Another week...

Dear Family and Friends,

What an amazing week! There are so many things I want to tell everyone so I'm going to jump right in to make sure it I have time to cover it all before my time ends.

Sunday was an absolutely amazing day! Sister Youngberg and I had 6 of our investigators all come to church! Not to mention, a recent convert who has been struggling to come every week finally got the push she needed and also came. One of our investigators, Lynn, is an older woman who struggles with walking. After Sunday school she said that she was going to go home because her hip was bothering her. We asked if she would like a priesthood blessing and it was an amazing thing to witness. (I think amazing is an understatement!) When we talked to her about it later, she said that her leg was feeling so much better and that the blessing was a miracle. I am looking forward to seeing her get baptized next month, but she is still struggling with smoking. To help her, Sister Youngberg and I decided to also give up something in our lives that shouldn't be there. She is giving up her naps and I am giving up snaking throughout the day. It's going to be a challenge, but I think it's a wonderful way to help Lynn.

Tuesday was an absolutely terrifying day for me! From the beginning of this transfer, I have been content to let my companion do most of the talking in the lessons. When I have something to say I'll say it, but most of the time I'm silent. She gets on a role and I hate to interrupt her. So, she came up with the idea that I should "be boss" for one whole day! The thought of it made me nauseous and I was tempted to crawl back into bed, but I went forward.

Our first meeting of the day was with a man named Jason who has a very Catholic family. They have been trying to convince him to join their church for a very long time, but he has always hesitated because he knew something else was out there. When we met with him, we found out that he has been trying to meet with missionaries for 6 months! We taught the first lesson and it was absolutely amazing; I can't even describe it! There is much work to be done, but I feel that he has been prepared. I can't wait to see him progress!

The most amazing thing that has taken place this week was with a man named Indian. He is of Irish and Native American decent. We met him last week and told him that the Book of Mormon was written by the ancestors of todays Native Americans. He was very intriged and anxious to meet with us again. We met with him last night and read the Introduction with him, also bearing our testimonies as to how true this book is. Without batting an eye, he told us that he could already feel of its power and said that he will have read it by next week. Next week can't come soon enough!

I am so grateful to be able to see the blessings of being on a mission and the hand of God in everything that takes place. So many people are ready to hear this gospel and I have the privilage of teaching some of them. I've learned so many things in the past two weeks and can already see a change in myself taking place. I wish I had more time to tell stories, but I would need several days! The adventures of Sister Sara will be continued next week! Stay tuned...

I love you all!
Sister Sara

One week/one month

Dear Family and Friends,

Two big events are occuring this week: surviving one month on the mission and one week in Illinois. The whole experience has been wonderful and I have no complaints as of yet--even if I did I wouldn't tell you.

Fall has already come to Illinois. There is a definite nip in the air and the leaves have started to change. I'm starting to make preparations for the horror stories I've heard about the winters here. Please keep me in your prayers that I will come home that I will return home with all of by body parts intact and not lost to frostbite. I'm trying to get used to the weather, but it's befuddling at times. I've never seen so much rain in my life. I laugh because the ward members talk about being in a drought. They should move to Utah!

I have a wonderful companion and I hope that we'll be able to work together for a while. I told you in my last letter that she's from Boise, Idaho, but I'm only starting to realize how much fun she is. We'll play the Saturday Warrior soundtrack in the car and we've made one of the songs our theme song: "We'll bring them truth, freedom, saaaalvation! We're sure to be the greatest missionaries the world has ever known...!" I always laugh at the looks people give us when they drive by.

I love teaching with Sister Youngberg because the spirit is always so strong. She immediately shows how much she cares for each investigator; they come first and there's never too much we can do for them. Of course, that's the way it should be and I've decided that I want to be like her when I grow up.

The work is moving forward and it's exciting to see how ready this area is. I remember how shy I was before I came on the mission, but now it's like second nature to walk up to someone and start talking about our Savior or the Book of Mormon. Sister Youngberg and I have set a goal that before we separate I need to get someone to roll down their car window at a red light and give them a pass along card. I shall succeed!

