it's that time of the year again.....

Okay, so most stressful day since I've returned home from my mission EVER. It's been driving me nuts!! And as stressful as it's been, I've been sitting in front of my Macbook almost the whole day. Looking at this pretty screen.

School schedule. Bleh. 

I know, worst thing ever.
Before I explain my dilemma, let me explain. I am majoring in Family Consumer Sciences Education-basically learning how to be a home ec teacher (who didn't love their home ec teacher?!....I wouldn't know...I never took it...). So I'm all signed up for the funnest classes ever--and one of the classes lets me get into the classroom to check out what it'll be like.
So I take a look at my schedule, and it looks great. Best. Semester. Ever. School is so much fun (get an education)!!
I've been all set and ready to go with it, until today, when I took another look at it. For one of the classes I am required to have FBI clearance and finger printing done. Which is totally fine--I got it all done before my unexpected change of plans to serve a full time mission. Well, those kinds of things number one, are EXPENSIVE, and number two, EXPIRE. I have no record of mine with me at home, and so I started worrying. I was pretty sure that it only lasted a year and a half....and it had definitely been over a year and a half. So I sat here all day, looking up all the other options I could fill that time with. And dropping classes. And emailing advisors. And calling professors. And blah blah blah.  Of course I start looking for a car and job while I'm at it.  It's rough being an adult.

So.  I'm all worked up. Slightly (totally an understatement) stressed, since the other options that work are all full (minus marriage prep---must have been inspired ^.^). I wish I could say I knelt down to say a prayer and right after had this inspiration...but rather I prayed forever ago when I first noticed the problem--and about 8 hours later I had the inspiration to call the College of Education at BYU. nice man answered, and helped me figure out if my FBI clearance was expired yet.
After putting me on hold for a couple minutes, he returned to the phone, complimented my name (typical), and informed me that my FBI clearance expired on February 26, 2015. Literally one day after my class finishes.
I heard that and I just about died! WHAT A MIRACLE!!!! I seriously have no idea when I got it, how long it was supposed to last, or any of that. And when I got it, I was FAR from EVER serving a mission....and yet, it worked out PERFECTLY. I just think it might have had something to do with that guy I call my Father. :) He is just SOOO good.
He has a plan. And sometimes, we have to go through a little stress in order to recognize that He is there and the plan is perfect!! My life is good. Realllllly good.

"The Lord knows your circumstances perfectly."

(Elder Jorg Klebingat)

pearly whites

So, I guess it's been awhile since I last posted a miracle--but I PROMISE they were still going on on a daily basis--and I'd be happy to share them with you if you send me a message via Facebook!!
For any of you who don't know, I actually returned from my mission exactly a week ago!! I was going to post on the miracle of my mission--the change it's brought about in me--but if you know me you'll already see that miracle.  If you don't know me, lets chat:)
I felt like I should keep up on my miracles--because we seriously are SO much happier when we see the hand of God in our lives! If you haven't looked for it--try it out. I promise you'll find things if you'll simply look.
So I'm back home in Germany, where it's about 30 degrees colder than what I've been used to (Arizona....I miss you!!!!), where we build fires in our houses and have hot chocolate at breakfast. It's pretty cozy, I must admit.  And so chilly at the same time.
But honestly, the miracle I want to share with you doesn't have anything to do with the weather here. There have been a few days sight-seeing where it's been a miracle that I've survived--but maybe I'll save that for another day:)
So my second day back I was scheduled for all sorts of doctors appointments and dental appointments--and BOY, I was PUMPED to get these teeth cleaned!! I remember my trainer always talking about how badly she wanted to get her teeth cleaned and I never understood--until I reached about the point she was at. Maybe not such a big deal to some people, but man. I was excited.
So we got up and studied and did some things around the house--when we got a call. We were late. We had the completely wrong time and we had missed our appointment. They told us to still come in--they might be able to get a little something done. Of COURSE, I wasn't yet fully registered to get onto the air base so that took an extra 20 minutes to get to the clinic....but we made it there. Eventually. Phew. Signed in, and they called us back.
I sat and talked to the hygienist--told him about my mission of course (since I have no idea what else to talk about) and then his family (since I also don't know how to talk about much else besides that too....). The dentist was running late, so the hygienist said he might as well clean these teeth up! He whipped out his tools and just got it all done! He could have easily disregarded the cleaning--but he didn't! And I was just so grateful!! As simple as it is, that was my little miracle. My little tender mercy. The Lord often works by small and simple means to help us understand and have a great testimony.

