pics of the week

First of all… Happy Thanksgiving! There is so much to be thankful for. While we will miss having Kylee at the table tonight, we would not want her to be anywhere else. We are thankful for her willingness to sacrifice wonderful family traditions (temporarily) in order to hasten the Lord’s work. I am certain that she will be well fed and taken care of by others and perhaps, bring home a new tradition or two.

The District

The District Sisters

DC Temple

the power to choose

I've been thinking about agency lately. It's quite amazing isn't it... the ability to choose for ourselves? We get to choose what to wear and what to eat, we get to choose what to study and where we apply for jobs. We get to choose what our favorite color is, decide if we're going to make the bed, or put our seat belt on when we get in the car. We get to choose whether or not we act in kindness or pridefully walk away. No matter the case, we always get to choose!

I chose to attend the University of Utah (my entire family cheers for BYU). I chose to start blogging back in 2008, a decision I will never regret. As far as recent choices go, I'm here dedicating 18-months of my life to the Lord. I even get to choose how I spend my time here... yes, we have rules, but we exercise agency in following them. What I'm currently learning is that happiness is a choice, one that I sometimes fail to make.

We recently had what is sometimes referred to as, "the golden investigator" - he was more ready to hear and accept The Gospel of Jesus Christ than anyone I had previously met (ignore the fact that I've only been serving for two months). I was convinced that he would be the first baptism of my mission and that he would share the gospel with his family and friends. Much of my happiness stemmed from him and his choice to meet with us. He was absolutely amazing and The Spirit was always with us as we taught and bore testimony. Just a few days ago he dropped us. He no longer wanted to meet, no longer wanted to be baptized, and no longer wanted to be apart of what I was certain he was ready for. I once thought that heartbreak was when the boy you had a crush on didn't like you back... that was nothing compared to this. I really struggled those next few days. I would ask myself what I did wrong and wondered what I could have done better to help him accept our message. He exercised agency and I didn't like the results.

Just now as I was writing my thoughts, I started thinking about how Heavenly Father must feel when we make choices that do not align with His hopes and will for us. Absolute heartbreak. But He, being all-knowing, foresaw that we would make mistakes and would need a way to overcome them. That is why He sent us the ultimate gift - the gift of The Atonement. It is because of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice that we are capable of overcoming all that we face.

I resolve to be more mindful of my choices, particularly my choice to be happy. I've always known that happiness is a choice, but I'm learning it more than ever as a full-time missionary. The other day someone told me, "you have two weeks to get happy", but really I only need one minute. A small act of kindness, a short prayer to Heavenly Father, or a hymn silently sung. It feels hard in the heat of the moment, but choosing happiness is one of the easiest and greatest choices to make. Heavenly Father blessed me with agency, I can and must choose to live happily and righteously.

pics of the week

Thursday was the day I picked to showcase the PICS OF THE WEEK.
As I was getting ready to post, I noticed something….
Sister Rowley updated the blog herself!!

So, instead of stealing her thunder,
I posted these a day late.

YSA’s are great!
Missionary photo bombs are great too!

I am starting to see a pattern…

Cute as ever! I’m glad that the mission is not taking the Kylee out of Sister Rowley!

live from DC

This is the real deal, the real me, not just another letter sent home that my mom so graciously posts (thanks mom!). I AM BLOGGING! Heavenly Father knew exactly what He was doing when He called me to serve here in Washington, DC. Using the internet to share my testimony and beliefs is not a new concept for me, it's something I've been doing for years. Originally, I thought that becoming a full-time missionary would mean saying goodbye to blogging for 18 months, but turns out The Lord had a different plan. I'm so glad that He's in charge and that part of his plan is to utilize social media to share the gospel. This blog will continue to be full of letters and photos sent home.

You can also follow my new blog, one dedicated to my purpose as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Follow it, read it, share it, and even comment! I'm excited to be here in Washington, DC and I'm also excited to be here, online, doing my thing.

http://sisterrowleyindc.blogspot.com/

You can count on me

We attended a stake meeting last week where the message was loud and clear, members and missionaries are meant to work together. One cannot do what the Lord has asked without the other, nor are we expected to. It may seem too hard at first, you may feel like you don't have time to be a member-missionary, but I promise you that as you make time for the Lord, He will bless you and your efforts.

Sharing the gospel becomes easier when you study and come to personally know the doctrine. I am living proof of that principle; I did not read Preach My Gospel before beginning this 18-month mission, and the scriptures are still hard for me to understand, but as I continue to study and seek a personal testimony, teaching and testifying becomes easier and easier.

Sharing the gospel becomes easier when you pray for strength, courage, and missionary opportunities. As a missionary, I pray more often than I ever have before. I also use specifics when I pray, something that I picked up as a new and struggling missionary. I can promise you that prayers are heard and that they are answered - not always the time and way you expect or wish for, but God is always there, always leading you along, and always expressing His love for you.