I think that one challenge I am going to have is taking this so personally. Last week one woman we met started saying how false the Book of Mormon is and that it couldn't have been written the way they say. Another started telling us that Joseph Smith was really killed in a gun fight. The sad thing is that the latter person had been taking the discussions but reading anti-Mormon literature at the same time. However, I'm seeing how much my testimony is growing by being able to tell these people that I know otherwise and I don't need any other sources to tell me otherwise. It's true because I've felt it! I've had personal witnesses tell me what I need to know and I am so grateful to be able to tell them that. They can fight fact, but not testimony.

Sadly, my time is up. I hope to hear from all of you so I'll know how things are going back home. The church is true! I love you all!

Sister Sara

Illinois Chicago North Mission

Dear Family and Friends,

I have only been in the Windy City for about 24 hours, but I'm already inlove with it! It reminds me so much of New York with its greeness, amazing houses, and picturesque communities. I'm sure I'll only love it more as my time here continues.

Yesterday was a very exciting day, so let me tell you all about it...

Our bags got loaded onto the bus at 5:00 in the morning-an insane time if you ask me, but I was fortunate because my companions had to leave at 3:00. It felt strange to be outside of the gates and I passed the gas stations in awe of the prices. Before I entered, gas was $4.00+! It made me wonder what else had changed so dramatically in such little time.

While waiting in the airport, it was discovered that two more people were coming with Elder Johnson, Elder Powell, and myself to Chicago. One is Sister Olsen who is waiting for her visa before heading to Spain, and another is Elder Olson who had to leave his Russia mission because of back surgery. The plane ride was uneventful and very uncomfortable; one side of the plane had two seats and the other had one. My seat wouldn't recline so sleeping was almost a crazy notion, but I did what I could.

President Stoddard and his wife were waiting for us when we got off the plane. He later told me that he'd been looking for someone who had giant curls like in my mission picture and that my straight hair had thrown him off. Our bags were loaded into a trailer and then the new missionaries went with the APs on a train after we were given some Books of Mormon and some pass-along cards. I didn't talk to anyone on the train, but Elder Powell started talking to a Jehovah's Witness after the guy told him that he was a member of "the church." Whoops!

Getting off the train, we met President and Sister Stoddard at a pizza place for some Chicago deep dish pizza. All I can say is, everyone who doesn't live in Chicago is missing out! "Amazing" is an understatement. I have to stop-I'm starting to drool! We got a very quick tour of the city after lunch. I hope I have more time to explore it not quite so quickly before I leave.

Everyone met back at the mission home where the office staff was introduced. Right now a missionary couple is getting ready to head back to Ireland and the office was kind of crazy because of a new couple getting trained to replace them. Everyone there is amazing and all of the sisters are more than willing to offer hugs. More paperwork was filled out and then we headed to the President's house where we would be staying for the night. During the tour, Sister Stoddard showed us a "Dear John" wall where all of the Elders post their dear John's. Some of them are pretty brutal because the girls enclosed their wedding announcements. Ouch! In their kitchen, an entire wall is covered with pictures of all the missionaries they've worked with. It's a very impressive sight.

After some more meetings about health and staying warm in the winter, eating some more, and meeting senior missionaries who are staying with the President, I finally went to bed...exhausted.

We had companion transfers today and I met my new companion: Sister Youngberg from Boise, Idaho. The President told me I would be lucky to work with her and I can already see that he had divine invervention when making this decision. My first area is a town called Woodstock and I can't wait to get to work.

To sum up these past 24 hours: I hate the humidity, the pizza is to die for, the President and his wife are amazing, I will probably come home having gained a lot of wait from eating so much, I love my new companion, and all is well.

It felt good to talk to some of you yesterday and I wish I could have had more time, but Christmas will be here before we know it! My fingers are crossed that I'll be seeing letters from some of you in the very near future!

My time is up so I must say fare-thee-well. Stay tuned for more adventures of Sister Sara: the Mormon Nun! You won't want to miss it! The gospel's true!

Sister Sara

Final day at the MTC

Dear Family and Friends,

This is my last day at the MTC and I can't believe how quickly the past three weeks has gone by. I can only imagine what the next 17ish months will be like.

