive? Do I do the things, like consistent personal prayer and gospel study, that will help me to be more receptive to His counsel? How do I respond to correction? Do I ask questions when things aren't clear or do I just go on in my confusion? Do I express gratitude when the Lord helps me?
     These are some hard questions to ask, and they may be even harder to answer honestly. However, asking and answering these questions honestly can help us to open ourselves up more to the influence and counsel of the Lord. If you feel like these are some questions that you would like to examine in your own life, I would encourage you (and all of us) to take the time to seriously ask ourselves, and answer,
these questions."