Sharing the gospel becomes easier when you trust the Spirit to put into your heart and mind what to say and when to say it. This is the very thing I struggled with most as a new missionary. I continue to worry about what I say and exactly how I say it, but time and time again, the Holy Ghost helps me share the message that ought to be shared. In a sense He is a filter; what I say matters less than what the other person feels. The Holy Ghost is that mediator, He is the real teacher, and for that I am grateful.

After the stake meeting we found ourselves right in the middle of traffic jam. There seemed to be no beginning and no end to the line of cars we were surrounded by. It was in that moment of impatience, that it donned on me... this is exactly like people who are searching for the truth but know not where to find it. We, both members and full-time missionaries, know where to find it. We are blessed to have that truth and are therefore responsible to share it with others. Whether we notice it or not, they are lining up, just like those cars and the people within. There may be some impatience on their end, because they are so ready and so willing, but simply do not know which direction to go. We must set aside our fears and open our mouths! Be the type of person who can confidently declare to the Lord, "you can count on me!"

For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it —  Doctrine & Covenants 123:12

this week’s email

friends & family!

another week, another opportunity to write home and tell you how much i love you all!

thank you eric, tamra, kids, neale, emily & their kids for the letters!!!!! MADE MY DAY!

we had the amazing opportunity to learn from elder zwick (area authority) and his wife. i learned SO much from them and love them so much. elder zwick presided at all the stake conference sessions, and there was also a special meeting for ward council members and missionaries. when he came to teach the missionaries for mission conference, he allowed every single missionary to come up to him, his wife, pres & sis cooke, and elder & sis eyring to shake hands with each and every one of us! he said he doesn't get to do that in all missions, because of time, but we are small enough that we were able to do it. it was cool because he let us know how much he personally loves us and also how much the prophet and the 12 love us. we talked more about the ipads and iphones! i am SOOO excited for this new adventure of missionary work! we get them on dec 9th!

elder zwick talked about the typhoon in the Philippines. i had heard about it from sis caffee (the wife of the ysa stake rep) and felt so sad for those missionaries and their families. what a miracle, that all missionaries were kept safe! elder zwick shared some pictures of the missionaries in the mtc where they were sent for recovery. they showed pictures of rooms full of clothes that the current mtc missionaries had donated for these missionaries who were coming in after the tragedy. the donations were overwhelming. i of course was crying. what stood out to me most though was that the missionaries who had gone through that tragedy together were clinging to each other. they loved each other so much. i thought to myself, i need to "cling" to my companion. i know that i have many weaknesses to overcome while serving here in DC, and this is one of them. i really do have the desire to overcome this, to be a good companion, one that builds up - not tears down. right now i am struggling to be the one that builds, but i know that repentance is real, the atonement is all-encompassing, and the savior makes it all possible.

elder zwick also taught us to SIMPLIFY AND INTENSIFY. that is how we are supposed to teach. state the principle, share an experience, testify, share a scripture, and then the other companion testifies. it's as simple as that. always end with a testimony... let the holy ghost be the last one to say something to those you are teaching.

sister cooke's talk during mission conference was everything i needed. she talked about repentance and how it's not meant to make you feel bad about yourself, but rather yearn for perfection through christ. it was during that talk that i was reminded that i am not perfect, that i will make mistakes, and that the lord will forgive me if i but ask. he will help me manage, adjust, and become the missionary (and companion) i am capable of becoming. there was also a musical number included in her talk, "more holiness give me" - that hymn is becoming a close contender with "i stand all amazed".

president cooke always reminds me that it is impossible to fail when you are doing the lord's work. i'm grateful for that reminder and for his continual reminder to be patient with myself. it's as if every time he speaks to a general group, he is speaking to me personally.
from sis. zwick i learned that to BECOME (meaning, we are not going to immediately get there - but rather becoming is a process) a pure disciple of jesus christ we have to allow for time and growth. i need to stop striving for perfection and instead strive for daily improvement. if you never make mistakes, it means you're not trying. keep making mistakes, keep trying.

everyone look up dayton's legs. if you haven't seen it, watch it. if you haven't watch it again. it's amazing. (mormon message video) a youth one i think??

per usual, wish i had more time to write.

LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!

sister rowley

Discouragement

The letter we received today was full of discouragement and struggles. Not anything that is uncommon for any missionary, but definitely something Kylee wasn’t prepared for.  (What missionary is fully prepared for anything that comes their way?)