Right now, my mind is trying to go over all that I've learned, but it's an impossible task. My leaders have told me that I'm already a different person than when I arrived. A part of me doubts that, but we usually aren't able to see the change take place in ourselves; it takes another person to see it. With all of my heart I hope I have changed and will continue to change as the months continue. I fully intend on coming home as Sister Waters, but my hopes and prayers are that I will come home an even better version of who I am.

I keep saying it, but it's always once again shown to me that I am meant to be here and I feel that every day. There are things I need to learn and people I need to meet. I don't know what those things are yet, but I'm sure the answers will come when I least expect it. Isn't that how life is?

It's hard to be in a place where sister missionaries have a bad reputation, but it just makes me want to work even harder to prove to myself and them that I can do this job. I found a quote by President Hinckley the other day and it says more than I ever could about serving my wonderful Heavenly Father: "Many young women are serving missions. Many are preparing to serve. Not because they aren't married, or have nothing to do, but because they have a desire to serve and therefore are being called to the work. The reason so many are going is because in the next generation Heavenly Father will be sending His priesthood army to earth and wants to send them to mothers who have been properly trained and taught in the gospel. And what better training can a young woman have than that of serving a mission."

I have no doubt that this will be one of the greatest challenges I've undertaken in my life, but I also have no doubt that this will be one of my greatest accomplishments and it will only make me stronger. My testimony is strong, but it will be made stronger. My desire to serve is strong, but it will be made stronger. Heavenly Father will make up for all of the weaknesses I have because I am willing to serve. He has called me and I will not fail Him.

My prayers are with all of my family and friends and will continue. Keep working hard and being the wonderful people I know you are. The gospel's true!

Many hugs,
Sister Sara

Week 2 of the MTC

Hello Family and Friends!

I have just completed week two of my training and I'm grateful it went by quicker than the first. Now I am counting down the number of days left here. Now that everyone knows of my somewhat daily routine, I thought I would share one of my most memorable experiences while here at the MTC.

About twice a week, each district is sent to the TRC (Training Resource Center) to teach an "investigator." My companions and I were getting ready to teach lesson one for the first time and, needless to say, we were terrified. A silent prayer was said before knocking on the door and we all held our breath as it opened. Our investigator turned out to be a 50ish year old man who had grown up reading the Bible in his grandmother's home. We asked him a few questions about his family and then jumped in, starting with the importance of family.

Throughout the meeting, the spirit was so strong and I don't think I've ever felt it like that before. I had my notes open just in case I fumbled, but I found that I hardly looked at them. Both of my companions were able to remember the scriptures relevant to what we were teaching. The investigator, Dennis, kept taking the discussion in different directions than what we had intended and I'm sure that's what the field is going to be like when I arrive next week.

Dennis was constantly talking about his grandmother. One of the first things he told us was that his grandmother had baked bread while he read the Bible at night. As we continued to teach, he made the comment several times that this felt like grandma's baked bread: comforting, warm, and safe. After making this comment again, I took the opportunity to tell him that the feeling was the Holy Ghost confirming the truth of what we were saying. What an amazing experience and I hope it won't be the last!

Several hours a week are spent in the RC (Refferel Center). Most of you have seen the LDS commercials on TV or heard about our passalong cards. This is the place where people call to receive a Book of Mormon or other items we offer that discuss the gospel. The high you get from this place is amazing when you have the chance to bear your testimony about the gospel or just talk to someone who needs to be comforted. I can only imagine the high that comes from talking to people face to face.

I've never felt more exhausted than I have the past couple of weeks, but I've also never felt so satisfied with the way things are going. Every day the spirit testifies the truth of what we are being taught. On Sunday's, the missionaries have the opportunity to watch a movie. My companions and I chose to watch the Joseph Smith movie. Once again my testimony was confirmed that he was/is a true prophet. I am here so I can prepare to tell the world the truthfullness of him and this gospel.

I'm grateful for all of the letters that I've recieved the past two weeks, but my fingers are crossed that I'll be seeing some in my hands from a few certain people or some letters in my inbox the next time I check. (Hint, hint.) I love you all and I hope to hear from you soon! The gospel's true!