He is there! And He knows our silly and serious concerns and cares. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have been the end of the world if my teeth hadn't been cleaned--but that little tender mercy helped me remember my loving heavenly Father who truly is so aware. I guess my teeth were bad enough that even He insisted we find a way to get them done then and there! :)

"And let all things be done in cleanliness before me."

(D&C 42:41)

Holler!! Looking squeaky, huh?!?

half asleep

Finals week on campus means....lots of busy students. It means study groups and packed libraries, and it means lots of all-nighters. I honestly was doing the same thing not too long ago!
For a missionary, finals might not seem ideal. All the sudden, teaching is a little trickier. But, miracles are there when you look!

We were out the other day, simply trying to make contact with a few of the people we had been teaching. No luck. No doors were answered--and we couldn't blame them. Finals are finals, after all. As we were heading back to our bikes, we approached a girl who looked exhausted. She literally couldn't keep her eyes open, and she was speaking in practically a whisper. She told us her name and we started talking to her a little bit. She told us she had finally finished a final that she took at 6 that morning--so she was just heading home to crash.
She asked us what we did, and we started sharing our belief in Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. It was miraculous the change that we saw take place in her. As we began to discuss some of the world problems and the hope that the gospel brings, she completely woke up! There was a very real and literal transformation. She was joking and laughing and completely awake--in fact, near the end of the conversation she said she was sorry for taking so much of our time! Talk about a miracle.
That simple encounter was a testimony builder to me that the Savior truly 'awakens, enlivens, and ennobles us!' He has power to take us out of out rut and to help us be happy! I love that so much!!

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." 

(2 Nephi 25:26)

Talk about Jesus Christ and BE HAPPY!!! 

college town

We've had the chance a couple of times this week to proselyte on campus…and it has been pretty interesting, to say the least! A couple weeks ago in a meeting we committed to more consciously live the Doctrine of Christ (faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end). Sister Taylor and I had a few conversations about how we can do that better…and we couldn't figure out exactly what we could change. A couple of days later we were given a GREAT opportunity to learn. Our questions were answered. God is so good. :)

We sat in the car in the parking lot and decided we needed to make a goal for how many people we would get a return appointment with on campus. We threw out a few numbers, and finally decided on 8. We would fin 8 new investigators! One of us offered a prayer, and in it, asked to find one new investigator. The other thought in their head, “TWO!!” We both totally wimped out! We were of little faith. We didn’t think 8 was really a possible—or even reasonable—number. We got out of the car and were kind of bummed we had such little faith! Just moments before we had decided on 8—and yet, when we went to ask the Lord for help we doubted our ability to accomplish such a task. We doubted His ability! As we walked across the street we both prayed—we decided we needed to repent and have faith. We prayed for 8 new investigators. We decided we wouldn't leave campus until we found them.

Guess what happened?! Two hours later, we had 8 lessons taught, like 10 new phone numbers, and a couple who set up lessons for the following week! We also received referrals for other missionaries. The fruits of our efforts were GREAT!!! (We also got some pretty good sun:)We saw that as we consciously exercised our faith, repented, and followed the Holy Ghost, we could overcome what had only minutes before seemed impossible and completely unreasonable! Throughout this week we have noticed points where our faith could be stronger—and sometimes it’s been hard to have more! Sometimes when you don’t believe, it’s hard to just start believing. BUT, I learned that when those time come (and sometimes they do), you pray for the belief!! Pray for the faith! Pray for the energy to work and try and believe. It’s not always natural and certainly isn’t always easy! But the Savior came here for that very purpose—to help us have more faith and do greater things.

I know that as we have worthy goals and faithfully work to fulfill them, our Heavenly Father will help us. He is on our side! He is out support, and He is our guide. He will always make the impossible completely possible!!

“And Jesus said unto him, if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”

(Mark 9:23)

real life

I have been so moved by the Savior's loving sacrifice for us. As Easter has been approaching, Sister Taylor and I have bore our testimonies over and over again of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that He is truly the way to be happy in this life and to have eternal happiness in the world to come! I have realized that the moments that are often the hardest for us, we can come to understand better how our Savior feels for us. We understand better what He did for us. 

