Finally Listening

Life is hard!! I know you are thinking, "Tell me something I don't already know." My anniversary of returning from the mission field is coming up. One whole year! Who knew that time could go so fast and life could be so rewarding yet painful in 365 days.

In the last year, I have experienced so much. Highs and Lows and lots of stuff in the middle. I feel like my experiences could help someone else. A few months ago, I started having this feeling or prompting that I should start writing on this blog again. I would tell myself, "I need to do that!" Then life would happen and weeks later I would realize that I never even opened up the webpage. 
Two weeks ago, I was in Arizona in the Gilbert Temple and I was prompted again to write. And topics came to my mind of what to write about. There is no denying that. However life happened and I was not able to start writing immediately. Then, this morning I read a talk by President Henry B. Eyring titled "The Holy Ghost as Your Companion." In this talk, he tell and reminds us that to have the Holy Ghost with us always, we can start by following a prompting. After we follow that prompting, more promptings will follow. Right away, this blog came to my mind, so instead of doing homework, I am here writing this blog because I was asked to and I really need to follow this prompting. I don't know if many people will read this or if it will only help me. But I know that God has a plan for each one of us and that I would not have felt prompted to write this if there was not a purpose.

God is aware of each one of us. He knows your needs and He knows mine.

In this blog, I will be sharing some insights and advice from the perspective of a return missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I know that the contents of this blog may not be unique, but hopefully they can help someone.

For now, there are twelve topics that I would like to talk about. Don't worry, I am not going to go into each of them now. (Phew!!) Each topic will get its own spotlight in a blog post.

Maintaining the Spirit

Managing your Time

Dating and Marriage

Scriptures

The Temple

School

Reflecting on the Mission

Continuing to Develop

Member Missionary Work

Trusting God

Charity and Loving others

Being Happy and Finding Joy

I know that God is aware of you because you are His child. His son or daughter. He misses you. If you are not sure about this, ask Him. Kneel down, pray, and ask Him in if He knows who you are and if he loves you. If you really want to know, then I promise that He will answer through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Love Always,
Natalie

June 23rd

Two years ago I entered the Missionary Training Center (MTC) to begin my mission!! I can't believe that two years have passed so quickly and that I have been home for about 6 months!! I feel so very blessed that I was called to go on a mission to Temple Square. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities that I was given to better understand the gospel of Jesus Christ and the miracle of his atonement. Thank you to all of the wonderful Sisters, Elders, and people that I was able to associate and learn from on my mission

Hello World!

Wow. I can't believe that I am actually writing on this blog directly. It is a strange feeling. I am so very grateful to my wonderful sister Audrey for creating and constantly updating this blog for me while I was serving my mission. Thank you Audrey!

I have been released as a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for 1 month and 17 days. Ugh! How does time go so fast! When someone is called as a missionary for the LDS church, they are set apart by the priesthood power (authority to act in the name of God) just like Paul and Barnabas were in Acts 13:2-3. When someone has finished their service (usually 1 1/2-2 years) they are released from that specific calling as a missionary. So when I was released, I had to take off my name tag and the mantle of a missionary was taken away. It was a tough experience but a memorable one. And I still miss wearing my name tag. :)

Being a return missionary has not been easy. It is so hard to go from serving full time to acting for yourself, especially in college! Although I have had a crazy amount of trials in my short 1 1/2 months being back to "normal life" I have also witnessed so many miracles! I know that God is definitely aware of me and my struggles because he sends me love and miracles that I wonder if I deserve. Last week a fellow RM from Temple Square left me some yummy cinnamon rolls and a note. I needed that to get through that week/day. (Thank you Sister Schill) I am so grateful. God uses normal people who are listening to the Holy Ghost to create miracles and answer prayers. I am happy that I was able to see that clearly for 18 months and that I am still able to be a part of creating miracles and having them happen to me.

I love the opportunity to serve God with all my might, mind, and strength for 18 months. Although I gave everything I have, I feel like all of the favors were done to me. I was able to change who I was into someone so much better. I say this because I now have a close relationship with my Savior Jesus Christ and God my Heavenly Father. I understand the gospel so much better and understand how it is a part of everyday life- and that is the way it should be. I have seen the difference and the power that the gospel brings into our lives when we follow the commandments and council from God and his prophets (ancient and modern). I could go on an on about the many things that I have learned and before I start to ramble I will just say that my knowledge and testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been strengthened so much. I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in upstate New York in an answer to a simple prayer of searching for truth. I know that Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet of God exactly like the prophets of old. Because of this, The Book of Mormon is a true book. It really is the word of God and it changes lives. I know this because it has changed mine and I have seen it change other's lives. Jesus Christ lives today. He died for each one of us so we could choose to live so we can be with Heavenly Father again. He loves us and that is why he atoned for us.

Until next time, remember that God love you and will provided for you. All you need to do is reach out with faith and trust him. That can be hard and scary to do, but life is so much better when you remember his love.

Love Always,

Natalie

More to come!

Keep checking the blog! Soon there will be more posts. This blog is going to transform soon!!!! It will be exciting!

She is back!

Natalie has been released from her mission on Temple Square! 

We thought that we would take a picture this last Sunday when she was given her missionary plaque that has been hanging up at our church building for the 18 months she had been serving.

Sisters on a cold night!

Sister Stephen's last letter as a missionary

Hello y'all!

This is a pretty scary subject to be writing on... Serving a mission has been the very best thing that I have ever done.  I am so grateful that Heavenly Father sent me on a mission to do his will.  There are many people who would have been better for the job, but that is not how Heavenly Father works.  I have been changed from the inside out and I am so so grateful for that.  I love missionary work because I can help people to really feel the love that God has for them.  I love the atonement of Jesus Christ and I know that He died and atoned for each one of us.  I know that God has restored His original church and that it is for everyone.  I love the mission so so much!!

On Sunday, we went to Music and the Spoken Word and we were recognized as sisters who had finished their mission on Temple Square.  After the broadcast, Lloyd Newl announced where each of us was from on the mic and everyone in the conference center applauded for us.  I was overwhelmed with the way I felt.  I felt happy, sad, shy, proud, and grateful.

On Monday, we had transfer conference and each of the departing sisters had the chance to shard 1 minute of advice that they would give to a sister coming on a mission.  This was my advice:

Be willing to trust God and let go.  That is the scariest thing that you will ever do because your natural man/woman wants to be "in control".  The only way that you will every really change and do the work the way it is meant to be is if you let God be in control.  That is the way to progress and to be truly happy.  It is terrifying and scary, but it is the only way to become who God wants you to be.

After that, we all lined up and the mission sang our mission song.  Yes I cried.  I will miss the sisters and the mission so so much.

On Tuesday we went to the temple!!  We had a meeting with the Temple President, his wife and President and Sister Poulsen, then we went to the 10am session.  The spirit was so strong and I learned so much and received a lot of revelation for what I need to do after my mission.  I love going to the temple so much!  I know that Heavenly Father is aware of me and that He loves me.

Wednesday was really strange because so many of my close friends went home and have been released.  So strange!  But I also got so see so many dear friends that came back from outbound.

Tomorrow I have my departing interview with President Poulsen. I will also have to check out with the mission secretaries who will make sure that I left everything nice and clean.

Well I have to go now... But I will see you all soon!

Love Always,

Sister Stephen