Sister Sara

P.S. I got my travel plans! I fly out September 2 about 7 in the morning! My next letter will come from Chicago!

P.P.S. Thanks for the family package! It totally made my day!

Week 1 of the MTC

Hello family and friends from the MTC!

This letter is proof that I have survived my first week here. I'm enjoying it, but I'll be glad when the next two weeks pass so I can head to Chicago and start the real work. They've given me two companions, Sister Goodsell from Las Vegas and Sister Stowers from Draper. They're nice, but it's been a challenge getting used to having two girls stuck to my hip all day. I relish the time when I'm sleeping and showering; it's at least one thing I can do alone.

I'm sure you're all curious, so I'll enlighten you with a typical day here at the MTC. I wake up around 5:30 or 6:00 most days (except on P-day when I have to wake up at 5 for the temple). I have until 6:50 to get ready and then go to my classroom for 30 minutes of study time before breakfast in the cafeteria. The cafeteria is an interesting place; it scared me my first day because it immediately brought back nightmares of highschool with all of the hungry boys. After breakfast, we have study time or go to class for several hours. I have two teachers, Bro. Swenson and Bro. Heasley. I won't tell you which, but one of them makes me want to take a nap every time he teaches.

Lunch comes next, after which there is more study time or class. It's the same for after dinner. We have gym four days a week which has become a nice break from the usual classes. After a 30 minute planning session for the next day, it's quiet time and lights out at 10:30. Then I start all over the next day.

There are several stories I would like to tell you, but my time on the computer is short. To sum it up, it's amazing to be in a place where the spirit is felt so frequently and so strongly. You can definitely notice when it's missing. I look back on the week I've been here and I'm amazed by all that I've learned and will continue to learn. There is no doubt in my mind that is where I should be right now and that this will be one of the greatest experiences of my life. The Lord has blessed me by leading me here and I am so grateful for His guidance. I miss you all, but I can only imagine how quickly the next 18 months will pass.

Well, my time is almost up. I love you all and I'm still waiting for some letters from my parents and sisters. Big Brother, Grandma, Debby, and Lauren: I thank you for your letters. Mail time is something I look forward to every day. That and bedtime. ;)

The gospel's true!!!!
Sister Sara

P.S. Have you considered dearelder.com? It's amazing! You can save a stamp!
P.P.S. HUGS to everyone!
P.P.S.S. Don't forget my Chicago package!

Farewell Talk: Service

Called to serve him, heav'nly king of glory,
Chosen e're to witness for his name,
Far and wide we tell the father's story,
Far and wide His love proclaim.
Onward, ever onward...

I'd like to focus on two different types of service:
-Being called to serve and
-Service we willingly give because we are taught to care.

*Missionary work:
The willingness of Latter-Day Saints to serve is a representation of their desire to do the will of the Lord. Our baptism is a call to lifelong service to Christ. Like those at the waters of Mormon, we are "baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before Him that ye have entered into a covenant with Him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his spirit more abundantly..." (Mosiah 18:10)
As David O. McKay famously told us, "every member is a missionary." We need to befriend and fellowship nonmember neighbors, employees, friends and acquaintances, and those we meet while serving our community. By our interests and associations, we should strive to bring those nonmembers to the point where they willingly receive the stake or full-time missionaries. What every member ought to do, by good example and testimony, is to portray to nonmembers the joys of gospel living. As we become instruments in God's hands, in changing the lives of others, our own lives cannot help but be uplifted.
J. Ruben Clark said, "in the service of the Lord, it is not where you serve, but how." I have never had any problem accepting the fact that Chicago is where the Lord wants me to be. I don't know my purpose in being called there, but I'll be finding out in the next 18 months. Service does not come by assignment. It is a feeling that accompanies a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. *JOHN 12:26*