I don't love to go through hard things, but I am so grateful that I do! I understand better now than I did before how He feels about us. When we mess up--He loves us!! As simple as that!  He wants to reach out and tell us it's going to be okay. He wants us to have faith. He will never fail us--in fact, he makes it possible for us to start again and to conquer all our doubts and fears!! That is real life. It's the best!

Please, take a second to watch this video right now. And if you're having a bad day, come back and watch it again. I love at the end where it talks about all the things that He makes better. He is the best! I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and I know that He loves you! 

Happy Easter!! He is a miracle that can be a part of EVERY aspect of your life, if you will let Him in. 

"Oh what joy this sentence gives, 'I know that my Redeemer lives!'"

a week without bikes

Recently, I have felt very impressed to write about something that has helped me understand better how everyone feels when they are on the verge of something good. When we are about to make a good decision, it is often that the adversary pushes a little harder than normal. (It's a littler lengthy, but hang in there. I promise it's a good one!)
So, Saturday morning we woke up at 6:20, rolled out of bed, said a prayer, and went for a run. We ran further than we ever had before-2.5 miles! It was a beautiful day, and we felt good. We got back to the house and we cooling down on the driveway, when I saw that our bike rack was sticking out kind of funny and I went over to go and fix it. Sister Coy watched me and then we headed inside. As we walked towards the front door,  I thought out loud, "Where are our bikes?" Sister Coy looked towards the car, and suggested that we take a little lap around the block. No luck. We had heard a party going on the night before, and didn't even think to lock our bikes. I guess that taught us a little lesson. "always lock your bike" means ALWAYS lock your bike. We went in and filed a police report. The day continued--we studied and went out to work (borrowed the Spanish sisters' bikes). The work continues forward. I testify that NOTHING can stop the work of God.
Anyways, the day went on. Sunday came, and we had the best Sunday yet! We had lots of investigators and returning members there, and we couldn't have been happier. I haven't found any more joy than in the moments that I see people make real changes in their lives to come closer to their Savior! All day long we mentioned that Satan was trying to make us upset about the stolen bikes--only because such good was coming the next day! There were devoted members and nonmembers there. At the close of church, we went to talk to one of the nonmembers that we had been teaching for a couple of weeks. When we asked her about her experience at church, she informed us that the word procrastination stood out, and that she wanted to set a date for baptism. You better believe it--we were over there a couple hours later planning the whole service for the upcoming April 11! We were elated--Sister Coy and I were just so happy! After that, we went to visit with another investigator, who we also put on date for later this month! What a day. Nice try Satan--but it didn't work. Nothing's gonna stop us now!! (Sister Coy popped her first wheelie Sunday night).
Monday came around--we chopped off our hair and I felt a little bummed about that too (petty...but you know how girls are). Lets just say it was more a down-side than an upside to the start of the week. But no worries, hair is hair.
Tuesday came along and Sister Coy and I were making calls to coordinate building days and times for these baptisms--and here we hit yet another wall. Wedding receptions certainly aren't of the devil....but they sure can be a hindrance!! Wedding receptions were being held each night/day that had been set by our investigators. And we had felt the Spirit confirm these days--and so had our investigators! What was the deal?? Couldn't Heavenly Father at least let that work out? We made lots of calls to future brides and building coordinators--mostly left a bunch of messages and hoped that we'd get a call back soon.
The week still continued--we biked, locked our bikes like crazy, and worked some more. Building times started working out. Things were looking better.
We were making the last of a few arrangements for baptisms on the phone Wednesday morning, when----yikes. My iPad fell right off my lap onto the cement ground--screen facing the pavement. You know when there's a piece of clothing hanging over the edge of a piece of furniture and then randomly it will just decide to fall? That was TOTALLY what happened. There was no movement in my legs. It just fell. As simple as that. Sister Coy and I held our breath as I picked it up to analyze the damage. Cracked real good, we called the leaders and decided to get it fixed next week. I wasn't too upset--but COME ON! Really? This week? I was feeling the slightest bit defeated. But thank heavens for my companion. She kept reminding me that Satan was just trying to discourage us with our bikes and schedule and iPad now. We moved forward. That night we met a young man who had been searching for the truth and committed to be baptized and come to church. It was the coolest thing! And he came out of nowhere!!  I am so grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord. Just when you feel at the end of your rope--He reaches out and reminds you who's work this is and who is over ALL the earth.
Thursday came and we got up to run, and BAM.
 Still no bikes (although, we looked in every ditch to make sure they weren't hanging around miraculously.)
Thursday was the hardest day of my mission. There was a literal unseen power in our companionship that was keeping us from working in unity and from being happy.  It was KILLING us--seriously! There was no happiness and just a slow pace of work. You know how sometimes for some reason in your head you tell yourself you just want to be grumpy and that's that? Well, try having two people that way who are glued at the hip the whole day long. It was rough, to say the least. I would NEVER suggest it. Avoid at all costs. Seriously. We tried working things out a couple of times, and not much was said. The next day we got together and really started sharing what was going on. We realized that there was nothing about the other person that was really bothering us....nothing had happened that specifically made us made or feel upset. It was purely the adversary--and us giving way to him. We couldn't believe it. We concluded that a preisthood blessing was needed to get us out of our funk. And, lo and behold, it helped tremendously. I am so grateful for the priesthood that is available to us all. The power is real. And it is no more for me than it is for you!! That's the beauty of it!
Friday was a great day--we taught like crazy. Saturday was conference and then Sunday was as well....our investigators were blowing up our phones with texts about favorite quotes and speakers and everything else under the sun--it was so exciting!

