Letter 11/23/14

Dear Everybody,

Well here's the update on me--I'm in Pawhuska, OK! :) It's Osage Nation land (my memory failed me and I thought it was Creek...oops). This new area has a really slow feel to it--small town sleepy. BUT it has such great potential! The members are fantastic and there's just this feeling that there's been so much preparation done by the Lord here. I really REALLY want to see it get moving great! I'll have to send pics soon. Most the buildings here are falling apart and crumbly--I LOVE it! I could spend weeks here taking pictures of all the textures and be happy :) But no time for that now--missionary work is way more awesome!

My new companion is named Sister Booms and she is GREAT. She is super happy and bubbly and really sees the potential of this area. She's got WONDERFUL ideas and a lot of love for the area. The funny thing about Sister Booms and I? We are super similar personality wise! It's super funny to be able to be on almost the same wave-length! 

Funny story of the week--so when I got here there was no ride to take us back to Bartlesville so we could drive to Pawhuska. Luckily the Bartlesville 2nd Sisters were there and offered to fit us. The Problem? it was in a little 5 seater car...so we got creative. We crammed 2 big suitcases in the back, a pillow, and 2 carry-ons. Problem numero two? We had 2 more suitcases, some purses, a box, and a guitar left. But lest you think this was a major problem let me assure you Emily (our driver who I know from when I was in Bartlesville) is a pack-master. So a few purses on the floor, 3 sisters in back, 2 heavier-than-we-anticipated suitcases over our laps, and, to top it off, a guitar on top of those suitcases (the box fitting nicely on the lap of the passenger-seat-Sister's lap) and off we went! I have never been so sardined in my life--it was completely awesome! I quickly learned how to keep the guitar away from my face. Ha ha it was SO fun! ADVENTURE!

To share my amazing Mom's thought:

Thought for the day is from the book called "Filled with Mercy"  (daily reflections on the atonement).  "Every attempt to reflect upon the Atonement, to study it, to embrace it, to express appreciation for it, however small or feeble it may be, will kindle the fires of faith and work its miracle towards a more Christlike life.  It is an inescapable consequence of so doing.  We become like those things we habitually love and admire.  And thus, as we study Christ's life and live his teachings, we become more like him." 

My mom picked a great one. I dearly hope that each of us will take some time to  reflect, study, embrace, and express our appreciation for the atonement. The atonement is the center of it all. 

Love, 

Sister Short

Letter 11/16/14

Dear Everybody!

So here's the news from Bentonville--I'm heading out. It's hard. I really love it here. It was so sad to get the call, but I also know it's time to go. This area is picking up really well. We've been doing lot's of family history work with everyone and it's been WONDERFUL to get to know the members. Ultimately though, the Lord has blessed us. He really has. I'm going to miss it here, but I'm so glad Sister Powell is staying here--it's going to get AMAZING. She's a fantastic missionary. 

I'm heading to Pawhuska, OK. The cool thing? I've been there before! I was on exchanges a few times there when I was serving in Bartlesville! Also cool? It's on Creek Nation land! I'm literally on the reservation! I'm kind of excited for that :) So Thursday I head out!

Love,

Sister Short

PS: A thought.  Enos 1:16

"And I had faith, and I did cry unto God that he would preserve the records; and he covenanted with me that he would bring them forth..."

The Book of Mormon is the answer to millions of prayers of those gone past. That is a great gift. 

Letter 11/9/14

Dear Blog,

Ok, so, I have some stories this week!

First, we were blessed with 3 new investigators! I am so excited! They know TONS of people in the ward and TONS more really want to meet them! I am so excited!

Second, we came home from our meeting on Tuesday really ready to do amazing things. We had lunch and as we were eating we heard a knock at the door (of the member's house). So Sister Powell feels like we should answer it and I feel like I should take my bag. Anyways, we end up talking to the man and giving him a Book of Mormon and a pass-along card! We totally would have taught him except he lived in Georgia. So, in other words, a lesson knocked on OUR door! The hastening is real!

Also this week I had to get a flu shot and my insurance wasn't working so I had to pay for it out of pocket--I didn't like that. I was actually really annoyed. But you know what? God is so kind! He knew I was upset. So, later in that week there was a member who was telling me about some boots she bought and I told her I needed some new ones (mine were sort of falling apart) and she offered to get me some. I said sure, let me just go see if I have enough cash in the car for some. But no. Our feet were the same size and so she GAVE me the brand-new ones she had just bought. It was SO kind! And this member wasn't even in my ward! It was just a kind tender mercy from God. All week these little things were tender mercies from God. 

Scripture for today;

3 Nephi 18:25   "And ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even so shall ye do unto the world;"

With love and hope,

Sister Short

Letter 11/2/14

Dear Blog,

So here's a thought that I hope I say right. When Elder Bednar came here he talked about the hastening of the work as not a call for more missionary work, but rather "a call for individual repentance". The Lord can hasten His work in His time, but "the question is really whether or not we will keep up".(I hope quoted that right!) 

Now, I don't think Elder Bednar was meaning that we can stop doing missionary work--rather I feel he was pointing out our own individual responsibility for our own individual life. Our job is to be ready and willing to the Lord's call. Our job is to become more Christlike. Our job is to align our wills with His. And if we do these things, then all things will flow which should. Will we not love our neighbor if the atonement has changed our hearts? Will we not listen to the Spirit if we love our Lord's commands? Will we not do all things that are in our power to give all people as much of Christ's love as we possibly can--even the love they can experience from covenants, specifically temple covenants, and even the sacraments renewal of baptismal covenants--if we have a Christlike heart?

 I hope that each of us takes the time to do all things we know we should, and most especially we pray to God that he will help us, strengthen us, and change us to become more like the Savior through the atonement of Jesus Christ. We don't have to get there alone. We have help--we have the ultimate act of love by our Savior. Through baptism with proper priesthood authority we have access to the atonement. And if you don't have it yet, then get it. It's a blessing that the Savior wants you to have and use.

Alma 7:11-13  "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the band of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according tho the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities,

Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people that he might blot out their transgressions, according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me."

Love,

Sister Short

PS: you know what? It's awesome to be a missionary. You really get to see how God takes care of all his children in such tender little ways. Like on Sunday, a little girl got up and bore her testimony and I swear it was just for me. It was everything I needed to hear. I am so thankful for that--and for her for being so brave. God is so kind.

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.