*Willingness to serve others:
During an episode of MASH, Father Mulcahey makes the comment that "it is a very low and unscrupulous person who abdicates the opportunity to do work for his fellowman."
Learning to serve for the right reason is a vital part of our spiritual progress. It is not just works or gift giving, but a condition of the soul, a quality of our character. The gift of charity flows from God as he reveals His love for us, and from our reciprocating--feeling love for God, His work, and His children. That is why Alma could say: ALMA 7:24. Pride is the opposite of charity, selfishness, indifference, and indolence are enemies of charity.
Devoted service and discipleship are the same. Alma told perspective members at the waters of Mormon that those who are baptized are to be "willing to bear one another's burdens, to mourn with those that mourn, and to comfort those that stand in need of comfort." King Benjamin asked how someone can know a master he has not served. We come to know our master through having faith, hope, and charity. These qualities will lead to service, discipleship, and eternal life.
The tradition of service by disciples of Christ is a pattern portrayed over and over in the Book of Mormon. Jesus Christ is a model servant. As he prepared to enter into mortality, the Messiah pledged, 3NEPHI 1:13-to fulfill his ancient and ageless covenant of service and sacrifice for mankind. The resurrected Savior's example of service was very personal, for "he came down and stood in the midst of them." He spent time with them, taught them, prayed for and with them. He blessed the sick, lame, maimed, deaf, blind, and dumb. He blessed and prayed in behalf of the little children with such tenderness and spiritual impact that His words could not even be written.
In addition to the recorded acts of faithful leaders, our legacy also comes through the service of millions who are nameless in the scriptures--wives, children, laborers, soldiers, fathers, and mothers: the sons and daughters of God. Like them, a high office or worldly means is not required to serve. We serve according to the circumstances and seasons of our lives, even as we speak well of others, teach a class, express gratitude, share good thoughts, bear testimony, refuse gossip, and pray for others. When our lives are aligned with the teachings of Christ, we find opportunities to serve, take initiative, accept and magnify callings, and eagerly engage in good works, not always being commanded. D&C 58:26-29.
A teacher once told me that "recognition from on high is silent. it is carefully and quietly recorded there." Sometimes, because of the pressures of the world around us, our service becomes "self-service" instead of selfless service. Selfless service projects are the projects of the gospel; they have continuity. They are not one-time special events based on entertainment. They needn't be regimented nor regulated. Selfless service projects are people-to-people, face-to-face, eye-to-eye, voice-to-ear, heart-to-heart, spirit-to-spirit, and hand-in-hand.
Our eternal destiny is welded to the destiny of our fellowman. There is always a desire for recognition within our social system, and that is how it should be if our desire is kept within bounds. Within each of us is an intense need to feel that we belong. This feeling of unity and togetherness comes through the warmth of a smile, a handshake or a hug, through laughter and unspoken demonstrations of love. It comes in the quiet, reverent moments of soft conversation and in listening. It comes from a still, small voice reminding us that we are brothers and sisters, children of a Heavenly Father.
When we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves. In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Christ that by losing ourselves we find ourselves. We all remember the letter President Hinckley received from his father while on his mission: "forget yourself and go to work." The Lord notices us and watches over us, but it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. It is vital that we serve each other. The righteous life is achieved as we magnify our view of life, and expand our view of others and of our own possibilities. The more we follow the teachings of the Master, the more enlarged our perspective becomes. We see many more possibilities for service than we would have seen without this magnification. The abundant life noted in the scriptures is the spiritual sum that is arrived by the multiplying of our service to others and by investing our talents in service to God and man.
I pray that we will learn to ponder deeply, carefully, and prayerfully our roles in life, where we can give the greatest service, to whom we can make the greatest contribution, what we should do with our lives, and with our special skills and training. Our success will be measured by what we can give of our lives and our contribution to others, rather than what we can get and receive from others. The happy and abundant life begins from within and then moves outward to other individuals and communities. If there is richness and righteousness in us, then we can make a difference in the lives of others, just as key individuals have influenced us for good and made us richer than we otherwise would have been.
What is our greatest potential? Is it not to be Christlike ourselves? Some of the qualities we might consider developing are intelligence, light, knowledge, and leadership. However, the most essential godlike quality is that of compassion and love--compassion shown forth in service to others, unselfishness, that ultimate concern for others we call love. Wherever our Father's children magnify their callings, they are becoming more like him.
I would like to pose one final question: which is the greatest commandment in the law?
The answer is found in MATT. 22:37-40.

*TESTIMONY


I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.