As I was studying my scriptures this morning, I found a scripture that is SO commonly known--but I felt that is applied to this week so perfectly!
It was Alma 48:17.
"Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men."
If we were like this man ( a MAN, not a God...not perfect, but always striving to be), the devil would NEVER HAVE POWER over the hearts of US!! That is amazing! I know that when things are about to be real good, he works harder on us. And he adds one thing to another. A stolen bike and a broken iPad were enough...but he still had more to throw at us.
What is so ironic though....I am grateful for the things I faced this week. I have learned so much. My most faith-defining moments have been those that have been the biggest struggle in my life. When times get hard--keep on keeping on! After all, "He is all-powerful, and He cares. Things will work out." Trust in Him. You can never go wrong.


(SWEET end of the story....Sunday afternoon during conference we got a voice mail. From an Office Treger. Our bikes had been identified and we would have them the next morning. Our prayers and trust in God that it would work out brought forth the blessing. I read in James today also, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." It's true!)

Read Sister Coy's version too...it's always fun to get another side of the story:)

taking a tumble

One night Sister Coy and I were out with our ward mission leader, Brother Barney. If you don't know Brother Barney (which basically everyone in Chandler does), he's pretty much the sweetest man EVER! He's a little older and everyone loves him---and of course,  he loves everybody back. We went to go and contact a couple of people in our ward, and one of them lived in an apartment complex. We climbed up to the second floor and knocked.
And knocked again.
And rang the doorbell.
No luck. But that's not really too unusual. We determined that he wasn't home and were leaving to go to the next place when Brother Barney fell down the stairs!
I didn't tell you, but Brother Barney is also the kind of person who laughs off everything, and makes a joke of it all.  But when I turned from the sound of the fall, I saw him practically upside-down on the staircase. It was so sad to see him that way! After a split second, he stood up, checked the damage (a few holes in his suit pants), and laughed it off.
Of course, he didn't think much of it, but Sister Coy and I were so sad about it! Watching him limp back to his car was really sad, and the whole rest of the night after he left I couldn't stop thinking about it. I felt literally sick thinking about it.
As we were headed back to the church to load our bikes onto the back of the car, lo and behold, there was Brother Barney--out walking the dogs.  Relief swept over me. We stopped and talked to him, and he was doing just fine.  As we were driving home that night we realized what a tender mercy the Lord provided for us that night!

Obviously, it wasn't a big deal (in fact, his wife said he got two new suits out of it!). But it was to us, and so Heavenly Father assured us that everything was okay and that we didn't need to worry. Some people might not consider that timely appearance a miracle--but I know that God's hand was a part of it!!
And who would've thought that seeing a friendly man walking his dogs late at night would bring so much joy to us?!

"The Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurance, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ. Truly, the Lord suits 'his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men.' (D&C 46:15)" 

(Elder Bednar)

Learn more about Brother Barney and Mormons!