On Nov 7, she expressed

“I’m really struggling today (and every day is seems). I should probably talk with President Cooke, but I feel dumb, and then I feel like I’m complaining and not doing my part… Is there such a thing as too many Priesthood blessings?.. If I ask for another one, does it mean I’m not trying hard enough myself? A scripture that came into my head this morning… remember that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.  I was feeling worthless and then that thought popped into my head numerous times. I know other missionaries are struggling too, but they do such a good job at hiding it, forgetting themselves, and serving the Lord! I know I need to be patient with myself but I can’t see that I’ve made any progress at all.”

She has since seen President Cooke and reports that “everything got better”. I know that the visit made a tremendous impact on her. She has no doubt that she is where she needs to be. She is realizing that certain things that seem bad (cancellations etc.), often happen for a reason.

Please keep Sister Rowley in your thoughts and prayers.

PS Letters of encouragement can be sent here:

Sister Kylee Rowley
Washington DC North Mission
11700 Falls Rd
Potomac, MD 20854-2823

Missionaries Blog Too

If you know how to throw a welcome back party, then I'm ready to be your guest of honor. I'm back! I'm blogging again and this time I'm blogging as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! Choosing to serve The Lord for 18 months is the best decision I have ever made. Missionary life has been hard, really hard (I have no problem being honest about that), but it has been absolutely amazing. The daily miracles always outweigh the difficulties and trials that come my way. There is nowhere I'd rather be than right here helping others strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Everywhere I go, I'm reminded to utilize my talents as a missionary. Talents? What talents? Um, hello... blogging! It is no accident that the Lord has called me to serve in this particular place, at this particular time. Despite what some people may think, missionary work is much more than knocking on doors and giving away a Book of Mormon. Believe it or not, missionary work includes facebook and blogging.

So here I am with another blog, this time with a very specific purpose, a missionary purpose. Everything I share here will revolve around one little thought:  BE OF GOOD CHEER. "Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear,  for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come."  (Doctrine & Covenants 68:6)

I'm learning that the only way to do missionary work is with a happy heart and smile on my face. No matter what you say or do, it means nothing without love and sincerity. I'm learning that the only way to have that love and sincerity is by relying on the Savior. This is His work and His mission, not mine. I know that Jesus Christ loves us and knows us on a very personal level. Because of Him, we never have to feel alone. I may be out of my comfort zone, walking up to strangers and sharing with them my beliefs, but as long as I rely on Christ, there really is no reason to fear.

Pics of the week

Every week brings new photos.
Here are my pics of the week.

Companions: Sis Leben & Sis Rowley

Photo 2 - Exact quote "being a missionary does not mean i stop loving ice cream"

FIRST A THOUGHT, then an email

For over a month now, we have been writing letters to our darling sister missionary daughter. They have been filled with words of encouragement, love and support. We send off these letters hoping that she will grow and learn from our experiences and feel uplifted through our insight. Over this same period of time, something quite remarkable has happened. As we have been receiving letters from her, we find that it is our testimonies that are growing from her experiences and we are uplifted by her understanding. Her letters are filled with the sprit and this has been a great blessing in our lives.

 

and now… this weeks email:

it's been a rough few weeks. it wasn't until i had a really good day, that i realized i was sort of feeling depressed (nothing to be worried about though! missionary life just requires a lot of adjusting). i was afraid to talk to president cooke, worried about bugging him when he had so much on his plate already. sister griffiths really helped me understand that president WANTS us to call him. and so i did. we were able to set up a time to meet together the following day. tender mercy: actually meeting in person instead of talking over the phone.

i am convinced that there is no other mission president that i could have served under. president cooke and his wife (his whole family for that matter) are amazing. the mission president before, and probably many in other areas, have a hierarchy for calling. you call your district leaders first, they call the zone leaders, and then they call the assistants to the president, who then call the president. obviously that is the hierarchy we ought to use, but in some cases we really are allowed to call president. he WANTS to hear from us, he wants to have that one on one conversation. it makes all the difference to just know that. i had missed that, the ability to talk to a parent-figure like that. i have always been so open with you (mom & dad), so it's a great blessing that president allows us to be that way with him.

in that meeting i learned a lot from him, and he also gave me a priesthood blessing that made all the difference. he pointed out to me that he could have assigned two seasoned missionaries to start this YSA group - to whitewash and begin from scratch - but instead he called me. it blows my mind that the lord and president cooke have THAT much confidence in me. knowing that also humbles me and helps me realize how dependent i truly am on the atonement and on my relationship with the savior. that's what missions teach missionaries: to REALLY depend on the the lord. 
the blessing he gave me that night was so wonderful. i'm so grateful for the power of the priesthood and to have access to it here while i am serving and away from dad.

i honestly cannot wait for you (mom & dad) to meet these wonderful people. you will love the cooke's so much. i have known them for a very short period of time, but i love them so much. i loved them the very second i met them. i wish i could have better explained that experience with president, but i can't. i struggle to find the words sometimes and that was one of those times. i sort of wish i could have recorded that meeting so i could remember it forever. the feelings i will never forget though, so perhaps that's all i need.

OH! I CREATED A NEW BLOG! sisterrowleyindc.blogspot.com
i'm still working on putting it together, but i decided this was the best way for me to do online proselyting. every time i get on fb i start writing a post and realize that it's waaaay too long and i just get frustrated and give up. this way i can post lengthy things and then post the link on fb! so i will continue to send emails home and mom can take care of that blog, and then this blog i will use to teach and share some other personal experiences! perhaps some of the info will overlap, but i'm not quite sure how i'm going to do it just yet.

sister cooke & her daughters found my mission blog and love it! they also watched me opening my call! i want to watch that video again, i love it so much. i feel sort of pressured to be so good at online proselyting - everyone here knows that i blogged before - and i just get online and don't quite know what to say or how to say it. it's one thing to blog about your life, but to blog about life and turn it into a preach my gospel lesson is entirely different. this is something i need to pray more about. heavenly father will help me know how to do online proselyting and utilize my talents.
i wish i had 5hrs to write emails! i have lists of things i want to say and they just get longer and longer everyday!

i love you all so much!

love, sister rowley

Monday’s [very brief] email

FRIENDS & FAMILY!

i look so forward to mondays, to emailing home and letting you all know how much i love you. we had stake conference this week and it was AMAZING. i have been struggling a lot (i'm on the world's biggest roller coaster right now, so many ups and soooo many downs - one extreme after another). stake conference was everything i needed. we had an area authority visiting - j. christopher lancing. there was a  youth choir that sang the EFY medley song. i love that song so much, even more so now that i am a missionary and i am truly "as the army of helaman... taught in [my] youth, and i AM the lord's missionary, bringing the world his truth." i need to start carrying tissues around with me. pour elder squires (it's fine, he was front row - i was second) had to grab the tissues for me TWICE. you know how it goes, the rowley cry that never stops. the best part of stake conf. was when elder lancing talked about sections 121-123 of D&C. section 122 was what really spoke to my soul. i should have brought my scriptures so i could tell you exactly what i learned, but he talked about how this section ought to be personalized. that section says "if" so many times and if we go through and change those "if" trials of joseph smith's to our own personal trials we can then really personalize that promise "fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever."

Sister Rowley

PHOTOS!!!

Scriptures + Oatmeal = Missionary Breakfast
Sister Leben & Sister Rowley

Excerpts from a letter–FIRST VISITOR CENTER LESSON (SOLO)

10/22/13
Last night was my second shift at the visitors center and it was awesome! It was a shorter shift because of PDay. I was reviewing my training binder when a family came in. At first, I was hoping that some other missionary would come over, but I am so grateful that this teaching opportunity was mine.

They are a family of 4 – just like ours, with two daughters – from Ethiopia. The father had briefly been in the visitors center before, but didn’t stay long because he wanted to bring his family. He had seen the temple from the highway and wanted to see what it was. They walked around the temple grounds and then came to the visitors center. They had a few questions about the temple and I tried to answer them to the best of my ability. I taught them about eternal families, promises we make with God, and even baptisms for the dead. They were with me for pretty much the entire night.

I showed them the “God’s Plan” video and we again talked about eternal families and creating families and homes on a foundation of Christ. They loved the video! I taught them about the prophets (Joseph Smith & modern day prophets) and about the restoration and the Book of Mormon. They are orthodox and very faithful to Christ. We looked at paintings of Christ and even the Christus. They were so knowledgeable and after I would teach something, they would say “true! that’s true!” I was so inspired by their commitment to Christ and their obvious love for Him and for each other.

Things just got great towards the end of the night. We were able to find a Book of Mormon in their language! They wanted one, but not in English. They were so excited! I committed them to read the introduction as a family by Saturday. I will then call them Saturday and talk with them about it. I pray that they fill the spirit and come to know the Book of Mormon the way they do the Bible.

I stumbled over my words and didn’t always know what I was doing, but I tried. I stepped forward with faith, knowing that the Lord would prevent me from saying anything stupid or wrong. I’m learning that the Holy ghost is always there, but sometimes in a way I didn’t expect. Sometimes he helps me teach by knowing what to say and where to go, but more often I’m seeing that the Holy Ghost works as a filter. I open my mouth in faith, praying that something, anything I say, will touch the hearts of those I teach. Then the Holy Ghost filters the things I say in a way that allows the investigator to hear and feel exactly what the Lord wants them to. I can’t wait to see what happens with this amazing family and I know that even if they don’t accept the gospel now, I was the one who helped plant that seed. ME!… the sister missionary who just got here and has no idea what she is doing. My very first visitors center lesson! WHAT A BLESSING!